Chapter 11: The Fish Are Still Waiting

The rooftop confession hung in the air like the last note of a ballad. Shi Xi stared at Gu Yan—this impossible man who had somehow been lost in the same fictional nightmare as her—and felt something dangerously close to hope.

Then the system ruined it.

[DING! NEW MISSION: “Make Lu Cheng Dislike You”]
Details: The original male lead is currently 47% interested in you. This is 47% too high. Reduce his affection to 0%.
Reward: 500 points + The system will stop playing cash register sounds at inappropriate moments.
Failure: The fish get a front-row seat.

Shi Xi groaned. “You have got to be kidding me.”

Gu Yan raised an eyebrow. “Talking to the system?”

“Unfortunately.” She pulled her hand back, suddenly self-conscious. “It wants me to make Lu Cheng hate me. Apparently, he’s developing feelings.”

“Feelings?” Gu Yan’s voice went flat. “The protagonist who’s supposed to drown you has feelings?”

“Jealousy isn’t a good look on you, Producer Gu.”

“I’m not jealous.” He stood, brushing dust off his pants. “I’m… strategically concerned.”

[DING! Gu Yan’s interest level: 80%. He is lying about not being jealous.]

I know, she thought.

The next morning, Shi Xi woke to three things: a headache from the cheap champagne, a text from Gu Yan that just said “Good morning, my little fake heiress”, and a breaking news alert.

“SHI FAMILY’S RUNAWAY DAUGHTER SPOTTED EATING STREET NOODLES – IS SHE DESTITUTE?”

The article had a photo. Her. Mouth full of noodles. Sauce on her chin. It was not her best angle.

The comments were merciless:

@RichGirlWatch: She looks homeless. Did the Shis cut her off?
@NingYuDefenseSquad: Good. The fake daughter deserves nothing.
@NoodleGuyStan: Respect for supporting local businesses tho

Shi Xi threw her phone across the futon. “I’m not destitute. I’m frugal.”

[DING! Side effect detected: The Shi family now believes you are starving.]

“What?”

Her phone exploded.

Mother Shi: “Xiao Xi! We’re sending food!”
Father Shi: “Come home immediately. This is embarrassing for our brand.”
Shi Brother (Wei): “SISTER! I’M CRYING! ARE YOU EATING GARBAGE?!”

She typed back: “I’m fine. Leave me alone.”

Twenty minutes later, a convoy of black SUVs pulled up outside her apartment building.