I Have the Aura of a Supporting Character in Yuri Novels - Chapter 79

It was a rainy day, which always made people feel irritable. Having forgotten to check the weather forecast, Zhu Yun got soaked. Luckily, she had driven her car, otherwise, she was certain she would catch a cold. Nevertheless, Zhu Yun planned to drink some cold medicine as a precaution because many of her colleagues at work were sick, and she couldn’t afford to get ill with a big battle ahead of her.

Zhu Yun took out her keys to unlock the door, but no matter how hard she tried, the key wouldn’t go in. She looked down at the keys in her hand and laughed at herself. “It seems I’ve been working so hard I forgot about moving.”

The keys she had just taken out were for her old apartment; the new ones were different.

This time, Zhu Yun finally got the door open. She wearily rubbed her temples. The life of a working person was too difficult. Every time she went to work, it felt like she was meeting a demon that sucked away her life force.

[Little Zhu, Little Zhu, remember to bring the clothes in from the balcony.]

“Oh, right. I almost forgot if you hadn’t reminded me.”

Zhu Yun kicked off her high heels and tossed her briefcase onto the sofa. She rushed to retrieve the clothes. Fortunately, it was just a simple rain without any autumn winds, so the clothes on the balcony were spared.

Zhu Yun stood on her tiptoes to grab the clothes. Her stylish work clothes perfectly complemented her elegant demeanor. Her naturally cheerful personality always made it easy for clients to let their guard down. Despite her pure and lovely appearance, Zhu Yun was a renowned star lawyer at her firm. Becoming a lawyer was not easy, and Zhu Yun had built her career step by step.

She was capable and beautiful, and many people were attracted to her. However, Zhu Yun had never accepted any of her suitors. She would turn down anyone who was interested in her with a smile, in a way that made it impossible for them to get angry. So, even though Zhu Yun seemed to have a good temper, her colleagues felt she had a cold heart.

After a long day, Zhu Yun unbuttoned the top of her shirt. She closed the glass door to the balcony, separating it from the living room. Several pots of pothos and succulents sat on a flower stand. Bored, she opened the window and stared blankly outside.

Her thoughts drifted to the case she had just taken on. Both the husband and wife had been unfaithful after marriage. This time, the husband had found irrefutable evidence of his wife’s affair, and he had hired Zhu Yun to minimize his losses.

Zhu Yun gave a sarcastic smirk. She was a lawyer, not a deity. The husband was clearly trying to get his hands on his wife’s assets, and even a lawyer couldn’t handle every kind of trouble.

She furrowed her brows and skillfully pulled out a box of women’s cigarettes from behind a flower pot. Zhu Yun held the slender cigarette in her right hand and lit it with a lighter.

The scent of tobacco seemed to have a magical calming effect, bringing peace to Zhu Yun. She bit down on the capsule in the cigarette, and a clear, minty burst cleared her mind.

She flicked the ash and muttered a curse under her breath.

[Little Zhu, you seem a little off today.]

“I always have to deal with idiots at work, so it would be weird if I was happy. After work, someone scratched my car. I’m going to check the surveillance footage tomorrow. I hope I catch them!”

Zhu Yun felt like she had the worst luck today. Everything was going wrong. It must be her retrograde period!

Her delicate features were obscured by the smoke, making it hard to see the deep meaning in her eyes. She licked her lips and asked, “Number 857, I was living perfectly fine in the west of the city. You told me to move for no reason and promised me a big surprise. Where is it?”

[Didn’t I tell you, Little Zhu? You’d run into the male lead, Chen Wei’an, there all the time. He’s just a pretty boy, not worth seeing. I was saving you from getting stuck with him.]

The male lead in this world was named Chen Wei’an. He was an orphan with stunningly handsome looks. According to the current timeline, he had probably already signed with an entertainment company and was preparing to enter the industry. Zhu Yun would meet him when he was still an unknown. One night, while coming home, Zhu Yun had helped Chen Wei’an get rid of a stalker by calling the police. From then on, they knew each other. Seeing that he was young and urgently looking for a job, Zhu Yun helped him find one. But before he could start, he was scouted by an entertainment agent.

When they were signing the contract, Chen Wei’an begged Zhu Yun for her help. Zhu Yun looked over the contract and saw no major issues, and from then on, Chen Wei’an entered the entertainment industry. He always remembered her kindness and would often send her products from his endorsements or concert tickets.

Everything was fine until some of his obsessed fans somehow got Zhu Yun’s address and information. They mistook her for Chen Wei’an’s secret girlfriend and, upon learning she was five years older than him, started to publicly insult her online.

Zhu Yun’s personal information was leaked, and she was cyberbullied.

