Shi Xi didn’t understand what Lu Mingzhe’s current attitude meant.
Was he pitying her?
But back when the original host, dragging her crippled leg and disfigured face, knelt crying hysterically at the Lu Family’s doorstep, they had all turned a deaf ear, hadn’t they?
The Lu Family had raised her for fifteen years, yet discarded her without a second thought.
Just like throwing away a broken doll.
She had long stopped having any expectations of them.
The System explained: “The world’s plot exerts a certain degree of binding force on important characters. When the plot is altered, this binding force weakens, and characters may exhibit varying degrees of loss of control, which can also be called awakening.”
Shi Xi fell silent.
She understood.
Before she arrived, this world had its predetermined trajectory. Perhaps there were unreasonable aspects in the plot, such as the Lu Family’s resolute attitude back then.
Now that she hadn’t died, changing the plot had also affected Lu Mingzhe.
Lu Yan witnessed Lu Mingzhe’s reaction and felt an inexplicable pang of unease.
“Big brother?”
Hearing her voice, Lu Mingzhe’s eyes instantly cleared.
His thin lips moved slightly as he said, “No harassment, no deception.”
Shi Xi turned to Lu Yan, “Hear that?”
Lu Yan rushed over angrily, “You’re truly shameless.”
“Yanyan.” Lu Mingzhe suddenly spoke up, “I’m not easily deceived, and things aren’t as you think. Say no more.”
After saying this, he took Lu Yan’s arm and left.
Shi Xi had never actively asked him for anything.
The red packets he had sent her added up to less than the cost of one of his sister’s shoes, let alone any deception about money.
Lu Yan looked at him incredulously, her eyes somewhat hurt, “Brother, you’re still speaking up for her?”
Lu Mingzhe’s thoughts were somewhat disordered, and his tone was somewhat harsh, “Stop making a fuss. It was never a big deal to begin with.”
“But she shamelessly tried to seduce—!”
“Lu Yan!” Lu Mingzhe sternly cut her off: “That’s between her and me.”
“Brother, you’re scolding me…”
Lu Yan bit her lip, her eyes reddening this time.
Shi Xi felt this had nothing to do with her anymore and moved away from the two toward the roadside.
Lu Yan glanced at that retreating figure, the hatred in her eyes almost tangible.
After getting in the car, Lu Yan wiped her tears and said, “Go find her then. You like her more anyway, don’t you?”
Usually when she acted willful like this, Lu Mingzhe would patiently coax her.
But this time he was still immersed in some train of thought and didn’t respond to her.
Looking at his profile, Lu Yan felt somewhat panicked and empty inside, as if something had completely spiraled out of control.
She tugged at his arm, “…Brother, what’s wrong with you?”
Lu Mingzhe turned his head, his eyes somewhat dazed, “Do you remember the day Xixi knelt crying at the doorstep? Did Aunt Wang splash water on her? Why can’t I remember clearly…”
Lu Yan suppressed all expression, digging her nails into her palm.
She hated hearing that name from their mouths the most!
For seven years, they hadn’t mentioned it, so wouldn’t it be better to keep forgetting it?!
Why did it have to be associated with her again now?!
The siblings remained silent throughout the journey.
Lu Mingzhe seemed spellbound.
After dropping Lu Yan home, he called his assistant and instructed him to suppress the popularity of topics related to Shi Xi.
The assistant didn’t understand but complied.
As soon as Lu Mingzhe took action, Lu Yan noticed immediately.
She printed hundreds of copies about Lin Shi Xi’s wretched affairs and had a courier post them in the alleys near the Lin Family.
She knew that couple all too well—they were aware Lin Shi Xi had money and would definitely make her life miserable.
That whole family deserved to tear each other apart, rotting away in that urban village.
After reporting the case at the police station, Shi Xi ordered takeout and ate in a corner of the lobby.
She was currently public enemy number one—who knew if someone would throw trash at her if she ate out?
Here, she could eat in peace.
Besides, Huo Yao worked at the municipal bureau.
If she could run into him, it wouldn’t hurt to stay on his radar.
Too bad, it seemed fate wasn’t on her side.
Ji Lu happened to spot her and, out of curiosity, asked his colleagues about what had happened to her.
He immediately went to find Huo Yao.
“Captain, do you remember that Lin Shi Xi from last night? She came to file a report. You won’t believe how wild this is—she’s actually a computer whiz…”
Ji Lu spilled everything he’d found online to Huo Yao. “Damn, I took a quick look earlier. She’s getting torn apart online, no wonder she acted the way she did last night. But since she came to report it, she probably won’t do anything drastic again.”
Huo Yao listened, his expression as detached as ever.
He glanced at Ji Lu’s phone screen, scanning the side-by-side photo comparison, then asked, “Is there a video?”
“Huh?”
