Li Jiaojiao's expression shifted: "Why...why did you abandon me!"

Ye Caiping raised an eyebrow: "Because you're lazy!"

Li Jiaojiao's mind went blank for a moment: "I'm lazy? How am I lazy? It's absurd to think that's the reason."

Ye Caiping laughed and said, "Why not? There are so many people who die tragically in this world, why should you be the only one to be reborn? Why should you be given a cheat code? The system is here to save you from suffering and let you get something for nothing?"

Li Jiaojiao's expression changed. In the past, the system had indeed frequently reminded her to make money.

But she could easily buy and sell, so why should she bother working hard?

So she ignored the system's warnings and continued to do as she pleased.

Ye Caiping continued, "There's no such thing as a free lunch. The system gave you opportunities and wealth, and what did you do? You just lay down and did nothing! Every time, you bought a bunch of ginseng cheaply from the system and then resold it. You only took in and never gave out, which angered the system, and in a fit of rage, the system changed hosts! Is there anything strange about that?"

Li Jiaojiao's vision went black; so that's why...

A wave of regret and resentment surged within her, all because of this?

Li Jiaojiao clutched her chest, nearly vomiting blood: "I don't rely solely on it..."

Ye Caiping stared at her intently: "Yes, you didn't rely on it alone. You relied on God. God favored you! Unfortunately, you didn't cherish it and slowly wore away your luck."

"Ever since the ginseng-digging incident, I've decided that as long as you don't provoke me, I won't have anything to do with you. But you've been so arrogant and kept pushing me. How can you blame me for retaliating?"

"Later, when you fled to the capital, I originally planned to have nothing to do with you anymore. As long as you lived your life peacefully, we would keep to ourselves."

"Of course, even when you offended me later, all I got was a few slaps. I never wanted to kill you. You've brought this situation upon yourself!"

"If you had done one less evil deed, you wouldn't be in this state today! At least, if you hadn't harmed the Duke of Pingguo's mansion, you would still be the pampered Madam Gu!"

As Li Jiaojiao listened to Ye Caiping's barrage of criticisms, her heart ached. She wanted to refute them, but found herself speechless.

Because...it's all true! At least she can't shirk responsibility for the Pingguo Duke's mansion; she's the one who brought down the entire Pingguo Duke's mansion!

For a few thousand taels of silver, she overturned a Duke's mansion! She drove her adoptive mother mad!

This is something she regrets every night.

Ye Caiping said, "In your previous life, your success was 50% due to exploiting the spatial system, and 50% by stepping on the flesh and blood of others and sacrificing their lives to climb up!"

"What abilities do you have? What strength do you possess? And who is Gu Han? You claim to be revered by all! You even call him a god! Ha, do you deserve to be called that?"

"They're just two filthy bugs who got lucky and some resources and suddenly became high and mighty gods? How shameless!"

Li Jiaojiao felt a metallic taste in her throat: "No, no, no... that's not how it is..."

Ye Caiping sneered: "Whether it is or not, you'll find out soon enough! Li Jiaojiao, your good luck has long since run out!"

With a "poof," Li Jiaojiao coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Suddenly everything went black, and he collapsed to the ground unconscious.

Ye Caiping said coldly, "Guards, take her back to the Ningguo Marquis's residence. Also, tell Old Madam Gu not to let her appear in front of me again, and not to let me hear any more insults from her! Otherwise... send her away!"

The guards outside rushed in and dragged Li Jiaojiao away.

Finally, Li Jiaojiao was thrown back into the Ningguo Marquis's mansion.

When Madam Gu heard about this, she was so frightened that she almost vomited blood.

He then said in a hateful voice, "Guards, force-feed Li Jiaojiao a bowl of aphrodisiac medicine! Sever her tendons! Also, lock her in the dark courtyard! Seal all the doors and windows! Without my order, she is not allowed to step out of the room!"

Soon, the servants of the Gu family took action.

Li Jiaojiao had just woken up when she was pinned to the ground and then forced to drink a drug to make her mute.

Then they locked themselves in the room and sealed all the doors and windows.

Li Jiaojiao was filled with regret and hatred, screaming and going crazy every day.

She wanted to tell everyone that Ye Caiping was a reborn person with a space and a system, and that she was a monster who should be burned to death!

But she could no longer make a sound, nor could she write anything.

They were also locked in a dark, sunless room every day.

They only deliver one meal to her a day.

They didn't even clean up her mess.

Less than three months later, Li Jiaojiao died of illness at the Ningguo Marquis's residence.

......

Ye Caiping was looking at the account books when a mechanical voice suddenly sounded in her mind:

[Congratulations, host. The original world's female lead, Li Jiaojiao, has passed away, and the Heavenly Dao has retreated from the shadows. The female lead of this world has officially changed to Ye Caiping.]

Ye Caiping was overjoyed. Her consciousness sank into the space, and looking at the familiar interface, she smiled slightly: "Thank you, System."

System: [You're welcome. We were helping each other, and I'm sorry.]

Ye Caiping frowned: "Sorry?"

The system explained: "Each small world has its own Heavenly Dao and its own system. The system and the Heavenly Dao have a cooperative relationship, but occasional disagreements arise. You are the female lead chosen by this system. Li Jiaojiao is the female lead chosen by the Heavenly Dao. However, the system is not powerful enough to defy the Heavenly Dao and had to compromise. It even sacrificed you, making you cannon fodder to provide equipment for Li Jiaojiao."

[But Li Jiaojiao is acting inhumanely, continuing to slack off despite repeated system warnings, showing no regard for the system's life. Our system master is protesting and appealing to this heavenly order.]

[In the end, we won the case. We obtained the privilege of turning back time and awakening our heroine's plot. The system and the Heavenly Dao each serve their own masters. This system gives you space and a trading cheat, while the Heavenly Dao grants Li Jiaojiao great fortune, plot perception, and X-ray vision. The two candidates compete for the role of heroine.]

[Our heroine has lived up to expectations and won the final victory! Congratulations!]

Ye Caiping listened in a daze; so that's what it was all about!

It turns out that she and Li Jiaojiao are both female leads, just with different powerful backers. When her own backing faction couldn't overcome the Heavenly Dao faction, she was finished.

In this life, she and Li Jiaojiao are competing against each other.

Although she knew the plot and had a system, Li Jiaojiao also possessed great luck, a sense of the plot, and X-ray vision. Neither of them was at a disadvantage.

Now, she has won!

System: [Rewards are now being distributed. This system does not require further upgrades; there will be no limit to the number of transactions or the transaction amount. It will accompany you forever, until the end of your life.]

Ye Caiping breathed a sigh of relief: "Okay."

She used to feel a little uncertain, wondering how long it would take for the situation to escalate.

What if it suddenly disappears?

Now, she has no more worries.

System: [This world's female protagonist is Ye Caiping. It's a pleasure working with you.]

Ye Caiping smiled slightly: "It's a pleasure to cooperate with you."

......

—The End—