Chapter 22: It’s Worth It

Zhao Xue found it hard to describe her feelings at this moment. It was as if she had fallen into a soft bank of clouds, drifting and swaying.

She gazed at the person currently hovering over her.

Meng Yao’s face was flushed crimson, her eyes were misty, and the tips of her eyes and nose were red. Tears pitter-pattered onto Zhao Xue’s cheeks, as if trying to melt her.

Zhao Xue reached out both hands, cupping Meng Yao’s face. Her thumbs slid across, wiping away the damp tears. Her eyes overflowed with helplessness. “Meng Yao, you’re playing foul.”

Meng Yao’s eyes slowly widened. Before she could process the meaning behind Zhao Xue’s expression and words, her wrist was pinned down. The iron chain rattled, letting out a sharp clatter.

In an instant, their positions were reversed.

The alcohol had slowed Meng Yao’s body and mind; she seemed unable to recover her senses, staring blankly at Zhao Xue.

Zhao Xue loomed over her, a bewitching smile in her peach-blossom eyes. Her red lips parted slightly: “The little dog who overthinks deserves a punishment.”

She pinned Meng Yao’s wrist with one hand and then let a rain of dense, fine kisses fall. They were soft and gentle; wherever her lips landed, Meng Yao felt an incredible, burgeoning itch. She twisted her wrist, only to find she couldn’t break free.

Meng Yao’s breath grew ragged. “Zhao Xue, let me go, okay?” I want to hold you.

Drunk Meng Yao was vastly different from her usual self.

Zhao Xue chuckled. she pressed a long index finger against Meng Yao’s lips. “No.”

“Little dog is so silly. I’ve made it so obvious, yet you still didn’t know. Silly dogs get punished.”

Meng Yao’s heart skipped a beat. She seemed incredulous, her eyes rounding, water droplets still clinging to her long lashes. Zhao Xue found it incredibly cute. She kissed Meng Yao’s eyelids, gently licking away the tears.

Then, leaning into Meng Yao’s ear, she whispered: “Alright, now it’s time for the real business.” The hot breath spilling against the curve of Meng Yao’s ear brought waves of numbness.

Before Meng Yao could think further, she was pulled into a deep abyss of desire by Zhao Xue.

The moon hung high, and moonlight spilled through the gap in the curtains like a thin thread, marking the two overlapping figures. In the room, the sound of the iron chain and ambiguous, low gasps lasted for a long time. So long that even the moon hid away before things finally quieted down.

The sun rose and the moon set.

The morning sun wasn’t yet scorching; instead, it carried a touch of coolness.

Zhao Xue felt a bit breathless, as if her heart were being pressed down by something. She woke from her dream, still weary. After a whole night of madness, she felt as if she couldn’t even lift her hand.

Turning her eyes, she saw a fuzzy head resting on her chest—the culprit making it hard to breathe. Sensing Zhao Xue was awake, the head lifted, revealing a cool, detached face with long brows and phoenix eyes.

It was Meng Yao.

Meng Yao had returned to her usual appearance. The emotions on her face were completely tucked away, but the gaze she directed at Zhao Xue was a direct, blazing heat that couldn’t be hidden. She had sobered up halfway through the night; she hadn’t drunk much, so she cleared up quickly.

She remembered everything that happened last night clearly. From the beginning to later on, when she had pathetically cried out, and how many times she had said “Zhao Xue, I love you” during the act. And every time, Zhao Xue had responded, doting and certain. Just thinking about it made her heart soften.

Seeing her staring blankly, Zhao Xue’s lips curled up. “You’re up. Go wash up.” Her voice was raspy from overuse.

Meng Yao didn’t listen. She pressed her head back against Zhao Xue’s chest. “No.” It was a touch of willfulness that didn’t usually belong to her.

Zhao Xue’s smile deepened. She teased, “Meng Yao, I’m not wearing clothes. Do you want to do it again?”

Meng Yao lifted her head, her eyes flashing with longing. Zhao Xue realized this child really did want to do it again. She shook her head gently. Even if her current body was a high schooler’s, she couldn’t beat a real one. She was sore all over.

Zhao Xue changed the subject, rattling the shackle. “How much longer do you plan to keep me trapped?” There was banter in her eyes; she wasn’t angry at all about the chain.

Meng Yao’s eyes flickered. Her thin lips pursed, and the tips of her ears turned red. She hurriedly grabbed the clothes nearby and pulled a key from a pocket.

Her movements were fast. The shackle was opened, and only then did Meng Yao see a red ring where it had been—striking against the snow-white skin. Meng Yao held Zhao Xue’s foot, slowly lifting it to place a gentle kiss on the reddened mark.

“I’m sorry.”

[Death Value -10] [Death Value: 25/100]

The System was awestruck. The death value really could drop further; the Host was too powerful.

Meng Yao restrained herself and let go of Zhao Xue’s leg, standing up to pick her up. It was then that she felt the uneven scars on Zhao Xue’s back.

Meng Yao’s breath hitched. From the start, Zhao Xue had always faced her head-on, making her lose her mind and fail to notice anything else. After what happened in the fire, how could her back not be injured? She had been too impulsive.

Whenever it came to Zhao Xue, she lost all reason, leading to these mistakes. Regret drowned her. Her nose stung, and tears flowed uncontrollably. Her body was trembling. Zhao Xue, leaning in her arms, felt it clearly. Meng Yao’s hand constantly stroking her back told Zhao Xue she had been found out. She hadn’t wanted the kid to know.

Zhao Xue sighed. “Meng Yao, put me down.” “Mm… okay.”

Steam filled the bathroom. Zhao Xue sat in the bathtub, held in Meng Yao’s arms.

