While Cen Zhinning was still groggy, the system rambled nonstop.
【Host, in the original story, Cen Zhinning was the one who got dumped at the beginning. After returning to the Cen family, she refused the arranged marriage, fell out with her family, and ran crying to find Jin Yihan—only to discover he and Bai Xiaorou were getting along intimately. She threw a tantrum, acted recklessly, even drove her car into Bai Xiaorou, and was completely disgusted by Jin Yihan.】
Even though she had already expected that outcome, Cen Zhinning still felt her heart twitch.
“Oh…”
【The original host only found out at the start of school that her fiancé was Mu Chenchuan. Then she started clinging to him, acting as his fiancée. When she realized Mu Chenchuan also had feelings for Bai Xiaorou, she called Bai Xiaorou a mistress and deliberately framed and targeted her.】
“Mm…”
【Oh—an R-rated scene is about to happen. Qi Yanheng really sneaked into your room… Host, wake up!】
Qi Yanheng easily unlocked the door. Cen Zhinning was already fast asleep on her princess bed. The incense in the room was enough to keep her unconscious for several hours.
He closed the door quietly and softened his steps as he approached the bed. The air was filled with the fragrance of incense and her unique, delicate scent.
The warm light of the room outlined her peaceful sleeping face. Her breathing was steady as she lay on her side, long curls spilling softly across the pillow.
Unable to resist, he reached out and touched her cheek.
Feeling the warmth of his palm, she instinctively nuzzled against it like a cat.
Qi Yanheng sat down at the edge of the bed. Thinking of how she had acted coquettishly toward Uncle Cen at dinner, his heart stirred slightly.
When would she act that way toward him—rather than being at swords’ points like now?
He murmured softly,
“Only like this will you lower your guard around me…”
He withdrew his hand, his gaze lingering on her full, red lips. In the end, he couldn’t resist leaning down, feeling the warmth of her breath.
He greedily inhaled her scent, brushing along her delicate nose bridge to the tip, then slowly downward—
From tentative youthfulness to invasive possession, until it turned into lingering entanglement…
His eyes were filled with obsession and madness.
Three years. For three whole years, he could only watch her from afar.
Last time, he had deliberately styled his hair and even wore the cologne she liked just to see her. She didn’t care. She had even splashed sour plum soup on him.
He bit her rosy lips lightly, aggrieved.
“You heartless little thing.”
His phone began vibrating. The caller ID showed Mu Chenchuan.
Only then did he straighten awkwardly, calming his wildly beating heart before walking out onto the balcony to answer.
As soon as he picked up, Mu Chenchuan launched into a tirade.
“What does your sister mean? She won’t agree to cancel the engagement? And what nonsense about an open marriage? Has she lost her mind?”
Qi Yanheng paused.
“She told you that?”
“Who else? Didn’t you say she’d never agree to the arranged marriage? What’s going on now? If she keeps clinging like this and refuses to call it off, don’t blame me for being rude.”
“She studied overseas for three years. Her thinking is more… open-minded. Don’t take it seriously.”
Mu Chenchuan scoffed.
“Easy for you to say. If she stubbornly refuses to cancel the engagement, don’t blame me.”
“She’s stubborn by nature. I’ll try to persuade her.”
“How spineless. The girl you like is about to marry someone else, and you’re still this calm.”
“What else should I do—force myself on her?”
“That’s not impossible!”
“No wonder you still don’t have a woman.”
“Qi Yanheng, I just think women are troublesome!”
Mu Chenchuan paused, his voice turning icy.
“I heard your sister is transferring to Silan Academy. You’d better convince her to agree to cancel the engagement before school starts. Otherwise, you know what that means.”
Qi Yanheng rubbed his temple.
“What? Planning to give her a red card?”
“So I’m giving you a few days. Talk some sense into her. Otherwise, don’t blame me for forgetting our friendship.”
Qi Yanheng fell silent for a long moment.
“Fine. I’ll do my best.”
“You’d better succeed. Don’t regret it later.”
“Mm.”
He hung up and turned to look at Cen Zhinning’s sleeping face, his expression gloomy.
She had always done whatever she pleased. Agreeing to the arranged marriage was probably just to win Uncle Cen’s favor.
He had to make her completely give up on the fiancé—and depend entirely on him.
Spoiled little thing. She couldn’t handle being bullied. Alone at school with no one to rely on, she would come to him herself.
Lost in thought, he saw her turn slightly in her sleep. The collar of her clothing slipped open, revealing her pale neck.
Noticing a faint purplish mark on her collarbone, Qi Yanheng’s pupils contracted. He strode over.
He knew she hadn’t dated anyone in the past three years.
So what was that mark?
Had she found a boyfriend in just one month?
His fingers trembled slightly as he brushed over the faint mark, suppressing the fury in his eyes.
He tore open her collar to inspect further, until he saw inch after inch of smooth, pale skin.
Only then did he slowly exhale in relief. There were no other marks.
His gaze deep as a pool, he took a similar set of loungewear from her wardrobe and changed her clothes for her. The corner of his lips lifted faintly.
“Baby, don’t ever let me catch you finding a boyfriend. Otherwise… he’ll die miserably.”
*
Cen Zhinning spent a week resting at home before school finally began.
She smoothed the wrinkles on her indigo custom school uniform, feeling slightly unaccustomed to it. Just as she stepped into the courtyard, she received a call from Qin Pengpeng.
“Darling, I’m heading to California for a motorcycle championship. I’ll celebrate your transfer when I get back.”
Qin Pengpeng was a motorcycle enthusiast. Cen Zhinning hadn’t expected her to even skip the start of school.
“You’re bold. Won’t Uncle Qin beat you?”
“Shh, I secretly took sick leave.”
Cen Zhinning couldn’t help laughing.
“Alright. Good luck.”
“Thanks, babe. Oh, by the way, Rao Yuting is at school too. She’s the campus belle. I asked her to pick you up in case you feel out of place.”
“Mm,” Cen Zhinning replied, hearing someone calling Qin Pengpeng in the background.
“Go do your thing.”
“Okay, talk later.”
As soon as she hung up, a stretched Lincoln pulled up in front of her.
Qi Yanheng was leaning against the car, dressed in the same academy uniform, staring at her without blinking—from the taut lines of her calves, to her slender waist, and finally to her slightly pursed lips.
Cen Zhinning had changed her look. Her voluminous curls were cut into a shoulder-length black bob. She wore delicate makeup, her lips painted a striking crimson.
She had shortened the school skirt slightly. Afraid of the cold, she wore skin-tone tights that looked like bare legs at first glance, revealing long, pale thighs. Two buttons of her blouse were undone.
Overall, her look was wild yet radiant, bold and striking.
The system had said—
Qi Yanheng preferred the willful, unruly type.
Jiang Jingmian liked pure and obedient girls.
Jin Yihan preferred soft and clingy.
And Mu Chenchuan—someone who chased excitement—was more interested in girls who were dazzling, straightforward, and free-spirited.
So she had deliberately transformed herself according to Mu Chenchuan’s preferences.