In the sweltering heat of July, with the sun blazing overhead at noon, Guan Qingtong hurried through the scorching streets to meet Su Yirao at their pre-arranged lunch spot.
As she stepped into the restaurant, the cool blast of air conditioning instantly washed away the oppressive heat clinging to her. Her eyes quickly spotted Su Yirao seated in a corner.
Su Yirao, as always, looked impeccable in a soft white blouse that highlighted her professional poise and mature elegance. Her every movement exuded a charm that was both commanding and feminine.
Guan Qingtong had seen Su Yirao in this outfit before, but somehow, at this moment, she found herself once again captivated by her beauty.
"Sister."
"In this heat, why didn't you take a cab?" Su Yirao handed her a tissue. "Wipe off your sweat."
Guan Qingtong was surprised by Su Yirao's attentiveness. She hadn't even realized the sweat on her forehead was noticeable.
"I thought I could get here faster if I walked. I just wanted to see you sooner," Guan Qingtong said, taking the tissue and dabbing away the sweat.
Su Yirao smiled faintly. "It's 39 degrees outside. I was worried you might get heatstroke. Make sure you take a cab back."
"Okay," Guan Qingtong agreed, thinking it made sense since she wouldn't be in a rush to get back.
After placing their orders on her phone, Su Yirao glanced over at Guan Qingtong with a curious look that made her feel a bit self-conscious.
"Sister, why are you looking at me like that? Is something wrong with the way I look?"
"Yes, something's very wrong!" Su Yirao said with a teasing tone. "You look like you've been ignited by the summer sun."
Guan Qingtong was puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"You're radiating an unusual amount of enthusiasm and excitement today, as if you've been set on fire by the sun. Did something good happen?"
Su Yirao chuckled and speculated, "This morning, you were like a little fool, and now you're all excited. Did you win the lottery or something?"
Guan Qingtong unconsciously fiddled with the hem of her shirt and responded, "It's not as dramatic as you say."
"Then why the sudden change in mood?" Su Yirao asked with a smile. "It's nice that you invited me to lunch to share your joy."
"Is it that obvious that I'm in a good mood?"
"Of course."
With that, Su Yirao took out her phone, switched to the camera, and turned on the selfie mode, holding it up to Guan Qingtong.
"You're smiling with your eyes. See? I wasn't wrong, was I?" Su Yirao said.
The person in the phone's camera looked just as Su Yirao had described—her eyes and lips subtly lifted in a joyful expression.
Guan Qingtong had no choice but to admit, "I figured some things out, and I'm really happy about it."
"What things? Let me in on the joy too."
"The Buddha said: I cannot say at this time."
"Buddha didn't say that," Su Yirao laughed. "But I'm glad you thought of sharing your happiness with me first. That makes me happy too."
It meant that she hadn't been wrong to encourage Guan Qingtong to take on new challenges.
"Then, sister, if you ever have something that makes you happy, you have to share it with me first!" Guan Qingtong suggested eagerly.
After speaking, she took a sip of the sour plum juice the restaurant had provided, trying to hide her nervousness while sneaking glances at Su Yirao.
"I can't do that; you haven't told me what's made you so happy yet."
"But I'm sharing my happiness with you."
Su Yirao's curiosity grew. "You've only shared half of it by not telling me the specifics. I'll wait and see what it is. I hope that when I find out, I'll be even happier than you."
Guan Qingtong nodded earnestly. "You definitely will!"
That was her hope, and also her goal.
"For tomorrow's banquet, I've arranged for a stylist to come to the house tonight, so make sure you head home early after work," Su Yirao instructed.
"Okay," Guan Qingtong agreed. Then she asked, "Sister, you're really taking this banquet seriously."
"It's the first time I'm bringing you to a banquet, so of course, I'm taking it seriously. Otherwise, Yuxing Ye might think I'm neglecting you."
"Yuxing Ye?" Guan Qingtong's heart skipped a beat. "Sister, is Yuxing Ye also attending the banquet?"
Su Yirao nodded. "Yes, he is. We need to be a bit more intimate to show him, so he'll finally give up."
Guan Qingtong felt conflicted about Yuxing Ye. On one hand, she disliked him; on the other hand, she strangely wished he would appear more often.
"Tonight, after the stylist finishes, we should practice dancing again."
"No problem," Guan Qingtong replied with a smile.
