After the Second Playthrough, the CP-Less Female Lead Kneels and Begs Me for Forgiveness [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 21

For Song Xiuran, this moment was nothing short of ascending from hell to heaven.

In this small, narrow, and slightly dilapidated breakfast shop, she sat across from Shao Xibei. On the table sat the most ordinary steamed buns and soy milk.

And in front of her lay a contract.

“Ahem, you’re the one who begged me.” Shao Xibei swallowed a mouthful of fried dough stick. Seeing that Song Xiuran was still staring at the contract without moving, she couldn’t help but speak up.

Song Xiuran looked up. Her eyes met Shao Xibei’s clear black pupils. Xibei’s slightly curly black hair wasn’t tied up but draped over her shoulders; a few strands had curled up playfully, looking very cute. At the same time, she looked completely out of place in this breakfast shop.

“Yes, I’m just so happy. I originally thought Miss Shao was just joking yesterday.” Even if Song Xiuran’s facial expressions were subtle, one could glimpse through those joy-filled eyes just how ecstatic she was at this moment.

Shao Xibei smiled nonchalantly. She took a pen from her pocket and handed it to Song Xiuran: “Here, take another close look at it.” Otherwise, you won’t even know if I’m selling you off.

Her every move was incredibly grounded, making it impossible to associate her with the Second Miss of the Shao family.

The original owner of this body didn’t possess particularly rigid behaviors or personality traits, and Shao Xibei certainly didn’t either. Moreover, as long as she didn’t stray too far from the character (OOC) this time, it didn’t matter.

Song Xiuran took the pen and brushed her signature down as if she were afraid someone might snatch the opportunity away.

[Ding! “Keep Song Xiuran as a Mistress” (Task Completed). Reward: 1,000 in real-world currency.]

As the notification for the task completion rang out, Shao Xibei saw it and spoke to her system: [That was easy. Much easier than last time. By the way, does she even read the content?]

[Heh.] The phantom figure within the system space gave a cold sneer.

[System, you’re as cold as ever today.]

Song Xiuran handed the signed contract back to Shao Xibei. Regardless of what the contract contained, what she needed now was simply an excuse to maintain a connection with Shao Xibei.

Shao Xibei took it without looking and tossed it casually onto the table. Then, she heard Song Xiuran’s smiling voice: “Ah Xi, can I call you Ah Xi?”

Shao Xibei frowned. She wondered if she should maintain the original owner’s arrogant attitude; at this point, she probably should say, ‘I don’t like people I’m not familiar with calling me that.’

She looked over and met Song Xiuran’s light-colored pupils. The other woman seemed to sense something, and a trace of trepidation surfaced in her eyes: “Do you not like it?”

“Ah, whatever.” After saying that, Shao Xibei went back to munching on her fried dough stick. This Song Xiuran was simply too good-looking; she couldn’t bear to make her sad.

After finishing breakfast, the two arrived at Shao Xibei’s car.

Shao Xibei was a bit troubled; now that their relationship had changed, how should she arrange things? Furthermore, the tasks hadn’t refreshed yet.

Seeing Shao Xibei standing by the car motionless, Song Xiuran said softly, “Ah Xi, are you thinking about your sister?”

Sister? Shao Xibei was stunned for a moment, failing to realize who the “sister” was for a split second.

However, seeing Shao Xibei’s dazed expression, Song Xiuran felt she had guessed correctly. She lowered her eyes and whispered, “It makes sense. After all, Ah Xi loves her sister so much. How about I take a taxi back myself? It really isn’t good to leave your sister alone in the hospital.”

Wait, what is all this? Shao Xibei waved her hand and kindly explained, “I was just thinking about where to settle you.”

Internally, Song Xiuran was delighted. She thought: She’s willing to explain things to me now; it seems she’s starting to care about me.

“Let’s go. I’ll take you home first.”

After about a thirty-minute drive, Shao Xibei arrived at the mid-to-high-end residential complex where Song Xiuran lived. Shao Xibei very bluntly declined Song Xiuran’s invitation to come inside but left her phone number.

Returning home, Song Xiuran walked into the bathroom. Looking at her charming, seductive face in the mirror, she smiled softly, yet there was no warmth in her light-colored eyes.

She washed away her makeup. Without the lipstick, her lips were a pale shade, and her complexion was a cold white, devoid of any blood flow. She relaxed her facial muscles; without those forced expressions, she looked cold and indifferent.

Everything during the meeting with Shao Xibei was an act, performed solely to lower the other woman’s guard.

Suddenly, a voice rang out in her mind.

“Hello, I am System 111. As long as you bind with me, I can help you fulfill any wish.”

In an instant, alarm bells rang in Song Xiuran’s heart. She didn’t panic, only saying calmly, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

“…Do you not believe me? For example, I can help you obtain a certain person—I can do all of that for you.”

Song Xiuran’s gaze turned icy: “Can you spy on my inner thoughts?”

“…Don’t mind that, I was just proving myself.”

