After I Was Erased by the System, She Went Mad

Chapter 74 : Side Story 4. Affection Level Rising

The events of that day were too incredible.

When Su Huan woke up the next day, she still couldn't quite believe it. Looking at the unfamiliar room, she felt indescribable emotions.

"Mommy~"

Shen Nian'an's voice came from outside the door, followed by knocking. The little girl, who had grown much taller, opened the door and revealed a bright, cheerful face.

"Mommy's awake."

The little girl bounced in from outside, jumped onto the bed, and sat intimately beside Su Huan, hugging her arm and refusing to let go, "Mommy, I missed you so much~"

Her mouth turned down and her eyes reddened, tears immediately following, "Mama told me everything. I thought I'd never see you again."

"Mommy thought she'd never see you again either, who would have thought..." Su Huan's voice paused as she spoke, then changed the subject, "But it's good now. We're finally together."

She looked seriously at her daughter in her arms. She had grown much taller and was much more mature than before, with facial features that showed traces of Shen Xiaoyu.

"By the way, how old are you now?"

"Eight years old," Shen Nian'an said.

"Two years?" Su Huan murmured, then asked, "What about your Mama? How old is she this year?"

"Thirty."

That's different.

Shen Xiaoyu was only thirty this year. When she first left, she was already twenty-eight, then six more years passed... when she left the second time, another two years passed...

Thinking Su Huan was interested in these things, Shen Nian'an continued, "Mama's job here is as a travel blogger. She often takes grandma and me traveling. Mama says grandma's health wasn't good before, and she only woke up eight years ago. The doctors originally said grandma had no chance of recovery, but then grandma woke up and was even called a medical miracle."

Her words made Su Huan fall into thought.

Eight years ago was exactly when Shen Xiaoyu finished her first conquest mission and left, and the mission reward at that time was for her mother's health to be restored.

So Mother Shen knew about Xiaoyu's world-hopping conquest missions, though she didn't know how much she understood.

Suddenly, Su Huan felt enormous pressure, and the path to winning back her beauty seemed much more distant.

Su Huan exhaled slightly and looked down to ask, "Where's your Mama?"

"Mama is preparing things with grandma for this afternoon's autumn outing. Mommy, come with us!" Shen Nian'an said eagerly, "We've never gone out together! And there's an amusement park next to where we're going this time. We can go play together, okay, Mommy?"

Su Huan hesitated, "Let me ask your Mama first."

She wasn't sure if Shen Xiaoyu would agree to her joining them. She didn't want to make Shen Xiaoyu more annoyed with her.

"I'll go ask!" Shen Nian'an volunteered, nimbly getting off the bed to leave, but was quickly caught by Su Huan.

"Don't! I'll ask myself." Su Huan got out of bed and went to the bathroom to quickly freshen up before going out.

In the kitchen, Shen Xiaoyu and Mother Shen were preparing things, chatting casually about Shen Nian'an's school affairs.

"An'an's teacher called me again, saying she got into an argument with a classmate at school and almost got into a fight." Mother Shen patted her chest, still shaken. "Thank goodness the teacher appeared in time, otherwise the little girl would have been at a disadvantage. You didn't see how big that other child was—as big as an adult and so fat, one of them could be worth two of An'an! If An'an had been hit by her, who knows what would have happened."

"Don't worry, An'an is smart and won't get taken advantage of," Shen Xiaoyu said. "But she does need to learn some lessons to avoid bigger losses in the future..."

Just as she finished speaking, her arm was pinched.

Thinking Mother Shen had something to say, she turned and asked, "What's wrong, Mom?"

Mother Shen gave her a meaningful look, and when she turned, she saw Su Huan standing awkwardly at the kitchen doorway. She immediately stopped what she was doing.

Shen Xiaoyu's expression paused, then she withdrew her gaze and continued her actions, her tone becoming colder, "Wait for me a moment, I'll be done soon."

"If there's anything I can help with, let me do it," Su Huan immediately said, rolling up her sleeves to enter.

"No, no, we're almost finished here," Mother Shen quickly stopped her. "Xiaoyu, I'll finish the rest. You take Miss Su to change clothes first, or the staff will be off work soon."

Shen Xiaoyu thought that made sense, "Alright."

She washed her hands and walked to Su Huan's side, "You should change clothes first. We'll leave in a bit."

Shen Xiaoyu took a set of clothes from her walk-in closet for Su Huan, worried she might misunderstand and explained, "I haven't worn this outfit yet. Besides, your appearance was too sudden—I didn't have time to prepare clothes for you. Just make do for now, and I'll take you shopping tomorrow when I'm free."

