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Even though it was only a side-character system, it patiently explained Yan Xi’s confusion:
[Fortune value is a critical metric in the novel. Fame, wealth, and opportunities are all manifestations of fortune. The male and female leads gain their fortune by seizing opportunities from supporting characters, effectively robbing them of their fortune.]
[Zhou Qingyu, for example, admired Pei Yubai and provided him with resources and financial support, causing her fortune to be absorbed by Pei Yubai.]
[In essence, every time Zhou Qingyu follows the original plot, she loses fortune. By preventing her from adhering to the storyline, her fortune naturally recovers!]
Yan Xi’s eyes lit up. “If her fortune increases, does that mean we can also alter the main storyline?”
[Yes, that’s correct! Every time a fortune milestone is unlocked, Zhou Qingyu will experience less control from the storyline. But only when her fortune value reaches 100 points can she fully escape the novel’s predetermined ending!]
[However, since the story is already halfway through, no matter how hard you try, it’s impossible for Zhou Qingyu to accumulate 100 fortune points this way!]
This was also why the system doubted Yan Xi’s success. Simply avoiding the plotline could, at most, earn Zhou Qingyu 50 fortune points. And that’s assuming she avoids all possible story beats, which was unlikely given the heavy plot control she was still under.
Hearing this, Yan Xi began to calculate her options. Once she had her plan in mind, she stepped out of the dressing room.
Outside, the store associate was holding up a dress to Zhou Qingyu, enthusiastically showcasing it.
“Miss Zhou, this dress is part of our summer collection. Just look at the design and cut—it would suit you perfectly!”
Zhou Qingyu picked up the hem of the dress with a disdainful look in her eyes. “Such a plain white dress—it’s hideous! How can your taste be this bad? Do you even know how to make recommendations?”
The sales associate was momentarily stunned but turned her attention to Yan Xi, who had just stepped out of the dressing room.
Zhou Qingyu’s eyes lit up. “Xixi, you look amazing in that dress! We’re buying it!”
The sales associate glanced at the dress Yan Xi was wearing, then at the identical dress in her own hands.
Sales associate: “…?”
The simple white dress was priced at over 100,000 yuan, but Zhou Qingyu didn’t hesitate. She pulled out her black card and handed it to the sales associate. “Check out for this one.”
All the sales associate’s earlier frustration evaporated instantly. She practically skipped to the counter to process the payment.
Miss Zhou could be as arrogant as she liked—it didn’t matter. As long as she was willing to spend money, she was a goddess in the associate’s eyes!
Yan Xi felt a bit awkward. Zhou Qingyu was always buying her things, and there was no way she could repay her.
“Maybe it’s fine, the dress isn’t that special after all…”
[Ding! Yan Xi receives a gift from Zhou Qingyu. Zhou Qingyu’s fortune value increases by 0.1 points. Current fortune value: 1.1 points.]
Yan Xi: “——!”
Yan Xi was astonished. How could buying a dress result in an increase in fortune value?
The system was also puzzled, but after a moment, it figured out the reason: [Host, it’s likely because you and Zhou Qingyu are in the same camp. If she were to fall from grace, you’d help her. The more money you have, the better her fortune becomes.]
This explanation made sense. The increase in fortune had nothing to do with the main plot—it was an extra benefit.
Although it was only 0.1, every little bit counts!
The sales associate, worried that Zhou Qingyu might change her mind, quickly packaged the dress. Yan Xi didn’t reject it anymore, after all, who would turn down money (or in this case, fortune)?
After paying for the dress, Zhou Qingyu pulled Yan Xi to the next store.
On the way, Yan Xi replayed the plot of the novel in her mind: Participating in the variety show “Let’s Travel Together” was a key part of the main plot. In the novel, Zhou Qingyu took her “best friend” Xu Yangyang on the show. She gave Xu Yangyang one million to plan the travel route, but Xu Yangyang kept the money for herself, leading to Zhou Qingyu having to travel on a shoestring budget. This exposed Zhou Qingyu’s spoiled temper, and along the way, she kept complaining about Xu Yangyang. Their fake friendship was mocked by netizens.
Later, when the Zhou family went bankrupt, Zhou Qingyu turned to Xu Yangyang for help, only to be mocked and humiliated by her, almost pushed to suicide.
“Xixi! That red bag would look perfect on you! Come try it on!”
Snapping out of her thoughts, Yan Xi realized she had been pulled into another luxury store by Zhou Qingyu.
Zhou Qingyu held various bags up to Yan Xi, assessing them against her, but Yan Xi was preoccupied with her own thoughts. As she tried on a few bags, her lack of enthusiasm was obvious.
Zhou Qingyu was puzzled. “What’s wrong? Still thinking about that guy? Stop thinking about him. He’s not worth it!”
Yan Xi, looking worried, replied, “Qingqing, as long as you’re here, I won’t feel sad. But you’ll be leaving tomorrow… What will I do on my own?”
Her eyes looked at Zhou Qingyu with a pleading expression, making her seem especially pitiful.
Zhou Qingyu was taken aback, remembering the variety show scheduled for the next day. She hesitated, feeling conflicted. “This show is really important to me, and Brother Ybai will be there too… I’ll give you my secondary card. If you’re feeling down, just go shopping. Don’t worry about the limit, spend as you like!”
Yan Xi’s heart sank. The system had been right—despite Zhou Qingyu’s concern for her, the main plotline couldn’t be easily altered.
However, Yan Xi had expected this outcome. She quickly changed the subject. “You don’t need to give me the secondary card. I didn’t want to disturb you and Young Master Pei’s trip. But I heard that your variety show allows you to bring a friend along… Could you take me with you? Going abroad and getting some fresh air might help me feel better.”
Yan Xi wasn’t sure if replacing Xu Yangyang in the variety show would disrupt the main plot, but she felt it was worth trying.
She nervously glanced at Zhou Qingyu, afraid that she would once again gently refuse her request.
To her surprise, Zhou Qingyu’s eyes were filled with joy. “Xixi, you want to come? That’s great! I originally wanted to invite you, but I was worried it might interfere with your studies!”
The variety show Let’s Travel Together was meant to invite friends, family, or couples to travel together. Zhou Qingyu had initially wanted to invite Yan Xi, but since she wasn’t part of the entertainment industry, she was concerned it might have a negative impact on her.
Yan Xi asked again, “The show starts tomorrow. Won’t Xu Yangyang have a problem with it?”
Zhou Qingyu waved off the concern, “Xu Yangyang is an artist from our company, so what’s there to worry about? We can just offer her another opportunity to make up for it later!”
Yan Xi let out a sigh of relief.
It seemed that, aside from the main plotline involving Pei Yuhui and Ye Luoyi, which was hard to change, other storylines weren’t as difficult to alter.
Zhou Qingyu hooked her arm through Yan Xi’s, “Since we’re going on the show tomorrow, we should buy more clothes and bags. Today’s the perfect opportunity to get everything!”