I felt a chill run down my spine, like a bad omen.
Gu Sheng was staring at me intensely, his expression ugly and tense, only relaxing slightly when I finally pulled away from Bai Yue's embrace.
"So you're Bai Ryuu. I've heard about you, but I believe this is our first time meeting."
He spoke with a forced smile, trying to appear friendly, but his initial hostility caught me off guard.
Seriously? His woman suddenly grabs me and he's the one angry at me?
"Nice to meet you. I've heard about you as well, Mr. Gu Sheng."
I replied with a friendly smile, even offering a handshake, which he ignored with nothing more than a nod.
My hand remained awkwardly extended into empty air until Bai Yue grabbed it and murmured with an embarrassed smile,
"Gu Sheng doesn't like shaking hands with strangers." She brought my hand to her chest in a strangely intimate gesture and whispered softly, "Please forgive Gu Sheng for disrespecting you. He didn't mean any harm."
"There's no need to apologize. It was my fault for making Gu Sheng uncomfortable." I quickly withdrew my hand.
Gu Sheng's gaze burned against my hand. I don't even want to know what kind of expression that possessive CEO is wearing right now.
Watching Bai Yue more closely, I realized she truly is a snake. Every seemingly harmless gesture of hers is meant to stir Gu Sheng's jealousy.
But the real question is—why is she doing this to me?
"Darling, I'll buy that dress you were eyeing. How about you come with me?"
Gu Sheng suddenly asked.
"Really?!"
Bai Yue's eyes sparkled as she exclaimed.
"Yes. On the way, we can stop by that restaurant you like."
He suggested with a smile, already grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the exit.
"Goodbye, Mom! Goodbye, brother!"
Bai Yue called out dramatically as she was led away, while Gu Sheng didn't even bother to look back.
"So, Mom."
I turned to the woman who was watching Bai Yue leave with a dark expression.
"Can you explain what exactly happened here? I just got back recently and don't know anything about what occurred."
I'm not lying. I truly don't know anything. The only thing the system gave me was a basic summary about this world's protagonist.
I don't even know who the heroine is, though I can guess it's Bai Xue based on the plot's title. As for the rest, I know nothing—not even the characters' names.
Not even my own "mother's" name.
My "mother" blinked a few times, as if my voice had pulled her out of a trance.
"Of course I'll explain."
She closed her eyes and said with a hint of… resignation?
"Recently, your sister Bai Xue has been dealing with psychological issues and ended up pushing Bai Yue down the stairs, insisting that Gu Sheng was her husband, not Bai Yue's."
Her words were like an explosive revelation.
Bai Xue is crazy? Then she's not the heroine? But then who's the abandoned wife?
Could it be Bai Yue? But that's impossible. She has Gu Sheng wrapped around her finger, and it doesn't look like he'll be breaking free from that control anytime soon.
I'd better just ask the system mentally instead of racking my brain with these riddles.
"System, can you tell me who the heroine is?"
The answer came quickly as a blue screen appeared before me.
[Yes, but the system's level is insufficient for long-range detection. Physical contact is required for verification.]
So that's it. I just need to touch Bai Xue to find out whether she's truly the heroine or not.
For now, I'll gather more information. I have a feeling this story isn't that simple.
I should look for Bai Xue, hear what she has to say, and verify whether she's the heroine.
"Thank you very much, Mom. But I think I should get going now."
"So soon?" She pouted. "You just came back from abroad and you're already thinking about leaving again?"
Damn… I can't deny this woman's appeal.
Her full lips formed a perfect pout, and those blue eyes pleaded for attention.
Everything about her was temptation.
But unfortunately, I have bigger priorities right now. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind staying a little longer.
"Mom, I need to handle some urgent matters. I promise I'll come back soon."
She hesitated, lightly biting her lower lip.
Watching her chest rise and fall with a deep breath, I was tempted to hug her, just to feel that softness again—but I held myself back.
"Take care, my son. The family needs you now more than ever."
She gave me a kiss on the cheek, lingering long enough for me to feel the warmth of her breath. My skin tingled where her lips touched, and I could still feel the fading heat afterward.
As I walked away, I noticed the mansion staff watching me. Some curious, others envious. After all, I was the prodigal son returning home.
"Heh, even without choosing the Playboy NTR package, I still ended up in a wealthy family."
I thanked my luck and stepped through the imposing gates, the cool afternoon air brushing against my face.
Now that I think about it, I'm a femboy and my body… I haven't properly examined it yet. I'd better do that now.
I stopped behind a tall tree and looked at my hands. My fingers were slender and delicate, without a single callus, as if they had never done manual labor.
I pulled out a phone from my pocket and looked at my reflection on the screen.
My face had a delicate oval shape, golden hair falling softly over my shoulders. My crystal-blue eyes were accentuated by thin, well-shaped brows. A small upturned nose completed the harmony, and beneath it rested a delicate mouth adorned with inviting pink lips.
I ran my fingers over my face, feeling skin as smooth as silk, and for a moment I realized the absurdity of the situation.