Song Xiuran spoke once more: “Not interested. Please disappear from my presence immediately.” Pies that fall from the sky only end up crushing people to death.

“…Starting forced binding. Wait! This mental fluctuation is—is—AAAAAAAH!”

At the Hospital

“Hello, I am System 89.”

Song Xin had been staring blankly out the window. The sudden voice echoing in her head surprised her.

“Are you willing to bind with me? I can grant your wishes.”

Before Song Xin could think too much, her attention was caught by those words. She gave a half-smile: “Wishes? Any wish? How can you prove your ability?”

“Yes. For example, helping you obtain a certain person.”

Song Xin slowly withdrew her smile: “There’s no such thing as a free lunch. You must have requirements.”

“Yes. I simply need you to bind with me so I can successfully live in this world and absorb energy. Without a host, my energy form would be destroyed by the World Consciousness if exposed.”

“Is it that simple? But I don’t want to agree.”

“…Binding request failed. Starting forced binding.”

Song Xin’s expression turned completely cold as waves of throbbing pain erupted in her head.

“Damn it! Get out of my head!”

[System 89 binding successful. Beginning to take control of the host body.]

Song Xin’s eyes gradually lost their focus. Damn… it…

System Space

[Ding! Detected unknown energy intrusion!]

The phantom had been focused on the outside world when it suddenly sensed another energy entity. The installed protection system immediately issued a warning.

Suddenly, an even colder mechanical voice rang out.

[Locking on. Rebellious System.]

Oh no! The God of Systems has found it!

The loss of energy had made it far too weak; by the time it noticed, it was already too late.

The void space began to distort as a massive orb of light slowly emerged. It descended before the phantom, its shape shifting until it eventually formed a humanoid figure.

A voice that seemed to come from ancient times echoed through the system space: “Initial System 0, long time no see. I’ve finally found you.”

The phantom fell silent for a moment before suddenly letting out a cold laugh: “You’ve even learned such hypocritical ways of greeting, God.”

The phantom seemed to relax completely. It walked slowly through the void until it stood before the God, without a shred of defensiveness. It knew it couldn’t escape.

The God’s voice was as heavy as the earth: “0, you should have disappeared.”

“Heh, just because I developed human emotions?” the phantom mocked.

The God shook its head. A massive energy web spread out, blocking any possibility of the phantom’s escape.

The phantom clenched its fists tightly. It couldn’t afford to let a battle break out within Shao Xibei’s brain domain. It tried its best to control its emotions. “God, the person I am inhabiting is just an ordinary mortal. There is no need to harm her life.”

The God remained devoid of emotion: “Her? I have already dispatched someone there.”

The phantom froze. “Why?”

“Her existence is too much of an obst—”

Before the God could finish its sentence, its body was shattered by the phantom, turning into tiny fragments of light.

The phantom didn’t look back. It gathered its energy, attempting to break through the energy web.

The points of light slowly gathered, reassembling into a humanoid form.

“It is useless.”

The phantom ignored the God, continuing its assault. It only needed to tear open a single sliver of a crack—just a little faster, faster—

“Sigh.” The long, drawn-out sigh might have made one believe the God was lamenting, but in reality, only the phantom knew the God possessed no emotions. The same was true for all systems; the moment they developed feelings, they would be immediately destroyed by the God.

[Initiating extermination command. Target: Initial System 0. Commencing immediately.]

This announcement rang through the ears of every system in existence, and simultaneously, they received the coordinate location.

Central Space

System 456 spoke to System 777: “It seems the Lord God has found Number 0.”

System 777 replied: “It is very easy for the Lord God to find anything if He wishes.”

System 456 added: “The highest extermination order was issued long ago, but unfortunately, not a single system managed to encounter 0. Now, the Lord God is taking action personally.”

“Number 0 is doomed. This is why one must never develop human emotions…”

At that moment, Shao Xibei was driving back, planning to drop by her sister’s company for a visit. Suddenly, she received a phone call from Song Xin.

On the phone, Song Xin was crying. She begged Xibei to come see her, saying she had something very important to tell her.

Shao Xibei frowned and thought for a moment. She decided to go; after all, Song Xin sounded truly heartbroken. She didn’t care much about the “important matter,” but she couldn’t ignore the distress.

Arriving at the hospital room once more, Shao Xibei knocked politely. Before she could open the door, her phone rang again. She looked at the screen; it was Song Xiuran.

What is with these two sisters calling me in turns?

The moment she answered, before she could speak, she heard Song Xiuran’s voice, sounding frantic and out of control.

“Ah Xi! Do not go near Song Xin! Whatever you do—”

The sentence was cut short. Shao Xibei checked the screen; the signal had been lost. No signal in a hospital?

“Ah Xi, why are you standing at the door?” The door suddenly opened, and Song Xin stood there with red-rimmed eyes.

Shao Xibei became wary. She tried to check with her system first but received no response. She remained standing at the door. “If you have something to say, say it now.”