Zhu Yun immediately used legal action to protect herself. The online harassment temporarily subsided, but Chen Wei’an seemed unaware of her situation. In an interview, he stated that she was very important to him and that without her, he wouldn’t be where he was today.

This made his fans furious. Not only did they hate Zhu Yun for being older, but they also felt she was a burden to Chen Wei’an’s career. Everyone knew his most loyal fans were rich, beautiful women. Why should this older girlfriend, who wasn’t even as wealthy as Chen Wei’an, occupy the girlfriend position? No! They had to break up!

Soon, fans started flooding Chen Wei’an’s social media with comments, saying that they would accept him dating anyone as long as it wasn’t Zhu Yun.

In response, Zhu Yun spent a significant amount of money to create a trending topic, making it clear to everyone that she was the one who didn’t want Chen Wei’an. She told his fans to stop bothering her or they would get a court summons.

The incident eventually quieted down, and Chen Wei’an received an unstated permission slip from his fans to date, although his popularity did decline slightly. His fans were no longer as obsessively controlling. As for Zhu Yun, she quit her job. Thanks to Chen Wei’an’s fans, her reputation grew, and she had more and more people seeking her legal services.

Everything seemed to be going well until one day, Zhu Yun went out for an appointment, and a speeding car crashed into hers.

Zhu Yun died instantly, and the perpetrator mysteriously got away.

Later, Zhu Yun asked Number 857 what happened after that and if the driver was ever brought to justice.

Number 857 told her that the car’s license plate was photographed and the perpetrator had been arrested.

Zhu Yun clenched her fists, deciding that even if she had to act like a creep, she would find a way to take that person out for dinner!

So, the question remained: The male lead’s story was almost over, but where was the female lead’s story?

Number 857 explained that since Little Zhu had died at that point, there was no storyline for the female lead, Tang Ruorui, in her story. If Little Zhu had lived longer, maybe she would have been part of it.

This explanation made Zhu Yun so angry that she almost blocked Number 857.

So, when System 857 suddenly asked Zhu Yun to move, she was initially against it. So what if she ran into the male lead, Chen Wei’an, in the west of the city? Zhu Yun decided she would make him pay for it!

But Number 857 promised her a big surprise at the new address. Curious, Zhu Yun dutifully moved. She had been living there for almost a month, but she hadn’t seen any surprises. In fact, she felt even more unlucky, especially today!

She got wet in the rain, someone scratched her car, and she had to deal with an incredibly annoying colleague who had just returned from a business trip. Any one of these things would have been enough to ruin her day, but they all happened at once. That’s why Zhu Yun was so frustrated she needed a cigarette.

Zhu Yun let out a long, helpless sigh and put out her cigarette. She grumbled, “There are so many rich people in the world. What’s wrong with me being one of them?! What’s wrong?!”

If she became rich tomorrow, she wouldn’t hesitate to grab a chair and smash it over that idiotic colleague’s head, give everyone the middle finger, and tell them all that she quit!

Unfortunately, there was no “if.”

Her (collapsing) expression amused Number 857, which only made Zhu Yun’s resentment even stronger.

[Don’t block me, don’t block me!]

“Beg me.”

[We’re partners, why should I beg you, Little Zhu? You can’t be like that.]

Zhu Yun pouted and sneered, “A partner whose memory is blocked will be forgotten.”

[Waaaah, Little Zhu is taking her anger out on me! I’m innocent!]

As the girl and the system bickered, Zhu Yun suddenly smelled a cloying, sweet scent that made her feel dizzy, as if she were floating on a soft cloud. She felt an urge to stretch and fall asleep.

But Number 857’s scream woke her up. With the system’s warning, Zhu Yun took a calming pill from her system space. This pill could even counteract aphrodisiacs, so the enchanting scent was quickly expelled from her body.

However, the lingering effects of the scent left Zhu Yun feeling weak and helpless, as if she needed a cane to stand.

“I need to open the window and get some fresh air.”

Regardless of where the scent came from, Zhu Yun felt she needed to breathe some fresh air to calm down.

The humid air from the rain outside instantly extinguished the feeling of unrest caused by the floral scent.

Raindrops fell on Zhu Yun’s palms, and she felt like she was finally alive again, no longer agitated.

Just as Zhu Yun opened the window, her eyes caught a glimpse of her neighbor’s balcony, and she lost her composure.

She gasped in disbelief, “Oh my goodness, I must be dreaming!”

When Zhu Yun had moved in, there were no flowers on the balcony. She had been inspired to get a flower stand of her own after seeing the beautiful scene on her neighbor’s balcony, with many nameless flowers swaying in the breeze. The clean glass window provided a clear view of everything on her balcony.

