"No, no, no… of course not, Host!" the system blurted, almost tripping over its own words in haste. "You've got it all wrong. In this world, the so-called male lead only harbors a one-sided infatuation with the female lead. She's far too shrewd to be swayed by someone like Lin Fan. The only reason anyone even calls him the 'male lead' is because of his absurdly good luck."
The system's tone shifted, becoming more measured, almost as though reciting a lesson from some ancient text.
"Host, you must know — every world carries its own consciousness. In smaller worlds, that consciousness isn't strong enough to maintain stability on its own. To keep the world from collapsing, it chooses two individuals — a man and a woman — and blesses them with fragments of its own fortune. These are known as the Heavenly Son and Heavenly Daughter. Together, they form the axis around which the world's order revolves. As long as they stand, the world remains in balance."
It gave a small, almost mocking chuckle. "Lin Fan just happened to be picked as one of those axes. Luck, not merit, Host. Without it, he'd be nothing more than another face in the crowd."
"As for the reason behind his marriage to the original Mu Bai," the system's tone turned cold, "it was nothing but another carefully laid scheme by the so-called male lead."
"Host, you must understand — the Lin family, despite putting on airs, is nothing more than a moderately wealthy household in the real estate business. They have money, yes, but their influence is shallow. Their network is limited to a few business circles, hardly enough to pave Lin Fan's way into the top tiers of the entertainment industry. And as you well know, money is the least scarce resource in that world. What matters most are connections… and the kind of backing that makes people hesitate before even thinking of crossing you."
"Lin Fan, being both talented and ambitious, quickly realized this. He needed a backer, someone who could open doors that would otherwise remain shut to him. And then, as luck — or rather, his world-granted luck — would have it, he encountered the original Mu Bai at an endorsement shoot last year."
The system let out a soft, knowing sigh. "By then, Lin Fan had already heard whispers about her. He knew she was the gold medal agent of Mu Sheng Film and Television — the kind of woman who could make or break a career with a single phone call. That alone was enough to tempt him. But when he quietly investigated further and found she had some connection to the powerful Mu family, his ambition ignited. He didn't yet know she was the Mu family's only daughter, but even the faintest link to such a household was enough for him to act."
From then on, his moves were deliberate. He manufactured 'coincidences,' appearing in her path with perfect timing. He played the part of the pure, selfless gentleman — the kind who holds umbrellas in the rain, remembers how you like your coffee, and listens as if every word you speak is a treasure. In the world of show business, where sincerity was rarer than diamonds, such gentleness was a potent trap.
The original Mu Bai, who had long been disillusioned by the filth and false smiles of the industry, found herself softening. For years, she had expected nothing more than professional success; love had seemed like an empty dream. But Lin Fan's performance was flawless. He fit perfectly into the quiet yearning she never admitted aloud — for a man who was gentle, trustworthy, and untainted by the corruption she saw every day.
Mu Bai was a little conservative at heart. She believed in the idea of settling down early, having children, and building a stable, loving home. So when Lin Fan confessed to her, she didn't just see a man; she saw a future. And with her guard lowered, she accepted him. Their relationship became official just before the New Year, and they were engaged soon after.
Less than a month later, swept away by Lin Fan's honey-coated words, she agreed to register their marriage in secret.
Now, Lin Fan is a rising star with growing popularity. The original Mu Bai, in her consideration and devotion, chose not to reveal their relationship publicly. She even agreed to live separately to protect his image, their contact limited to voice calls and text messages. She treated him as family in every sense — and, out of that loyalty, began using her own family's influence to secure him roles. One of those strings she pulled landed him a part in an upcoming big-budget drama, a golden ticket that could change the course of his career."
Mu Bai, who had been listening to the system narrate the plot like an old storyteller by the fire, found herself unexpectedly absorbed. She was leaning back, half amused, half intrigued, until a stray thought sliced through her focus like a sharp blade.
Her eyes narrowed. "Wait a minute. Don't tell me…" She sat up a little straighter. "Is the big-budget drama The Rise of the Phoenix Empress (凰后崛起) — the one Shen Ming is starring in?"
The system, mid-flow in its dramatic retelling, froze. If it had a physical form, Mu Bai imagined it blinking rapidly like a deer caught in lantern light. Then, with a tone that could only be described as a puppy frantically wagging its tail, it replied,
"Y–Yes… yes, Host! Exactly that one!"
Silence fell.
Mu Bai didn't respond. The system, sensing her lack of reaction, decided silence was dangerous. Very dangerous. It lasted five seconds, ten… thirty… The weight of her unblinking attention made it feel like an eternity. Finally, unable to endure it any longer, the system blurted out in a voice brimming with desperate cheer:
"The Host is sooo smart!! Amazing! Incredible! Truly, the first time in my long, long, long life as a system that I've met someone so clever, insightful, beautiful, charming, and wise! You didn't just guess it, Host — you deduced it! My data banks are quivering in awe!"
Mu Bai: "…"
She stared at the invisible air where the system's voice came from, her expression flat but her eyes carrying a faint, dangerous glint.
The system's mental equivalent of a smile twitched. "Uh… Host? Are you… perhaps… not pleased?"
Her silence deepened, and the system instantly felt as if it had been shoved to the edge of a digital cliff, the abyss yawning below. A cold bead of imaginary sweat ran down its nonexistent forehead. If it had knees, it would be kneeling.
Immediately, it dropped its sycophantic act like a bad poker hand. "Ahem! Forgive me, Host, for… ah… getting carried away. My flattery protocols sometimes activate automatically. I assure you, there is no deceit in my admiration!"
Mu Bai's eyes narrowed further.
"Okay, okay!" the system said in a rush, "Honesty mode activated! No fake flattery, just pure, unadulterated truth — even if it stings. But, um… as I was saying before we took this delightful little detour—"
It cleared its nonexistent throat with great solemnity. "The drama in question, The Rise of the Phoenix Empress, is indeed the very project Lin Fan secured with your— well, the original Mu Bai's — help. And naturally, Shen Ming is in it. Which means, Host… things are about to get very interesting."
Mu Bai was slightly interested at the system's deliberate build up and said amusedly,
"Ohh! What's so interesting about it?"
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