NOVEL WEB
Chapter 1
The system looked down condescendingly at the girl painfully pressing her forehead, and coldly judged: "You made a mistake." The girl furrowed her brows in extreme agony.
It took a good long while before her pain finally subsided. She slowly put her hand down, and uncertainly asked: "So I'm here because I affected [Jiang Xian]?"
"That's right. You were supposed to pave the way for [Jiang Xian], but your actions did not align with that. We have determined that you made a mistake. You need to accept the punishment that follows." The system said.
In other words, violating their rules by not sacrificing herself for the female protagonist. [Jiang Yan] resented this in secret, but kept up appearances perfectly on the surface.
[Jiang Yan] seemed to be frightened by this, and softly pleaded: "It wasn't on purpose. I just don't really like [Jiang Xian] that much. And in the end, wasn't it [Lin Cheng] who dealt with her? I was basically dying from illness!"
Listen clearly, I didn't lay a finger on her!
But the system continued on impassively: "Lin Cheng is currently under investigation. However, your actions have been confirmed to not match the side character design. You will enter various worlds to live the life of a villainous side character, until the punishment has been lifted. Please choose to accept this or death."
The girl lowered her head dejectedly.
"The character has been confirmed to accept," the system very astutely only listened to the words it wanted to hear.
The system quickly sent over the relevant information to [Jiang Yan].
【First Task: Play the malicious villainous fake heiress of a wealthy household.】
【You are the fake heiress of the Jiang household, spoiled since childhood. After the real heiress returned home, you were very worried about your own position. On the surface you welcomed the female lead, but behind the scenes you ruined her reputation everywhere in attempt to drive her out. In the end, it was you who got driven out of the Jiang household instead.】
When [Jiang Yan] opened her eyes again, she had already switched worlds. Looking around, she was wearing a sweet waist-cinching dress, white thigh-high socks, brown mary jane shoes, and sitting on a leather couch.
Sitting together next to her were [Jiang's Father] and [Jiang's Mother], who were exchanging eager anticipatory looks - it was the scene when the real heiress was returning home.
Since she had just arrived and was unfamiliar with everything, [Jiang Yan] lowered her head again to examine the style of the mary jane shoes.
Seeing [Jiang Yan]'s actions, [Jiang's Mother] was afraid she would overthink things, and couldn't help but say: "[Jiang], you will forever be Mother's daughter. Do you understand? You and little Xian are both our Jiang family's precious darling daughters."
It looks like [Jiang's Mother] truly cherished this adopted daughter as well.
[Jiang Yan] suddenly heard the system's voice in her mind. 【Task: Pretend to welcome the arrival of [Jiang Xian].】
[Jiang Yan] paused for a bit, pursed her lips, showing she didn't mind, and said, "I understand, Mother."
The sound of a car engine could soon be heard from outside. [Jiang Yan] followed the excited [Jiang's Father] and [Jiang's Mother] out, and saw a tall man in a black coat leading a long-haired girl over.
[Jiang Xian] had long known that her biological parents' family had a younger sister. She was worried that the two of them wouldn't get along well, but when she saw the curious little head peeking out from behind them, those worries suddenly vanished.
Very cute at first sight.
The young man in the windcoat was [Jiang Xian]'s eldest biological brother, [Jiang Zhi].
After [Jiang's Father] and [Jiang's Mother] finished expressing intimacy with [Jiang Xian], they pulled [Jiang Yan] over. "Call big sister. Little Xian is now [Jiang]'s big sister."
[Jiang Xian] looked at her expectantly. [Jiang Yan] pursed her lips, her round grape-like eyes looking at her, a little embarrassed as she turned her face away, and walked over with her hand outstretched. "Big sister."
[Jiang Xian] hugged her back. Though their birthdays were only a few days apart, [Jiang Xian] had grown tall and slender, while [Jiang Yan] was a whole size smaller than her - the roles of older and younger sister were very clearly distinguished.
[Jiang's Father] and [Jiang's Mother] looked on this scene with smiling faces full of joy.
[Jiang Yan]'s ear was suddenly pulled lightly. [Jiang Zhi]'s clean and pleasant voice teased: "Have you had your fill of sisterly affection? I've been left hungry as the big brother here."
