It's been a month since I became Han Li.
And I hate it.
Everything about this weak, unremarkable existence grates on my nerves—the low salary, the boring desk job, the lack of power.
But I needed time to assimilate.
I couldn't just storm into the world like a wrecking ball on day one. No, that would have drawn too much attention, too soon.
Instead, I've spent the past month gathering information, making connections, and slowly setting up the foundations of my escape plan.
And now?
Now, my plans are almost complete.
*
I walk into the gym, swiping my membership card at the front desk.
The receptionist barely glances at me, nodding in recognition. I'm a regular now.
I head to the changing rooms, swapping my office wear for workout gear.
The moment I start moving—hitting the weights, focusing on each rep, each set, each burn in my muscles—everything else fades away.
This is where I think best.
Each lift, each squat, each punch against the sandbag brings clarity.
I've spent the past four weeks rebuilding my strength, trying to reclaim the body that System 404 so rudely downgraded. I don't know if it's the system's fault but I need to blame someone.
And now?
I still look leaner than I'd like, but at least I no longer feel like I'd collapse trying to carry a grocery bag.
Progress.
After three grueling hours, I finally wrap up my session.
I tug on a massive hoodie, pull the hood over my head, sling my duffel bag over my shoulder, and head out into the night.
*
It's 9 PM by the time I leave the gym, walking through the familiar streets home.
The city is still buzzing, streetlights flickering, the faint smell of grilled food from a nearby vendor wafting in the air.
I take a deep breath, enjoying the cool night breeze, when—
I see it.
Just across the street.
A man is hounding a woman into an alleyway.
The sight makes my jaw tighten immediately.
I change direction, crossing the street without hesitation.
This is not my world, not my problem.
But I've never been the type to stand by and do nothing. Especially when it came to the ladies.
> "Let me go!"
I hear the woman's sharp, frustrated voice.
I speed up.
The moment I step into the alley, I see it clearly—
The woman, dressed in a long black coat, backed against the brick wall.
The man, looming over her, gripping her wrist.
His stance is casual, cocky, as if he thinks this is a game.
I don't hesitate.
I grab his arm, yanking it away from her, and before he even has time to react—
I twist my entire body into a right hook.
All my weight. All my force.
Straight to his face.
The hit connects beautifully.
A dull crack echoes in the alley as his head snaps to the side.
His legs buckle.
And just like that—
He crumples.
Out. Cold.
I roll my shoulders, flexing my fingers, shaking off the impact of the punch.
> 'Damn, that felt good.'
Then, I turn to the woman.
"Are you—"
I freeze.
Because the woman standing before me?
I recognize her.
Dark, glossy raven-black hair pulled into a sleek, effortless style.
A face so stunningly beautiful it could steal the breath of an entire room.Sharp, narrowed eyes full of cold calculation.
Long, elegant fingers adjusting the sleeve of her designer coat.
And the moment those piercing eyes land on me—
I know exactly who she is.
Jiang Yuxi, The Supposed Villainess
The top actress of this world.
The so-called 'arrogant, cold-hearted villainess' that the Male Lead was destined to humiliate, defeat, and eventually 'redeem' through love.
The woman who, in the original story, was meant to fall from grace, be blacklisted from the industry, and then reluctantly fall into the Male Lead's harem after being "saved" by his righteous charm and golden finger plot armor.
A pathetic fate.
One that I have zero intention of letting her play.
Because—
Look at her.
Fuck me, she's beautiful.
I've seen her on screen before, of course. Everyone has. But I've never really paid attention. Never really studied her up close.
Now?
I'm seeing her for the first time.
And it is an experience.
Sharp, elegant features so flawlessly composed they look sculpted from moonlight and sin.
Dark, intelligent eyes that seem to see straight through me.
Skin that looks softer than any designer fabric I've ever touched.
An effortless, untouchable grace that makes the entire world seem a little less worthy of her presence. The world infact is not worthy of her.
And then—
Her knees wobble.
For the first time since I stepped in, I see a flash of weakness—the way her breath hitches, the slight tremor in her fingers, the way her lashes lower just a fraction.
She's exhausted.
Probably running on pure adrenaline after that encounter.
Her body is giving out before her pride does.
I move.
Fast.
In one smooth motion, I step forward, arm slipping around her waist, stabilizing her.
She fits perfectly against me.
Warm. Soft.
The scent of her expensive perfume, something dark and floral, fills my senses.
She feels so good against me that I have to mentally slap myself.
Not the time.
> "You okay?" I ask, voice low, steady.
I love the way her body molds into mine and I will be dead before I let her fall into the clutches of the Male Lead.
***
Jiang Yuxi felt her heart skip a beat.
She didn't like that.
Not one bit.
She was used to control. Used to handling herself.
And yet—
Here she was, steadying herself against a complete stranger.
A young, slender man, strong despite his lean frame, holding her up with effortless ease.
She could feel the warmth of his palm against her waist, the firmness of his grip.
She took a sharp inhale and quickly stepped away.
> "Thank you."
Her voice came out softer than intended.
She ignored the way her pulse felt unsteady and quickly turned, stepping out of the alleyway, her mind already pushing the encounter aside.
She had more important things to think about.
***
I stayed right where I was, watching as she walked away.
For the first time since arriving in this godforsaken world, my brain refused to function properly.
There were no schemes running through my head.
No profit calculations.
No tactical strategies.
Just one singular thought:
> 'I need her.'
Not in a possessive, creepy way. Maybe.
Just—
She can't belong to him.
Jiang Wei doesn't deserve her.
This world doesn't deserve her.
The original plotline can go to hell. Not that I was planning on following it, I was originally planning on ruining things for the male lead just for the sake of it but now. Now I have a reason for it all right.
--
Meanwhile, in the System Core…
> System 404: [WARNING: Host is showing concerning levels of attachment to a major character.]
System 404: [This is not a dating sim.]
System 404: [Host, please respond.]