Chapter 43: Wild Dodder (1)

Tong Ling was currently aboard a private jet.

The luxurious aircraft featured a dining area, mobile cinema, an elegant bedroom with a king-sized bed, bathrooms, and meeting rooms… Not only could one comfortably rest within the plane, but also enjoy various forms of entertainment - truly a luxury reserved for the wealthy.

Holding a cup of warm milk, Tong Ling leaned against soft cushions while several chattering individuals sat around her. Perhaps noticing that she hadn’t joined their conversation, a tall and handsome young man, with a radiant smile like sunshine, approached her and asked, “Little Ling, are you feeling unwell? If uncomfortable, I can escort you to the bedroom for some rest.”

As soon as the young man finished speaking, two identical-looking youths, exceptional in appearance and seemingly as refined as mannequins in a display window, raised their hands simultaneously:

“I’ll take Elder Sister Bai back to her room!”

“No, don’t let Little Zuo do it, I’ll accompany Elder Sister Bai!”

The twin brothers glared at each other briefly before running to Tong Ling’s sides, one on the left and one on the right, taking hold of her arms. They asked, “Elder Sister Bai, who do you choose, Little Zuo or Little You?”

At the other end of the room, a youth with dyed blue hair and clad in a black leather jacket, showcasing his sleek and well-defined muscles, snorted softly upon hearing this. “She can walk by herself; why do you need to escort her?”

Witnessing these handsome young men, Tong Ling couldn’t help but exclaim to the system, “Little M, what kind of dream life does this world’s female supporting character have? I’m thoroughly impressed.”

M577 curled up, shrinking its head slightly: [Host, perhaps you should first absorb the female supporting character’s memories and familiarize yourself with the small world’s plot?]

Seeing the system’s apprehensive demeanor, Tong Ling realized that this idyllic scene might soon shatter like an illusion.

The cannon fodder female supporting character in this small world was named Bai Ling, and indeed, as per Tong Ling’s request, she was a wealthy and privileged young lady. As the most doted-upon daughter of the Bai family, she not only had a loving older brother but also parents who adored her excessively. Logically, such a life should have made the female supporting character incredibly happy. However, from birth, Bai Ling suffered from congenital heart disease. Despite undergoing treatment since childhood, her condition remained unpredictable, never fully cured.

Bai Ling spent most of her time at hospitals, carrying medication for her heart condition everywhere she went. Her diet and physical activities were strictly regulated; compared to healthy peers of her age, she was like a delicate flower confined within a greenhouse, easily withering without constant care.

Naturally, this lifestyle brought Bai Ling immense pain and discomfort. To help integrate Bai Ling into social circles, her parents tried various methods. Several influential families friendly with the Baiz even introduced their own children as companions for Bai Ling.

However, Bai Ling did not find happiness in this arrangement. Her playmates, all energetic boys, could freely engage in games and activities while she could only watch silently from the sidelines.

Amidst her melancholy, Bai Ling made a friend at school.

This girl was warm and outgoing. Despite Bai Ling’s initial indifference, she remained undeterred and frequently sought her out to chat. Gradually, Bai Ling opened up to her, and the two girls became close friends who shared everything openly.

As they grew closer, Bai Ling discovered her friend’s difficult circumstances; even affording school tuition required working part-time jobs.

Bai Ling promptly arranged for the Bai family to sponsor her friend’s education and took care of her in various aspects of daily life. She saw this friend as an emotional anchor, but unexpectedly, such actions angered her friend instead. The latter felt it created an unequal dynamic between them.

Although it was just a minor conflict, Bai Ling, being a delicate secondary character, became increasingly despondent. Her mood downturn worried the Bai parents greatly. In an attempt to cheer up Bai Ling, her friends decided on a graduation trip before their studies ended.

Thinking of her friend, Bai Ling invited her along, and together with the group, they embarked on their journey via a private jet.

