The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat-Chapter 20: You Just Wait

Although Li Lou’s facial features bore a slight resemblance to Li Ji’s, his physique was a far cry from the tall, well-built frame of Li Ji, who had practiced martial arts his whole life. With his clothes stripped away, his scrawny, pale body was laid bare.

As an avid spectator of the unfolding drama, Hua Manman found the view entirely unappealing.

Chen Wangbei held up the stripped-off clothes to Prince Zhao, awaiting his next command.

Li Ji didn’t even glance at the clothes, saying nonchalantly,

"Since he has worn them, they’re tainted. No amount of washing will make them clean. Burn them all."

Upon seeing this, Hua Manman, who was watching furtively, felt her practical-mindedness taking over. She couldn’t help but suggest,

"These clothes are perfectly fine. It would be a shame to burn them. Why not sell them for money and donate it to the Charity Hall? It could even earn the Prince some merit."

Li Ji turned his head to glance at her.

Hua Manman blinked, her smile both innocent and charming.

This time, Li Ji couldn’t read any ulterior motives in her mind.

’She actually just wanted to do a good deed.’

Li Ji suddenly smiled.

It was a smile devoid of any mockery.

"Very well. We shall do as you say."

Hua Manman hadn’t expected him to agree. She had only made the suggestion offhandedly and was even prepared for a harsh retort. She never imagined Prince Zhao would accept her idea so readily.

’This man truly is as fickle as the weather, impossible to predict.’

Chen Wangbei immediately gathered the clothes and handed them to a trusted aide standing by.

Li Lou hugged his scrawny body, trembling from head to toe. He was clearly about to lose his mind with anger.

"Even if you’re a Prince, you can’t humiliate me like this! Just you wait, I’m going to find Auntie!"

He was sure Princess Rouwan would stand up for him.

’Then he would make Li Ji pay!’

Chen Wangbei glanced at Prince Zhao. Seeing the prince had no intention of stopping him, Chen Wangbei didn’t move, simply watching as Li Lou ran off into the distance.

Perhaps thinking of something, Li Ji said unhurriedly,

"To Haiyan Residence."

Hua Manman didn’t know the way to Haiyan Residence, but fortunately, Chen Wangbei pointed it out, and she was able to find it easily.

Li Ji sat in his wheelchair, head tilted back, gazing at the two words written above the archway: "Hai Yan." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Duke Zhen had personally calligraphed them for him while he was still alive.

They say a person’s handwriting reflects their character, and just like the man himself, Duke Zhen’s calligraphy was firm, upright, and resolute.

Li Ji stared at it for a long moment, then suddenly said,

"Even if I no longer want my things, I will not have them coveted by some dog.

Wang Bei, take your men, move everything out of Haiyan Residence, and sell it for Silver Coins to be donated to the Charity Hall.

As for anything that can’t be moved, smash it all to ruin."

Chen Wangbei cupped his fist in salute. "As you command!"

He immediately led a squad of trusted aides and charged into Haiyan Residence.

Soon, the startled cries of maids and servants rang out from within Haiyan Residence.

"What are you doing?! This is property of the Duke Zhen Country Mansion! You have no right to take it! Put it down, now!"

This was followed by a series of CRASHES and SMASHES, as if things were being destroyed.

Even without being able to see anything, Hua Manman could imagine the utter chaos inside Haiyan Residence from the sounds alone.

This was the place where Li Ji had grown up, a place that held so many of his memories. Normally, he should have been filled with nostalgia for it. But when Hua Manman looked at Li Ji now, there wasn’t the slightest trace of nostalgia on his face.

His long, narrow dark eyes held only cold indifference and scorn.

Before long, Princess Rouwan came rushing over.

Trailing behind her was a large crowd of people, and among them was Li Lou.

He had snagged an item of clothing from somewhere and thrown it on haphazardly. It was ill-fitting, making him look utterly ridiculous.