Category: The Vicious Female Lead Doesn’t Want to Do It Anymore

Chapter 7: Absolutely Not, Absolutely Not

In the Qingbai Road house, Dong Ling told Tang Nuo to go out for a stroll and come back after ten o’clock.

She had other properties that could be used to entertain Song Mingzhi, but the kitchens in those places were empty, not as well-equipped and lived-in as the Qingbai Road house. So Dong Ling didn’t change locations, but asked her employee to avoid the house for a while.

Tang Nuo naturally had no objections, and went out to find her friends with a small bag.

Auntie Liu arrived quickly, looked at the ingredients in the refrigerator, and quickly decided on a menu.

“Miss, beef brisket braised in red wine is always a safe bet. Practicing two more dishes after that shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll do it. Auntie Liu, you instruct me.”

Dong Ling nodded repeatedly. Seeing Auntie Liu about to start cutting the beef brisket, she immediately stopped her, intending to do it herself.

She hadn’t forgotten the task system’s “personally.” She clumsily began washing and cutting the beef brisket. It didn’t matter if the pieces weren’t even or pretty, they would all be the same once braised.

After putting the beef brisket to braise, Dong Ling planned to start preparing the tofu. But for someone who had never cooked before, she was afraid of being splashed by oil, and could only stand far away. Auntie Liu diligently instructed her from the side. Dong Ling understood the instructions in her head but couldn’t execute them with her hands. After burning the pot, both Dong Ling and Auntie Liu fell into despair.

Dong Ling mentally stuck pins in a voodoo doll of Wen Han and couldn’t help but ask 021: [As a system, don’t you have some kind of cheat to make me a master chef in a second?]

021: [Girl, have you ever seen a domineering CEO who can cook? I’m not a life skills or gourmet system, wake up.]

Dong Ling: [Then why could Wen Han do it? I remember he couldn’t cook either?]

021 said matter-of-factly: [That’s why he blew up two kitchens before making one dish.]

Dong Ling: [.]

Only silence could express her utmost respect at this moment.

After Dong Ling ruined two pots, she suddenly felt a sense of empathy with her childhood friend in the original novel’s timeline.

Cooking really wasn’t suitable for them.

The clock ticked to 6:30. Song Mingzhi, who was analyzing market trends, saw her phone light up from where it was placed aside.

[Dong Ling]: Miss Song, I’m really sorry, the chef at the restaurant I booked had his flight delayed and can’t make it back in time. Tonight’s dinner might not be able to be held at the agreed-upon place.

After seeing the message, Song Mingzhi didn’t reply immediately. It wasn’t a big deal to her, she could just order another meal. She picked up her phone, her fingertip just touching the screen, when she saw another message from the other party.

[Dong Ling]: I plan to cook personally to show my sincerity, I hope you can still make it.

After typing this, Dong Ling sent her location coordinates.

Dong Ling was actually a little hesitant when she sent the message, feeling her words were too formal. But she couldn’t help but be polite and courteous to Song Mingzhi. Because the system often made her suffer social death, she couldn’t help but be overly normal when not under its control.

Song Mingzhi had already agreed to tonight’s dinner invitation and wouldn’t break her promise. Seeing Dong Ling’s words, she couldn’t help but feel amused. She found her too polite, which reminded her of their first meeting, and she chuckled inwardly.

[Song Mingzhi]: Of course, see you later.

Song Mingzhi was quite surprised to see “cook personally,” because the other party seemed like a pampered flower who had been waited on hand and foot, she didn’t expect her to be able to cook.

At seven o’clock, the doorbell of the Qingbai Road house rang.

Dong Ling welcomed the guest in. Auntie Liu had already left at her instruction.

Six dishes were laid out on the dining table, emitting an enticing aroma.

Song Mingzhi said in amazement: “Did you make all of these? You’re a great cook.”

Dong Ling pointed to the beef brisket braised in red wine and another dish with some embarrassment: “I made these, Auntie made the rest.”

Song Mingzhi’s gaze fell on the smashed cucumbers and she couldn’t help but chuckle.

Dong Ling blushed slightly. She had really tried her best. After she ruined the third pot and wasted a bunch of ingredients, Auntie Liu, munching on a cucumber, calmly told her she had an idea.

Thus, this plate of smashed cucumbers came into being. Cold dishes were wonderful, no need to turn on the stove or deal with seasonings.

After washing her hands, Song Mingzhi sat down with Dong Ling, picked up some cucumber first, and after swallowing, said to Dong Ling: “Very refreshing.”

Her compliment felt comfortable, not teasing or overly exaggerated, making Dong Ling smile.

[Task complete, main storyline progress: 2%.]

Unless there was something particularly important, Dong Ling usually maintained the habit of not talking while eating. Song Mingzhi happened to be the same, so during the meal, there were only the slight sounds of spoons and bowls colliding, occasionally interspersed with phrases like ‘This dish is good, try it,’ The atmosphere wasn’t dull, but rather had a strangely comfortable rhythm.

After dinner, Song Mingzhi helped clear the dishes. Dong Ling said somewhat shyly: “You can just sit, I’ll clean up.”

“After being treated so warmly by you, I should at least help.”

Song Mingzhi replied with a light smile, her hands still moving as she spoke.

Dong Ling thought, Song Mingzhi was truly worthy of being the female lead. She had the ability to make people like her easily, not just because of her looks, but also her demeanor, manners, and conversation, all of which made people feel comfortable.

Thus, Dong Ling became even more determined to make Song Mingzhi famous, not just because of the task and the responsibility of saving the world, but also because such a person should shine, be seen by more people, and become a superstar.

After placing the dishes and chopsticks in the dishwasher, Dong Ling invited Song Mingzhi to take a walk in the garden to aid digestion.

In October, many leaves had fallen in the small garden. The housekeeper often came to sweep, but some withered yellow leaves still covered the ground. Stepping on them produced a distinct cracking sound, making one unconsciously feel peaceful.

Dong Ling spoke at the right moment: “I saw Miss Song coming out of Purple Star Entertainment today, are you an artist there?”

Dong Ling was a little worried that because Wen Han was offline, Song Mingzhi might have signed with another agency, which would require more effort to poach her.

Song Mingzhi’s expression was a little strange. She shook her head and looked at Dong Ling, saying: “No, I just had some business there. Do I look like an artist?”

This was a simple question, but Dong Ling heard a hidden meaning.

Song Mingzhi must be feeling lost about her career to ask this question, because she clearly aspired to be in the entertainment industry, but was suppressed and couldn’t get ahead because she refused to accept unspoken rules. This was a modern-day Wang Zhaojun!

021 cheered in her mind: [Girl, you’re right! We must save her from this predicament and make her a big star!]

So Dong Ling replied with extra seriousness: “Of course, and I think you’re definitely the type of artist who can become famous. I felt your uniqueness from the moment I first saw you. It would be a travesty if you didn’t become famous!”

Song Mingzhi was amused. Her intention to explain was suddenly suppressed, and the mischievous desire to tease the girl surged again. So she deliberately said: “Thank you for your affirmation, but I probably don’t have that kind of luck.”

“Who says? Don’t doubt yourself. I’m very optimistic about you. I hope to poach you to my company. I can definitely make you famous. If you don’t have an agency, you can consider me, I will make you famous!”

Song Mingzhi acted hesitant, but was already laughing so hard her stomach hurt. The girl seemed shrewd, but also a little naive, so interesting.

Dong Ling seized the opportunity and took out the business agreement she had prepared from her pocket, handing it to Song Mingzhi and saying: “Look, I’m ready. As long as you agree, you’ll be the only special signee in our company.”

Song Mingzhi initially didn’t want to tease the girl so much, but after glancing at the agreement in her hand, her expression gradually became subtle.

“No dating during the contract period?”

“Ah, this is to prevent artists’ relationships from affecting their career development during their rise. It’s fine to date once your career is stable.”

Dong Ling hurriedly explained, thinking that maybe Wen Han would wake up in a few years.

“20/80 profit split? This…”

Song Mingzhi was a capitalist herself, and naturally knew how disadvantageous this contract was for Dong Ling. It was practically giving away money. This wasn’t a business agreement, but clearly a pampering agreement. But she didn’t sense any lust towards her from Dong Ling, which made her even more curious about what Dong Ling was up to.

“This… this is a Bole finding a Maxima!” Dong Ling continued Song Mingzhi’s words, with an expression of ‘trust me, I’m definitely a good person’, saying: “I really want to make you famous. Just like a Bole seeing a Maxima, a musician seeing a good instrument, I want more people to know and see you, so I’m using these conditions to persuade you.”

Sister, please believe me, I really don’t have any ulterior motives! Even if I do, it’s the system forcing me, it’s not my own will!

The phrase “be seen by more people” made Song Mingzhi’s expression flicker slightly, and she considered it, saying: “I need to think about it.”

“Okay, no problem.”

Dong Ling saw the dawn of victory, her face full of smiles.

She noticed something and moved closer to Song Mingzhi.

A faint fragrance suddenly approached. Song Mingzhi was slightly startled to see Dong Ling’s face so close.

“There’s a leaf on your head, let me get it.”

Dong Ling held the leaf between two fingers and waved it in front of Song Mingzhi.

The large leaf blocked the lower half of Song Mingzhi’s face, causing Dong Ling’s gaze to meet those eyes.

In that instant, it was like a clear, sunny breeze, and the gentle touch of autumn.

