Naive

Qin Zhen's investigators had found nothing.

Of course, they hadn't.

I had ensured there was no trail, no weakness, no history beyond what Han Li was supposed to be.

And so, I merely followed behind him, the image of a perfectly unassuming secretary, as we entered the Crystal Orchid Grand Ballroom.

A high-profile charity gala.One of the most important events in the original story.

A night where the Male Lead, Jiang Wei, would step into the spotlight, confronting his greatest rivals and proving to the world that he was a force to be reckoned with.

The air was charged with anticipation.Everyone who mattered was here.

Jiang Wei.

Jiang Yuxi.

The major female leads.

And, of course—Qin Zhen.

I adjusted the silk of my gown, blending into the background as planned. I hate this dress.Tonight, I wasn't here to disrupt.

I was here to watch.

I saw Jiang Wei first.

Dressed in a sleek, fitted black suit, the sharp angles of his face accentuated by the lighting of the ballroom.His confidence was palpable, as if he knew that tonight would be another step in his inevitable rise.

He was already gathering attention.

Already drawing eyes.

Then—

Jiang Yuxi.

Draped in an elegant, raven-black gown, she exuded an aura that made the air feel sharper just by standing in it.

Every step was measured.Every glance intentional.She wasn't a woman to be ignored, as expected of my woman.

And then—the collision.

It was almost cinematic how it happened.

Jiang Wei and Jiang Yuxi—face to face, an invisible battlefield forming between them.

The room sensed the shift.

And just as the moment hung in the air, thick with tension—

A third voice cut in.

> "Seems like they let anyone in these days."

Qin Zhen.

Jiang Wei's entire frame tensed at the sound of his brother's voice.

Qin Zhen didn't even bother acknowledging him, instead, he turned to Jiang Yuxi, his expression unreadable.

> "Seems so," she murmured, taking a slow sip of her champagne.

Jiang Wei's fists clenched at his sides.

> "I got here through my own recognition and efforts," he said, voice tight with restraint.

> "Something neither of you would understand."

Jiang Yuxi hummed, tilting her head slightly.

> "You're right. Having been raised as we are, we can't possibly understand you at all."

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.

> "I suppose that's your charm. Your… well… authenticity."

Qin Zhen nodded, smirking slightly.

> "Indeed. It's very endearing."

Jiang Wei's jaw tightened further, the weight of their words pressing down on him.They weren't outright mocking him—no, they were too civilized for that.

But they were dismissing him just the same.

Jiang Yuxi turned back to Qin Zhen, already moving on from Jiang Wei's existence.

> "You sent the contract for the distribution rights?"

> "Of course. My lawyers are reviewing the final details."

Jiang Wei's teeth ground together,they were talking business.

Right in front of him.As if he wasn't worth their time.

Jiang Wei inhaled sharply, his fists unclenching.Then, he dropped his next move.

> "I've been cast in Divine Judgment."

The words rippled through the surrounding crowd,The murmurs began immediately.A Hollywood blockbuster.

Jiang Wei wasn't just breaking into the industry—he was about to go international.

For the first time that night, Jiang Yuxi and Qin Zhen paused.

Jiang Wei's lips curled.

> "Aren't you going to congratulate me?"

Jiang Yuxi's nails tapped lightly against her champagne glass.

> "I didn't realize they were lowering their standards."

Jiang Wei's smirk faltered for half a second.

Qin Zhen let out a quiet exhale, as if unimpressed.

> "You're quite fortunate," he mused. "Hollywood has an insatiable appetite for new faces."

Jiang Wei narrowed his eyes.

> "You mean to say I wouldn't have gotten it otherwise?"

Qin Zhen met his gaze, calm, unreadable.

> "Oh, I have no doubt you earned it."

His tone was almost… apathetic.

> "But we both know the domestic industry isn't as eager to welcome you, aren't they?"

Jiang Wei stilled,his breath hitched for a fraction of a second.

Because he knew exactly what Qin Zhen meant, Jiang Wei had been blocked,not officially,not outright.

But every audition, every opportunity, every production house—they had all subtly turned against him.

He had been forced to look outside the country for chances to grow and now, the two responsible for making that happen were standing in front of him.

Jiang Yuxi's lips curled slightly.

> "We can't help what projects get approved and what don't."

Qin Zhen tilted his head.

> "It's the natural way of things, really. Some people rise. Some people don't."

Jiang Wei's hands shook, for the first time tonight, he felt rage creep under his skin.They had known and they had been the ones orchestrating his struggle.His hands curled into fists.

But before he could speak—

Jiang Yuxi smiled.

> "Congratulations on your new role, Jiang Wei."

She lifted her glass.

> "Do make us proud."

And with that, she and Qin Zhen turned away from him, moving on and leaving him behind.

---

Meanwhile, on the Sidelines…

I sipped my drink, watching the entire thing unfold.

> [SYSTEM 404: HOST!!! DID YOU SEE THAT?!]

While the System was busy celebrating the script unfolding as planned, I slipped away,no one noticed.

By the time I returned, the System was still too caught up in its excitement.I took my place beside Qin Zhen again, calm and composed.

> [SYSTEM 404: WHAT A NIGHT! WHAT A PLOT! WHAT A… wait.]

[WHY DOES

IT FEEL LIKE YOU JUST CAME BACK FROM SOMEWHERE?!]

[…NO. IT'S FINE. IT'S FINE.]

[EVERYTHING IS GOING ACCORDING TO PLAN.]

I smirked.

Oh, System.

How naive you are.