In the depths of winter, the north wind howled, and silver-gray clouds raced across the sky, carrying a biting chill that hinted at an impending heavy snowfall.
The snow on the ground had not yet melted, not thick, but stamped with countless footprints from so many people.
The school bell rang, and college students, bundled in thick cotton clothes, hurried down from the teaching building.
"Shen Yue!"
An unfamiliar voice stopped Shen Yue in her tracks.
The girl, surrounded by others, shone like a pearl. She turned her head, glancing casually, a faint smile playing on her lips.
The boy's face instantly turned crimson. He met her beautiful eyes, which held a dazzling, starlike brilliance, and her smile was as gentle and warm as a spring breeze in March.
The words that had been so smooth in his mind became a stutter. He closed his eyes and offered the pink letter with both hands.
"I, I, I like you!"
Shen Yue was not as nonchalant as she appeared. Looking at the boy, who was extremely embarrassed before her, she felt a profound disappointment.
*This is really too childish. They're still studying, and they're already thinking about relationships. What's going to happen to their studies if they continue like this?*
The system prompted: *They are already in college, not minors. They can do what they are supposed to do.*
Thinking of this, Shen Yue's mood soured. She had suffered from a heart condition since childhood, practically growing up in hospitals. She had no friends and had never been out alone, spending most of the year confined to her bed. Her parents had also been consumed by worry over her health.
She had undergone treatment at many large hospitals, even abroad, but there was no improvement. Fortune tellers said she wouldn't live past twenty.
Reality seemed to align with the fortune teller's words. Just yesterday, she had celebrated her twentieth birthday, and amidst the cheers and laughter of blessings, her heart condition had relapsed.
As she collapsed, the only sounds she heard were panicked shouts.
She should have died. But she had bound herself to a system.
And she was a minor villain, tasked with tormenting the main villain daily to stimulate their potential, transforming them into the true great villain. Moreover, she was to act as a catalyst for the romance between the male and female leads, burning herself to illuminate others.
Shen Yue felt somewhat at a loss. She had been a model child her entire life, never causing trouble, always obedient and refined.
Although she didn't consider herself a good person in the traditional sense, she had never done anything bad. She always spoke softly. The most extreme thing she had done was accidentally killing a pet rabbit when she was little, an event that had made her cry for a long time. Her disposition also made it impossible for her to do anything wicked, as she believed bad deeds would bring retribution.
The system was like a wicked uncle abducting children.
*This is a legitimate job, not a bad deed. You are merely a stepping stone for the male and female leads' relationship. Because of your assistance, they can be happily together. Therefore, we are actually doing a good deed. Besides, the great villain needs trials to become a great villain. Otherwise, the great villain will always be bullied and can never turn the tables.*
The system even convinced itself.
Shen Yue, who seemed not very bright, was also apparently swayed. She was still somewhat reluctant and hesitated for a long time before agreeing.
The boy's confession brought a hush to the air.
Almost everyone at school knew Shen Yue. She was pure of heart, an excellent student, came from a wealthy family, and was never short of admirers.
System: *You have a strong sense of vanity. This boy confessed to you in front of so many people, and you feel very satisfied. At the same time, you look down on this boy, thinking that such a boy is not worthy of you. However, you still pretend to accept his love letter, showcasing your most perfect side.*
Shen Yue's expression remained unmoved by the boy's confession. She gazed at his face, her eyes reflecting a shallow, lingering tenderness.
She accepted the pink letter. Her fingers, slender like scallion stalks, had tips that were petal-pink, appearing even more beautiful against the letter's hue.
"Thank you, I will read it carefully."
Her voice was as melodious as a babbling spring, refreshing the soul.
The boy was so captivated by her smile that he couldn't look away. Even after she left, he remained in a daze.
"Yueyue, why did you accept his love letter? I heard his school is full of delinquents. He was fighting the other day and got disciplined."
"Exactly! It's best not to get too close to people like that, or you'll be led astray."
"Students like that have no future when they grow up."
The girls around her showed clear disdain, clearly disgusted by the boy from earlier.
This university was the best high school in the city. Most students were admitted based on their own merit, with only a small fraction being troublemakers.
System: *In fact, you also detest that boy, but you still act like a pure white lotus, making your friends think you are very kind. Then, you'll turn around and throw the boy's love letter in the trash.*
*Your expression should be more like a white lotus. Yes, exactly like that.*
The young girl was beautiful and pure, with particularly clear and beautiful eyes. A faint smile graced her lips, revealing shallow dimples.
"No, I think he's a good person."
Zhuang Wan'er frowned and lowered her voice. "Don't be fooled by his appearance. I saw him hanging out with seniors and getting into a fight with students from another school. I heard it was very serious, but one of the seniors had a powerful background, so it was smoothed over."
Shen Yue nodded in agreement, her brows furrowing. Her tone was soft, "I didn't expect him to be like that."
"It's okay, it's okay. If you don't like him in the future, just refuse him. There's no need to accept love letters anymore."
The girl's delicate and fair fingers nervously clutched her clothes. Her pale pink lips pursed slightly, revealing her dimples. She looked adorably soft and easy to bully.
"But wouldn't that be bad? It's someone's heartfelt effort."
One of the girls, unable to stand Shen Yue's "white lotus" act, said speechlessly, "Fine, fine, then you just accept it. Why make such a pitiful face? No one is forcing you to take it."
The girl's eyes instantly welled up. Her long, slender eyelashes fluttered. She bit her pale pink lip with her clean teeth, deepening the already light color into a dark red, like rouge, alluringly plump.
Her soft voice carried a faint sob.
"I, I didn't mean that."
Dong Yi rolled her eyes. "I haven't even said anything yet, why are you acting like I'm bullying you?"
Zhuang Wan'er glared at Dong Yi and softly comforted the girl.
"That's just her personality, don't take it to heart." He Wan'er looked up and sternly addressed Dong Yi. "Why aren't you apologizing to Yueyue? You've made her cry."
Shen Yue lowered her head, looking pitiful, and added with feigned understanding.