During the trip, Bai Ling’s friend remained sullen, feeling that the gap between them was too wide and insisting they couldn’t be true friends. Overwhelmed by a sense of futility, Bai Ling lost all desire to continue living, and soon after, her consciousness faded away.

After reviewing the original plot of the small world, Tong Ling concluded that Bai Ling’s disappearance at that point was indeed justified.

Bai Ling’s friend, Xuan Yiqing, was the protagonist of this small world. As a cannon fodder female supporting character, Bai Ling existed solely to serve as a foil to the main heroine.

During their subsequent journey, the plane unexpectedly crashes, leaving the group stranded on a deserted island. On this island, Bai Ling’s delicate nature and spoiled temperament cause constant trouble for others. Unable to handle heavy work and lacking initiative to participate, she becomes a hindrance while everyone else strives for survival.

Initially, her companions, mindful of her privileged background, take care of her. However, as food shortages worsen and living conditions deteriorate, exhaustion sets in, and fewer people bother with Bai Ling’s feelings. Gradually, she turns from being an unnecessary burden within the team to a despised waste, akin to a parasitic vine clinging to others.

In stark contrast to Bai Ling, the female protagonist Xuan Yiqing is strong-willed and resilient. She endures hardships without complaint, never treating herself differently from the boys; whatever tasks they undertake, she does likewise, always diligently working alongside them. This unassuming girl blossoms uniquely amidst adversity, capturing the attention of several wealthy young masters who shift their focus towards her, showing her care and affection.

While Bai Ling struggles daily, barely managing to secure any food, the protagonist consistently receives various provisions gifted by those boys. The harsh living conditions and persistent hunger exacerbate Bai Ling’s illness, causing frequent relapses. Feeling neglected and devoid of support, Bai Ling quietly leaves the group one morning.

No one cared where Bai Ling had gone; her departure had no impact on anyone.

They simply saw it as shedding a burden, indifferent to the fact that her leaving meant the loss of a life.

When the remaining survivors were rescued, they claimed that Bai Ling left on her own accord and could not be found afterward, refusing to discuss her condition during their time on the deserted island.

The Bai family conducted a thorough search of the entire island but ultimately found nothing.

They were forced to accept reality, suspecting that perhaps their daughter, unable to endure hardship, chose to end her own life.

As for the protagonist Xuan Yiqing, following this wilderness survival ordeal, she became the sought-after target of several wealthy young masters, leading a dramatically different life…

After reading the plot, Tong Ling’s initial joy vanished completely. “This is the rich and beautiful heiress you gave me? A heiress who goes to survive on a deserted island?”

m577 anticipated its host’s anger and obediently bowed its head, daring not to utter a single word in defense.

Just experiencing these slight emotional fluctuations caused Tong Ling’s heart to throb faintly. The frail body of the female supporting character was truly weak—no wonder someone like this would meet such an end when stranded on a desert island.

“Did you do this on purpose?” In her sea of consciousness, Tong Ling grabbed hold of the system’s fluffy form. “Are you trying to torment me by choosing such a role?”

m577 squirmed briefly in Tong Ling’s grip and hastily defended itself: [B-Bell Sister, how could I intentionally cause trouble for you? The rich heiress type you requested, unfortunately, only yielded this one match in my search. I promise future assignments will be better arranged!]

“Forget it.” Tong Ling dismissed the system’s petty intentions with ease. “Considering the intriguing plot, I’ll certainly have some fun with this.”

Upon hearing Tong Ling’s words, m577 instantly bristled: [Fun? How exactly do you plan to play along?]

“The individuals on this private jet are all quite interesting,” Tong Ling sneered. “The protagonist, who received help from the female supporting character, refuses to share even a morsel of food when the latter goes hungry. Meanwhile, several young masters, supposed companions tasked by their families to look after the female supporting character, turn a blind eye to her plight.”

“Just moments ago, there was a facade of harmony, but once we reach the deserted island, true colors will emerge. When ‘I’ lose my value, they’ll discard me without hesitation. How fascinating! Testing human nature on an isolated island far from civilization sounds absolutely thrilling!”

