“Besides,” 101 said proudly, “I am a system. I may not be able to directly interfere with this world, but I know every plot point in this novel.
“As long as you follow my guidance, do exactly as I say, we can stop Xu Ning from committing suicide. She’ll finish high school safely, get into a good university, and live a normal life.”
“And when that happens, regardless of whether the mission ends or not, I will make sure to send you back.”
Lin Zhao stood frozen. She knew she had few options. Since the system had pulled her into this novel world, it wouldn’t let her leave easily.
“You really guarantee that if I help you prevent Xu Ning from killing herself, you’ll fulfill my wish and return me to my world?” Lin Zhao asked cautiously.
If the system gave her a definite answer, she was willing to take the risk.
“I swear!” 101 responded quickly. “In the name of the system, I promise I will not deceive you.”
“Alright,” Lin Zhao said through gritted teeth, “I’ll help you stop Xu Ning. But you must keep your word—if you dare lie to me, even if the world collapses, I won’t let you off.”
She knew she couldn’t actually do anything to the system, but at least saying it made her feel a little more secure.
“Great! You’ve agreed!” 101 exclaimed. “Don’t worry, Host. My credibility in the system realm is 100%—I will not disappoint you!”
It continued: “Now, let’s make a plan. First, we need to locate Xu Ning, approach her, and gradually help her release her mental burden—convince her to give up thoughts of suicide.
“She’s in the same school as us, a senior in high school, but in a different class. She’s in the advanced class, and we’re in the regular class.”
Lin Zhao frowned. “Different classes? How did the original self cause trouble for Xu Ning before? Were they really that idle? Did the classmates all know about it?”
“Yes,” 101 replied. “The original self often bullied her, and many at school were aware. But those people were the same type as her and joined in.”
“Today’s Monday, so we can take advantage of school hours to meet Xu Ning and make contact.”
Lin Zhao nodded, heart pounding.
She considered herself cold and indifferent, never having dealt with someone contemplating suicide. She didn’t know how to guide Xu Ning, or whether Xu Ning would even acknowledge her, given the original self’s history of bullying. Xu Ning might avoid her entirely.
No matter—she would try.
Standing at the school gate, Lin Zhao gripped her backpack straps tightly, eyes wide with awe.
The campus had a European style, a golden school emblem embedded at the center, radiating authority.
In her old world, she’d never seen a school like this. Perhaps she’d been too narrow-minded. At first glance, the campus made the entire world feel alive.
Walking along with the crowd, she scanned the students. Most wore tailored gray uniforms with white shirts.
She remembered 101 saying Xu Ning came from an ordinary family and had entered this private high school solely through excellent grades.
Lin Zhao couldn’t help but marvel at how much effort an ordinary child like Xu Ning must have exerted to stand out in a sea of competitors.
Yet, who would have imagined that all that hard-won opportunity would become a nightmare, shattering a future that should have been bright?
Lin Zhao wasn’t cruel, nor was she like the original self—spoiled, selfish, and lacking empathy. Seeing Xu Ning, so capable yet suffering because of the male lead, stirred regret in her heart.
Regret aside, the primary task was to approach Xu Ning. She had to help her without endangering herself. Everything else would wait.
Following the corridor, Lin Zhao relied on 101’s guidance. The senior classrooms were on the third floor. Her class was on the west side, Xu Ning’s on the east, separated by several classrooms.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Zhao mimicked the original self’s usual posture, chin raised, and entered her classroom.
Two girls sitting in the front row immediately stood, smiling ingratiatingly. They were the original self’s lackeys who often bullied Xu Ning, leveraging the original self’s influence.
“Zhao Zhao, you’re late today! Did you stay up too late yesterday? You look a little pale.”
“Yes, yes, if you’re tired, you can rest your head on the desk. We’ll keep watch for you.”
Lin Zhao smirked inwardly. The original self never cared about them. They had blindly followed her, using her family background to bully others and assert status. Lin Zhao, however, had no patience for such sycophants.
She responded coldly, “Mm,” and walked to her seat.
The bell rang just as she sat. The class passed quickly, and once it ended, she immediately stood to plan her approach to Xu Ning.
She needed to gauge Xu Ning’s attitude toward her and attempt to mend their relationship.
“Zhao Zhao, where are you going?” The lackeys followed. “Going to see Xu Ning? Take us with you—we can teach her a lesson for ignoring me yesterday.”
Lin Zhao’s heart skipped a beat. She asked 101: “What do I do?”
“Host, don’t panic. Find an excuse to send them away. The original self often ordered them around; it won’t raise suspicion.”
Nodding, Lin Zhao frowned and said: “Don’t follow me. I have something to take care of. Go buy me a milk tea and a pack of strawberry biscuits. Bring them before class starts.”
The two girls nodded eagerly: “Got it! We’ll go right away.”
Lin Zhao ignored them and hurried to the east side advanced class, feeling nervous about seeing Xu Ning.
As she approached, a tall boy appeared, holding a beautiful girl in his arms. The girl nestled against him, cheeks flushed, looking affectionate.
Lin Zhao froze. 101’s urgent voice rang in her mind:
“Host! That’s the original novel’s male lead, Gu Zhuoxiao! He and the original self are childhood friends from intermarried families. The original self followed him to bully Xu Ning!”
Gu Zhuoxiao? Childhood friends?
Lin Zhao frowned. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
101 weakly replied, “My fault… but you didn’t ask.”
Lin Zhao’s gaze fell on his face—this was the man who had tormented Xu Ning physically and mentally.
Anger surged within her. This despicable man possessed Xu Ning while trampling her dignity, yet held another girl in his arms. The original self’s attraction to him made sense—birds of a feather flock together.
Fingers clenched, her instinct was to shout at him. 101 immediately warned:
“Host, don’t! You cannot curse him! Even though I want to, we must not disrupt the plot!
“If you antagonize Gu Zhuoxiao now, the heavenly rules may notice, and both your mission and your safety are at risk.”
101’s words were like ice water, dousing Lin Zhao’s fury.
Taking a deep breath, she forced a small smile and suppressed her revulsion. “Gu Zhuoxiao.”
He looked at her and, with the girl in his arms, instinctively loosened his hold. The girl frowned but said nothing.
His gaze shifted to Lin Zhao. “Zhao Zhao,” he said lightly.
Lin Zhao felt uncomfortable, her skin prickling. She nodded at him, eyes scanning the girl beside him.
The girl was indeed pretty, dressed in the same uniform but exuding a teasing charm.
Lin Zhao guessed this wasn’t Xu Ning. Xu Ning was introverted but resilient; she wouldn’t pretend nothing happened and fawn over a man who had humiliated her.
Gu Zhuoxiao seemed to notice her gaze and quickly explained: “Zhao Zhao, she’s a second-year junior. We’re just friends. Don’t misunderstand.”
Lin Zhao inwardly scoffed. Misunderstand? She wasn’t misinterpreting. Whether friend or girlfriend, it didn’t concern her—she just wanted to see Xu Ning.
“Oh, got it,” she said lightly, and attempted to pass by them, eager to continue toward the advanced class.
Gu Zhuoxiao blocked her path. “Zhao Zhao, what’s wrong today? You seem off. Are you feeling unwell?”