Chapter 6: Absolutely Not, Absolutely Not

After getting into the car, Dong Ling told the driver the coordinates and asked him to drive in that direction. When they passed a flower shop, she asked the driver to stop, bought a large bouquet of roses, and then headed to her destination, arms full of flowers.

Along the way, 021 continuously reported Song Mingzhi’s movements to her – she wasn’t moving at all.

Dong Ling was very relieved, but as she neared her destination, 021 started urging her.

[Girl, she’s moving, she’s moving. According to this trajectory, she should be heading out the door, hurry up, don’t miss her. If she gets in a car, it’ll be hard to catch up!]

Dong Ling was certainly aware of this. She urged the driver slightly, and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Song Mingzhi walking out the door and down the steps through the car window.

Just in time.

Song Mingzhi finished handling the final matters of the equity transfer for Wang Buli and walked out of the main entrance of Purple Star Entertainment.

At this moment, she saw a Maybach drive up and stop in front of her.

The car window rolled down, revealing a familiar face. The person looked at her with a somewhat surprised expression.

“What a coincidence, running into you again.”

Dong Ling’s face showed a timely mix of surprise and shyness, portraying this purposeful pursuit as a chance encounter.

Her gaze drifted past Song Mingzhi to the name of the building behind her, and she felt a little puzzled. In the original novel, the female lead didn’t have an agency before signing the agreement with the male lead. The male lead gave her resources and set up a personal studio for her.

“What a coincidence.”

Song Mingzhi was also a little surprised. She had met this person three times in two days, this frequency was indeed too high and too coincidental, causing her to feel a little wary at first, but she quickly dismissed it.

Yesterday’s second encounter was indeed accidental. The other party shouldn’t have known she was in the villa next door, and if she hadn’t happened to see her through the telescope, she probably wouldn’t have.

As for today, her whereabouts were confidential, and this car had clearly just arrived. The girl in the car couldn’t have timed her exit from the building so precisely.

“Sorry about yesterday, it was a bit presumptuous. This flower is my apology.” Dong Ling smiled in a very friendly and harmless manner, blinking at her and saying, “If you’re free, it would be even better if I could treat you to a meal. After all, it’s fate that we keep running into each other like this.”

Dong Ling smoothly completed her task. She wasn’t planning to give the whole bouquet to her directly, Song Mingzhi would probably think she was crazy.

Only when the car window was fully down did Song Mingzhi notice the large bouquet of brightly colored roses in the girl’s arms.

She picked a flower at random, smiled, and handed it out the car window. Her wrist, fair and smooth under the autumn light, formed a stark contrast with the red of the rose, stimulating the eye.

Song Mingzhi curved her lips: “Thank you for the flower. I’ll definitely accept your invitation if I’m free another day.”

When Song Mingzhi took the rose, Dong Ling heard the system prompt in her mind indicating the task was complete.

[Main storyline progress: 0.4%.]

Hearing the main storyline progress and Song Mingzhi’s polite refusal, Dong Ling felt a pang of sadness. Why was it so easy for other domineering CEOs, while she struggled so much?

“Then can we exchange contact information? I’ll invite you when you’re free.”

Dong Ling shook her phone, expressing her desire to exchange contact information.

Song Mingzhi didn’t refuse, and gave her number.

“I’ve sent you a friend request. See you next time.”

Dong Ling knew when to stop, waved goodbye to Song Mingzhi, and after Song Mingzhi nodded, rolled up the window.

Song Mingzhi watched the luxury car drive away, looked at the delicate rose in her hand, and thought with amusement, what a rich and beautiful flower.

The reason she refused earlier was because such girls were never within her social circle, but when the other party offered to exchange contact information, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

Song Mingzhi put the rose in her coat pocket, took out her phone, looked at the name attached to the friend request, and inexplicably felt a sense of familiarity, but couldn’t remember where she had heard it before. She couldn’t recall anything after thinking about it carefully.

Dong Ling, she repeated the name in her mind, and clicked accept.

Having completed the task, Dong Ling was in a very good mood and told the driver to continue driving. She didn’t like leaving obvious loopholes in her actions. Since she came here to ‘run into’ Song Mingzhi, she wouldn’t let the driver think she came specifically for her. She planned to get out of the car at the next intersection and say she had an appointment with a friend.

But shortly after the car started moving again, Dong Ling heard the mechanical electronic voice of the task system again.

[Task: Personally invite the female lead to dinner…]

Dong Ling felt indignant: [Is this broken system messing with me?! I just left and it says this! If only! If only it had said it half a minute earlier!]

The word “personally” stunned Dong Ling. She could have just sent a message, did it have to be in person? Was this reasonable?

Would driving back now be like asking to be socially executed?! Why, why, why!

Amidst Dong Ling’s accusations, the task system finished the rest of the content: [Completing this will increase the task progress by 0.6%.]

Dong Ling paused, and said to the driver: “Stop, turn back.”

021: [Girl, you’re changing your tune too quickly.]

Dong Ling spread her hands: [No way around it, they’re offering too much.]

This was 0.6%, double that of yesterday’s “I’ll give you my life” task. Anyone who didn’t do it would be a fool. And turning back now would also save the 0.1% for checking the location later. Although her company hadn’t started yet, Dong Ling, who already considered herself a capitalist, wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

This wasn’t a main road, so turning back was perfectly fine.

Song Mingzhi was about to find her car and drive away when she saw the Maybach, which had already disappeared from view, slowly reversing and reappearing within her line of sight.

A question mark slowly appeared in her mind. She stopped and decided to see what the girl was up to.

The car window slid down, revealing the girl’s pretty face again.

She leaned on the window and looked at her with wide eyes, asking: “Are you free this afternoon? I’d like to treat you to dinner. I know a really good private restaurant.”

Dong Ling stared expectantly at Song Mingzhi, pleading with her to agree in her mind. This was 0.6% progress,wuwuwu, sister, please agree to have dinner with me to save the world, please!

Song Mingzhi thought that she should be working overtime this afternoon, and planned to just grab a quick bite for dinner. But looking into Dong Ling’s eyes, her eyelids drooped slightly, then she looked up and said: “Then I won’t stand on ceremony.”

[Task complete, main storyline progress: 1%.]

021’s voice was excited: [Girl, you’re really promising, you’re amazing!]

Dong Ling’s smile was radiant, blooming like a flower on her face, as she said to Song Mingzhi: “Then it’s settled. I’ll send you a message in advance. See you this afternoon.”

Sensing Dong Ling’s joy and lightheartedness, Song Mingzhi’s mood was affected, and she couldn’t help but smile.

This time, the task system didn’t have any additional comments. Dong Ling was happily freed, got out of the car at the next intersection, and planned to call and make a reservation.

The private restaurant she mentioned was much better than the one they went to at noon today. The food wasn’t necessarily much better, but the atmosphere was definitely cleaner.

After making the reservation, Dong Ling called Freya and asked if she had contacted Tang Nuo.

“The termination procedures have been completed. So fast? Where does she live?… Take her to No. 30 Qingbai Road first. We’ll meet later.”

Freya’s work efficiency was truly amazing. Dong Ling hung up the phone and took a taxi to Qingbai Road.

Qingbai Road was full of detached houses. Dong Ling had a three-story house with a garden here, and occasionally stayed there. A housekeeper regularly cleaned it. There were many rooms, so it was no problem to use it as a temporary staff dormitory.

Tang Nuo felt like she was dreaming this afternoon. One moment she was being pimped out by her unscrupulous company and forced to sleep with a greasy man, the next she was rescued by a beautiful, rich second-generation boss. Tang Nuo felt incredibly refreshed when the penalty was paid, and secretly vowed to work hard and not let down the boss’s 500,000.

At this moment, she sat on the sofa with her suitcase, a little uneasy. She had a friend who was a real estate agent and had told her the current market price of houses on Qingbai Road. This house was now worth at least five million. Tang Nuo felt a lump in her throat and decided to set a small goal, which was to be able to afford the toilet in this house.

When she saw Dong Ling walk in, Tang Nuo quickly greeted her.

Dong Ling nodded to her, motioning for her to sit down, and said: “You’ll live here for now. I’ll show you the contract after everything is finalized. There’s a housekeeper here who prepares three meals a day and does laundry. Don’t run around during this time.”

“Okay, boss, I definitely won’t run around. I’ll concentrate on honing my acting skills and strive to shine!”

Tang Nuo nodded like a pecking chicken, trying to appear more well-behaved.

Dong Ling nodded and looked at Freya.

Freya was a very typical career woman. She wore gold-rimmed glasses and started reporting the afternoon’s agenda after seeing the boss’s daughter.

She simplified the processes as much as possible, and the matters were well-organized. Dong Ling had a general outline in mind and got into Freya’s car.

By 5 pm, some necessary procedures and formalities had been completed, and Dong Ling’s Canghai Entertainment was born.

Dong Ling also sent a message to her brother, receiving a five million investment. She happily accepted it, planning to go for a spa to be in the best condition for dinner with Song Mingzhi. But at this time, the system issued another task.

[Task: Personally cook a meal for the female lead.]

Dong Ling took a deep breath and asked 021: [Why is this task system so stupid? Is it seriously ill? Why couldn’t it have said this along with the last one?!]

021: [Girl, calm down. It issues tasks based on the original male lead’s actions. The male lead decided on the spur of the moment to cook himself.]

