Forced to Be a Bully

I was bound to a bullying system.

The system said my main task was to bully the male lead.

But I hadn’t mastered the skill of bullying.

So when I met him, I looked down my nose at him and demanded, without any reason whatsoever, “You, kid. Do some fancy hand twirls for me.”

…

I was rich-rich-rich-rich-rich-rich-rich-rich to the Nth generation.

After waking in my eight-hundred-meter bed, my mind went blank for a few seconds before I pressed the call button by the bedside.

Today was the first day at Ailiklong Business College. My mother had arranged for the butler and a huge crowd of people to bustle upstairs, downstairs, inside, and out, all so I could thoroughly stun the incoming students.

Honestly, even without her arrangements, I would definitely stun them.

I sighed.

“What do I do? I’m a little nervous…”

The system had just gotten up, too, and gave a lazy yawn. “Nervous about what? You’re going to bully other people, not be bullied.”

Talking about this just annoyed me.

A month earlier, I’d only been an ordinary poor person. Somehow, I’d transmigrated here, then somehow become bound to a bullying system.

Back then, the system said, “The female supporting character here disappeared because of a fault in the plane. Her position is vacant. You’re filling it.”

I asked, “Why should I?”

That female supporting character’s ending was tragic. I wasn’t doing it!

The system sneered. “You’re already dead anyway. If you don’t accept this, your only other option is that pig in the neighboring world. So? Pick one.”

Me: …

“It’s actually simple. Just do what the female supporting character should do. Once it’s over, I can revive you and send you back to your original world.”

Thinking of how hard my original life had been, I didn’t want to return.

“Can I stay here?”

“No. The female supporting character does lots of bad things to advance the plot. She has to die in the end. And for the grand happy ending, she repents first, then kills herself.”

Me: …

It was almost time.

The driver waited outside in a stretch Lincoln. My mother kept giving instructions, but I couldn’t take them in. Thinking about what lay ahead made my heart twitch.

“I don’t know how to bully people ah. What do I do…?”

The system confidently guaranteed, “What are you afraid of? There’ll be fixed tasks. Just follow them.”

I couldn’t help muttering, “What kind of brain-dead idiot invents a system like this…?”

The system was silent for a moment. “I’d like to know, too. All my colleagues work on making money, becoming beautiful, or romance. Only me… Now the system world has isolated and bullied me…”

Me: “That’s tragic.”

“So do a good job. The higher-ups say the main thing is getting you through the storyline. Once everything’s finished, they’ll change my programming. Then we’ll both be free…”

That was the only choice.

As one of the country’s foremost elite schools, Ailiklong Business College’s students were necessarily wealthy or powerful. Occasionally, it admitted exceptionally outstanding commoner students. Those became the targets of bullying.

The car stopped.

The driver opened the door and respectfully invited me out.

The system warned loudly, “Bring out your presence! Remember, you’re the richest and most powerful person in this school! You have to establish your authority today. Stop hunching like a little shrimp!”

I nodded, took a deep breath, and got out.

Head up. Chest out!

After countless practice sessions, I’d grasped the essence: chin slightly raised, and most importantly, eyes that looked at everyone as though they were garbage!

As expected of the female supporting character, I instantly drew every gaze.

People began discussing me. “Who is that? Isn’t that bag the one limited to only a few dozen worldwide?”

Another said, “That’s nothing. I recognize those shoes. Only three pairs in the world! Loads of people can’t buy them even with money!”

“She must be someone important…”

Honestly, I didn’t recognize any of the limited editions they mentioned. I only thought: this felt pretty great.

“System, what worries could a life like this possibly have? Even if I don’t live long, experiencing it once would be enough.”

The system snorted. “I hope you can still say that later.”

The dorm rooms here housed two people each. But I was different. I had privileges and had to live in an ultraluxurious single suite.

After a comfortable night’s sleep, the system called me early the next morning. “Quick! The male lead’s here!”

I’d been a little grumpy from waking up, but the moment I heard this, my eyes flew open.

Right. Everything I did had to revolve around the male lead.

His name was Ye Zheng, a poor student admitted with the top score. He was my main bullying target. And later, his identity…

Ah, let’s not talk about that.

The system said, “According to the plot, you have to fall in love with him while bullying him, then sabotage his relationship with the female lead and secretly harm her in all kinds of ways.”

I asked, “Then who’s the female lead?”

“She hasn’t appeared yet. I’ll tell you when she does. Now hurry and give the male lead a show of force!”

Putting on airs, I left the dorm. Many people looked over, accompanied by quiet whispers.

Nominally, this was a school. In reality, it was a miniature society, very snobbish. They’d probably already investigated my family down to the bottom.

I ignored them and only asked the system, “Where’s the male lead?”

“Head east. Someone’s already bullying him.”

Who dared steal my livelihood?!

I rushed over angrily and, sure enough, saw him.

So handsome.

Refined brows and eyes, sharply defined facial lines, thin lips. Sexy and cool.

His hair was just the right length, his fringe obediently falling across his forehead. Add his tall, straight figure, and even wearing only a white shirt, he could draw everyone’s eyes.

“Hey, pretty boy.” A thick-browed, big-eyed fellow curled his lips and looked the male lead up and down with contempt. “Do you know how expensive these shoes are? Limited edition. Understand, bumpkin?”

I asked the system, “Didn’t he just arrive? How’s he already getting bullied?”

Calmly, the system said, “This school has always been like this. People on one level bully those below. Never mind poor people—even rich people get bullied by richer ones. They probably saw he had no backing.”

I nodded but didn’t act, observing the male lead from the crowd instead.

But he… seemed different from his character setting.

He didn’t angrily argue about equality or respecting people. Instead, he calmly, even mockingly, watched the other guy.

“System, isn’t he supposed to indignantly condemn the bully and bravely resist? Why isn’t he saying anything?”

The system was puzzled, too. “Maybe he’s just arrived and hasn’t reacted yet? Speaking of which, you’re just standing here watching? Doing nothing?”

I scoffed confidently. “Doesn’t matter. At the critical moment, I’ll make my move.”

System: …

Seeing the male lead’s attitude, Big Eyes grew angrier. In front of everyone, he actually demanded that the male lead lick his shoes clean.

I couldn’t watch anymore.

Bullying even a handsome guy? Didn’t he know I was a face-con?

“I have to act.”

System: …

Arms folded, without even looking at him, I stepped straight onto that shoe and said disdainfully, “Those shoes went out of fashion ages ago. You still have the nerve to wear them outside?”

Big Eyes slowly looked up, murder in his eyes. “I’ll give you three seconds. Apologize to my shoes.”

Curling my lips into a cold smile, I ground down hard on his shoe and delivered that classic line engraved in my genes: “This is how my shoes apologize to your shoes.”

I looked arrogant, but inside, I was scared. “System, he won’t hit me, will he?”

The system was certain. “No.”

He was right. Just as Big Eyes was about to act, one of his lackeys whispered in his ear. He glared at me and stormed off.

“System, I’m amazing. I saved someone today. I’m sincerely proud of myself.”

After a long silence, the system said, “Have you considered that you came to bully him, not save him?”

Me: …

It was fine. There was still time.

Under everyone’s gaze, I approached the male lead, who hadn’t looked at me once, and said in the most punchable tone possible, “I saved you. No thank-you?”

He glanced at me and said lightly, “Thank you.”

?

“What the hell? Isn’t he supposed to think I’m arrogant and disrespectful, then criticize me? That way, I can get angry and bully him…”

The system was lost, too. “I don’t know. Pick another fight. You two have to start as enemies. You can’t let him thank you!”

With no choice, I braced myself and continued. “Then do some fancy hand twirls for me.”

System: …

“Is something wrong with you? Do you know what bullying is?” the system roared. “All those tutorials I showed you—did you learn them into a dog’s stomach?”

Under that scolding, I had no strength to fight back. The male lead was silent for a moment, ignored me, and walked away.

We were doomed.

“Think of something! He’s leaving!”

Panicking, I shouted after him in one final attempt to salvage things. “Good one, kid! You’ve piqued my interest! I’m telling you, I won’t let you off!”

System: …

On the way back, the system said nothing.

Sensing something wrong, I called tentatively, “System?”

After a long time, he finally spoke. “Tell me. Do you actually know what bullying is?”

I thought. “Of course. Wasn’t I bullying him just now?”

The system completely exploded. “Go back and watch those school-bullying dramas I found you a hundred times!”

Me: …

After several days of secluded research, I shut the computer, enlightened, transformed, as though my conception and governing vessels had opened. At last, I’d mastered the essence of bullying.

“How did the studying go?” the system asked.

Confidently, I patted my chest. “More than enough. From now on, call me the King of Bullying.”

The system was satisfied. “Mm. The opening ceremony is coming. It’s a big occasion. Seize the chance.”

“Leave it to me! You can relax, I can enjoy myself, and your satisfaction is guaranteed!”

System: …

Ailiklong Business College had two major events every year: the opening ceremony and graduation.

With tuition that high, the prestige couldn’t be low. Gathering all the teachers and students for speeches like an ordinary school would be far too cheap. So they usually held evening parties.

The party began at eight. At one that afternoon, my mother sent people to collect me for makeup and styling.

I’d been here a while and gradually adapted to a rich person’s life. But sometimes, I still couldn’t process it.

A crowd attentively styled my hair and changed my clothes. Looking at the girl in the mirror, I could barely recognize her.

Shocked, I said, “Could this… be the renowned Metersbonwe?”

The staff didn’t react. The system scolded me in anguish. “Could you grow a brain?!”

Fine.

I couldn’t help sighing. “System, clothes really do make the person, and saddles the horse. I look exactly like this female supporting character, yet when I was myself, I looked dusty and disheveled, as though I’d just jumped from a crack in a rock. Now that I’m a rich heiress, I’ve become a top-class beauty.”

The system disagreed. “Not necessarily. Last year, I spent all my secret savings on a skin a colleague recommended. He said it was popular. Before buying it, female systems even had crushes on me. After I put it on, everyone avoided me. No idea why…”

Me: …

“What did it look like?”

In my consciousness, the system looked like a cartoon boy in ordinary casual clothes. When he wasn’t scolding me, he was fairly cute.

“Wait. I’ll put it on.”

As soon as he spoke, his clothes changed into a tight red Wangzai outfit with a pair of bean-studded loafers. Across the back were five characters: “Strengthen Our Great System World!”

Translator’s note: Wangzai is a snack brand whose mascot wears red; a skintight red “Wangzai suit” with bean-studded loafers is a meme of tacky swagger, just like the “fancy hand twirls” (yao hua shou), a showy hand-dance from short-video apps.

Me: …

“Well? Handsome, right…?”

I nearly suffered internal injuries from suppressing laughter, but kept a serious face. “Super handsome! Those people have no taste. Ignore them. Listen to that colleague from now on. He’s a good person…”

Hearing this, the system grew prouder. “Didn’t expect that. Your brain isn’t much, but your taste isn’t bad. Since we’re going to a party, I won’t change. It’ll give you a sense of occasion…”

“Good, good, good!” A sense of occasion for me? I was dying, hahahahaha…

I held it in all the way to school. My mother called to insist that I arrive last. I agreed to everything without daring to look at the system, afraid I’d laugh aloud.

“It’s time,” he said.

Hmm?

I checked the clock. “My mom said to be late. Another ten minutes.”

System: …

Ten minutes later, after adjusting my pose in the mirror, I finally set out.

“Remember tonight’s task.”

“No problem.”

The party was in the school’s main auditorium.

I’d often heard my mother say this was the school’s most famous building, beautifully designed, practically an artistic masterpiece. I’d never been inside. Today, I’d finally see it.

But on arrival, I didn’t think it particularly amazing. Just very luxurious and very big.

Perhaps I had no artistic bacteria.

Countless examining gazes landed on me, and I grew nervous.

“What do I do? I’m so socially anxious!”

The system encouraged me. “What’s there to fear? Just remember I’m with you.”

Bro, if you hadn’t said that, I’d have been fine. Now, looking at your outfit, I was afraid I’d laugh on the spot.

I managed to hold it in.

Lifting my chin slightly, I displayed all the pride and arrogance of a rich young lady. Soon, someone approached.

“Hello.”

Remembering my character setting, I ignored them and walked straight to the center of the crowd, lifted a glass of red wine, and took a small sip.

My coldness didn’t discourage anyone. More and more people gathered to speak to me.

Most of the time, I kept a cold face, occasionally giving a reply. Listening to the endless compliments, I sighed inwardly. “Money really can make ghosts turn the mill.”

The system was pleased with my performance so far. “Good. Keep acting at this pace. The male lead will appear soon.”

Puzzled, I asked, “Everyone here looks rich. Why would he come?”

“They need servers,” the system explained. “Every year, the school hires servers at high pay for these parties. Lots of students from ordinary families take the chance to earn living expenses. He’ll definitely be here tonight.”

So that was it.

I looked around for ages without seeing him. Just as I grew bored, a commotion rose at the entrance.

A girl said delightedly, “Young Master Feng!”

“Yes, yes! Young Master Feng actually came! Doesn’t he usually skip these events?”

“Ahhh, we’re so lucky today!”

Hearing this, I knew he wasn’t ordinary. I asked the system, “Who is that? Sounds impressive.”

“Feng Junning. A prominent figure at this school, and its overlord. Big Eyes, the guy you clashed with, is his number-one lackey.”

I sucked in a cold breath. “Which family’s stronger, mine or his?”

“Evenly matched.”

Done for. I’d run into a hard nut this time.

Once he came fully inside, I saw him clearly.

Tall, buzz cut, sharp brows and eyes, a sparkling stud in his right ear. Even on this occasion, he’d come in sneakers.