The afternoon sun of autumn was lazy, and the flowers enjoying it were so beautiful and vibrant.

Zhu Yun had never met her neighbor, but she knew from the balcony’s decor that this was a person who loved and enjoyed life.

But what she saw now was harmless-looking flower pots with countless slender vines growing from them. They were holding up a black-haired girl, about four or five years old a human child.

Her sleeping face was a masterpiece of perfect features, as if crafted by a goddess. Though she was young, one could see her future beauty and elegance, like a flower spirit who had absorbed the essence of heaven and earth to become human. She was captivating and attention-grabbing.

Zhu Yun didn’t have time to continue admiring the girl’s face. She quickly opened the window, slapped a yellow talisman on her forehead, and the flying talisman dissipated into starlight.

She leaped up and flew to the next balcony.

In that short time, the window gap created by the vines had widened. If Zhu Yun had been any later, the vines might have already thrown the girl out.

Zhu Yun used her body to block the vines, squeezed inside, and locked the window behind her. She held her breath, staring at the restive vines.

In her moment of impulsive bravery, Zhu Yun had rushed over without thinking. Now she regretted it. She couldn’t possibly use a lightning talisman to destroy the vines, could she? What if the building collapsed?

So, Zhu Yun took out her lighter and mumbled to herself, “Plants are afraid of fire, right?” She wasn’t entirely sure.

The sudden intrusion of a stranger made the vines retreat. They carefully held the girl they had wrapped, unsure of what to do next.

Suddenly, a flash of lightning lit up the night sky, grand and terrifying.

When the lightning faded, a thunderous boom made Zhu Yun’s ears ring. She covered them to ease the pain.

“That’s the loudest thunder I’ve ever heard. Is someone undergoing a tribulation?”

Zhu Yun tried to make light of the situation with a joke.

What she didn’t know was that the thunder tribulation was meant for the very girl protected by the vines.

After the thunder passed, the vines rustled like a receding tide, returning to their pots. The sleeping girl slowly opened her eyes. Her dark, obsidian-like pupils held a hint of enchanting light. She moved her arms and legs, looking at her chubby limbs, and let out a helpless sigh from her tiny, cherry-like lips.

She tilted her head and looked at Zhu Yun, who was still covering her ears.

Suddenly, she tried to sit up but couldn’t, like a turtle stuck on its back. With a little “heave-ho,” she used the vines’ help to sit up. By the time she was done, her chubby cheeks were flushed with effort. She finally made eye contact with Zhu Yun. The girl’s presence was too strong for Zhu Yun to ignore.

Zhu Yun watched as the vines became a woven flying carpet. The girl, who had just been asleep, was now using all her might to turn over. She was on her back with her arms and legs in the air, humming to herself. Zhu Yun even considered helping her.

“You… you come here.” The little, chubby hand beckoned to Zhu Yun. She was now sitting cross-legged and looking at Zhu Yun with a serious expression.

Hearing her soft, childish voice, Zhu Yun instinctively wanted to laugh. But seeing the vines, she remembered that this human child might be extraordinary.

“Why should I come over?”

Her question seemed to puzzle Tang Ruorui, who was now curious about Zhu Yun. Her big, grape-like eyes were filled with confusion. Tang Ruorui said hesitantly, “To give me a hug, silly. Don’t you… don’t you want to hug me and get me down? It’s all hard here, and my bottom is not comfy.”

This time, Zhu Yun couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing, covering her face.

She felt like she was so scatterbrained. Even at a time like this, she was being amused by a child.

She didn’t know why, but looking at the plump, chubby face, her heart melted. This time, her smile was one of pure adoration.

“Hug me!” Tang Ruorui clapped her hands and spread her arms. With her movements, her baby fat jiggled like soft tofu.

Zhu Yun cautiously approached. Seeing that the vines didn’t react, she felt a little more at ease. However, Zhu Yun didn’t just reach out to hug Tang Ruorui. Instead, she asked, “Where are your parents?”

Tang Ruorui shook her head.

“Where’s your mom?”

Tang Ruorui glared at her, slightly annoyed. “I don’t have a mommy!”

Zhu Yun frowned. “That can’t be right. I haven’t seen the neighbor, but the security guard said a woman lived here, and she was very pretty. How could you not have a mom?”

“I don’t have a mommy or a daddy. I am me! Stop asking me these stupid questions. Hurry up and hug me, hug me!” Tang Ruorui waved her arms at Zhu Yun, stubbornly calling for her.

For a moment, Zhu Yun’s resolve wavered. She had so many questions to ask, but now she felt too cold and heartless. How could she ignore a child? It was just a hug, wasn’t it? She would give her as many hugs as she wanted!

