"Wan'er, Wan'er, drink! The wine at the Hundred Flowers Banquet is really good. A good drink can wash away all your sorrows! Wan'er, to be honest, do you want to go home? I dream about it." Slightly drunk, Jing Xi supported Yan Wan with one hand and drank a large gulp of wine with the other.

Yan Wan looked at Jing Xi, who was drowning her sorrows in alcohol and wanted to return to the modern world. She felt a sense of mockery in her heart, mocking the author and mocking fate. The female protagonist, who was truly happy in the modern world, was dragged into a book where no one cared for her and had to experience suffering. Meanwhile, the self who truly wanted to stay in the book would eventually leave.

Jingxi, how ridiculous! You and I are just pawns in the author's game. Sometimes, I envy you. You know nothing about what happened when you were transported into the book and can live the life you want.

But I happen to know the ending of each of you, I know where the story is going. I know it's impossible, but I still do it. I know it can't be forced, but I still force it. Everyone wants to have the ability to know where the plot is going, but only I know. Isn't that cruel to me?

"Alright, Jingxi, I'll drink with you, haha. Fine wine and delicacies are nothing to me; I'd rather be drunk forever than wake up." Yan Wan picked up her wine glass, smiled at Jingxi, and raised her glass to drink together.

——

Beep beep beep

"Host, in the world of the book, some plots cannot be changed. No matter how the plot goes astray, it will eventually return to the right track."

"What's the meaning?"

"Host, some people must die. The power of the plot cannot change this. Even if you can save them once, can you save them a thousand or ten thousand times? If those who are destined to die don't die, then for them, even drinking water could be their death warrant."

"What if I insist on changing it? To hell with the power of the plot, I don't believe it!"

"Host, why be so stubborn? This is just a book, and the characters are just fictional figures. If you insist on this, you will be wiped out by the power of the plot."

"Ha, system, do you even know the difference between a system and a person?"

"Host, I don't know, that's just how our program is designed."

"System, it seems that you and I are quite similar now, both operating according to predetermined trajectories."

"System, what if we insist on going against the power of this plot? I want someone to live to be a hundred years old."

"Host! Host, work hard on the mission. The Life-Exchange Talisman can exchange one life for another."

"Okay, I understand."

——

"His Highness Prince Han has arrived!"

The eunuch's loud shout sobered up half of the people drinking and making merry in the hall.

Many people wondered why this "plague god" would come to the banquet.

Immediately afterwards, Ji Mohan walked in. Smelling the smell of wine in the hall, he endured the discomfort and walked to the front. Many ministers stepped forward tremblingly to pay their respects, and Yan Wan and Jing Xi also gave a symbolic curtsy.

"No need for formalities, everyone. I haven't been back to the capital for many years, so I've come to pay my respects to you all." Although Ji Mohan spoke respectfully, his face was cold and hard, revealing no emotion.

Ji Mohan exchanged a few pleasantries with the officials, then turned to leave. He was quite unaccustomed to such a lively scene. When he reached the door, he paused, turned his head slightly to look at Yan Wan, and then continued on his way.

Why did you drink so much?

Yan Wan also saw Ji Mohan looking over, and a glimmer of hope rose in her heart, but she quickly dashed it herself. How could he be looking at her? He must be looking at Jing Xi.

Ji Mohan, are you looking at me or at her?

They say forced love is never sweet, but I'm determined to try it. Even if it's a bitter melon, I'll still find it sweet.