The casual dominance of someone with absolute strength.

Perhaps sensing my gaze, he suddenly looked straight over, his eyes sharp and naked, leaving nowhere to hide.

“I’m so scared, ahhh!”

“Hold steady! Don’t avoid him. If you do, you lose. Calmly stare back!”

Fine.

After a full minute of eye contact, he curled his lips wickedly and looked away first.

I sighed in relief, still shaken. Suddenly, the system shouted, “The male lead’s here!”

Huh?

Through layers of people, I saw the tall figure in a server’s uniform.

As striking as at our first meeting. Even here, he seemed to have a unique air.

“As expected of the male lead!”

The system fumed. “Still drooling? Look, Big Eyes is bullying him again!”

I looked carefully. Sure enough.

Big Eyes deliberately bumped into the male lead, then insisted the male lead had bumped into him. Now he was demanding that he kneel and apologize.

“Why’s this guy so fixated on him? Always picking a fight?”

“No idea. Anyway, this is a great chance. Go add fuel to the fire!”

“No problem. Watch me.”

In high heels, I walked extremely carefully, terrified of falling in public. But the slow pace happened to look elegant. Add the catwalk I’d practiced for ages, and people began exclaiming.

“As expected of the Jiang family’s only young miss. Her bearing really is different!”

“Exactly. If I weren’t already engaged, I’d want to pursue her!”

Reaching the edge, I laughed coldly. “I wondered who it was. So it’s you.”

The onlookers turned and automatically opened a path.

I walked slowly forward and looked into the male lead’s eyes. “Remember? You still owe me something.”

Everyone froze at that.

The male lead pressed his lips together. His clear gaze passed over my face without lingering.

Big Eyes cut in, too. “Oh, Young Miss Jiang. Didn’t you protect this kid that day? Why now…?”

I glanced at him coldly. “You must remember wrong. I never protect anyone or take sides. I just have a bit of a temper. When I see something unpleasant, I want to put it in order.”

Big Eyes choked, exhaled hard, and said no more.

“Quick! Go! Bully him ruthlessly!” The system’s eyes shone. “Even if his eyes turn red and he cries for mercy, don’t stop!”

?

Had he been watching something strange lately?

I’d finally worked myself up and was about to speak when someone else approached.

“So it’s Young Miss Jiang.” It was Feng Junning, hands in his pockets, radiating roguishness. “Big Eyes, why haven’t you apologized to Miss Jiang?”

I was bewildered. Apologize for what?

And wait, this guy really was called Big Eyes?

Feng Junning suddenly bent down and leaned toward me frivolously. “I heard about the other day. My brother had no eyes. He got too cocky in his new shoes and accidentally dirtied the sole of Miss Jiang’s shoe.”

Me: …

What did he mean, no eyes? And new shoes? Wasn’t he deliberately insulting me with sarcastic opposites?

Big Eyes followed with a lazy bow and an odd tone. “Sooorry, Miss Jiang.”

Me: …

“System, this guy looks hard to deal with. I’m scared!”

The system said, “Ignore him. He’s not the point. Look, the male lead’s already left. There’s no point continuing this.”

Hearing that, I immediately glared at Feng Junning to express my displeasure, then turned and left.

The dance began.

The male lead was probably busy in the kitchen. I didn’t see him again, and the system kept sighing. “Looks like today’s another wash.”

I sat on the sofa in the middle, watching a group of people dance out of sheer boredom. A few men invited me, but I turned them all down.

It was already ten thirty.

Should I sneak off now?

While I was hesitating, Feng Junning actually sat down beside me.

“Miss Jiang, what happened just now was only a joke. I hope you won’t take it to heart.”

With a wooden face, I said, “Well, I am taking it to heart.”

Feng Junning: …

“Then what can I do to make you forgive me?”

Well…

I thought it over and blurted, “Send me five hundred on WeChat, and I’ll forgive you.”

The system blew up again. “What do you mean, five hundred? You’re a wealthy young miss now! Why are your horizons so narrow?”

True. I’d forgotten my own status.

I hurriedly said, “No! It has to be a thousand!”

System: …

Feng Junning froze, then smiled at me again. His smile was clean and handsome, very much like the mischievous yet sunny boys described in novels.

“Miss Jiang, you’re really interesting.”

A song ended, and our surroundings quieted. At precisely the wrong moment, the system suddenly shrieked, nearly making me spill my wine.

“The male lead went outside! I just saw him!”

I immediately stood and chased after him.

He hadn’t gone far. I struggled to run a few steps in my heels and shouted, “Stop right there!”

Hearing me, he really did stop.

I went up beside him, caught my breath, and said provocatively, “Tell this young miss your lowly name!”

“Excellent!” The system applauded me. “Especially that ‘lowly’! Absolutely brilliant!”

I smugly waited for the male lead to get angry, but he simply looked at me and smiled faintly. “Ye Zheng.”

I was bewildered.

So was the system.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“I don’t know! It shouldn’t be like this. Why don’t you try again?”

Fine.

I kept finding fault. “Your name sounds awful! Worse than Zhu Bajie’s! I’m going to throw up.”

Ye Zheng raised an eyebrow, showing no sign of anger. “Mm. I’m leaving. Please let me through.”

Me: …

“You’re ugly, too! An ugly freak! A super, invincibly ugly freak! You’ll never find a wife in your life!”

Ye Zheng remained calm. “Mm. Please move.”

I was completely stunned. Dazed, I stepped aside, and Ye Zheng calmly walked past.

I stood rooted there for a very, very long time, still unable to recover.

“System, am I imagining things? Why do I feel like I’m the one being bullied?”

The system silently shed tears. “You’re not imagining it. Because I also feel like I’m the system being bullied.”

Me: …

After we went back, the system and I held a deep self-criticism session. “Do you think there’s something wrong with our tactics?”

The system nodded. “Maybe. Study how other people bully someone again tonight. Memorize the lines and say them straight to him next time.”

“Okay.”

That chance came very soon.

The next morning, prodded by ten alarms, I yawned my way into the classroom before eight and immediately spotted the male lead in the last row.

It seemed no one wanted to sit with him.

I gave an evil, charming smile, tossed down my bag, and sat beside him.

“What a coincidence. Same class, huh?”

Ye Zheng ignored me. He was simply reading, almost completely disregarding my existence.

Very good. Starting to act all superior.

I snatched the book out of his hands and said loudly, “This young miss is talking to you! Are you deaf?”

Everyone in class immediately looked over. I glared, and they all turned away again.

Even after I’d caused such a commotion, Ye Zheng still didn’t look at me.

“What do I do, System? Neither the soft approach nor the hard approach works on this guy.”

The system was silent for a moment. “Keep going.”

Seeing Ye Zheng turn that way, I hurried over and monopolized his field of vision.

He turned the other way.

I ran over again.

After several rounds of this, Ye Zheng simply put his head down on the desk. I refused to give up and stuck my head under the desk, meeting his eyes.

I grinned. “Now you can’t escape, can you?”

Ye Zheng paused. A barely noticeable hint of amusement flickered through his eyes.

I was baffled. “System, what’s he laughing at?”

The system sighed heavily and squeezed out a few words through clenched teeth. “Probably laughing because you’re nuts.”

Me: …

Just then, someone else entered the classroom.

It was a tall, beautiful girl with simple, long, straight black hair. Everything about her seemed to keep people a thousand miles away.

“The female lead! It’s the female lead!” The system’s eyes lit up. “Finally!”

Oh. So that was her.

I remembered the system saying her name was Zhu Ning. She was an illegitimate daughter who had recently returned to the wealthy Zhu family. Her mother had died early, and with no one to protect her, she’d constantly been targeted and framed by the family’s other children. She was cold and taciturn.

Later, she’d come here and met the male lead. Like a little sun, he’d melted her icy heart. They’d fallen in love, but that offended the female supporting character, bringing many more hardships upon them. Only in the end had they finally reached their happy ending.

Even the people around us were discussing the female lead’s appearance. As the male lead, he ought to have some reaction. But when I checked Ye Zheng beside me, he didn’t seem to have noticed her at all.

I asked, puzzled, “Wasn’t he supposed to be a warm little sun? A champion of justice brave enough to fight unfairness? Why isn’t this male lead following the script?”

The system was puzzled, too. “Right… Maybe the original supporting character’s departure disrupted the whole plane, causing a few tiny discrepancies. But it shouldn’t affect anything. We just need to do what we’re supposed to…”

Fine.

Maybe I’d been staring too long, because Ye Zheng suddenly turned and, for the first time ever, spoke to me of his own accord: “What are you looking at?”

I jolted in fright and instinctively wanted to avert my eyes. Then I remembered my character setting and could only steel myself and snap, “I… I’ll look if I want! What’s it to you? You ugly freak! You’re even uglier than Big Big Wolf!”

Ye Zheng: …

The system hissed, then suddenly shouted, “I’ve got it!”

I jumped again. “Why do you have to make such a fuss every time? Can’t you take it easy?”

“I know why we keep failing to bully him!” The system pointed at me. “Your lines are the problem!”

My lines?

“What could be wrong with those?”

The system explained, “Think about those bullying dramas we watched. That’s not how they insult people. Your insults don’t do any damage at all. No wonder the male lead doesn’t react…”

Put that way, it did make sense.

I pulled up my notes and looked at the lines I’d written down yesterday. Sure enough, they were completely different.

“Exactly!” I was thrilled. “We’ve found the root of the problem! Victory is just around the corner!”

The system was happy, too. “Mm! The day I change my programming and turn my fortunes around in the System World is just around the corner, too!”

A class went by, and I had absolutely no idea what the teacher was talking about. It only made me sleepy. As I dozed, I seemed to lean onto someone’s shoulder, but that person soon moved away. The sudden feeling of falling immediately scared me awake.

I opened my eyes. Damn it, it was Ye Zheng!

“Good. Another reason to bully him,” the system said. “Seize the moment. Bully him after class!”

“No problem!”

The instant the bell rang, I forgot all about it. All I wanted was to go back to my dorm and sleep.

I’d gotten up too early today and gone to bed too late yesterday. I couldn’t hold out any longer.

But the system wouldn’t agree.

“A once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity! Get going!”

Me: …

We had no more classes today. Instead of heading to the library, the male lead walked off campus. I followed and watched him enter a milk tea shop.

So he wanted milk tea.

Only after I went inside did I realize I’d gotten it wrong. He was there for his part-time job.

There weren’t many customers at the moment. Wearing a shop uniform, the male lead ignored me again as he passed. I sat right down and shouted, “Where’s a server? I want to order!”

The owner came over to remind me, “Miss, you order here by scanning the code.”

How embarrassing.

Whatever. My character wasn’t a good person anyway.

I pointed at the male lead. “No. Have him come take my order.”

The owner looked at me, then at him, and called, “Xiao Ye, this customer wants you.”

Translator’s note: Xiao, “little,” before a name is a familiar way to address someone younger.

Only then did the male lead come over.

“What would you like?” he asked.

My time to shine!

I held the menu and made a show of studying it, while my mind raced through ways to make trouble for him. After thinking for ages, I finally said with affected reserve, “I want whatever you think tastes good.”

“Hehe, System, isn’t this a brilliant move? Whether it’s good or not, I’ll say it’s bad. Then I can bully him again.”

The system looked at me with admiration. “Oh, my dear host, you’re a genius seen only once in a thousand years! Following you is the greatest good fortune this humble system has ever had!”

His praise sent me floating, but Ye Zheng said, “I don’t know. I’ve never had milk tea.”

I fell silent. My defenses crumbled completely.

“System, he’s so pitiful. He’s never even had milk tea. Sigh. I’ve experienced the pain of being poor, so I understand it all…”

In my last life, I’d been an orphan with nothing. My grades were average, and I hadn’t found much of a job. Earning twenty-eight hundred a month, I’d lived hand to mouth.

The system shed tears, too. “Yes, he’s really pitiful. How about buying him a milk tea? We can keep bullying him after he finishes it.”

I agreed wholeheartedly.

“Ahem… This young miss wants this Peach Milk Foam, full sugar, extra ice. Two cups! One large and one small!”

“Mm.”

After taking the order, Ye Zheng went to help in the back. Looking at his slender, straight back, I felt waves of sadness.

He was the male lead. The system had told me his background from the start.

His family was poor. His father was a gambler who’d abused him and his mother since he was little. Later, his father had died unexpectedly when Ye Zheng was fourteen, leaving him to live with his mother.

His mother had been a nurse on a meager salary. So from childhood, Ye Zheng had found every way he could to make money: running street stalls, collecting trash, doing classmates’ homework for them. He’d done almost all of it.

And in the year he got into college—this year—his mother had died, too.

Really, his life shouldn’t have been like this…

I sighed.

The drinks arrived soon.

It wasn’t Ye Zheng who brought them, but another server.

I took the small cup and told him to give the large one to Ye Zheng.

The server looked a little surprised but did as I asked.

I put in the straw and took a sip, instantly refreshed. It was incredibly good. At the same time, I regretted it a little. Why hadn’t I kept the large one for myself?

Ah, this damned compassion of mine!

As I drank, I grew melancholy. “System, this is the first milk tea he’s ever had in his life. Wouldn’t it be a little cruel to bully him now?”

The system thought about it. “True. Let’s give him a day off.”

“Okay!” My eyes lit up. “Then I’m going back to sleep!”

“Go on, go on. I’m a little tired, too…”

I slept all the way until seven that evening.

When I woke, the system was still asleep.

Remembering how often he’d startled me with his fussing, I grinned and shouted, “The male lead’s here!”

The words had barely left my mouth when the system shot to his feet.

“Where? Where? Quick, bully him!” After looking around and finding no one, he finally caught on. “Oh, so you scared me on purpose, huh?”

