If there is a strategy, there is a solution.
It was a lifestyle variety show called On the Road. In the upcoming episode, Yan An was set to appear as a guest star. To boost the show’s ratings and generate more discussion, the production team had specifically invited the scandal-ridden Ming Yi.
In the original plot, Ming Yi served as the vicious cannon fodder. He would not only have intense conflicts with the protagonist, Yan An, but would also secretly plot against him, trying to make him look foolish in front of the cameras.
In short, Ming Yi would desperately try to steal the spotlight. Unfortunately, the protagonist is the protagonist. How could he be suppressed by such petty tricks? After a series of frustrating events, Yan An would be pushed to his limit and finally fight back with undeniable evidence.
Ming Yi would be humiliated as the audience saw his true colors. His reputation would be completely destroyed. Following that, angry fans would dig up the reason why Ming Yi was even able to appear on the show.
Ming Yi had entered a quick marriage alliance with the Xie family. It was obvious that he had traded his body for resources.
Later, Ming Yi would accidentally expose the collar around his neck and the fresh bruises on his body while on camera. This only confirmed the viewers’ suspicions. No one cared about the fact that Ming Yi was a victim of domestic violence. Instead, the audience found it satisfying, claiming that Ming Yi deserved it and that he had brought it upon himself.
This plot point killed two birds with one stone. It removed the vicious cannon fodder from the story, increased the satisfaction for the protagonist, and indirectly damaged the villain’s reputation, setting the stage for his eventual defeat.
Ming Yi’s final appearance served only to highlight the protagonist’s kindness and beauty. By the time he was mentioned again in the main text, Ming Yi was already dead.
Yan An had not seen Ming Yi for a long time and asked the lead male protagonist about him. The lead gave a vague answer, suggesting that Ming Yi might be dead. He warned Yan An to stay away from Xie Yunxie, saying he was a dangerous man.
No one saw him alive, and no one found his body. Aside from Xie Yunxie, no one knew that Ming Yi was alone, forever submerged in the cold, deep sea.
Recalling the plot, the system felt a sense of crisis.
[This plot is very important. Ming Yi must show up!]
Without the vicious cannon fodder acting as a foil, the protagonist’s satisfaction level would drop significantly. The system could not allow this to happen. It hurried Xie Yunxie: [Host, the plot point is approaching. Go tell Ming Yi about this immediately. You must make him participate in that variety show.]
“I know, I know,” Xie Yunxie replied dismissively. However, that evening, he did as the system asked and spoke to Ming Yi.
As Xie Yunxie expected, Ming Yi’s reaction was intense. A rare, undisguised look of disgust appeared on his face. “I am not going!”
The host was right. Ming Yi actually refused to join the variety show.
The system was both shocked and confused. In the original plot, Ming Yi had jumped at the chance to make a comeback, agreeing to the villain’s demands without hesitation just to secure a spot on the show. Why was Ming Yi not following the script now?
But then again, the original plot did not include Ming Yi trying to kill the villain either. Was this vicious cannon fodder truly broken?
Xie Yunxie ignored the silent system and asked Ming Yi patiently, “Can I ask why you do not want to go?”
Ming Yi sneered. “Why should I go? I am the one who looks like a fool every time. Going there just makes me a foil for Yan An. I do not have a hobby for being abused.”
Thanks to that dream after the accident, Ming Yi knew exactly how the plot would unfold. Since he already knew that going on the show meant being a target for comparison, he would not walk into that trap willingly.
Xie Yunxie spoke to the system in his mind. “See? I told you it would be difficult.”
Seeing Ming Yi’s firm refusal, the system was anxious. [Host, you must persuade him!]
Xie Yunxie replied, “I will try my best. But you need to stop those small tasks first so I can focus on convincing him.”
The system was shocked by the proposal. [??]
