Encounter in the Garage

Zhang Jingyao’s intention was to film Jiang Xiao making a fool of herself in public, to use it as leverage later. After all, Jiang Xiao had big breasts, was brainless, and had a bad temper, and every time Lin Qianyu confronted her, she would become furious and unable to save face.

What she didn’t expect was that she accidentally recorded a video of Jiang Xiao angrily slapping Zhou Wenting and Lin Qianyu. Such explosive news, if sold to the paparazzi, could fetch her a lot of money.

Without thinking further, Zhang Jingyao decided to play dumb, “Xiaoxiao, why do you want my phone?”

Jiang Xiao, not wanting to waste words, coldly stated, “Hand over your phone, or I’ll have my dad withdraw his investment. You choose.”

Half a year ago, she had been tricked by Zhang Jingyao into having her dad invest in a TV drama by a well-known director, allowing Zhang Jingyao to join the cast as a fourth female lead. The role was that of the cool and pure first love of the male protagonist, a well-liked and easy-to-play character with the potential to become very popular. Zhang Jingyao had placed great importance on this opportunity, dieting and practicing her acting for months.

The drama was set to start filming next month. If the investment was withdrawn now, there was no doubt that all of Zhang Jingyao’s efforts would go down the drain.

As expected, Zhang Jingyao panicked and hesitated about which option to choose.

After much thought, Zhang Jingyao chose the former. She figured Jiang Xiao didn’t know her phone password and wouldn’t be able to unlock it to see the contents. Once tonight was over, she could sweet-talk her way into getting the phone back.

So she gritted her teeth and handed the phone over.

Jiang Xiao took the phone and stuffed it into her bag, then walked away without looking back.

Zhang Jingyao chased after her, “Hey, Xiaoxiao, where are you going? Let me give you a ride home.”

“I’m in a very bad mood right now. If you want to be my punching bag, keep following me.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jingyao immediately stopped, sensibly not going any further. She knew all too well how terrifying Jiang Xiao could be when she got angry. Instead of going after her to get scolded, it was better to think about how to get her phone back.

Jiang Xiao retrieved her car keys from the security guard and planned to drive herself home. She needed some time alone to calm down.

Finally, the elevator arrived. Just as Jiang Xiao was about to enter, someone grabbed her arm from behind.

For the umpteenth time, Jiang Xiao’s patience ran out, “Damn it, who the hell is it now?”

“Jiang Xiao, can you have some manners? Do you think it’s appropriate to curse in public?”

A familiar reprimanding voice sounded in her ears.

It was Zhou Wenting who had caught up.

Jiang Xiao replied, “Oh.”

Swearing was just a way to vent her emotions and had nothing to do with her upbringing. Besides, she was only embarrassing herself, so why did it matter to an ex-boyfriend?

Zhou Wenting’s face darkened even more. He stopped lecturing and looked down without saying a word.

Jiang Xiao took a deep breath, trying to hold onto her last bit of patience, and said, “If you have something to say, say it quickly.”

Zhou Wenting’s lips twitched. He hesitated before warning, “If we break up, don’t regret it.”

Jiang Xiao couldn’t help but laugh. What did he mean by saying she shouldn’t regret it? Did being the male lead give him such an inflated sense of self-importance? It seemed she had been too subservient to him in the past, making him forget who was really in charge.

Jiang Xiao forcefully shook off the man’s hand and retorted confidently, “You are the one who better not regret it.”

“Of course, I know I’m incredibly charming, and it’s understandable that you’re reluctant to let go. But did you think about your first love’s feelings when you rushed after me? She looks pretty upset.”

Hearing this, Zhou Wenting quickly turned his head and saw Lin Qianyu standing a short distance away, stunned and red-eyed, stubbornly biting her lip as if holding back tears. It was unclear how much she had overheard.

Zhou Wenting felt a pang of discomfort in his heart, a mix of emotions so complex he couldn’t discern if his distress was for Jiang Xiao or Lin Qianyu.

Seeing her ploy to sow discord succeed, Jiang Xiao felt delighted. With a faint smile, she said, “Don’t forget to pay back your ex-girlfriend while you console your current one.”

