Watching her Host’s demeanor, Little Cabbage swayed the leafy greens on her head.
“Host, you seem so natural at this, picking it up really quickly.”
Not at all like someone doing a task for the first time.
Luo Li: “…I’ve read plenty of novels, and I’m pretty outgoing by nature.”
As she spoke, she gave a sweet smile, delicate and charming, her beautiful eyes holding a teasing gaze that fixed on you—truly somewhat enchanting.
Little Cabbage was dazed for a moment before hugging her leafy greens, a bit shyly covering her slightly flushed face.
“Alright then,” came the soft, adorable voice of a young girl.
Going all out with the act, spending 1 point on this Illusion Effect was really worth it—it looked just like a real injury, to the point where even they themselves could hardly tell the difference.
Although Luo Li’s face now looked somewhat swollen and red, it didn’t detract from her beauty at all. Instead, it added a sort of Injury Makeup effect, a bit captivating to the System.
…Uncle Gu and the others said they’d be out for a while, but that “while” lasted from morning until evening. By the time they returned, the sky had already darkened.
There was a courtyard behind the clinic where they could rest, and Luo Li was settled in one of the bedrooms.
Looking in the mirror, Luo Li raised an eyebrow, the red teardrop mole at the corner of her eye faintly twitching.
“It really does look exactly like me, just younger.”
The original host was sixteen now, while Luo Li had been twenty-three when she kicked the bucket.
The original host’s current appearance was exactly how Luo Li looked when she was younger, before she had fully grown into her features.
But perhaps because of their personalities, their auras were quite different.
The original host was the typical well-bred, obedient young lady type, rather timid—likely because she had lost her mother’s presence from a young age, making her somewhat timid and meek.
Truly like a little rabbit.
As for Luo Li, she was the type who appeared delicate but was actually strong-willed inside, bold and charming.
Even with the same seemingly fragile and innocent face, she always gave off a unique sense of allure—pure yet captivating, making it hard for people not to be drawn in.
Hearing Luo Li’s words, Little Cabbage nodded.
“Yeah, what a coincidence. And the body’s Compatibility with your Soul Body is as high as 98%.” That was precisely why the System had chosen the original host.
“Mm.”
Acknowledging with a hum, Luo Li tilted her head, glancing sideways at her flushed cheek. She lightly tapped it with her finger and frowned.
“Ouch, that looks really painful…”
Her pitiful tone carried a hint of a hook, sweet and soft like a coquettish whine, instantly making Little Cabbage’s head spin.
“Knock, knock.”
Just as she finished speaking, two knocks sounded at the door, followed by Uncle Gu’s voice.
“Sweetie, are you asleep? Uncle brought back some food. Would you like some?”
Hearing the voice, Luo Li paused, staying silent for a moment before responding with a refusal.
“No, thank you, Uncle. I’ve already gone to bed.” The sob in her voice came right on cue.
After all, she was supposed to be deeply distressed, frightened, and wronged right now—gotta keep up the Character Setting.
Hearing the sob in her voice, Uncle Gu was also taken aback, thinking she was still upset. He sighed inwardly but didn’t press further.
“It’s too late tonight. We’ll rest here for now, and tomorrow morning Uncle will take you back to see your Maternal Grandmother.”
After a moment’s thought, he could only add a reminder. The Gu residence wasn’t actually very close; by carriage, it would take about a full day to get there.The distance was not close, which was why they hadn’t been able to notice the problem in time.
“…Mm.”
After Uncle Gu left, Luo Li turned to look at Little Cabbage and smiled.
“Why didn’t you say anything? I thought you’d urge me to seize the opportunity for some Strategy or something.”
After all, the Systems in those novels were all like that—never letting go of any chance to pursue a Strategy.
If they had gone out just now, Gu Xuanjing would surely have been there too.
Yet Little Cabbage just smiled and said, “Because I know that whatever the Host does, there must be a reason for it. I listen to the Host.”
