Arc.
1.23
The Wicked Child of the Stepmother (End)
One morning, while Nian Zhen was casually watching TV and stroking Xiao Pang, the system suddenly appeared.
The little orb with tiny wings floated in front of Nian Zhen, flitting back and forth to get the host’s attention.
Nian Zhen looked at it, noticing the anxious and restless way it moved.
With Xie Yanjing off at the office and no one else around, he finally asked,
What is it, System?
[Host…the system has a confession to make.]
It replied in a quiet voice, wings fluttering as it edged slightly away from Nian Zhen.
What about?
Nian Zhen narrowed his eyes, feeling an ominous premonition as his brow twitched.
[It’s…it’s about the mind-reading card, Host]
It said, projecting an image of the events from that day.
The playback began with Nian Zhen searching the room for the card, then cut to Xie Yanjing climbing the stairs.
Nian Zhen’s eyes twitched rapidly when the male lead appeared on screen.
Just as the system panned to the golden card lying outside his door, Nian Zhen shot to his feet.
He saw Xie Yanjing approaching, ready to pass by his door, only to have his gaze caught by the golden card.
Looking at it curiously, Xie Yanjing picked it up, activating it in a burst of golden light that seemed to pierce through Nian Zhen’s own eyes.
Finally, Xie Yanjing tossed the card carelessly into the trash.
“…”
[…]
One person, one system, trapped in the midst of silence.
Nian Zhen stared at it quietly, grabbing hold of the small round object before the system could react.
“The card activated in Xie Yanjing’s hands?” His voice was cold enough to make the system shiver.
[Yes…yes, Host.]
Nian Zhen sank back down in his seat, his mouth opening and closing before a raspy voice finally escaped,
“So Xie Yanjing could hear my thoughts?”
[Yes…yes, Host.]
Nian Zhen’s mind raced, and he suddenly felt dizzy recalling all his past thoughts.
In that moment, he realized the full extent of the male lead’s cunning.
He’d been strung along the whole time.
No wonder Xie Yanjing had suddenly shifted from seeking revenge to pampering him, treating him almost like royalty.
Every malicious plan he’d hatched was foiled, and it was all because Xie Yanjing had known every single thought.
Thinking back to all the schemes he’d mentally rehearsed, Nian Zhen wanted to scream.
His path of the innocent white lotus had ended ages ago, and this useless system hadn’t warned him at all.
Everyone had been deceived by Xie Yanjing, even the notorious Aunt Du, who remained clueless that her evil plans had been outmaneuvered.
The crooked father, Chairman Xia, had unknowingly become a pawn in Xie Yanjing’s hands, and his wicked friend, Chun Long, had likely attacked him in a fury after realizing that Xie Yanjing was the one masterminding everything.
No wonder.
Nian Zhen’s every scheme had backfired!!
Xie Yanjing’d been thwarted at every turn by someone even more devious than he was.
All the so-called wickedness of the white lotus like him was child’s play compared to Xie Yanjing’s plots.
Xie Yanjing treated him so well, spoiling him rotten, making him think he was a saint for never holding a grudge.
Big Brother, you really got me this time.
You really got me good, brother.
Fooled me until I’d practically given you my mind, body, and soul.
So, that’s why the hatred meter went down. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
I was so close to failing the mission.
It was clear that Xie Yanjing had set his sights on him from the start, planning every step to ensnare him.
He’d hidden his intentions so well that Nian Zhen never once suspected he was being pursued.
You’re sly, brother.
I fell right into the trap you set up for me.
Thinking back to the year in the hospital, when he realized his feelings for Xie Yanjing, he’d argued with himself constantly.
Xie Yanjing, the scoundrel, must’ve heard all of it, yet acted as if nothing was going on, lulling him into a false sense of security.
You’re a good actor, brother.
You never once raised suspicion.
He had played the role of the foolish villain so well that the protagonist never even cracked a smile.
Nian Zhen had noticed how possessive Xie Yanjing was, but he’d assumed it came only after they’d both opened up to each other—not that it had been Xie Yanjing’s plan all along.
It wasn’t that he hadn’t performed well; rather, his own inner thoughts had shattered the facade of his innocent white lotus act.
And it was all the system’s fault!!
No wonder Xie Yanjing’s darkness meter had skyrocketed when he’d been sent abroad.
Nian Zhen suddenly saw everything clearly.
Embarrassment rose in Nian Zhen’s cheeks as he remembered how fully he’d immersed himself in each role, spurring himself on with his own inner monologues of malice.
With Xie Yanjing’s cool and quiet demeanor, he’d taken pleasure in taunting him in his mind, goading him to finally confront the villains he hated.
