Chapter 1

Chapter 1: We Honest Folks Don't Start Trouble, but We're Not Afraid of It “You little glutton, eat some more.” The man's large hand held Chu Li firmly by the waist, while the cool pads of his fingertips slowly stroked her face, inch by inch. Tears glistening in her eyes, she whimpered and tried to break free from his grasp. “…Let go…” But the man only held her tighter. “Weren't you clinging to me, saying you'd have my baby? Why are you running now, hmm?” The man suddenly chuckled softly and leaned toward her flushed ear. As soon as his cool, husky voice fell silent, he lifted Chu Li forcefully with one hand. * At daybreak, Chu Li abruptly opened her eyes. She gasped for breath, the clothes on her back already soaked with cold sweat and her face flushed crimson. System: [Little host, if you don't carry out the mission, this dream will keep haunting you.] Chu Li: “…” Chu Li had transmigrated into an old-school Mary Sue campus romance novel a week earlier. When she first arrived, the original character had just added Pei Suiheng as a friend. They hadn't even spoken. The System told her to maintain the character's persona and follow the novel's plot through to the end. The plot of the novel was simple. Pei Suiheng, one of society's untouchable elites, had an unforgettable ex-girlfriend—not because he loved her, but because he hated her. His ex-girlfriend constantly made trouble for him. She deceived him, took advantage of him physically and emotionally, and fleeced him for money before finally dumping him and running away. After she fled, the male lead met his heroine while he was lost and confused. Unfortunately, their social statuses were worlds apart. To be with her, he was willing to sever ties with his family. After a series of hardships and ordeals, the two finally found happiness together. Later, at a gathering, the male and female leads happened to run into his ex-girlfriend. Remembering how she had deceived him, and still feeling humiliated by it, he took revenge by throwing her into a mass burial ground, where she starved to death. And, as luck would have it, Chu Li had transmigrated into the role of that unfortunate woman who starved to death. She tilted her head in thought. “If I change my name, can I go back?” System: “Wake up. You're already dead in your original world.” When the System first bound itself to Chu Li, it nearly had a breakdown. Only after binding with her did it learn what her life had been like up to that point. She was a typical timid, honest, well-behaved girl—the sort who would vanish into a crowd. The System couldn't help worrying. Could someone like her really keep up the required persona and finish the plot? After all, everything an honest person did somehow looked a little heartbreaking. Chu Li's ability to handle pressure was about as strong as a fully grown banana. When she heard that the System wanted her to play the part of a drama-queen ex-girlfriend, she hurriedly burrowed beneath the covers. Expecting an honest person to do something like that—wasn't that asking for the impossible? Her muffled voice came from beneath the blanket. “…I'm suddenly starting to think being dead isn't so bad.” The System gave a wicked smirk. [As long as you complete the mission, you'll receive a generous bonus. You can even return to your original world!] Chu Li said softly, “I don't dare.” Her original world hadn't been particularly kind to her, and she didn't want to go back. Besides, she could earn her own money. She didn't need that much of it anyway. System: “…” Darn it, why was its host such a scaredy-cat? Sob, sob, sob. ૮⸝⸝o̴̶̷᷄·̭o̴̶̷̥᷅⸝⸝ა. It frantically searched its database, dug up its host's hobbies from her previous life, and gave another wicked smirk. System: “I almost forgot. Besides money, there are countless specialty foods waiting for you, especially little desserts. They're delicacies you couldn't buy with money in this world.” As soon as it finished speaking, the little mound beneath the blanket collapsed. With a whoosh, a fluffy head popped out. Chu Li opened her round, doe-like eyes wide. They sparkled, and her voice rang out with vigor. “We honest folks might not start trouble, but we're not afraid of it either!” “Of all the things in this world, money and good food are the two things we must never let down. We honest folks are going all out!” She immediately patted her chest. “Don't worry, System. I guarantee I'll complete the mission.” Seeing her so fired up, the System broke into an embarrassed sweat. So all those other conditions it had mentioned were less enticing than a pile of food. Oh well. What bad intentions could a little foodie possibly have? -- One week earlier, at a bar along the street. “Brother Sui, just get into a relationship already. Do it for me!” Zhou Ye was drunk. Kneeling on the floor with flushed cheeks, he hugged one of Pei Suiheng's legs and sobbed