Xie Yunxie said bluntly, “Which is more important, the major plot or the minor tasks? System, do not be so short-sighted. You can see his mental state is very poor. If you push him too hard and he hits his head against a wall or tries to kill me, what will you do?”
The system was silent. That actually made sense.
Desperate people are dangerous. If Ming Yi went mad, even the system would be afraid. Out of necessity, the system compromised. Until Xie Yunxie successfully persuaded Ming Yi, the host did not have to follow the minor plot tasks.
Xie Yunxie agreed seriously, but his gaze deepened. It seemed the system’s authority was slightly higher than he had thought. That was good news.
Xie Yunxie was a man of his word. After promising the system he would work on Ming Yi, he began to visit him frequently. Unfortunately, it was not very effective. Ming Yi was unmoved no matter how much Xie Yunxie tried to persuade him.
“If you do not go to this show, it makes things very difficult for us.”
“Just go. If you do not go, the plot cannot develop, and the world will fall into chaos.”
“The system is worried to death about this. Have some pity on it.”
Ming Yi lay on the sofa with a bag of potato chips. He let Xie Yunxie talk while he ate, his mind racing. Xie Yunxie’s words actually revealed a lot of information.
First, the system could not directly control Ming Yi. Otherwise, it would have used electric shocks to force him onto the show instead of sending Xie Yunxie to persuade him. Second, plot completion was vital to the system. It was currently in a state of panic.
Ming Yi wondered what the system really was. Did it care about plot completion just to keep the world running? What benefit did the system gain from a complete plot?
Another thing caught Ming Yi’s attention. Since Xie Yunxie started trying to persuade him, the host had stopped following the script and seemed to have avoided further electric shock punishments. This meant the so-called plot could be skipped. The system had the power to decide whether to follow the script or not.
The system’s authority was greater than Ming Yi had imagined. Ming Yi blinked, his gaze shifting thoughtfully toward Xie Yunxie. He guessed that Xie Yunxie had used the success of the major plot to bargain for an exemption from the minor ones.
Why was Xie Yunxie helping him avoid those tasks? What was his motive? He could have just followed the system’s orders, yet he went out of his way to help him.
Ming Yi stopped eating and finally spoke up with feigned impatience. “Fine. If I participate in that show, what is in it for me?”
Xie Yunxie took a breath. “Aside from everything else, have you not been frustrated for long enough? Do you not want to curse at Yan An and let out some steam?”
Ming Yi was silent for a moment, then curled his lips. “And then what? Be hated by even more people? I want a more practical benefit.”
Xie Yunxie looked ready to listen. “Name it. As long as the system can do it, it will be granted.”
Ming Yi looked up slightly. “Then, I want to divorce you.”
He stared at Xie Yunxie. The man paused, as if listening to a voice, then shook his head. “No. You cannot make a request that contradicts the plot.”
Ming Yi lowered his eyes again. “Then there is nothing to talk about.”
The system was on the verge of a breakdown, but Xie Yunxie remained gentle. “Anything that does not violate the plot is fine. Think again. Do you really have no other wishes?”
Ming Yi glanced at him, closed his eyes, and said coldly, “I want to die. You can kill me now.”
The system began to spam messages in Xie Yunxie’s mind. Xie Yunxie pressed his temples. “Enough. Leave it to me. I will convince him to go on the show.”
The system felt a glimmer of hope. [Really?]
“Really.”
In the evening, Xie Yunxie appeared in Ming Yi’s room. This time, he did not waste words. Instead, he brought two game controllers and invited Ming Yi to play.
Ming Yi looked at the controller. “What are you trying now?”
Xie Yunxie was honest. “Nothing special. I am just bored and wanted to play a game with you.”
Ming Yi stared at him suspiciously for a while but took the controller anyway. A monster-slaying game appeared on the large screen. Xie Yunxie sat on the other side of the sofa, stretching his legs comfortably. “Have you played games before?”
Ming Yi said, “I have, but not this kind.”
