28 I'll help you win

I want him to lose everything.

[The soul of Yan Sui, a transmigrator in this world, has been detected to be contaminated. The soul protection mechanism has been automatically activated.]

A voice that didn't belong to the system rang in Yan Sui's mind.

Before she could even react, all her uncomfortable symptoms disappeared.

Yan Sui didn't have time to ask the voice. She had been in the car for too long, and if she didn't get out soon, He Chenyu would definitely become suspicious.

She took a deep breath, opened the car door, and got out.

Smiling, Yan Sui jogged over to the two of them, a little embarrassed: "Sorry, I was in the car for a while and got carsick. I was a bit dazed and accidentally left my phone in the car."

He Chenyu took the initiative to say, "It's alright, you're Ms. Jian's new manager, right?"

Yan Sui nodded. "Li Yun has worked with you twice before. It seems you two are quite destined for each other, Mr. He."

Good. Now Yan Sui can no longer smell the stench on He Chenyu, which must be due to the soul protection mechanism working.

A barely perceptible flicker of disgust crossed He Chenyu's eyes.

He thought he had disguised himself well: "It's quite a coincidence. Miss Jane is a very talented actress and has helped me a lot. Okay, let's go inside and talk."

However, his disgust was noticed by both Jian Liyun and Yan Sui.

Yan Sui thought to herself, "This person is definitely not cut out to be an actor."

The three entered the villa. Although the interior decoration was not luxurious, the antique-style furniture was obviously not cheap.

The most eye-catching item is the chessboard placed on the wooden table in the center of the living room.

A game of chess, not yet finished, is laid out on the chessboard.

Yan Sui noticed it immediately, and Jian Liyun was also a little surprised, "You brought the chessboard here too?"

He Chenyu nodded, "Of course, don't we always play a game of cards after we finish filming and reading the script? It's become a habit."

Yan Sui glanced at the chessboard quickly, then began to examine the other furniture in the living room, as if she had no interest in the chessboard at all.

In fact, she had already made a judgment after just glancing at the chessboard: the advantage was in Black's hands. Although White was also fighting back, White played too poorly in the early stages. Given the skill level of the player who was playing White, it would be difficult for White to catch up with the gap between the two.

Of course, this only applies to these two chess players.

Yan Sui had no doubt that if it were her seven-year-old self, even if this relatively advantageous black player were to play against her, she would be beaten to tears in less than five minutes.

She secretly did some calculations in her mind.

Ten sons.

If she were to play white now, she could turn the tide and change the situation with just ten moves.

But isn't He Chenyu supposed to be focused on acting? Why is he playing Go with Jian Liyun? Is there some trick to this game?

[The host will now have one hour of True Sight. Please find clues and save the female supporting character.]

The voice from before echoed in Yan Sui's mind again, its formality and seriousness completely different from the joking system she had encountered before.

Yan Sui blinked, then turned to look at Jian Liyun and the other person. "You two go ahead with your work. I'm a little carsick, so I'll rest on the sofa for a bit."

Her expression was calm, yet at that moment, the world she saw had undergone a complete transformation.

Both Jian Liyun and He Chenyu were radiating energy, but the difference was that Jian Liyun radiated a soft white light, while He Chenyu radiated a viscous black light, like that of a swamp.

There's a black ball above Jian Liyun's head; this is what the system showed Yan Sui before, indicating Jian Liyun's final fate:

If it returns to white, it means she can survive; if it remains black, it means Jian Liyun's fate is still to walk towards death.

It seems her fate remains unchanged.

Yan Sui sighed inwardly, then realized something was wrong.

As Jian Liyun and He Chenyu drew closer, the white energy within her was extracted and absorbed into He Chenyu's body.

He Chenyu is drawing energy from Jian Liyun.

Yan Sui thought that this must be what she had previously speculated: the male lead was seizing the female supporting character's luck points.

She turned her head and looked at the chessboard again. Sure enough, the black and white pieces on the chessboard had the same aura as the two people.

It seems that He Chenyu should be playing black, and Jian Liyun should be playing white.

Jian Liyun looked at Yan Sui, who was pale, and was a little worried. "Mr. He, let's read the script and rehearse in the living room. My agent won't tell anyone about the script."

He Chenyu paused for a moment, then said understandingly, "Of course you can. You don't actually need to keep this a secret from your agent. After all, you're the one acting with me now, and in the future, it will be you and me acting together in the theater."

Yan Sui's pupils constricted. When did the male lead start collaborating with the female supporting character again? How come she, as his manager, had no idea?!

Jian Liyun was also puzzled, "What script? I don't know anything about it."