Dong Ling’s heart sank. How could she be in the mood for a spa now? She had to find a cook to teach her a couple of simple dishes so she could cope. She had never cooked before!

She really didn’t want to do this anymore! Really!

[Completing this will increase the task progress by 1%.]

Dong Ling immediately made a phone call: “Auntie Liu, are my parents and brother coming home for dinner tonight?”

“Oh, they’re not. That’s just as well. Come to Qingbai Road, I promised a friend I’d cook personally, come and teach me a couple of simple dishes.”

What else could Dong Ling do? She didn’t want to, but the system was offering too much, so she could do it.

Chapter 5: Absolutely Not, Absolutely Not

Under the moonlight, an idea formed in Dong Ling’s mind, and she wanted to put it into action quickly.

She downed three drinks as self-punishment and left Wutongli early.

On the way home, Dong Ling sent a message to her parents saying she had something to discuss with them, and another to her cousin saying she needed her help.

021 praised: [Girl, you’re amazing.]

The first time Dong Ling heard the system say “girl,” she was thunderstruck. The greasy feeling made her want to find some dish soap and scrub the system clean. But now she was numb and used to it. This transformation had only taken a day.

Dong Ling asked curiously: [021, are all systems as greasy as you?]

021 emphasized: [This isn’t greasy, this is character.]

It said rather proudly: [I’m a system specifically responsible for correcting domineering CEO novels. Charm and dominance are our characteristics!]

Dong Ling thought to herself, this wasn’t charm and dominance, this was greasy and idiotic.

021: […I can hear you!]

Dong Ling: [Oh, I did it on purpose.]

Dong Ling was somewhat interested in this unknown aspect and followed 021’s words: [So, your other systems also have their own characteristics?]

021: [Yes, 023 and 024, who are specifically responsible for correcting palace intrigue novels, like to call themselves ‘this servant’ and ‘this concubine’. 016, who is responsible for horror novels, gives the system a chilly feeling. 003, who is responsible for conquest novels, wants to usurp the throne every day, and always fights with 005, who is responsible for NP novels.]

Dong Ling asked with great interest: [Why?]

021: [Because 003 thinks love will only affect the speed at which hosts draw their swords. Conquering the world shouldn’t be about mushy love affairs. They’re too busy with scheming and plotting every day, so they’re very mocking of novels that can’t do without flirting with men and women. 005 isn’t easy to provoke either, so when there are no tasks, the two systems always fight.]

[Then 012, who’s responsible for saintly novels, will tell them to stop fighting and start reasoning with them earnestly… I usually just watch the show, often betting with 020, who’s responsible for family novels, on who will win.]

021’s voice became smaller and smaller, and finally sounded somewhat wistful.

[I really hope I can go back, I hope headquarters can find and fix it soon, I hope this world can be okay.]

As an AI, it knew what it meant to cease to exist.

Dong Ling didn’t expect that she would one day feel the helplessness and sadness of a middle-aged man from a system. She comforted it: [Don’t worry, I’ll work hard to do tasks and save this world.]

021 was deeply moved. If it had a body, it would immediately hold Dong Ling’s hand and cry with her.

Dong Ling felt the emotions conveyed by 021, and the imagined scene made her grimace.

Absolutely not necessary, this wasn’t gratitude, this was torture.

While chatting with 021, the Bugatti Veyron pulled into the garage.

Since Dong Ling had already told her parents that she had something to discuss on her way home, she had already removed her vampire fangs. She entered the house and went straight to the study.

When they heard their youngest daughter wanted to start a company, Dong Sheng and Liu Zhuoyun didn’t think there was a problem. They had always indulged their daughter, but when they heard Dong Ling say she wanted to start an entertainment company, they exchanged glances, hesitation appearing on their faces.

“Ling Ling, that circle is very messy. And no matter what kind of person it is, there will be people who dislike her. That circle amplifies both fondness and dislike. When you become capital, you will deal with more negativity. Are you really sure?”

Liu Zhuoyun asked seriously. She didn’t care if Dong Ling lost money in business, she was just afraid she would suffer losses and be bullied. She didn’t want her to be exposed to the dark side of human nature.

Dong Ling looked at her mother’s stern face and nodded without hesitation: “I’m sure.”

Dong Ling wasn’t someone who backed down from challenges. Once she decided to do something, she would strive to do it well.

“If our daughter wants to do it, let her do it. But there’s no need to rush.” Dong Sheng patted his wife’s hand, watched her shake her head slightly, and then smiled at Dong Ling: “Ling Ling, have lunch with Dad tomorrow.”

Hearing her father speak up for her, Dong Ling replied cheerfully: “Okay, Dad. Let me know in advance what the occasion is so I can dress up. I’ll go out now then.”

Dong Sheng nodded: “Go ahead.”

Only after Dong Ling left did Liu Zhuoyun glare at Dong Sheng angrily.

“Old Dong, what do you mean? You know how many people are watching Ling Ling. That praise from the former municipal party secretary six years ago made me so nervous. What if she enters that circle and is targeted by someone with bad intentions?”

Dong Sheng replied helplessly: “You know our daughter’s personality. Once she wants something and becomes stubborn, who can persuade her otherwise? She has her own ideas, it’s useless to advise her. Let her see for herself. If she wants to change her mind, she naturally will.”

“She isn’t a child, nor a princess in an ivory tower. She knows some things very well.”

After Dong Sheng’s comforting words, Liu Zhuoyun calmed down, understanding her husband’s meaning, and nodded.

Unaware of her parents’ plans in the study, Dong Ling happily returned to her room to remove her makeup, calculating in her mind while washing up.

She should be able to get 20 million from her parents, her elder brother, cousin, Tang Qianxi, and Chen Shang Shang should be able to contribute 15 million. She also had some real estate under her name that could be used for turnover… In short, setting up a company and carrying out initial personnel training shouldn’t be a problem, and she could also use some channels and connections, and adjust according to the system’s tasks.

Dong Ling felt like this wasn’t crowdfunding to keep a woman, but fundraising.

Sigh, being a sugar daddy was hard. Dong Ling wished for Wen Han to wake up for the 1001st time today.

The next day, Dong Ling changed her clothes and got into Dong Sheng’s car.

The lunch was at a high-end private restaurant. When Dong Ling walked in with Dong Sheng, there were already several people seated inside.

Sitting at the head of the table was a portly middle-aged man. Dong Ling guessed he was in his fifties. He wore black-rimmed glasses and his eyes were cloudy. Dong Ling instinctively disliked him, but didn’t show it on her face.

Most of the people at the table were relaxed men, accompanied by skimpily dressed women, some of whom Dong Ling found familiar, as if she had seen them in some film or television works.

She immediately understood the nature of this lunch, and her father’s intention in bringing her here. She looked at her father sitting beside her, a helpless look in her eyes.

Dong Sheng gently patted the back of her hand, telling her not to panic. Dong Ling wasn’t panicking, just disgusted. When she came in, she was scrutinized by the gazes of several greasy men, and some of the seated women also showed some hostility, probably worried she was here to steal their resources.

“Is this the guest Xiao Liu mentioned? What’s your surname?”

The man at the head of the table asked with a smile. He didn’t know Dong Sheng’s identity, only that a business partner had told him a friend was interested in the movie he was investing in, so he came to meet and have a meal today.

“My surname is Dong, Mr. Gao, nice to meet you.”

Dong Sheng didn’t reveal his identity, just presenting himself as an ordinary small businessman, here to broaden his horizons in a different industry.

The man called Mr. Gao exchanged a few pleasantries with a smile, without thinking much of it.

There were barriers between industries. The name Dong Sheng, head of the prominent Yunlai Group in the real estate industry, wasn’t as thunderous in the entertainment industry. The surname Dong wasn’t common elsewhere, but there were still quite a few people with that surname in Beihai City.

Mr. Gao boasted a bit, focusing on the good results of the movies and TV series he had invested in before, and then turned the topic to Dong Ling.

“And this is…?”

The lust in his eyes wasn’t obvious, but the gaze hidden behind his glasses betrayed his thoughts.

Dong Sheng slightly shifted his body to block his view and replied: “My daughter.”

Mr. Gao looked a little embarrassed, and quickly changed the subject. Everyone else present was sharp, quickly offering toasts and flattery, and the atmosphere soon became lively again.

Dong Ling watched the exchange of money, sex, and resources during the toasting and feasting, quietly learning about the unspoken rules of certain gray areas, thinking about how to avoid and deal with such situations in the future.

She wouldn’t let the artists under her company get involved in such messy things, but to succeed, she would inevitably have to deal with such people.

Dong Sheng only sat for a while before leaving with Dong Ling. He didn’t say much, just asked Dong Ling: “What are your thoughts?”

Dong Ling looked at her father’s face and smiled slightly: “Dad, everything as planned.”

Dong Sheng sighed and nodded: “Okay, I understand. I’ll give you 20 million to test the waters, but this is just the beginning. You’re inexperienced, I can’t just give you 100 million to play with. If you need more later, come to me again, and I’ll have Freya help you.”

Dong Ling hugged Dong Sheng and said sweetly: “Daddy, you’re the best. Go to work, I’ll have Freya contact me later.”

Freya was her father’s most capable special assistant, always efficient and capable. With her help, Dong Ling could avoid a lot of trouble in registering the company and so on.

