Two weeks after Gu Qianran, Gu Qianran, finished her midterm exams, the system appeared again.
[Beep. Host, please complete the task: ensure Bai Ziyuan, Bai Ziyuan, gets admitted to Nanzhong.]
Nanzhong High School in South City is the province's key school and also the school of the male lead. Gu Qianran frowned. Her task was to alter the story—how could she possibly push that jerk and Bai Ziyuan together? The main characters had already deviated from the original plot, so why stubbornly force the story forward?
"Hey, system, what's the point of following this plot? I can't force her," Gu Qianran said, staring at the task sheet and gently tracing her fingers across the paper.
The system gave no answer, acting like a task machine that merely dropped the mission and left. Doesn't it know what I've been up to? Gu Qianran narrowed her eyes. Then, in front of the system, she could maintain the appearance of a curious and laid-back senior citizen. Since the system wasn't actively monitoring her, she would secretly expand her own influence and change this ridiculous storyline.
"Bai Ziyuan, Bai Ziyuan, which school are you planning to apply to for the high school entrance exam?" Gu Qianran asked, wanting to hear the young girl's opinion. If needed, she could apply to the same school as Bai Ziyuan and keep an eye on her. Seeing the little girl look confused, Gu Qianran shook her head helplessly.
Ah, she forgot—because the plot had changed, Bai Ziyuan had not yet experienced so much trouble. She was still naive, not sharp or dazzling, and naturally didn't care much about researching schools.
"Qian Ran, Qian Ran, which school are you aiming for? Your grades are excellent, right? I want to go to the same school as you," Bai Ziyuan said, looking at Gu Qianran with complete trust in her eyes.
"Nanzhong. If you want to apply there too, I'll tutor you," Gu Qianran said with a sly smile. Nanzhong isn't just South City No. 1 High School called Nanzhong. Since the system had left a loophole, why not exploit it?
So Ji Tang, Ji Tang, saw Bai Ziyuan gazing at Gu Qianran like a small, dependent creature. Gu Qianran patted her head, smiling with what could almost be described as maternal affection.
Ji Tang thought: what kind of socialist sisterly bond is this? And why does it smell faintly like romance?
"Tang Tang, Tang Tang, what about you?" the source of the romantic tension asked, turning to Ji Tang. "Actually, I want to go to Nanzhong too. Their science program is excellent. For finance and business management, it's an advantage." She would need strong science foundations if she wanted to escape her family's control and start her own business in the future.
Bai Ziyuan nodded, partly understanding, and habitually tilted her head. This time, her lips brushed against Gu Qianran's cheek, leaving a long, glistening streak.
"Ah! Sorry, Qian Ran!" Bai Ziyuan's face turned crimson as she flusteredly wiped at the drool.
Gu Qianran barely felt anything. They were both girls; a little cheek kiss was nothing. She watched Bai Ziyuan's flushed face with interest. "We're both girls. Why are you blushing?" she asked, delighted to see Bai Ziyuan's earlobes turn a vibrant shade of red as well. She chuckled softly. How had she never realized this heroine was so easily teased?
Discovering a new source of amusement, Gu Qianran felt joyful, letting Bai Ziyuan rub against her face while smiling brightly.
Watching everything, Ji Tang thought: is this romantic tension… yuri-flavored? Well, it's delicious.
"All right, stop wiping. You're going to chafe your skin. By the way, Bai Ziyuan, Bai Ziyuan, your sister is at Nankou No. 12 High School, right?" Gu Qianran quickly changed the topic, not wanting to fluster the little girl further.
"Yes. Why, Qian Ran?" Bai Ziyuan instinctively moved a little away, a little embarrassed. "Oh no, what if Qianran thinks I'm weird…"
Gu Qianran pulled her back. "Why hide so far away? Come here." She looked at Ji Tang. "The Nanzhong you mentioned—is it Nankou No. 12 High School?"
Ji Tang looked confused. "Of course not. Normally, when someone says Nanzhong, they mean South City No. 1 High School."
Gu Qianran shook her head. "I'm aiming for Nankou No. 12 High School."
Bai Ziyuan blinked. "Huh? Why?" She stared at Gu Qianran with curiosity. Gu Qianran's heart skipped a beat, thinking the little girl had discovered something. Instead, Bai Ziyuan looked righteous. "Are you going to see my sister? Qian Ran, Qian Ran, you're getting close to me just because of my sister?"
"…Little girl, your imagination is wild."
"No, I have my own reasons. What about you? Are you coming with me?" Gu Qianran asked. She would not force Bai Ziyuan. Everyone had the right to rewrite their own destiny, not be led by someone else. She believed that without the male lead's interference, Bai Ziyuan could live a better life.
Yes, if her demeanor didn't resemble a shady older woman luring an innocent child, her words might have more persuasion.
Nankou No. 12 High School was slightly inferior to South City No. 1 High School, but still a good school. Bai Ziyuan thought for a moment, then said solemnly, "I'll follow you, Qian Ran! I can't let my sister take you away!"
Ji Tang, full from the metaphorical romantic tension, quietly lowered her presence and secretly played on her phone. Then, a loud "Whoa!" echoed across the classroom.
Ji Tang stared at Gu Qianran like she was a monster. "The investment you told me to make—it's quintupled!" She shook Gu Qianran. "You're a monster! If I'd known, I'd have borrowed more from my dad to invest…"
Gu Qianran wasn't surprised. In both the real world and this world, shared bicycles were a solid investment. The later consequences, however, were another matter.
Watching Ji Tang's grateful face, Bai Ziyuan frowned. "Master Gu, from now on, I'll follow your lead for all investments. Wherever you say, I invest. I'll give you dividends!"
Bai Ziyuan looked disdainful. "Taurus money-grabber!"
Ji Tang just showed her the screen. "I'm just making money. What's wrong?"
Bai Ziyuan's mouth formed an O as she counted zeros. "Qian Ran, Qian Ran, did you do this?"
Gu Qianran nodded. She intended to use these capable supporting characters to reshape this world. Ji Tang was an excellent entrepreneur and would provide much help in the future. Asking her to invest everything was also a test of trust—and she had given her 100 percent. Gu Qianran sometimes wondered if she was overthinking middle schoolers.
Then she shook her head. The world was generous and never stingy with malice. It was never bad to treat people as complex. Cute little people like Bai Ziyuan were rare.
"Keep going, invest everything." Early investments paid off more.
Ji Tang, eyes shining with dollar signs, invested everything without hesitation, already calculating her wealth.
"Ah! Master Gu, if I can double this again, I'll finally have a chance to start a company!" Ji Tang's grin stretched to the sky. She had just come to school, yet had found a treasure-class classmate. She suddenly appreciated her seat assignment in the Mediterranean classroom. Nothing could be unsatisfying now.
Gu Qianran raised an eyebrow. Starting a company? Good. Who knew how the plot would turn? Having financial support was always useful. The high school entrance exam was near, and the plot points from the original story were approaching. This time, unlike the previous life, she had to fight demons and monsters barehanded, fully prepared.
Either win or strike with full force. This was her one chance to exploit the system's loophole. She had to secure or destroy the Li family. Any mistake would give the male lead, blessed by fate, a chance to overturn everything.
Seeing Bai Ziyuan harass Ji Tang, Gu Qianran's eyes flashed with a killing intent.
No one could ever hurt her little friend again. She was a person, not a cold block of text. The scumbag male lead was about to face judgment.