The world tilted.
The shrill scream of metal grinding against asphalt split through the night as Jiang Yue's car spiraled forward, her foot slamming against useless brakes. Her eyes widened. The steering wheel locked, the pedal stiff under her weight. No matter how she pressed, the car didn't slow down.
> Warning: Brake system failure detected. Luck deviation probability 92%.
The familiar blue screen flickered in the corner of her vision. Her system's voice, once flat and mechanical, now carried a tone of dry sarcasm.
[System]: Congratulations, host. You've just unlocked today's "early death by brakes" scenario. Want me to play some dramatic background music while you crash?
"Not funny!" she shouted, jerking the wheel.
Her hands slipped with sweat. The world outside blurred headlights, honking cars, night air slicing against her skin through the crack of the window. She knew she had seconds. Seconds before the car launched into a ditch or a wall.
"Options?" she snapped, her voice trembling.
[System]: Option one: Die beautifully. Option two: Jump like the reckless cat you are. Personally, I recommend rolling out, your luck may be trash, but gravity still works.
Her chest heaved. That cheeky tone might've been new, but the advice was sound. Jiang Yue wrenched the door open, the cold rush of air smacking her face.
"Fine. You better not let me die!"
[System]: Can't make promises, darling. But hey, if you do, at least you'll respawn with style.
She didn't have time to argue. She launched herself out to the ground hard and merciless. She hit, rolled, dirt scratching her arms and knees before her body collided with something soft.
Hay. A pile of hay. She coughed violently, the taste of dust in her mouth, straw sticking out of her hair and clinging to her coat. Her body ached, but she was alive.
The system's voice chuckled.
[System]: Look at you. Elegant. Graceful. Just like a falling sack of rice.
She groaned, pushing herself up to her elbows. Her vision wavered, but through the haze of dust and straw, she saw him.
Li Zhenkai
He was running, no, sprinting toward her. His tie flapped loose, his coat half thrown over his shoulder. She barely had time to register his sharp eyes before he was there, grabbing her arms, steadying her upright.
"Jiang Yue." His voice cracked with a force she'd never heard before. His eyes scanned her, frantic, like he was checking if she was still whole. "Are you hurt? Can you stand? Talk to me."
She blinked, dazed, coughing again. "I—I think so. Just bruised. Maybe a cracked pride. And a mouth full of straw."
A shaky laugh tore from her chest, but it died instantly when he pulled her into him. His arms wrapped tightly around her, locking her against his chest.
"Don't " His voice was low, almost breaking. "Don't ever scare me like that again."
She froze. Her face was pressed against the steady thud of his heartbeat. Except it wasn't steady, it was pounding, erratic, like a drum in a storm.
Her lips parted. His heart was racing. For her.
Her body stiffened, then softened against him. The warmth of his embrace, the sheer desperation in the way he held her, this wasn't the cold, untouchable CEO the world saw. This was a man shaken to his core.
"You really are allergic to survival," he whispered against her hair, voice rough.
She laughed weakly, clutching his shirt. "You noticed?"
He leaned back just enough to look at her, his dark eyes burning into hers. His jaw clenched. "I notice everything when it comes to you."
Her throat tightened. The world seemed to pause and it felt like it was just him, her, and the night.
Well unril the system's voice intruded with a teasing cough.
[System]: Ahem. Pardon me, lovebirds. But could you not confess in the middle of hay like two tragic cows? Also, Li Zhenkai's blood pressure just spiked. 160/100. Should I call an ambulance?
Jiang Yue nearly choked. Seriously?
She turned her face away, ears burning. "You're impossible."
*[System]: Flattering, I know. But admit it, I've upgraded since my maintenance break. Now I come with premium commentary, sarcasm included. You're welcome.
Li Zhen frowned slightly. "Who are you talking to?"
Her eyes widened. She had forgotten herself. "…Myself. Just, you know, trauma brain. Ignore me."
[System]: Smooth. Very hacker of you. Speaking of which, you still haven't cracked the lock I asked you to test. Lazy host.
Her lip twitched. Even while she was shaking from almost dying, the system was nagging her about coding challenges it gave her as "training." She was a hacker, yes, but her so called companion had turned it into their inside joke.
Li Zhenkai pulled her closer again, his breath unsteady against her temple. "Jiang Yue. Promise me. Next time no more reckless stunts."
She tilted her head, looking up at him with trembling lips. "You think I asked my brakes to fail?"
His expression softened, torn between frustration and relief. His hand rose, brushing straw gently from her hair. "Doesn't matter. I'll make sure it never happens again."
Her chest tightened. The sincerity in his tone left her breathless.
[System]: Ding ding ding. Romantic event detected. Heartbeat synchronization: 93%. Probability of kiss within the next 3 minutes—high. Should I cue soft music? Maybe Sam Smith again?
Jiang Yue's eyes widened, heat flooding her cheeks. "Shut up," she hissed under her breath.
Li Zhenkai blinked. "What?"
"Nothing!" she said too quickly, pulling away,, but his hand tightened at her waist, anchoring her there.
"Don't," he murmured. "Don't push me away right now."
Her heart fluttered. The system snickered.
[System]: He said don't. Translation: He wants to hold you longer. Host, you lucky disaster, you're living in a romance novel for real.
Her lips parted, but words refused to come.
Instead, she let herself sink back into his embrace, just for a moment. Just long enough to hear his heartbeat pounding against hers.