Chapter 1: Replacing Your Life (1)

The weather of summer was unpredictable; within moments, the bright sun had given way to darkening skies and dense clouds. Rain poured down in torrents, accompanied by howling gusts of cold wind. The streets quickly emptied as pedestrians sought shelter from the deluge.

Tong Ling stood at the roadside, seemingly oblivious to the approaching danger. In just three minutes’ time, a passing Maybach would careen into her—a fateful collision that would set in motion her tragic life as a substitute character.

The m577 system had already transmitted memories of Yu Yurou’s life—the original cannon fodder female lead—as well as the backstory of this small world to Tong Ling. It had meticulously picked out the crucial points for her:

“How exactly do I confirm that I’ve completed the scenario?” Tong Ling asked, her brow furrowing slightly. Her voice remained soft and gentle despite the forcefulness of her words, carrying an undertone that made one want to protect her. “Our contract clearly states that you’ll grant me maximum autonomy and allow me free rein in my actions. You can’t possibly expect me to strictly follow the storyline step-by-step, right?”

“I truly don’t wish to get run over by a car…” she added wistfully.

System m577, having meticulously selected this host and formed a fateful bond with her, naturally wouldn’t make things difficult. It swiftly communicated:

As it spoke, m577 projected a green, eye-friendly display before Tong Ling’s eyes:

Tong Ling gazed at the device, noting the zero percent narrative deviation reading, her eyes flickering thoughtfully. “So it relies on machine detection? I see now.”

Pressed for time, Tong Ling hastily retrieved her phone from her bag once she had sorted through her memories. She quickly activated the front-facing camera to examine her appearance.

This antique-like device was foreign to her, but thanks to the minor character’s memories, she felt instantly comfortable using it—almost as if by muscle memory alone.

The stand-in’s name was Yu Ling. Naturally, as the female lead’s substitute, she bore an uncanny resemblance to the protagonist. Even through the rudimentary front-facing camera, one could discern her strikingly beautiful features—a delicate face framed by fine bones and expressive almond-shaped eyes. However, the original owner of this visage hadn’t taken care of herself; overgrown bangs obscured those shimmering eyes, while pallid skin lacked any hint of vitality. Her lips were dry and chapped, reflecting her overall frailty—a clear sign of malnutrition.

Moreover, this female supporting character was drenched from head to toe by the rain. Strands of black hair clung to her cheeks, while her thin dress adhered tightly to her skin. At first glance, she resembled a water sprite plucked straight from a pond—her entire figure exuding an air of utter dejection.

Who could have imagined that such a supporting character was actually the younger sister of the protagonist? After all, Yu Yurou, the heroine, possessed a striking beauty with a warm and open demeanor. In stark contrast, Yu Ling appeared timid and unremarkable—a far cry from her sibling’s grace.

“Even her skin isn’t properly cared for,” Tong Ling muttered internally. “She lives life too carelessly…” Though these words seemed like criticism on the surface, Tong Ling didn’t truly hold them against Yu Ling. Before binding herself to the System, Tong Ling had experienced many years of hardship herself as she climbed up from society’s lowest rungs. Compared to her past self, Yu Ling had it significantly better off.

Tong Ling brushed aside her own damp bangs, revealing her pale yet refined face. She then licked her dry lips under the falling rain before adjusting her expression towards the camera lens.

How could two people look so similar yet appear entirely different at first sight? The answer lay in their distinct aura and bearing. A person’s presence greatly influenced how others perceived them; even if a beggar donned the robes of royalty, they would still lack the noble bearing necessary to convincingly impersonate a prince. It was this intangible quality—the essence of one’s being—that set individuals apart despite shared physical traits.

Whether it be temperament or presence, both could be cultivated artificially with enough effort.

Yu Yurou possessed a gentle and sweet demeanor that made others easily let down their guard before her. She was the male lead’s white moonlight—pure and radiant—a flower who seemed to understand all hearts’ whispers. Her beauty was pristine, radiating cleanliness from within. As Tong Ling recalled Yu Yurou’s image, her own expression subtly shifted until she perfectly mirrored Yu Yurou’s essence. In this new form, not even a trace of her original appearance remained; it was as if she had always been like this.

m577 couldn’t quite grasp Tong Ling’s actions, sensing only that something was amiss.

Tong Ling wiped away the rainwater on her cell phone, then stuffed it back into her purse. “Since this is work,” she said firmly, “I can’t afford to half-ass my way through.”

“For the sake of our performance metrics, I’ll do my utmost.” Adjusting the hem of her skirt, Tong Ling stepped onto the road, a smile poised at the corners of her lips.

In that instant, m577 found itself deeply moved by Tong Ling’s dedication to her task.

In these evolving pocket dimensions, finding someone willing to play the role of a disposable supporting character had become increasingly challenging. As these micro-realms developed over time, certain characters within them gradually awakened to self-awareness. Upon realizing they were mere anchors stabilizing the world, bound to follow a predetermined fate, these awakened souls often rebelled against their reality. For those destined to be tragic figures, choosing escape was hardly surprising.