She was looking forward to tonight's practice.
"You have a standard oval face, bright eyes, and naturally defined features," the stylist commented as she applied makeup to Guan Qingtong. "For daily makeup, just contouring your profile lightly will make you look beautiful. As for your eyebrows, a softer crescent shape would suit you best."
The stylist, who had worked with celebrities, was highly skilled, not only expertly applying makeup but also giving tailored beauty advice based on Guan Qingtong's features.
In no time, the person in the mirror was transformed, and Guan Qingtong was amazed.
She looked beautiful—so beautiful that she was stunned.
Turning her head slightly, she saw Su Yirao dressed in a sleek black dress with an air of sophistication that radiated confidence.
"Not bad," Su Yirao said, admiring the transformation. "We look quite well-matched."
Guan Qingtong was also in black, though her dress was more youthful and playful compared to Su Yirao's mature style.
"Really?"
Standing up, Guan Qingtong slipped her arm through Su Yirao's, linking them together.
Relieved that Su Yirao didn't seem to find anything unusual, she relaxed a bit.
In the past, she had been confident and at ease around Su Yirao, but now, the more she desired something, the more she feared losing it.
Guan Qingtong quietly reminded herself to stay calm.
"Tony, could you take a photo of us? I want to see how we look together," she said, finding a good reason to request a photo.
The stylist seemed pleased with her work and happily took the phone to snap a few pictures.
"Guan Qingtong, you're still a bit stiff. Relax," Su Yirao commented after looking at the photos. "Tony, could you take a few more?"
"Sure," Tony replied.
Guan Qingtong knew why she was so tense.
The more she tried to relax, the more unsure she became of where to place her arm around Su Yirao's waist.
That was until Su Yirao leaned in slightly, lifting Guan Qingtong's chin with her fingers and smiling softly.
"That's better," Su Yirao said as her smile deepened, looking towards the camera. "Take the shot."
"Sister, I can do it myself…"
Before Guan Qingtong could finish, she heard the camera shutter, and she could only respond with a playful face.
"Still making faces?" Su Yirao laughed. "You're getting bold."
She then lightly pinched Guan Qingtong's cheek.
Feeling more at ease, Guan Qingtong lifted her hand, intending to pinch Su Yirao's face in return.
After all, Su Yirao often pinched her cheeks, and she had never returned the gesture. She was curious about how it would feel.
"Don't pinch my face!" Su Yirao exclaimed.
"Sister, that's unfair! You pinch my face, so I should be able to pinch yours!"
"You're not just pinching my face; you're trying to smudge my makeup!"
"Don't make things up! I wasn't going to do that!"
"I don't need to prove anything; I already know."
Guan Qingtong quickly stepped back and checked the mirror to see if her makeup was smudged.
Su Yirao chuckled. "I was just teasing you. There's no way Tony's makeup could smudge that easily."
At this moment, Tony handed the phone back to Guan Qingtong.
"I captured some candid moments that should meet your needs," he said.
Guan Qingtong smiled as she looked through the photos, her lips curling into a satisfied smile.
"It's getting late, so I'll be off," Tony said, preparing to leave.
Su Yirao nodded. "Thank you, and see you tomorrow morning."
"It's my job. No need to thank me," Tony replied with a smile before taking his leave.
"Stop staring at the photos. Am I not more beautiful in person?" Su Yirao teased.
"They're about the same," Guan Qingtong replied with a grin.
Su Yirao shook her head, amused. "I've set up the projector. We have time to practice for another two hours, which should be enough to prepare for tomorrow."
"Okay."
Guan Qingtong agreed quickly, hoping Su Yirao wouldn't notice her hidden excitement.
As the music played from the surround sound system, Guan Qingtong didn't wait for Su Yirao to prompt her. She moved closer, placing one hand on Su Yirao's shoulder and the other around her waist.
Sensing Guan Qingtong's initiative, Su Yirao smiled softly. "It seems yesterday's practice paid off."
Feeling the warmth of Su Yirao's body through her hand, Guan Qingtong felt a bit uneasy but tried to ignore the flutter in her chest.
"Sister, let's start."
"Alright, let's begin."
As a novice, Guan Qingtong was prone to mistakes, often stepping on Su Yirao's feet during practice. Su Yirao had prepared herself to dodge any missteps.