I snorted. “You’re a machine. Why do you sleep even more than I do?”

The system slowly yawned. “Machines need to hibernate, too. Don’t I get tired running all day?”

This was certainly the first machine I’d seen like that…

When I opened my phone, I finally saw the dozen or so calls from my mother.

I didn’t like being disturbed while sleeping, so I usually kept my phone on silent. After I’d slept this long, she must have been worried sick.

Before I could call her back, urgent knocking came at the door.

I opened it and found my mother outside, with several people I didn’t recognize behind her.

Today, she wore a deep blue dress cut in a single flowing piece, custom-made for her by that extremely impressive designer. It showed off her graceful curves perfectly.

“My baby!” she cried, pulling me into her arms.

I was stunned. “Mommy, what’s wrong? What happened?”

The original supporting character had always called her Mommy, so I could only do the same. It had felt awkward at first, but by now I was used to it.

The beautiful wealthy lady blinked her big Carslan-ad eyes and choked out, “Keke, Mama couldn’t reach you all afternoon. I was worried sick. After I told your father, he immediately rushed back from abroad. He’s probably at the airport by now…”

Me: …

After I roughly explained, my mother finally returned to normal. “As long as you’re all right. If anything happened to my baby, I wouldn’t want to live either…”

Then, as if she’d become a different person, she turned to the people behind her and said coldly, “President, since nothing happened to my daughter today, we’ll let it go. In future, pay more attention to her. I don’t want another situation where you know nothing no matter what I ask…”

They wiped away cold sweat and repeatedly agreed. “Yes, yes…”

Me: …

After seeing my mother off, I sat on a campus bench, staring blankly at the stars.

I remembered that when I’d first arrived, she had been the first person I saw upon opening my eyes.

Strictly speaking, she wasn’t my mother. I was merely a homeless ghost occupying her daughter’s identity. Once I finished the plot, I would leave.

But after being an orphan for so long, I had truly, tangibly felt her love.

The system said that to help me fully integrate into this plane, he’d reencoded the original supporting character in everyone’s memories according to my personality. In other words, apart from bullying the male lead, I could be myself.

But that had also caused some butterfly effects.

For example, in the original script, the supporting character’s relationship with her parents had been terrible. After the reencoding, however, the new supporting character—me—enjoyed a harmonious family relationship.

The system had said, “The data shows that you’re more compatible with everyone in this world. But our task hasn’t changed, and neither has your ending. You mustn’t grow too attached to anything here.”

I sighed.

After returning to the dorm, I received another call, this time from my father.

He first asked how I’d been and whether I’d encountered any problems, then finally revealed the real reason for his call: “Be more careful in future. Don’t make your mother worry again.”

As the call-end tone sounded, I asked the system, “Was my father a wife-spoiling maniac in the previous script, too?”

Although I’d only been here a month, I’d already deeply experienced this domineering CEO’s thunderous wife-spoiling ways. Even in City A, he’d long been famous for them.

The system shook his head. “No. All of this changed after you arrived. In the original script, their relationship wasn’t harmonious either.”

“Whatever. As long as it’s good now.”

They really were a good match. Both came from old, powerful families, and with his talent and her beauty, they were practically made in heaven.

“Do I have class tomorrow?”

The system said, “Yes. Eight a.m.”

“Can I skip it?”

“No.”

…

Ailiklong Business College was rather strict about students’ studies. From Monday to Friday, I had eight-a.m. classes almost every day. Besides those, there were classes in golf, horseback riding, fencing, flower arranging, and the like. On weekends, I also had to attend parties and other club activities.

I’d thought coming to an aristocratic school would be a vacation. Instead, it had turned into military training.

The system comforted me. “It’s okay. I hear sophomore year gets a little easier…”

“But I’m afraid I’ll die in freshman year…”

System: …

Extreme exhaustion meant I spent almost all my eight-a.m. classes sleeping. The moment I entered, I tossed down my bag and slumped onto the desk. I didn’t even have time to bully the male lead.

The system shouted himself hoarse. “Wake up! It’s been so long, and we’ve made no progress at all…”

I ignored his yelling and turned to the male lead beside me. “I’ll sleep first and bully you when I wake up! Remember to watch the teacher for me…”

Fear of teachers seemed to be written into my genes, no matter my age or identity.

Ye Zheng gave me an indifferent glance and said nothing.

I slept very comfortably. I think I even dreamed.

What woke me was the system’s familiar voice. “The teacher’s calling on you!”

I jumped. Sure enough, the teacher wanted me to answer a question.

I hadn’t listened to a single class since the term began. How could I know the answer? I hurriedly sought help from Ye Zheng, but he didn’t react at all. Just as despair set in, the system actually stepped in.

I repeated what he said. The teacher was very pleased and praised me repeatedly, leaving me rather embarrassed.

The system said smugly, “See? Men aren’t reliable. Only your bros can be your support.”

“Muah! You’re my precious little baby!”

“Hmph!” The system puffed out his chest, his chin nearly pointing at the sky. “Now hurry up and bully the male lead!”

“On it!”

After class, I blocked him at the stairwell and demanded arrogantly, “Ye Zheng, how dare you disregard this young miss?!”

There wasn’t anyone around.

In an ordinary T-shirt and jeans, Ye Zheng leaned by the window, tilted his head, and curled his lips into a smile. It was beautiful and dangerous.

“What exactly are you trying to do?” he asked.

Huh?

I stared at him blankly.

“System, why am I a little scared? Asking me that out of nowhere—I don’t even know how to answer…”

The system said, “How about saying you simply don’t like the look of him?”

That was practically asking for a beating. I was afraid he really would hit me…

I swallowed and gathered my courage. “You… You… You dare question this young miss’s affairs?”

Ye Zheng looked at me without speaking.

I felt increasingly creeped out when the system suddenly shouted again, “The female lead’s here!”

I couldn’t care less about the female lead. I immediately cursed, “When are you going to fix this habit of making a fuss? You nearly gave me a heart attack!”

“Both leads are here. A once-in-a-thousand-years chance…” The system’s tone grew excited, then slowly turned perverse. “Quick, force a kiss on the male lead! Create a misunderstanding!”

WTF?

What are you saying?

“Hurry! The female lead’s almost here. You have to let her see it up close!”

“But they don’t have feelings for each other yet! Seeing it won’t do anything!”

“How do you know they don’t? It’s not like they’d tell you! Hurry! If we don’t finish the task, we’re both dead!”

That last sentence made me shudder.

I looked at the male lead, then at the approaching female lead, gritted my teeth, clenched my fists, and kissed him.

Ye Zheng froze completely, without the slightest reaction.

The female lead didn’t react either.

I was puzzled. “System, this isn’t right. Why are they reacting like this?”

“Maybe she’s holding back her grief. Female leads are always stubborn.”

True.

Only after she left did I release Ye Zheng.

There was a rare look of shock on his face. I really didn’t know how to face him, so I lowered my head and fled in panic.

Afraid Ye Zheng would beat me to death, I ran a long way before daring to stop.

“Well? He shouldn’t be able to catch me now…”

The system said faintly, “Look up…”

I raised my head. Ye Zheng was still where he’d been, calmly looking down at me.

The instant our eyes met, I couldn’t help shrieking, “Aaaaaah!” Then I took off running.

After that day, I lived in terror.

I skipped three full days of classes. Every night, I dreamed of the male lead coming to chop me down with a huge saber on his shoulder, and woke drenched in cold sweat.

The system comforted me while gaming, saying it was fine. I told him it was easy for him to talk when he wasn’t the one suffering. Bullying Ye Zheng before was one thing, but this time I’d outright molested him. Worse, I’d affected his relationship with the female lead.

Ye Zheng probably wanted to kill me by now.

On my fourth day of skipping class, I was practically growing mold in the dorm. The campus was so big. Surely I wouldn’t run into the male lead if I went for a walk.

But life was just that coincidental. I hadn’t gone far before I saw several people bullying Ye Zheng.

He stood in the middle, unmoving as they mocked and insulted him in every way, as though they were talking about someone else.

The sight made me angry. I rushed over without thinking.

“Well, well. And who might you gentlemen be?”

They turned at the sound of my voice and froze when they saw me.

I seized the chance to put on airs. Without so much as glancing at them, I walked to Ye Zheng’s side and said coldly, “What do you think you are? Don’t you know only I, Jiang Keke, am allowed to bully this person?”

A blond-haired guy tried to argue. “No… He was the one who…”

“Enough nonsense. I’m in a good mood today and don’t feel like settling accounts with you. Scram.”

The blond wanted to say more, but after that, he could only swallow it. He glared viciously at Ye Zheng and left with his companions, his face livid.

The people around us dispersed, leaving only Ye Zheng and me.

With so many people around, he wouldn’t hit me, right…?

While I fretted, Ye Zheng suddenly spoke.

“Thank you.”

What did he say?

I doubted my own ears. “System, did I hear wrong?”

The system was silent for a moment. “Probably not. But isn’t something off? How can we let him thank you? Quick, bully him and turn things around!”

I immediately folded my arms and looked sidelong at him. “You’re not qualified to thank this young miss.”

Ye Zheng didn’t get angry. He even smiled.

Me: …

I felt he was scorning my authority and wanted to settle accounts, but he simply left. I followed him all the way to the milk tea shop from last time.

Ye Zheng changed and skillfully got to work. Since I had nothing else to do, I sat down, scanned the code, and ordered a Peach Milk Foam.

I was a faithful person. If I found something delicious, I’d keep ordering it until I got sick of it.

The shop was fairly busy. Seeing how occupied Ye Zheng was, I tactfully refrained from making trouble.

The system had been absorbed in games lately and had no time for me. I found a movie to watch, planning to bully Ye Zheng after he finished.

Just as I was engrossed, a familiar voice sounded beside me.

“Miss Jiang. What a coincidence.”

Biting my straw, I looked up blankly. Feng Junning. Several people followed him, including Big Eyes, who’d clashed with me.

Enemies really did meet on a narrow road.

I cursed inwardly and replied expressionlessly, “Mm. Quite a coincidence.”

Feng Junning smiled. “Miss Jiang actually likes drinking this sort of thing? I thought only lower-class people liked it…”

He was mocking my love. My faith of so many years!

Back in my old world, if I only had thirty in my pocket, I’d choose a milk tea over a meal. He could look down on me, but how could he look down on such delicious, sweet milk tea?

I sneered. “I like it. What’s it to you?”

“Just a remark. No need to get angry…” He turned, looking toward Ye Zheng, who was busy over there. “I’m just curious. There are so many shops nearby. Why did Miss Jiang choose this one in particular? Because the drinks are good, or because of the… person here?”

Damn it. He’d hit the mark!

“Miss Jiang seems to care a great deal about that friend.”

After saying that, Feng Junning looked steadily at me.

I slurped some milk tea and nodded openly. “Yes. What? Is there a problem?”

Of course I had to care. He was this world’s male lead. If I didn’t revolve around him, I’d die!

Feng Junning looked dazed for a moment.

I’d reached the bottom of my milk tea, but I couldn’t suck up the pearls. I took off the lid, tilted my head back, and poured for ages before finally getting them all.

Satisfying my taste buds improved my mood. I narrowed my eyes and told Feng Junning, who sat opposite with his mouth slightly open in apparent shock, “It’s really good. Not drinking it is a tremendous loss…”

Then I suddenly remembered Ye Zheng and instinctively searched for him. After looking for a while, I found him standing not far away, his gaze clearly on me.

My heart jumped.

“System, Ye Zheng didn’t hear what we just said, did he?”

The system was at a crucial point in his game. Without even looking up, he answered carelessly, “No, no, definitely not… Number Three, someone’s behind you! Watch out…”

Me: …

There were fewer customers now. I needed to bully Ye Zheng.

“Do you need anything else?” I didn’t even know what Feng Junning had come for. He wasn’t drinking anything, just sitting there. His little followers behind him were happily drinking away, though.

Feng Junning shook his head, stood, and left. “Until next time, Miss Jiang.”

Before leaving, he even gave me a strange smile.

Me: …

Ye Zheng was wiping a table up front. I wandered over, watched him a moment, and started finding fault. “You work so slowly. The owner ought to fire you!”

He didn’t speak.

The system had said that to break someone’s defenses, you had to attack their weak spot. I didn’t know Ye Zheng’s other weaknesses, but at least for now, he was short of money.

So I stepped up the threats. “Hmph! Let me tell you, there’s nothing in this world I, Jiang Keke, can’t accomplish. Just you wait. You’ll definitely get fired!”

Ye Zheng remained unruffled. “Mm. Would you like anything else to drink?”

Me: …

“What do we do, System? Why doesn’t he react at all? We’ve bullied him for so long, and we’ve never even seen him angry…”

The system had just finished a match and finally had time for me. “Maybe he’s bottling up his anger. Given enough time, his defenses will naturally break.”

Fine.

Seeing him get busy again, I felt tired, too, and decided to head back. Before leaving, I ordered him another milk tea.

Neither Feng Junning nor Ye Zheng had drunk milk tea before. But Feng Junning looked down on it, while Ye Zheng couldn’t afford it.

Sometimes, the gap between people really was enormous.

I wouldn’t be here long. All I could do was buy him a few more cups.

I found the same server as last time. He had a flat-top haircut and a clever look. He seemed to be another nearby college student working part-time.

I instructed him, “Take this to Ye Zheng. Make sure you tell him it’s a reward from this young miss.”

Flat-Top looked at me, then at the busy Ye Zheng, and smiled.

“Sure thing!”

What was he smiling about?

Why was everyone I met today stranger than the last?

