“Quick! Get her out of the water!”
The November air was already turning cold.
The production team of <Extreme Challenge> was in utter chaos.
In the third group, contestants Shao Yuye and Shen Wanwan clashed while attempting the ‘Water Log Bridge’ challenge.
Not only did Shen Wanwan cause Shao Yuye to fall into the water three times, but she even kicked him, urging him to hurry up.
After yet another fall, Shao Yuye stormed off the challenge site in frustration.
Left without a partner, Shen Wanwan tried to move the wooden plank back on her own, but she slipped and fell into the water.
The worst part? She couldn’t swim.
Even though she was wearing a life vest and logically should have been able to float, the unexpected plunge still terrified the pampered young lady. She flailed wildly in the water, and by the time she was rescued, her face was pale, and she was barely conscious.
Their dramatic moment instantly dominated trending searches, and the live-stream comment section exploded with criticism.
[Are they even teammates? Calling them enemies would be more accurate!]
[Seriously, can these two not make a scene for once?]
[Watching other groups: “What cool challenges will they conquer today?” Watching this group: “What will they fight about this time?”]
[So annoying! This is a challenge race, not a drama fest! And Shao Yuye is a top idol? Where’s his professionalism? As for Shen Wanwan, if she’s so delicate, she should just go back to being a princess instead of joining a grueling show like this. Both of them are insufferable!
[Shen Wanwan is clearly the problem! Shao Yuye tolerated her three times already. Was he wrong to ask her to take the challenge seriously? He’s too good to be paired with her. She needs to leave the show!]
Back in the resting area, Shen Wanwan sat drenched, her long hair clinging to her cheeks. She had never been this disheveled before, yet for the first time in her life, she felt an incredible lightness, like an invisible shackle had been lifted.
Just then, a soft, childlike voice echoed in her left ear:
{Hi! Congratulations on awakening and lifting the restrictions! I’m your exclusive supporting-character system, 001. I’ll assist you in your journey to turn the tables!}
Shen Wanwan turned her head and saw a glowing orb hovering in the air.
She hesitated for two seconds before realizing the voice had come from that light.
{You are inside a novel called <Extreme Heartbeat>. And you… are the spoiled, villainous supporting character of this story.
{Here, see for yourself.}
At that moment, a flood of information surged into Shen Wanwan’s mind.
The novel, <Extreme Heartbeat>, revolved around the female lead Bai Ling, who became a nationwide sensation after joining this challenge-based reality show. The show’s two top stars, Shao Yuye and Qi Luozhou, fell head over heels for her in a classic Mary Sue romance.
The partner selection was done by random draw, and both Shao Yuye and Shen Wanwan had drawn the number 3, making them an unwilling pair.
But their personalities clashed completely. One was delicate and the other was hot-tempered, causing endless fights and making them the most hated team among viewers.
What no one knew, however, was that Shen Wanwan was actually Shao Yuye’s biological sister.
Even they themselves didn’t know it yet.
As the influx of information settled, Shen Wanwan confirmed the voice had come from the floating orb and hesitated. “You’re saying… Shao Yuye is my real brother?”
{Absolutely.}
She scoffed.
A cold, mocking smile curled at her lips. “I don’t have a brother—”
Before she could finish the sentence, an intense pain struck her head, like someone had forcefully slammed it. Memories she had long forgotten came rushing back.
In a daze, Shen Wanwan was transported back to her six-year-old self, standing in the ruins of a broken family.
After catching her father cheating one too many times, her mother had finally filed for divorce, leaving Shao Yuye in their father’s custody.
—“Mom, I don’t want to be separated from my brother!”
But a child’s protest meant nothing. At just six years old, and her brother only nine, they had no power to resist. Their parents tore them apart.
She was taken to France with her mother.
Her mother, who hated her father with a passion, changed her name and forbade her from ever contacting anyone from their past.
Over time, it was as if her memories of her brother had been forcibly erased. Even when she later returned to China, she had no recollection of ever having a brother.
No wonder she had felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity when she first met Shao Yuye.
“Why did I forget everything about him?”
She could still remember their awful father clearly.
But every trace of her brother had been wiped from her mind.
{Because of the plot.}
Swallowing the shocking revelation, Shen Wanwan refocused on the glowing orb floating before her.
“…Who are you?”
{I am your exclusive supporting-character system, 001. My job is to guide you in turning the tables and avoiding a tragic fate! Only you can see and hear me.}
Shen Wanwan ignored that and asked, “What did you mean earlier by ‘awakening and lifting the restrictions’?”
{Originally, the plot controlled you. You were doomed to become the most hated person on this show, ruin your career, and ultimately be cyberbullied to death. But not anymore, because I’m here!
{Right now, the story has barely begun. If we act fast, we can turn things around and make sure none of its pre-written events come true!}
Shen Wanwan : “So… all my out-of-character behavior before was because the plot was forcing me to act that way?”
{Exactly.}
Shen Wanwan sighed.
No wonder.
That explained why she had been so clumsy on the Water Log Bridge earlier, and why she had impulsively kicked Shao Yuye.
That was so out of character for her.
Something she would never normally do.
She had been controlled by the plot.
Seeing her thoughtful expression, 001 took it as a sign that she believed its words and proudly announced :
{From now on, just follow my lead! I guarantee you’ll dodge all the pitfalls in this story!}
No one can refuse such a kind gesture!
{With my help, 8973 female supporting characters have successfully changed their fate—}
Before it could finish speaking, a crisp voice interrupted, “I don’t need it.”