However, tonight, Guan Qingtong seemed to have found her rhythm, moving gracefully and naturally as if she had suddenly grasped the essence of the dance.
"That was much better today," Su Yirao praised.
Guan Qingtong smiled. "It's all about having the right motivation."
"So, does that mean you enjoy dancing?"
Guan Qingtong hesitated, her eyes flickering. "Yes."
But in truth, it wasn't just dancing that she was starting to enjoy.
"Having a new hobby is great," Su Yirao said with a nod. "It's just a shame you started late. Otherwise, I'd hire a professional to teach you."
It was clear Su Yirao genuinely wanted her to improve.
But Guan Qingtong politely declined, saying, "Thank you, sister. I'm happy just dancing with you as a hobby. I don't have the energy to take on too many things."
Su Yirao smiled and dropped the subject.
"Sister, you're so good to me! I'll find a way to repay you one day!" Guan Qingtong said, her gratitude heartfelt.
"Just keep it in your heart," Su Yirao replied. "But I don't need you to repay me."
Guan Qingtong chuckled and nodded. "Alright, I'll keep it all in my heart!"
Now, she felt even more greedy.
She wanted something more.
At the banquet, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, Guan Qingtong sat quietly on the edge, sipping her drink, her eyes fixed on Su Yirao, who was effortlessly mingling with the crowd.
Su Yirao was stunning, commanding the attention of everyone around her.
This was the image of Su Yirao that Guan Qingtong had always envisioned—a woman who belonged in the spotlight, admired by all. But now, seeing it in reality, her feelings were more complex.
When would she be able to leave the sidelines and stand beside Su Yirao, sharing the spotlight?
She didn't need others' respect. She just didn't want to be left alone in the corner, watching from afar.
She needed to work even harder...
Guan Qingtong lowered her gaze, downing the rest of her fruit wine, silently motivating herself.
"Here, have another drink."
A man's voice interrupted her thoughts as a full glass of fruit wine appeared before her.
She looked up and saw Yuxing Ye.
"No, thank you. I'm not in the mood to drink," she politely declined.
Yuxing Ye didn't seem bothered by her refusal. He smiled lightly and took a seat beside her, casually swirling the drink in his hand.
"Did Su Yirao bring you to the banquet? Why are you sitting here alone?" Yuxing Ye asked.
This was an attempt to sow discord!
Guan Qingtong immediately became wary, subtly distancing herself from him.
She responded firmly, "I came here to rest because it was too noisy over there. It wasn't her idea to leave me alone."
This was true. Su Yirao had been socializing with others, and Guan Qingtong had found it boring, so she had decided to take a break.
Yuxing Ye sighed softly, as if disappointed. "I don't know what Su Yirao has told you about me, but my offer to have you join my company was genuine. I only wanted to give you a better opportunity."
"Thank you for the offer, Mr. Yuxing, but I'm not interested in joining your company."
His repeated invitations almost made her believe he had feelings for her.
"It's a shame," Yuxing Ye said, taking a sip of his drink. "But remember, if you ever feel unhappy by her side, you can always contact me."
"I doubt that day will ever come."
Just then, Guan Qingtong noticed Su Yirao approaching and quickly stood up to meet her.
As she rose, Yuxing Ye said, "Guan Qingtong, you're not really in a relationship with Su Yirao, are you?"
"Mr. Yuxing, we are truly together. She's already proven that to you," Guan Qingtong replied. "And by the way, it looks like your date is heading over. You wouldn't want her to misunderstand."
Indeed, Yuxing Ye's date was approaching.
When Yuxing Ye had entered the banquet with his date, it had attracted a lot of attention. At that time, Guan Qingtong had been by Su Yirao's side, and they had even exchanged greetings.
Unfortunately, the spectators were disappointed when nothing dramatic happened between the former couple, as if their past meant nothing.
There were some who secretly gossiped about Su Yirao's sudden change in sexual orientation, suspecting it had something to do with her ex-fiancé's rumored affair. But no one dared to voice these thoughts openly.
"Qingtong," Su Yirao arrived just in time, positioning herself between Yuxing Ye and Guan Qingtong, effectively blocking Yuxing Ye's line of sight.
Being shielded by Su Yirao felt comforting, like being under her protection.
Before Su Yirao could ask, Guan Qingtong quickly explained, "I'm fine. Mr. Yuxing offered me a drink, but I declined."