After that day, much of the awkwardness from the forced kiss faded. I was no longer afraid Ye Zheng would hit me. As usual, I sat with him in class, then went to the milk tea shop to bully him afterward.

The more often I went, the more worried I became.

Chewing my straw, I watched Ye Zheng working nearby and asked the system, “If we keep coming to bully him like this, what if the owner really decides he doesn’t want him anymore?”

The system hesitated. “Then he might not even have money to eat.”

We fell silent together. After a while, we sighed together and said, “So pitiful.”

After discussing it, I decided to secretly give the owner some money so he wouldn’t fire Ye Zheng. I also asked him to raise Ye Zheng’s wages.

The owner readily agreed, told me to come whenever I liked, and even exaggerated that this place would be my home from now on.

I shook my head and said coldly, “Keep it confidential. He mustn’t know.”

“Of course, of course. Whatever you say…”

Right on cue, the system began singing. “Your heart is always too soft, too soft, crying alone until dawn…”

Where had the tune even gone?

Unable to bear it, I snapped, “Shut up!”

System: …

With the groundwork laid, making trouble became much easier. The owner was perceptive, too. Whenever I arrived, he stopped Ye Zheng from working and let me bully him however I pleased.

I ordered him to sit and drink the milk tea I’d bought. Ye Zheng was very obedient, doing whatever I said, until I didn’t know what to do.

“System, how long do you think he can hold out before his defenses break?”

The system’s flashy swagger-boy outfit was dazzling. He thought, then said, “Soon, I think. Anyway, our overall direction is definitely right. What normal person could endure this humiliation? The male lead must be suffocating inside…”

I agreed deeply. Calculating the plot’s progress, we had to be at least a third of the way through.

One early morning, the system woke me.

“Get up! You have an eight-o’clock lecture. Attendance is mandatory!”

I stared at the ceiling and thought for ages, vaguely remembering there really was such a thing.

Apparently they’d invited some important figure. I’d never heard of him, anyway. All I had to do was go.

The lecture was in the auditorium’s large conference room.

I arrived relatively early this time, twenty minutes before it began.

The room was huge, and many people were already seated. Rather than finding a seat immediately, I stood to one side and searched for Ye Zheng.

There were so many people that it took me quite a while to spot him by the window.

Good. The seat beside him was empty.

I headed over with practiced ease, but halfway there, someone took it first.

Before I could even see who it was, the system got excited. “The female lead! Time to serve your purpose. Break them up!”

“That… That’s not very nice…” I hesitated. “They look so well matched…”

The system scolded, “Have you forgotten what you’re here for? Go!”

Helpless, I could only approach the female lead and look down my nose at her. “Get up! This is my seat!”

The female lead remained composed. “Who says?”

“If I say it’s mine, it’s mine. If you don’t get up, I’ll make sure you can’t attend school!”

“Oh,” she said indifferently. “Help yourself.”

Me: …

I cried.

“System, why are both leads so difficult? Are they going to let me live or not?”

But the system saw it differently.

He explained happily, “Look, the female lead’s fighting you for this seat today. She must be jealous because of what happened last time, and now she’s asserting her claim and taking the male lead back.

“That means their romantic arc has made great progress, which also advances the plot considerably. We can finish our task sooner.

“Besides, by openly opposing you today, hasn’t she given you a reasonable excuse to bully her?”

I thought his analysis made sense, and my mood improved.

“It’s about to start. Sit in front of them,” the system said.

“Just you wait!”

After throwing down that fierce threat, I sat in front. I’d barely settled when someone sat beside me.

“Miss Jiang, we meet again.”

Feng Junning gave me a wicked smile, the diamond stud in his right ear glittering arrogantly.

He leaned to my ear and whispered, “The great Miss Jiang can’t even handle an illegitimate daughter? Need my help?”

I paused. So he’d seen everything.

I looked at him coldly. “No. Stay out of my business.”

He said nothing, only shook his head.

The lecture began.

Today’s main attraction was an old man. The president first gave an introduction about how impressive he was. I didn’t take in a single word. Head lowered, earbuds in, I started scrolling short videos.

Then the old man began his lengthy speech. Some students in front were very excited, responding to everything he said. None of it affected me.

These were exactly the times when funny videos always turned up.

I laughed easily and couldn’t hold it in. The system watched with me, but he could laugh aloud, freely and very loudly.

Probably seeing my bowed head keep shaking, Feng Junning patted my shoulder.

I hadn’t yet hidden my smile.

Frowning, he asked, “Are you all right?”

“Fine. I saw something funny, hahaha…”

Feng Junning raised his brows. “What could make you laugh like that?”

Since he was so curious, I reluctantly gave him my other earbud. “Put it in.”

After we watched for a while, Feng Junning laughed, too. I said smugly, “Funny, right? I usually like watching this kind of comedy, so that’s mostly what it recommends…”

Feng Junning nodded. His slightly upturned eyes always held a trace of coolness, but the amusement in them was strong.

“Mm. Very funny. But I’m laughing at you.”

Huh?

What was funny about me?

I glared and reached over to take back the earbud. “Give it here!”

No appreciation! A terrible waste of a good thing!

Feng Junning’s smile grew brighter.

Me: …

I wanted to curse him out, but someone suddenly tapped me from behind. I turned angrily. It was Ye Zheng.

His seat was a little higher than mine. Looking down at me like that, he gave the impression of someone in authority.

“Keep it down. Don’t disturb other people.”

He sounded slightly displeased. Having spent this much time with him, I could tell.

I was shocked. “System, this is the first time I’ve seen him like this! Whenever I bully him, it doesn’t affect him at all. Who would’ve thought we’d see a change today?”

“Yes! It hasn’t been easy. I could cry!” The system nearly shed tears.

“But I’ve been really careful. I was practically talking right into Feng Junning’s ear. Logically, I shouldn’t have disturbed anyone. Look, even the female lead didn’t say anything. He’s the only fussy one…”

Despite saying that, I obediently put away my phone. After listening to the lecture a little, I fell asleep.

I slept soundly. When someone called me, I thought morning had come and it was time to get up.

I opened my eyes groggily. The first thing I saw was Feng Junning’s face.

Smiling, he said, “A four-hour lecture. You played for one hour and slept for three.” He shook his shoulder. “Getting up yet?”

Only then did I realize I’d been sleeping on his shoulder.

My eyes widened. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

Feng Junning said curiously, “Swearing, too?” Then he grinned wickedly. “Why wake you? Listening to you talk in your sleep was pretty good. System? What system were you talking about?”

Cold sweat broke out all over me. “Nothing… Just random words…”

Good grief. I’d nearly exposed everything.

I stood and saw few people left in the room. Instinctively, I turned to find the male lead. He was still there.

The female lead had gone.

“It’s noon. Want to eat together? I’ll treat you to a feast.” Feng Junning had slung his bag over one shoulder and was ready to leave. His words put me in a dilemma again.

What should I do? I wanted a feast, but I also needed to bully the male lead.

While I hesitated, the male lead suddenly stood and left with a great deal of noise.

Startled, I hurried after him, calling back to Feng Junning as I ran, “Another day. I’ve got something to do.”

The male lead walked very fast.

I ran for quite a while before catching up.

Remembering what had happened during the lecture, I immediately demanded loudly, “Ye Zheng! What’s the meaning of this? You actually dared complain this young miss was noisy! However noisy I am, you have to put up with it. Understand?”

Ye Zheng suddenly stopped.

Unable to brake, I crashed into his chest. It was rather hard. I hurried back two steps, rubbing my forehead and preparing to use the incident as another excuse, when Ye Zheng suddenly smiled.

He was very handsome, and his smile was incredibly beautiful. His lips curved slightly. He truly managed to smile without showing his teeth.

“Why should I put up with it? What am I to you? Let that man beside you put up with it. I’m guessing he’d be delighted.”

What was he saying?

My head felt completely in the dark. The system, however, began dancing with excitement. “We did it! The male lead is finally angry! His defenses have broken! Keep going. I can already see the first light of victory!”

That explanation made me happy, too.

I struck while the iron was hot. “No! You have to put up with me! You aren’t qualified to refuse this young miss!”

Ye Zheng was quiet a moment. “What about him?”

“Huh?”

“That man.”

Had he taken the wrong medicine today? Why did he keep bringing up Feng Junning?

“What the hell does he have to do with me? Anyway, I only care about you. You have to put up with me!”

Ye Zheng turned his head. A suspicious blush spread to the roots of his ears.

After a long time, I finally heard his almost inaudible reply.

“Mm.”

Huh?

What are you saying “mm” for?

I’m asking you, why are you saying “mm” instead of getting angry?

“System, have I bullied him into a mental breakdown?”

On the way back, I replayed the scene over and over, wondering which step had gone wrong. “Logically, it shouldn’t be like this. How did this happen? We’d finally started making progress…”

The swing from great joy to great sorrow was too fast. The system couldn’t withstand it. He’d already gone mad. “Impossible! Impossible!”

Clutching his head, he staggered around, looking just like Keyun after losing her child. “Oh, hohohoho… How could it be? Absolutely impossible, hahahaha…”

I couldn’t escape responsibility for the system ending up like this. I felt a little guilty.

Half a minute later, I climbed into bed and fell asleep in one second.

After two days of recovery and my constant persuasion, the system finally returned to normal.

He cleared his throat and said solemnly, “Let’s hold an emergency routine meeting, okay.”

Me: …

“Over these two days, I’ve thoroughly reflected on all our previous actions. First, you, the host, lack professional skills.”

“Why?”

“Look, I found you all those bullying dramas. You watched all those excellent examples and copied the lines, but you never use them. I reminded you before, and you didn’t take it seriously. You simply forgot. You have no idea how to learn from your predecessors’ experience. That’s directly why the male lead’s defenses still haven’t broken!”

It seemed… that really was true.

“Second, we can’t just talk. We have to take action.”

When I asked what action, the system didn’t explain. He merely left me a mysterious string of words: “Analyze concrete problems concretely.”

After this meeting, our morale soared. I dug out the line notes gathering dust in a corner and memorized the entire thing. Not one word could be wrong!

The system watched me recite. After successfully passing, I finally emerged from seclusion.

I’d skipped many classes these past few days. As soon as I entered the classroom, many people looked over. I swore that this time, I’d take back what belonged to me!

Who knew that the moment I sat down, Ye Zheng would actually speak first?

He looked down at me, calm as drifting clouds and a gentle breeze. “Why haven’t you come to class these past few days?”

I said coldly, “Stay out of this young miss’s affairs.”

Ye Zheng nodded, very composed, as if he’d expected that.

Not long after class began, I fell asleep.

I’d long been accustomed to sleeping during this class. Of course, occasionally I suffered from insomnia.

When the system shouted that the teacher was calling on me again, I suddenly opened my eyes and discovered I was actually resting on the male lead’s shoulder.

Strange. Why hadn’t he pushed me away this time?

As I wondered, the teacher repeated, “Can you hear me? The student wearing a hat in the last row, please answer the question.”

Sure enough, it was me.

I’d gone for a casual look today and specially worn a red baseball cap.

Done for.

Everyone turned to look. Embarrassed, I was about to stand when Ye Zheng suddenly pressed me back down, took the baseball cap from my head, and put it on his own.

Me: …

He was so tall that even this large classroom seemed cramped when he stood. Calmly and confidently accepting everyone’s scrutiny, he answered in a slow, low voice, organized and logical.

Perhaps his voice was as clear and pleasant as a mountain spring, or perhaps his profile was as dangerous and alluring as a precipitous peak. Either way, I couldn’t look away. Even my heart gave a couple of extra beats.

The system, who’d just returned after finding the answer for me, noticed immediately. “Y-y-y-you, what’s going on? What’s with your heartbeat? Have you forgotten your identity?”

I startled, too, and hurriedly came to my senses. “No… It’s just that he looks a little… But don’t worry. My heart is always with the organization! I remember my mission at every moment! I will never betray the Great System World!”

The system was satisfied. “That’s more like it… But why’s he suddenly helping you? Is he deliberately currying favor so you’ll stop bullying him?”

“Definitely. But I won’t be bought off that easily!” Why did I feel a little guilty…?

“Mm. As expected of an elite trained by our Great System World…”

As soon as Ye Zheng finished, the teacher led the applause. The students followed, and in an instant, thunderous applause filled the classroom.

Ye Zheng sat down without a change of expression. In front of everyone, he placed the cap squarely back on my head.

Me: …

To demonstrate my loyalty to the system, I whispered fiercely, “Don’t think I’ll thank you for this! I’m telling you, I’ll bully you just the same after class!”

Ye Zheng raised an eyebrow, seemingly unconcerned. I ground my teeth in anger and swore to show him what I could do!

“You think you’re so cool.”

After class, I blocked him in the classroom.

The system repeatedly reminded me, “Remember to use the lines. Don’t improvise!”

I quickly recalled a passage and made the matching expressions.

A mocking smile, a contemptuous gaze, arrogant movements. Not one could be missing.

The system cheered me on. “Yes! Like that! Keep it up!”

I snorted and began with full confidence: “Omo, omo, omo, who’s this? So you’re hiding here! Aish. Let you off? Impossible. Aaah—ish. What? Sorry? Yah, you ssibal thing…”

Translator’s note: Omo, aish, ssibal: stock Korean-drama exclamations and curses, copied straight from the shows she binged.

Just as I was enjoying my performance, the system interrupted. He asked woodenly, “What are you doing?”

I paused. “What’s wrong? Doesn’t it work? I’ve got more moves. Watch…”

“Hey, little piece of trash, your clothing is so lousy, like a brat secretly wearing grown-up clothes. Oh, no, my mistake. You should be Uncle Tom’s turkey. You know, this is really stupid…”

The system interrupted again. As if forcing the words through his teeth, he asked one by one, “Are you performing a comedy sketch?”

