CHAPTER 1:  Persona Collapse: 1%

◎ She just wanted to watch twenty muscular men dance—what’s so wrong with that? ◎

At 3 PM, the scorching sun continued to roast Linhai City.

After days of stubborn persistence, the water puddles finally dried up, exposing the gray-white tiles underneath.

Tree leaves drooped lifelessly, tossed and shaken violently by a fleet of wedding cars passing by, rustling with chaotic fury, as if they might charge over at any moment and slap those luxury cars a few times across the face.

Inside one of the cars, Qin Yangyang sat in a wedding dress, swiftly scanning the information the system had just sent her.

This was a typical CEO romance novel titled The Runaway Bride’s Sweet Love.

On the eve of a political marriage, the female lead, Cui Fuyao, refused to marry a stranger and fled abroad to chase her dreams. The scheming supporting female character, who had been eyeing the male lead for a long time, took the opportunity to step in as a substitute bride.

Unfortunately, the male lead was a domineering CEO—a cold, ruthless, emotionless man. He didn’t care that the bride had been swapped at the last minute. After the wedding, he remained abstinent and never touched her.

Half a year later, Cui Fuyao returned after completing her studies abroad. When she and the male lead met again, sparks flew, and they quickly fell in love.

The substitute bride, unwilling to give up, tried multiple times to harm Cui Fuyao, only to be exposed and meet a miserable end.

—

“So basically, I’m just here to be cannon fodder?”

Qin Yangyang finished reading everything, her face dark and full of resentment. The driver caught a glimpse of her expression in the rearview mirror and couldn’t help but sneak another glance.

【Host only needs to replace the supporting female character and marry the male lead. After Cui Fuyao returns in half a year and the core storyline concludes, you may choose to leave or stay.】

The system’s electronic voice rang out in her mind, unhurried and gentle.

Qin Yangyang flipped through the original novel the system provided.

When it came to the six months she would spend with Ji Jingxiu, the novel used only three words:

“Half a year later.”

Not another word. It was condensed to the extreme.

Basically like driving blind, with not a single signpost.

Qin Yangyang tossed the book aside, already losing interest.

The system spoke again:

【During these six months, the system has prepared a rewards program for you.】

Qin Yangyang’s eyes lit up slightly.

“Go on.”

【Ji Jingxiu, as the male lead, has the classic CEO persona—from appearance to temperament, perfectly crafted and seemingly unshakable. If the host can successfully make his persona collapse, you will be rewarded based on the collapse percentage.】

“And what exactly are the rewards?”

【There are three options: 1. Money, 2—】

“1111! I pick 1!”

Qin Yangyang interrupted eagerly.

【……】

The system fell into a long, profound silence.

After a while, it asked again:

【Don’t you want to hear the other two options?】

“Nope.”

Sorry.

When it comes to this matter, even hesitating for one second is an insult to money.

Qin Yangyang had died in her last life from being poor.

Abandoned by her parents, she grew up in an orphanage, stubbornly studied an unpopular design major, graduated unemployed, and finally died in the winter cold.

Looking back on her life, the word “poor” was the only consistent theme.

【Host, I should remind you—the other two options may be more valuable than money.】

The system sounded serious, so Qin Yangyang humored it:

“Fine, let’s hear it.”

【A love like no other, and a happiness money can’t buy.】

“……”

“……”

She almost burst out laughing.

“System, you sure those are rewards?”

【Tempted?】

“I wouldn’t dare be.”

Qin Yangyang: What if the moment I say yes, you won’t let me pick money anymore?

Letting the male lead’s persona collapse to earn money? That beats working overtime drawing design drafts any day!

As long as she rakes in enough cash over the next six months, the moment the real female lead returns, she’s gone—off to live her life fabulously rich, alone, and utterly unbothered.

The wedding convoy pulled into a large estate. The trees lining the road were lush and vibrant, completely unaffected by the scorching heat—a clear sign of how extravagant the estate owner was.

