This situation is completely different from what is described in the book. It's as if it was supposed to be an open-book exam, but the questions suddenly changed, catching everyone off guard...
"Please calm down, both of you," Lin Xihe hurriedly advised.
Their eyes met and stared at each other for a long time, as if they were engaged in a silent contest.
Finally, Gu Qinghuai broke the silence first.
"Today, you two should say a proper goodbye. Tomorrow, I will personally come to fetch you, Miss Lin." His tone was firm and unquestionable. After speaking, he turned and strode away.
"Don't come to pick me up, I don't know you at all," Lin Xihe quickly replied loudly.
However, Gu Qinghuai seemed not to hear, and walked straight out of the room without pausing for a moment.
After Gu Qinghuai left, Lin Xihe reached out and gently pulled Ji Zhuo, who was still angry.
"Is his official rank higher than yours now?" Lin Xihe remembered that Gu Qinghuai was a first-rank general, holding a high position and great power.
"Mm." Ji Zhuo nodded slightly and replied briefly.
"Then you were so defiant just now. Ah Zhuo, you can rest assured. I really don't have much interaction with Gu Qinghuai. I only met him once when we were five or six years old because we were betrothed as children." Lin Xihe explained eagerly, trying to dispel any doubts Ji Zhuo might have.
“I know, I’ve never doubted you.” Ji Zhuo said, then suddenly pulled Lin Xihe into his arms and hugged her tightly.
Although he had spoken forcefully just now, he knew in his heart that Gu Qinghuai was indeed capable of accomplishing what he had said, given his power and status.
Lin Xihe nestled in Ji Zhuo's arms, her heart pounding with anxiety as she pondered how to resolve this complicated situation.
Right there, all around was pitch black again.
Lin Xihe then knew that the long-lost system had returned.
[Host, what are you still doing here?]
Lin Xihe rolled her eyes in annoyance, her tone tinged with helplessness and teasing: "You're still as elusive as ever. Do you think I can just disappear into thin air if I'm not here? Where else could I go?"
"But, but how did this plot end up happening to you out of nowhere?" the system asked cautiously, seemingly also confused by this unconventional development.
"You mean they're fighting over me?" Lin Xihe raised an eyebrow, her mind also full of questions.
[Yes, according to the normal storyline, shouldn't they be vying for the female lead? How did it turn out like this?]
"I'm completely confused too. You're the system, you're all-powerful, please tell me quickly, what will happen next?" Lin Xihe said expectantly, hoping to get some useful information from the system.
"Although I am a system, I am not omnipotent. I cannot control these things. Once the story completes three milestones, I will have accomplished my mission. As for how the details develop, I have no control over them." The system explained helplessly.
"You lousy system, why did you force me to complete the first stage in the first place?" Lin Xihe asked angrily.
"I was really anxious back then, seeing how time was running out and the mission progress was stalled. Besides, you're participating voluntarily now, so you can't blame me. But you've done me a huge favor. I'm reminding you, the next stage is 'So Close Yet So Far,' which can be completed by either you or the original female lead. Hehehehehe..." the system said with a hint of slyness.
"So close yet so far? Heh heh heh heh? I'll give you a piece of my mind!" Lin Xihe couldn't help but swear, filled with resistance to this so-called next stage of the mission.
The system protested indignantly: "Why are you swearing! It's not like I wrote the book; I'm just operating according to the established rules."
Lin Xihe sighed deeply, her face full of exhaustion and helplessness: "I really can't talk about sadomasochism. You'd better figure out how to handle it yourself."
I fear that all of this will be beyond your control. Once the gears of fate begin to turn, no one can easily stop them.
The system spoke softly, its words carrying a hint of philosophy.
"You once said that I would have a chance to go back. Will I still be able to go back?" Lin Xihe frowned, a tangle of questions swirling in her mind.
[Everything depends on fate. In the other books under my jurisdiction, some hosts have chosen to return, but they can only open the return passage after I complete my mission, and this opportunity can only be given once.]
"Will I suddenly disappear?" Lin Xihe's voice trembled slightly involuntarily. Her feelings for Ji Zhuo were growing stronger every day, and this concern made her occasionally troubled by such terrible thoughts.
She was afraid that she would disappear from this world without warning.
[Host, don't let your mind wander. You are Lin Xihe right now, and Lin Xihe is you. Unless you suddenly die, how could you just disappear into thin air? But if something were to happen to you, you would truly be returning to the netherworld, with no hope of ever living again.]
"Then, this is something that should have been done by the female lead. Did I steal her opportunity?" Lin Xihe bit her lower lip, a hint of doubt rising in her heart.
She was confused about why she had gotten involved in a story that didn't belong to her, and worried about whether her existence would have an irreparable impact on others.
[It's not quite like that. Take Gu Qinghuai's affection for you, for example. It couldn't have just appeared out of thin air; it must be closely related to each person's personality traits. Everything in the world has a cause and effect. Everyone's emotions and destiny are the result of the interweaving and collision of many factors such as personality and experiences.]
"That's good, otherwise I would feel pressured." Lin Xihe breathed a sigh of relief.
[You must still be feeling the pressure! The female lead has her own abilities; maybe she'll be the one completing the missions next~ Bye-bye.]
Lin Xihe was just about to praise the system for being quite polite this time, for even knowing to say "bye-bye".
Suddenly, the surroundings were bright again.
Lin Xihe also understood that as long as she completed the three nodes mentioned by the system, it would be fine. As for whether it was her or the female lead, it would depend on their own abilities.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