It was the first time Ji Lu had seen him take initiative in gossip and he wasn’t quite used to it. “Scroll down, there should be one.”
Huo Yao had already opened a video. “Did she make this face-swap software?”
Ji Lu leaned in to look. “Seems like it. You can’t even tell it’s a swap.”
Huo Yao recalled that sickly pale face from the rainy night, his thoughts drifting.
Judging by her facial features and bone structure, if not for those two scars, she might have been as strikingly beautiful as this Modeled Face.
Ji Lu sighed, lamenting, “She played Chi Xuan, so he doxxed her and rallied the internet to attack her. Even if she sues him, netizens will probably still blame her. What’s the point?”
“Chi Xuan broke the law. She’s not wrong to do this.”
“But she did play him too—rumor has it she was seeing multiple people at once.”
Huo Yao tossed the phone back. “Yeah, so she’s got no class.”
No class, but not illegal.
Ji Lu was at a loss for words: “…”
It was true that Lin Shi Xi had used a fake face to carry on multiple online relationships simultaneously, but she never employed scams or tactics to extract money—the transfers were all voluntary, sent by men charmed into happiness.
After the breakup, Chi Xuan could have approached her privately to settle things, but he shouldn’t have exposed her personal information and incited a cyber mob.
Ji Lu scratched his head. “But this AI face-swap issue… it could go either way. If she can’t salvage her reputation, it’ll be hard for her to find a decent job. What if she ends up going down the wrong path?”
Huo Yao’s dark eyes flickered, his tone indifferent. “That’s not your concern. Everyone walks their own path.”
“Sigh, I don’t know why, but she left quite an impression on me. Poor kid.”
Though Ji Lu was only three years older than Shi Xi, he spoke like a seasoned elder.
Huo Yao didn’t respond.
“Achoo!”
As Shi Xi left the police station, the wind hit her face, making her nose itch.
She was definitely being cursed at again.
She put on her mask and hailed a taxi by the roadside.
That same day, after her laser surgery, she sent a message to the number Huo Yao had given her.
Her foot injury had been neglected for too long; the surgery would cost at least 100,000 yuan, and she needed a clean, convenient place to recuperate afterward.
Ideally, she could rent a place near the hospital.
She was just testing the waters with Huo Yao, seeing if he had any rental recommendations.
Huo Yao only replied with one sentence: “Sorry, I’m not sure.”
But not long after, he sent her a residential community address and told her to check the bulletin board herself.
Huo Yao received a “Thank you.”
In just half an hour, Shi Xi sent him an address, saying she had found a place to live.
Huo Yao was busy and didn’t see the message until early morning.
Just as he was about to put down his phone, he saw she had sent a selfie.
The photo showed the left side of her face, covered with a large piece of gauze. Her long eyelashes were visible, like tiny brushes.
Bridge-Jumping Kid: I went for laser surgery.
Bridge-Jumping Kid: The doctor isn’t sure about the results, but I think the scar can be removed. What do you think?
Huo Yao stared at the two messages, feeling her anxiety through the phone.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t still be awake at 2 a.m.
He typed a reply and sent it: “Go to sleep early. It helps with wound recovery.”
Bridge-Jumping Kid: Okay! Good night, Captain!
Huo Yao’s fingers twitched slightly as he stared at the exclamation mark for a long time.
He found it hard to imagine how the girl, with her lifeless expression, could type such an energetic sentence.
A faint smile tugged at his lips as he set the phone aside.
He walked into the bathroom and took off his shirt.
Beneath his high brow bone, his gaze was sharp. His honey-toned skin and muscular lines exuded a wild, aggressive aura with every movement.
He tilted his head and reached up to touch the scar on the side of his neck.
That slash had nearly cost him his life.
Even someone as tough as him had found the pain unbearable at the time.
His family had urged him to undergo laser surgery, but to him, it would just mean enduring more pain.
He’d rather keep the scar.
It could intimidate people.
But for Lin Shi Xi, this laser surgery held great significance.
If the results weren’t good, it would probably be a heavy blow for her.
Meanwhile, Shi Xi looked at the conversation on her phone, leisurely unwrapped a strawberry lollipop, and popped it into her mouth.
The right side of her cheek, without the gauze, was plump and round.
This Huo Yao, though he appeared aloof on the surface, showed through their interactions that he had a soft heart.
Soon, she spat out the lollipop. “System, my face hurts.”
System: “Stop eating then.”
Shi Xi: “Can’t you just block the pain for me?”
System: “…Fine.”
Satisfied, Shi Xi curled her lips and put the candy back in her mouth.
The laser surgery was just for show—her face would definitely heal properly, so there was no need to follow the doctor’s orders.
Online news about her had dwindled significantly, clearly indicating someone had intervened.
Whoever it was, it worked to her advantage.