"Good."
Su Yirao's mood improved, sensing their silent understanding.
"Mr. Yuxing, I've been looking for you. Why are you over here?" Yuxing Ye's date finally caught up, her voice tinged with irritation.
Yuxing Ye, however, paid her little mind, his focus still on the two women before him. The woman's face contorted with jealousy and anger.
Before Su Yirao and Guan Qingtong could react, Yuxing Ye lifted his arm slightly, as if to avoid contact with his date, which only deepened her resentment.
Standing in front of her perceived rivals, his rejection felt like a slap in the face.
The woman's expression grew darker, her eyes burning with hatred.
"Jiang Yuanyuan, long time no see," Su Yirao recognized the woman and tried to ease the tension.
Jiang Yuanyuan, seeing that Yuxing Ye was still focused on the other two women, grew even more enraged. Instead of accepting Su Yirao's olive branch, she sneered.
"Long time no see. Since you two are no longer engaged, it would be best to keep some distance. Otherwise, the media might start writing stories about our Mr. Yuxing."
Despite Yuxing Ye being the one to approach them, she was now blaming Su Yirao for it?
Guan Qingtong felt a surge of anger and was about to retort, but Su Yirao stopped her.
"Yes, yes, he's all yours," Su Yirao said with a dismissive laugh. "Just make sure to keep your man in check so I don't have to see him again, thanks."
With that, she led Guan Qingtong away.
Jiang Yuanyuan wasn't just a familiar face from her past, but also a character in the original novel—a third-rate villain.
Looking back, Su Yirao realized there was no need to help her. Jiang Yuanyuan's character and behavior matched perfectly with her role in the novel.
In the original story, although Su Yirao's character was the villain, it was Jiang Yuanyuan who orchestrated many of the heinous schemes.
Before her awakening, she had naively followed Jiang Yuanyuan's lead, but now, she couldn't care less about her.
More importantly, she wanted to protect Guan Qingtong from any association with Jiang Yuanyuan. Given Yuxing Ye's unpredictable behavior, who knew what trouble Jiang Yuanyuan might cause?
Now that Guan Qingtong was under her protection, she couldn't let anything happen to her.
As the night wore on, the highlight of the banquet, the face-to-face dance, began.
Just as Su Yirao had predicted, the energetic beats reverberated through the dance floor, signaling that their practice had paid off.
After the dance, both women were slightly sweaty.
"Sister, I'll go grab some drinks. Wait for me," Guan Qingtong said.
Su Yirao, always cautious, wanted to accompany Guan Qingtong but was stopped by a colleague asking for work advice.
She glanced towards the drink station, noting it was within her line of sight, and nodded.
Guan Qingtong approached the drink table, just as a woman with a pale face sidled up to her.
"Excuse me, could you tell me where the restroom is?" the woman asked, looking genuinely distressed.
"I'm not sure myself. Maybe you should ask someone else?" Guan Qingtong suggested, shrugging.
The woman seemed taken aback, not expecting Guan Qingtong to respond that way.
"Excuse me, do you know where the ladies' room is?" Guan Qingtong asked a nearby server on the woman's behalf.
The server gave brief directions, but the woman seemed confused and turned back to Guan Qingtong for help.
"Can you take me there? I'm afraid I might get lost. It's not appropriate for him to show me the way since he's a man."
"I haven't been there either," Guan Qingtong hesitated. "I still need to get…"
But the server, eager to help, insisted, "Miss, why don't you accompany her? I can bring your drink over."
The woman truly seemed desperate, so Guan Qingtong relented.
"Alright, I'll take you."
As soon as she agreed, the woman grabbed her arm and practically dragged her towards the restroom.
The further they walked, the more suspicious Guan Qingtong became.
This woman's legs seemed fine—why did she need a stranger to accompany her to the restroom?
Where there's smoke, there's fire.
Sensing something was off, Guan Qingtong started to back out. But by then, they had almost reached the restroom.
"You go ahead. I'll wait here," Guan Qingtong said.
"Since we're already here, why don't you use the restroom too?" the woman suggested.
'Since we're already here…'
Such a common phrase, yet it felt so out of place in this situation.
Guan Qingtong's unease grew, and she turned to leave.
But before she could react, the woman grabbed her arm, yanking her into the restroom.
