Chapter 19

Back at the hotel, Zhu Xinyue placed the bouquet in a vase and gently touched the white petals.

Besides mentioning the matter of the original owner, the system rarely came online. 

Suddenly, it spoke, “Host.”

“What’s wrong?”

“You seem to have misunderstood something,” the system paused, “It’s not that you chose to become the supporting character Zhu Xinyue in the novel, but that ‘Zhu Xinyue’ chose you.”

Zhu Xinyue frowned, not understanding what the system meant.

If it was talking about the beginning, when it gave her the choice between death and becoming the supporting character in the novel, regardless of what the other option was, she would have chosen it. After all, who would want to die?

“You are the first host who pressed the pause button when she was about to die.” The system’s electronic voice seemed emotional, a very soft tone, “So in that world, because of you, Zhu Xinyue hasn’t truly died yet.”

The French window beside her balcony flashed and turned into a window connecting two worlds. The scenery outside changed into a hospital ward from another world.

Zhu Xinyue approached the French window and looked through it, seeing a woman who looked exactly like herself lying quietly on the hospital bed.

It was a strange feeling.

Zhu Xinyue placed her hand on the glass, wanting to see more clearly.

Their faces looked exactly the same, but upon closer inspection, there were subtle differences.

Zhu Xinyue’s features were softer, especially her eyebrows, which were lighter in color. Without eyebrow pencil, they would appear pale. But the eyebrows of the young woman on the hospital bed were darker in color, and her brow peaks were more distinct, making her look sharper and more assertive.

Zhu Xinyue could imagine what kind of girl she would be if she woke up.

Like a young warrior draped in a cloak, holding a sword.

In the original world, Zhu Xinyue didn’t have sisters, only brothers. But she felt that if she had a sister, she should be like this.

If she had a sister… she hoped she wouldn’t be like herself, becoming too rational would make her cold, too sensitive would make her prone to internal conflicts, and being too good at enduring would eventually numb her.

Zhu Xinyue was stunned for a moment, recalling Ji Linyu’s words—”As long as you like yourself.”

It turned out she didn’t like herself.

“How can I make her wake up?” Zhu Xinyue asked.

The system replied, “By fulfilling her wishes.”

So the system didn’t care whether Zhu Xinyue’s changes would ruin the romance between the novel’s main characters. It only cared whether Zhu Xinyue could fulfill the original owner’s wish and wake her up smoothly.

Zhu Xinyue clenched her fists. She understood now.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. The hospital room scene in the French window returned to its original view.

Zhu Xinyue steadied her mind and walked to the door to open it.

Ji Qingyuan stood at the door with her phone and converter, waiting for her.

“You weren’t here when I knocked just now. Where did you go?” Ji Qingyuan casually asked.

Zhu Xinyue took her phone and honestly replied, “I went shopping with Brother Linyu.”

Ji Qingyuan narrowed his eyes, looking at her as she took her phone and walked into the room. Just as he was about to step into the room, he was given a stare by the Zhu Xinyue inside, and he silently retracted his raised leg, stood at the door, leaning against the door frame with one hand, and glanced at her.

“Ayue, let’s not involve my brother in our matters, okay?” Ji Qingyuan hinted.

Zhu Xinyue plugged in the plug, sat cross-legged on the carpet, brushed her phone to see if there were any messages that needed to be replied, did not lift her head, and said, “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

Ji Qingyuan looked around and saw no one else in the corridor. He turned to Zhu Xinyue in the room and asked, “I have something to talk to you about. Can I come in?”

In the past, he would have just entered without hesitation. After all, what was their relationship? Did he really need to be so polite?

Zhu Xinyue glanced at him and nodded.

“Come in.”

Getting her permission, Ji Qingyuan unexpectedly breathed a sigh of relief. He entered her room, closing the door gently as if afraid Zhu Xinyue might change her mind and kick him out.

Seeing him act like a thief, Zhu Xinyue couldn’t help but chuckle and pointed to the nearby sofa, “Sit over there.”

Ji Qingyuan felt awkward. He followed her instruction, sitting on the sofa with his hands on his legs, sitting upright like an elementary school student. He watched her sitting on the floor, playing with her phone, and felt something was off.