For several days in a row, Shi Xi stayed holed up in her apartment, only leaving to visit the hospital for her foot.
The doctor said the surgery schedule would have to wait another month, so she could only make a preliminary appointment.
Meanwhile, the police station notified her that the Chi family wanted to settle privately.
Shi Xi readily agreed and accepted 50,000 yuan in compensation for emotional distress.
She noticed the transfer was likely from Chi Xuan’s older brother, Chi Yuan, the male lead of this world.
Chi Xuan, young and impulsive, acted recklessly without considering the consequences. In his attempt to smear her reputation, he ended up embarrassing himself.
The Chi family was a prominent one—they cared about face.
Spending a few thousand to sweep the matter under the rug was the best outcome for them.
Rose Bar.
The atmosphere in the private room was icy. No one dared to speak loudly, occasionally stealing glances at the tall figure seated in the center of the sofa.
Chi Xuan impatiently tossed his glass aside and leaned back against the sofa.
His head was tilted back slightly, revealing a clean, sharp jawline, a high nose bridge, and thin, crimson lips. His entire demeanor exuded an air of noble elegance, yet there was an indescribable, bewitching allure about him.
But his eyes were so cold that one dared not meet his gaze.
Chi Xuan rarely sought amusement online. Occasionally, when he stumbled upon Lin Shi Xi’s livestream, he was utterly captivated and sent her gifts.
Naturally, he added her on WeChat, intending to ask her out.
She was quite caring, and after a few exchanges, he inexplicably asked her to be his girlfriend…
Who would have thought that beneath it all, she was a clown girl—and a fraudster?
He hired a hacker to investigate her and, in a fit of rage, leaked her information, even enlisting a few marketing accounts to stir up drama and blow the situation out of proportion.
Not only did the clown girl refuse to admit her mistakes, but she also went to the police.
Now, online public opinion was mocking Chi Xuan for being blinded by lust, gaining nothing and losing everything, completely fooled by an ugly girl!
After all, he was the top donor in her livestream room!
The clown girl had vanished without a trace, offering no response, yet she had the audacity to demand compensation for emotional distress!
Chi Xuan couldn’t swallow this anger!
He was determined to dig her out, even if it meant turning the world upside down!
Just then, someone entered from outside and approached Chi Xuan, saying, “We found the girl. The address is sent to your phone.”
“You found the clown girl?”
“Go teach her a lesson, Young Master Chi!”
Those nearby overheard and started egging him on, everyone itching for action.
Chi Xuan glanced at his phone, his expression turning cold. “Let’s go. Let’s see where she thinks she can hide!”
As he stood up, he smirked maliciously and reminded them, “Don’t forget to send the address to her parents.”
“Tsk, Young Master Chi really knows how to play!”
“One’s a gambling addict, the other’s a sellout. Once they find out the clown girl has so much money, they’ll definitely come knocking. We’ll just sit back and watch the show!”
“So, Young Master Chi, aside from the 100,000 in gifts, how much more did you transfer to her?”
“Scram, don’t ask what you shouldn’t! When has Young Master Chi ever been stingy??”
The smile on Chi Xuan’s lips faded completely. He walked ahead with a grim face, silent.
Truth be told, he hadn’t spent much on her.
She had even refused large transfers over 100,000.
Why did she refuse?
Probably because she was afraid that scamming too much would lead to retaliation.
In total, she had only taken around 100,000 in red envelopes from him, plus the tens of thousands in gifts… not even enough to cover the cost of one bottle of his wine. He felt embarrassed even mentioning it to his friends.
The money wasn’t important. What mattered was that she had made a fool out of him!
The group left the bar in a grand procession, luxury cars speeding through the night.
It was mid-May, and the night air was still somewhat cool.
Several cars pulled over one after another on the street in front of a residential complex.
The roadside was lined with food stalls, bustling with people and noise.
The cars couldn’t go any further. Chi Xuan checked the address and was about to get out when his eyes caught a slender figure by the roadside.
His gaze was involuntarily drawn to her.
The girl was wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, standing quietly by the roadside. She held a bag of fruit in one hand and was looking down at her phone.
Her long eyelashes and delicate, slightly upturned nose were set against a flawless, snow-white complexion—unforgettable at a glance.
Chi Xuan’s throat tightened slightly, his fingers unconsciously rubbing against the steering wheel.
The two others in the car also spotted her and let out excited exclamations.
“Whoa, a beauty!”
“That aura, tsk!”
“Take a closer look! She’s probably underage, right?!”
Compared to the people around her, the girl was indeed petite, but her looks and demeanor were so striking that she stood out like a crane among chickens, capturing everyone’s attention.
Only when she turned her head slightly did everyone notice the white gauze on the left side of her face.
As if just out of surgery, nearly the entire side of the face was covered.