Chapter 2: CH 2

Half an hour later, Bai Zhen Zhen quit her job at the restaurant.

As she handed in her resignation, the restaurant manager gave her a look filled with respect and envy, constantly sighing: “You really got a lucky break! To actually pick up that Ling Corporation’s CEO’s handphone, that’s something even rarer than hitting jackpot in the lottery!”

He couldn’t resist teasing her: “Although a million truly isn’t a small sum, but that was an excellent opportunity to get closer to CEO Ling. Why didn’t you try hooking in the big fish?”

Bai Zhen Zhen replied him sincerely: “I don’t like to eat fish.”

Staring at her as if he was looking at a fool, the manager saw her to the door.

Turning around, the corner of Bai Zhen Zhen’s lips hooked up into a triumphant smile.

Even her manager felt that she had wasted a good opportunity. Looks like her actions just now were more than sufficient to expose her greedy, ambitious “character”.

Therefore, Ling Hao Chen would definitely disdain her and absolutely not follow the original plotline of “Wow, this girl is special; this woman has successfully attracted my attention…”

The system coolly appeared again.

—— System: “Host, I feel the need to remind you that the current situation has developed awry from the original plot.”

Developed awry?

That was exactly what she wanted!

—— Bai Zhen Zhen: “System, I remembered you mentioned previously that I only need to live in this world for 365 days, completing the experience, before I can return to the real world, am I right?”

—— System: “That’s right, host.”

—— Bai Zhen Zhen: “Since it’s just an experience, I can call the shots. Then, within these 365 days, no matter what I do, it’s alright as long as I remain in this world. Isn’t that so?”

—— System: “Host, I need to remind you. Even if you make different choices from the original character, the other lead characters will still form relationships with you through other means. After all, you are the female lead, with a female lead halo.”

—— Bai Zhen Zhen: “You don’t have to bother about that! When the time comes, I will find a place to hide. As long as I don’t meet the male lead, those vicious supporting female leads won’t know of my existence either.”

When Bai Zhen Zhen came up with this idea last night, she felt that she was exceptionally intelligent, able to find a bug in the system in the blink of an eye.

—— System: “Host, you overcame the one-in-a-billion odds to come to this world, don’t you want to have an once-in-a-lifetime experience?”

—— Bai Zhen Zhen: “No no no, the trend now is to live like Buddha. To me, these peaceful days are the best…”

—— System: “But according to your original setting, you are someone whose level of filial piety touches the heavens, and will never ever abandon your sick parents. If you go against your original setting, this system has the authority to stop you.”

—— Bai Zhen Zhen: “… What are the consequences after stopping me?”

—— System: “Starting the experience all over again.”

—— Bai Zhen Zhen: “Then, please explain the female lead’s character settings.”

—— System: “The most beautiful in the capital, has a unique temperament, and an innately lovable person that no one can resist. Kind and passionate, cares greatly about her loved ones, and is exceptionally filial to her parents.”

—— Bai Zhen Zhen: “Your meaning is, my only task on hand is to save my parents.”

—— System: “So, I recommend you follow the original plot, to date the male lead and save your parents with his help. Otherwise, once your character setting collapses, your experience will start anew.”

—— Bai Zhen Zhen: “As if I would believe you. Do you really think I don’t remember what happens? The male lead indeed agrees to treat the original’s parents, but didn’t make it in time. The original’s parents were poisoned to death by the supporting females.”

—— System: “Host, your memory is impeccable.”

—— Bai Zhen Zhen: “Heh heh, it’s the plot that’s too evil. Even if I wanted to forget, I couldn’t.”

—— System: “But according to the situation now, this is the only way to save your parents.”

—— Bai Zhen Zhen: “Wrong.”

—— System: “?”

Bai Zhen Zhen’s gaze fell on to the million dollar cheque in her hand.

“Obviously, there’s a better way now.”

****

It didn’t even take her an hour to transform a cheque into a bank card and a pile of cash.

Bai Zhen Zhen gleefully shoved the bank card into her bag while fanning the twenty thousand dollars cash in her hand.

—— Bai Zhen Zhen: “How is it, a million dollars should be enough to treat my parent’s illness.”

—— System: “…”

Not hearing the system’s retorts, Bai Zhen Zhen knew that her plan fulfilled her character setting.

As long as her setting doesn’t collapse, she could continue her experience. Once she accumulated sufficient time, she could naturally return to her own world.

Bai Zhen Zhen thought through it completely. Of this one million dollars, eight hundred thousand dollars would go to her “father” to treat his illness, and the remaining two hundred thousand dollars would be for her to enjoy herself.

From the start, this was a world within a book. The characters within were all transient. If she developed feelings for the male lead, when it was time to leave, it would only leave both of them with hurt feelings. Besides, to be plotted against by those vicious supporting females, it wasn’t worth it.

However, just by changing that line of thought – This world’s scenery and gourmet delicacies were still real! This one-in-a-billion lucky chance, let her treat it as a holiday! Thinking this way, Bai Zhen Zhen’s entire mood completely changed!

And now, the thing she needed to do most was to go home and check on her “father’s” situation before contacting the hospital.

Bai Zhen Zhen walked out of the bank, turning a corner before her feet came to an involuntary stop.

Someone stood at the entrance of the alley, staring at her with cold eyes.