Qin Yangyang stared out the window, eyes fixed.

The system asked gently:

【Are you worried about what’s to come?】

Qin Yangyang: “I can’t wait.”

She cracked her knuckles.

A little excited, even!

System: 【……】

The wedding car had just stopped when Qin Yangyang stepped down, lifting the heavy hem of her gown.

Outside, aside from the butler who came to receive her and Old Li the driver, there was no one else around. The scene felt especially cold and empty.

Cui Fuyao’s parents—heads of the Cui family—were extremely displeased that Qin Yangyang, a distant relative, had snatched their daughter’s perfect marriage. They dragged their feet on the wedding preparations. The auspicious time was originally set for the morning, but after all the stalling, she only managed to leave in the afternoon.

Anyone could see the Cui family didn’t welcome Qin Yangyang. Not a single person from the family showed up.

Even her own father, Qin Heping, didn’t come.

He had a huge argument with her over her insistence on marrying Ji Jingxiu and was still fuming.

Perfect. Her current situation could only be described as utterly isolated—unwelcome on all sides.

Just as Qin Yangyang was about to step through the door, a few people came out. Her gaze instantly landed on the figure walking at the front.

The man was tall, his skin unnaturally pale, a cold whiteness that hadn’t seen sunlight in ages. His features were strikingly handsome, with sharp contrast between light and shadow. His prominent brow ridge cast a deep, proud line across his face—sharp and arrogant.

He walked with long strides and, in just a few steps, was standing before Qin Yangyang.

The moment he stepped into the sunlight, someone immediately held an umbrella over him.

In the original novel, Ji Jingxiu never stood in the sun, practically allergic to it.

Qin Yangyang had been staring at him, but her attention was soon drawn upward—to something floating above his head.

There hovered a semi-transparent fan-shaped graphic, divided into three colored segments: 30% mockery (red), 30% indifference (yellow), 40% nonchalance (blue).

Clearly defined.

Grim, yet kind of hilarious.

Qin Yangyang had just read this jaw-dropping description in the original novel while in the car. She’d thought the author was exaggerating.

Turns out it was a straight-up documentary.

She stared harder and nearly lost control.

Ji Jingxiu—the novel’s male lead, the ultimate embodiment of a domineering CEO: tall, handsome, omnipotent, always with a faint smirk and now… a fan-shaped graphic floating above his head.

His approach was impactful, dramatic.

But in Qin Yangyang’s eyes:

Attention!

Your ATM is walking toward you!

Your ATM is rapidly approaching!

Qin Yangyang stared at him unblinking, her intense gaze drawing everyone’s attention.

At this moment, the system issued a reminder:

【Host, you’re overacting a little.】

In the original book, the villainous supporting female would show a dazed, infatuated expression the moment she saw Ji Jingxiu.

But Qin Yangyang? She was drooling.

Over what, exactly? The system didn’t know. But it definitely wasn’t the CEO’s body.

Ji Jingxiu walked swiftly under the umbrella. As he passed by Qin Yangyang, he lifted his eyes slightly, his gaze as cold as the pre-dawn sky, landing silently on her.

Noticing her overly intense stare, he frowned slightly and spoke in a flat voice:

“I have work. Make yourself at home.”

Dominant CEO Ji Jingxiu didn’t care about this arranged marriage at all. As long as it benefited the company, he didn’t care whether the bride was Cui Fuyao or Qin Yangyang.

In the novel, on the first day of her marriage, Qin Yangyang was dumped into a six-hundred-square-meter mansion—luxurious, but cold and lifeless—leaving her devastated, planting a twisted seed deep in her heart.

But now—

Qin Yangyang looked around at the million-yuan crystal chandelier, several classical oil paintings worth eight figures on the wall, and the private garden and equestrian grounds that stretched as far as the eye could see. She almost laughed out loud from joy.

Afraid of being discovered, she quickly covered her mouth with her right hand and started doing a silent BBOX routine on the spot.

