Chapter 2 First Encounter

The two people running toward each other finally met under a blue feather tree.

Tao Xi looked at the person standing opposite her.

His jet-black hair was tied up with nothing but a leaf-shaped silver hairpin.

On his right ear hung the iconic Qiang Yu earring—its jade bead at the top, the middle wrapped with silver thread, and a light green tassel dangling at the end.

He wore a robe blending light and dark blue, with silver patterns embroidered on the inside. A tear-shaped ruby pendant rested against his waist, and a pair of silver-white boots adorned with green patterns covered his feet.

It was exactly as described in the original book.

But seeing him in person was even more breathtaking.

His features were unlike those of the typical male protagonists in other novels—no sharp brows or piercing eyes. Instead, his expression held a gentle warmth.

His entire presence was like jade—refined and serene.

While Tao Xi was observing him, Qiang Yu was also studying her.

The moment he saw her face, he froze.

Wasn't the person he, Lan Yulin, met in his past life the ungrateful Mao Song?

The woman before him wore a simple silver gauze dress. Her black hair, loosely tied with a headband, was slightly messy, as if it were about to come undone. A dazed expression lingered on her face.

She was certainly good-looking, though not as stunning as Mao Song.

Yet, for some reason, he found her inexplicably pleasing to the eye.

It seemed that some things had changed since his rebirth.

Qiang Yu quickly concealed the fleeting confusion in his gaze and asked gently, "Miss, may I ask who you are and how you ended up in the Yao Clan's territory?"

Tao Xi looked at the gentle Qiang Yu, her heart filling with fluttering pink bubbles.

She thought to herself—he truly lived up to his role as her favorite male character. His looks, his voice—everything about him was her ideal type.

But now was not the time to lose herself in admiration. She had to find an excuse to stay by his side, preventing the heroine's influence from taking effect and ensuring that she wouldn't meet Qiang Yu in another form—one that might bring him harm.

"I… I don't know," she said hesitantly. "I woke up here and seem to have lost some of my memories. The only thing I remember is that my name is Taoxi…"

After speaking, Tao Xi gazed at Qiang Yu with a helpless expression, like a lost lamb seeking guidance.

Qiang Yu's eyes darkened slightly before he responded, "If that is the case, Miss Tao, and if you do not mind, please follow me to my residence to rest. We can then determine the next course of action."

Since she had entered his territory, he would not let her leave until he uncovered her identity.

Tao Xi couldn't have asked for more. With a justified reason to stay close to him, why would she refuse?

She replied cheerfully, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Qiang Yuzi."

In the original book, the male supporting character's residence was described as being nestled within a tranquil bamboo forest.

But when Tao Xi arrived, she found not a single bamboo tree in sight.

The author had given him such a setting to symbolize his noble qualities—resilient like pine, unyielding like bamboo.

Yet, how ironic. They built him up only to cruelly use him as a stepping stone for the male and female leads' love story.

Qiang Yu glanced at the house, now plain and lifeless without the bamboo forest as its backdrop. His expression remained unmoved.

Three years before his death, he had ordered all the bamboo to be cut down.

In his past life, he had lived with the purity of pine and bamboo.

What had it amounted to?

Ridiculous.

Since he had resolved not to be a good person anymore, there was no need to keep symbols of nobility and integrity.

Tao Xi was given a room near Qiang Yu's residence.

Before leaving, Qiang Yu told her that if she needed anything, she could come to him directly. For now, she should get some rest.

Just before he turned to leave, his gaze briefly flickered to her messy hair.

Rest? But I feel completely fine. Why would I need to rest?

Tao Xi was puzzled—until she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror.

Ah.

So that's what he meant by "rest."

Is this how I looked during my first meeting with my idol?

When I first woke up and checked my appearance in the stream, I only focused on my facial features. I completely ignored my hairstyle.

What a blunder.

Straightening her posture, Tao Xi took a deep breath.

That's right—although she had lost the memories of her original identity, the knowledge of Xiu Lian's training remained intact.

Based on those memories, her current strength was decent—at the peak of the orange level.

Her next goal?

Cling tightly to the male supporting character and follow him to cultivate.

In the original book, the heroine's strength had improved significantly under Qiang Yu's careful guidance and the favor of fate.

Now that she had taken the heroine's place, she would not waste such an opportunity.

Even if she couldn't change fate completely, she could at least ensure that when danger came for Qiang Yu, she would be strong enough to help him.

She firmly believed that the reason she had been transported into this novel was to save Qiang Yu from his tragic fate.

And if she could win his heart along the way?

That would be a bonus.

Before she transmigrated, she had genuinely shed tears for this male supporting character.

If the maximum favorability toward him was 100 points, Tao Xi estimated that hers was already at 70.

The remaining 30?

Well, he was still a fictional character back then. Without real-life interaction, how could she give a perfect score?

By the time she was settled in, night had already fallen.

For those who practiced Qigong, fasting was a habit, so there was no need to worry about food.

She slept until dawn. After a simple wash, she stepped out of her room—

Only to find herself face-to-face with Qiang Yu.

He was about to knock on her door, his hand momentarily pausing midair.

"Miss Tao," he said, "today, you will accompany me to the Jinyi Stone of my tribe. I believe you wish to uncover your true identity and return home as soon as possible."

The Jinyi Stone was a magical artifact unique to the Yao Clan, used to verify one's identity.

In the original book, after the male supporting character rescued the heroine, he had taken her to the Jinyi Stone as well.

But back then, the heroine had traveled in body, not soul. As a result, the stone had failed to react.

Yet, under the influence of her protagonist's halo, the male supporting character had still found himself drawn to her mysterious presence. He had trusted her completely—

Only to trust the wrong person.

Tao Xi, however, genuinely wanted to verify this body's identity. Only then could she remain by Qiang Yu's side with peace of mind and protect him from harm.

So, without hesitation, she agreed.

Qiang Yu, however, had a different reason for bringing her.

If the Jinyi Stone failed to verify her identity…

He would end her life immediately.

There was nothing wrong with being cautious. It was only natural for him to be wary, just as his friends had been.

Perhaps the woman who betrayed his trust in his past life had merely changed faces—from Mao Song to Tao Xi.

It made no difference.

Better to mistakenly eliminate a thousand threats than let a single one slip by.

That was Qiang Yu's new creed.

Soon, they arrived at the Jinyi Stone.

It was surrounded by glowing yellow plants, casting an eerie light.

Tao Xi watched as Qiang Yu cast a spell. The yellow glows floated toward the stone, merging into it, changing its icy blue surface into a translucent green.

"Miss Tao," Qiang Yu said, "place your hand on the stone. It will reveal your true identity."

Tao Xi took a deep breath and pressed her hand against the stone.

An accelerated montage of her life thus far played out on its surface.

As they watched, both Tao Xi and Qiang Yu were stunned.

It was actually her?