"Hel—"
Before she could scream, her mouth was stuffed with a rag, and her hands were tied with a rope.
Then, out of nowhere, a man appeared, helping the woman drag her into a stall.
The door slammed shut, and the sound of a lock clicking echoed ominously.
"Don't bother screaming; it's useless," the woman said casually. "We're just going to lock you in here for a while to teach you a lesson. Next time, don't go after other people's men."
"Mmm! Mmm!"
Guan Qingtong tried to speak, but all that came out were muffled cries.
She needed to cut the rope around her wrists, but where could she find something sharp?
And what was this about going after someone else's man? Was this Jiang Yuanyuan's doing?
Worry for Su Yirao gnawed at her. What if she was in the same situation?
Her mind raced as she tried to figure out how to escape. She decided to smash the mirror, hoping to use the shards to cut the rope.
It was risky, but it was better than sitting helplessly.
She gathered her courage and braced herself to smash into the mirror. Just as she was about to make contact, she heard a noise—a door unlocking.
Startled, she turned to see two women emerging from a stall.
They didn't look disheveled, but their smudged lipstick and the faint marks on their necks suggested they had been intimate.
Guan Qingtong took note but focused on trying to communicate for help.
Numbers were strength, and with more people, she might have a better chance to escape.
"Long time no see."
One of the women approached, removing the rag from Guan Qingtong's mouth.
"It's you! The host?"
If the woman hadn't spoken, Guan Qingtong might not have recognized her. She was the host from the shopping mall's 520 event—the one who had sparked all the misunderstandings between her and Su Yirao.
No wonder she had misunderstood, and no wonder she had been so calm about same-sex relationships. It turned out she was into women herself.
"I'm Zhu Yuan, not just 'the host,'" the woman corrected with a smile.
Zhu Yuan—what a fitting name.
"And I'm Guan Qingtong," Guan Qingtong introduced herself, feeling a bit awkward.
"I'm He Xiaoyue," said the other woman, who was now touching up her lipstick in the mirror.
Zhu Yuan examined the ropes binding Guan Qingtong's hands. "What did you do to deserve this? It's a dead knot. I'm afraid you'll have to wait until we get outside to untie it."
"Can you contact the hotel staff to help unlock the door?" Guan Qingtong asked.
Then, anxiety creeping into her voice, she added, "Besides me, I'm worried they might have targeted my sister too. I need to get out of here quickly to help her."
"You're in no shape to help anyone right now," Zhu Yuan said, remarkably calm for someone in this situation. "But don't worry, she's the hotel's operations manager. We'll get out of here soon."
"Really?" Guan Qingtong's eyes lit up. "That's great!"
He Xiaoyue, now on the phone in the corner, asked, "What's your sister's name? Have you made any enemies recently? Do you have any idea who's behind this?"
Guan Qingtong answered quickly, "My sister's name is Su Yirao. I think Jiang Yuanyuan is behind this. The banquet is on the third floor; they should all be there."
"Got it," He Xiaoyue nodded, tapping away on her phone, likely coordinating a response.
Guan Qingtong didn't want to just sit around. Feeling more anxious by the second, she asked Zhu Yuan to fish out her phone and call Su Yirao.
But the call wouldn't go through.
Neither did the messages.
The situation she feared the most was coming true.
About ten minutes later, He Xiaoyue handed her phone to Guan Qingtong. "Based on the third-floor surveillance, is this your sister?"
He Xiaoyue's team worked fast, pulling up clear footage that zeroed in on key details.
In the video, Su Yirao could be seen looking for someone, likely Guan Qingtong, when a server approached her with a drink. After a brief conversation, Su Yirao moved past the server, continuing on her path.
Just before reaching the restroom, she suddenly clutched her head, frowning in pain. She pulled out her phone, but before she could unlock it, she collapsed in a blind spot of the camera.
A shadowy figure appeared, taking her away.
Because it was a blind spot, Guan Qingtong couldn't see who had taken her or where they had gone.
He Xiaoyue analyzed the footage. "That server doesn't work for the hotel. It's likely his drink was spiked, which is why she fainted."
"I've already had my team track the surveillance footage, and I've reported this to the police. By the time we get out, we should have more information."
Guan Qingtong, though frantic, knew this was the best course of action.
Jiang Yuanyuan...
As worried as she was for Su Yirao, her hatred for Jiang Yuanyuan grew.
