TSVSFL 09

Chapter 09

You Leave Too

Ding Li turned her head.

Xiao Wenjing had taken the cup and sat by the bed, supporting her as he brought it to her lips.

…

Damn it, were you a fallen angel in your last life? A devoted guardian of love, huh?

Useless cannon-fodder second male lead!

If you hadn’t dragged me into that stupid place and that ridiculous illusion, would I have needed to use Lovesickness Trigger on you?!

Failing to steal the chicken only to lose the rice—Ding Li glared at him resentfully. Do you know that you bear the main responsibility for me ending up like this?!

Lowering her eyes, she caught sight of her reflection in the water—just as expected, her entire head was wrapped in thick bandages, leaving only her eyes exposed.

Ding Li shut her eyes in despair, her heart sinking into ashes, and collapsed backward onto the bed as if all strength had left her body.

“Hey!” Xiao Wenjing caught her with one hand supporting her back, nearly spilling the water in the other. “Didn’t you want to drink water?”

Who the hell wants to drink water after being disfigured? You drink it yourself!

Lying on the bed with her eyes closed, Ding Li coldly called out to the system in her mind:
“System, come out. Let’s talk.”

“Do you think this kind of punishment mechanism is reasonable? You don’t even distinguish right from wrong before punishing me. If you hadn’t messed with the plot and created that Soul-Devouring Demon Vine, would I have been dragged into that illusion by Xiao Wenjing? If he hadn’t tried to kill me, would I have used Lovesickness Trigger on him? Is this my fault? Did I ask to transmigrate into this book? Did you get my consent before dragging me into this mess? From an outsider to this miserable state—did I choose this? You just throw in some霸王条款 (overbearing clauses) and treat me like a workhorse? Are you even paying me a salary?!”

The system remained silent for a long time.

“Don’t play deaf with me!” Ding Li snapped. “I just want to know—does this transmigration world have any laws at all? And if not, there should at least be rules, right? Show me the regulations—we’re going to follow proper procedures!”

Still no response.

Ding Li was furious. “System, stop hiding! I know you’re there! You’ve got the guts to punish me, so you’ve got the guts to speak! Speak!”

…

After a long pause, the system finally said slowly:
“If the host fails to complete tasks within the specified time, corresponding punishment will be administered.”

“Fine,” Ding Li said flatly. “Then just kill me. Do it now. I’ll die by Xiao Wenjing’s hand sooner or later anyway, right? I don’t want to struggle anymore. Just give me a quick end.”

After a while, the system spoke again:
“To encourage the host to complete tasks on time, a special item usable in key plot points is now issued. By completing related tasks, you can collect fragments and obtain the item. Please proceed to accept the tasks!”

…

Ding Li felt the kind of despair of receiving an immortality elixir on the verge of death—only to realize it was just dried tangerine pills.

Damn it… your name should be Pinduoduo, not System…

Xiao Wenjing stood up from beside the bed. At that moment, Chu Zilan, who had been sitting at the table, walked over and stood by the bed, looking at Ding Li.

“How do you feel?”

Ignoring everyone else was fine—but a beauty was meant to be appreciated. Ding Li slowly turned her head and looked at Chu Zilan, rasping:

“It hurts…”

Chu Zilan maintained her usual expressionless face, gave a small “Mm,” and said,
“I’ll have someone take you to the spiritual spring at the back mountain. It’s good for healing. Stay there for a few days, and your injuries will recover.”

…

Is the cultivation world really this simple and brutal? Getting struck half to death by lightning, and soaking in a hot spring for a few days fixes everything? What kind of miraculous holy water is this? I have to see it for myself!

Lu Qianchuan added,
“Miss Ding, there’s no need to worry. Your injuries aren’t too serious. It’s just that your spiritual power is weak and your body frail, so the damage feels worse.”

Then he sighed and muttered, shaking his head,
“Honestly… how could someone be so unlucky…”

So unlucky to get struck by lightning?

Heh.

Because I’m unlucky. Because I’m a walking disaster. Satisfied now?

Has absolutely nothing to do with you. Definitely not because I didn’t seduce you, so I got struck by lightning. Happy now?

You cold, heartless man. I’ll never forgive you! Never!

After Chu Zilan finished speaking, she left. Lu Qianchuan sighed and left as well.

Ding Li stared blankly at the ceiling, lifeless and hollow.

After a moment of silence, Xiao Wenjing spoke coldly:
“I’m warning you.”

Warning me about what? Not to tell anyone about what happened in the illusion…

“Don’t tell anyone what you saw in the illusion.”

Heh. Ding Li couldn’t help but curl her lips into a cold smile.

Your secret crush is your business. It has nothing to do with me. I have no interest in exposing people’s feelings, nor in helping others fulfill theirs. I’m just a small nobody—don’t understand it, but I respect it.

Xiao Wenjing narrowed his eyes at her strained, undisguised smile.

Ding Li slowly turned her head, looking in the direction Chu Zilan and Lu Qianchuan had left.

Following her gaze, Xiao Wenjing glanced over and said coldly,
“There’s no use looking. They’ve already left.”

Ding Li replied,
“Then you leave too.”

“What did you say?” Xiao Wenjing’s gaze sharpened.

Are you deaf or what? Ding Li turned to him and repeated hoarsely:
“You leave too.”

…

Xiao Wenjing grew angry, stared at her for a long moment, then let out a cold snort and flicked his sleeve before leaving.

Not long after everyone had gone, light footsteps sounded from outside the door.

They drew closer—then suddenly stopped.

“Whoa!” The newcomer gasped loudly, his voice bright and lively.

And who’s this now? Judging by that reaction, never seen a mummy before, huh?

Ding Li slowly turned her head to look.

The newcomer wore a white, fitted-sleeve robe, his hair tied high. His features were upright and handsome, his eyes bright with energy—a spirited young man.

Too bad. No matter how radiant he looked, he couldn’t lift her gloomy mood.

Ding Li turned her gaze away again.

“I’m Lin Ziyuan,” the young man said. “Senior Sister asked me to take you to the spiritual spring to heal.”

Ding Li didn’t move. Didn’t speak.

Lin Ziyuan looked troubled, resting a hand on his chin as he thought.
“Can you get up?”

…

Ding Li rasped,
“What do you think? Do I look like I can move?”

Lin Ziyuan stared at her for a moment, then suddenly had an idea.
“How about this—I’ll take you to the back mountain on my sword. Don’t worry, after soaking for half a day, you’ll be fine.”

Without waiting, he immediately sprang into action, pulling Ding Li up from the bed.

To be fair—he was pretty strong.

Ding Li grimaced in pain. “Can’t you be gentler?!”

Only then did Lin Ziyuan realize, quickly apologizing. He awkwardly carried her outside, then flew them to the back mountain on his sword.

Wrapped in bandages, Ding Li was placed into the spiritual spring, while Lin Ziyuan sat on a nearby rock to wait.

It had to be said—the spring really worked. After soaking for just a couple of hours, the burning pain in her body disappeared.

If this could be bottled and sold, how much money would that make… Ding Li couldn’t help thinking.

This whole story could switch genres: Transmigrated into a Novel: Getting Rich by Reselling Spiritual Spring Water in the Cangshan Sect. Low cost, high profit—just stick to the principle of “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” and she’d reach the peak of life in no time.

Now her throat didn’t hurt, her head wasn’t dizzy, and she felt alive again.

Lin Ziyuan sat nearby, seemingly lost in thought. Ding Li’s eyes shifted, and she asked:

“Are your Senior Sister and Senior Brother a couple?”