Such was the case with Yu Ling, a cannon fodder character in this particular pocket dimension. Upon awakening to consciousness, she immediately succumbed to a world-weary despair. Before long, she had vanished without a trace.

Each of these miniature worlds operated according to its own set of cosmic laws. Though not protagonists themselves, these disposable female characters played a crucial role in the romantic development between the main leads. Yu Ling’s disappearance directly threatened the stability of her entire realm. Thus, at the behest of the Main God—the overseer of all such dimensions—the system devised a plan. It would seek out mentally resilient souls from beyond, offering them contracts for collaboration. In exchange for compensation, these chosen individuals could enter various micro-realms, fulfilling roles that ensured both mutual benefit and the continued harmony of the universe as a whole.

Before this encounter, m577 had worked with several hosts. Each of them was only willing to serve as temporary employees, eventually leaving after working for one or two worlds—no strings attached. This time, however, Tong Ling astonished m577 by agreeing to bind herself permanently to it. While elated, m577 couldn’t help but feel slightly guilty, as if it were taking advantage of a newcomer…

Given that its new host was so amiable, m577 decided to grant Tong Ling every possible convenience in their contract; after all, it wasn’t some malicious demon out to exploit her.

Tong Ling understood the logic behind the System’s workings within her mind all too well. In her view, this intelligent program capable of transporting her from the U-A78 galaxy to other worlds was utterly fascinating—a product beyond their current era. If such power fell outside her control, it would undoubtedly be incredibly dangerous. However… she had plenty of time on her side, and with patience, she believed she could eventually unravel the mysteries of this high-tech marvel through diligent study.

The three minutes passed swiftly. As soon as the luxury vehicle—the very same that would play a crucial role at the upcoming plot point—made its debut appearance, the System promptly alerted Tong Ling.

Tong Ling had perfected her pose, standing with graceful poise at the most conspicuous spot on the street. She tilted her face slightly, her gaze carrying a hint of confusion and sorrow. The luxury car—destined to collide with her in this scene—now came to a steady stop before Tong Ling instead.

Before the man behind the wheel could even step out, Tong Ling turned swiftly away. Her steps were somewhat unsteady, as if she recognized who was inside that vehicle; all she wanted was to flee as quickly as possible.

Ye Huan seethed with frustration. For two days now, he hadn’t been able to contact Yu Yurou. Ever since his mother learned of her existence, Yu Yurou had cut him off entirely without warning. Worse still, he’d just received news—that Yu Yurou had left the country.

His mind drifted back to their last encounter two days ago—the look in Yu Yurou’s eyes right before she walked away… Damn it! Why hadn’t he pressed for answers then? How could he have let her leave like that?!

In his foul mood, Ye Huan’s driving inevitably carried a touch of agitation until moments ago when he spotted the woman at the intersection. In the misty rain, her figure appeared hazy yet serene, akin to a white tea blossom quietly blooming amidst the drizzle. That sight instantly calmed his turbulent thoughts, bringing a sudden sense of peace.

She must have been very beautiful, Ye Huan thought just as he caught sight of her face.

How could he ever forget that visage? The surge of emotion felt like a firework exploding within his heart—unexpected and overwhelming. Without thinking twice, Ye Huan rushed out of the car to chase after her.

“Yurou! Yurou!”

Tong Ling walked faster at the sound of Ye Huan’s voice.

Yu Yurou consumed all his thoughts now. He wasn’t one for letting emotions dictate his actions; even during their relationship with Yu Yurou, he had always maintained a calm demeanor. Who would’ve expected him to lose composure today? His heart pounded violently against his chest, threatening to burst from its confines.

“Yurou, don’t tell me you won’t even give me the chance to see you?” Ye Huan pleaded, reaching out to gently grasp her arm.

Only then did Tong Ling pause and turn around, casting Ye Huan a glance filled with hesitation.

What words could possibly capture that gaze—is it sorrow, resentment, or lingering affection and reluctance? Ye Huan’s heart began pounding wildly once more. In that moment, he yearned only to embrace this woman who had made him worry so deeply, which is exactly what he did without further ado.

“Don’t leave,” Ye Huan pleaded, tightening his arms around her. This was the first time he had so plainly expressed his feelings. “Do you know how much I… care about you? Why didn’t you reply to my texts or calls? Why did you suddenly disappear?”

Tong Ling lowered her lashes, concealing the emotion within her eyes. Only someone with a love-struck brain could overlook the unusual change in her appearance—could fail to notice the differences between her and Yu Yurou. It seemed… it was time for the next step.

“Let go of me, Ye Huan,” Tong Ling said in Yu Yurou’s voice, her expression cold as she turned away from him, clearly unwilling to see him any longer.

How could Ye Huan miss the fact that something was amiss with “Yu Yurou”? He pressed, “Did my mother contact you? What did she say?”

“No, Madam Shen said nothing at all,” Tong Ling replied softly. She sighed before continuing, “I’m just… tired of our relationship.”