[Jiang's Father] and [Jiang's Mother] were overjoyed to see them getting along, and happily called for everyone to go inside and eat. [Jiang Zhi] lazily walked in the back, and stole another look at the sharp white ears sticking out from the black hair. His fingers still itched to touch them.
But he didn't dare tease the little girl too much.
At the dining table, the utterly oblivious [Jiang Yan] was happily being doted on by everyone. She was originally [Jiang Father] and [Jiang Mother]'s heart's treasure, the youngest one in the family, and looked so well-behaved - no wonder she was so adored by all. Even [Jiang Xian], who shared some misunderstanding history with her, couldn't help but overflow with tenderness when she saw her.
[Jiang Yan] sipped on a tender and flavorful salt and pepper chicken wing. She suddenly heard the system's emotionless voice in her mind: "Task complete."
[Jiang Yan] continued gnawing on the chicken bone as if nothing had happened. This was just the beginning. The system's task was for her to act through [Jiang Yan]'s entire experience, up until the ending where she gets kicked out of the household.
So this happy atmosphere was doomed to eventually shatter.
Seeing her continuously gnawing on that one chicken bone, [Jiang Zhi] put another wing in her bowl, frowning slightly. "Eating it so clean. Are you worried we can't afford to feed you?"
This was meant as a joke, but also as a probe to test if she held any resentment over [Jiang Xian] returning home and affecting her position.
[Jiang Yan] was startled, but not because of his words. Rather, it was due to the system issuing a new task: 【Leave the dining table, and ruin the harmony of this meal.】
As expected of a cold and heartless system. Not an ounce of good is tolerated for a villainous side character.
The previously joyful atmosphere froze due to [Jiang Yan]'s silence, as the Jiang family looked over with bewilderment and worry in their gazes.
[Jiang Yan] kept her head lowered, pinching a chicken wing between two fingers. In a low voice, she muttered, "I'm full." Then she turned and left for her own room.
Silence descended onto the dining room. After some time, [Jiang's Father] scolded [Jiang Zhi]: "If you can't speak properly then don't speak, and upset [Jiang]'s mood."
[Jiang Zhi] didn't take [Jiang's Father]'s words to heart, but instead repeatedly recalled [Jiang Yan] lowering her head, and the chicken wing in her hand - he strangely wanted to laugh for some reason.
Unable to restrain the corner of his lips quirking up slightly, this was immediately caught by [Jiang's Father]'s sharp eyes, making him even more angry. "You're still laughing! You even dare to laugh at me......"
Afraid that he would get kicked out if he kept listening to [Jiang's Father]'s tirade, [Jiang Zhi] put away some of his lazy demeanor and said, "It's fine. She still knew to take the chicken wing with her when she left."
[Jiang's Father] doted dearly on his precious daughter, refusing to listen to reason. "Chicken wing chicken wing, all you know is chicken wing! Does [Jiang] eating chicken wings offend you? I can let her eat chicken wings for a lifetime if she wants..."
[Jiang Zhi] wisely kept his mouth shut. There was no provoking a daughter-crazed father when his temper was up.
As for [Jiang], she was still a young girl after all, with somewhat sensitive feelings. She's probably still bothered by [Jiang Xian] returning home. [Jiang Zhi] planned to slowly spend time unraveling the little girl's locked heart.
[Jiang Yan] had just returned to her room when the system's voice sounded out again: "Task complete."
[Jiang Yan] sucked on the chicken wing, but didn't get any other reaction from the system. The corner of her mouth slightly hooked up - it looks like some small maneuvers won't be noticed.
[Jiang Yan] wrapped up the chicken wing in a paper towel to go wash up. When she came out, she heard the system's voice again: "Task: Give unwanted plush toys to [Jiang Xian]."
[Jiang Yan] asked, slightly dissatisfied: "Are there this many tasks to do every day?"
Due to [Jiang Yan]'s various behaviors so far, the system had classified her as a young girl posing little threat. Hearing this, it explained: "It depends on the task plotlines. More on some days, less on others, but no more than 3 tasks per day. This is the last one for today."
