32 Who is the protagonist?

Do you want to be the protagonist?

Lu Shutian released her grip on Yan Sui, wrapped one arm around her waist, and used the other hand to press against the back of her head, turning the biting into a deep kiss.

She noticed that the other person was distracted, and her anger intensified.

Even at a time like this, my sister is still thinking about that woman?!

After the kiss ended, Lu Shutian was panting, looking at the other person's flushed cheeks, but there was no sign of passion in those light brown eyes.

Yan Sui's hands were a little cold.

Even though her lower lip was somewhat red and swollen, Yan Sui's expression remained remarkably calm.

If you ignore her slightly trembling pupils.

“You…” Yan Sui felt that every word she spoke was so difficult, “Is it that it’s not just a matter of consciousness awakening?”

A bold and absurd idea formed in Yan Sui's mind.

Lu Shutian gently pressed Yan Sui's beautiful and delicate collarbone, "Sister, give me a kiss and I'll tell you."

“I’m not joking with you,” Yan Sui spoke rapidly, looking almost in pain. “You, you are not…”

Yan Sui closed her eyes, calmed herself down, and then asked in a different phrasing, "Have we met before?"

Fragmented images flashed through Lu Shutian's mind.

But the scene only appeared for a moment, too fast for Lu Shutian to catch.

She smiled and said, "Sister, whether we've met before or not, you came into this world specifically for me."

Yan Sui was the one Lu Shutian chose from among countless souls.

It was a soul radiating pure white light, holy and warm—

It was just right to contain Lu Shutian's irritability and unease.

“There’s been a slight mishap, but it’s okay,” Lu Shutian said, reaching out her hand and gently stroking Yan Sui’s swollen lower lip with her thumb. “We’ll definitely get back on track.”

Yan Sui slapped Lu Shutian's hand away, her eyes filled with a seriousness that the other could not understand. "I'll ask you one last time, have we ever met before?"

Lu Shutian withdrew her hand, bit her lip, and hesitated for a long time before whispering, "Sister, we shouldn't have met before, but... if you ask me this, I really don't know."

Yan Sui lowered her eyes. "Do you usually wear perfume?"

The topic shift was abrupt, but Lu Shutian still obediently answered, "I don't use it much. However, I will use it if the brand requires it for various events. I don't use it now."

Yan Sui made her decision and looked at Lu Shutian seriously: "What do you want?"

"What?" Lu Shutian didn't react.

“Then let me ask you another way,” Yan Sui pursed her lips, “What is your wish?”

As a supporting female character, Jian Liyun's original ending was suicide. If she were to awaken her consciousness, she would likely want to change this terrible ending.

What about Lu Shutian?

What does Lu Shutian want to change, or rather, what does she want to achieve?

Lu Shutian finally understood. She took Yan Sui's hand and gently scratched her palm. "My wish is... to be with you."

Yan Sui: ?

[Host, if I hadn't been by your side all this time, it would have been hard not to suspect that you had cast a spell on the female lead.]

"Sister, this world is ugly and absurd. I'm not afraid, but I want you to be with me."

Lu Shutian moved closer again, pinched the soft flesh of the other's waist, and smiled with satisfaction after feeling the other shrink back: "Sister, you saved Jian Liyun not because of some so-called destiny. There is no destiny in this world, only human will can overcome fate."

“So you broke the original plot, or rather, the shackles of the original fate.” Yan Sui said with certainty.

"Ha," Lu Shutian laughed, "Sister is indeed very smart. However, I still have many secrets. I'll tell you them after we become closer."

After speaking, the woman took the opportunity to kiss Yan Sui again. "Sister, I'm really jealous, but I won't do anything reckless. I don't want you to be unhappy."

Yan Sui, who was kissed: ...

Actually, you've been acting quite recklessly lately.

Yan Sui thought to herself, "If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."

Lu Shutian was left alone in the room, giggling to herself.

Hehe, my sister's lips are so sweet.

Hehe, my sister's waist is so thin! When I pinch it, it even jiggles. So cute!

Hehe, my sister's cheeks are as soft as cotton candy, I want to kiss them again next time.

Yan Sui also received a call from the producer, who said on the other end of the line, "You just met with Miss Lu, right? She's been talking about you a lot these days. She also told me that she'll take special care of your artist during the recording of the show later."

Yan Sui got goosebumps all over her body. Jian Liyun probably couldn't handle Lu Shutian's care.

She said politely, "Ms. Lu... is quite enthusiastic. I've already spoken to Li Yun, and she'll know her limits during the recording of the show later."

After hanging up the phone, Yan Sui returned to Jian Liyun's room. Jian Liyun had already finished her makeup and changed into the clothes she would wear for the show's recording.

Because it's an observational reality show, the guests in the studio are all dressed in a casual style.

Jian Liyun wore a low ponytail, and the wisps of hair on her forehead were curled into a perfect arc by the makeup artist, making her already flawless face appear even more aloof and otherworldly.

In terms of clothing, she wore a loose-fitting black suit with a dark brown shirt underneath. Although the shirt collar was unbuttoned and she appeared relaxed, her every move still exuded a sense of indifference and distance.