System 001 was stunned, almost thinking it had misheard.
The little ball of light spun in midair, looking over in confusion.
Even though the girl had just fallen into the water, she possessed a breathtaking beauty.
The dazzling noontime sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a golden glow around her.
Droplets of water trickled down her high nose bridge and flushed lips, clinging to her fair chin before they could fall.
It made hearts race and faces flush, yet at the same time, her ethereal presence commanded admiration.
Her voice was crisp and clear, but not the least bit weak.
“Why should I let you dictate my life?”
001 hadn’t expected such a response and was momentarily stunned: {(OvO) Ah, this…}
—{But if you don’t listen to me, aren’t you afraid of dying?}
“Wanwan, are you still upset?”
A female voice suddenly interrupted.
001 flipped in the air in excitement : {Wow! The female lead Bai Ling has appeared! She is the absolute destiny’s favorite in this world. As her contrast, you’ll never have a good ending if you go against her. Quick, now’s the time to build a good relationship with her and change your cannon fodder fate!}
On the first day of the variety show, Shen Wanwan had briefly met Bai Ling, but Shen Wanwan hadn’t remembered her face.
Now, the woman before Shen Wanwan wasn’t stunning at first glance, but her delicate features were harmonious, and she exuded a gentle temperament, one that made people naturally lower their guard and feel inclined to befriend her.
Bai Ling comforted Shen Wanwan, “Wanwan, I don’t think Shao Yuye meant it. Your team is falling behind so much compared to the others, so it’s normal for him to get frustrated.”
Shen Wanwan stared at Bai Ling blankly, sneering in her heart.
In the novel, she was Bai Ling’s designated contrast.
No matter what Bai Ling did, Bai Ling would always receive praise, while Shen Wanwan’s efforts were never enough to make anyone like her.
Just like how she had joined this show for her fiancé, but her fiancé only had eyes for Bai Ling, willing to be Bai Ling’s devoted lapdog.
Even when they did the same thing, Bai Ling would be praised as beautiful and kind, while she would be criticized as scheming and fake.
Shen Wanwan raised an intrigued brow. “Why should I be upset?”
Perhaps her tone was too self-assured, as Bai Ling was momentarily at a loss for words.
She had heard that Shen Wanwan barely put in any effort during the obstacle challenge, causing Shao Yuye to fall into the water multiple times. He had been furious.
She assumed Shen Wanwan would feel guilty and upset, who would have thought she’d be so nonchalant?
“As long as you’re not upset… But Shao Yuye seemed really angry…
“Do you want me to help you apologize? I don’t think he’s that unreasonable.”
001 : {Quick, agree and thank her! This is the first step to clearing your bad reputation, start by getting along with the female lead!}
“Why should I apologize?”
Shen Wanwan lifted her chin arrogantly.
001 : {Are you crazy?! There are cameras here! Everything you say is being broadcasted live, you’re going to get torn apart by the audience!}
Sure enough, Shen Wanwan’s casual attitude immediately ignited Shao Yuye’s fans.
[Haha, of course she’s not upset! She’s the one dragging the team down!]
[How can Shen Wanwan even say ‘Why should I apologize?’ with a straight face?! She made Yuye fall into the water three times and even kicked him! Does she not feel guilty at all?!]
[Why does my boy have to put up with this spoiled princess?! I’m so mad!]
[Brother Ye, please swap teammates already!]
Bai Ling hesitated for a moment before taking the initiative. “Wanwan, don’t get too worked up, stress is bad for your health. I won a hot spring card earlier. Since you just fell into the water and must be freezing, you should take it and warm up.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the comment section exploded—
[Nooo! That card was so hard to get! Why are you just giving it to Shen Wanwan?!]
[Bai Ling, why do you even care about her?! Don’t give it to her!]
[Any decent person would refuse, right? If Shen Wanwan had any manners at all, she wouldn’t accept it!]
The chat was in chaos, and 001 anxiously chimed in : {Quick, refuse it and thank her sincerely! The cameras are rolling, this is your best chance to redeem yourself!}
Alright.
Since the system seemed so dedicated, like it genuinely wanted to help her, Shen Wanwan decided to play along.
Shen Wanwan : “Just leave it on my desk. Thanks.”
The comment section : [……]
Bai Ling : ???
The past two days, whenever Bai Ling showed concern, Shen Wanwan had always been hostile, rejecting anything she offered.
So today, she had said it again, expecting the same outcome, meaning she wouldn’t actually have to give the card away.
But why was Shen Wanwan suddenly acting different?
Did Shen Wanwan not realize how rare this item was?!
Bai Ling felt reluctant and made one last attempt. “Wanwan, do you not want it?”
Just putting it on her desk, it looked like she could take it or not.
She had already worded it this way, surely Shen Wanwan would refuse, right?!
Shen Wanwan smiled. “No, I do.
“My hands are still a bit wet, so I don’t want to wrinkle it. Just leave it on my desk.”
Seeing Bai Ling’s awkward, defeated expression, Shen Wanwan’s smile grew even brighter.
“I was just thinking about taking a hot spring bath. Thank you so much.”
“……”
Bai Ling’s vision darkened, and she nearly choked on air.
Why was Shen Wanwan suddenly refusing to play by the script today?!
rokumi’s note : If you have read <Becoming Popular Through The “All Villains” Variety Show> and <Group Pet Eldest Lady>, you can expect this novel to be like a fusion of the two, with the dog food getting a little more proper screen time.
I’ll be updating the novel every Wednesday for now.
Thank you for the translation!