Meng Yao kept her head down, repeatedly kissing the burn scars on Zhao Xue’s back. They were very ugly and would never go away. Meng Yao’s kisses were filled with pity and tenderness.

Zhao Xue couldn’t help but turn around to face her. “Stop kissing, it tickles. It’s fine now.”

Meng Yao took Zhao Xue’s hand and brought it to her lips. She noticed that some parts of Zhao Xue’s palm were pinker than others—newly grown flesh.

She couldn’t explain how she felt. These emotions were too turbulent. She wanted to tell Zhao Xue, but didn’t know how to express such a colossal surge of feeling. The words “I love you” felt too pale in comparison.

Meng Yao pecked at the palm gently. “Zhao Xue, will you come see my grandmother with me?”

Zhao Xue understood. This was likely an intention to confess their relationship to the elder. She smiled and replied, “Okay.”

The grandmother was cleaning at home. Her granddaughter had become successful, telling her she made a lot of money online. She told her not to work anymore—to go for walks or watch TV if she was bored. She had moved her into a big house and bought her a smartphone.

The elder had never used such a thing; even after her granddaughter taught her dozens of times, she only knew how to make calls. But she couldn’t stay idle, and there was no one to chat with outside, so she spent every day cleaning and cooking.

As she was mopping, the phone on the coffee table rang. She dropped the mop and hurried over. Only her granddaughter ever called her.

“Xiao Yao, are you back?” The voice was soft. Xiao Yao hadn’t come home last night. Though she had sent a message saying she was safe, an elder couldn’t help but worry.

On the other end, Meng Yao held Zhao Xue’s hand as they walked down the street. Zhao Xue’s face was beautiful, and her aura was excellent; she seemed to glow in the crowd. However, the gazes from those around them held little kindness. The elders were fine, but the internet-savvy youth didn’t have a single friendly look.

Meng Yao knew what was happening. But her skills weren’t good enough yet to dig out the people fueling the fire behind the scenes. She stayed on the phone, but her eyes never moved from Zhao Xue.

“Yes, Grandma. I’m bringing someone over.” “No, a partner.” “Mm, you know her.”

The System watched this, sighing in admiration. Look at the Female Lead—where was the “walking corpse” look now? She was just a cool, detached, beautiful young girl. This conversation with a parent felt like a sweet romance drama, almost bubbling with pink bubbles.

Suddenly, a massive surge of power poured into the System’s central core. It shouted in excitement: [Host! You have been certified by this world’s consciousness as the Male Lead!]

The “Abuse the Female Lead” world revolved around the Female Lead. When her heart affirmed a life partner, the world consciousness would affirm that person, giving the luck belonging to the “Male Lead” to them. It sounded simple, but it was hard. A Male Lead has a natural attraction, making it difficult for others to sway the Lead. Furthermore, the world consciousness examines if the Female Lead truly loves you and if you are worthy of her.

Perhaps because this was a novice world, or because the Female Lead had “collapsed,” either way, the Host was now the new Male Lead of this small world!

Sometimes, “Male Lead” isn’t a gender; it’s a status. This was an unexpected delight.

The System, basking in energy, said happily: [Host, I’m going to upgrade. Call me when you’re ready to leave.]

Zhao Xue’s brows curved with a smile. She was the Male Lead now; it was only natural for the Male Lead and Female Lead to be together. She chuckled softly.

Meng Yao hung up, casting a puzzled look. Zhao Xue stared at her for a long time, then pulled her into a hug in the middle of the street and kissed her.

“Meng Yao, let’s get married when we’re twenty.”

Seeing Meng Yao’s stunned expression, Zhao Xue’s smile widened. Her bright smile dazzled the passersby. She tapped Meng Yao’s nose. “Silly dog.”

Seeing Zhao Xue so happy, Meng Yao couldn’t help but smile too. It was a shallow smile. She took Zhao Xue’s scarred hand and pressed it against her own face. Her eyes were bright. “Not a silly dog. From the beginning, I’ve only ever been your dog.”

The scene was too beautiful; a passing foreign traveler snapped a photo. Zhao Xue and Meng Yao turned to look. The traveler walked over and explained in broken English.

“Hello, I am a photographer. That scene was just too beautiful, I couldn’t help but capture it. If you mind, I can delete it.” He handed over the camera.

Zhao Xue raised an eyebrow. “I don’t mind. Will you post it online?”

the traveler sighed. “Actually, I want to enter it into a competition. It’s too beautiful. I rarely take such wonderful photos. Of course, provided you don’t mind.”

Zhao Xue turned to Meng Yao. “Do you mind?” Meng Yao shook her head.

The traveler left, satisfied. He felt this photo could definitely reach the finals!

Zhao Xue pulled Meng Yao’s hand, asking with a smile, “Don’t you want to ask why?”

Meng Yao followed her lead. “Why?”

Zhao Xue let go and ran a few steps ahead, facing Meng Yao. The sunlight poured down, sinking Zhao Xue into the light. At this moment, she was like an angel from heaven, saving Meng Yao. A smile was on her face.

Meng Yao had seen many of Zhao Xue’s smiles: frivolous, helpless, bright, wicked. But she had never seen this kind of smile. It was the beauty belonging to a true youth—innocent and sincere.

It was etched into Meng Yao’s eyes and her heart. She watched Zhao Xue’s lips part and close; she heard her voice, gentle and firm.

“Because… I want our love to be seen by the whole world. It’s worth it.”

These words were like a sharp sword piercing through the walls of Meng Yao’s heart. Her heartbeat was thundering. If a soul really existed, then the name “Zhao Xue” must be carved into Meng Yao’s.

Tears fell from Meng Yao’s eyes without warning. She thought, So… happiness really can make someone cry.