“I know you confessed to my brother before just to provoke me, not because you actually liked him.” Ji Qingyuan had wanted to talk to Zhu Xinyue for a long time, but hadn’t found the right opportunity until now.

Zhu Xinyue stopped scrolling on her phone and looked up at Ji Qingyuan.

Ji Qingyuan felt uncomfortable under her frank gaze, but he had decided to be honest with her when he came, so even though it was uncomfortable, he had to say it.

“I’ve reflected on it. I shouldn’t have taken your kindness towards me for granted just because you liked me. Before… before I didn’t treat you well.”

“Can we still be as good as before?”

He couldn’t help but feel nervous, palms sweaty, and his voice softened.

Zhu Xinyue put down her phone, turned to face him, still sitting cross-legged on the carpet.

With one higher and one lower in position, the one actually in control was Zhu Xinyue who was sitting below.

“I don’t like you anymore.”

When Zuo Xi said it, she couldn’t help but smile because she remembered saying the same thing to Ji Linyu. But back then… she would hesitate, but now saying this to Ji Qingyuan felt easy.

Ji Qingyuan clenched his fists, his expression changed slightly. It was as if he had lost something very important, and his heart suddenly felt empty.

“If you ask if we can still get along like before, my answer is no. I’m not the Zhu Xinyue who used to like you.” Zhu Xinyue smiled faintly. 

“But if you ask if I will still support you like a fan, my answer is yes.”

“You’re a dedicated actor, talented and hardworking. I still believe you will achieve your dreams and go further on the path of acting.”

Ji Qingyuan’s mood fluctuates like a roller coaster.

He wanted to pull his lips into a business smile facing the fans, but he couldn’t do anything.

“Zhu Xinyue, you’ve changed.” It wasn’t until now that Ji Qingyuan realized this fact, which he had been unwilling to admit.

Despite his efforts to convince himself, he couldn’t deny it now. She really had changed.

Zhu Xinyue tilted her head and smiled, asking him back, “You’re just realizing this now?”

Ji Qingyuan felt a chill all over, looking at the unfamiliar woman in front of him. Subconsciously swallowing his saliva, he didn’t dare move.

In the past, he didn’t care about what Zhu Xinyue really liked or disliked. He knew she would follow him, learn from him, because she liked him. Therefore, what he liked or disliked was what she liked or disliked. Understanding himself meant understanding her.

As much as he loved himself, she loved him.

But,

Now she has changed.

She had her own likes and dislikes now.

His fawning behavior didn’t work on her anymore.

Ji Qingyuan didn’t know how he walked out of Zhu Xinyue’s room and returned to his own room. On the way, he met the hotel staff serving room service, and he still remembered to smile at them politely.

He was like an empty shell without a soul.

Clearly, she promised to love him forever, why did she change her mind?

Ji Qingyuan took out his phone, opened his album, and posted a selfie on social media.

In less than a minute, the comments on his Weibo post exceeded a thousand. Beginning with “Brother” and ending with “Baby,” there were countless sweet words and hearts, fans expressing their love and admiration for him as much as possible.

Look, so many people love him.

So what if she’s missing?

Ji Qingyuan liked a comment praising his handsomeness, casually replied to a fan, and immediately topped the comment section.

Countless “Ah” and exclamation marks exaggeratedly expressed their joy at being noticed by him.

Ji Qingyuan’s empty heart seemed to be filled with the love of his fans.

But it wasn’t enough.

Not enough.

Someone looked up the fan’s background who Ji Qingyuan replied to and found out she was a dual fan, not only a fan of Ji Qingyuan but also a huge fan of Liang Yuyu’s fan club.

Ji Qingyuan clenched his phone. Why did she have to climb the wall? Why did she have to be a dual fan? Couldn’t she just look at him alone? Couldn’t she just like him alone?

He wanted to receive a lot of love, no matter if it was from lovers, friends, family, or fans, he wanted it all.

He wanted her to love him.

It didn’t matter who she was, he wanted her to love him.

She could only love him.

*

In the afternoon, Zhu Xinyue went to pick up the father and son of the Zhu family.

This was the first time she had seen the original owner’s father, Zhu Hengnian, in real life since crossing into this world.

Zhu Hengnian had half-white hair, wore a gentle pair of glasses, and even in the hottest season in Y country, he wore a soft vest and short-sleeved shirt. His face carried a kind smile, showing no signs of being a billionaire businessman.