Dong Ling went to the restroom to touch up her makeup, thinking that she had to sign a few more people before signing Song Mingzhi. Otherwise, when she saw the business agreement and then her empty company, it would be hard for her not to think she was the same kind of person as Mr. Gao.

Many options appeared in Dong Ling’s mind, whether to scout talent from professional schools or directly poach people… As she was pondering, she heard scolding coming from outside the restroom.

“You put on airs and act all coy when I ask you to toast Mr. Gao, pretending to be some virtuous woman. Let me tell you, as long as you please Mr. Gao, the second and third female lead roles in the TV series will be yours. If you work hard and prove yourself, you might even get the female lead. You don’t want this opportunity? Plenty of people do. Behave yourself later.”

Compared to this voice, the responding voice was much weaker: “But… I can rely on my acting skills. That’s not what you said when we signed the contract…”

The male voice interrupted impatiently: “What about when we signed the contract? If you don’t want to, you can get lost now. As for resources, don’t even think about it. If you dare to take on roles behind our backs, just wait and pay the penalty. You really think you’re somebody? Don’t appreciate it when someone gives you face. Giving you a chance to climb higher and you don’t want it. Without me, you’d be a lifetime extra.”

The voice, clearly belonging to an agent, was full of threats, making Dong Ling frown.

Soon, a woman walked in. She was slender, not very tall, and had delicate features. She was startled when she saw Dong Ling standing there, and silently walked over to touch up her makeup in the mirror.

Dong Ling looked her up and down and asked: “What’s your name?”

Tang Nuo’s mind was in turmoil, and she didn’t react to this question, pointing at herself and asking: “Me?”

Dong Ling nodded, holding her phone and opening Baidu, ready to type in the name and search.

“Tang Nuo, Tang like soup and water, Nuo like promise.”

Tang Nuo remembered the woman in front of her, after all, they had just met. This person sat at the lunch, her beautiful face and overall demeanor attracting attention. She thought she was some celebrity, but learned she was a rich second generation when she heard the conversation.

Seeing Dong Ling looking at her phone screen, a possibility suddenly arose in Tang Nuo’s mind, making her face lose its dejection, even becoming somewhat excited.

“Your acting is decent, your appearance is good too.”

Dong Ling watched some video clips. She wasn’t famous, she had acted in many TV series, but only in small roles.

“I studied with a teacher before, and I’ve also studied the acting of many teachers. As long as I’m given a chance, I will definitely work hard. It’s just that I don’t want to do it this way, but the company…”

Tang Nuo knew Dong Ling must have heard the conversation just now.

“How much is your penalty?”

“500,000.”

Tang Nuo was angry when she thought of this. Who would have thought they would change their tune after signing the contract?

Dong Ling thought this wasn’t a problem. Although she didn’t have 1.2 million in her card to buy a bag, 500,000 was still enough.

“I’ll pay your penalty. From now on, you’ll be an artist under my company. I can’t guarantee how famous you’ll become, but at least you won’t have to accompany guests and be subjected to unspoken rules. Deal or no deal?”

Tang Nuo nodded repeatedly. She didn’t want to sleep with that disgusting man at all. Although she didn’t know if this rich second generation in front of her was reliable, at least she wouldn’t be subjected to unspoken rules. And if she insisted on those rules… Tang Nuo looked at Dong Ling’s beautiful face and slender figure, thinking it wasn’t certain who would suffer the loss.

“Card number.”

“Huh?”

Tang Nuo was stunned, then quickly gave her card number under Dong Ling’s gaze.

A minute later, Tang Nuo stared blankly at Dong Ling as she saw an extra 500,000 in her card that previously had a balance of 1,000. She immediately changed her address: “Boss!”

“Just to reassure you. Give me your contact information, then go home and pack your things. Someone will help you with the termination procedures later.”

She wasn’t worried that Tang Nuo would run away with the money. This was also a small test. If 500,000 could blind her, then there was no need to sign her. And she had plenty of ways to get the money back.

Tang Nuo was overjoyed, immediately giving her contact information, and asked somewhat fawningly: “Boss, what’s our company called, where is it? I can go to the company myself after I’ve packed.”

Dong Ling said without hesitation: “Actually, I haven’t started the company yet.”

Tang Nuo was stunned. She thought that quitting the entertainment industry and finding a factory job would be good too. If that didn’t work, she could find a jail cell, which would be better than these emotional ups and downs.

Dong Ling dialed Tang Nuo’s number and then hung up, saying: “This is my number, contact me if anything comes up.”

Dong Ling planned to go find her brother, but heard the task system sound in her mind.

[Task: Send a bouquet of roses to the female lead. Completing this will increase the task progress by 0.2%. Countdown: 30 minutes.]

Hearing “thirty minutes,” Dong Ling’s scalp went numb, and she hurried out.

021: [Girl, do you need location coordinates?]

Dong Ling: [Yes! Wait, let me get in the car first!]

Getting the location cost 0.1%, the task rewarded 0.2%, a profit was a profit!

She just hoped Song Mingzhi would wait for her and not go anywhere else within thirty minutes, especially not in a car. Otherwise, Song Mingzhi would be enjoying the breeze in the front car, and she would be shedding tears in the back car. The roses wouldn’t be roses, and her heart would be broken.

Chapter 4: Absolutely Not, Absolutely Not

Amidst the bustle of the villa, the three people sitting on a corner sofa seemed a bit out of place.

Chen Shang Shang looked at Dong Ling and said, “Are you serious?”

Dong Ling nodded: “I am. I’m not playing around, I’ll run this company properly.”

Dong Ling initially just wanted to find a natural way to complete the plot, but when she decided to actually start and run a company, she would do it seriously.

Chen Shang Shang thought for a moment, then nodded: “Okay, I know your personality. If you’re going to do it, you’ll do it well. As your sister, I’ll definitely support you. I have some spare money, selling a couple of pieces of jewelry can get you a few million.”

Chen Shang Shang’s family was in the gemstone business. She had a lot of jewelry. At most, she would wear the same jewelry repeatedly when going out, which was worth it for her sister.

Hearing this, Tang Qianxi put on an expression of pained resignation as if her wallet was bleeding: “I can also sell a couple of apartments and get you a few million.”

If someone else had asked them to invest, they would have hesitated, but since it was Dong Ling, they weren’t so hesitant.

Dong Ling was amused by Tang Qianxi’s expression and said, “You trust me that much?”

Chen Shang Shang waved her hand grandly and patted Dong Ling’s shoulder: “Ling Ling, let’s just say, we still believe in your talent. Didn’t the two songs you composed and arranged last year top the charts? The domestic music market is much better now than it was a couple of years ago. If you go in that direction, not to say you’ll make a killing, but you definitely won’t lose money.”

Tang Qianxi nodded: “She’s right.”

Chen Shang Shang and Tang Qianxi both knew that Dong Ling used a pseudonym in the music industry to avoid being discovered by her family, so they were very happy when those two songs became big hits.

Dong Ling was very touched by her sisters’ strong support and wholehearted trust, but… Dong Ling corrected them with embarrassment: “I plan to train artists for the entertainment industry.”

Chen Shang Shang: ???

Tang Qianxi: “I guess I was wrong. Can I take back what I said and withdraw my investment? I think my apartments have more potential for appreciation than your company.”

“You heartless woman,” Chen Shang Shang expressed strong condemnation towards Tang Qianxi, then touched her chin and said to Dong Ling, “Ling Ling, your company might go bankrupt, but my jewelry won’t depreciate.”

Wow, is this the touching sisterhood?

“Trust me, the person I’m going to sign is definitely worth investing in. She will definitely become a big hit in the future!” Dong Ling said with certainty, then adopted 021’s tone, “This is not a simple investment, this is a small step for you, a giant leap for mankind!”

021 applauded: [Well said! This is not a simple business agreement, this is maintaining world peace and stability! Hear the applause!]

Tang Qianxi narrowed her eyes: “Is it that exaggerated? How good-looking? Do you have a picture? What’s her name, what has she acted in?”

“I’ll tell you later. Qianxi, go home and ask your mom for me first.”

Dong Ling winked mysteriously at Tang Qianxi, looking confident, but in fact she didn’t even have Song Mingzhi’s contact information, let alone a photo.

“What little meeting are you three having? Come and play, come and drink!”

Dong Nuo, the party host, approached wearing a witch’s pointed hat, and shouted at the trio.

Chen Shang Shang responded, and Tang Qianxi nodded to Dong Ling, indicating that she would definitely do it.

Dong Ling was pulled into the crowd, swaying gently to the music. She didn’t participate in the drinking games, but was still inevitably given a few drinks.

After a few drinks, a blush crept onto her face, which even the pale foundation couldn’t completely cover.

Amidst the noisy din, Dong Ling heard the system’s voice.

[Task: Take a moonlit stroll hand-in-hand with Song Mingzhi and recite the line ‘The moon is so beautiful tonight’. Completing this will increase the main storyline progress by 0.2%.]

This voice was relatively flat and mechanical, different from 021’s voice.

The next moment, 021’s voice sounded urgently: [Host, did you hear that?! A new task has appeared, how can we stop here, go, go, go!]

Dong Ling was a little dumbfounded, and asked in her mind: [Where am I supposed to find her?]

Whether she could take a moonlit stroll hand-in-hand with Song Mingzhi was one question, but the bigger question was that she had no idea where Song Mingzhi was right now. Where was she supposed to find her to take a stroll?