He Chenyu turned and went upstairs. "It's Jin Lan's script for that infinite flow TV series. I heard you've been cast as the female lead. I also got the script, but I have to audition first. I want to play the third male lead. Okay, I'll go upstairs to get the script. Wait for me."

Jian Liyun and Yan Sui looked at each other in bewilderment.

But Yan Sui immediately realized that this might be something Lu Shutian had done.

She frowned. Jian Liyun was already the absolute female lead. Even if He Chenyu was going to act in it, he probably wouldn't be able to overshadow Jian Liyun... right?

But Jian Liyun seemed to accept the news quickly. She went to the chessboard, picked up a white piece, and began to think about where to place it next.

Yan Sui also walked over to see what Jian Liyun was going to do next.

After much deliberation, Jian Liyun put the white piece back. She smiled at Yan Sui, "My game was terrible, wasn't it? When this game is over..."

That should be the time when I die.

This was a completely unfounded guess without any evidence, but Jian Liyun had this idea in her mind.

But from the moment she was forced to take the chess pieces and become the player, many things were no longer her choice.

“Not bad at all,” Yan Sui never expected that she would lie so blatantly about her own Go skills. “You play very well, don’t talk about yourself like that.”

Jian Liyun chuckled, "Sui Sui, you don't need to comfort me like that. I know what I'm doing."

Yan Sui patted Jian Liyun on the shoulder, "Liyun, do you want to win?"

Jian Liyun's smile froze. "Whether I want to win or not is not important. What's important is that I can't win."

"I……"

"Miss Jian, take a look at the script. This is a scene between the third male lead and the female lead, which is related to the role you'll be playing later. Hmm? Miss Yan, do you know how to play chess?"

He Chenyu came downstairs with the script in his hand. His tone was gentle, and he seemed harmless.

Yan Sui instantly got goosebumps, but fortunately her expression didn't change, and she nodded very seriously, "Yes."

He Chenyu asked with a look of inquiry, "Oh? Then, Miss Yan, if you were the white piece, how would you play?"

Without a second thought, Yan Sui picked up a white chess piece, pinching it between her thumb and forefinger—

This is a very non-standard way of holding a chess piece.

“That’s easy,” Yan Sui said confidently. “I’ll definitely go down here.”

*Smack*

The chess piece landed in one spot, neither too light nor too heavy.

He Chenyu frowned. What kind of approach was Yan Sui taking? He couldn't understand it at all.

Yan Sui looked at the white piece she had placed. Unlike the other pieces on the board, it had no luster.

It seems that only when Jian Liyun and He Chenyu play this game themselves will it shine so brightly.

Amidst her thoughts, Yan Sui didn't forget to answer He Chenyu's question. She pointed to the five white pieces that were connected, "If the white pieces are connected into five, won't they win? It's such a simple game, why do you two seem so conflicted?"

He Chenyu breathed a sigh of relief.

Jian Liyun was also somewhat amused and exasperated. "Sui Sui, this isn't Gomoku, it's Go."

"Uh," Yan Sui's expression also turned awkward, "Sorry, I thought..."

"It's alright," He Chenyu waved his hand, relieved. "Miss Jian, let's rehearse our lines. It's in the living room by the window; there's a long wooden table there. Miss Yan, please rest here. If you feel unwell, just let us know."

Yan Sui nodded, then watched the two walk towards one side of the living room.

From the moment Jian Liyun took the script from He Chenyu, the energy within her began to be absorbed and seized by He Chenyu at an accelerated pace.

Yan Sui was heartbroken. She wanted to do something, but she knew she couldn't act rashly at this moment.

Fortunately, Jian Liyun has a lot of energy, so it seems that even if we drain her dry, it will take some time.

Yan Sui sat on the sofa, watching the two people reading the script not far away.

Jian Liyun finished reading the script in no time. "Should we start by discussing our understanding of the character, or should we try acting it out?"

He Chenyu didn't hesitate, "Let's just act it out."

The two stood up. Jian Liyun took off her coat and put it aside. With just a turn, her originally cold gaze became firm and steady.

Her voice lowered slightly, "Why are you still following us?"

He Chenyu covered his chest with his right hand. He thought he was speaking with great emotion, but in reality, his facial features were all over the place. He was reciting lines like a poem: "I was wrong before, but I had my reasons! Now I will try to be a better person. Please, I just want to find my lover."

It was difficult for Jian Liyun to continue acting in this situation. She had a look of restraint between her brows, but after a few breaths, she finally couldn't hold back her anger.

"Your lover is important, but aren't our teammates important too? Because of your selfish desires, half of our team has died!"