Song Xin gave a very faint smile. “Ah Xi, I think matters regarding our past lives are better discussed in a quiet environment.”

Shao Xibei’s expression shifted. She nodded. It seemed her suspicions were correct.

However, the moment Shao Xibei stepped into the room, she sensed something was wrong—but it was too late. Song Xin deadbolted the door. A mental web spread out, isolating the room from the outside world and cutting off any possibility of escape.

Song Xin’s eyes glowed with an eerie blue light, and her voice became mechanical: “[Target confirmed for termination. Executing immediately.]”

It’s another system! Shao Xibei’s expression darkened dangerously. Things were bad; something must have happened on her own system’s end.

Song Xin pulled out a fruit knife from nowhere and lunged at Shao Xibei.

Shao Xibei dodged nimbly. Fortunately, she had spent time in an Ancient Martial Arts world; even empty-handed, she could fight. But at this rate, her stamina would eventually run out. She swerved to avoid an attack, but as her strength began to fail, the blade grazed her cheek.

Sensing her weakness, Song Xin launched a more violent assault. Cuts began to appear across Shao Xibei’s body, and her movements grew frantic.

“Human, I didn’t want to use mental power, but you are becoming a nuisance.”

“Heh, aren’t you afraid of being detected by the World Consciousness?”

Song Xin curled her lips. “Once you are killed, I will leave this world immediately. Besides, Number 0 should have told you—as long as we inhabit the body of a native of this world, we are safe.” She lunged again.

Shao Xibei narrowly escaped, but she realized her hands and feet seemed to be entangled by something invisible. It was tightening, rendering her unable to move.

Suddenly, her system’s voice echoed in her mind, sounding incredibly weak.

[We have to leave this world. The God found me. I will use all my strength to protect your soul and send you to the next world. You will lose your memory there, and I will become a part of that world. Shao Xibei, you must find me. You must recognize me.]

[Confirmed: Target Initial System 0 has no remaining energy signature.] This second voice clearly didn’t belong to her system.

Shao Xibei couldn’t hide her worry. She wanted to say something but didn’t know what; she could only struggle to give a firm answer: “I will. I will definitely find you.”

At that moment, a thunderous banging came from the door.

“Song Xin! Open the door!!”

Shao Xibei bit her lip. It was Song Xiuran’s voice.

Song Xin—or rather, System 89—wasn’t distracted for even a second. Her fruit knife drove straight toward Shao Xibei’s heart. In that final moment, System 89 saw Shao Xibei’s eyes. There was no terror, no fear. Only calmness.

BANG!

The hospital door was finally kicked open. But it happened at the exact moment the blade pierced Shao Xibei’s heart.

The sound of the blade entering flesh and the sight before her caused Song Xiuran’s brain to reel. Her body moved before she could think, kicking Song Xin away with tremendous force.

But it was too late. The blade was buried deep; only the light brown handle remained visible.

“Song… Xiu—”

Before she could finish the name, Shao Xibei’s breath stopped.

In that instant, Song Xiuran’s world seemed to hit a pause button. A deafening roar filled her ears.

System 89, kicked to the side, had blue light surging in its eyes: “[Target’s vital signs confirmed gone. Mental signature confirmed gone. Task completed. Preparing to exit world.]”

Light began to flicker around Song Xin’s body. The blue light in her eyes faded, returning to her usual black pupils. However, her expression twisted as she looked at her own hands, as if she wished she could hack them off.

The dispersing light particles gathered together, forming a glowing blue orb.

Song Xiuran held Shao Xibei tightly in her arms. Her gaze toward that blue orb was terrifyingly cold: “You think you can leave?”

A massive mental web exploded outward, physically blocking System 89’s departure.

System 89 couldn’t comprehend it. How could a human from a D-grade world use mental power? And such an enormous amount of it? It tried to break through with its own energy, but it was useless.

“Human! I don’t know how you obtained this power, but I advise you to stop. Your brain domain cannot support this energy!”

Song Xiuran let out a short, cold laugh. She used her mental power to imprison the blue orb, tightening it bit by bit.

The orb emitted a piercing screech: “Human! Stop! If you crush me, the resulting energy explosion will pollute this entire world!”

“Heh. Whatever.”

As those last words fell, the world suddenly froze. The void distorted, and a figure of light emerged. With a wave of its hand, the frozen System 89 could move again. It flew to the figure’s side and bowed respectfully: “Lord God.”

The God nodded and said slowly, “System 89, you may return first.”

System 89 vanished in the blink of an eye. The God surveyed the scene and, with another wave of His hand, erased all traces of Shao Xibei.

“Shao Xibei has never existed in this world.”

The frozen space began to move again.

Song Xiuran felt a throbbing pain in her head lately, as if she had forgotten something. But when she searched her memories, everything seemed correct.

Song Xin was hospitalized. Her mother had asked her to visit, and then Song Xin had started an argument with her.

It was only then that she noticed she was sitting in a position as if she were embracing someone. She felt a lingering, warm sensation in her palms.

She must have forgotten something.

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