From Tong Ling’s tone, m577 detected an eager excitement, causing it to shudder slightly and defend the characters somewhat, “In the plot, if the female supporting character doesn’t contribute, why should she receive food? Everyone is starving; there’s no reason to accommodate her.”

“Then why not provide for her once they have ample food?” Tong Ling questioned.

m577 hesitated. Indeed, later in the story, the group learns to obtain sustenance on the deserted island, with few remaining hungry. Otherwise, various provisions wouldn’t be piled before the protagonist. The only ones still suffering hunger were the female supporting characters…

“At its core, their moral standards have been lowered,” Tong Ling sneered. “Despite knowing that providing food could save lives, they still refuse. In an orderly environment, such behavior would never occur.” She continued sarcastically, “By this point in the plot, these characters have already become morally corrupted after surviving in the wilderness.”

“After leaving the deserted island, when they pursue the protagonist, is it truly out of attraction or just to avoid exposure of their past wrongdoings?”

m577 vigorously shook its virtual form, 【S-Stop saying that! With your interpretation, even the originally optimistic survival storyline now seems quite dark.】

“That’s what makes it interesting,” Tong Ling smiled. “How people transform under extreme conditions—aren’t you curious?”

M577 whimpered, 【…I’m not curious, please don’t make me know these things.】

“Elder Sister Bai? Elder Sister Bai?” The twins’ calls abruptly interrupted Tong Ling’s conversation with the system.

Tong Ling’s consciousness returned to her body, and upon seeing the two youths beside her, she reacted as if confronted by monsters. She forcefully pulled away from their arms, clutched her heart, and looked around shakily, “Where am I? How did I end up here…”

Not just the twins, even m577 was bewildered by this reaction: 【What…what do you want to do now?】

Tong Ling, fully immersed in her act, ignored the system.

“Little Ling, what’s wrong?” The handsome young man approached Tong Ling, his expression filled with concern.

Seeing the youth’s appearance heightened Tong Ling’s unease. Without hesitation, she splashed the milk in her hand onto him and scolded in a delicate voice, “Stay back!”

Bai Ling’s strange behavior caused everyone nearby to furrow their brows in confusion.

The blue-haired boy clicked his tongue impatiently, “What’s gotten into you…? What’s wrong with you now?”

They had been accompanying Miss Bai Ling for who knows how long, but this young lady never fit in with the group and remained distant towards them. Initially, her appearance and status stirred some interest, but it gradually wore off over time.

No one was willing to keep giving indefinitely, at least he himself grew tired of it.

Now, not only did this young lady have physical issues, but it seemed her mind was also affected.

The blue-haired boy had no desire to placate such a woman.

“Zhu Zhan, shut up!” Among them, the eldest youth responsible for looking after the others gave the blue-haired boy a cold glare before gently soothing Bai Ling, “Little Ling, what’s wrong? Did I upset you somehow? I can apologize.”

Tong Ling completely ignored the young man’s words, her eyes constantly scanning their surroundings as her body trembled, seemingly on the verge of collapsing.

“Why am I back here…” Tong Ling murmured, her gaze vacant. “Graduation trip, this is that graduation trip…”

“Elder Sister Bai, what are you talking about?” The twins, being among those closest to Bai Ling, felt deeply distressed by her behavior.

Tong Ling glared fiercely at the others and smashed the glass cup she was holding. “Are you all playing with me…? Why won’t you let me be…” Her eyes filled with hatred, conveying a sense of wariness, fear, and terror that made it clear to everyone—a dreadful situation they were unaware of must have occurred.

“Little Ling, you…”

“Hahahaha, the plane is about to crash soon.” Tong Ling picked up the shattered glass fragments from the floor, pointing them towards her wrist as she sneered coldly at the group. “Rather than being toyed with by you lot, I’d rather die here…”

“What are you doing?! Have you gone mad?” Without any further hesitation, the young man stepped forward, grabbed the girl’s wrist, and flung the glass shards away from her hand.