Zhou Wenting’s face turned ashen. His lips moved, but he couldn’t say a word. He could only watch helplessly as the elevator doors slowly closed.

Jiang Xiao leaned against the wall, rubbing her aching temples, feeling physically and mentally exhausted.

Having suddenly realized she was a vicious female supporting role who had a miserable end, breaking up with a cheating boyfriend, and now having to deal with a crafty enemy, it was a lot for anyone to handle.

As she lamented how bizarre this world was, her phone beeped with a notification. She took it out and saw a bank transfer from Zhou Wenting: five million yuan.

Another WeChat message quickly followed: “I’ll give you the rest in a few days.”

Though five million was a bit low, it was better than nothing. Considering his stepfather’s example, Zhou Wenting hated being in debt and wouldn’t likely delay repayment.

She didn’t care where he got the money from, as long as he paid.

Jiang Xiao emotionlessly accepted the payment and locked her phone. Then she looked at herself in the mirror.

Her porcelain-white skin, heart-shaped face with bright red lips, and alluring fox-like eyes were captivating. Her voluminous cold brown curls added an exotic touch, making her strikingly beautiful.

Compared to Lin Qianyu’s gentle and pure face, Jiang Xiao indeed looked like a vicious supporting character in a traditional romance drama, the type who would slap people left and right.

As the daughter of a real estate tycoon in Beijing, Jiang Xiao was undoubtedly a shining star in high society. Moreover, with her status as a celebrity, using a line from “The Little Mermaid,” she had money, a great figure, and suitors lining up from here to France.

What kind of man hadn’t she seen? Yet she had fallen for Zhou Wenting at first sight, humbled herself to please him, gave him watches, cars, and houses, and almost delivered herself naked to his bed.

Being a doormat was bad enough, but she had to serve as a foil to Lin Qianyu, constantly overshadowed and outshone, losing resources, friends, and even her brother’s loyalty.

In another story, the heroine would have been a villain stealing all her luck. But in this story, she was just a small supporting character destined to be crushed.

Cannon fodder? Villainess? Foil?

Ha, Jiang Xiao laughed. Sorry, but she was the protagonist of her own life!

Recalling the foolish things she had done and would do, Jiang Xiao muttered, “Idiot.”

A bunch of idiots, and she was one of them too.

“Ding—”

As the elevator door opened, a jarring voice suddenly flashed through Jiang Xiao’s mind.

【Good news and bad news. Which one would you like to hear first?】

“Ding—”

As soon as the strange and weird voice fell, the prompt sound of the elevator door closing behind her rang out. Jiang Xiao was so scared that the hairs on her body stood up and she shivered several times.

What the hell? A main character? Was this some kind of drama? And what was with the cliché opening?

The voice seemed to understand her thoughts and immediately responded.

【Hello, Little Mistress. I’m not a ghost, nor am I part of a drama. I’m System No. 003 of this book.】

Jiang Xiao cautiously looked around while silently stepping back into the open elevator, ready to flee at any moment.

The dimly lit underground garage seemed empty except for her.

Compared to a prank, the voice felt like it was coming directly from her brain, filled with a cold, mechanical tone.

Jiang Xiao swallowed and bravely responded in her mind: Oh, so?

【System 003: The good news is, congratulations on your awakening.】

Jiang Xiao: And the bad news?

【System 003 (smiling): The bad news is that since you’ve completely deviated from the main plot, reducing the main characters’ appeal, the system will automatically activate the supporting character destruction mode.】

Jiang Xiao focused on the system’s last words—destruction? Did it mean what she thought it meant?

【System 003: Yes, it means what you think. In simple terms, it means killing you and replacing you with another character.】

Before Jiang Xiao could react, a black car parked across from her suddenly turned on its headlights and sped toward her.

Jiang Xiao instinctively wanted to run, but her legs wouldn’t move. It was as if an unknown force held her in place, and she could only watch as the car came closer and closer…

Terrified, Jiang Xiao closed her eyes.

