novelraw Chapter 036 An Outrageous New Year's Mission
Chapter 036 An Outrageous New Year's Mission
University A, last day of finals week.
The winter wind was biting, swirling withered yellow leaves across the concrete ground.
The sky was grayish-white and hung low, as if brewing a heavy snowfall.
Students with suitcases were seen coming and going in a steady stream at the entrance of the library and teaching buildings.
The "rolling" sound of wheels rolling across the ground, mixed with laughter, was filled with the joy of returning home.
"Finally finished the exams! Time to go home and relax!"
"Hey, did you manage to get a ticket? I need to transfer trains..."
Only Wen Ning, sitting in the empty studio of the art academy, felt no joy whatsoever during the New Year.
The studio was large, but also very cold.
She was wearing a thick white down jacket, holding a mobile phone in her hand, her knuckles turning white from the cold.
The phone screen lit up and then went out, then lit up again.
The note reads: [Mom].
This is the twelfth call today.
Wen Ning did not answer.
She knew what she would hear once the call connected.
"Wen Ning, get back here immediately after your exam."
"Your Aunt Liu's son who was studying abroad is back. He's the heir to a listed company. Your dad and I had a hard time getting this dinner arranged, so don't mess it up for me."
"Go home and dress up nicely, understand?"
Those words were like cold chains, strangling her through the screen.
It suffocated her.
Wen Ning placed her phone face down on the table, not wanting to look at it anymore.
That so-called "home" was, to her, nothing more than a luxuriously decorated cage.
The cold scrutiny of her stepfather, the flattery and manipulation of her mother, and the enigmatic stepbrother who was about to return to China.
Every inch of air seemed to be filled with the word "interest".
She didn't want to go back.
I really don't want to.
If she could, she would rather live on the streets than return to the Zhou family villa, which was called a wealthy family but was actually a marketplace.
Just then.
The long-silent mechanical voice in my mind suddenly exploded with extreme excitement.
【bite--!】
[Key time period detected: Spring Festival!]
[Host, please note! This is an excellent opportunity to create class conflict, make the male lead feel inferior, and thus force him to initiate the breakup!]
Wen Ning rubbed her throbbing temples.
"What do you mean?"
The system displayed a data analysis panel (which it considered highly accurate), its tone confident:
[Based on the original book's setting and the current plot development, the male protagonist, Jiang Ci, although somewhat talented, comes from a poor family.]
He's in the early stages of his startup, so his cash flow is definitely tight. Every penny he has has to go towards buying servers; he simply can't afford a proper New Year.
Based on big data analysis, his hometown is most likely located in a remote mountainous area, or a dilapidated old house in a suburban area. His parents are probably farmers who toil in the fields, or laid-off workers.
The system paused for a moment, then continued:
And you, Wen Ning.
You are a stepdaughter of a wealthy family, pampered and spoiled since childhood.
This huge class divide was the trigger for your breakup!
Wen Ning was stunned.
"so what?"
[Task Released: Long-term Quest - "A New Year That Feels Out of Place!"]
[Task Step 1: Be shameless!]
【Please go find the male lead immediately. Use any excuse, even if you have to throw a tantrum, make him take you home for the New Year!】
Wen Ning: "..."
She suspected the system was malfunctioning.
"Are you crazy? It's Chinese New Year, you think I'd go to someone's house?"
"Isn't this against the rules? Besides, we haven't reached the point of meeting each other's parents yet."
The system completely ignored her protests and continued to issue further instructions:
Not only are we going, we're going to cause trouble!
[Core Mission: Go to his "poor" hometown, complain about the dirty and chaotic environment, the terrible food his parents cook, and the lack of heating and hot water!]
[You're going to cause a scene at the New Year's Eve dinner, showing your lack of manners and your snobbishness!]
Make sure his entire family hates you! Force his parents to oppose the marriage! Make the male lead torn between family and love, ultimately leading him to break up with you due to inferiority and pressure!
