Help! I'm the Plot Device: Just Here to Save the Heroes

Kitty, Pour Me Another Cup

"Sweet, crunchy, and no one's threatening to flog me. Best day so far."

But as he wandered deeper, he couldn't ignore the snippets of talk that drifted past him.

"...and the second prince-hah!-admitted all his crimes and got flagged yesterday, the useless wretch..."

Jerry's smile stiffned. Even here, in the swirl of night markets, his borrowed name was a curse. He tugged his hood lower and moved on quickly, the candied hawthorn stick clenched between his teeth. Jerry kept his head low, weaving among the bustle. That was when his eyes caught on a familiar figure ahead.

Yan An.

The man moved through the crowd with the grace of someone too used to being unseen, dressed in a plain robe that disguised his usual poise. Jerry narrowed his eyes. Why would he be in disguise? Curiosity pricked, and before caution could remind him otherwise, Jerry followed.

Yan An slipped into a tavern, its lantern light spilling out onto the street. Jerry lingered at the door, pretending to study the wine list pasted outside. Through the gap, he caught sight of Yan An at a corner table. Another man sat opposite him, shadows obscuring most of his face. After a brief exchange, the stranger slid a scroll across the table. Yan An accepted it with the smallest nod before standing.

Jerry ducked his head, pretending to search under the table as Yan An left. He trailed after him at a careful distance, weaving through the crowd.

But then Yan An turned down a narrow alley.

Jerry hesitated, glancing around. The alley was dark, empty, damp with the smell of wet stone. Still-he followed.

And froze.

Yan An was already there, leaning casually against the wall, arms folded, expression unreadable. The faint lantern light from the street carved half his face in shadow, his eyes glinting like a predator waiting in silence.

Jerry's pulse jumped. He took a step back.

In an instant, Yan An's hand shot out, grabbing Jerry by the collar and yanking him forward. "You were spying on me," Yan An said, voice low, edged with steel. "Looks like you're tired of life."

Jerry raised both hands in surrender, voice cracking a little. "Yao daren-it's not what you think it is."

Yan An's grip tightened. "Is it not?"

Jerry forced a sheepish smile. "It's not."

For a long moment, Yan An searched his face, gaze sharp enough to cut. Then, with a scoff, he released him. "Fine. Then let's walk."

Jerry blinked, dumbfounded. "...Huh?"

Yan An was already striding back toward the street, the scroll tucked under his sleeve. He turned once, brow arched. "Are you not coming?"

Jerry scrambled after him. "Yes, yes, of course."

The street noises swallowed them once more as Jerry fell into step beside him, heart still thudding. He muttered under his breath, "System, do cats have mood swings along with attitude?"

The system's dry voice hummed in his head: I think so.

Jerry sighed. "Great. Just my luck."

Across the street, Crown Prince Zhao Yuanzhou strolled with his guard, Ran Yi, pausing at a silk stall.

"Was it wise to confront the Emperor so openly?" Ran Yi asked lowly.

"I'm tired of this game," Yuanzhou replied, gaze dark. "Proof slips from my fingers every time. He's always one step ahead."