*

【System 003: Villain enters the scene, supporting character unlocks a new hidden storyline, destruction mode delayed.】

This was the last thing Jiang Xiao heard before regaining control of her body.

Surviving by a narrow margin, Jiang Xiao’s face was deathly pale. The fear of death washed over her, making her legs tremble uncontrollably. She almost collapsed, instinctively grabbing onto something for support.

The closest thing to her was the man who had just saved her.

The man’s build was sturdy, and the arm she grabbed was muscular without being overly bulky.

Trying to calm down, Jiang Xiao heard a pleasant, deep voice, “Help me intercept a hit-and-run black car. The last digit of the license plate is xxxx…”

The voice was cold and calm, devoid of much emotion, as if recounting a trivial matter.

On any other day, hearing such a melodious voice, Jiang Xiao would have struck up a conversation regardless of how the man looked. But having just escaped death, she wasn’t in the mood, so she didn’t even look up.

Shortly after, she heard the man ask, “Do you want to call the police?”

“Yes,” Jiang Xiao replied without hesitation.

Of course, she wanted to call the police. Although she knew it was likely the system’s doing, it was still important to find out who was responsible and ensure the criminal was punished.

The man responded with a light “Mm,” then continued instructing the person on the other end of the phone.

His voice was steady and composed, arranging everything methodically, exuding the quality and charm of a mature man.

As Jiang Xiao listened, her curiosity about the man who saved her grew. Her gaze gradually moved upward.

The man was exceptionally tall, likely over 190 cm, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and long legs. He wore a black shirt buttoned all the way up, revealing a well-defined jawline.

The fingers holding the phone were slender and strong, with pronounced blue veins. A phone that Jiang Xiao could barely hold with two hands seemed small in his one hand. As he raised his hand, the watch on his wrist reflected a cold silver light.

From the corner of her eye, Jiang Xiao quickly recognized the watch as a custom piece from Vacheron Constantin, worth three times the price of her haute couture dress.

His demeanor and status were far beyond any guest she could invite.

Jiang Xiao collected her thoughts and sincerely thanked the man, “Thank you for saving me.”

The man lowered his eyes, seeing a face still pale with fear, evoking a sense of pity.

At this moment, the other party seemed to be frightened by something, her pupils suddenly shrank, her lips trembled unconsciously, and she almost blurted out: “Little, little, little uncle?”

The man was momentarily stunned, then frowned slightly, “Hm? What did you call me?”

An imposing aura spread over, and seeing the man’s face clearly, Jiang Xiao finally recalled the system’s words: Villain enters the scene.

The biggest villain in the entire book was none other than the male lead’s uncle, Zhou Qishen.

If the Jiang family was a wealthy family, then the Zhou family was an illustrious, unreachable aristocratic family with a century-long history, deep roots, and generations of outstanding individuals, continuing to thrive and stand tall—a true noble among nobles.

Zhou Qishen, the current head of the Zhou family, was known for his ruthless methods despite his young age, a character no one dared to provoke.

In the story, he outwardly dedicated himself to the family’s business, promoting Zhou Wenting as per the old master’s wishes. In reality, he was plotting in the shadows, easily manipulating Zhou Wenting, reducing him to a powerless puppet within the family enterprise.

Zhou Qishen was a mountain that the male lead could never surpass in his career, no matter how hard he tried.

Though Zhou Qishen didn’t commit any heinous crimes, readers still viewed him as the biggest villain in the book.

At the end of the story, for unclear reasons —either because the author realized the villain was too strong for the male lead to defeat or because of a preference for the character—Zhou Qishen voluntarily stepped down and went to the United States to retire early…

What puzzled Jiang Xiao was that Zhou Qishen’s storyline mostly appeared in the later stages, and since Zhou Wenting hadn’t returned to the Zhou family yet, Zhou Qishen shouldn’t have made his appearance. Why was he here now?

Faced with the sudden appearance of a major character, Jiang Xiao was too shocked to react, her lips moved as if to say something, but then her vision went black, and she fainted. Just before losing consciousness, she felt a strong arm catch her firmly around the waist.