She prayed that Su Yirao would, like her, find help in time and make it out safely.
Heat.
But not the sweltering heat of summer. This was a different kind of heat—a searing burn from within that consumed Su Yirao, blurring the edges of her consciousness.
She bit her lip hard, trying to stay lucid as she scanned her surroundings.
A hotel room, laced with the unmistakable scent of some drug.
How familiar this was.
In the original plot, under Jiang Yuanyuan's suggestion, she had also put Guan Qingtong in this exact situation.
And then, Jiang Yuanyuan had arranged for a man...
The thought sent shivers down Su Yirao's spine, and she dared not continue.
The original Su Yirao had been an accomplice, blindly following a script, but now, awake and aware, the horror of her actions hit her full force.
If Guan Qingtong wasn't the protagonist, would she still have been saved by the male lead? Would she have been left to fend for herself?
Su Yirao's blood ran cold at the thought.
She slapped herself hard across the face.
"Slap!"
The burning sting left a red mark on her cheek, but it didn't do much to clear her mind, though it did calm her inner turmoil slightly.
If Guan Qingtong was no longer the heroine, her protective aura might be gone too. What then? Hope the male lead would swoop in?
Ridiculous!
Su Yirao slapped herself again.
She had already altered the storyline, so who knew what might happen next?
The very idea made her stomach churn. She couldn't bear to think about it.
As another wave of drug-induced desire rolled over her, Su Yirao forced herself to focus on one thought: escape.
She had no savior coming to her rescue. She could only rely on herself.
The main door was out of the question.
The window.
Su Yirao, clothes still drenched, stumbled to the balcony and peered out, assessing her chances of climbing down.
She was on at least the tenth floor.
There was a chance she could reach another room by stepping onto the air conditioning unit and leaping across, but one wrong move could send her plummeting to her death.
But it was better than waiting around for whatever fate had in store for her.
Gritting her teeth, Su Yirao turned back into the room to grab the bedsheets and blankets, tying them into makeshift ropes.
Just as she secured one end to the window frame and wrapped the other around her waist, she heard noises from outside the door.
No more time to hesitate.
Steeling herself, she climbed onto the window ledge.
Taking a deep breath, she jumped, landing on the air conditioner's outer unit. She steadied herself before making the final leap.
The solid ground beneath her feet was a relief.
Wasting no time, she unhooked the makeshift rope from her waist and locked the window shut.
Her phone wasn't on her, but the room had a device to call the front desk.
She could use that to discreetly call for help without alerting anyone next door.
With her plan in place, Su Yirao moved quickly.
The police in Rong City received two separate reports about incidents at the X Hotel and promptly dispatched officers to investigate.
No one believed that Jiang Yuanyuan, out of sheer jealousy, could commit such a heinous act.
But the surveillance footage and witness testimonies were undeniable, and Jiang Yuanyuan eventually confessed to her crimes.
The twisted plot came to an end as night fell, with Jiang Yuanyuan facing the consequences she deserved.
Guan Qingtong, guided by He Xiaoyue's information, rushed to the hotel room where Su Yirao had made her daring escape.
When she arrived, Su Yirao was sitting in a cold bath, shivering and staring blankly ahead.
"Sister, don't be scared. I'm here," Guan Qingtong whispered, her voice hoarse with emotion.
No matter how composed Su Yirao seemed, going through something like this was bound to leave deep scars.
Without hesitation, Guan Qingtong wrapped her arms around Su Yirao, trying to offer some comfort.
"I'm sorry, Qingtong..."
Su Yirao's eyes regained some clarity, but her emotions surged, and her voice broke with a sob.
She had been complicit in the past, doing things she now found utterly repulsive.
And yet, despite everything, Guan Qingtong still treated her with genuine kindness...
Guan Qingtong didn't understand the full meaning of her words, but she could see that Su Yirao was deeply shaken. She gently patted her back, murmuring, "It's okay, sister. It's all over now."
At her words, Su Yirao's blank stare seemed to soften, and her gaze focused.
"Yes, it's all over. Those things I did, they were my actions, but not entirely my own will. I just followed a sick, twisted plot."
Guan Qingtong didn't fully grasp what she was saying, but she continued to reassure her. "It's okay, it's okay..."
"Guan Qingtong."