She felt that something was wrong, and immediately turned to leave. Who knew that there was someone else following her from behind! Sporting a similar crew cut and black unkempt clothes, he was only slightly shorter than the man in the alley.

“What do you want to do?” Bai Zhen Zhen slowly and carefully moved closer to the wall, her eyes warily flickering between the two men.

The two men surrounded her.

The taller of them gave a cold smile: “Small clown, I heard about your dog shit luck where a million dollars conveniently dropped into your lap. If you’re wise, you would quickly hand it over!”

Bai Zhen Zhen’s forehead knitted.

To have coincidentally meet robbers here, they must have followed her all the way.

Bai Zhen Zhen knew that the urgent task on hand was to stablise their mood, thus replying: “These two big brothers, coincidentally I have twenty thousand dollars cash on hand right now. I can give it to you, if you let me go.”

“Twenty thousand dollars?!” The shorter of the men growled, “You picked up a million dollars, but only give us brothers twenty thousand? Do you think we are beggars? This is a robbery! Please have more respect for what we do!”

Bai Zhen Zhen: “…”

The taller man exclaimed: “Don’t bullshit with her any longer! You, hand over your bank card and PIN!”

At this critical juncture, the system tied to Bai Zhen Zhen actually turned a blind eye to what was happening.

It even coldly followed its predetermined procedures.

System: “Host, I remind you, if you lose your life before the time limit for the experience is over, the system will judge your experience as a failure and start it anew.”

It was then that Bai Zhen Zhen realized if she didn’t follow the original plot, she would meet plenty of unknown dangers.

This was, after all, a world resembling the real world. Anything could happen.

Just as Bai Zhen Zhen was in a daze, someone suddenly rushed out of the alley. His actions were fast and nimble, kicking down the shorter man with a sweep of his leg. With a quick punch, his fists hit the taller man in the face.

The two robbers looked fierce and evil, yet with only two or three moves, they were already taken down.

“With just your standards, you still dare to rob people?!” The hero of justice voiced out the doubts in Bai Zhen Zhen’s heart.

The shorter man retorted indignantly: “What are you talking about? Who was born to rob people? We also need training!”

The taller man didn’t say anything, just pulled the shorter man and disappeared in a flash.

Bai Zhen Zhen finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She quickly turned to the hero thankfully: “Thank you, handsome. Thanks to you, today…”

In the middle of her sentence, she carefully inspected her savior. He was a handsome little boy, around the age of 18 or 19. He looked decent, with two faint dimples that appeared when he smiled. Despite his obedient look, he was quite good at fighting.

“No need for thanks! It was no big deal!” The handsome boy looked at Bai Zhen Zhen.

This look was initially only a subconscious glance, but his gaze froze on Bai Zhen Zhen’s face, a trace of surprise and excitement flashing deep within his eyes.

“That… I’m called Xi Xixi. May I know… how may I address you?”

Bai Zhen Zhen was at a loss.

—— System: “Host, you’ve met an lead character. Do you need an introduction?”

—— Bai Zhen Zhen: “… No need.”

“Xi Xixi” this name, she was only too familiar with it – Isn’t that the book’s third male lead?! Such a strange name, it’s unlikely to meet someone else with the same name.

“Looking at your expression, I bet you feel my name is strange?” Xi Xixi gave a small laugh as he explained, “Actually, it’s like this. My dad’s surname is Xi (奚) from “Calm” (奚落) and my mom’s surname is Xi (希) from “Hope” (希望). As for the last word, it’s because my mom was eating watermelon (Xi Gua – 西瓜) when she went into labour with me…”

Having explained himself, he gleefully looked towards Bai Zhen Zhen: “What about you?”

“Oh, I’m called Hei Jia Jia*. My dad’s surname is Hei, my mom’s surname is Jia.” Bai Zhen Zhen randomly threw out a ridiculous name. Without waiting for Xi Xixi to react, she immediately drew the boundaries clearly, “That… I will remember your help today! I still have something urgent to attend to, so I’ll leave first!”

“How about I send you there?” Xi Xixi quickly asked.

“No need! Bye, handsome! You’re a good person!” Bai Zhen Zhen waved her hands, and jogged off.

As she ran, she muttered in her heart.

Let’s not see each other again, best if we don’t meet for a year!

—— Bai Zhen Zhen: “System, where did this third male lead suddenly pop up from?”

—— System: “Host, I’ve reminded you. Since you made different decisions from the plot, the other lead characters will naturally use other means to form relationships with you. After all, you are the female lead of this book, with your female lead halo.”

—— Bai Zhen Zhen: “… You sure are capable.”

Looks like it became imperative to leave this city!!

10 minutes later, Bai Zhen Zhen followed the memories given by the system and returned “home”.

Her home was in a rundown neighborhood, and was a rental apartment. Though the environment was terrible, but the rent was not cheap. Other than the rent, there was the family’s daily expenses, her younger sister’s school fees, her father’s medical fees, all barely supported by her sole income.

Thus, other than her usual work in the restaurant, she would also find some ad-hoc jobs.

Reaching her front door, Bai Zhen Zhen had just inserted her keys into the keyhole when she heard a shrill shriek ripping through the air from within the house.

————

*Her fake name Hei Jia Jia (Black Fake Fake) is the direct opposite translation of her true name Bai Zhen Zhen (White Real Real) Her name Hei Jia Jia comprises the following characters 黑贾贾. While the character “Jia” is not the character for ‘fake’ (假), it is used as a homophone.