“Alright, alright, fine, hug, hug, hug.”

Zhu Yun quietly walked closer, looking down at the eagerly waiting child. She closed her eyes, hardened her heart, and decisively hugged her. There was no danger as she had imagined. The vines didn’t attack her. All she felt was a soft little body in her arms and the familiar floral scent she would never forget.

“Mmm, this is so bouncy! I like it, I like it!”

Zhu Yun grabbed the girl’s mischievous fingers and said with a flushed face, “You little rascal, don’t touch me like that.”

Tang Ruorui blinked. Although she didn’t quite understand why Zhu Yun was angry, she was naturally obedient. Tang Ruorui nodded. “Okay, I won’t touch you randomly. Next time, I’ll ask for your permission before I do.”

Zhu Yun pursed her lips, deciding not to be a stickler. She bounced the girl’s chubby bottom with her arm to make her more comfortable.

“The balcony isn’t very safe. I’ll take you to the living room.”

Tang Ruorui rested her cheek on Zhu Yun’s shoulder, her little hands playing with the button on Zhu Yun’s shirt, poking her finger through the buttonhole as if she had found a fun game. She giggled happily.

Zhu Yun glanced around the living room and quickly spotted a photo frame on the TV cabinet. She picked it up, and her eyes widened.

She held the frame up to Tang Ruorui’s face in her arms. The comparison between the two made Zhu Yun certain they were the same person. It was a face so unique it was hard to find another like it.

“Who’s that?” Tang Ruorui asked.

Zhu Yun held Tang Ruorui up by her arms and raised an eyebrow, “That’s you, don’t you know?”

Tang Ruorui shook her head again, whining, “My arms hurt.”

“Okay then.”

“You won’t say your bottom hurts if I put you on the sofa, will you?”

Zhu Yun carried Tang Ruorui to the sofa and set her down. Then, she half-knelt and looked at her, saying, “You’re not human.”

Her tone was certain, with no hesitation.

Tang Ruorui clapped her little hands and blew a puff of air. Several begonia flowers bloomed in her hands. She couldn’t hold them all and frantically stuffed them into Zhu Yun’s hands.

Zhu Yun looked at the vibrant begonia flowers in her hands, then at the innocent-looking Tang Ruorui. Zhu Yun mumbled, “I was right…”

So, the floral scent she had smelled tonight and the fact that she, an adult, had turned back into a child, now all made sense.

“What’s your name?”

“Ruorui!”

Zhu Yun smiled softly, “So, Ruorui, do you know what happened today?”

She was supposed to be an adult, so how could she explain this little chubby child in front of her?

Tang Ruorui tugged on her hair, racking her brain to explain to Zhu Yun. “I… I can’t remember very clearly. I think I was in danger, and it was very, very painful! But then you came, and the pain flew away! It flew away so fast!”

From her words, Zhu Yun was able to piece together a rough truth. She pointed to the balcony window and said, “The ‘pain that flew away,’ you’re not talking about that thunder, are you?”

“You’re so silly. Of course, it was that,” Tang Ruorui kicked her feet. The white, chubby feet made Tang Ruorui notice Zhu Yun’s slippers and say, “Why don’t I have any shoes?”

“How should I know?” Zhu Yun held the flowers and sat on the sofa. As soon as she sat down, Tang Ruorui crawled onto her and pointed at the flowers she had just given her. She slyly said, “I gave you flowers. Can you give me some shoes?”

Zhu Yun nodded and agreed, but then asked, “When will you grow up?”

This person, no, this non-human, must be a flower spirit. So why did she act like a child after turning back into one?

Tang Ruorui pouted, a thoughtful expression on her face.

Zhu Yun waited for an answer with curiosity. With Zhu Yun’s expectant gaze, Tang Ruorui said seriously, “I don’t know.”

Zhu Yun fell back onto the sofa, speechless, staring at the ceiling light.

“What’s your name again?”

“Zhu Yun.”

“Zhu Zhu?”

“…”

“Zhu, as in the bamboo.”

“It’s Zhu Zhu? I didn’t say it wrong.”

Zhu Yun reached out and pinched her cheek. “Thank you very much.”

“Hehe, you’re too kind.”

“Whatever, I won’t argue with a child. Tell me your full name. I need to find someone to look up your information.” Now that she was a child and had no adult with her, it was a problem. So Zhu Yun planned to ask Number 857 for help.

“Me?”

Tang Ruorui poked her own cheek and offered a bright smile, “I’m Tang Ruorui, you can call me Ruirui.”

“Tang Ruorui…”

That name sounded familiar. Wait, wasn’t that the female lead?

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