The Villain Saves The Male Lead

Wolf and Pax found both Ren and Fang in a strange mood when they came back.

"What happened to you two?" Wolf asked curiously. "Didn't you get the blessings of the goddess?"

"We did," Ren replied absently. He was more concerned about the mysterious fortune teller and how he could possibly have known that Ren had come from another world. To be honest, a part of Ren still wanted to return to his original world, but Fang was right next to him, so he couldn't say that. Ren had been acutely aware of how frightened Fang had been when the old fortune teller had asked the question. If he had replied in the affirmative, he was afraid of the repercussions his answer would have wreaked on Fang.

Besides, it was true that he wanted to live his life with Fang in this world. It had not even been a year since his transmigration, but Fang had completely taken over his heart. If Ren had a chance to return to his original world, he definitely wanted to take Fang with him. Ren doubted he would ever be able to love anyone else like this. Perhaps they were soulmates after all.

But he was worried about the old fortune teller's question to Fang. Ren had imagined that Fang's death-seeking behaviour in the original book was a thing of the past, and now that Fang was reasonably happy and healthy. Now, however, he was afraid that it wasn't entirely true. As a doctor, he knew that it would be a long time before Fang's psyche recovered completely, but he had been under the impression that Fang was much better now, although he may not be fully stable.

Since Ren was in a daze, lost in his own thoughts, he didn't realise that Fang's complexion was getting worse and worse as the four of them walked down the hill.

The twins, however, did. Wolf and Pax exchanged a look and with an unspoken agreement, as soon as they the bottom of the hill, Wolf dragged Fang away to look at souvenirs, while Pax dragged Ren off in the opposite direction to buy local snacks.

"What the hell happened at the temple?!" Pax asked fiercely, grabbing Ren's arm.

"Oww," Ren said, wincing. "Don't beat up your employer, for heaven's sake."

Pax cuffed him. "We're worried about you two, moron," he hissed. "You didn't even notice how bad Fang looked on the way down. Listen, don't take these superstitions too seriously. What matters is that you and Fang want to be together, so even if someone said something to the contrary, you shouldn't pay attention to that."

Ren blinked, confused.

At his befuddled expression, Pax stopped speaking. "Did a priest or someone at the temple tell you two that you're not meant to be together?" he demanded.

Ren shook his head.

"Did they say anything negative about your relationship?" Pax pressed.

Ren shook his head and smiled a little. "They said we're soulmates and bound by the red string of fate and the goddess will bless us."

Pax gaped at him. "Then why the hell are you two like this?!"

"Like what?" Ren asked.

"You're in a daze like you've seen a ghost, and Fang is pale and clammy, as if his worst nightmare is coming true in front of his eyes," Pax told him. "You're always attentive to Fang...you really didn't notice how bad he looked?"

Ren was terrified. "Where is he? Where did he go?"

"Relax," Pax said. "Wolf took him to buy souvenirs. It'll cheer him up a bit." He crossed his arms. "Now tell me what's got you in a daze."

Ren hesitated for a moment, then told him about their meeting and conversation with the mysterious old fortune teller.

Pax pursed his lips. "When he said...leave the world...did he mean that you want to die or did he mean that you want to return to your original world?" he asked bluntly.

Ren stared at him in shock.

Pax shrugged nonchalantly. "I know that you're not our original Ren...he probably died in the Spider Gang attack and your soul took over. Or perhaps, his soul went to your original world."

Ren caught his shoulders. "Who else knows about this?"

Pax shrugged again. "No one. Perhaps Wolf, Dr. Gordon and Steward Paul may have some suspicion."

"You...you're ok with this...?" Ren asked hoarsely.

Pax shrugged again. "What's gone is gone. But you're here, and you're doing well with us, so I saw no reason to bring it up and create a mess." He looked at Ren with a piercing gaze. "Ren was extremely unhappy here for several years, despite his outward appearance and success and fame. He was on the verge of losing his mind. If he went to a place where he could be happier...I think it is better for all of us."

Ren was overwhelmed. He hadn't imagined that Pax had already guessed the truth...and still accepted him fully.

"But Fang doesn't know," Pax said quietly. "He never knew the original Ren. He only knows you and he loves you with a devotion that borders on desperation. To him, those ambiguous words would seem to mean that you don't want to live...that you would leave him behind. You know that he's still insecure about everything. And the way you jumped to save him without caring about your own life would start to look different in his eyes. Till now, he would have thought you did it because you cared deeply for him...but now, he will think that you used him as an excuse to seek death. Especially since he himself has done such things in the past - you've seen his file. It's clear that he didn't care a fig whether he lived or died...and now, his mind will go into overdrive, thinking you're the same, and he will be terrified. No wonder he looked like that." Pax sighed. "Perhaps you should consider telling him the truth."

Ren's face lost all colour. "Let's go! I have to see him right now!"