Ruyi had to admit, her invisibility power was a disappointment. While it made her body vanish, it couldn't hide her scent, leaving zombies capable of sniffing her out. Worse still, her invisibility only lasted three minutes and fifteen seconds. It was marginally better than useless, especially since she couldn't sense anything outside her space while inside it.
As the door creaked open, Ruyi peeked out to see Yu-shao, his pale skin glowing eerily under the moonlight. He dragged Li Ziyu through the back door, closing it behind them before pinning her against the wall.
Ruyi, still cloaked in invisibility and standing less than two meters away, watched with growing discomfort as the pair began devouring each other in a passionate frenzy. Li Ziyu's gasps and moans grew increasingly unrestrained, and Ruyi's forehead furrowed in irritation.
What's with these people? Wasn't there a food shortage? How about saving some energy for survival?
She glanced at the clock in her mind. Her invisibility was about to run out. Rather than subject herself to a live-action romance novel, she retreated to her space with a huff.
Once inside, Ruyi paced restlessly, brainstorming ways to isolate Jiang Xiaodou from the rest of the group. She had no intention of dealing with the garbage piling up around him.
By the time Jiang Xiaodou stepped out for some air, Ruyi was half-asleep. She quickly snapped to attention, signaling him to follow her to a secluded spot.
"Take this," she hissed, shoving a bag into his hands. "Hide it well, and don't let those parasites see it."
Jiang Xiaodou hesitated, his good-natured stubbornness surfacing. "I can't accept this—"
"Take it!" Ruyi barked, cutting him off. Her sharp tone left no room for argument. "I don't have good days often, and you just happened to get lucky. But if you dare share this with anyone else, I'll make you regret it."
Jiang Xiaodou blinked, startled by her ferocity. After a moment of contemplation, he gave her a deep bow, his eyes shimmering with gratitude.
Ruyi shifted uncomfortably under his intense gaze. Was he about to cry? Please don't cry.
"Where are you going, Sister?" he asked earnestly. "We're heading to the Yun'an Base tomorrow. Why not come with us? It's the largest base in the region, and traveling alone is dangerous."
Ruyi waved him off. "I am going to Yun'an, but not with you. I've got things to finish here first. If we're destined to meet again, I'll see you at the base."
She couldn't imagine enduring a journey surrounded by those cretins without snapping.
"Listen," she added, her voice softening. "Don't be so selfless all the time. This world doesn't reward kindness. Think of yourself first. Your parents didn't bring you into this world to sacrifice for strangers. If you keep this up, you're going to get yourself killed. Got it?"
Jiang Xiaodou nodded solemnly, his sincerity nearly making her regret her advice. "You're a good person, Sister. Just like my little martial uncle. When I meet him again, I'll tell him about you. He'll want to meet you too!"
Ruyi blinked. Martial uncle? Where did this come from? Before she could stop herself, her head began to throb. She cut him off mid-ramble, muttering about her poor life choices as she climbed a wall and vanished into the night.
The following morning, Ruyi stayed behind while Jiang Xiaodou's group, having enjoyed a rare peaceful night, drove toward Yun'an Base with rumbling stomachs.
Ruyi spent the next two days organizing her supplies. She charged any electronics she'd looted, sorted her food stockpile, and prepared herself mentally for what lay ahead.
Finally, she requested chapters nine through sixteen of the novel from the Sovereign.
Her enthusiasm for reading had waned considerably since discovering the twisted plotlines earlier. The Sovereign's words rang true—any chapter featuring her character was a guaranteed horror show. Still, Ruyi knew better than to face the unknown unprepared.
Forcing herself to endure the cringe-worthy narrative, Ruyi read on.
By chapter nine, the ever-glowing Wen Xinyu had arrived at Yun'an Base. Her exceptional combat prowess and third-level ability instantly earned her a place of privilege. Paired with her flawless complexion and space powers, she stood out among the haggard survivors, becoming the object of countless affections.
Meanwhile, the novel's Ruyi arrived in shambles. After being gang-raped by Yellow-Hair and his cronies, she was bartered to Yu-shao as a gift. Yu-shao, a high-ranking official's son, was the very person Gao Rui had been searching for.
At the base, Ruyi's humiliation continued. Desperate for power, she seduced both Yu-shao and Gao Rui, eventually orchestrating a scene where Wen Xinyu caught her in bed with Gao Rui. The betrayal shattered Wen Xinyu's self-image as a noble, pure-hearted goddess, driving her back into the arms of her childhood sweetheart, Lian Zichen.
But Ruyi's machinations didn't end there. She began cozying up to Lian Zichen, prompting Wen Xinyu's best friend, Shi Liu, to exact vengeance. Ruyi's storyline concluded with her being drugged and thrown to a group of men.
Eight chapters. Sixteen thousand words. Seven thousand of those dedicated to her character's debasement.
Ruyi slammed the table. Damn you, Tong Yinyin. You're not just sleazy—you're a master of sleaze!
Her frustration boiled over. No wonder Gao Rui and Yu-shao had ogled her like she was their personal buffet. In their minds, she already was.
And Jiang Xiaodou? The novel painted him as a powerhouse. Had she known, she'd never have let him go.
"I'm such an idiot!" Ruyi lamented, clutching her chest dramatically. "Why didn't I read this earlier? I practically handed my little Calabash Brother to Wen Xinyu on a silver platter!"
But all was not lost. According to the story, Jiang Xiaodou admired Wen Xinyu's facade of goodness. If she didn't act quickly, he'd end up as her loyal lackey or, worse, another romantic conquest.
Ruyi clenched her fists. Not on my watch.
"Calabash Brother, guard your integrity! Your sister's coming to save you!"