Chapter 12: Replacing Your Life (12)

M-577 felt utterly despair.

It couldn’t comprehend how things had escalated to this point. Due to the Main God’s Harmony Shield installed on it, m-577 was unable to see anything happening.

Although it couldn’t witness the scene, it could still hear the sounds.

M-577 thought it might go deaf from sheer shock.

Wait… Host, you wicked woman, just what are you doing?!

Why?!

What baffled m-577 the most was that despite everything, the plot deviation percentage remained unchanged!

“I’ve already completed the hospital scenario ahead of schedule,” Tong Ling explained to the distraught system. “Until the next plot point involving another cannon fodder female character emerges, this is my free time. As a system, shouldn’t you be more professional?”

M-577 wore a mask of anguish: [Is it my fault now?]

Suddenly alarmed, m-577 exclaimed: […Why do you have time to chat with me?!]

Tong Ling sighed, “Ah, feeling a bit tired, so I’m just casually chatting with you.”

M-577 shrieked: [No! I don’t want to listen!!!]

As the abrupt sound of a ringing phone echoed, Tong Ling gracefully rose to her feet. This time, she had given Song Xingyi ample satisfaction; she was confident he wouldn’t forget her anytime soon.

Song Xingyi didn’t answer the call but looked tearfully at Tong Ling, his voice slightly hesitant. “Shall we… continue?”

M-577 scorned the fallen male supporting character: ”…Continue? Continue your head!

Tong Ling set aside the inexplicably irritable system and stood up, turning to Song Xingyi. “Who called you?”

The gentle sister from earlier now transformed into a colder demeanor.

Song Xingyi’s heart tightened as he glanced at his phone and hastily said, “I don’t recognize that number.”

“Don’t recognize it?” Tong Ling picked up Song Xingyi’s phone and checked the call history. “At 3 AM, this same number called you.”

“I had no idea!” Song Xingyi frantically explained, “I was asleep then; how could I possibly be talking to someone in the middle of the night? Sister, look, it says ‘missed call’!”

He had been dreaming all night, lacking any energy to answer an unknown call.

“So, Xingyi, have you not been contacting other women outside our relationship?” Tong Ling’s tone softened slightly.

Song Xingyi wished he could swear upon heaven itself, “There definitely isn’t any other woman!”

“Then block this number,” Tong Ling handed the phone back to Song Xingyi. “Also, mute its notifications. I don’t like seeing anyone disturb you at such times.”

Swiftly following her instructions, Song Xingyi blocked and muted the number before obediently returning the phone to Tong Ling. “Sis, feel free to check my phone anytime; it’s completely clean inside!”

Tong Ling waved dismissively at Song Xingyi. “I need to use the restroom, so please get up now.”

Instantly blushing deeply, Song Xingyi hurriedly straightened his clothes and stood up.

Reflecting on how just last night were mere fantasies within his mind, yet today they had become reality, Song Xingyi couldn’t help but grin secretly while also feeling somewhat anxious. He feared that all of this might vanish like a dream, worried that the tenderness shown could disappear at any moment.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Song Xingyi quickly approached Tong Ling, timidly apologizing once more, “Sorry, Sis.”

Tong Ling, carefully washing her hands, glanced at Song Xingyi without responding immediately.

“Sis, you won’t ignore me, will you?” Song Xingyi desperately sought reassurance. He knew he had acted impulsively this time, with his mind consumed by those thoughts, repeatedly making such pleas. Recalling how persistently he had clung to Tong Ling, Song Xingyi’s face nearly steamed from embarrassment.

Tong Ling didn’t give a direct answer; instead, she simply said, “I like obedient people.”

Song Xingyi promptly responded, “I’ve always been very obedient!”

“Really?” Tong Ling picked up a nearby towel. “There was one little dog who loved spinning around aimlessly.”

Blushing, Song Xingyi lowered his head, “I’m not a little dog…”

“I love puppies,” Tong Ling’s lips curved slightly. “Puppies are just adorable.”

Seeing her smile, unable to resist, Song Xingyi let out a soft “woof.”

Tong Ling gestured for Song Xingyi to bend down. As soon as he leaned forward, she gently pressed her lips against the small dimple at the corner of his mouth.

“So cute,” Tong Ling whispered softly.

With eyes sparkling, Song Xingyi suppressed his embarrassment and, facing Tong Ling, barked several more times in quick succession.