021 stuttered for a moment: [Good question, host. To be honest, locating the female lead requires energy…]

Dong Ling had a bad feeling: [How much? You might as well rob me! We only have 0.3% now, and checking will cost 0.1%, how many days can that last?]

And even if she found her, she couldn’t just pull her to a place where they could see the moon and take a stroll. They didn’t even know each other, how could she rashly hold someone’s hand? The level of awkwardness would probably be a hundred times worse than this morning.

021 said meekly after being scolded: [It’s not up to me.]

Dong Ling: [Aren’t the tasks up to you either? Can’t you make the tasks more reasonable and adapt to the current progress? Even a task to get Song Mingzhi’s contact information would be better.]

Wasn’t it absurd? First it was a wall-slam with ‘I’ll give you my life’, then hand-holding and saying ‘The moon is so beautiful tonight.’ It would be hard to avoid ending up in a mental hospital.

021 explained: [Host, it’s not that I don’t want to, it’s that I really can’t! The task system is like an add-on, it comes standard, issuing tasks strictly according to the original novel’s progress to ensure the storyline progresses smoothly. If there are any changes, I can contact headquarters for a change assessment, but I can’t contact headquarters now…]

In other words, it couldn’t be changed now. The script wouldn’t re-adapt and plan tasks just because the bound person had changed, it would only rigidly follow the original progress and issue task instructions.

Dong Ling was horrified: [So if the original novel progresses to the point where the male and female leads get married and have children, won’t I have to go and find a woman? Absolutely not, absolutely not! And I have no way to get the female lead pregnant, not to mention, if we were together, who would be sleeping with whom?!]

She couldn’t, she absolutely couldn’t. Awkward lines were fine, but wasn’t sacrificing her body a bit much?!

021 said, in a wronged tone: [I can’t help it.]

Dong Ling almost choked: [Cut it out, I don’t fall for that, a middle-aged man acting coquettish just makes people want to beat you up even more.]

Hearing the chaotic and censored thoughts floating through Dong Ling’s mind, 021 couldn’t help but hold its head: [Stop scolding, stop scolding, I’m not a middle-aged man.]

Dong Ling smiled but said nothing, the stream of silent curses continuing in her mind. 021, knowing it was in the wrong, didn’t dare to say anything.

Dong Ling felt a pang in her heart. She originally thought it was just a challenge of social death, but it turned out to be just the beginning. She couldn’t see or unlock the subsequent plot, and didn’t know what would happen.

With something weighing on her mind, she couldn’t enjoy the party anymore, so she stood up from the sofa.

Chen Shang Shang was playing dice with someone else. Seeing her stand up, she casually asked: “Where are you going?”

“To get some fresh air, it’s a bit stuffy.”

The heating on the first floor was too high, making it somewhat stuffy.

Dong Ling walked up the stairs to the second floor, away from the bustle.

There was a large floor-to-ceiling window on the second floor of Dong Nuo’s house, without curtains, and a hanging wicker chair.

Moonlight shone in through the glass window, casting a soft silver glow on the floor.

Dong Ling was feeling a bit tipsy, but only slightly. She rested her hand on the cold glass, gazed at the moonlight for a while, then sat down in the wicker chair, recalling the limited plot she knew, trying to find something useful.

She wasn’t planning to do the system’s task tonight. It wasn’t appropriate. The wall-slam could be disguised as a dare, but this task wouldn’t work. Everyone pretty much knew the meaning of Natsume Soseki’s line ‘The moon is so beautiful tonight.’

Dong Ling stared at the silvery ground, somewhat lost in thought. The moonlight tonight was indeed beautiful.

The same moonlight fell into someone else’s eyes.

Song Mingzhi and Wang Buli finalized the last details, had Wang Buli sign the equity transfer agreement, and calmly sipped her coffee while looking at the moonlight outside the window.

After signing, Wang Buli said with a sigh of relief: “Mingzhi, thank you for helping me fight for this. If I had gone alone, it probably wouldn’t have fallen into my hands.”

“It’s good that you didn’t immediately agree to exchange money for this share. Based on the current value of that entertainment company, your share is worth far more than that.”

Wang Buli nodded: “Yes, it’s good that you understand. But I might need you to go with me again tomorrow. I have three surgeries scheduled and might not be able to get away.”

“Okay, I’ll see it through.”

With tonight’s business concluded, Song Mingzhi left the study and was drawn to the astronomical telescope on Wang Buli’s balcony.

Wang Buli asked with a smile: “Want to take a look? Feel free to adjust it, I have the numerical records, but you probably won’t be able to observe anything now. I plan to wait until December to search for M74.”

Song Mingzhi walked over and offered her congratulations: “Good luck.”

Song Mingzhi had some knowledge of astronomy. M74 was an extragalactic galaxy in the constellation Pisces, generally considered one of the faintest Messier objects. It would probably be difficult to find if you weren’t experienced.

“I appreciate the well wishes.”

Song Mingzhi adjusted the telescope to look at the moon.

It was a full moon tonight. Looking through the eyepiece, it had a beautiful, fulfilling roundness.

She moved it casually, and the image she saw made her pause.

The houses in the villa area where Wang Buli lived were a certain distance apart, but that distance was clearly visible through the telescope. Between the trees, she saw a dazed… little vampire?

The face she had just seen today flashed in her mind. Song Mingzhi thought with amusement that they were quite fated to meet again under such circumstances.

Compared to the girl’s daytime appearance, this cooler-toned makeup accentuated her features, giving her a sharper, gloomier look, like a wild rose in the night. The vampire fang decorations and black dress deepened this sense of quietness.

A vampire under a full moon should have been a dark and glamorous oil painting, but thinking of her forced calmness today and the way her lips unconsciously pursed when she approached, Song Mingzhi felt this seemingly fierce ‘Vampire Queen’ was harmless. Perhaps not a queen, but a princess.

Quite cute, and she wondered if those fangs could pierce human skin.

Realizing what she was thinking, Song Mingzhi moved the telescope upwards, feeling she was being a bit mischievous. It was probably the first impression that made her unconsciously want to tease her.

Wang Buli watched Song Mingzhi walk in from the balcony and asked cheerfully: “It’s a full moon tonight, isn’t it beautiful?”

Song Mingzhi smiled and nodded. Both the moon 380,000 kilometers away and the Vampire Princess she saw tonight were beautiful.

Chapter 3: Absolutely Not, Absolutely Not

Dong Ling planned to go home, change clothes, put on makeup, and then go to the party. Unexpectedly, her brother was at home.

“Went to the hospital again? How is he doing?”

Dong Tang walked out of the kitchen with a glass of juice, looking at Dong Ling’s expressionless face, sensing his little sister wasn’t in a good mood.

“Same as always, no change.”

Dong Ling answered this way, but her heart sank a little more.

The data turbulence had taken Wen Han’s consciousness away, and she didn’t know if he was still alive. She asked 021 on the way back, and 021 said it was possible he had gone into someone else’s body, but also possible he hadn’t.

“Then why the long face? I thought his condition had worsened.”

Dong Tang handed the juice to his sister. He had mixed feelings about that Wen Han kid. Although he thought he was a decent young man, when he learned their parents had plans for an arranged marriage, he couldn’t help but be a bit more critical. But now that something had happened to him, he still hoped he would get better soon.

Dong Ling sighed after taking a sip of juice: “I just discovered the fragility of this world.”

Too fragile! If you don’t fall in love, everyone’s doomed. Isn’t that too rash?!

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Dong Tang flicked Dong Ling’s forehead, thinking she was a young girl being melancholic.

Dong Ling shook her head, her face full of profound melancholy, with a touch of “everyone is drunk but me”: “Brother, you don’t understand.”

Do you know your sister is now playing the male lead role?! Do you know your sister isn’t even qualified to be a sugar daddy?!

“Brother, say, how about I start an entertainment company?”

Dong Ling changed the subject, tentatively asking Dong Tang. The reason she asked was, of course, because she had no money. If she were to start a company, the registered capital would inevitably have to be squeezed from her family.

This was the optimal solution Dong Ling came up with after thinking it over. Start an entertainment company, sign Song Mingzhi, and then make her famous. She couldn’t do it as an individual; her family’s business had nothing to do with the entertainment industry, and people might not give her face. It was better to enter that circle first.

Dong Tang looked at her in confusion: “Why do you suddenly want to enter the entertainment industry? Didn’t Mom and Dad say before that you shouldn’t?”

Dong Ling’s major was actually somewhat related to the entertainment industry. She attended a well-known music school abroad, majoring in violin, and also studied pop composition and so on. But art was hard to make money from. However, Dong’s parents didn’t mind, they didn’t expect Dong Ling to make money anyway. As long as she was happy being a rich second generation and didn’t enter any messy circles, it was fine. So they were rather against Dong Ling entering the entertainment industry.

“It’s not me entering the entertainment industry, it’s that I want to start an entertainment company, sign some artists, make them famous, and so on. Brother, is it okay?”

Dong Ling acted coquettishly, but she was actually confident in her heart, she thought it would most likely work.

Dong Tang rubbed her head: “Why do you suddenly want to do business?”

“I just want to, you know. Brother, you’ll support me a little, right? Thanks!”

Dong Ling put her hands together and made a gesture of thanks to Dong Tang, unilaterally making the decision, fearing her brother would stop her later. She quickly ran back to her room.