"It's fine. I can wear anything," Su Huan didn't mind.

After changing clothes, the two left together. Originally Shen Nian'an wanted to go too, but was kept at home by Mother Shen to pack things needed for their outing.

Shen Nian'an was reluctant to part with them, could only watch them leave together, staring at the front door.

Shen Xiaoyu prepared some things before taking Su Huan out.

After getting in the car, Su Huan looked at Shen Xiaoyu beside her, pressed her lips together and said, "Sorry for being presumptuous last night."

"It's fine. It's good to get some things out in the open early to avoid trouble later," Shen Xiaoyu said while driving. "Actually, the system told me about you experimenting on me as soon as I came back. Including all the efforts you made afafterwa—I know everything."

Su Huan was somewhat surprised, "It actually told you these things."

Was the system really so kind-hearted?

As soon as the doubt arose in her heart, the system became displeased.

[What kind of talk is that? I've always been soft-hearted, okay?]

Su Huan ignored the system and continued speaking to Shen Xiaoyu, "Then what do you think about us..."

Her words were interrupted before she could finish, "Su Huan, let the past be the past. I won't think about it anymore, and you shouldn't either."

Taking advantage of the red light, Shen Xiaoyu turned to look at her, "I really like my current life and don't want any changes."

Her words were tactful but made her meaning clear.

Su Huan said nothing, quietly waiting for the system's notification.

Slowly affecting her, the system's voice rang in her mind.

[Target affection level decreased to: -35%]

As expected.

Su Huan looked away toward the window and said nothing more.

The procedures for getting Su Huan identity documents were somewhat complicated. Shen Xiaoyu hadn't planned to finish everything in one trip. After learning about the subsequent processes, she took her to the mall.

Ever since Shen Xiaoyu said those words, Su Huan had been very quiet throughout the journey, while the system chattered non-stop.

[You must not believe Xiaoyu. She's just stubborn but soft-hearted. She says she doesn't care, but actually she cares to death.]

[Just listen to me—domineering CEO forced love, she'll definitely soften!] The system chattered endlessly, [If that doesn't work, just strip naked and lie on her bed. I don't believe she'll kick you out!]

[If you can't be the wife, you can be the mistress first. If that still doesn't work, just get a little injured and act pitiful. With Shen Nian'an helping you on the side, Xiaoyu won't have the heart to drive you out directly.]

[Terrible ideas,] Su Huan commented.

If she implemented any of those, Shen Xiaoyu could throw her out. Forget about getting close to her—she'd never have another chance.

[This won't work, that won't work—then what do you suggest? At least I'm giving suggestions. You're not doing anything, and last night's chat was all nonsense.]

Su Huan found it annoying but couldn't make the system shut up. She could only let it go in one ear and out the other, not taking it to heart.

The system grumbled and cursed, finally concluding, [I've never seen a host harder to manage than you!]

Su Huan ignored it and followed behind Shen Xiaoyu in and out of the mall.

She was indeed efficient, buying everything suitable for Su Huan, and didn't forget to remind her when paying.

"Consider this money borrowed from me. When you adapt... earn money later, you can pay me back."

She originally wanted to say when Su Huan adapted to this world's rules, but outside with so many people around, although no one would necessarily take it seriously, someone would definitely think they had mental problems.

If someone recorded it and posted it online, it would just be trouble.

Su Huan nodded, "I know. I'll find work as soon as possible and pay you back."

She behaved unusually well-behaved. Shen Xiaoyu found it strange and turned to look at her.

[Target affection level rose to: -30%]

Hearing the announcement, Su Huan's eyes immediately brightened. She looked up at Shen Xiaoyu, feeling somewhat excited.

The affection level had risen!

This meant what she just did was right!

Su Huan pressed her lips together and smiled at her, stepping forward to take the clothes the sales clerk handed them.

After leaving the clothing store, she said, "I thought about work yesterday. I want to do social media with you. Can you help me learn?"

Hearing this, Shen Xiaoyu looked at her in surprise and nodded slowly, "I thought you'd choose to continue being an actress. After all, you're a Best Actress winner—starting over wouldn't be difficult."

Su Huan shook her head, "It's different. Before I was eighteen or nineteen, young and beautiful with plenty of time for work. Now I'm already..."

Speaking of this, she suddenly remembered something. Her expression paused, her brow gradually furrowing as she murmured, "Right, I'm only twenty-six now."

With the world's reset, her body's age had also reverted. She was only twenty-six now, but she was too used to being with Shen Xiaoyu and subconsciously thought she was already in her thirties.

Hearing this, Shen Xiaoyu slapped her forehead, "Right, you're only twenty-six now."

