NOVEL NEXT Chapter 59 - I’ll take this seriously
Jiang Zi cast a distant yet perfect smile her way, the curve of her lips measured to perfection, even her eyes feigning a soft, affectionate glint.
But she knew all too well that her pretense was futile. Nothing escaped the system’s relentless analysis. Standing before Tang Yuan, she felt stripped bare, reduced to cold, unfeeling data—just a program, predictable and calculated.
Tang Yuan had never truly loved her. Perhaps she never even saw her as a flesh-and-blood person.
The system’s alerts blared in rapid succession.
[Alert! The heroine’s self-destruction value has risen to 65. Host, immediate intervention is required.]
[Alert! The heroine’s self-destruction value has risen to 70. Host, immediate intervention is required.]
[Alert! The heroine’s self-destruction value has risen to 75. Host, immediate intervention is required.]
Jiang Zi could hear the alarms growing louder as Tang Yuan approached her.
The smile on her lips grew increasingly strained, the incessant warnings gnawing away at her. Was she nothing more than a lifeless program, an NPC in a game?
Finally, Tang Yuan stopped in front of her. Just as Jiang Zi expected, she had come to comfort her.
“Sister, why are you unhappy?”
Without waiting for a response, Jiang Zi wrapped her arm around Tang Yuan’s waist, tilted her chin up, and pressed a forceful kiss onto her lips. Her embrace tightened, her actions rough and unyielding.
Tang Yuan, startled by the sudden kiss and overwhelmed by the torrent of emotions Jiang Zi poured into it, felt like a piece of driftwood caught in a raging storm—helpless, with no shore in sight.
But sensing Jiang Zi’s distress, she didn’t resist. Instead, she responded, her actions a silent offering of comfort.
[Sister, Sister, Sister…]
Jiang Zi’s long lashes fluttered, and the darkness in her eyes seemed to regain a faint glimmer of light. She paused her aggressive conquest, her movements turning tender and cautious. With her eyes open, she watched Tang Yuan slowly sink into the warmth of her possession.
【[What’s going on? Why are they so suddenly kissing?】
【All I saw was little Tang Yuan running back, only to get forcefully loved by Sister Jiang.】
【They’ve been kissing for ages! Ahhh, can I just squeeze in between for a second?!】
Tang Yuan wrapped her arms around Jiang Zi’s waist, hugging her tightly in return.
She didn’t know why Jiang Zi was upset, but she knew Jiang Zi needed her. If she could provide comfort, she was willing to give it her all. If Jiang Zi was in pain, she would share in it too.
Amid the lingering kiss, Jiang Zi tasted something salty. Realizing it was Tang Yuan’s tears trickling to her lips, she panicked. She pulled away, her grip on Tang Yuan’s chin loosening instinctively. Upon seeing the delicate red mark on Tang Yuan’s pale jawline, the evidence of her roughness, Jiang Zi’s expression turned flustered.
She even let go of Tang Yuan’s waist, stammering, “I… I’m sorry.”
She had kissed Tang Yuan without her consent, forcing her into it. She must have made Tang Yuan so upset she cried.
Tang Yuan, however, seeing Jiang Zi trying to push her away. Annoyed, she looped her arms around Jiang Zi’s neck, drawing her back in. Their closeness felt natural, as if there should never have been a distance between them.
Tang Yuan locked eyes with her, demanding, “Why are you apologizing?”
Jiang Zi’s fists clenched nervously at her sides, her knuckles pale from the pressure. Avoiding Tang Yuan’s gaze, she muttered, “Because… you don’t like it.”
Because of the so-called mission, the choice to be with her, and the confession of liking her—it wasn’t just deceiving her, it was deceiving Tang Yuan herself.
She would have to spend the rest of her life with herself, so even if she didn’t like her, she could only brainwash herself into believing she did. Otherwise, how could she endure living a lifetime with someone she didn’t love?
If she died, Tang Yuan wouldn’t have to make such a choice.
[Warning! The female lead’s self-destruction value has risen to 90. The host must intervene immediately!]
Tang Yuan completely silenced the system’s voice, cupping Jiang Zi’s face as if holding a broken doll. Her eyes radiated with love and patience. “Sister, I like it.”
“I like it when you’re like this with me.” She leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Jiang Zi’s lips.
Afterward, she buried herself in Jiang Zi’s embrace, her lips trailing lightly along Jiang Zi’s collar and neckline. Her voice, gentle as a breeze, soothed and comforted her. “Sister, I trust myself, and I hope you can trust me too. Believe that I truly love you.”
Jiang Zi, captivated by Tang Yuan’s unwavering gaze filled with devotion, reached out absentmindedly to wipe away her tears. “Then why… were you crying?”
“I felt heartache.” Tang Yuan pressed closer, speaking against Jiang Zi’s neck, her voice muffled, “Feeling your sadness made my heart ache so badly.”
“Sister, do you think I’m sick?”
The deadened corners of Jiang Zi’s heart seemed to spring back to life. Her mind bloomed with fireworks, her thoughts filled entirely with Tang Yuan.
Her self-loathing dissipated as swiftly as it had come, subdued effortlessly by Tang Yuan’s presence.
“Tang Yuan, I’ll take this seriously.”
Tang Yuan, dissatisfied, nipped at her neck, leaving a mark. “You better! I was more worried you wouldn’t.”
Tang Yuan suddenly had an epiphany. The system insisted she didn’t love Jiang Zi, but her feelings were undeniably real—worrying for her, aching for her, constantly thinking about her, and even feeling jealous. How could this not be love?
The system might deny her feelings, but she wouldn’t.
She loved Jiang Zi. She had fallen for her completely.
“Sister, if anything ever upsets you, don’t keep it to yourself. Promise me you’ll tell me, okay?”
Jiang Zi stroked her hair gently, her tone soft. “Okay.”
In truth, she had nothing left to be upset about. Her heart felt so full it threatened to overflow. Happiness bubbled within her, visible even in her gaze.
“How are you feeling now?”
“Very good,” Jiang Zi replied, contentedly nuzzling into her soft hair. “Dear, I love you so much.”
Tang Yuan smirked, draping her arms over Jiang Zi’s shoulders with a mix of nonchalance and pride. “Of course you do. Who wouldn’t? I’m young, beautiful, rich, and charming. Plus, my personality’s amazing.”
“Yeah,” Jiang Zi agreed wholeheartedly, even adding more to her list. “You’re emotionally intelligent, incredibly tolerant of my dullness, and you share your happiness so freely. Without you, my life would be barren.”
“Sister, why would you ever think you’re dull?” Tang Yuan countered, immediately refuting Jiang Zi’s self-perception. “You might be reserved, but you’re so good at flirting!”
Tang Yuan pointed to her lips. “Look, have my lips become pouty?”
To Jiang Zi, the gesture was practically an invitation for another kiss.
Jiang Zi didn’t want to hear about how she appeared in Tang Yuan’s eyes anymore. She quickly silenced her once again.
So sweet, it felt like no matter how much she kissed, it was never enough.
Such happiness felt almost stolen, leaving Jiang Zi secretly thrilled that Tang Yuan hadn’t fallen for anyone else.
When Jiang Zi heard the system’s voice, she couldn’t help but doubt herself—wondering if she was just a string of meaningless data.
But Tang Yuan always had the system with her, and it provided the most rational and objective perspective on everything. Despite this, Tang Yuan chose to ignore the system’s analysis and gave her exactly what she wanted.
If it’s a lie, then let it be a lifetime of lies.