Xie Yunxie smiled. “Then in the world of gaming, I am your senior.”
He emphasized the word senior. Ming Yi felt a subtle premonition. He glanced at Xie Yunxie, but the man was focused on the screen. “I played this kind of game when I was a child. I cleared many levels, but I got stuck on the final boss.”
“Oh, really?” Ming Yi said calmly. “Is this game just as frustrating as that one?”
“That depends on our chemistry,” Xie Yunxie laughed. “I still remember the guide for the early levels. If you can keep up with my pace, we will have no problem reaching the end.”
“You talk big,” Ming Yi said, picking up the controller. “Those who do not clear the game are losers.”
Xie Yunxie said meaningfully, “Some people are too afraid to even play. Are they not even bigger losers?”
Ming Yi bit his lip. “Why the nonsense? Who is afraid? Let us start.”
Ming Yi was not used to the controller, but he slowly got the hang of it. Xie Yunxie led him through the levels, picking up equipment and experience. “In this game, you cannot just face the boss head-on. You must avoid their direct attacks.”
“At the beginning, you cannot beat him. It is better to hide in a corner and develop your strength. Once you are stronger than him, you can make a grand entrance and surprise everyone.”
Ming Yi asked, “That would take a long time. There are monsters everywhere. Where would I run?”
Xie Yunxie replied, “Run to the edge of the map. If you stay in the center, there will be more monsters.”
After one game session, Ming Yi had learned a lot. “This game is indeed interesting,” he commented.
Xie Yunxie turned to him. “Do you want to play again? I can accompany you.”
Ming Yi thought for a while but did not give an immediate answer. He was still processing the message Xie Yunxie had given him. Through their experience playing the game together, Ming Yi was certain that Xie Yunxie was trying to pass him important information using metaphors.
Xie Yunxie was under the system’s surveillance and could not do much. Ming Yi, however, was not bound to the system and was also an awakened person. He could act quietly. If they cooperated, perhaps they could break the current deadlock.
Should he try? In this world, was Xie Yunxie’s experience actually feasible?
Seeing his silence, Xie Yunxie provoked him. “Do you really not want to slap Yan An in the face, tear off his mask, and humiliate him on national television?”
The system was excited. [Yes! Exactly! That is how you persuade him!]
Ming Yi looked deeply at Xie Yunxie, showing a hesitant expression. “I will think about it.”
Xie Yunxie added, “As long as you agree, we will do our best to meet your wishes.”
After Xie Yunxie left, Ming Yi lay in bed, replaying their conversation. Although he did not know what Xie Yunxie had been through, the man had provided a hint and a solution.
Should he go to that show to verify it? This time, Ming Yi decided quickly. He was not even afraid of death, so what was there to fear? If it did not work, he could just die.
Ming Yi thought about how Xie Yunxie kept emphasizing the word wish. What was he trying to hint at? The system could only grant a wish that did not violate the plot, but Ming Yi’s fate was trapped within that plot. He could not divorce Xie Yunxie, and he could not avoid being drowned.
Ming Yi only had one month left to live. Therefore, his wish had to be something within that timeframe. He stared at the ceiling, thinking through the information from his dream. The major plot was unavoidable, but the minor ones could be skipped.
The main story was told from Yan An’s perspective. In places where that perspective did not reach, there might be room to maneuver. Ming Yi thought he knew what to ask for.
The next day, when Xie Yunxie came to persuade him again, Ming Yi finally relented and stated his requirement.
“Since I was a child, I have never done anything I truly liked,” Ming Yi said quietly. “Everything I did before was to chase Yan An’s shadow. This time, I want to live for myself.”
The system was nervous. [What does he mean?]
Xie Yunxie replied in his mind, “I do not know. Keep listening.”
Ming Yi continued, “So, my request is that when I am not needed for the plot, I should be free to leave the house.”
The system nearly screamed. [What!?]