Huh? That’s really quite adorable.
Her obedient System.
The next day.
Because of the injuries on her face, Luo Li wore a veil, but the red marks beneath the corners of her eyes were still somewhat visible.
Uncle Gu felt heartbroken seeing this but didn’t know what to say.
Gu Xuanjing also remained silent. The three of them finished breakfast in silence and prepared to depart.
Unexpectedly, as soon as they stepped out of the clinic, they saw several unwelcome figures in the distance.
It was the entire Luo family, including Luo Qingqing, who was bundled up tightly. Though she had reapplied her makeup, her pallor was still evident.
When Luo Li glanced over, Luo Qingqing’s eyes instantly filled with resentment, impossible to hide.
In a place where no one else could see, Luo Li curved her eyes into a smile, as if taunting her.
Seeing Luo Li’s expression, Luo Qingqing’s face grew even uglier, filled with venomous hatred, as if she wished she could rush over and strangle Luo Li to death.
Now, not only Luo Li noticed Luo Qingqing, but Uncle Gu and the others beside her also saw.
Their expressions, already tinged with some disgust, grew even more unpleasant.
Without a word, they stepped to Luo Li’s side, shielding her.
“Elder Brother.”
Meanwhile, Father Luo put on a fawning smile and stepped forward.
They had arrived quite early. After preparing everything last night and finding out where the Gu family was staying in the city, they had rushed over as soon as they woke up.
But when Uncle Gu and the others heard his voice, they pretended not to hear, with no intention of acknowledging him.
“Elder Brother, I was at fault for what happened yesterday. I’ve looked into it, and it was all a misunderstanding. Qingqing was careless herself—it had nothing to do with Li’er.”
“It’s also this child’s fault for not explaining clearly, causing me to wrongly blame Li’er.”
Seeing this, Father Luo hurriedly spoke up, even pushing Luo Qingqing forward as he did so.
“Hurry up and apologize to your sister!”
Before Luo Qingqing could even open her mouth, Luo Li recoiled as if frightened, retreating several steps and hiding behind Uncle Gu.
Her gaze toward Luo Qingqing was like that toward a ferocious beast, filled with uncontrollable fear.
“Uh…” Father Luo was taken aback.
Luo Qingqing instantly lost control, forgetting all the instructions Father Luo and the others had given her before coming.
“What are you pretending for? You were just smiling and taunting me a moment ago!”
“You were the one who pushed me down yesterday, and now you’re still pretending!”
Hearing her shrill screams, Luo Li’s body began to tremble. She shook her head frantically, her voice already choked with sobs.
“No… no… Sister…”
As if she wanted to explain but didn’t know where to start.
Her demeanor was a stark contrast to Luo Qingqing’s.
It was like a younger sister who had been bullied all along, once again falsely accused and mistreated, with no idea what to do.
People always tend to side with the underdog. Seeing this scene, their hearts instinctively leaned toward Luo Li.”You’re still pretending!”
Seeing her like this, Luo Qingqing couldn’t hold back any longer, rage and hatred flooding her mind.
Her current state was entirely thanks to Luo Li.
For the sake of her family, she had to swallow all this bitterness and humiliation, even coming to apologize to Luo Li.
Yet now, Luo Li was still putting on an act, provoking her—how could Luo Qingqing possibly endure this?
From the moment she learned she couldn’t bear children, Luo Qingqing had nearly gone mad, and now each scene was undoubtedly pushing her toward utter insanity.
But no matter how hysterical she became, Luo Li only shook her head in choked sobs and fear.
Leaving Luo Qingqing’s pent-up fury and grievances with nowhere to vent.
Yet how familiar was this scene?
Wasn’t it exactly like how the original host had been repeatedly slandered by Luo Qingqing and others at home, enduring all kinds of grievances, yet with no one to believe her and no way to defend herself?
She was merely returning a fraction of what Luo Qingqing had done back then.
Just from a different perspective—why couldn’t you handle it now?