Having obtained the answer she wanted, [Jiang Yan] let out a small sigh. She picked up the plush toys on the side of her bed.
The original storyline went like this: 【The fake heiress reluctantly ate her meal, and was provoked on her sore spot by [Jiang Zhi]'s unintentional words, angrily leaving the table and ruining the harmony of the meal.
At night, with malicious thoughts in her mind, the fake heiress took her own unwanted plush toys to gift the real heiress, using this chance to humiliate her. The real heiress was shocked, and upon seeing her real face, realized they could never be sisters.】
[Jiang Yan] hugged a large white teddy bear, and randomly grabbed a little yellow duckling as well.
The white teddy bear was a large 5'3" plush toy. Hugging it obstructed [Jiang Yan]'s view, the head of the teddy bear reaching higher than her own.
Jiang Yan struggled to open the bedroom door and stumbled out.
Jiang Xian soothed Jiang's Father and Jiang's Mother, and just as she walked upstairs, she saw the girl hugging a teddy bear even bigger than herself, trying hard to get out.
Because the bear's arms were stretched out, wider than the door, she could only squeeze the bear out with great effort, head lowered.
Finally out of the room, her little face was already flushed, her soft hair disheveled, and a silly strand of hair stuck up.
Jiang Xian couldn't help laughing.
Jiang Yan was surprised to see Jiang Xian and remembered her task, so she said, "Sister, this is my..." unwanted plush toy, given to you. This was dad's birthday gift to me. Sister must not have one like this. So I'll give my unwanted one to sister.
"Isn't this your favorite big white bear?" Jiang Yan's rehearsed lines were suddenly interrupted as she looked up with difficulty to see Jiang Zhi walking over from the stairs.
Caught red-handed. Jiang Yan wanted to quickly complete the task, and spoke again: "This is my..." unwanted plush toy.
"Last year's birthday present." Unexpectedly, Jiang Zhi interrupted her again, jokingly saying, "What, did you get a new one from dad this year and so you're giving away the one I bought to sister?"
Jiang Xian had already understood from the siblings' conversation. Seeing Jiang Yan's struggle, she took over the bear and gently said, "Thank you, Jiang. Sister really likes it."
Jiang Yan stared blankly at the two, not knowing what to say.
But Jiang Zhi said, "Xian, go back to your room first. I need to settle accounts with this little rascal."
Jiang Xian only thought they were messing around. With one hand hugging the bear, she effortlessly went back to her room sideways. Leaving Jiang Yan stunned.
Before she could recover, her body suddenly rose into the air, carried up by Jiang Zhi. Jiang Yan looked at Jiang Zhi's inscrutable face, and felt a little panicked, desperately calling out to the system in her mind: "This plot is different! How did Jiang Zhi come over..."
The system had started verifying data as soon as Jiang Zhi appeared. Jiang Zhi was supposed to have gone back to school tonight.
In fact, the change was with Jiang Yan. Jiang Zhi inexplicably gained more fondness of the little girl and had decided to stay longer to accompany her after dinner, having heard Jiang's Father's scolding, and was about to come up to chat with her.
Without knowing since when, he had become more lenient towards Jiang Yan. Even seeing her give away her unwanted plush toy to Jiang Xian, he only wanted to teach her to admit her mistakes.
Jiang Zhi carried Jiang Yan into the room, lightly hooking the door shut with his leg.
With a "click", the sound of automatic locking made Jiang Yan shudder uncontrollably.
Jiang Zhi made her sit on the desk. Jiang Yan sat on it with her feet dangling, very insecure, looking at Jiang Zhi's eyes apprehensively.
The panic in the little girl's eyes was unconcealed. Jiang Zhi's heart softened at the sight, yet he did not let her off, and asked in a low voice, "Why did you give your unwanted plush toy to sister? Weren't you taught since you were little not to do that?"
"Didn't you say," Jiang Zhi paused, then continued, "that you welcome sister?"
Jiang Zhi had always only looked easy-going on the surface. As the Jiang family's eldest son, he had shouldered the responsibilities of the Jiang heir since he was a child, and had seen too much, thus honing a facade.
His tone was gentle in inquiry, but because of his dangerous aura, it still seemed aggressive.