Zhu Shilang walked beside Zhu Hengnian, and at a glance, he saw Zhu Xinyue holding her phone, the screen rolling with “Warm welcome to Dad Zhu Hengnian and brother Zhu Shilang to Y country”.

Previously, when Zhu Shilang told Zhu Xinyue that he and his father were coming to Country Y for the Ji family’s wedding, Zhu Xinyue volunteered to pick them up.

Zhu Shilang couldn’t refuse Zhu Xinyue, especially since this was her first display of closeness towards them. So, he contacted the local branch manager of Zhu Chang Group in Country Y, instructing them not to pick him and his father up from the airport.

“What kind of strange things are you up to again?” Zhu Shilang playfully tapped Zhu Xinyue’s head with his index finger, urging her to put away her phone and not attract attention.

Zhu Xinyue pocketed her phone, put on sunglasses, and took out a small flag, waving it towards them. “Let’s go. I’ve arranged a private car for you both, directly from the airport to the hotel.”

Confused, Zhu Hengnian looked at his son, as if asking, “Do you know your sister was like this?”

Zhu Shilang scratched his head. He hadn’t seen his sister much more than his father had.

Considering Zhu Xinyue’s previous behavior of leaving home and chasing love in Tianze City, Zhu Hengnian didn’t think her arrangements would be reliable. When she mentioned a private car, it might turn out to be a local tricycle.

“Later, no matter what car or hotel she arranges, we should praise her. After all, she’s willing to pick us up, which shows her consideration.” Zhu Hengnian had already agreed with his son in advance, not to dampen his sister’s enthusiasm.

Understanding his father’s thoughts, Zhu Shilang felt indebted to his sister, who had been away from home for a long time.

“Dad, don’t worry. I won’t say anything bad about her.” Even if he had to push her in a wheelchair all the way to the hotel, he would do it.

Following Zhu Xinyue out of the airport gate, both father and son were prepared for the worst.

However, it was completely different from what they had imagined.

In front of them was a million-dollar luxury car. Its sleek lines and custom interior were all branded goods. It had a distinctive diamond-patterned design, a starry sky roof costing tens of thousands, and a mini fridge in the middle filled with whiskey and champagne.

The driver wore white gloves and a black suit, approaching with a polite smile to handle their luggage.

Zhu Xinyue opened the car door and gestured to the Zhu family, “Please get in, leaders.”

Her movements were practiced as if she had rehearsed them a thousand times.

Zhu Hengnian suddenly felt like he had hired an intern who only earned three thousand but had done the work of three hundred thousand. Approaching Zhu Xinyue, he patted her shoulder.

“Not bad, not bad.”

Zhu Xinyue smiled happily in response to her leader’s praise.

Zhu Shilang followed behind his father, struggling to find the right words. Eventually, almost choked with emotion, he said, “Sis, you’ve really grown up!”

She must have had a tough time in the entertainment circle, learning all these social etiquettes!

He had to earn more money and save more dowry for her. When the family was strong, she would be strong!

Zhu Xinyue blinked.

Grown up? These were just basic operations for a working person.

She knew well that the arrangements she made for her leader were not about being the best, but about being the most luxurious and impressive!

They stayed at the same hotel as Zhu Xinyue, which had already been booked by the Ji family. Upon arrival, they simply checked in at the front desk.

The Zhu family stayed in suites, with each having their own rooms. Upon entry was a small living room, much larger than Zhu Xinyue’s room.

After Zhu Xinyue escorted them to their rooms, it was almost dinner time. She planned to tidy up and then go out to eat with them.

“I’ll take you back.” Zhu Shilang got up and walked with Zhu Xinyue towards the door.

Zhu Xinyue thought that given the distance between the floors, there was no need for him to see her off.

But Zhu Shilang seemed to have something to say to her.

This time, Zhu Xinyue was smart. She didn’t plan to speak until they reached the elevator.

Unable to bear the silence any longer, Zhu Shilang spoke up.

He said, “Mom sent your things back to Qingyang, and there is a photo of you in your graduation album.

“…You said before that you went to Tianze City for someone you liked.”

“Is that guy Linyu’s younger brother?”