The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat-Chapter 126: Sulking

Hua Manman hurriedly tried to salvage the situation.

"I’m the one who should be happy. To be summoned by Lady Shufei is a great honor, and I’m overjoyed."

Lady Shufei reluctantly accepted her explanation and said slowly,

"You must know the Sixth Prince’s situation by now. He refuses to eat or take his medicine. I hope you can talk some sense into him and stop him from toying with his health."

’Isn’t this just a matter of feeding him some toxic motivational speeches? I’m an expert at that!’

She agreed without a moment’s hesitation.

"No problem, leave it to me!"

Lady Shufei was very pleased with her positive attitude. She ordered someone to bring a stool, gestured for her to sit, and had tea and snacks served.

Li Yi’s reaction, however, was cold.

He kept his lips pressed together and his brows furrowed, looking thoroughly unhappy.

When Lady Shufei asked if he was thirsty, he turned his head away, refusing to engage with her.

Lady Shufei seemed to be used to this and showed no signs of anger or embarrassment.

She then asked, "Lady Hua came especially to see you. Don’t you want to say hello?"

Li Yi still said nothing.

At that moment, his entire being radiated resistance.

Lady Shufei was about to say more, but Hua Manman stopped her.

"Your Ladyship, you can leave things to me. You must have been exhausted these past two days. You should take this chance to get some rest. Don’t wear yourself out."

Lady Shufei also knew the Sixth Prince did not like her.

If she stayed, the Sixth Prince would surely remain defiant to the end.

Seeing no other choice, Lady Shufei could only stand up.

"In that case, I will take my leave. Do your best to persuade the Sixth Prince. As long as you can get him to obediently eat and take his medicine, you will be handsomely rewarded."

Due to her noble birth, she was accustomed to this high-and-mighty attitude. She spoke and acted with fewer reservations than an ordinary person, with a touch more assertiveness and casualness.

Therefore, she failed to notice that after she spoke, the Sixth Prince’s expression darkened even further.

In his eyes, Lady Shufei’s words were undoubtedly telling him that Lady Hua was on her side.

’They’re all in this together!’

After seeing Lady Shufei off, Hua Manman turned and sat back down by the bed.

She looked at the Sixth Prince, who was still turned away and staring at the wall, and said,

"Alright, Lady Shufei is gone. You can stop sulking now."

Li Yi had already made up his mind not to pay Hua Manman any attention.

But now, her words provoked him.

He couldn’t help but turn back to glare at her and retort,

"I am not sulking!"

Hua Manman casually picked up a nearby grape, peeling it as she spoke slowly,

"It’s fine. You’re still a kid. It’s normal for kids to sulk."

Li Yi grew even angrier. "I’m not a little kid anymore!"

’It was because he was a child that everyone kept secrets from him, refusing to tell him the real cause of his mother’s death.’

’It was also because he was a child that his Father Emperor didn’t even ask for his opinion before sending him here to Lady Shufei, forcing him to accept her as his new mother.’

’A child had no right to know the truth, nor the power to refuse the arrangements made for him.’

What Li Yi hated most right now was being called a child.

Hua Manman popped the peeled grape into her mouth and said as she chewed,

"But only little kids would use refusing to eat or take medicine to threaten others. If an adult were in this situation, they would definitely focus on getting healthy first, and then figure out a way to fight for their own interests."

Li Yi clenched his fists and said resentfully,

"Don’t think that just because you say that, I’ll listen to you and obediently eat and take my medicine. I know you’re in cahoots with Lady Shufei. I won’t fall for your tricks!"

Hua Manman realized the boy’s personality seemed to have changed a lot.

’The last time she saw him, he was just a pitiful little boy who would bawl his eyes out just from eating a sticky rice ball.’

’Now, he was like a hedgehog, covered in spines, refusing to let anyone get close.’

Hua Manman tried to persuade him in earnest.

"You should try to look on the bright side. Maybe I’m not in cahoots with Lady Shufei."

Li Yi looked at her with suspicion. "Then what are you doing here?"

"Maybe I’m just here to placate Lady Shufei, and freeload some food and drinks while I’m at it."

After saying this, Hua Manman picked up a slice of sweet melon, took a huge bite, and savored the refreshing sweetness that filled her mouth.

Li Yi: "..."

’Reason told him this woman was definitely lying. She was trying to get him to lower his guard.’

’But watching her eat with such relish was just too convincing.’

Li Yi questioned, "Can Prince Zhao not afford to feed you? Do you really have to come here to freeload?"

Hua Manman explained in all seriousness,

"Ah, you wouldn’t understand. Food you get for free from others always tastes the best. After all, it’s a waste not to take advantage of a freebie."

Li Yi was left completely speechless.

Hua Manman finished the sweet melon and moved on to the watermelon. After the watermelon, she continued with the grapes.

The unique sweet fragrance of the fruit wafted into Li Yi’s nose.

He heard the crisp CRUNCH CRUNCH sounds and watched Hua Manman’s happy expression as her mouth filled with juice, and he couldn’t help but quietly swallow.

He hadn’t eaten much recently and was already starving.

He had been holding on until now purely through willpower.

Having someone gorge themselves in front of him now was simply torture for his willpower.

Li Yi struggled to tear his gaze away from the fruits and pastries and said through gritted teeth,

"If you want to eat, go eat outside. Don’t stay here and be annoying."

Hua Manman giggled. "I won’t go out. I’m going to eat right here."

Li Yi’s lower lip trembled, and he looked like he was about to cry.

Hua Manman spoke first.

"And you say you’re not a little kid. Only little kids cry at the drop of a hat."

Li Yi: "..."

It took a great deal of effort for him to force his tears back.

Hua Manman casually picked up a piece of red bean cake and held it out to him.

"Eat it secretly. I won’t tell anyone."

Li Yi smelled the sweet fragrance of the red bean cake, and his mouth began to water involuntarily.

He fought the urge to swallow and said resolutely,

"I won’t eat it!"

Hua Manman dangled the red bean cake in front of him, tempting him.

"Are you sure you don’t want it?

This red bean cake is delicious. It’s fragrant and sweet, and it melts in your mouth."

Li Yi opened his mouth to refuse again, but Hua Manman seized the opportunity to stuff the red bean cake into his mouth with a quick, precise movement.

His tongue tasted the sweetness, and he chewed subconsciously.

By the time he realized what was happening, he had already eaten half the red bean cake.

Hua Manman watched him with a smile. "Yichongyuan gave her life to save yours. If you really ruin your health, the first person to be heartbroken would be Yichongyuan."

Li Yi fell silent.

The reason he refused to eat was to show Lady Shufei that he would not compromise, and certainly would not accept her as his mother.

’His mother would only ever be Yichongyuan.’

Now, Hua Manman’s sudden mention of Yichongyuan seemed to have struck the softest spot deep in his heart.

The pain of it instantly drained him of the strength to refuse.