2. Life of the "Pampered Princess"

"There are no servants to attend to you at this time."

"I know," Qin Li replied, her voice confident, drawing from the memories of the original owner.

She recalled that the servants arrived at 7 in the morning and departed at 7 in the evening, their quarters located in a separate compound behind the main house.

Moreover, she remembered that after dark, no servant was permitted to enter the house without explicit permission from a family member.

These family members included her father, mother, and a brother - the only ones authorized to grant permission.

Qin Li had no say in this matter, no voice to call her own.

She didn't possess the right to summon any servants after their designated service period ended.

This was the life of the so-called "pampered princess" of the Qin family, a title that now felt like a hollow mockery.

Qin Han's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing as he detected the subtle defiance in Qin Li's tone.

It was a departure from her usual demeanor, and he sensed something amiss.

Little did he know, the original Qin Li had long harbored a secret crush on her brother, making it impossible for her to ever speak her mind freely around him.

Her feelings had rendered her mute, a silent admirer hiding behind a mask of obedience.

She knew that there would never come a day when Qin Han would gaze at her with romantic eyes, when his heart would beat for her alone.

But what could she do? She was helpless against the tide of her emotions, unable to extinguish the flame that burned within her.

These feelings had taken root, and she couldn't simply will them away, no matter how futile they seemed.

She had been aware from a tender age that they didn't share a biological bond, and yet, Qin Han was the only male she had ever interacted with regularly.

This proximity had quietly nurtured her feelings, making it impossible for her to distinguish between familial affection and something more.

"You know how to cook?" Qin Han's eyes widened in surprise as he stared at her.

His question brought her back from the memories of her predecessor.

'It doesn't matter. It's not like those feelings are mine anyway.' Qin Li thought and looked at Qin Han.

"I don't," she replied, hiding her true abilities.

She knew how to cook, but the original owner of her body didn't, and she couldn't risk revealing her secret on her first day.

As she spoke, a fleeting look of disgust crossed Qin Han's face.

"Okay," Qin Han replied curtly, his tone implying no intention of assisting her further.

He turned on his heel and stepped into the elevator.

His room was on the fourth floor, a private sanctuary where no one dared to tread without his explicit permission.

The Qin parents' quarters were on the third floor, while her own room was on the second.

The door closed behind him with a soft click, leaving Qin Li to her own devices.

'Huh... he didn't even bother to help her call a servant.'

Qin Li let out a disdainful snort and descended the stairs, her footsteps echoing through the silent hallway.

She made her way towards the kitchen, the bright lights illuminating her path.

It was only 5:30 in the morning, but the house was already bathed in a warm, golden glow, as if refusing to surrender to the remnants of night.

Qin Li opened the fridge, and a refreshing chill wafted out, carrying the scent of fresh produce.

The shelves were stocked to the brim with an array of colorful vegetables, crisp fruits, tender meat, and chilled dairy products.

Her eyes landed on a box of snow-white strawberries, their plump bodies glistening with dew.

She gently picked up the box, the cool glass door closing behind her with a soft hum as she shut the fridge.

She was in no state to cook at the moment, and the prospect of bread and milk was utterly unappealing, so she settled on the succulent strawberries instead.

She gently placed them in a bowl and gave them a cursory rinse in the sink, as they had already been thoroughly washed beforehand.

After a quick splash of water, she retreated to her room, the sweet aroma of the strawberries trailing behind her.

As she ascended the stairs, lost in thought, she failed to notice the figure seated at the dining table.

Qin Han's gaze, however, was fixed intently on the bowl cradled in her hands, his eyes narrowing slightly as he spoke in a low, smooth tone, "Strawberries?"

As the chosen fiancée of He Qiaohan, Qin Li was expected to be familiar with her fiancé's habits and preferences.

He Qiaohan had a strong dislike for strawberries, which meant Qin Li had to abandon her own love for them. However, today...

...

Qin Li lounged against the chair, savoring the sweet taste of strawberries.

"Where are we in the story now?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

The system's calm voice rang in the room, "It's the part where the male lead began to realise his feelings for the female lead and is pursuing her."

"What about the second male lead?" Qin Li was not really interested in the lead couple of the story but in her Jun.

System: "Qiao Jinhe is currently a trainee under Fame Entertainment.

He's had two encounters with the female lead and has developed a crush on her."

Qin Li nodded and asked, setting the bowl down on the table and stretching her arms languidly.

"When he is hiding his identity as a trainee?"

System: "Yes, his true identity remains secret for now, and it will take some time before the female lead discovers it."

This world revolved around the female lead's journey, who hailed from a loving middle-class family.

She had been exceptional since childhood and even secured a scholarship to attend the capital's most prestigious high school.

There, she formed connections with many friends and admirers from affluent families, establishing a strong network that could be leveraged at any time.

Following high school, she enrolled in an elite university reserved for the wealthy and noble.

Later, she transitioned into the entertainment industry, where she eventually met the male lead.

When they first met, they had some misunderstandings, but as time passed, they developed feelings for each other.

A typical weak to strong story where the protagonist make friends and find a lover on her journey and reach the peak of her life.