Just a few days ago, my face was ordinary and easily forgettable—the only striking feature being a well-trimmed beard. Now I look like a model from a women's magazine, and I can't tell whether that's a good thing or not.
"My dick… System, is it already activated?"
[Yes, Host. It is hidden in "cute" mode.]
I touched my pants just to be sure and felt only a small, soft bulge there, like one of those stress balls.
It's unbelievable that it could reach sixteen inches, but so far the system hasn't lied.
Still, I'm not satisfied. There's something else I want to check.
"Status screen."
As soon as the words left my mouth, a translucent blue screen filled my vision.
____
Name: Bai Ryuu (Kurokawa Ryuu)
Title: Level 1 System Host
Attributes:
Strength – 0.5
Agility – 0.7
Vitality – 0.4
Charm – 8
Intelligence – 11
(Average: 1 point.)
Free attribute points available: 7.8
Special Traits:
16-inch member, hidden when inactive (Gold).
____
Eleven intelligence? And if the average is one… I can call myself Einstein 2.0 now.
My charm is also extremely high. I bet if I were a woman, the protagonists would fall in love at first sight…
"…"
What a strange thought. It even made me feel a little nauseous. I'd better focus on what matters.
"Why are my physical attributes below average? And what are these free attribute points?"
[Femboys are not known for their strength. Therefore, your physical attributes were recalibrated during body remodeling. The free points are compensation for the lost attributes.]
"So I can assign the free points to any attribute?"
[Yes.]
I'm tempted to increase my charm. If I'm already handsome, imagine how I'd look then? But I think I'll save them for emergencies.
It would be reckless to spend them now, especially when I don't know how hard it is to obtain more.
"I think I've wasted enough time admiring my stats."
What I need to do now is find Bai Xue.
She left with her head down, probably without a penny in her pocket, so she can't have gone far. A beautiful woman like her walking alone in a city like this is a bit dangerous.
But she's the heroine, so nothing should happen… I think.
I decided to walk, observing the upscale neighborhood around me. Luxury cars passed slowly, and mansions lined up like fortresses of wealth.
Now that I think about it, I have no idea where she went…
But!
According to my knowledge of Chinese novels, she probably went to the city center and is sitting on some park bench.
"Good thing my phone has satellite GPS to guide me to downtown."
After fifty minutes of walking, I finally reached a busy plaza.
"Damn it! I'll never trust this GPS again!"
This city is freaking huge! And this damn GPS kept sending me in the wrong direction!
My legs are killing me, but at least I made it. If I don't find the heroine here, I'm going to be seriously pissed.
Wandering through the plaza, I passed empty benches, street vendors shouting promotions, and couples acting like couples.
Sitting in a secluded corner was Bai Xue. She was so hidden I almost didn't notice her.
She was curled up, knees drawn to her chest, her face buried in her arms. The elegant dress now looked wrinkled and dirty, fresh tears staining the white fabric.
My heart tightened—both out of pity and anger.
Women are treasures and should be treated with respect, and Gu Sheng threw away a beauty like that while the family watched in silence.
And worst of all, that beauty was clearly in love with Gu Sheng!
And even so, he treated her like trash!
Suppressing the anger in my chest, I approached slowly, my steps quiet against the grass.
"Bai Xue?"
She lifted her face slowly, red and swollen eyes staring at me in surprise. For a second, I saw confusion, then recognition.
"Bro—… Bai Ryuu?"
The poor thing was so broken she even hesitated to call me brother. I sat beside her, keeping a respectful distance. My delicate body wouldn't scare anyone, but I wanted to earn her trust first.
"What really happened? Mom told me one version, but I want to hear it from you."
She sniffled, wiping her runny nose with the back of her hand. Such a vulnerable gesture that made me want to protect her right then and there.
"I didn't push anyone. I swear, brother. Bai Yue… she set everything up."
The words came out stumbling between sobs. She extended a trembling hand, lightly touching my arm.
It was an insignificant touch, but even that small contact was enough for the system.
[Ding!]
[Physical contact established. Verifying heroine…]
[Heroine confirmed: Bai Xue. Current affection level: 20 (sympathy). Current corruption level: 0.]
So it really was her. The abandoned wife from the title.
And by the classic plot, Gu Sheng would realize his mistake later, regret everything, chase after her with flowers and empty promises, and somehow win her back.
Too bad that's not going to happen this time—because I won't allow it.
New system interfaces appeared, but I don't have time to check them now. I'll leave that for later.
"I believe you," I said calmly, covering her hand with mine.
That seemed to give her confidence.
"Bai Yue faked the fall. She said I was crazy, obsessed with Gu Sheng."
"But she promised she would let me stay with him."
"She tricked me! She tricked all of us!"
She kept muttering one sentence after another without even pausing for breath. Her fingers instinctively intertwined with mine, seeking warmth and comfort as she vented.
Okay, this is confusing. I didn't understand a damn thing. But from the desperation and hope in her voice, her sincerity is clear.
"Breathe, sister." I gently squeezed her hand. "Explain everything from the beginning. How did Bai Yue trick you?"
She fell silent for a few seconds, then slowly opened her mouth.
"It started like this…"