his heart out. Pei Suiheng's temple twitched. “Get lost.” Zhou Ye refused to listen. He clung tightly to Pei Suiheng's leg and wouldn't let go even if he were beaten to death. He and Brother Sui had been close friends since childhood—the kind who could even wear the same pair of pants. Unfortunately, Brother Sui was far too aloof and indifferent. He kept everyone at a distance, was cold-blooded to the bone, and was notorious for his lack of interest in sex. Zhou Ye was genuinely worried about Brother Sui's romantic future. Brother Sui might not be willing, but Zhou Ye had plenty of methods at his disposal! He wiped away a bitter tear, then let out a sinister cackle. “Let's play Truth or Dare!” Half an hour later, Pei Suiheng lost and chose dare. That was exactly what Zhou Ye had hoped for. He immediately pulled out his phone and brought up several contact cards. “Pick one. Date her for half a year!” Unable to bear Zhou Ye's unreasonable antics any longer, Pei Suiheng finally chose one. Zhou Ye asked, “Why did you pick this one?” Pei Suiheng's expression remained cold. “The profile picture looked nice.” Zhou Ye looked over. It was a green pear. He couldn't see anything special about it. Well, fine… As long as Brother Sui started dating someone, that was all that mattered. -- Chu Li had been staring at the chat window with her “boyfriend” for ten minutes already. As soon as she transmigrated, the first thing she'd done was replace the original character's Thunderous Big She-Monkey profile picture. She'd switched it to the little green pear picture she'd used in her previous life. System: [Host, if you don't send a message soon, I'll be old and gray.] Chu Li hung her head. She'd spent a whole week avoiding this, but it was time to accept her fate. Thinking about everything she'd read online over the past week about how to act like a drama queen, she began typing. Lili Yuanshangpu: “Why haven't you messaged me? Just because I didn't message you first?” Ding-dong. A reply came almost immediately. S: “?” Lili Yuanshangpu: “I don't need lots and lots of money. I need lots and lots of love.” Three minutes passed before the other person replied. S: “Besides money, what else do you want?” Curled up in a ball, Chu Li clutched her phone and stared at Pei Suiheng's message. “System, what does he mean? He doesn't want to give me money?” The System was momentarily baffled by Pei Suiheng's reply too. This was the stingiest male lead it had encountered in all its years on the job! Chu Li frowned worriedly, knitting her delicate brows. “Then how should I reply?” The System had a wealth of experience. It chuckled. [Host, let's take an indirect approach first and express your affection for him. Maybe he'll give you money then!] “Oh, oh, okay.” Chu Li understood. She nodded firmly and began typing with great effort. Lili Yuanshangpu: “I just want lots and lots of love (that doesn't mean I won't want money later).” Author's note: Our darling heroine transmigrated into this world in her own body. The male lead had no prior contact with the original character; the two only began interacting after our heroine arrived. They're both pure in body and heart in every sense. One couple, and each is the other's first love. The original character isn't being portrayed as evil; she has her own place to go, too. Hehe. Translators Note: Hi everyone! I've decided to keep the author's notes in the chapters, but feel free to skip them if you prefer! I've also added a few translator's notes to explain some of the terms and cultural references mentioned in the synopsis and Chapter 1. Happy reading! Lili Yuanshangpu – Chu Li's online username. Based on my google it is a playful pun on the Chinese internet expression 离离原上谱, itself a humorous alteration of the famous opening line 离离原上草 from a poem by the Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi. The expression also plays on the characters meaning "absurd" or "outrageous." The first two characters, 梨梨, reference Chu Li's name. Mary Sue – A fiction trope involving highly idealized protagonists, extraordinary romantic attention, or exaggerated wish-fulfillment situations. The author acknowledges that the novel contains some Mary Sue elements. Gege – Literally "older brother," but it can also be used affectionately or flirtatiously when addressing an older male or romantic partner. It does not necessarily indicate a family relationship. Honest Folks – A recurring expression describing Chu Li's timid, straightforward, and unassuming personality. Her repeated declarations about being an "honest person" are intended to create humor by contrasting her innocent nature with the outrageous behavior she is required to perform. Thunderous Big She-Monkey – The exaggerated, comical name used to describe the original profile picture. Its deliberately ridiculous wording contributes to the humorous tone of the scene.