Wen Ning felt a chill run down his spine.
This script...
That's so vicious!
This isn't just being dramatic, it's downright immoral.
Someone kindly invited you home for the New Year, and you still want to overturn the table?
"I won't do it."
Wen Ning mentally refused, "That's too hurtful. Jiang Ci may have a good temper, but he has a strong sense of pride. If I do that, he'll hate me for the rest of my life."
"Besides, won't I be kicked out? What am I going to do if I'm homeless in the dead of winter?"
[Host, you have no choice.]
The system's voice turned cold.
If you don't complete the mission, the storyline will fall apart.
【and……】
The system has thrown out a bait:
Once you complete this task, you can return after the New Year and break up legitimately. Then you'll be free, no longer at the mercy of the Zhou family.
Wen Ning remained silent.
free.
This is what she desires most.
She turned to look out the window.
As darkness fell, the streetlights came on.
The cold wind howled.
in fact.
Leaving aside the system's malicious tasks.
When Wen Ning heard the words "go home with him for the New Year", her heart skipped a beat.
If I were with Jiang Ci...
Even if it's just going to the countryside.
Even if it's living in a drafty mud house.
Even if the New Year's Eve dinner consists only of pickled vegetables and steamed buns.
It seems... better than going back to that cold, calculating Zhou family villa.
At least she felt warm when she was with him.
It means that someone is cared for.
These past three months.
She got used to him peeling shrimp for her, used to him picking her up on rainy days, and used to how he would complain but always save the best for her.
If I could go back with him.
Even if it's just for a few days.
Even if it means playing a vicious, wicked woman.
Could she perhaps cherish the warmth of "home" for a few more days?
Wen Ning looked down at her toes.
That crazy idea in my mind grew wildly like weeds.
I want to go.
I want to go with him.
I'll go anywhere, as long as it's not the Zhou family's.
At this time.
The studio door was pushed open.
A gust of cold wind blew in.
Jiang Ci walked in.
He had just returned from the lab, still carrying the chill of the outside air.
He was wearing a dark black windbreaker, zipped up all the way to cover his chin.
She was carrying Wen Ning's thermos and a bag of freshly bought hot chestnuts.
"Why haven't you finished packing yet?"
He came over and placed the chestnuts on the table.
Reaching out to touch Wen Ning's hand, he found it icy cold, and his brows furrowed instantly.
"Is the heating not enough? Your hands are so cold."
He unscrewed the thermos and handed it to her.
"Drink some hot water."
Then, he naturally turned around and began to help her tidy up the scattered paints and brushes on the easel.
The movements were skillful and meticulous.
Wipe each pen clean and put it back in the pen holder.
Carefully cover the still wet drawing board with a dust cloth.
Wen Ning held the hot water in her hands, watching his retreating figure.
He was helping her tidy up her things.
It was like tidying up her messy life.
This is a view from behind.
Broad and upright.
It exudes a reassuring calmness.
Wen Ning opened his mouth.
That request was stuck in my throat.
Take me with you.
Jiang Ci, take me home.
but.
The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed them back.
That's gone too far.
Such a request is far too unladylike for a girlfriend who is not yet engaged.
Moreover, if his family is really as poor as the system says.
Will bringing another mouth to feed at home add to his burden?
Will he think she's being immature?
Wen Ning's fingers caressed the inside of the cup.
A fierce internal struggle was raging within me.
Jiang Ci packed his things and turned around.
Seeing her hesitant expression, he raised an eyebrow.
"What's wrong?"
He walked up to her, bent down slightly, and met her gaze.
His eyes held a hint of inquiry, along with his usual indulgence.
"Why are you staring at me? Don't you want to go back to your dorm?"
Wen Ning looked into his deep eyes.
My heart was pounding.
She bit her lower lip.
Finally, he simply shook his head and whispered:
"No...it's nothing."
hold on.
Let me... gather a little more courage.