Dong Tang looked at her running back, shaking his head helplessly.

Dong Ling didn’t dare to tell the reason. If her family knew she was doing this for a sugar daddy relationship with a beautiful woman, they would definitely lecture her.

021: [Will this work?]

Dong Ling: [90% chance of success. Just opening a company to play around with, my parents won’t disagree.]

Although she wasn’t as capable as Wen Han, with his own company, resources, and connections, she wasn’t completely without resources either.

021 sighed: [Girl, you truly are the most tenacious vicious female supporting character in this novel.]

Since 021 was here to maintain the world, it had naturally read this novel. Although it had forgotten a lot of the content due to the data turbulence, and didn’t have access to unlock the rest, it remembered that the reason the vicious female supporting character had so many scenes and was so persistent was inseparable from her family background. She was the pampered little princess of the family, and the Dong family even pressured Wen Han to marry her directly. Of course, the male lead prevailed in this contest.

Dong Ling didn’t quite understand what 021 meant, but she wasn’t stupid, and understood after combining it with what she had just said.

With a plan in mind, Dong Ling knew that she couldn’t rush things, so she focused on the matter at hand. She chose the clothes she would wear to the party tonight from her walk-in closet, and sat in front of the vanity mirror to remove her makeup and apply new makeup.

Tonight’s theme party was ‘Non-Human.’ Dong Ling planned to dress up as a vampire, applying a paler foundation and darker, more gothic makeup.

She couldn’t help but recall Song Mingzhi’s appearance, thinking that if she were a vampire, she would at least be at the count level or higher.

Aloof, elegant, and noble.

Thinking about the beauty, Dong Ling finished her makeup, changed her clothes, and went out.

“To Wutongli.”

Wutongli was a villa area, and Dong Nuo had a house there specifically for parties.

To match the color of her dress, Dong Ling specifically asked the driver to bring out the black Bugatti Veyron from the garage, the most expensive car in her collection.

As she got in, Dong Ling thought to herself that she could drive this car to discuss resources in the future, so others wouldn’t know she actually didn’t have much personal money.

021: [Girl, you’re amazing. You haven’t even become a sugar daddy yet, but you already have the awareness of one. I’m proud of you!]

Dong Ling was shocked: [You’re peeking into my thoughts!]

021 loudly retorted: [Don’t falsely accuse the system! You were clearly thinking super loudly, it was hard for me not to hear!]

Dong Ling felt a sense of crisis and asked: [So you’ll know everything I think about in the future?]

021 immediately explained: [I wouldn’t dare say that. How could a good system like us peek into the host’s privacy? As long as you focus your thoughts, we won’t be able to hear them.]

Dong Ling was suspicious: [Really?]

She immediately focused on cursing the dog system in her mind. If the system could materialize in front of her, she would definitely tear it apart, then force it to tell her who the author of this book was, and send that person a box of razor blades.

021: [Of course, girl, don’t you trust me?]

Dong Ling realized it really hadn’t noticed, and felt relieved, replying perfunctorily: [I trust you.]

021 proudly put its hands on its hips: [Of course, you can always trust the system!]

Dong Ling thought, what an idiot.

021: […I heard that.]

Dong Ling coughed lightly, pretending nothing had happened.

The driver in front heard the sound and asked: “What’s wrong, Miss?”

“Nothing, keep driving.”

Eight o’clock in Beihai, the lights were dazzling.

As soon as Dong Ling entered the door, she saw Chen Shang Shang rushing towards her, bringing a gust of fragrant wind.

“What are you, a vampire?”

Chen Shang Shang looked at Dong Ling’s two exposed fake fangs and pale skin with red lips, and immediately guessed the answer.

“Yes, and you are…?”

Dong Ling looked at Chen Shang Shang’s yellowish-white dress and glittering garland, her tone hesitant.

Chen Shang Shang gave her a disdainful “you’re so uncultured” look and said: “The Laurel Goddess, don’t I look holy enough? And look at this glowing garland, this is the radiance of a goddess!”

“I think this is the radiance of a lunatic. This party doesn’t even need lights. Turn off the lights and your garland is a mini LED. Are you wearing it out here to pick up men or to be a lightbulb?”

A voice interjected, full of mockery.

As soon as Dong Ling heard this voice, she knew the familiar bickering was about to begin. She was long used to this scene and waited for Chen Shang Shang to perform.

Chen Shang Shang crossed her arms and snorted coldly: “That’s better than you, Tang Qianxi. Are you a werewolf or a puppy? Your face looks even fatter, how many people do you eat in one meal?”

The two got closer and closer, looking like they were about to perform a Thai drama slap scene. Dong Ling wasn’t worried at all, picking up a small cake to watch and eat.

Someone she knew came over and laughed at Chen Shang Shang’s glowing garland: “Chen Shang Shang, what are you dressed as?”

Before Chen Shang Shang could speak, Tang Qianxi glared at him and said: “Mind your own business when it comes to beauties.”

Dong Ling handed each of her good friends a glass of wine to moisten their throats, knowing today’s squabble was over.

Tang Qianxi gave her a resentful look: “Ling Ling, you bad woman, you didn’t even help me when she was insulting me.”

Dong Ling spread her hands: “Wasn’t I afraid of interfering with your performance?”

The three of them actually knew each other through Tang Qianxi and Chen Shang Shang. Tang Qianxi met her through Chen Shang Shang. At first, Dong Ling was nervous when these two argued, but later learned there was no need. These two just liked to bicker for fun, routinely teasing each other.

Chen Shang Shang scoffed: “How could Ling Ling help you, she loves me the most.”

The three of them laughed and joked for a while. Dong Ling ate some food to fill her stomach before pulling her friends to talk about business.

“I plan to start an entertainment company, but I don’t know much about it. Qianxi, can you ask your mom for me?”

Tang Qianxi’s family was in the construction business, but her mother was a retired actress and knew a lot about the entertainment industry.

Tang Qianxi readily agreed, asking curiously: “Why do you suddenly want to start an entertainment company? Is our Beihai Pearl entering the entertainment industry?”

“Stop teasing me, I want to be a boss.”

The ‘Beihai Pearl’ was purely a joke from an elder. She went to a celebrity gathering with her parents. The host was a retired Beihai official, still very prestigious in the political arena. He praised her like this when he saw her.

After that, she became famous, and some people even wanted to be engaged to her. She was only sixteen at the time, which scared her parents into sending her abroad overnight. She only returned to Beihai after six years. Now, except for close friends like these, basically no one made such jokes anymore.

Dong Ling’s eyes lit up, and she suddenly had an idea. She took her two friends’ hands and asked: “Are we good sisters?”

Chen Shang Shang and Tang Qianxi were simultaneously wary: “What do you want?”

“Invest! Don’t forget each other when we get rich, let’s make money together!”

Mainly, she couldn’t afford to support the female lead by herself, it was better to pull in two more sugar daddies for a crowdfunding arrangement.

021 saluted with respect, giving a thumbs up: [Girl, you’re amazing.]

Dong Ling clasped her hands: [Where there’s a will, there’s a way.]

Song Mingzhi, who was discussing business in the villa, suddenly sneezed twice, frowning slightly.

Wang Buli: “Have a cold? I’ll get you some medicine later?”

Song Mingzhi shook her head, she was always in good health.

Wang Buli joked: “One sneeze for being scolded, two for being missed. Maybe someone is thinking about you.”

Song Mingzhi didn’t say yes or no, and continued the previous topic.

Chapter 2: Absolutely Not, Absolutely Not

Song Mingzhi had a unique cold fragrance, which Dong Ling couldn’t identify as any particular perfume or scent. It was light and crisp.

Those full red lips were very close. Dong Ling stared, her mind a battlefield of conflicting thoughts. She wanted to escape, but her legs wouldn’t move, and the unfinished line from the script was stuck in her throat.

Just as Dong Ling couldn’t help but want to retreat, she saw those red lips move away following their owner’s actions, a pair of dark eyes looking at her with an amused glint.

She’s teasing me.

These words jumped into Dong Ling’s head, making her simultaneously relieved and even more socially dead. She wanted to run away overnight, move out of the city, and start a new life.

[Main storyline progress: 0.3%]

The voice in her mind successfully rescued Dong Ling from her current embarrassment. With incredible speed, she retracted her wall-slamming hands and smoothly gave Song Mingzhi a 45-degree bow, apologizing.

“I’m sorry for offending you, I’m really sorry. I lost a dare with my friend and had to do this, I apologize.”

Dong Ling apologized repeatedly. She really wasn’t crazy, nor a pervert, nor did she want to sexually harass anyone, she was just forced to save the world.

“It’s alright.”

Song Mingzhi straightened up, lightly brushing the corner of her clothes that had just been pressed against the wall.

Dong Ling smiled at her, savoring Song Mingzhi’s voice. She hadn’t heard the first sentence clearly, but this time it was much clearer.

Her voice wasn’t cold, but rather charmingly low, like the mellow aroma of hidden wine, as noble and reserved as the impression she gave.

Dong Ling didn’t stay put, quickly leaving the corridor that witnessed her embarrassment, and entered the elevator with a vacant expression.

A doctor, having changed out of her white coat and into casual clothes, came out and saw her waiting friend seemingly in a good mood. She curiously followed her gaze, but saw nothing.

“What are you looking at?”