Then, he leaned closer, his eyes filled with anticipation.

“Naughty pup,” Tong Ling said as she cupped Song Xingyi’s face and kissed him again gently.

For every bark Song Xingyi made, she responded with an equal number of kisses, matching them precisely.

Seeing that Song Xingyi was about to bark more, Tong Ling swiftly covered his mouth, “Alright, if you get too loud, it won’t be cute anymore.”

Song Xingyi felt his heart bubbling with sweetness. If love had a color, it would undoubtedly be pink! He became even clingier than before.

Tong Ling pushed aside Song Xingyi, who was practically glued to her side, stepping closely at every move. With a cold expression, she complained impatiently, “Can’t you just sit quietly on the sidelines without constantly moving around?”

“I…” Song Xingyi wished he could stay still, but he couldn’t resist! Whenever he saw Tong Ling, his gaze and footsteps involuntarily followed her. “Is it not okay for me to stay near my sister?” he asked, sounding slightly crestfallen. “I just want to look at my sister more often.”

“Fine.” Tong Ling smiled, her grin carrying a deeper meaning.

“I’m tired and want to sleep for a bit.”

Boom!

Song Xingyi’s mind exploded once again.

How could his sister calmly fall asleep in front of him amidst this situation? His thoughts were a jumbled mess. At one moment, he felt that she didn’t truly dislike him, showing trust by sleeping like this. Yet at another, he wondered if it meant she didn’t take him seriously enough, otherwise why would she leave him alone with her so carelessly?

Song Xingyi dared not get too close to his sister.

But leaving altogether was something he couldn’t bring himself to do either.

After some hesitation, he decided to sit on the ground, facing directly towards her sleeping form, careful not to gaze anywhere inappropriate.

He could hear his sister’s gentle breathing as she slept. Her long hair lay softly spread behind her, with a few strands falling gently across her cheek, subtly trembling with each breath.

The sight made Song Xingyi’s heart itch. He reached out to gently tuck away the stray hairs, inadvertently brushing his fingers against her soft cheek.

“Xingyi, what are you doing?” Tong Ling’s eyes opened sharply, revealing her feigned sleep all along.

Startled, Song Xingyi suddenly realized why Tong Ling had fallen asleep in front of him. It was a test! And he…

“You’re truly not obedient,” Tong Ling chided with a cold humph. “I thought you’d be good, but instead, you were tempted to misbehave!”

Feeling guilty, Song Xingyi couldn’t find words to respond.

“Disobedient puppies must be punished.” Tong Ling issued a swift command, “Now, turn around, face the wall, and don’t move!”

“I…”

Just as Song Xingyi began to explain, Tong Ling mercilessly cut him off, “Don’t make me angry.”

Deflated, Song Xingyi walked dejectedly towards the wall. He felt unfairly treated; being punished before even making contact seemed too harsh…

“Xingyi, are you blaming me?” Tong Ling approached from behind, wrapping her arms around his, “Didn’t you come here today to take care of sick me? Look at what you almost did! You’re such a naughty boy!”

Any lingering annoyance within Song Xingyi vanished instantly when Tong Ling’s arms entwined with his. Her gentle reprimand melted his heart completely.

“I was wrong,” Song Xingyi obediently admitted, finding even this minor reprimand turning sweet in his eyes. “Yes, I’ve been naughty.”

Tong Ling tiptoed and whispered softly into Song Xingyi’s ear, “Is Xingyi a bad boy?”

Song Xingyi shuddered, responding weakly with a flushed face, ”…Yes.”

M-577:[…]

With a deadpan gaze, m-577 pleaded, [Please, spare me! I’m still just a child - why must I witness these things?!]

Smiling, Tong Ling addressed the system, “In the original plot, Song Xingyi is portrayed as a clingy fanboy to the female protagonist, Yu Yurou. Not only does he obsess over her, but he also recklessly bites others too. Don’t you think that makes him quite the villain?”

M-577 scoffed, [No matter how bad he might be, can he top your wickedness? Stop making excuses; you’re simply playing with people’s emotions! Playing with a young man’s heart!]

Tong Ling feigned surprise, “Wow, you’ve seen right through me. Little M, you truly have grown.”

M-577 felt its metaphorical heart ache, [No, I don’t need this kind of growth!]