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

Three Offerings and a Very Stressed System

Yan chuckled softly, the sound almost swallowed by the festival drums. “Nothing. Just enjoying the view.”

Jerry’s steps faltered. He darted to the nearby candied fruit shop before Yan could see his face turning crimson.

Yan An purchased a lantern and followed Jerry, without hesitation handed it over.

Jerry gawked. “Why are you giving this to me?”

“You were staring at it. I thought you wanted one.”

Jerry finally looked at it properly. It was delicate, rimmed in pink with tiny painted blossoms—something a little girl might giggle over. He frowned. “This is for little girls.”

Yan An smirked, leaning in just enough for his voice to brush Jerry’s ear. “I bought it for the Shadow Clan Princess.”

Heat flared all the way up Jerry’s neck. He cleared his throat sharply, hand shooting out. “Give it here.”

Yan An didn’t move at first, still holding the lantern, eyes unreadable in the glow. Jerry’s brow twitched. “Haiya, just give it to me already.”

At last, Yan An relented, passing it to him. “Besides,” he added, voice quieter now, “it’s peach blossom. You like those don't you?”

Jerry froze, then clutched the lantern tighter, looking anywhere but at him.

The candied fruit vendor leaned forward eagerly as Jerry and Yan An stopped before his stall.
“Ah, honored guests! First time, yes? You must try my candied persimmons—freshest in the city!”

Jerry’s eyes lit up immediately. “I’ll take a bag!”

The vendor bustled about. Yan An, meanwhile, crossed his arms, expression cool.
“So,” he said slowly, “grown men have a liking for sugar toys now?”

Jerry froze, then sighed and shook his head. “I was wrong to drag you here.” He turned with a wry little smile. “But I had a great time with you, Yan-daren. I’ll take my leave.”

He started to walk off.

Yan An’s lips twitched, and he exhaled through his nose. “…Wait. I was joking. Come here.”

Jerry only raised his brows, then casually flicked his fingers at a certain figure peeking out from another stall. Xu Ming came scampering over like a summoned puppy.

Yan An pressed his lips together, bought another bag from the vendor, and handed it over to Jerry.

Right then, Xu Ming’s voice chimed smoothly—too smoothly. “Yichen.”

Jerry jerked as if caught red-handed. “Ming!” he blurted, all wide-eyed innocence.

Xu Ming snapped open his fan, swaying it elegantly as though he’d stepped right out of a painting. His gaze flicked once at Yan An before he turned to Jerry, tone rich with concern.
“You just woke up after a disaster yesterday, and already running around alone?"

Jerry laughed a little too quickly. “I’m fine. Besides, I wasn’t alone—I came with Yan-daren.”

Yan An smirked faintly. Xu Ming glanced at him for one long beat… then snickered into his fan.

Jerry’s mind voice crackled: System, this is not acting—you’re living as Xu Ming.

Xu Ming only tilted his head, plucking at the bag Jerry held. "What are those?"

Jerry offered the bag to Xu Ming, “These- candied persimmons, try one it's sweet.”

Yan’s hand snapped out, stopping him. “I bought them for him.”