She smirked and picked up a strawberry, "What about me, Qin Li? When will my story come to an end?"

System: "_"

"The plot indicates that the female lead will be attacked this weekend, and in a month, you, Qin Li, will be arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment." the System explained.

Qin Li was not surprised and nodded in understanding and inquired, "And what is Qiao Jinhe's schedule for today?"

The System responded, "He will be attending his classes at Fame Entertainment, practicing with the other trainees."

Qin Li said, "Okay, then I'll meet him there" and took a bite of the strawberry and smiled in satisfaction.

...

Qin Li stood outside the imposing Fame Entertainment building, gazing up at its grandeur.

'It would take me atleast a week to explore every nook and cranny of this vast complex if I were to navigate it alone,' she thought to herself, awed by its sheer scale.

She stepped inside, and the receptionist immediately rose to greet her.

"Miss Qin," she spoke with a smile. Qin Li nodded and approached the desk.

The receptionist looked up at her and apologized, "I'm sorry, Miss Qin, but Young Master He is unavailable today."

The receptionist assumed Qin Li's visit was to meet He Qiaohan, as was customary, but her expression turned pale when Qin Li replied, "No problem. I'm looking for someone else, not him."

Qin Li could almost read the receptionist's thoughts, who was wondering if she had come to see He Ran instead.

The receptionist's smile faltered, and she asked hesitantly, "Who are you looking for?"

Qin Li's response caught her off guard: "I'm looking for a trainee named Qiao Jinhe. Is he available?"

The receptionist's eyes widened slightly, betraying her surprise at the unexpected name.

The receptionist forced a smile, her mind racing with questions.

'Who is this Qiao Jinhe? I thought she was here to confront the cheating couple?'

She nodded mechanically at Qin Li, her eyes fixed on the computer screen as she processed the unexpected request.

Everyone in the capital knew Qin Li was He Qiaohan's fiancée.

But within the company, rumors swirled about the alleged affair between the newcomer, He Ran, and their Young Master and future heir, He Qiaohan.

The receptionist wondered if Qin Li was oblivious to the gossip or simply choosing to ignore it.

"Miss Qin, he is currently in his vocal class, would you like me to call him for you?" the receptionist replied.

"When will he be available?" Qin Li asked.

"The class will run until 11:30, so it's still over an hour before he's free."

The receptionist stared at Qin Li, her curiosity piqued by Qin Li's interest in the trainee.

"No need to call him, I'll wait here," Qin Li said, her voice firm but polite.

"Please inform him to meet me after his class."

She said and turned to walk towards the waiting room reserved specifically for her.

It was a space she had grown familiar with, as she was required to meet He Qiaohan at least once a week.

However, he would often keep her waiting for hours, a habit that had become all too routine.

Qin Li entered the waiting room, her eyes scanning the space that was given to her.

It was a far cry from He Qiaohan's personal lounge, where she used to wait for him before He Ran's arrival.

Now, she was relegated to this separate room on the ground floor.

Despite the demotion, the room was tastefully decorated with white curtains and wallpaper, complemented by light brown furniture.

This room, personally decorated by the original owner, exuded a sense of elegance.

The landscape paintings that adorned the walls added a touch of serenity to the space.

Qin Li's gaze wandered as she walked towards the small fridge tucked away in the corner.

She opened it, revealing a selection of refreshments, carefully stocked to cater to her preferences.

The attention to detail was a testament to the thoughtfulness of the person who had designed this room.

As she opened the fridge, Qin Li was greeted by an array of desserts and drinks.

Her eyes landed on a small cake adorned with chocolate and strawberries, and she couldn't resist the temptation.

She took a bite, and the sweetness of the chocolate and the tartness of the strawberries melded together in perfect harmony.

As she savored the cake, she scrolled through social media, the sweetness of the treat matching the sweetness of her online escapism.

Just as Qin Li was enjoying her cake and social media browsing, the door swung open and an uninvited guest walked in.

She furrowed her eyebrows, her expression turning from serenity to annoyance.

Her gaze fell upon He Qiaohan, her fiancé, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.

His presence was as unwelcome as a storm cloud on a sunny day, and Qin Li's eyes narrowed slightly as she wondered what he wanted.

"It seems the forever busy President He has finally found some spare time to visit his fiancée," Qin Li said, her voice laced with sarcasm.

He Qiaohan's expression turned even more displeased, his eyes narrowing as he stared at her.

"What do you want, Qin Li?" he asked gruffly, his tone implying that she was the last person he wanted to see.

Qin Li leaned back in her chair, a subtle smile playing on her lips. "Nothing. What can I ask for?" she said, her voice filled with indifference.

He Qiaohan's eyes narrowed, his displeasure evident at her smile. He took a step closer, his jaw clenched.

"So, what are you doing here?" he asked, his deep voice firm.

Qin Li's smirk grew wider, her eyes glinting with amusement. She raised an eyebrow, her expression unyielding.

"Well, today I'm not here for you, so you don't have to put on a facade for me," she said, her voice dripping with confidence.

"You can leave."