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

Jerry vs. Gravity: The Sequel

Jerry stumbled back, sitting down on the bed, robe clinging, wet hair falling into his eyes. "Yao Daren... stay there!"

Yan's smile widened, eyes sparkling with teasing warmth. He leaned in slightly, voice soft, almost a whisper. "Why? Didn't we sleep together here... you were on top of me all night? Why shy now?"

Jerry internally screamed. System, help me!

The system muttered: "Host... I don't know what is happening here."

Yan stepped closer, close enough that Jerry could feel his warmth. He tilted his head, brushed a stray strand of hair from Jerry's forehead, and let his fingers linger. "You were... so concerned about me? Sad that I was betrayed... worried I might die? Tell me, what was all that about?"

Jerry gulped. "It's... it's..."

Yan leaned a fraction closer, voice teasing yet soft: "It's... what, Prince Yichen?"

Heat crept up Jerry's body. System...!

"Woow... how flirtatious," the system muttered.

Jerry's eyes widened, frozen, as Yan's gaze softened even more, lips just a whisper away-

Knock! Knock!

Yuanzhou's voice called through the door. "Yichen?"

Yan exhaled, straightening with a small sigh, eyes still on Jerry.

Jerry scrambled upright. "Yao Daren, please..."

Yan's smile lingered. "Chuchu... isn't it?"

Jerry nodded rapidly.

"Go open the door," Yan said calmly, teasing sparkle still in his gaze.

Jerry opened the door, rubbing his damp hair back. Yuanzhou stepped in, scanning the room with a measured look.

"You didn't sleep?" he asked.

"I... I was about to," Jerry mumbled, tugging his robe tighter around himself. "What is it, brother?"

On the bed, a white cat curled up lazily, flicking its tail and blinking at Jerry as if mocking him.

"The guards said they saw you in the watchtower, soaked through, this evening," Yuanzhou said, eyes flicking briefly to the feline.

Jerry waved a hand. "It was hot... so I went up there to get some air."

Yuanzhou nodded, but his expression remained serious. "Have you heard about the Shadow Clan Prince... Li Jie?"

Jerry blinked, caught off guard. He glanced at the cat, now lounging with a deliberate flick of its tail, and back to Yuanzhou.

"I... I've heard of him. The one you-" Jerry stopped, unsure.

Yuanzhou exhaled sharply. "Nothing else?. Then just... be careful. Don't wander alone."

Jerry frowned. "What happened, brother? You look... worried."

Yuanzhou's gaze darkened. "I think the cart accident you were in... it's connected to him."

Jerry froze. "What do you mean? Isn't he dead?"

Yuanzhou shook his head. "I don't know. But the evidence points to him. Be careful."

Jerry's mind raced. "Still, why would he try to kill me?"

"To get back at me," Yuanzhou said simply.

Jerry went silent, swallowing hard.

Yuanzhou smiled faintly, placing a hand on Jerry's shoulder. "It's okay. I'll handle it. You... just stay safe."

He left, closing the door behind him.

Yan, still curled as a white cat, lazily stretched and transformed back into his human form, brows furrowing. "What did he mean? Why would I harm you?"

Jerry looked at him. "He gave the reason."

Yan's gaze sharpened. "If I wanted you dead to get back at him, I would have thrown you off the tower myself rather than saving you."

Jerry nodded slowly. "Makes sense."

Yan's expression softened, though caution lingered in his eyes. "So... you have someone with a grudge enough to kill you."

Jerry gave a dry smile. "The whole empire probably has a grudge against me. But why frame you for it?"

Yan walked to the window, thinking, then stopped and turned back. "You heard him. Stay safe. Don't wander alone. I'll find whoever is framing me... myself."

Jerry opened his mouth to protest, but Yan had already gone.

He turned to the system. "System... what's happening?"

"I don't know, host. I can't find any details on these events. The storyline shifted the moment you arrived, don't you know?."

Jerry bit his lip and clicked his tongue. "Who's trying to sow a dispute between the Crown Prince and Yao Daren? Wait... does that mean someone else knows Yao Daren is alive?"

"100 percent possible," the system confirmed.

Jerry's eyes narrowed. "Something's cooking... deep here."

🐱🧶🐱