Xie Yunxie calmed it down. “I know you are anxious, but do not panic. He just wants to go for a walk. It will not affect the plot, so what are you afraid of?”
The system said angrily, [But the original work is not like this! In the original, after Ming Yi returned, he was locked at home by the villain!]
Xie Yunxie had to remind it, “The original work did not have a plot where the big villain played games with Ming Yi either.”
The system was silent. That was true.
“These are minor plot points. It does not matter if we skip them,” Xie Yunxie suggested a plan: “Do not worry. Even if he goes out, I can arrange for him to act in some terrible movies. When compared to Yan An’s movies, will that not increase the protagonist’s satisfaction?”
The system thought it made sense. The reason for the minor abuse scenes was to increase the protagonist’s satisfaction. Instead of those small tasks, having Ming Yi act as a failed contrast was a more effective way to increase satisfaction.
The system was happy and praised Xie Yunxie. [Host, you are very quick-witted!]
Xie Yunxie was humble. “Not at all. I am just a bit wicked.”
With this agreement, Ming Yi finally consented to join the show. The system was relieved. It chose to ignore the fact that Xie Yunxie was still treating Ming Yi well. Since the vicious cannon fodder was going to die soon anyway, letting him have a few good days was fine.
Ming Yi seemed to have taken a liking to gaming. He played with Xie Yunxie every night before bed. Xie Yunxie was a good teacher, sharing his experience without hesitation.
Time passed quickly, and it was the night before Ming Yi was due to leave. Ming Yi had already ended his contract with his old company. Over the past few days, he had signed with an entertainment company under the Xie group and coordinated with the show through a new manager.
Xie Yunxie had assigned two assistants to Ming Yi, but that night, Ming Yi packed his bags alone. When he first arrived at the Xie house, he had very few things. The new clothes were all bought by Xie Yunxie. Knowing the show was in the mountains, he picked practical, durable clothes and packed some mosquito repellent.
The door was open, and Xie Yunxie wandered in. “Packing?”
Ming Yi did not look up. “Is President Xie very free? Is there no work at the company?”
Xie Yunxie sighed. “I was not in this industry before. These past few days have been a headache.”
It looked like Xie Yunxie was not leaving anytime soon. Ming Yi sat on the edge of the bed. “What did you do before?”
“Biopharmaceuticals,” Xie Yunxie said calmly. “Nearly 85% of the suppressants on the market were produced by my company.”
Ming Yi was surprised. “Then you were basically holding the lifeblood of Alphas and Omegas?”
Xie Yunxie snapped his fingers. “What do you think? Your teacher Xie is quite powerful, right?”
Ming Yi looked up at him, his eyes reflecting the warm light. He nodded. “You are indeed powerful.”
He looked quite obedient. Xie Yunxie’s fingers itched with the urge to poke him. But they were not that close yet. He secretly used his released pheromones to poke Ming Yi’s cheek.
That felt better. He had poked his favorite character.
As a Beta, Ming Yi could not sense the pheromones. He finished packing after resting for a while. According to the plot, this was Ming Yi’s last major appearance in the text. He could not sleep, thinking about the events of the next day. He had competed with Yan An so many times, and he had failed every single time.
He did not want to admit it, but he had developed a fear of Yan An. Yan An was a mountain he had never crossed. Ming Yi had fallen from that mountain too many times and was now afraid of the pain.
His anxiety lasted until he left the house the next day. To his surprise, Xie Yunxie had woken up early just to see him off.
“Do not be nervous,” Xie Yunxie comforted him like an experienced guide. “Just treat it as a game. Do whatever makes you comfortable.”
“Your wishes will come true.” Xie Yunxie patted Ming Yi’s shoulder, his gray-blue eyes filled with encouragement.
These words acted like a spell, and Ming Yi’s heart grew calm. It was just a game. Before, he was a victim at their mercy, but now, Yan An was no longer an unsolvable bug.
If there is a strategy, there is a solution.