The m577 AI remained utterly confused by the situation unfolding before it. All it could do was shout desperately at Tong Ling:

But Tong Ling paid no heed to the m577’s cries, remaining fully focused on her interaction with the male lead. “Ye Huan, I’m exhausted,” she said gently. “Please let go.”

”…Could it be that I’m simply not worthy of your trust?” Ye Huan furrowed his brow deeply. Pride had always been his armor, but now even he couldn’t suppress a hint of anger. “Is there anything we can’t resolve together?”

“Resolve?” Tong Ling’s voice hitched upward. Though she clearly wanted to fire back, sobs escaped her lips despite her best efforts. “I know I’m not fit for you; I understand our social statuses are different. And yet, after deciding to leave, why won’t you let me go?”

Ye Huan felt the person in his arms tremble as tears slid down from Yu Yurou’s eyes—those expressive orbs now filled with hurt and betrayal. Her face was pallid, as if she’d just endured some form of torment, her entire figure frail and worn-out. Seeing Yu Yurou like this, any lingering anger within Ye Huan melted away, leaving only concern for her well-being.

“My apologies,” Ye Huan said, taking responsibility first. “It must be something I did wrong, making you feel so insecure.”

As if comforted by Ye Huan’s words, the figure in his embrace gradually stemmed their tears. They lowered their head and spoke softly, “I should have been abroad right now, but I couldn’t bear to…leave you.”

“What exactly happened?” Ye Huan asked gently.

“She told me to depart from you,” Tong Ling replied bluntly. “She arranged for my departure overseas and gave me a substantial sum of money. Even hired two bodyguards to escort me, watching until I boarded the plane herself.”

Of course, she wasn’t referring to anyone else—she meant Ye Huan’s mother, Shen Man, CEO of the Ye Group corporation. A classic villain who meddled in others’ affairs, Shen Man served as a minor boss in the narrative, specifically tasked with creating conflict between the male and female leads early on.

Ye Huan clearly knew his mother was capable of such deeds; he felt even more deeply for Yu Yurou than before. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“What good would that have done?” Tong Ling’s expression hardened as she pushed Ye Huan away. “What could you possibly do now?”

“I…” Ye Huan choked back his words, unable to speak. Indeed, at present, he held no sway within the Ye family whatsoever. Even compared to Ye Xu—the illegitimate child left by his father—he paled in comparison, let alone against Shen Man herself.

In his previous life, Ye Huan had never cared about who succeeded the company. But this time, failing to retain even his beloved woman dealt him a crushing blow, instilling an overwhelming sense of defeat.

Tong Ling remained cold-faced, swiftly walking ahead after shaking off Ye Huan’s touch.

He hurried to catch up, but after barely two steps, a car suddenly burst out from the intersection without slowing down, hurtling directly towards Ye Huan, whose attention was entirely focused on Tong Ling.

A wave of excruciating pain washed over him. As consciousness slipped away, the last image etched into Ye Huan’s mind was Yu Yurou’s tear-filled eyes gazing down at him with deep concern.

Tong Ling feigned a shocked expression as she watched the flustered driver who had caused the accident get out of his vehicle and dial for emergency services. Meanwhile, she engaged in a conversation with that incessantly noisy System.

m577 felt itself on the verge of madness:

“Who said we failed to complete our tasks?” Tong Ling scoffed. “Check the device monitoring the storyline checkpoints. The data displayed indicates that the deviation for this scenario is only 10%.”

m577 frantically inspected the machinery, discovering that, indeed, the reading showed exactly 10%. This meant the previous scene had passed the equipment’s inspection—a “acceptable outcome” by its standards.

“The key points of this plot segment were: one, the first encounter between the male lead and the disposable female character; two, the male lead mistaking the disposable female for Yu Yurou upon seeing her face; and three, the car accident which sets up the next hospital care scene.” Tong Ling counted off on her fingers. “See? I’ve accomplished all these objectives.”

m577 sensed something amiss:

“He thought I was Yu Yurou herself,” Tong Ling said. “But I’m not. So in a relative sense, you could indeed say that I am Yu Yurou’s ‘stand-in’.”

m577 struggled to find any point of contention and fretted over this revelation. “And even the car accident victim turned out to be the male lead…”

“That’s right,” Tong Ling replied sorrowfully. “There lies that ten percent deviation from the original plot. Can’t be helped now. The upcoming hospital scene is essential for the story’s progression. Since I didn’t want to get hit by a car myself, the male lead had to make the sacrifice instead. Besides, with me taking care of him, I’m sure he’ll be quite content—don’t you think?”

A chill ran through m577 at these words. Trembling, it ventured to ask, “H-Host… who exactly are you?”

It dawned on m577 that its chosen host might have been a rather unfortunate choice after all!

Tong Ling smiled gently. “Rest assured, I’m far from virtuous or kind-hearted.”

m577 remained utterly perplexed.

Translator Note: (19 December 2024) With the release of the new model, I decided to retranslate this novel to enhance its readability and presentation.