By the end, Jian Liyun's voice was trembling slightly, her eyes were moist, and she was trying her best to suppress her sadness.

From being tortured to enjoying it, Yan Sui felt like she was in hell one moment and heaven the next.

This was also the first time she had seen Jian Liyun perform live.

It has to be said that Jian Liyun's acting style is completely different from her everyday personality, and it's easy to get lost in the performance without realizing it.

Jian Liyun is very charming.

In contrast, He Chenyu was merely playing himself, and his performance was far from pleasing to the eye.

Yan Sui dared not imagine how terrible He Chenyu would have been if he hadn't sought Jian Liyun's help before acting all these years, and had simply played those roles.

The two actors on the other end acted out a few more lines before the scene finally ended.

The moment it ended, Jian Liyun's gaze returned, her face showing no trace of the grief and indignation she had just displayed. She said in a calm tone, "You didn't understand the character properly, your delivery of lines was illogical and the emphasis was wrong, and you didn't control your facial expressions."

He Chenyu was silent for a few seconds, then said, "So this isn't about you teaching me."

Yan Sui's lips twitched; this male lead was truly arrogant and conceited.

Jian Liyun picked up the script and began to analyze the character's background and motivations word by word.

Before they knew it, an hour had passed, and Yan Sui's [Eye of True Sight] had expired. The scene before them returned to normal, and the light on Jian Liyun and He Chenyu disappeared.

She leaned back on the sofa with her eyes closed, seemingly asleep.

That chess game was probably a representation of the current relationship between Jian Liyun and He Chenyu: He Chenyu had the advantage, while Jian Liyun was losing ground step by step and had many of her white pieces captured.

If Jian Liyun really loses this round, then her fate will be...

Yan Sui's heart clenched again.

Even though Yan Sui had lost her True Sight, she genuinely felt that Jian Liyun was radiating light while she was acting.

When acting, Jian Liyun cannot be simply described as beautiful; the word "charming" is a more accurate description.

Yan Sui shouldn't be so vibrant, so charming, as Jian Liyun walks towards death.

Yan Sui, who had originally intended to just pretend to sleep, unknowingly fell asleep.

In a daze, someone picked her up.

Yan Sui felt light sleep and immediately opened her eyes.

Seeing this, Jian Liyun said, "Let me carry you to the guest room to rest. Mr. He and I are rehearsing in the living room, so it might be a bit noisy."

Yan Sui hooked her arms around Jian Liyun's neck, unaware of how much she was pleading, "No, I want to stay here. I'm not asleep, really."

Jian Liyun had no choice but to say, "Okay, tell me if you're sleepy, but we're finishing up here too."

He Chenyu watched from the side and said, "Ms. Jian, it seems your manager really loves to rest."

This NPC is obviously not very bright.

He Chenyu made up his mind.

Gently placing Yan Sui back on the sofa, Jian Liyun patted her head and said, "Wait for me a little longer, it'll be ready soon."

Yan Sui nodded obediently.

Jian Liyun said it would be over soon, and sure enough, it was over in less than half an hour.

However, she did not go to Yan Sui, but instead went to the chessboard with He Chenyu.

"We can make one move today," He Chenyu said.

Without hesitation, He Chenyu placed a piece and looked at Jian Liyun, waiting for her to make a move.

Yan Sui also stood up, stretched, and came to Jian Liyun's side.

He Chenyu teased, "Miss Yan, this is Go, not the game of Gomoku. You won't understand it."

Yan Sui yawned, seemingly still sleepy. "Aren't they all just chess pieces? I'll understand once I learn them."

He Chenyu chuckled, "Go isn't something you can learn just by casually studying it. Alright, Miss Jian, make your move."

Jian Liyun picked up a chess piece, hesitating.

She reached her right hand toward the upper left corner of the chessboard, when suddenly her shoulder was struck, forcing her right hand to change direction, and the piece rolled to the lower right corner.

"Varied……"

Before Jian Liyun could finish speaking, a warm and slender body fell into her arms. Yan Sui seemed to be in great pain, clutching her chest and breathing irregularly and rapidly.

Jian Liyun's heart tightened. "What's wrong, Suisui? Are you feeling unwell again?"

Yan Sui's words were broken and incoherent, making it impossible for anyone to understand what she was trying to say.

Sitting opposite him, He Chenyu paid no attention to the two of them; his sharp gaze was fixed on the white piece that Jian Liyun had placed.

Even if a move is wrong, it seems to be a very mediocre one.

But He Chenyu soon realized something was wrong. This seemingly ordinary piece seemed to have read his mind. Once the white piece was placed, he could no longer play the pieces he had planned.

