Tong Huanyou repeated in confusion, “A wish?”
“Tell me… what is your wish?”
This time, Tong Huanyou finally realized that the voice was coming from the Buddha statue before her.
The voice seemed to possess a strange magic capable of washing away all worries, filling one’s heart with peace and tranquility.
“My wish… my wish…”
Suddenly, Tong Huanyou’s pupils dilated, her consciousness becoming hazy.
A gust of wind swept past.
One grave mound after another rose from the earth like ghosts. Funeral paper fluttered through the air like snowflakes, creating an eerily sinister scene.
Immediately afterward, countless thorny vines burst from the graves, twisting like serpents as they lunged toward Tong Huanyou.
They wrapped tightly around her legs, immobilizing her completely.
The vines crawled upward along her body, their sharp thorns slicing her skin. Blood trickled down the cuts and dripped onto the ground.
As the vines tightened further and further, her breathing gradually became strained.
Yet it was as though she felt none of it, still murmuring endlessly about wishes.
“I can grant any wish you desire… tell me… tell me…”
At that moment, the moss-covered Buddha statue became surrounded by black mist.
“My wish… is Yu Qingci…”
Leaning against the nearby couch, Yu Qingci vaguely sensed something unusual. Slowly, he rose and walked to Tong Huanyou’s bedside.
Those deep eyes stared at the faint trace of black energy lingering between her brows.
“A wandering ghost dares steal someone from my hands?”
Yu Qingci let out a cold laugh. Then he pressed a finger against the center of her forehead, dark red spiritual energy swirling around his fingertip like flowing water.
“Yu Qingci…”
Tong Huanyou’s weak voice drifted into his ears.
The next second, the spiritual power collided with the black mist, instantly dispersing it.
Inside the dream—
A loud crack suddenly rang out.
A fissure split across the Buddha statue’s face.
The surrounding scenery immediately began twisting and warping.
In an instant, the dream shattered.
Tong Huanyou abruptly opened her eyes, only to see Song Yingyue’s worried face before her.
Outside, it was already morning.
“Miss Tong, are you feeling unwell anywhere?”
Xie Zhili stood nearby with furrowed brows, his gaze fixed on the four leaves lying beside her pillow.
Tong Huanyou slowly sat up, rubbing her aching temples.
“I’m alright. Just a little dizzy. I dreamed of something strange.”
Hearing this, Song Yingyue asked, “What did you dream about, Miss Tong?”
Tong Huanyou carefully searched her memory before describing the Buddha statue she had seen on the cliff.
“A Buddha statue…” Xie Zhili murmured thoughtfully.
Tong Huanyou nodded.
“Yes. And it kept asking me what my wish was, saying it could grant any wish.”
Song Yingyue and Xie Zhili exchanged glances.
“A wish?”
“Did you tell it what your wish was?”
Tong Huanyou shook her head. “I can’t remember.”
[System: Please find a way to fall into Xie Zhili’s arms and remain there for three seconds.]
What the hell?!
Wait, wait, wait—wasn’t she supposed to be romancing the black-hearted villain?!
As she thought this, Tong Huanyou glanced toward Yu Qingci, who was leaning lazily against the doorway with one hand resting on the sword at his waist, his gaze fixed on Song Yingyue.
[System: Because Host’s current role is originally a minor villainess supporting character. Therefore, this is a mandatory story scene.]
Tong Huanyou: …Are you insane?! I have to romance the black-hearted villain, stir up drama, AND help the male and female leads get their happy ending?! Here, you do it yourself! Try it!
[System: If Host fails to complete mandatory story scenes, your unlocked items will be reclaimed.]
Tong Huanyou closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Do you even have a physical form?
[System: Depending on Host’s plot progression, I will unlock a physical form during certain stages~]
Once you get a body, I swear I’ll slap you so hard into a wall nobody can peel you back off!
But what choice did she have? She still wanted to go home.
So she could only accept her fate…
Shaking her head weakly, she said softly to Song Yingyue, “Sister Song, I’m a little thirsty. Could I trouble you to pour me a cup of water?”
Song Yingyue nodded at once, replying with a simple “Alright,” before rising and walking toward the table behind her.
Taking advantage of the moment Song Yingyue turned away to pour water, hesitation flashed through Tong Huanyou’s eyes.
But gritting her teeth, she pretended to grow dizzy and deliberately tilted sideways.
Xie Zhili had still been deep in thought about the wild Buddha statue, but the moment Tong Huanyou fell toward him, he reacted immediately, extending his arms to catch her swaying body.
Instinctively, he asked with concern, “Are you alright?”
Seeing this scene, Song Yingyue nearly dropped the cup in her hands.
A complicated expression crossed her face as an indescribable feeling welled up inside her.
Completely unaware of this, Tong Huanyou silently counted in her head.
Three… two…
The moment she reached one, she sprang upright like a compressed spring and immediately jumped out of Xie Zhili’s embrace.
Panic beating inside her like a drum, she lowered her head and hurriedly explained,
“I-I get dizzy when I’m hungry, and after having nightmares I’m feeling a little weak. I’m really sorry.”
Xie Zhili paid it no mind.
“It’s alright.”
Song Yingyue concealed the emotions in her eyes, silently walked over, and handed Tong Huanyou the water.
“Then I’ll bring you some pastries later,” she said gently.
Tong Huanyou drained the cup in one go before looking at her sincerely.
“Thank you, Sister Song.”
I’m such a horrible person! Sister, please listen to my explanation! More than anyone, I want you two to live happily ever after! It’s all this damned plot’s fault!
[System: Yu Qingci affection fluctuation chart +1 -4. Total = -3.]
Tong Huanyou: Wait, what kind of nonsense is plus one minus four?!
Meanwhile, Xie Zhili remained immersed in his thoughts, trying to figure out how to catch the demon.
“Once midnight passes tonight, it will be the fifth day. Later, we should investigate exactly which cliff that wild Buddha statue is located on.”
Song Yingyue nodded before pulling out a folded triangular talisman from her sleeve.
Handing it to Tong Huanyou, she said, “Just in case. This is a warding talisman I wrote myself. Make sure to keep it with you at all times. Do not let it leave your body, understand?”
Tong Huanyou accepted the talisman gratefully.
“Sister Song, you’re so nice!”
Even after what just happened, you still didn’t abandon me! As expected of the heroine—kind and generous!
Song Yingyue became slightly embarrassed beneath Tong Huanyou’s intense gaze and repeatedly insisted that it was simply her duty.
At the same time—
A female voice sounded from outside the door, addressing Yu Qingci, who had been leaning there watching the drama unfold.
“Please step aside, Young Master. I need to help my lady wash and dress.”
Yu Qingci lowered his eyes to glance at her indifferently before stepping outside.
Inside the room, the other two exchanged glances, reminded Tong Huanyou of a few more precautions, and followed him out.
Once everyone had left, Ling’er hurriedly bowed before entering with a basin of hot water.
She placed the wooden basin onto the nearby stand before walking over to support Tong Huanyou toward the dressing table.
“Miss, did something happen again last night? Should we inform Master?” she asked worriedly.
Tong Huanyou shook her head.
“It’s already fine. Don’t make Father worry anymore.”
The bronze mirror before her clearly reflected her appearance.
Her hair was soft and silky, gently falling over her shoulders.
Her small face carried a faint babyish softness, while her skin was smooth and delicate like porcelain.
Her brows curved upward like crescent moons, and her eyes resembled purple grapes hanging from a vine trellis—bright, clear, and full of life.