“An interesting little girl.” Song Mingzhi withdrew her gaze, restraining the hint of a smile between her eyebrows as she walked forward. “Let’s go, they’ve agreed to sign the equity transfer agreement.”

Wang Buli beamed with joy, thanked Song Mingzhi, and followed her pace.

On the other side, Dong Ling arrived at Wen Han’s ward, sat down on a chair, and looked resentfully at Wen Han’s sleeping face.

“Me, madly jealous of the female lead because I’m in love with him? Who wrote this novel?!”

Dong Ling pointed at herself, then at Wen Han, her expression full of disbelief.

This plot shocked her entire family for a hundred years.

It was absurd enough that she was living in a book, but the plot was even more absurd.

She, Dong Ling, although not a princess, was still pampered and raised by her family. Why would she go crazy over someone else’s man?

Dong Ling looked Wen Han up and down, but didn’t find him particularly captivating. How could he make her so infatuated that she would go crazy, and even break the law?

Even if she admitted that her childhood friend was indeed a good and high-quality man, she wasn’t attracted to him.

021: [The plot shouldn’t be wrong according to the normal course of events! You just don’t like him now. Later, because the male and female leads get together and the male lead doesn’t cater to you anymore, you become jealous and want to steal him away!]

Dong Ling gave a mental middle finger, too lazy to refute something she believed would never happen, and started to sort through the plot the system had initially crammed into her head.

The plot was in the form of a novel outline, so Dong Ling easily finished reading the beginning, but couldn’t read the rest.

She remembered that when the plot was crammed into her head, she could see it, but it flashed by too quickly for her to remember, only recalling her own malicious actions and tragic ending.

Dong Ling: [System, why is the rest grayed out?]

021: [Because the timeline hasn’t progressed to that point yet. This is what should have happened in these two months. If you were the male lead, you could unlock it all, but you’re just a temporary stand-in, I don’t have that authority.]

021 wanted to beat its chest and stamp its feet. Why did the male lead go offline? This was something it had never encountered in its system career.

Dong Ling looked at the comatose Wen Han and asked: [Why did he go offline? What happened? Is the person supposed to do the task the Wen Han I know? What kind of system are you exactly?]

Dong Ling also read web novels in her spare time, which was why she was able to calm down quickly, hence the question.

Because she had read some quick transmigration novels, the souls doing the tasks weren’t the original ones. Wen Han was her childhood friend after all, so she had to figure out the whole situation.

021 sighed wearily: [Girl, you really have a lot of questions.]

Dong Ling’s expression was wooden: [You’re really super greasy.]

021: [Since we’re now collaborators on the same boat, I won’t hide it from you. I’m Plot Assistance System No. 21, dedicated to maintaining the stability of various small worlds. This world has been detected to be at high risk of collapse.]

[Different novels are built on different themes, and thus have different world foundations. This is a romance novel, so its foundation is love. But there’s been a deviation between the male and female leads in this world, with an 80% chance they won’t end up together, which is high risk. So I came here, bound to the male lead, hoping to salvage the main storyline.]

[Just after the binding was successful, a data turbulence hit, and the male lead’s consciousness followed the turbulence and left here. I lost contact with headquarters, and could only hibernate in the male lead’s body to maintain energy. But two months have passed, and he’s still in this state, the main storyline has made no progress, and the world’s foundation is about to collapse.]

021 sighed with a frown: [Because I can’t contact headquarters, I don’t dare to just abandon this small world. If it collapses and I still can’t return to headquarters, I might also cease to exist.]

After understanding, Dong Ling’s eyes widened in shock: [So you mean I have to keep substituting for the male lead until the end? Doesn’t that mean I have to date and marry in his place? Absolutely not!]

Dong Ling thought she wasn’t gay, but thinking of Song Mingzhi’s face, she suddenly felt she wasn’t entirely straight either.

021 was rather optimistic: [It shouldn’t take that long, maybe headquarters has already noticed I’ve lost contact and is repairing the channel. Our headquarters is super powerful!]

Then it changed its tone: [Anyway, it’s come to this, girl. You can’t escape even if you want to, so just lie down and accept it.]

Dong Ling thought this was just playing rogue, this little thing had two faces.

Dong Ling wasn’t someone who overthought things, always three steps ahead. Since things had already come to this, she didn’t want the world to collapse. Even if this was a book, for her and the people living here, this was the real world.

She looked at Wen Han on the bed, and felt he was also unlucky.

“Look, this is what happens when you don’t focus on your relationship. Wake up soon.”

Dong Ling sighed. She didn’t want to play the male lead role for even a minute longer.

Dong Ling poured herself a glass of water and recalled the known plot she had seen.

This was a rich family plus entertainment industry romance novel. The male and female leads met on a rainy night. The female lead wasn’t in a good situation at the time. When the male lead took her in, he heard her answering a phone call and learned that she was a newly debuted small-time artist who was supposed to have a role but had it snatched away by unfair means.

The male lead didn’t pay attention at the time. Later, due to some circumstances, he interacted with the female lead again. The female lead hadn’t appeared on screen for a long time and seemed to be having a hard time with her work. The male lead then made a decision, asking the female lead if she wanted to sign a business agreement with him, and he would make her famous.

The female lead originally wanted to refuse, but agreed after the male lead’s domineering CEO speech. The line Dong Ling had just said was actually from the female lead’s script, and the male lead was rehearsing with her.

As for what came next, it was all grayed out.

Dong Ling asked 021 doubtfully: [It’s just a line, why would it increase the main storyline progress?]

021 scoffed: [Clearly you’ve never been in love. Is this just simple rehearsal? This is pushing forward the development of the relationship between the male and female leads!]

Dong Ling quietly clenched her fists. It could just explain, why the personal attack?!

But then she became puzzled again. If Song Mingzhi was really an unknown artist in the entertainment industry, how could she afford a 1.2 million bag?

Thinking this, she naturally asked the question in her mind.

021 was silent for a moment, then said vaguely: [Access denied, I can’t view the subsequent plot either. It might be due to other reasons. Anyway, you can completely trust me! The later plot may be uncertain, but at least the identity part is definitely correct!]

Dong Ling hesitated for a moment, then dismissed her doubts.

To dispel the awkwardness, 021 cleared its throat and continued: [Host, what I’m about to say is very important, you need to remember it clearly.]

[There’s a very important matter for the main storyline progress, which is the beginning, that business agreement. You need to sign this with the female lead as soon as possible. The main storyline progress can be increased by 20%. And the main storyline progress isn’t fixed, there’s a certain amount of consumption and deduction. This needs to be estimated at the time, you can’t slack off, and you must continue completing tasks.]

021’s tone was serious and formal. Dong Ling understood what it meant. Simply put, if she didn’t continue doing tasks, the whole world would go kaput.

But how could she sign that business agreement with Song Mingzhi? She couldn’t just suddenly run up to the beauty and say ‘I think you’re good, I want to make you famous.’ There had to be an opportunity.

021 quickly pulled up the contents of the business agreement for Dong Ling to see, and told her to print it out accordingly.

After reading it, Dong Ling looked at Wen Han’s face, shocked.

Good heavens, what a player. Was this a business agreement? This was practically a pampering and keeping agreement!

All resources given for free, future profits split 20/80, Wen Han 20 and the female lead 80. No restrictions except for no dating and no gossip or scandals.

Dong Ling sighed for a moment, then suddenly thought of a big problem.

[021! I don’t have money!]

She couldn’t even afford a 1.2 million bag! How could she be a sugar daddy?!

She wasn’t worthy of being Party A to this agreement, wuwuwu!

The person and the system fell silent, both frowning.

Dong Ling racked her brains in Wen Han’s ward for a long time, looking at him dejectedly and saying: “You gave me the script, why couldn’t you let me inherit the money along with it.”

Wen Han couldn’t answer her, because he was a vegetable.

Dong Ling decided to think about the things she had no clue about later. She glanced at the time. She had promised Chen Shang Shang to go to Dong Nuo’s party at 8 pm. She wasn’t someone who liked to break promises, and she should go home and get ready.

As she was leaving the ward, Dong Ling suddenly thought of something else and asked the system: [There won’t be any more of those weird lines, right?]

021 replied: [Yes, there are. You have to pinch her chin and say, ‘Girl, I really want to do you hard.’]

Dong Ling imagined herself saying this to Song Mingzhi, her scalp tingling.

She asked tremblingly: [Really?]

021 replied airily: [Of course it’s fake, just a joke to lighten the mood, girl, don’t take it seriously.]

…………Ahhhhhhhhh! What a broken system!

Help! She was just a vicious female supporting character, why did she have to endure so much!

Chapter 1: Absolutely Not, Absolutely Not

Beihai City, October. Autumn was in full swing.

The half-red, half-yellow leaves on the roadside were adorned with fragmented light, casting a melancholic dusk glow on the road.

A Maybach stopped steadily in front of an extremely exquisite and imposing private hospital.

Dong Ling got out of the car, wearing Bluetooth earphones, listening to her friend talk while walking towards her destination.

[Detecting stable mental state of the host, binding in progress…]

The sudden, inorganic electronic voice made Dong Ling pause. She looked around, her delicate brows furrowed.

“Shang Shang, did you hear anything?”

The voice was fleeting, like an illusion.

Chen Shang Shang, who was gossiping non-stop on the other end of the phone, paused in confusion: “Huh? What sound?”

“Nothing, I might have been hearing things.”