She always felt Su Huan was twenty-six now, completely forgetting about the world refresh.

"Twenty-six is the perfect age for making your mark. You can go back to being an actress. It might be difficult at first, but I don't think that's a problem for you." After speaking, she thought for a moment, "How about this—after your identity documents come through, organize your materials and submit them to some production teams. As long as you get roles, you'll have opportunities to get ahead."

Su Huan naturally had no objections and was even delighted.

She loved seeing Shen Xiaoyu strategize for her, as if they had returned to the time when they relied on each other.

But Su Huan didn't show this obviously. Instead, she began to show weakness, "Can you help me? I don't have a resume, so the beginning will be difficult. I might trouble you for some time."

"Then you can stay for now. You can move out after your work stabilizes," Shen Xiaoyu said casually.

After all, there were spare rooms at home. If she really drove Su Huan out, Shen Nian'an wouldn't feel at ease.

Su Huan thought Shen Xiaoyu's heart had softened, but when she didn't hear the system's notification sound, she felt somewhat disappointed.

But Su Huan quickly perked up. No matter what, the fact that Shen Xiaoyu was still willing to help plan her future was a good sign. As long as the two of them had connections, she could see Shen Xiaoyu again.

After shopping and returning home, Shen Nian'an looked at their bags and packages with her mouth wide open.

"Mommy, Mama, did you two move the entire mall home?" Shen Nian'an circled around the items, "You went shopping without taking me! Am I still your biological child or not?"

"No!" Shen Xiaoyu blinked innocently, "My current body hasn't given birth to children yet!"

Su Huan nodded in agreement.

Her body had also been refreshed, and all traces of childbirth had disappeared. Unless there was a paternity test, no one could prove this child was hers.

Shen Nian'an instantly became dramatic, "How can you be like this!"

She cried and wailed, turning to throw herself into Mother Shen's arms, "Grandma! Look at them! They just went out for a trip and came back not recognizing me! I'm not their dearest, most beloved daughter at all, wuwuwu~"

Mother Shen laughingly embraced Shen Nian'an.

Shen Xiaoyu was also laughing, ruffling Shen Nian'an's hair, "You little imp."

The three of them laughed watching the little girl's antics, the atmosphere joyful.

Su Huan watched this scene, looking at Shen Xiaoyu holding the little girl, feeling an indescribable tranquility, like a calm lake without a ripple, only deep satisfaction and peace.

This was the happiness Su Huan had always wanted.

She had always dreamed of having a happy family with Shen Xiaoyu, with one or two children, noisy every day, ordinary but happy.

Although it was a bit late, her dream had come true.

When Shen Xiaoyu looked up, she saw Su Huan's absent-minded expression. The corners of her mouth turned up, forming a warm smile, her eyes sparkling as if the whole world was shining brightly in her gaze.

It was happiness naturally revealed.

Shen Xiaoyu's smile paused slightly. She thought of Su Huan's family.

A gambling father, an alcoholic mother, a sickly younger sister, and her unfortunate life.

In the past, Shen Xiaoyu had felt sorry for her, hoping she could live a good, happy life. She had found ways to deal with her parents, sent her sickly sister abroad for treatment, and provided monthly payments until she passed away.

This was probably what Su Huan most wanted to see.

[Target affection level rose to: -20%]

The system's announcement pulled Su Huan's thoughts back. She instinctively looked toward Shen Xiaoyu, only to meet her gaze directly.

Shen Xiaoyu didn't avoid it either, just looking straight at her.

At that moment, Su Huan clearly saw the complexity and long-missed pity in her eyes. Her heart skipped a beat, then began racing, joy almost jumping out.

Shen Xiaoyu still cared about her!

This realization made Su Huan's heart like a blazing furnace, warm and cozy.

[Target affection level rose to: -10%]

Su Huan smiled brightly, her smile like a ray of sunshine after rain—clear, bright, and intoxicating.

As long as Shen Xiaoyu still cared about her, she still had a chance.

Her smile was too dazzling. Shen Xiaoyu only looked for a few seconds before withdrawing her gaze, refocusing on Shen Nian'an, but her mind unconsciously recalled Su Huan's smile.

What was wrong? Why did she waver just because Su Huan smiled?

Shen Xiaoyu's smile faded slightly, her mood inexplicably annoyed, with some embarrassed anger.

Once Shen Nian'an went to school, she'd drive her out to avoid having her around being an eyesore!

Su Huan was in the middle of joy when she suddenly heard the system's voice again.

[Target affection level decreased to: -20%]

Her smile immediately froze.

The system gloated, [That's what you get for smiling. Overdid it, didn't you.]