Huh?

“No. I’m bullying him…”

“Oh, I can see that. You’re trying to make him laugh to death.”

Me: …

I looked up. Sure enough, Ye Zheng had his hands in his pockets and was leaning leisurely against the wall, holding back laughter as he watched me at ease.

“Why is this happening?” I was lost.

The system let out a long breath. “I had you memorize lines so you could apply them flexibly at critical moments. Do you understand ‘apply them flexibly’?! But you just start reciting! Those are Korean-style and American-style lines. Don’t you know how to localize them?!”

I was still struggling. “How about I try Japanese-style?”

Two streams of tears suddenly poured from the system’s eyes. He dropped to both knees and even kowtowed to me. “I’m begging you. Let’s go. This is so embarrassing. If I’d known, I never would’ve come into this world…”

Me: …

I’d angered the system into illness.

He was bedridden for five days.

On the fifth evening, he told me in a thread of a voice, “Host, meeting you has truly been my misfortune. Before I met you, I always thought I was the world’s greatest fool. Yet I wasn’t. Host, I may not make it. Forget me. Let’s not meet again in our next lives, either. Knowing you has probably cleared the karmic debts I’ve accumulated over these hundreds of years…”

Me: …

“Want to log on?” I asked carefully.

Over these past few days, I’d also gotten hooked on the game the system had been playing. I secretly played while he slept. I couldn’t when he was awake, or he’d scold me.

The system’s eyes moved toward me. Without hesitation, he said, “Yes.”

Me: …

I’d thought the system was good, but he was just as much of a noob as I was.

Looking at the match results, he began making excuses. “I didn’t perform well today. We’ll try again tomorrow…”

Seeing his mood improve, I hurriedly asked, “Then have you forgiven me?”

The system put on his sickly look again. “My head’s so dizzy…”

Me: …

What could a machine be dizzy about? Did he really think I was an idiot?

In the end, only after I promised to buy him the game’s newest Ultraman skin did the system make a show of returning to normal.

“Ahem. Actually, I’ve figured it out. Our plane world hasn’t issued a warning yet, which means we haven’t done anything wrong. If words can’t hurt him, we’ll use actions…”

I decided that in the days ahead, I had to implement this policy strictly.

After class one day, I naturally followed Ye Zheng toward the milk tea shop.

My shoelace came undone on the way. After thinking, I gathered my courage and pretended to order him imperiously: “Hey! Tie my shoe!”

“What do I do, System? This is my first attempt at bullying through action. Do you think he’ll fling me away?”

The system sneered. “It’s hardly your first time. Didn’t you make him do fancy hand twirls for you?”

Me: …

While I waited in terror to be executed, Ye Zheng merely looked at me, set what he was holding on the ground, and crouched in front of me.

I was dumbfounded. “System, why is he so obedient?”

The system was surprised, too. “I don’t know. Could he really be afraid of you?”

Hearing that sent me floating. As soon as Ye Zheng stood, I tossed my bag at him. “Carry this young miss’s bag!”

He still had not a word of complaint. “Mm.”

The success of that first attempt emboldened me. I began constantly ordering him around and making him do things: he had to pick me up at my dorm every morning, personally deliver every milk tea I ordered, and be at my beck and call even on weekends.

Even I thought I’d gone too far, but Ye Zheng seemed not to feel anything. He never refused a single request.

Except this one.

“Tell me. Why can’t you answer roll call for me?”

I glared at him furiously, wanting to strangle him.

Ye Zheng casually read his book and raised an eyebrow. “No reason. If I say no, it’s no.”

Aaaaaah!

“I just want to sleep in tomorrow morning. It’s not like I’m doing something monstrous. Even that isn’t allowed?”

Ye Zheng showed no mercy. “No.”

Whether I threatened him or tempted him, he wouldn’t budge.

Helpless, I could only give up. “Fine. If you won’t help, I’ll find someone else!”

Ye Zheng added, “You’re not allowed.”

Me: …

Just then, customers entered the milk tea shop. Ye Zheng put down his book and went to work, leaving me no chance even to scold him.

I complained angrily to the system, but he was delighted. “This is a good sign! It means he’s beginning to resist your oppression. Trust me. A major conflict is bound to erupt soon, and the plot will advance greatly!”

I was doubtful. While I was distracted, a familiar person took the familiar seat opposite.

“Miss Jiang.”

I frowned. “You don’t even drink milk tea. Why are you here again?”

Feng Junning didn’t mind my unwelcoming attitude. Instead, he gave me a brilliant smile.

“Because I,” he winked at me, “am a drunkard whose heart isn’t in the wine.”

A loud crash came from behind me. I turned. It seemed Ye Zheng had accidentally dropped something.

I saw him look up at us with a gaze that made one… shiver.

Not understanding, I turned back and found Feng Junning staring at Ye Zheng, too.

Suddenly, I understood!

“Could you have come because of him?”

Feng Junning’s expression went blank for an instant.

“Sigh.” I patted his shoulder sympathetically. “I understand. It must be exhausting. But I still have to advise you to give up.”

Ye Zheng belonged to the female lead. No one could steal him.

After staring blankly for a moment, Feng Junning laughed.

He patted my head. “What are you thinking? Forget it…”

He took his phone from his pocket and brought up a QR code in a few taps. “Add me on WeChat.”

I asked, “Why do you want my WeChat?”

He wasn’t a major plot character. I wasn’t adding him.

But Feng Junning said, “Forgotten? I still owe you five hundred… No, a thousand. Don’t want it anymore?”

Before I could say anything, the system hurriedly said, “Add him! Use that thousand to buy me a skin!”

Me: …

Beep. I’d just sent the request when Feng Junning burst out laughing. “Uncle Jiang (On Welfare)?”

That was my WeChat name. The matching profile picture was an old man.

“Are you adding me or not? Forget it if you aren’t.”

Feng Junning said, “Absolutely! Goodbye, Uncle Jiang!”

Not long after he left, a thousand yuan arrived, along with a message: “Uncle Jiang’s retirement money.”

Me: …

The system and I planned to split the money, each buying a new skin.

Just as we were about to start a game, the system suddenly said, “Why’s Ye Zheng going outside?”

I turned. Sure enough. I put away my phone, grabbed my bag, and chased after him.

“Hey!” I ran to his side. “Your shift isn’t over yet, is it?”

Ye Zheng didn’t speak. He simply walked ahead without looking at me.

The system looked like a spectator who couldn’t get enough trouble. “Excellent. Another reason to bully him. This time… charge him with the crime of ignoring you!”

“Okay!”

I grabbed his arm. “How big-daring of you! You actually dare ignore this young miss!”

Ye Zheng finally stopped.

Looking down at my hand on his arm, he asked out of nowhere, “Do you treat him like this, too?”

Huh?

I asked the system, “Who is he talking about?”

“No idea.”

Ye Zheng abruptly looked at me.

His eyes were dark, his gaze deep as a turbulent sea. Something dangerous hid within them.

Why was I a little afraid?

I released his arm and couldn’t help retreating two steps.

This was a small alley. Hardly anyone normally passed through, and it was on Ye Zheng’s route home.

“System, this place seems pretty suitable for murder…”

“Jiang Keke.”

Ye Zheng suddenly called my full name.

I froze slightly. He smiled again. “You’re the one who came to provoke me. You can’t blame me.”

A motorcycle roared. An arm tightened around my waist, and I was pulled into a firm embrace.

I looked up in bewilderment. Ye Zheng was looking down at me. The instant our eyes met, my heart gave a violent leap.

“You forced me.”

As soon as the words fell, his lips met mine.

The system gasped. I froze where I stood, my brain completely crashing.

Was I dreaming?

But the clear sensation on my lips and the uniquely masculine scent of hormones drifting at my nose told me it was all real.

I blinked and heard Ye Zheng give a soft laugh.

“Close your eyes.”

As he spoke, one hand firmly held my waist while the other gently covered my eyes.

Instinctively, I tried to struggle free, but he restrained every attempt.

I didn’t know how long passed before his movements finally slowed. He withdrew the hand covering my eyes and spoke against my lips, his voice slightly hoarse.

“I like you.”

I like you…

Those words were a bomb exploding right beside my ears.

Not the understated “The moon is beautiful tonight,” nor some roundabout, ambiguous remark, but the most direct, infinitely sincere: I like you.

My heart pounded like a drum. The roots of my ears were burning red.

Unable to say another word, I lowered my head, pushed him away with all my strength, and ran as fast as I could.

Tonight was destined to be sleepless.

After returning, I hadn’t spoken again. Neither had the system.

Each of us kept to our own silence.

At midnight, the system broke the deadlock. “Ahem. What are you doing?”

Me: …

If you really have nothing to say, you don’t have to say anything.

The system suddenly sighed. “I never thought this would happen. Really, I didn’t. Logically, it shouldn’t…”

“Then what do we do now?” I asked.

“Let’s observe first. These next two days, focus on the female lead and see whether she can straighten things out…”

I didn’t speak.

The system said, “Don’t get any ideas. He’s destined to be the male lead. He won’t have anything to do with you. Even taking ten thousand steps back, suppose he likes you now. When he finds out about that incident later—”

“I know,” I interrupted.

I knew everyone’s fate here. I knew my own ending, too.

I knew it all.

The next day, I’d meant to skip class. But the damned system kept nagging me to target the female lead, threatening to blast DJ music if I didn’t. Unable to win, I could only go.

Ye Zheng had arrived early. Remembering yesterday, I found a random seat instead of sitting with him.

Better to keep my distance until he fell in love with the female lead again.

For the whole class, I couldn’t listen or sleep. My heart was in turmoil. Whenever I thought that Ye Zheng might be sad because of this, it felt like being stabbed with a soft knife.

“System, are you sure he won’t be upset?”

The system said impatiently, “How many times have you asked? He’s the male lead. Yesterday was an impulse at most. He probably doesn’t feel anything today, so why would he be upset? The plot can’t be defied. This is just an accident. Sooner or later, he’ll return to the proper track and fall in love with the female lead.”

“Oh…”

The system was right. But why did I feel a little sad?

After class, I quietly followed the female lead, trying my best to ignore the shadow in my heart.

After several days like that, I’d roughly figured out her entire schedule.

During that time, I didn’t speak to Ye Zheng, and he didn’t bother me either.

The system was ecstatic. “See? See? I knew it was an impulse. He’s already lost interest in you!”

Me: …

Did he have to stab me in the heart like that…?

“But I’ve been watching the female lead these past few days. She and Ye Zheng haven’t interacted at all. They probably don’t even know each other’s names…”

The system said righteously, “That’s why I’m telling you to find a chance to match them up…”

I argued, “I’m the female supporting character. I’m supposed to break them apart. Why should I bring them together?”

“Are you stupid? If the leads aren’t developing, something’s wrong with the plot! That will collapse the entire plane world. Then not only us, but even Ye Zheng will disappear.”

I fell silent.

After a long while, I nodded. “Understood.”

Because of what had happened with Ye Zheng, I hadn’t visited that milk tea shop for a long time.

Today, the craving was unbearable. Calculating that Ye Zheng probably hadn’t arrived at work, I secretly slipped over.

On the way, I actually ran into the female lead.

Two women were blocking her. Judging by their expressions, they weren’t good people.

“An illegitimate daughter like you—who are you acting superior to? You really think you’re somebody?”

The other said, “My mother agreed to let you into the family out of generosity, not so you could run wild in our home! You made such a scene last night that my mother fainted on the spot…”

The female lead sneered. “I’m running wild? You’re the ones who keep causing trouble. If you want to climb higher and marry that lame old man from the Zhao family, do it yourselves. What right do you have to force me?”

Those words startled me.

The system always said the female lead’s situation was bad. I hadn’t realized it was this bad.

I knew the Zhao family. They had a terrible reputation. They were far beneath my family, but certainly much more powerful than the female lead’s Zhu family.

That old Zhao man was lecherous. He’d married seven or eight times and had heaps of mistresses and illegitimate children. Making the female lead marry him was pushing her into a pit of fire.

The sight made me angry.

I respected anyone who worked hard to live without being servile or overbearing. Besides, the female lead was so beautiful. I was a sucker for looks. I liked beautiful women as well as handsome men.

Although she’d had a small conflict with me before, I’d brought it on myself. I was in the wrong. This time, I had to help her no matter what.

Making such a pretty girl marry that rotten old man. How could they even think of it?

“Xiao Ning, who are these people?”

Whenever I put on airs, I liked to fold my arms. This time was no exception.

“Uh…” I looked them up and down and curled my lip. “They’re really ugly.”

Zhu Ning froze when she saw me. I winked at her and continued, “Are they your friends? I thought your friends were all high-caliber people like me. This doesn’t seem right…”

“No.” Zhu Ning hesitated, then lifted her lips in a thoroughly mocking smile. “They’re my sisters in name.”

“Oh. The legendary Zhu sisters…”

I leaned closer to them and deliberately said, “I’ve heard your famous names for ages. Meeting you today, you’re truly extraordinary.”

The taller woman stepped forward, brows drawn in anger, her eyes protruding slightly in a rather frightening way. “Who are you? You dare interfere in our Zhu family’s affairs?”

The shorter one chimed in, her voice shrill. “Probably some lowly person this little bitch met at school. None of them are any good. Birds of a feather…”

Those words made me extremely excited!

“System, watch closely. I’m about to show off!”

System: …

“First, this young miss changes neither her given name nor her surname. The Jiang family’s eldest young miss, Jiang Keke.” I grasped the essence of a smile that didn’t reach the eyes. “Second, I’m very unhappy right now.”

“The Jiang family…” they murmured. Then their faces turned white.