The makeup artist pointed to the sparkling sapphire necklace around Jian Liyun's neck, "The brand specifically requested that she wear it. This high-end luxury brand was originally quite arrogant, but unexpectedly, they were still won over by your artist, Manager Yan."

Yan Sui smiled and said, "Li Yun is such a charming person. When she officially collaborates with the brand and shoots the promotional posters, we'll have to ask you, Sister Wei, to do her makeup."

The makeup artist took a sip of her latte. "Of course."

“Sui Sui,” Jian Liyun finally spoke, staring at Yan Sui’s lower lip, her tone ambiguous, “Where did you go just now?”

Yan Sui's gaze darted around. "Oh, I just told you. I talked to the production team about the recording of the show."

The makeup and styling team, having finished their work, moved to the other side and started playing on their phones, leaving Jian Liyun alone.

Jian Liyun beckoned to her: "Sui Sui, come here."

Yan Sui walked over, and Jian Liyun patted the chair next to her, "Sit down."

Yan Sui sat down, feeling inexplicably guilty for some reason.

She pushed up her slightly slipped, but non-prescription, gold-rimmed glasses. "Li Yun, you..."

Before she could finish speaking, the other person pressed their index finger against her lips—

To be precise, it wasn't the index finger, but the index finger holding the wet tissue.

It felt cool and damp.

Yan Sui was puzzled, but she obediently let the other person do as they pleased.

After carefully wiping Yan Sui's slightly swollen lips, Jian Liyun said slowly, "They're a little swollen, but thankfully they're not broken or bleeding."

Yan Sui explained in a way that seemed to imply something was amiss: "After all, I was a little nervous about recording this show. I was probably unconsciously biting my lip the whole time, so it got swollen."

She was so nervous she could barely contain herself.

Jian Liyun smiled good-naturedly, "I see."

Yan Sui nodded repeatedly.

"Open your mouth a little wider," Jian Liyun said as if by magic, suddenly producing a lip balm in her right hand. "Your lips are a bit dry, they're peeling."

Huh? Is there?

Yan Sui felt that her lips were in good condition, not so dry that they were peeling.

After carefully applying lip balm to Yan Sui, Jian Liyun nodded in satisfaction, "All done."

Yan Sui then dared to speak, "Li Yun, you should have already used this lip balm, right?"

Jian Liyun glared at him, "Sui Sui thinks I'm dirty?"

Yan Sui raised her hands. "I didn't. I was just worried you'd think I was dirty. Why don't you just give me this lip balm? I'll buy you a new one after the show is over."

The lip balm case still held Jian Liyun's warmth. Seeing Jian Liyun hand it to her, Yan Sui took it and said, "Thank you, Liyun."

Jian Liyun shook her head helplessly, "There's no need to thank me..."

She hesitated, though she really wanted to ask Yan Sui what had just happened, but there were too many people in the lounge, so she held back.

The knocking sounded again. This time it was the show's director, a decisive middle-aged woman. She beckoned to Jian Liyun and the other woman: "Come on, let's have the five guests meet before we start recording the show."

Jian Liyun nodded and led Yan Sui to follow the director upstairs.

The five female guests this time come from different professions: actress, singer, writer, host, and model.

They are all of different ages and have been in the industry for different lengths, but they are all people who have been generating a lot of buzz lately.

Jian Liyun was the last to arrive.

The four people sat around the conference table, with their respective agents standing behind them.

Unlike Jian Liyun, who was dressed in all black, Lu Shutian, whose face was still wet with tears, wore a casual white loose sleeveless dress. Her hair, which just reached her collarbone, was also braided into double braids, making her look playful and cute.

The models who remained silent were—

At first glance, you can tell this person is a model, dressed in a jingling, fashionable outfit.

The host, as a guest and the person who controls the overall flow of the program, also wears the suit jacket that is often worn when broadcasting the news.

Overall, the makeup and styling of three of the four guests were very much in line with their own image.

But that writer, who was over fifty,...

It feels a bit too relaxed.

She barely groomed herself, and it was clear that she was wearing her usual clothes. She was only a little over 1.5 meters tall, but she insisted on wearing flat shoes, which made her look even shorter and more ordinary among the five people.

There are already obvious wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. In this era where everyone pursues youth and beauty, she seems to accept her aging with equanimity.

After Jian Liyun took her seat, the writer's agent and editor behind her took out four books from her bag—

This is a suspense novel published by the author this year. The publisher has already reprinted it five times, but it is still in short supply.

The book title is also very interesting:

Who is the protagonist?

Jian Liyun took the book, and Yan Sui saw that her fingers were stroking the words.

The writer smiled and struck up a conversation: "Xiao Jian, I've seen your work, and it's all very good. Although you're young, your acting skills are not to be underestimated."

Jian Liyun nodded slightly, "You flatter me."

The writer then changed the subject, glancing first at Lu Shutian before looking back at Jian Liyun after their eyes met.

The writer's voice was filled with expectation, "Xiao Jian, you've played so many supporting roles, don't you want to be a lead?"

[Author's Note]

The guests participating in this variety show recording are, I'd call it a gathering of heroes, haha! [sprinkling flowers]

Did Xiao Jian notice anything strange about Xiao Yan? It's so hard to guess! [doge]