So that’s why Xie Yanjing told me to cut back on reading novels.
he realized.
And every time he put on his wounded face, pretending to be the victim of some cruel act, Xie Yanjing would sigh—because he knew Nian Zhen’s thoughts inside and out.
You’re the real villain here, big brother.
The system was crushed by Nian Zhen to vent his anger.
The host threw it to the ground and stomped on it.
The system howled, even though it did not feel any pain.
It was not a living being.
It did it so that it could help the host vent its anger.
[Host, I’m sorry. Waaahh.]
The system whimpered in a childlike voice, and Nian Zhen finally stopped, scoffing in annoyance.
That evening, when Xie Yanjing returned from work, he found Xiao Zhen sitting on the sofa, waiting for him with a… rather sinister expression.
“Big Brother, you’re back?” His voice was still as sweet as honey.
“Xiao Zhen… is something wrong?”
Just thinking about how I’m going to deal with a villain like you.
Xie Yanjing faltered.
Seeing that, Nian Zhen bared his teeth in a playful snarl.
Big Brother, you really heard me.
“…” Xie Yanjing quickly looked away.
“Brother, do you have anything to confess?”
Nian Zhen rose, fixing Xie Yanjing with a glare that resembled a tiny, growling lapdog, teeth bared and ready to snap at anyone who got too close.
“…”
Xie Yanjing remained silent, afraid of saying the wrong thing.
Clearly, Xiao Zhen was furious, and anything he might say would probably only add fuel to the fire.
“Well then, we’re sleeping in separate rooms tonight. You’re on your own!!”
With that, he turned on his heel and stomped upstairs, leaving Xie Yanjing standing there in stunned silence.
“…”
The abandoned husband could only stare after him, longing.
Late that night, Nian Zhen, dressed in his pajamas, finished applying his night cream in front of the mirror, checked the room to make sure everything was in order, and ignored the flood of sticker messages from Xie Yanjing.
You sleep alone tonight.
How infuriating.
[…]
Nian Zhen fell asleep feeling annoyed, only to be startled awake when the mattress dipped beside him.
A familiar strong arm wrapped around him, pulling him close.
He felt Xie Yanjing’s chin rest on his shoulder, warm breath tickling his neck as he opened his eyes.
“Xiao Zhen…”
Xie Yanjing whispered, draping his other arm around Nian Zhen’s waist.
“…”
“Xiao Zhen, I’m sorry.”
Don’t even try that soft tone—did you think I’d forgive you so easily?
Hmph.
“I… I don’t know why I could hear your thoughts.”
“…”
Nian Zhen paused, realizing that this part wasn’t exactly Big Brother’s fault but rather the handiwork of that useless system.
[…] The system quietly vanished from sight.
“Maybe it’s because we’re meant to be together?”
…Are you flirting with me, big brother?
You really know how to talk your way around.
“Xiao Zhen, please don’t be mad.”
“…When you put it like that, who could stay angry? But you tricked me, brother. I tried so many times, put my all into every scheme, but I could never win against you.”
Nian Zhen pouted, turning to meet Xie Yanjing’s gaze in the dark.
“Big Brother, I’ve liked you for so long, and I confessed so much to myself. You knew all along, but you still pretended like nothing happened.” By this point, Nian Zhen was getting angry again.
Suddenly, Xie Yanjing took his hand and placed it in Nian Zhen’s mouth for him to bite.
Big Brother, what are you doing?
“If you’re mad, Xiao Zhen, just bite down.
As hard as you want.
I won’t be upset, not one bit.
You can keep biting until you’re satisfied.”
“…”
How could I ever hurt you, even though I feel like biting you sometimes?
I just can’t bring myself to do it if it means hurting you.
Not when I care about you so much.
“Xiao Zhen, I love you.”
Ah, and now he’s whispering things like that.
Alright, I’ll forgive you.
You did go to the trouble of apologizing, after all.
Xie Yanjing withdrew his hand and gently kissed Nian Zhen on the lips.
“I cleared my schedule. Let’s go on a trip together tomorrow.”
Finally, Xie Yanjing managed to win his love’s forgiveness.
As he fell asleep with Xiao Zhen in his arms, he sighed in relief, thinking that the advice he’d read in those romance novels actually worked.
Nian Zhen went on to live his life with Xie Yanjing until the end of his days.
When he passed, the system brought his soul back into the space dimension, giving him something to ease all feelings, retaining his memories but shielding him from emotional impact.
The system carefully preserved Nian Zhen’s love for Xie Yanjing, not wanting him to experience pain.
It also archived memories after Meng Zhenzhen turned thirty-five, allowing Nian Zhen to carry forward with the spirit of youth.
Then, the system and the host set off for a new world.