The Real Her Has Returned

Chapter 14: The Real Her Has Returned

The moment Lin Yaoyao stepped onto the set, the atmosphere shifted. It wasn't just the way people looked at her—with awe, pity, and subtle admiration—it was the way the air seemed to wrap around her, softening every sound, bending the spotlight in her direction.

Lin Zhaoxi stood silently near the monitor, arms crossed, as she watched the director rush forward to greet Lin Yaoyao personally.

"She just came back from a long break," someone whispered behind her.

"She was overseas for treatment, right? But she still looks so… fragile. So perfect."

"And Shen Muyan—did you see his face?"

Of course, she saw.

The way his gaze lingered, the way his lips parted, speechless. It wasn't love—at least not yet—but it was the unmistakable pull of a past left unresolved.

Ding!

System Notice: Primary Female Lead has entered the main storyline. Calculating deviation… 42%. Recommendation: Reinstate Host's antagonist role. Suggested action: Sabotage.

Lin Zhaoxi let out a soft, humorless laugh.

So that's how it was going to be.

The script changed overnight. Literally.

By the next day, Lin Zhaoxi's role had been quietly reduced. More scenes were now written for the newly returned "Miss Lin Yaoyao," and everyone seemed too afraid—or too polite—to question it. After all, Yaoyao had once been the sweetheart of the entertainment industry, and she had the tragic backstory to match.

Lin Zhaoxi kept her smile in place. She'd played this game before—in another life, in another timeline. This time, she would play it smarter.

But the System had other plans.

System Warning: Host's hesitation detected. Emotional attachment to Male Lead may trigger punishment sequence.

"What do you want from me?" she muttered under her breath, staring at the mirror in the dressing room.

Response: Return to role. Be the villain. Make him hate you. That is your purpose.

"But what if he doesn't hate me anymore?"

Silence. Then:

Initiating behavioral adjustment. Side effects may include nausea, insomnia, emotional detachment.

A wave of cold spread through her chest. Not again. Not so soon.

That afternoon, they filmed a romantic scene.

Not her and Shen Muyan.

Him and Lin Yaoyao.

Lin Zhaoxi sat alone on a plastic chair at the side of the set, forced to watch as Yaoyao stumbled into his arms, eyes wide, cheeks flushed.

"Don't cry," Shen Muyan said gently in character, brushing away a tear on Yaoyao's face.

"I'm not crying," she replied, voice trembling. "I'm just… happy you still remember me."

The director clapped. "Perfect! That's the kind of tension we need."

Lin Zhaoxi didn't realize how hard she was gripping her phone until her knuckles turned white.

That night, she was about to head home when Shen Muyan caught up with her in the elevator.

"You left early," he said.

"Did I miss the cast dinner?" she asked lightly, not looking at him. "I thought it was only for the leading couple."

He winced at the edge in her tone. "You're not acting like yourself."

"Maybe this is who I've always been."

The elevator dinged open, but neither moved.

"Zhaoxi," he said quietly, stepping closer, "Are you… jealous?"

The word hit too directly. She lifted her eyes and stared at him. "Shouldn't I be? After all, your perfect Lin Yaoyao is back. I'm just the stand-in villainess, remember?"

He frowned. "That's not true. You've changed. You—"

"Exactly," she cut in. "I wasn't supposed to. But I did. And now the story's broken."

For a long moment, neither spoke. Then Shen Muyan reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I don't care about the story anymore," he said. "I only care about you."

Her heart skipped.

And the System roared to life.

WARNING: Emotional deviation 65%. Host's mission critical. Beginning Phase II Punishment in 24 hours if Host does not comply.

Her smile trembled.

"Then you're a fool, Shen Muyan," she whispered. "Because you're falling in love with the villain."