Chapter 4: The Original Host’s Memories

A parallel timeline.

1970, Beijing, southern part of the city.

Inside a small, grey-bricked, green-tiled building — the living room.

Song Kexing woke up from unconsciousness, lying on the floor.

Her face was covered in blood, her whole body trembling from pain, with visible signs of having been beaten in multiple places.

But none of that mattered to her right now.

Her gaze was fixed firmly beneath her—

Legs!

They weren’t empty stumps!

She, Song Kexing, finally had a pair of normal legs!!

“Hahaha… hss… damn, that hurts!”

【Big Boss, don’t get too excited! You’ve got a wound at the corner of your mouth — don’t laugh!】

Maruko popped out. 【I’ll transmit the original host’s memories to you now. Take a moment to process them.】

Before Song Kexing could respond—

A torrent of unfamiliar memories surged into her mind.

The original host’s life flashed through her consciousness like a revolving lantern…

Song Kexing, born in 1953, currently 17 years old.

Her father, Song Chengye, was the son of a former chairman of the Beijing Chamber of Commerce during the Republic era.

Her mother, Ling Manru, was once a dazzling figure — daughter of the textile tycoon of Jiangsu Province.

The marriage between the Song and Ling families was seen as a union of power, and both families had made significant contributions to the country after its founding.

For a while, they basked in glory and prestige, admired by all.

Unfortunately, it was a marriage of interests, not affection.

Song Chengye was domineering, Ling Manru was proud and temperamental — the two were a terrible match.

Barely six months after giving birth to the original host, Ling Manru ran off abroad with her lover and never returned.

Infuriated by her scandalous actions, the father took out all his resentment on the original host.

Later, he remarried, and soon after, a son was born.

The father was cold and heartless, the stepmother honey-tongued yet venomous, and the younger brother spoiled and overbearing.

Living under the same roof with them, the original host had a tough life.

Outwardly, however, the Song family presented themselves as charitable and kind.

So the original host was still able to grow up and even graduate from high school.

A lot happened in recent years.

The Song family, once among the wealthiest in Beijing, suffered greatly due to the shifting political climate.

They lost more than half their fortune before managing to regain a foothold in the city.

Originally, the father was the general manager of the Beijing Department Store, and the stepmother was a director at the Beijing Arts Troupe — life was decent.

But another wave of purges had just begun, and the family could barely hang on.

A month ago, both the father and stepmother were suspended from their jobs pending investigation.

They were often summoned for questioning — a clear sign that disaster was imminent.

As a result, the Song family didn’t dare leave home and stayed hidden inside.

To avoid rumors, the stepmother fired both household servants, leaving all chores to the original host.

That day at lunch, a commotion erupted outside.

There were faint shouts of “capitalist!” “search the house!” “beat them!”

The father reacted quickly, dragging his wife and son to the basement.

The original host, a step behind, was about to follow when the father barked out an order:

“Song Kexing, stay in the living room and deal with those people. If they ask where we are, say we’ve gone to visit relatives!”

The original host was meek and submissive, so when her father ordered her, she instinctively paused to respond.

That hesitation cost her.

The house was stormed by a group of strangers.

They shouted slogans, waved sticks, and looked fierce and menacing.

They ransacked the place, smashing everything. Broken glass was everywhere.

When asked about her parents, the original host repeated what her father told her.

In her heart, even if he didn’t love her, he was still her father, and she had to protect him.

But it was that choice that cost her her life.

“If your parents aren’t here, then you’ll take their punishment. Capitalist scum deserve to die!”

Sticks rained down on her.

Someone pulled out scissors and cut her hair.

Another person picked up a shard of glass and sliced her cheek.

Lying in a pool of blood, her gaze never left the direction of the basement…

……

After finishing the memory transfer, Song Kexing ground her molars and grinned:

【Maruko, is the original host’s wish to kill everyone who wronged her?!】

Maruko had said that once the original host’s wish was fulfilled, the body would become hers for good.

These people were despicable — killing them all didn’t seem too excessive.

Maruko broke out in cold sweat: 【Big Boss, please don’t be rash! Murder is illegal in this era!】

Song Kexing’s eyes gleamed with a devilish glint.

【Don’t worry. Making someone disappear without a trace — I’m very good at that.】

Maruko: ……

Wuwuwu, it was starting to regret choosing such a crazy host.

If she got too reckless and failed the mission, Maruko would be forcibly recycled and destroyed!

There’d be no more cute, soft Maruko left! X﹏X～

No, it had to quickly talk her down!

Maruko: 【Big Boss, the original host’s wish is really simple. She just wanted to break free from her family and live boldly and freely, without any restraints.】

Song Kexing blinked. 【That’s it?】

Maruko: 【Yes! The original host was a kind person. She never hated anyone.】

【Also, once her wish is fulfilled, the “villainess” mission will officially begin. No rush yet!】

So she didn’t need to act like a villain for now.

This little guy was clearly trying to talk her out of it in a roundabout way.

Song Kexing curved her lips into a smile:

【Alright, I get it. As long as they don’t provoke me again, I won’t take revenge.】

But of course, she would.

This body was hers now, and the pain was etched deep into her bones.

She, Song Kexing, never let grudges slide.

Everyone who had hurt her — she would make them pay, one by one.

As long as she used “breaking free” as an excuse, taking revenge along the way wouldn’t be a problem.

Just saying this to fool the naive little Maruko.

And clearly, Maruko bought it.

The little guy spun around in excitement:
【That’s more like it, Big Boss! Let’s work hard together and finish the mission quickly!】

“Cough, cough…”

Just then—

Song Kexing suddenly bent over, coughing violently.

When she looked down, there was blood all over the floor.

Maruko screamed:
【Big Boss, your injuries are too serious — you’re coughing up blood! Let’s go to the space and get you treated right away!】