I continued, “When you go home, tell your mother that if she dares make Zhu Ning do something she doesn’t want again, I don’t know what I might do.”

“We’re sorry. We’re sorry…”

They apologized repeatedly. I took Zhu Ning’s hand, turned, and left.

“System, that felt amazing. Will there be more chances like this?”

The system mocked, “Of course. There’ll be one soon. Only you’ll probably be the weaker side then.”

Me: …

I knew what he meant, but I refused to think about it. The more I thought, the worse I felt.

I was regretting missing out on milk tea again when Zhu Ning suddenly stopped.

“Thank you, Jiang Keke.”

Before I could say anything, the system sighed. “Thank you again. Sigh. We were supposed to bully the female lead. But this works, too, since the situation has changed. Become her friend first, then bring her and the male lead together…”

Too lazy to keep listening, I told Zhu Ning, “It’s nothing.”

Zhu Ning asked, “We’re not close. Why did you do that?”

Without thinking, I said, “Because you’re pretty.”

Me: …

Zhu Ning gave a rare smile. “You’re rather interesting.”

As we spoke, an incredibly handsome boy ran over from a distance. I recognized him. He seemed to be the neighboring school’s campus heartthrob. I’d heard that not only was he nice, but his family was well off, too.

I watched him run up and naturally take Zhu Ning’s hand.

Shock left me stammering. “W-w-w-who is he?”

Zhu Ning smiled shyly. “My boyfriend.”

WTF?

“System! What’s going on?”

As soon as Zhu Ning left, I demanded, “You’re a system, and you didn’t even know about this? What are you doing?”

The system looked as if he’d been struck over the head. “I don’t know! I’m following you. I only have your perspective the whole time…”

As if he’d gone mad, he muttered, “How did this happen? Why are so many things out of control…?”

I couldn’t even be bothered to scold him. “Tell me. What now?”

The system looked at me, his eyes unfocused. “I have to go to headquarters and ask the higher-ups how to handle this…”

As soon as he finished speaking, he disappeared.

I had no solution either and could only return to the dorm alone.

Since coming to this world, I’d always had the system with me. His sudden departure left me rather unaccustomed to things.

I scrolled videos and played games out of boredom, not daring to stop for fear that person’s face would appear in my mind again.

I fell asleep in a muddle. When I woke the next day, it was already nine.

Startled, I instinctively grabbed my phone. Oh, it was Saturday.

Maybe I could go home later.

There were several new WeChat messages. Apart from my parents, there was one other person.

Feng Junning.

“Uncle Jiang, want to go have fun?”

I was bored anyway, so seeing that, my eyes lit up. “Where?”

Feng Junning replied instantly. “Don’t tell me you just got up? There’s an equestrian competition this afternoon. Want to watch?”

I wasn’t interested in those things and refused directly. “I don’t like it. You go.”

Unexpectedly, Feng Junning said, “Then what do you like?”

“Murder-mystery roleplay games.”

Feng Junning had actually never played anything like that. “What’s that?”

I was greatly shocked. “You’ve never even played that? That’s too pitiful! Come on, come on. Bring a few more people this afternoon. Your bro will show you how it feels.”

Feng Junning sent a voice message straight over. I tapped it and heard him laugh. “Who are you calling yourself a bro to? Why bring more people? Can’t it be just us?”

I sent a voice message back, too. “Are you nuts? How do two people play? We’d have to wait to join another group…”

“Fine, fine. Got it…”

At three that afternoon, I tidied myself up, put on a little pink dress my mother had sent over a few days earlier, paired it with white sneakers, and braided my hair into two plaits. I looked quite youthful.

Feng Junning and his group were already downstairs. As soon as I came down, I clearly saw his eyes brighten. “Uncle Jiang!”

His voice was loud enough to draw glances. I glared at him, but he cheerfully said, “Are these enough people?”

I looked them over. “Let’s go. Plenty.”

Big Eyes was there, too. This time, he was completely different from before. He grinned at me. “Miss Jiang, want something to drink? I’ll buy it.”

I was a little surprised. Probably his attitude had improved because he saw me getting along better with his boss. I nodded readily. “Sure. Orange juice.”

Since I couldn’t have Peach Milk Foam anyway, anything else would do.

At the shop, I wanted a horror game. But Feng Junning said rather unnaturally, “Let’s not do horror. Big Eyes gets scared.”

Standing nearby, Big Eyes said in confusion, “I’m not scared…”

Feng Junning coughed heavily and covertly kicked him. Big Eyes scratched his head and gave me an honest-looking grin. “Yes, Miss Jiang. I’m scared. Terrified…”

I couldn’t be bothered to expose their little trick and picked a romance-and-mystery game at random.

Everyone chose roles. Mine was a girl named Xiao Ai. Looking at his, Big Eyes immediately said, “I’m Xiao Lin!”

This Xiao Lin seemed to be Xiao Ai’s boyfriend.

I casually said, “Then you’re my boyfriend!”

The atmosphere suddenly froze. Everyone looked at me, and I hurriedly explained, “I mean in the script…”

With a crash, Feng Junning suddenly kicked Big Eyes to the floor. Big Eyes wasn’t angry. Instead, he scrambled up, grimacing and grinning wickedly. For some reason, everyone else exchanged knowing looks with him and snickered.

I was utterly puzzled. The culprit, however, calmly took Big Eyes’s script and slapped it onto the seat beside me. The chair scraped slightly as he pulled it out. “Now I’m Xiao Lin.”

Me: …

The game took a full three hours.

My verdict: very average.

The mystery was idiotic, though the romance was delicately written.

It mainly concerned Xiao Ai and Xiao Lin. They loved each other but separated because of real-life problems. It really was a pity.

Looking at Feng Junning’s followers clutching their heads and sobbing, I couldn’t help rolling my eyes dramatically.

“Why did it turn out like this? I can’t accept it!” Big Eyes beat his chest and stamped his feet. He even cried a snot bubble.

Me: …

“Hungry? What do you want? My treat.” Feng Junning ignored them and only looked at me, his gaze strangely gentle.

I paused, then said casually, “Meat.”

In the end, we went to a barbecue restaurant.

I didn’t know when his followers left. By the time I noticed, only the two of us remained.

“Where did they go?” I asked.

“Oh. Probably had things to do,” Feng Junning said unconcernedly.

All those people just happened to have things to do at once?

I said no more and lowered my head to eat.

I’d heard of this restaurant before. It was famous, and apparently getting a table was difficult.

“When did you make a reservation?” I’d only just said I wanted meat…

Feng Junning said calmly, “No reservation needed. I own the place.”

“6.”

Translator’s note: 6 (liu) is internet slang for “awesome,” since it sounds like 溜, “slick.”

“Good?”

He didn’t seem hungry. He barely ate, just watched me wolf down my food. I didn’t feel embarrassed. With my mouth stuffed too full to answer, I gave him a thumbs-up.

Feng Junning laughed, looking sunny and handsome.

No wonder so many girls liked him. But given his own qualities and his family’s circumstances, an ordinary person probably wouldn’t make it through his family’s door.

Just as I thought that, he asked, “Has your family… arranged any engagement for you?”

I shook my head. “No. My parents said I can marry whoever I like. Entirely my choice. Even never marrying is fine.”

“That’s pretty good. So if you liked that Ye Zheng, they’d agree, too?”

My hands stopped. I abruptly looked up.

Perhaps because of the lighting, I couldn’t clearly see his expression. I didn’t know how to answer either.

I wouldn’t have a good ending, and I didn’t dare hope for beautiful love.

That all belonged to someone else. Everything I had belonged to someone else. I had nothing.

“Why think so far ahead? Just seize the present. Who knows when I’ll die?”

That was what I said.

Feng Junning frowned. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

“Hehe. Just kidding. You barely ate. Have some more…”

By the time we returned to school, it was completely dark.

Feng Junning insisted on walking me to my dorm. I refused, saying I wanted to stroll around campus.

He waved. “All right. Tell me when you get there.”

“Got it.”

There was a light breeze tonight, comfortable when it brushed past. Simply walking like this made me feel like the heroine of a music video.

No. This needed a song.

I immediately searched my bag for my earbuds. I hadn’t found them when I noticed someone standing in front of me.

I looked up, and my brain turned to paste.

“You… Why are you here?”

Ye Zheng looked at me. His lips held a smile, but his eyes were very cold.

Sensing something wrong, I turned to run. He caught my arm first.

“Let’s talk,” he said.

Fine.

We really should talk. I couldn’t keep hiding.

We went to the library office.

The school’s libraries were open twenty-four hours, with someone on duty at night.

“The librarian’s child is sick and went to the hospital. I’m covering for him tonight,” Ye Zheng explained.

I’d known him quite a while. I also knew that apart from working part-time and attending classes, Ye Zheng spent the rest of his time in the library. He must know this librarian well.

“Oh.”

Then silence fell.

I felt awkward and looked up at Ye Zheng, finding him gazing at me intently.

“What… What are you looking at?”

For no reason, he was making my heart flutter…

Ye Zheng smiled. “Nothing. It just feels like I haven’t had a proper look at you in a long time.”

My old face reddened.

As expected of the male lead. His techniques were truly masterful.

“Jiang Keke.” He suddenly called my name, and my heart tightened.

“What?”

He walked toward me. “You seem to have been avoiding me lately.”

Doomed.

Guiltily, I gave an apologetic hehe. “No, no. You’re overthinking.”

“Is that so…” Ye Zheng’s lips curved, but his gaze was sharp. He advanced step by step. Instinctively, I retreated until my back hit the cold wall.

“Perhaps I frightened you.” His eyes lowered, showing just the right amount of hurt. “I thought I should give you time to think.

“From that day until now, I’ve restrained myself and endured. But it’s been too long. I can’t wait anymore.

“When I saw you going out on a date with that person, I nearly went crazy. Jiang Keke, you like him, don’t you?”

My heart hurt terribly. I lowered my head, afraid to meet Ye Zheng’s eyes.

He suddenly held my waist and lifted me onto the nearby desk.

The desk was high, bringing our eyes level.

“Answer me.” He cupped my face gently, but his tone allowed no resistance.

I couldn’t avoid his gaze anymore.

The grievance and helplessness in my heart overflowed with my tears. Unable to control myself, I lost my temper. “Why are you being so fierce? You have no idea how miserable I am every day… And you’re still being fierce…”

“No, Keke. I’m not being fierce.” Flustered, Ye Zheng wiped my tears. “Maybe I was too anxious and didn’t control my tone. I apologize. Keke, don’t cry.”

The more he acted like that, the less I could stop. Tears and snot kept flowing. Unreasonably, I grabbed his sleeve and wiped my face on it. “Who likes him? Why are you making wild guesses? Tell me, is something wrong with you?”

Even being scolded like that didn’t anger him. Instead, he smiled. “Yes, something’s wrong with me. Then does Keke like me?”

At this point, I had nothing left to hide. I laid my cards on the table. “Yes, I like you. What good does that do? There’s no possibility for us…”

It wasn’t just the matter of a male lead and female supporting character. There was also that incident, enough to make him hate me for a lifetime.

I didn’t dare think about it.

Ye Zheng suddenly pulled me into his arms.

“That’s enough,” he said.

His voice was low and strong, miraculously soothing my restless heart. “Jiang Keke, I don’t know what you’re worrying about. But as long as that one thing is certain, I won’t be afraid of anything else.”

I said nothing.

Resting against his shoulder felt so safe. Safe enough to forget everything.

I closed my eyes.

Just as I’d told Feng Junning: seize the present.

Then I would seize the present, however tragic the ending.

A person had to live for themselves once, without calculating the consequences.

After making up with Ye Zheng, I finally had my Peach Milk Foam again after so many days.

Today’s drink seemed especially sweet. I complained about it to Zhu Ning across from me, but she glanced at me. “It’s your heart that’s sweet.”

Me: …

After getting close to Zhu Ning, I finally discovered that her coldness was only on the surface. In reality, she was not only funny but quite good at needling people.

I also learned she’d been with her boyfriend for five years. She had her own life and thoughts. She wasn’t the “female lead” confined by a script.

It seemed this so-called script had been a mess from the beginning.

We’d have to see how the system handled it.

“I’m going. You keep waiting for him. I’m seeing a movie with my boyfriend.”

She picked up her bag. As she passed, a fragrant breeze reached me, making even my heart flutter.

If I were a man, I’d absolutely pursue her!

Not long after Zhu Ning left, Ye Zheng finished work.

Pointing to the milk foam I’d just finished, he said, “We agreed. Two a week. You’ve had this week’s quota.”

“I know, I know. So naggy!” He always said drinking too much was bad. But how could I resist when I wanted it?

He smiled and naturally took my hand. “Let’s go.”

The system came back one evening many days later.

At the time, Ye Zheng had me pressed into an unnoticed little corner, kissing me. Just as I grew dazed and breathless, I suddenly heard the system shout.

I jumped. The system’s eyes nearly popped out. “W-w-w-what’s going on?”

Me: …

After returning to the dorm, I confessed that Ye Zheng and I were together.

With the earlier incidents paving the way, the system accepted it fairly quickly. “You two progressed too fast…”

I couldn’t be bothered to dwell on that and hurriedly asked, “What did they say when you went?”

The system said, “It should be good news for you.”

“Mm? How so?”

“They said this world diverged from the script from the very beginning. So we don’t need to follow the script anymore. There aren’t any male and female leads either. In a sense, you and Ye Zheng can be together…”

I couldn’t contain my joy. “Really?”

“And your ending doesn’t have to be death. Because you’re more compatible with this plane, the higher-ups have specially allowed you to stay here forever.”

I was even happier. “Then I don’t have to do tasks anymore?”