"Hmm? Are you feeling better, sister?" Guan Qingtong asked, concerned. "Maybe you should get out of the cold water. I'm worried you'll get sick."
"I'll protect you from now on," Su Yirao whispered.
If the male lead's character arc in the original story was anything to go by, Guan Qingtong was bound to face more danger if she returned to his side.
In this moment, Su Yirao made a decision.
She wouldn't let Guan Qingtong go back to Yuxing Ye. It was far too dangerous.
Whether it was to atone for her past sins or because of their bond, she was determined to protect Guan Qingtong.
Tears welled up in Guan Qingtong's eyes. "Sister, you're the one who was hurt. I should be the one protecting you. I'm sorry I was too late."
Su Yirao managed a weak smile.
Even though her lips were pale, she looked more like her old self, as if she had overcome this ordeal.
Guan Qingtong, relieved, started to help her out of the cold bath.
But then, without warning, Su Yirao clutched her head in pain and slumped back into the water.
"Sister, what's wrong?"
Panic seized Guan Qingtong.
"It hurts..." Su Yirao groaned.
"Is this some kind of aftereffect from the drug?" Guan Qingtong frantically dialed for an ambulance. "Don't worry, sister. We'll go to the hospital. The doctors will know what to do."
"It's not the drug."
Su Yirao struggled to speak, trying to maintain some clarity.
"Then what is it?"
But Su Yirao didn't respond. She had already passed out.
Guan Qingtong, desperate, followed the doctor's instructions over the phone, getting Su Yirao out of the cold water and into dry clothes before rushing her to the hospital.
Once there, the doctors assured her that Su Yirao was only suffering from shock and would recover.
Finally, Guan Qingtong allowed herself to relax, staying by Su Yirao's bedside, keeping watch.
But the exhaustion from the day's events was too much, and she eventually fell asleep, her head resting on Su Yirao's bed.
"Supporting character Su Yirao, your mission is to push the plot forward, ensuring that the male and female leads overcome obstacles and live happily ever after. I awakened you to oversee the plot's completion, to maintain the integrity of the original story."
"Your thoughts of preventing the male and female leads from meeting are dangerous!"
"Moreover, because of your refusal to follow my guidance, the plot has already deviated significantly from the original."
The system's voice echoed in Su Yirao's mind as it reappeared after a long absence.
Su Yirao, feeling oddly composed, scoffed, "And what about the harm done in the process? Can your so-called plot justification erase the damage inflicted on the heroine?"
"Harm? What harm?"
The system's voice was cold and unyielding, its tone brooking no argument.
"The heroine, the hero, and even you, Su Yirao, are all just characters on a page. What harm could possibly befall you?"
"Don't bother explaining anymore. Your repeated defiance of my directives means you can no longer serve as the plot overseer."
"I'll be awakening a new plot overseer soon. I hope you'll cooperate with her and atone for your mistakes."
Before Su Yirao could respond, the system vanished again.
Su Yirao found it laughable. She had already made it clear that she was going to defy the original plot. How could the system still expect her to help?
The system only ever communicated with her mentally and had no control over her actions.
Every time it threatened her and then disappeared, it only reinforced her belief that it was all bark and no bite.
The system was nothing more than a paper tiger with limited power, probably only able to awaken her in the first place.
Her life was her own to control.
No matter who the next plot overseer was, she wouldn't comply.
And she would continue to lead Guan Qingtong away from the original story, far from the dangers posed by Yuxing Ye.
"What? Yuxing Ye and I are the leads? We're supposed to be together? What a joke!"
"What even is this 'original plot' nonsense?"
"Wait, Sister Su is the villain? I don't believe it!"
"No way, absolutely no way!"
"System, you must be mistaken! There's no way I could ever like Yuxing Ye!"
"Sister Su... she's wonderful, there's no way she's the villain!"
"I'd rather believe Sister Su and I are the leads in a girl's love novel than accept that I'm supposed to fall for Yuxing Ye."
Guan Qingtong's reaction was so intense that it left the system momentarily stunned.
Had it chosen the wrong person again?
But with its energy nearly depleted, the system had no choice but to awaken Guan Qingtong.
It was a gamble, but maybe once she remembered the original plot and Yuxing Ye's supposed 'love' for her, she would return to the story.
System: I must be the unluckiest system ever. Other systems get to boss their leads around, but I keep getting rejected. It's too hard, and now I'm almost out of energy.