Dong Ling stayed where she was for a moment. Hearing no more strange sounds, she shook her head at the medical staff who were about to come over and ask if she needed help, and continued walking forward.

“Anyway, her mom caught her and that guy in bed. How could Chen Fei be so bold as to sleep with the kept man her mom supports? She clearly knew he was her mom’s man, tsk tsk.”

Chen Shang Shang finished the gossip that had just been interrupted. She really didn’t understand why Chen Fei would do this when there were so many men in the world.

“Maybe mother and daughter have the same taste. But doesn’t Chen Fei have a boyfriend?”

Dong Ling was routinely shocked by the gossip. She wasn’t very familiar with Chen Fei, but she had seen Chen Fei showing off her love at dinner parties.

“They broke up, it seems? Not sure. Anyway, forget about that, where are you?”

“Nanjia.”

Nanjia was the name of this private hospital, well-known in their circle.

“Visiting Wen Han again? Any signs of him waking up?”

Chen Shang Shang understood, asking with some concern and curiosity. She wasn’t very familiar with Wen Han, but Dong Ling and Wen Han were childhood friends, and they had met a few times.

“No, I’m here to see him and chat with him, see if it has any effect.”

Dong Ling looked at her blurry reflection on the floor, and found these things strange too.

Wen Han was her childhood friend, who had always been healthy. The Wen family had no history of genetic diseases, but two months ago Wen Han suddenly fell into a coma and became vegetative. Despite the Wen family using various methods and consulting specialists both domestically and internationally, they couldn’t figure out the cause of Wen Han’s illness, let alone wake him up.

Naturally, Dong Ling was concerned about her childhood friend. She couldn’t help much, so she often came to chat with Wen Han when she was free, hoping for a medical miracle to wake him up.

Chen Shang Shang teased: “So deeply in love.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? Don’t make such jokes, I don’t like it.”

Dong Ling frowned. She didn’t have those kinds of feelings for Wen Han, and neither did he for her. But because their families were close and they grew up together, people always joked about it. Dong Ling was tired of hearing it. She didn’t care about others, but she didn’t want her good friend to join in.

“My bad, my bad. I just heard people say that you two were planning to get engaged. If Wen Han hadn’t suddenly collapsed, maybe you two would have already…”

“You believe that? There are always people who like to spread rumors. I might as well say my family is going to have an arranged marriage with yours tomorrow.”

Dong Ling touched her newly manicured nails and rolled her eyes.

“No way! I won’t abandon my nails!”

Chen Shang Shang was horrified, vowing to protect her nails. She was a nail art enthusiast and paid great attention to the maintenance of her nails.

Dong Ling took two deep breaths in the hospital corridor to prevent herself from cursing in public.

She tactfully suggested: “My family also has shares in this hospital, you won’t be charged if you come here.”

Get treated if you’re sick!

Chen Shang Shang was overjoyed: “Really? I’ll get an annual membership card later.”

“Get lost. Is getting an annual membership card for a hospital a normal person’s idea? I’m almost there, I’ll hang up now if there’s nothing else.”

Dong Ling entered the elevator and pressed the button for the floor she was going to.

Chen Shang Shang immediately shouted: “Hey, hey, hey, wait, there is something! Dong Nuo is having a non-human themed party tonight at eight, and asked me to invite you.”

Dong Ling estimated the time and replied: “Okay, send me the address later.”

She and Dong Nuo were in the same circle. Dong Nuo loved to throw parties and was a complete party animal. As friends with a decent relationship, Dong Ling usually went as long as her schedule was free, because Dong Nuo’s parties were relatively clean, without any messy or stimulating illicit substances.

After hanging up the phone, Dong Ling took off her earphones and put them in her coat pocket, watching the elevator steadily ascend.

When it reached the twenty-sixth floor, the elevator vibrated slightly as it stopped.

[System binding complete, starting up.]

The elevator’s movement was clearly very slight, almost imperceptible, but Dong Ling’s body was momentarily unsteady, and she even experienced tinnitus. The inorganic electronic voice sounded again, followed by a huge influx of information. Dong Ling felt as if her brain was being crammed with a lot of things, some words flashing quickly through her mind, leaving her a little dazed.

Pressing her temples, she walked out of the elevator, recalling the pile of stuff that had just flashed through her mind, which seemed to be a romance novel.

Wen Han was the male lead, the female lead was named Song Mingzhi, and she… was the vicious female supporting character???

?????

Is this reasonable? Is this reasonable?

It didn’t matter that she wasn’t the protagonist, but where was she vicious?!

Although she hadn’t made any great contributions to the country, she hadn’t done anything bad either. If threatening to cut off Wen Han’s little pee-pee when they were children because he wet the bed at her house counted, then wasn’t that too unfair!

[No time to explain, I’m System 021, please host immediately execute the task right now. The female lead is located 230 meters away from you, please immediately wall-slam(Kabedon) her and recite your lines!]

The system’s voice sounded again in Dong Ling’s mind, with a touch of emotion added to the previous inorganic coldness, very hurried and anxious.

Dong Ling was sure she wasn’t hallucinating. She was a little unresponsive to this sudden event. Infected by the system’s emotions, Dong Ling subconsciously responded loudly in her mind…

[But I’m the vicious female supporting character!]

If the information crammed into her mind just now wasn’t wrong, this was a romance novel, not a yuri novel, right?

021’s voice was filled with despair: [But the male lead is offline! He’s in a coma! I can’t do anything about it! The world line hasn’t progressed for two months, do you know what that means?! If the main storyline doesn’t continue, the world will collapse! You are the closest plot character, now immediately, right now, go! Wall-slam! Her!]

Dong Ling’s heart palpitated from being urged. Her steps involuntarily followed the direction the system indicated, even ignoring the elevator and taking the stairs directly to the twenty-fourth floor.

As she went downstairs, the system’s voice never stopped.

[The current main quest progress is 0. Completing this task will increase the main quest progress by 0.3%. As long as there is progress, the world will not collapse for the time being. Come on, female supporting character, the future of the male and female leads, the future of this world, rests on your shoulders!]

The system’s motivational tone, like a success guru, almost made Dong Ling sprain her ankle as she ran. She slowed her breathing as she pulled open the safety door of the stairwell, looking for the female lead she didn’t know.

021 was very excited: [She appeared! The female lead is right there! Supporting character, go, go, go!]

Dong Ling didn’t need 021 to tell her, because the woman standing in the corridor was really eye-catching.

She was wearing a black trench coat and high heels of the same color. Her face appeared icy white under the corridor lights. Her arched eyebrows and bright red lips didn’t make her look glamorous, but rather more aloof. Eight words suddenly popped into Dong Ling’s mind — icy muscles and jade bones, elegant demeanor.

This was a woman with great temperament, and from a wealthy background, Dong Ling concluded upon seeing her.

Because the bag in Song Mingzhi’s hand was the autumn new release of a certain high-luxury brand, priced at around 1.2 million. Dong Ling wanted to buy it but didn’t have enough pocket money, so she remembered it clearly.

The system in her mind was still urging: [Come on, baby, don’t hesitate, for the world, for a better tomorrow, so we don’t get destroyed together, go!]

Dong Ling felt that this thing was too chatty. Taking one more step forward would be a social death scene, but she had to do it. The fact that the system had gotten into her head was enough proof of the wonders of the world, and she didn’t dare to test it casually, fearing she would die trying.

The corridor light illuminated blurry figures, and the clicking of high heels on the floor was particularly clear.

Song Mingzhi had noticed the girl standing at the other end long ago.

The girl had been looking at her, her gaze too obvious.

That gaze was neither burning nor offensive, but rather shy and hesitant, which aroused a hint of interest in her.

The girl had delicate and pretty features, neither softly innocent nor strikingly glamorous, but somewhere in between, fresh and alluring.

She watched her approach, and adjusted her position casually. She was slightly taken aback when she was suddenly confined within a narrow space by the girl’s arms.

“Um…”

The girl seemed even more embarrassed. Despite such an assertive posture, she didn’t appear domineering at all.

“Kiss me…”

The girl’s voice trembled slightly. After saying this, her eyes widened, her words abruptly stopping, her expression distressed and helpless.

Dong Ling felt like she was dead.

Socially dead.

Her toes were already curling uncontrollably. Hearing the lines the system demanded she say, she choked on the spot.

[What’s with ‘Kiss me and I’ll give you my life’? Aren’t these novel lines too brain-dead? Who says such greasy things when they first meet!]

Dong Ling frantically cursed the system in her mind. She was so embarrassed, this feeling was so embarrassing, the female lead must think she was crazy!

021 corrected: [Excuse me, the main storyline is two months behind, do you know what two months means?! According to normal progress, the male and female leads should already be in the ambiguous stage!]

Dong Ling was numb inside, only feeling that her childhood friend was a real weirdo for being able to say such greasy lines.

Dong Ling couldn’t bring herself to say the rest of the sentence, so she could only stiffly look at the beauty who was taller than her, trying to force the words out.

But before she could open her mouth, she saw the beauty lower her head, raise an eyebrow, and say with a smile: “Alright.”

Alright? Alright what? What’s alright?

Wasn’t it just awkwardly reciting lines, how did it become…?

This was a different price!

Dong Ling was at a loss, screaming for help in her head, asking 021 what to do.

021 was equally complicated: [Girl, you’re damn charming.]

?

Forget it, let’s just explode together.