Tong Ling screamed, “Don’t touch me!”

The young man felt the girl’s rapid breathing, her face pale, and her entire body trembling uncontrollably. Her delicate wrists seemed on the verge of breaking, limply hanging under his grip.

“Is it a heart attack?” one of the twins asked.

Rolling his eyes, the blue-haired boy named Zhu Zhan responded, “Can a heart attack cause these symptoms?”

The young man didn’t know what to do. He had been entrusted by her parents specifically to look after Bai Ling, but something was clearly wrong with her condition. This private plane lacked professional medical personnel; they would need to find somewhere to land if they wanted to treat Bai Ling.

“Q-q-qingqing… Where’s Qingqing?” In the young man’s arms, Tong Ling dared not move, resembling a trembling little quail as she softly cried out, “I want Qingqing…”

Tong Ling lifted her gaze, her eyes filled with pleading when looking at the young man. “Please, I want Qingqing…”

The young man knew who the girl referred to as ‘Qingqing’; it was a friend Bai Ling had specially brought along for the trip. Bai Ling’s friend hadn’t spoken much with them, so they weren’t really acquainted.

“Zhu Zhan, go fetch Xuan Yiqing,” the young man instructed. “And Duan Jiaze, Duan Jiayou, get a blanket and a water cup—I need to give Little Ling her medicine.”

“Hassle.” Zhu Zhan pursed his lips, “How am I supposed to know where that Xuan Yiqing is?”

Duan Jiaze and Duan Jiayou obediently responded, “Alright, we’ll leave Elder Sister Bai in Fu Ge’s care then.”

“Um…” As they conversed, a girl with her hair tied in a ponytail and slightly tanned skin approached from the aisle. She cautiously observed everyone, unsure of the situation. “Are you… looking for me? What’s the matter?”

As soon as Tong Ling saw the girl, her eyes immediately lit up. Unlike her fearful demeanor towards the others, she unreservedly displayed trust and affection when facing Xuan Yiqing.

Bai Ling, raised like a pampered princess since childhood, was physically frail due to illness. However, this fragility did not diminish her beauty at all. Her allure had been cultivated through wealth—she boasted fair, delicate skin; glossy, jet-black hair; long eyelashes framing serene eyes; and small, refined lips. Overall, she exuded an air of delicate vulnerability that evoked deep sympathy.

In contrast to her previous frenzied behavior, the sight of her now fully focused on someone intensified the strikingness of her vulnerable yet captivating charm.

This was the first time anyone witnessed such intense fondness from Bai Ling towards another person. It seemed as if a fiery passion was burning within her, giving her a sense of being truly alive.

This peculiar transformation in her demeanor left Zhu Zhan momentarily stunned.

Tong Ling, feeling as if she had found a lifeline, gently struggled against the young man’s grip. Seeing he wouldn’t release her, she pleaded with a trembling voice to Xuan Yiqing, “Qingqing, help me!”

Xuan Yiqing tilted her head in confusion. Before she could move towards Bai Ling, the plane suddenly began to shake violently.

“It’s happening,” Tong Ling’s face turned deathly pale, fear evident on her expression. “Only a few of us remain…”

Her tears streamed down uncontrollably, and overwhelmed by the intense shock, she closed her eyes and collapsed limply into the young man’s arms.

“What’s wrong with the plane?”

“Is there some malfunction?”

The teenagers exchanged worried glances. “Where’s the captain? Why isn’t there any announcement about what’s going on?”

Silence filled the aircraft’s speakers. As the shaking intensified, thick smoke started billowing within the cabin, triggering automatic alarm sounds…

Holding the girl tightly, the young man swiftly put oxygen masks over both their faces. He urged everyone to adjust their seating positions securely, then drawing upon his limited survival knowledge, prepared for evacuation.

Bai Ling’s words, “the plane will crash,” involuntarily surfaced in everyone’s minds. A chilling realization struck them; a terrifying and absurd reality seemed to be unfolding silently before their eyes.