[Master, although I can't give you direct rewards, I can double the results of your training.]
Xia Lan raised an eyebrow and smirked slightly."So basically, you're useless, right?"
[Wha—what are you saying?! Doubling your training results isn't useless! That's overpowered! You just have to put in the work, and I guarantee the outcome.]
Xia Lan narrowed her eyes in suspicion."Then tell me—who are you? Why help me? Why give me this opportunity? What do you really want in return?"
[Master, I can tell you this—this world is actually a novel, and you were meant to be its villainess. But you died too quickly… you didn't fulfill your role. Because of that, the world order was thrown off balance. Now, you've been reborn—and I was created from the world's energy to help you correct it.]
Xia Lan's smile vanished. Her face grew cold as her hands clenched into fists, and she spoke through gritted teeth."So you mean… my life was fake? Just something written by someone else's pen?"
The usual calm electronic voice wavered, panic slipping through the synthetic tone.
[N-No, Master! This world is real—everything you've lived, felt, seen—it's all real! Please don't doubt that…]
Xia Lan narrowed her eyes, voice laced with quiet suspicion."So what is this villainess thing? And why me?"
[Ah—because… you fell in love with the male lead. But that person… he loved the heroine instead.]
For a moment, there was silence. Then, Xia Lan let out a soft, humorless chuckle.
"Heh… do you mean I fell in love with someone?"Her voice rose in disbelief, sharp and mocking."Haha… are you joking with me right now?"
Then, just as suddenly, her expression went cold, her eyes like steel."I don't believe in love. So don't try to feed me lies."
[B-But I'm telling the truth, Master…!]
She turned her back slightly, arms crossed."Then this 'truth' must be from a version of me that no longer exists."
Xia Lan ignored the floating panel in her mind and turned her attention to the instructors on stage.
Su Nian, full of enthusiasm, stepped forward and announced,"Now, we'd like to invite our show's biggest investor—Mr. Qin Yanzhou!"
The room buzzed with excitement. As Qin Yanzhou stepped onto the stage, most trainees lit up, their eyes sparkling with admiration. But Xia Lan remained still, expression unreadable.
Up on stage, Qin Yanzhou scanned the crowd, his gaze briefly pausing when it landed on Xia Lan—calm, detached, utterly unfazed.
Wasn't she the one from the audition site?He narrowed his eyes slightly. about her... there's something different about her.
Next, Mo Beichen took the mic, smiling."That's it for today, everyone. After dinner, you'll head to your assigned dorms. Each room has two trainees. Starting tomorrow at 6 AM sharp, training begins—so rest well tonight!"
Beside her, Su Xin beamed and grabbed her arm lightly."Sis Xia Lan, let's be roommates, okay? Please take care of me!"
Xia Lan glanced at her and gave a small nod."Okay. Take care of me too."
It was short, but sincere—perhaps the Rare time she'd said something like that in a long while.
As they stepped into their dorm room, Xia Lan scanned the space. Two beds, two desks, and a single bathroom—it was simple and clean. But what caught her eye were the small cameras discreetly mounted in the corners of the walls.
Without commenting, she turned to Su Xin."Go to sleep. We need to be up early tomorrow."
Su Xin gave an energetic nod and jumped onto her bed with a small bounce."Okay!"
Xia Lan allowed herself a faint smile before settling into her own bed.
Early Morning — 5:00 AM
Xia Lan stirred with a yawn, blinking the sleep from her eyes. The soft light from the window crept into the room. She glanced at the bed beside hers—Su Xin was still snoring lightly, curled up under the blanket.
After checking the time, Xia Lan climbed out of bed. She began her usual routine—pull-ups using the edge of the doorframe, stretches, then a quick round of light exercises. After a short but efficient workout, she headed into the bathroom for a shower.
By the time she stepped out, dressed and drying her hair with a towel, she stopped in her tracks.
Su Xin was standing on her bed, holding a spoon like a microphone, singing enthusiastically:"I love you more than ever hoooh~!"
Without a word, Xia Lan picked up a pillow and flung it at her.
"Su Xin, stop making noise."
Su Xin yelped as the pillow hit her and then turned around with a grin."Sis! Sit down. I'll make us breakfast!"
Xia Lan crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow."Su Xin, I'm not even older than you. Why do you keep calling me 'sis'?"
Su Xin shrugged like it was the most obvious thing in the world."You were super cool when you taught that girl Shao a lesson. Duh!"
Xia Lan couldn't help it—her lips tugged upward slightly.