He looked at the anxious Jian Liyun and the pale-faced Yan Sui.

Is it a coincidence?

At this moment, Jian Liyun had no time to care about He Chenyu. She picked up Yan Sui and laid her flat on the sofa, unbuttoning the buttons around her collarbone so that Yan Sui could breathe better.

Yan Sui was finally able to speak, "Water..."

Without turning her head, Jian Liyun instructed He Chenyu, "Could you please get me a glass of warm water? Thank you."

Although He Chenyu was annoyed, he still went to get a glass of warm water.

After drinking the water, Yan Sui's complexion improved considerably. She struggled to sit up. "Li Yun, I'm sorry, I just..."

“It’s alright,” Jian Liyun said, how could she blame Yan Sui? “Let’s go home and rest now, okay?”

She gave He Chenyu a perfunctory goodbye and helped Yan Sui leave the villa.

Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, He Chenyu figured that Jian Liyun's move was just a coincidence, and that he was probably overthinking things.

Yan Sui sat in the passenger seat, and the moment the car door closed, all the discomfort on her face disappeared.

Jian Liyun finally realized, "You were just now..."

Yan Sui grinned, "My artists are all such good actors, so as their manager, I certainly can't be too bad."

Jian Liyun breathed a sigh of relief, "You scared me to death."

Yan Sui looked at He Chenyu, who was standing at the gate watching her leave, and said, "Drive down the mountain first."

Jian Liyun nodded and started the vehicle.

The car drove smoothly on the mountain road, and Yan Sui finally spoke.

"When did you start playing that game of chess?"

“When I first met him,” Jian Liyun replied immediately, “it was strange, every time I met him, he would only play two or three moves against me, and sometimes he would only play one move like today, but even so… I still couldn’t beat him.”

Jian Liyun sighed, "When he first let me play, I didn't even know what Go was. He played black, and when it was my turn, I placed my first white stone directly on the center point."

Yan Sui's body was trembling—

She was so amused that she laughed heartily, her eyes crinkling with laughter, "Li Yun, how can you be so cute?"

The fact that the first move in Go was placed at the center point (tengen) really shows that the player doesn't understand Go at all.

A suspicious blush appeared on Jian Liyun's face. "Don't make fun of me, okay, I know it's funny."

Yan Sui shook her head. "I wasn't making fun of you; I genuinely think you're very cute. After that, did you go and learn Go on your own?"

Jian Liyun frowned. "Although it sounds a bit eerie, I always felt that something was off about that game, but unfortunately, it was too late when I realized it. I also tried to find a Go teacher to teach me, but for some reason, in the end, these teachers always couldn't teach me for various reasons. So I could only learn on my own, but it's obvious that I don't have any talent in this area."

Yan Sui's face darkened.

This male lead is utterly shameless.

First, he made the female supporting character play Go against him even though she didn't know how to play. He also used certain methods to prevent her from finding a teacher to learn Go. He really went to great lengths to prevent her from winning.

Yan Sui probably understood that, due to some limitation, the male protagonist could not finish the game of chess with Jian Liyun in one go, but could only play a few moves each time they met.

Through Jian Liyun teaching him to read scripts and act, and through playing chess with Jian Liyun and capturing white pieces, He Chenyu was able to continuously gain Jian Liyun's luck points.

Because of the people at the orphanage, Jian Liyun might not be able to completely refuse He Chenyu's request to act and learn together right now, but Go...

Yan Sui asked seriously, "Li Yun, what do you think of this game of chess?"

"I'm bound to lose." Jian Liyun gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands.

Yan Sui looked straight ahead and said, "Li Yun, you won't lose."

"With just ten moves, I'll help you turn the tide."

"I'll place another thirty, no, twenty pieces, and I'll make him lose the whole game."

The system, which had been missing for a long time, finally returned. It mimicked Yan Sui's voice and spoke in Yan Sui's mind.

【Li Yun, you no longer need to be broken, because your tassel has arrived.】

Yan Sui was pleasantly surprised, "System, you're back? So many things have happened just now, and another system has granted me the True Sight Eye permission."

[Host, am I still your favorite system? QAQ]

Yan Sui was both amused and exasperated. "What are you talking about? Of course you're the system I trust the most."

They communicated internally, one person at a time, while Jian Liyun wore a half-smile.

"So, Sui Sui, the calluses on your hands before were from playing chess for a long time, right?"

[Author's Note]

The stupid and wicked original male lead thought he had picked an easy target, but little did he know, Yun's Sui arrived, and the easy target turned into an unyielding iron plate. Hehehehehe (let out a villain's arrogant laughter).