The system hesitated. “In theory, yes… But you still have one final task.”

“What task?”

The system fell silent, looked at me as if wanting to speak but holding back, then finally said, “Help restore Ye Zheng’s true identity.”

So it had come after all.

The system had told me from the start that, as the male lead, Ye Zheng was no ordinary commoner.

His true identity was the only son of City A’s top wealthy family, the Jiang family. That Jiang was precisely the Jiang of Jiang Keke.

Yes. I was the counterfeit young heiress. He was the genuine young master.

In the original script, the supporting character’s biological mother and Madam Jiang—Ye Zheng’s biological mother—gave birth at the same time. The supporting character’s maternal aunt was also the head nurse at that top hospital. Watching her older sister die from massive bleeding, she was devastated.

The supporting character had no father, so the aunt could only raise her. But her own life was already a mess. Where would she find the ability to raise a child?

As she cried while holding the baby girl, she thought of Madam Jiang, who was about to give birth.

Having decided, she went all the way. She personally attended the delivery and sent everyone else away. While Madam Jiang was unconscious after giving birth, she successfully stole the dragon and replaced it with a phoenix.

She took the baby boy back to her chaotic home. Out of fear and guilt, she resigned as head nurse and went to a small hospital instead.

Thus, the baby girl became a wealthy young miss, while the baby boy destined for nobility lived at the bottom.

“Although you’re very much in love now, I’m afraid he won’t get past this…” The system sighed.

Yes.

I’d stolen so many years of his life. Stolen the parents who loved him, leaving him to suffer unbearably. After learning the truth, how could he not hate me? How could we have a good ending?

“Think about what to do. If you really don’t want to, I’ll try applying again and see whether we can let it go…”

“No,” I interrupted. “We can’t let it go.”

He was such a good person. How could I bear to keep occupying what belonged to him?

“Then… We’ll have to choose a time…”

“As soon as possible,” I said.

I remembered that evening when he’d walked me to my dorm, then hurried off to tutor someone.

Looking at me with gentle, determined eyes, he’d said, “Keke, wait for me a little longer. I’ll definitely stand by your side.”

I knew he would.

But the problem was me.

A thief like me wasn’t even qualified to love him.

I couldn’t control what had happened in the past. But now, at least I could give everything back.

Whatever the cost.

It was late autumn. More than three months had passed since the term began.

City A’s climate was strange, with no pattern at all. A sudden ten-degree drop was common. Sometimes, when a cold gust blew, even wearing a down jacket couldn’t stop your legs from trembling.

In mid-November, the school’s annual training camp arrived as scheduled.

After learning about it in advance, my mother specially sent people to pack for me. When they finished, I stared at the enormous bundle of luggage and sank into thought.

“I can’t carry this much…” I said on the phone to my mother.

But she didn’t care in the slightest. “Keke, don’t worry. Mama arranged for someone in the school group to look after you and carry your things. Otherwise, I wouldn’t feel at ease letting you go alone.”

Me: …

In the end, afraid of being laughed at, I firmly refused her suggestion and set off with a small backpack.

The training camp was on a mountain. The school buses only took us to the foot; we had to walk the rest.

After only a few minutes, I couldn’t go on. I told Ye Zheng, who was waiting ahead of me, “What are you looking at? Hurry up and carry me!”

Soon I wouldn’t be able to bully him anymore. I had to seize the chance.

Ye Zheng smiled at me, his gaze gentle. “Are you sure?”

I looked at the people behind us, sighed deeply, and abandoned the idea.

“System, why did I come here to suffer?”

The system was gaming with one leg crossed over the other, so leisurely it made me jealous. “What suffering? You’re here to enjoy yourself. More precisely, this is your last chance to enjoy your status. Once we return, you’ll be beaten back to your original form.”

Me: …

Indeed, the system was right.

In the original script, Ye Zheng’s gambler father had borrowed a large sum. When the creditors came to collect, no one was home. They broke in and searched everywhere, accidentally finding a letter Mother Ye had left for Ye Zheng.

The letter clearly explained what had happened all those years ago and Ye Zheng’s true identity.

Mother Ye was frail and sickly. Knowing she had little time left, she’d written it early, intending to leave it to Ye Zheng among her belongings. She hoped he would reunite with his birth parents, as some compensation to him.

But those people saw it first.

Naturally, they knew the Jiang family’s weight and didn’t dare act rashly. Instead, they repeatedly used the letter to threaten Mother Ye for money.

This year, Mother Ye died, and the gambling den also closed down. Driven into a corner, those people took a desperate risk. A few days ago, they first came to me, demanding hush money.

I’d expected it and didn’t give them a cent. Enraged, they threatened before leaving to go directly to my parents.

Judging by my mother’s behavior when packing today, she didn’t know yet. But it wouldn’t be long.

In the original script, it happened around these two days. Reality shouldn’t differ much.

“System, Ye Zheng will hate me, won’t he? What am I supposed to do then?” I was truly anxious. I hadn’t slept well for days.

“What else can you do? Even if the sky collapses, you’ll have to bear it…” He glanced at me. Seeing my mouth crumple as I was about to cry, he quickly softened his tone. “It’s okay. If you can’t face it, run away beforehand. Go somewhere no one knows you and live well. You’ve secretly saved quite a bit anyway. Better than dying.”

“But I can’t bear to leave my parents…”

The system’s human warmth vanished again. “Wrong. Ye Zheng’s parents…”

Me: …

Just as I was about to collapse from exhaustion, we finally reached our destination.

After a brief rest, everyone began pitching their tents.

I was sharing with Zhu Ning. She was incredibly capable. Before I’d helped much, she had everything set up.

I couldn’t help giving her a thumbs-up. “Amazing.”

Zhu Ning showed a little pride, then sighed. “I kind of miss my boyfriend. I’m going to video-call him.”

Me: …

It’s only been one morning ah, lady! I saw him sending you off earlier. Is this necessary?!

Sure enough, sweet love belonged to other people. I had nothing.

The mountain air was cold. Wearing a down jacket, I sat on the ground in a daze.

I thought about many things, not even noticing when Feng Junning arrived.

“What are you sitting here for?”

I was deeply melancholy and didn’t want to talk. I merely looked at him and sighed.

Feng Junning laughed. “What? Broke up?”

I glanced at him. “Soon.”

He sat down and leaned close with a sneaky look. “Then do you think I’ve got a chance?”

“No.” Once my true identity was exposed, you’d probably run, too.

“Why so heartless? Won’t you give me a chance?”

I said meaningfully, “This bro’s heart is cold and merciless.”

Feng Junning: …

A few minutes later, Ye Zheng arrived, too.

He looked coldly at Feng Junning, who fearlessly returned his gaze.

I couldn’t be bothered with their idiotic habit of staring at each other at the slightest opportunity. I stood, brushed off my bottom, and left.

Ye Zheng followed.

“I don’t like you talking to him,” he said.

“Mm.” Soon you won’t like me either.

“He likes you.”

“Mm.” Soon Ye Zheng won’t like Jiang Keke anymore.

He suddenly caught my hand, looking worried. “What’s wrong?”

I looked into his eyes. Beautiful and sharp, deep and dark, with tiny glints of light when he looked at me. A high nose, thin lips, a defined and firm jaw.

Devastatingly sexy.

I knew many girls at school liked him, including rich young ladies and stunning beauties.

If he stopped liking me, he’d probably be with one of them.

He was already outstanding. With the Jiang family’s buff added, he’d shine even brighter, becoming unattainable.

Let things just keep going well for him like this.

“Nothing. I just… want you to promise me something.”

“What?”

“No matter what happens later, you absolutely mustn’t take revenge on me.”

Damn it. I could lose love and family. I’d never had anything anyway. But this wretched little life—I really was reluctant to lose it.

I’d bullied Ye Zheng before. Add what was about to happen, and if he got angry, he could have someone chop me down in minutes.

Soon he’d be so powerful. Killing a little commoner like me would be as easy as stepping on an ant, wouldn’t it?

Ye Zheng was clearly confused. “What are you talking about?”

“Just tell me whether you agree! If you don’t, I’ll never speak to you again!”

Ye Zheng hurriedly soothed me. “Okay. I agree. I’ll agree to anything you say.”

His hands were warm. When he cupped my face, I felt as if he held me at the very tip of his heart.

My nose stung. I quickly lowered my eyes and forced back the tears.

“Let’s eat. I’m hungry.”

“Okay.”

Since we were camping, we had to cook for ourselves. Ye Zheng handled grilling meat for me. I only handled eating.

After we’d eaten, a group danced around the fire, their bright smiles infectious. Unable to resist, I pulled Ye Zheng into a chaotic dance.

Ye Zheng preferred quiet, but even with me making a fuss, he wasn’t angry. He simply smiled at me, reminding me from time to time, “Watch your step.”

I grew sad again. “System, he’s so gentle. I really can’t bear to leave him.”

The system said the most humane thing I’d heard since meeting him: “Don’t you always say to seize the present? Why have you forgotten it yourself? Cherish the present. Stop thinking so much.”

It was like a sudden enlightenment. I nodded hard. “Right!”

Thanks to the system’s reminder, over the next few days, I put aside all my worries and focused on enjoying my time with Ye Zheng.

I constantly took photos and videos on my phone, vainly trying to capture everything. But time was something one could never hold on to.

The seven days passed. With the survival challenge over, the training camp finally ended.

That night, I lay in the tent chatting with Zhu Ning.

We talked about this and that, gradually falling silent. Just as I was about to start a game, Zhu Ning spoke.

“It was you, wasn’t it? Those people in the Zhu family don’t dare bully me anymore. They’re not forcing me to marry that old man either.”

I admitted it decisively. “Yes. I asked my parents to help apply a little pressure.”

Zhu Ning was such a good girl. If she married that rotten old man, I’d be furious.

She tilted her head at me and smiled faintly. “Then I must thank my Young Miss Jiang.”

Then she sighed. “My boyfriend’s been worrying about this. He even said he’d take me away to elope.”

I laughed. “Surely it’s not that serious?”

“Really!” Zhu Ning laughed, too. “Once we’re back, I’ll have him treat you to a meal.”

I neither agreed nor refused, vaguely brushing it off.

We probably wouldn’t meet again.

After all this time, my parents must already know the truth and be waiting for us to return.

I didn’t dare face it. I’d already bought a plane ticket. Tomorrow, as soon as we reached school, I’d leave.

“System, I can’t bear to part with any of them…”

The system smoothed his flowing hair and struck a handsome pose. “What about this bro?”

Me: “Scram.”

We returned the next afternoon.

Watching Ye Zheng walk away, I immediately took a taxi and rushed straight to the airport.

The moment I boarded, I was so sad I couldn’t hold back my tears.

“Goodbye, my past.”

I recited silently in my heart.

The system complained, “You’re not making a movie. Who are you putting on this act for?”

Unable to endure it, I snapped, “Shut up!”

After no more than a nap, I arrived in an entirely new city.

When choosing a hotel, I checked my balance and conservatively picked an ordinary one.

“I need to economize from now on. I can’t keep living like before.”

The system praised me. “Good. You have awareness.”

But less than two hours later, I couldn’t stand it and checked out.

“System, looks like I’ve gotten used to the good life. I really can’t bear this standard.”

The system sneered. “Have you forgotten what you just said?”

“I don’t care. I want five stars! Why worry so much? Enjoy first!”

System: …

Only after showering and lying on a soft, springy king-size bed did I feel alive again.

After all that, it was already ten.

I didn’t know what to do. There wasn’t much to play with on my phone either.

On my way here, I’d removed my SIM card and uninstalled every social app. I’d been connected to the system’s Wi-Fi the whole trip. Honestly, it was very fast.

Suddenly, I felt abandoned by the world.

I pulled up the covers and soon fell asleep.

It was a comfortable sleep, without even a dream.

Opening my eyes in the morning and seeing sunlight stream through the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, I took a deep breath and sighed. “System, I didn’t expect life away from home to be this great!”

The system looked disdainful. “That’s all built on having money. Try it without money!”

Heh. Just jealous.

It was past eleven, and my stomach was growling. After washing up, I headed downstairs to eat.

The instant I opened the door, I saw the hotel manager standing outside. I jumped. “What are you doing?”

He adjusted his glasses. “Miss, our hotel provides meals of every kind. Please follow me.”

Hearing there was delicious food, my eyes lit up. Without any wariness, I followed him. When we arrived, I nearly jumped with excitement.

“As expected of a five-star hotel! So many delicious things, and they all happen to be my favorites!”

The system looked around, thoroughly convinced. “This money was definitely well spent.”

Like eating at a buffet, I ate for over an hour. But I was alone, and there were far too many dishes, leaving a huge amount untouched.

“If only I could pack it to go,” I told the system.

Regretfully, I stood to leave, but the manager stopped me. “Miss, please wait a moment.”

He waved. A group immediately entered and cleared the table in no time.

What, were they keeping me here to watch them clean?

I rolled my eyes. Then a familiar voice reached me.

“Keke!”

It was like being struck by lightning. I looked toward the doorway. Sure enough, my mother.

Her eyes were swollen from crying. She rushed over and pulled me into her arms.

I was stunned. Then I saw two more people, nearly stopping my breath.

My father and Ye Zheng.

“System, do you know what’s going on?”

The system didn’t answer.

My mother released me and asked tearfully, “Keke, don’t you want Mama anymore?”

At those words, I couldn’t hold on. Tears immediately fell. My heart ached so badly that I couldn’t say a word.

Tears blurred my vision. I knew Ye Zheng was looking at me, but I couldn’t see his eyes clearly.

Did he hate me?

Once everyone calmed down, my mother took my hand and sat me down, saying we needed to talk.