“Honey, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of myself while you’re gone.”

Maybe her tone was too sorrowful, because Ji Jingxiu glanced at her again before giving a faint “Mm.” After finishing his instructions to the butler, he strode off.

The butler watched Ji Jingxiu leave, then turned to see Qin Yangyang with her head bowed, hand covering her face, hair falling across her cheeks—her whole posture radiating sorrow. His heart instantly softened.

He had heard a few things about Qin Yangyang.

But he hadn’t expected her feelings for Mr. Ji to be so deep.

He was about to say a few comforting words when he noticed Qin Yangyang’s shoulders start to shake—then suddenly, she burst out laughing.

Cackle cackle cackle—

Butler: ?!

What in the actual—?!

Looking closer, he saw Qin Yangyang’s face beaming with joy, her entire expression glowing with delight. There wasn’t a trace of sadness to be found.

Butler: “Madam, if you need anything at all, just say the word.”

Qin Yangyang waved her hand considerately.

“No need, go do your thing. I’ll handle myself just fine.”

The butler smiled gently, thinking: What a thoughtful new Madam.

The next second, Qin Yangyang whipped out her phone and rapidly dialed a number.

“Hello? Bailong Club? I’d like to book a session.”

Crash—

The butler’s heart shattered into a thousand pieces.

From what he knew, Bailong Club was the most infamous entertainment venue in Linhai City—men, women, anything goes.

Qin Yangyang started ordering like a pro: “How many people do you have at your place?”

“At the moment, Bailong Club has 20 S-tier dancers. All over 180cm tall, model physiques, actor-level looks. Various styles available.”

“Great. I’ll take them all.”

The person on the other end paused.

“All twenty? Are you alone?”

This lineup would be explosive even for their standards.

Qin Yangyang scoffed.

Look down on me, will you?

“Send them all. I want the best bodies you’ve got!”

With that, she hung up.

Then, putting her phone away, she turned to look at the butler—who was now staring at her in utter horror, smiled and asked:

“Just now, did Ji Jingxiu say my living expenses could be reimbursed?”

“…”

The butler’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the newlywed madam—who was still wearing her wedding dress.

You want reimbursement too?!

“Madam, what exactly… are you doing?”

Qin Yangyang let out a long sigh, her face filled with sorrow.

“I’m heartbroken. I have to find joy in the pain… it’s my only comfort.”

The butler was speechless.

Qin Yangyang was stunning. Compared to Cui Fuyao’s soft, innocent beauty, hers was bolder and sharper, striking yet refined. Her chestnut curls added to her allure, and her enviable figure was truly out of this world.

One lift of her red lips—confidence and attitude.

One sway of her slender waist—the world is mine.

Now, her eyes lowered, her beautiful face tinged with sorrow, it tugged at the heartstrings.

The butler’s heart softened—

She just wanted to watch twenty muscular men dance… What’s so wrong with that?

….

Thirty minutes later, twenty high-quality muscular men filed in one after another.

As night fell, lights and music filled the entire Ji family villa.

Qin Yangyang had already changed out of her wedding dress and was lounging on the sofa. She waved at the anxious butler nearby.

“Butler, come here—join me.”

The sixty-something-year-old butler looked panicked, ready to face death with courage.

“This isn’t quite appropriate, Madam… I’m too old to dance… But if you insist, I could give it a try.”

As a professional butler, there was nothing he wasn’t prepared to do.

Qin Yangyang: “…”

“I meant join me to watch.”

Hearing that, the butler let out a huge sigh of relief and walked over, standing properly behind the sofa.

Qin Yangyang propped her chin on one hand, wine glass in the other, admiring the magnificent dance performance before her—this, this was the peak of life.

Outside, the Ji family’s male lead was on his way back—

---

Author’s Note:

Qin Yangyang: No matter how cold the mansion is, as long as there are twenty muscular men dancing, it will feel warm.