“Keke, your father and I know the truth. I know this will hurt you, but I never imagined you’d simply leave…” As she spoke, she cried again.

My father beside her patted her shoulder and continued, “We arrived here last night. Xiao Zheng was afraid of disturbing your rest. We waited until you’d woken and finished eating before daring to come out…”

I felt terribly guilty. My mother added, “Your father and I agree. We won’t give up either you or Xiao Zheng. Losing either of you would be the death of us…”

I abruptly raised my head.

That wasn’t right. In the original script, once the supporting character’s identity was exposed, the Jiang family abandoned her immediately. Why was it different for me…?

“System…”

“It was somewhat expected,” the system interrupted. “From the beginning, your compatibility with this world was high. Your relationships with your parents and everyone else were more harmonious. On top of that, you haven’t done anything evil. So there were indeed signs that they wouldn’t abandon you.”

“Then what do I do now?”

The system said, “Up to you. Go back if you want. Don’t if you don’t. The tasks are all finished anyway.”

The news filled me with joy. “Really?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“So, Keke, will you come home with Mama?” My mother smiled through tears and held out her hand.

Without hesitating again, I took it and nodded hard. “Mm!”

From the corner of my eye, I saw Ye Zheng beside her smile faintly, too.

That evening, we arrived home.

My father had already had Ye Zheng’s belongings moved in. His room was opposite mine.

My mother quietly told me, “The evening you returned from camp, we spoke to Xiao Zheng. We wanted to see how he felt and bring him home. At the time, we didn’t know you’d left… Xiao Zheng said that if this would hurt you, he’d willingly bury it forever and never acknowledge us. Later, when he couldn’t reach you, he nearly went mad…” My mother sighed. “He really is a good child. We’ve let him suffer too much…”

Thinking of his past, my heart ached. “Mommy, you must make it up to him from now on. Put him first in everything. Don’t consider me anymore…”

He’d suffered so much. I was willing to give him everything I had. Seeing him happy would make me happy, too.

That actually made my mother laugh. “What nonsense. You’re the same. Both of you are Mama’s precious flesh and blood…”

That night, I paced back and forth outside Ye Zheng’s door, not daring to knock.

The system encouraged me, too. Finally steeling myself, I was about to knock when the door opened from inside.

Ye Zheng wasn’t surprised to see me. He raised an eyebrow and tilted his head. “Come in.”

I murmured an “oh” and stepped inside cautiously. Even the soft click of the door closing behind me made me tremble.

“What is it?” I heard Ye Zheng ask.

I immediately became flustered and stammered out, “S-s-sorry!”

Ye Zheng smiled, though.

“What are you apologizing for?”

I hesitated, then said, “I occupied the magpie’s nest like a dove and made you suffer so much…”

“Wrong. Try again.”

“Then I took your parents…”

“Also wrong.”

What else could it be?

I thought for ages before finally saying, “It must be that I bullied you before, like a dog relying on its master’s power…”

Ye Zheng burst out laughing.

“You really know how to use expressions.”

What could I do? Under someone else’s eaves, one had to lower one’s head.

“None of those.” His smile suddenly faded as he said it.

I looked at him. Ye Zheng gazed down at me lazily.

“Your only mistake was trying to leave me.”

I froze.

“Apologize,” he said.

His expression was serious. A little afraid, I hurriedly said, “I’m sorry!”

I seemed to hear him sigh softly.

“Keke ah.”

In an instant, one arm wrapped around my waist while his other hand held the back of my head. He kissed me irresistibly.

At first, the kiss carried a sense of venting. Later, it softened into a continuous fine rain, so gentle it intoxicated the heart.

As I panted, he leaned to my ear. “You didn’t do it, and you didn’t tell her to do it. You haven’t wronged me. Naturally, you don’t need to blame yourself. Understand?”

I nodded and nearly cried again. “You really don’t blame me?”

Ye Zheng lightly brushed my nose. “How could I bear to blame you?”

“Now that you’re so powerful, will you bully me the way I bullied you?”

His lips curved teasingly. “Generally, no. But there are some special circumstances.”

“What circumstances?”

He smiled without answering.

Moved half to death tonight, I finally couldn’t hold it in. I hugged him and cried for half the night.

Ye Zheng comforted me all along. Later, when my eyes were red from crying and I acted spoiled, saying I didn’t want to walk, he even carried me back to my room himself.

At that moment, I thought that I never wanted to leave him again in this life.

I loved him.

Three days later, at my strong insistence, my parents announced Ye Zheng’s identity to everyone.

At the same time, they revealed our relationship and announced that I would continue living in the Ye household as Ye Zheng’s fiancée.

They hadn’t told me that part beforehand. I was utterly shocked. Later, when I asked my mother, she winked at me. “Xiao Zheng asked us to say that.”

Good fellow. What a loudly clicking abacus he had!

“Mommy, one more thing,” I said. “That group who came to tell you the truth—how were they dealt with?”

My mother grew angry at the thought and snorted. “If I’d known sooner that they’d blackmailed you, I would have made sure they could come in but never leave!”

Then she looked at me, her gaze softening again. “Your father handed them straight to the legal team. They’ve done plenty of bad things over the years. Once they’re prosecuted, whether they can even stay alive is another question…”

Oh. Then I could relax.

Everything had settled. Only the system had gone somewhere a few days ago and still hadn’t returned.

He’d probably gone somewhere to slack off again.

The next day happened to be Monday. Ye Zheng and I had to return to school.

As the car reached the gate, I suddenly grew nervous. “What do I do? I’m afraid they’ll laugh at me.”

I’d gone from white swan to ugly duckling in an instant. People waiting to enjoy my humiliation were probably lined up.

But Ye Zheng said, “They won’t.”

“How could they not? I was so tyrannical before. I offended plenty of people.”

Ye Zheng looked calm. “Then keep being tyrannical. If anything happens, I’ll cover for you.”

With the genuine young master of the Ye family saying that, what did I have to fear?

Much reassured, I lifted my head as we entered, ready at any moment to fight anyone who mocked me.

But no one seemed to point or gossip about me.

Most people’s envious gazes fell on Ye Zheng. He ignored them, held my hand, and headed straight to the classroom.

Inside, Zhu Ning’s eyes lit up when she saw me.

“You really came! I had my boyfriend ask around. They said you were coming today, but I didn’t believe it…”

I quickly pulled Zhu Ning aside. “Well? Are lots of people laughing at me?”

Zhu Ning looked at me strangely. “What are you talking about? Who would dare laugh at you?” Then she deliberately teased, “Young Master Ye’s fiancée?”

“No. I mean the fake-heiress thing. Really no one?”

“Really. You’re not a young heiress now, but you’re engaged into a wealthy family. They’re crazy with envy. Why would they laugh? Besides, your parents treat you so well. You simply don’t hold that title. In reality, nothing’s changed from before.”

Good.

I was afraid the many people I’d offended would take revenge now that I’d fallen. But with Ye Zheng, I’d fallen without completely falling.

During class, I still slept.

Ye Zheng was reliable now. He gave me his shoulder and answered questions for me. All I had to do was close my eyes. I didn’t need to worry about anything.

The weather slowly grew very cold. A few days earlier, there had even been heavy snow.

I huddled in the dorm all day, unwilling to go out. Even when Ye Zheng called, I wouldn’t go. Eventually, I stopped attending class, too.

That day, I continued the fine tradition of skipping class, ignoring Ye Zheng’s calls and WeChat messages. I thought that as long as I hid in the dorm, he could do nothing. What I never expected was that he’d come right to my door.

He opened it with a spare key, hauled the drowsy me out of bed, and nodded to the embarrassed dorm manager at the entrance. “Thank you.”

Me: …

After that, I never skipped another class.

On the Winter Solstice, my mother, who had never cooked, followed an online tutorial to make dumplings and called us home to eat.

Ye Zheng and I hurried over after class. Just one bite nearly made me spit it out.

Too salty.

Watching my father beside me eat one after another without changing expression, admiration welled up inside me.

Ye Zheng was no slouch either. After eating several, he suddenly said, “Thanks, Mom.”

My chopsticks trembled.

This was the first time Ye Zheng had called her Mom since coming back.

When I looked up, my mother’s face was already covered in tears.

Yes, it was moving. But I absolutely wasn’t eating another dumpling.

After the meal, my father sat on the sofa and drank three large glasses of water in succession, then asked about school.

“Keke, the president told me before that you often skipped class. Have you been skipping lately?”

I panicked and quickly stepped on Ye Zheng’s foot as he also drank water beside me, and said sheepishly, “No. I haven’t skipped any more…”

My father nodded. “Mm. Good.”

Ye Zheng said nothing, merely looked at me and smiled. I couldn’t help stepping on his foot again.

My mother, eating grapes nearby, suddenly spoke up. “Why is that president so talkative? Keke, do you want Mama to find a way to replace him?”

My father: …

Back at school, I decided to turn over a new leaf and work hard.

Because exams were approaching.

Naturally, Ye Zheng took on the important task of helping me review.

No. Preview.

After all, my brain was empty. I really hadn’t learned anything this entire term.

Knowing I couldn’t possibly have the patience to learn everything, Ye Zheng summarized the key points and had me memorize them, enough to handle the exams.

I thought he’d done that very well. As a reward, I patted his head. “Good boy!”

Ye Zheng: …

That afternoon, on my way to meet Ye Zheng at the library, I ran into Feng Junning after a long time.

Fine snowflakes drifted from the sky. He wore a black mask, and I nearly didn’t recognize him.

“Uncle Jiang, where are you going?”

I answered righteously, “To study.”

Feng Junning laughed out loud. “You? Studying?”

Me: …

What kind of talk was that? Had snow gotten into his brain?

I didn’t even want to bother with him anymore when he suddenly asked, “How have you been lately? Happy?”

“Yep, happy.”

“As long as you’re happy.” Feng Junning removed his mask, tilted his head slightly, and gave me a mischievous smile.

A cloud of white breath rose. I couldn’t clearly see his face. I only heard him say, “I hope Uncle Jiang stays this happy forever.”

Snow really must have gotten into his brain. Otherwise, why say something so baffling?

Ye Zheng had seen me from the window early on and came down to meet me. I knew he must have seen Feng Junning, too. Sure enough, as soon as he reached me, he asked, “What did he say to you?”

I found it funny, but pretended not to care. “Nothing much. Just that he hopes I’ll always be happy.”

Ye Zheng suddenly gave a cold, disdainful laugh. “Heh.”

Me: …

The exams were soon over.

I’d done badly in two subjects and spent two days in fear, worried that failing would mean notifying my parents.

When the results came out, I checked and discovered I’d passed everything.

Low marks across the board, but no failures!

Smugly, I went to show off to Ye Zheng and ran into Zhu Ning on the way.

“Jiang Keke, slow down. There’s so much snow. Aren’t you afraid of falling?”

She lectured me the moment she saw me, just like Ye Zheng!

I pouted, but she continued, “It’s vacation. Are you going home? If you’re not in a hurry, let’s eat later. We said my boyfriend would treat you.”

I waved. “No rush. There are plenty of days in the break. We can meet anytime.” Then I hurriedly asked, “How did you do?”

Zhu Ning wasn’t very happy. She frowned. “Not satisfied. Second in the major. I wanted first…”

Me: …

“But I remember first place seems to be Ye Zheng.”

Me: …

After Zhu Ning left, I couldn’t help shedding tears.

Pain! So much pain!

Why was I the only useless one?

Unfair!

At this humiliating moment, the system, absent for so long, actually appeared.

As disdainful as ever, he said, “With those marks, hurry and hide them. Don’t let anyone see. Even if you’re not embarrassed, I am.”

Delighted, I asked, “System, where have you been?”

The system gave a fake cough. “Went to headquarters. They said the tasks are more or less done and it’s time for me to return. They also agreed to modify my programming. I really do have to thank you. Your professional ability isn’t much, but you’re lucky. A crooked shot that happened to hit the mark.”

Me: …

How many blows did I have to suffer today?

“I’ve come to say goodbye. I’m leaving, Host. I know I’m handsome, dashing, and valiant, but don’t miss me…”

Handsome, dashing, and valiant? This swaggering system in a Wangzai outfit?

Given how far our friendship had come, I kindly reminded him, “Well, if you want to fall in love, change those clothes. Even your default outfit is better. And that colleague who recommended this set—cut ties if you can.”

I was being earnest, but the system wouldn’t listen to a word. “Heh. You women just love sowing discord. We brothers have a life-and-death friendship. You think I’ll believe you just because you say so?”

Me: …

Fine. Wear it. Next time, get yourself a Blue Enchantress set, too.

My final farewell to the system ended unhappily, just like that.

Ye Zheng approached from a distance. Still angry, I threatened him, “When we get home, don’t mention grades to our parents!”

The person being threatened showed not the slightest fear. Instead, he smiled and pulled me into his arms. “What if they ask?”

“Then say you came dead last and failed!” Anyway, he couldn’t be better than me!

Ye Zheng didn’t even put up a struggle. “Okay.”

That’s more like it.

“Time to go home. Mom’s been urging us since this morning.”

I nodded, naturally took his hand, and stamped a complete footprint into the snow.

Ye Zheng’s feet were several sizes bigger than mine, and his footprints were enormous. I even placed my foot inside his footprint to see how much bigger it was.

Mm… A whole ring bigger.

I looked at Ye Zheng beside me.

His profile was beautiful, as if composed of the most perfect lines an art student could draw, with a faint chill about it. But the instant he saw me, that chill melted into boundless spring.

This must be love.

I couldn’t help smiling.

The snow gradually grew heavier. But neither of us was in a hurry.

I talked; he listened.

I made trouble; he smiled.

Like this, slowly, we walked the road home.

(The End)