I Helped the Female Supporting Character Become the Male Lead - Chapter 3

Listening to the system’s roaring voice, Cang Xuehe, currently in the elevator, calmly pressed the hand sanitizer dispenser twice. She meticulously wiped her hands and every exposed part of her body that had been touched.

The system’s roaring continued, though its icy electronic voice now held a hint of human-like emotion.

[System]: You’re crazy! Who gave you permission to do that?!

Cang Xuehe pulled out two more tissues to wipe her hands completely dry before responding at a leisurely pace.

[Cang Xuehe]: Unfilial son, are you trying to tell your father how to do things?

The moment she finished speaking, the elevator reached the first floor. As the doors opened, a row of staff members stood there, each wearing a standard toothy smile. They folded their hands in front of them and bowed 90 degrees.

“Good day, Eldest Young Lady.”

Cang Xuehe had only seen scenes like this on television and was nearly startled. Fortunately, her facial expressions remained under control. She gave a slight nod and hummed in response, then straightened her back and walked out of the elevator.

The system’s annoying voice persisted. She frowned and let out a displeased “tsk.”

[System]: Doing this is equivalent to mission failure! Don’t you want to return to the real world anymore?!

[Cang Xuehe]: Look at this place.

Cang Xuehe’s gaze swept across the hotel lobby. Above her hung a massive crystal chandelier, its light refracting into every corner of the lobby, showcasing luxury in every detail.

And yet, this hotel was merely a tiny asset of the Cang Group.

[Cang Xuehe]: Isn’t it great being the Eldest Young Lady here? My head would have to be full of holes to choose to go back and be a miserable working dog.

[Cang Xuehe]: Why would I want some scumbag? With that kind of money, I’d rather go find a gigolo. At least a gigolo only wants my money—Ding Hongyuan wants my life!

[System]: ……

Encountering such a rebellious host for the first time, the system seemingly crashed and remained silent for a good while.

Cang Xuehe thought it had finally shut up. She had just pulled out her phone when she heard the voice return.

[System]: I won’t allow you to do this. If you don’t follow the mission path…

Cang Xuehe rolled her eyes and cut the system off, snapping back: [What are you going to do? If you’re so capable, kill me right now. I see that if you actually had any skill, Ding Hongyuan wouldn’t have taken that ‘line-ending’ kick from me, you little piece of trash.]

[System]: YOU!!!!

[Cang Xuehe]: Your father is still your father. Shut up, unfilial son.

Starting from the moment she kicked the scumbag, Cang Xuehe had made up her mind. Whether this was a true “transmigration” into a book or just a fleeting dream, she wasn’t going to miss the chance to enjoy a life so far above the ordinary.

Besides, there was nothing in the real world worth missing.

Cang Xuehe remembered that the original female lead had a best friend. This friend, with her sharp eyes, had long since seen through Ding Hongyuan’s “scumbag” nature. However, the original lead—blinded by love—refused to listen and had drifted away from her friend after the engagement.

Fortunately, it wasn’t too late.

According to the original plot, after the female lead’s “first time” with Ding Hongyuan, she would have been provoked by the scumbag into a huge fight and a permanent falling out with her best friend.

“Stupid scumbag, you don’t do a single thing that resembles a human being.” Cang Xuehe felt bad for this best friend, cursing the scumbag while scrolling through her contacts.

“Yiyi~” As soon as the call connected, Cang Xuehe switched to a sugary-sweet tone, acting so theatrical that she gave herself goosebumps.

[System]: Heh, yue (gag).

“Oh, if it isn’t the great Miss Cang. How do you have time to call me? Shouldn’t you be busy planning the wedding?” Zhao Yi’s attitude wasn’t great; she was even a bit sarcastic, likely still frustrated by the original lead’s previous “love-brain” behavior.

But today was different! Being a newcomer, Cang Xuehe needed a companion to help her navigate these waters. Moreover, she had quite liked this friend when she read the original novel.

Because—she was gay.

Perhaps out of curiosity for a “fellow traveler,” Cang Xuehe wanted to see what this friend was actually like.

Luckily, though Zhao Yi was still angry, they were long-time friends after all. Cang Xuehe spoke a few soft, apologetic words, which managed to secure an invitation to meet.

Before the meeting, Cang Xuehe returned to her private apartment. It was quite magical; she possessed some of the original lead’s memories, so her daily life and social interactions wouldn’t be too affected.

She took a shower first, tossing that silk bathrobe into the trash can with disdain. Then, she called a cleaning lady to come over and sanitize the place, instructing her to replace everything with new items and throw away every single gift Ding Hongyuan had ever given her.

Afterward, she stood before the mirror preparing to apply light makeup. She froze for a moment when she saw the face in the mirror, which was 80% similar to her own.

That face featured an exquisite, high bridge of the nose that looked as if it had been surgically perfected. Her phoenix eyes slanted upward slightly; when she smiled, she looked like a seductive fox spirit.

Cang Xuehe slowly approached the mirror, placing a hand against the reflection as she murmured: “Sigh, this Miss Cang has wealth and beauty, how could her taste in men be so bad?”

She rubbed her high nose and talked to herself: “This face is all-natural. This is exactly what they call a ‘favored daughter of heaven.’ Comparison really is the thief of joy. With this face, could I finally shed my title as a ‘single-since-birth’ dog?”

The system gave a cold laugh: [Don’t forget your mission.]

Cang Xuehe let out a “tsk.” So, even after she had beaten the guy up, the mission hadn’t been cancelled? Could things really still be salvaged at this stage?

While applying lipstick, she replied perfunctorily: [Tell me then.]

[System]: Newest mission: Attend the family banquet in three days.

[Cang Xuehe]: Huh?

Just as she spoke, her phone buzzed. It was a message from the original lead’s father, informing her to attend the family banquet in three days.

His tone didn’t sound unusual at all. For a split second when the notification popped up, Cang Xuehe thought he was coming to demand an explanation regarding the incident with Ding Hongyuan.

A family banquet would be the most direct way to understand the internal workings of the Cang family.

Cang Xuehe paused for a moment, quickly replied to the message, and put her phone back down.

[Cang Xuehe]: This father will tolerate your little tantrums.

After tidying herself up, Cang Xuehe rushed to the meeting spot. Before entering, she double-checked her makeup and walked in carrying a bottle of unopened perfume she had scavenged from a drawer.

Perhaps because the original female lead’s impression of Zhao Yi was too faint, Cang Xuehe scanned the room and couldn’t immediately identify her. She was forced to seek help from the system.

[Cang Xuehe]: I’m asking you, which one is Zhao Yi?

The system played dead and didn’t respond.

At that moment, a person sitting toward the back raised a hand. Cang Xuehe knew instantly that this was Zhao Yi and hurried over.

“Yiyi, I brought a little gift for you to make amends. I’ve been way too busy these past few days.” Cang Xuehe offered a fawning smile while subtly sizing Zhao Yi up.

She was quite pretty, giving off a “bling-bling” vibrant vibe, with clean, shoulder-length hair. It seemed the author was a visual snob—there wasn’t a single ugly character in this book.

“Yo, so you still remember me? I bet you’ve been living the high life since getting engaged to Ding Hongyuan. Fine, don’t try to sweet-talk me; I told you long ago I don’t get along with him. I’m not going to be your bridesmaid.” Zhao Yi’s attitude was firm; it was clear she utterly loathed the scumbag.

Cang Xuehe thought for a moment, then dropped her smile and said seriously, “I just gave Ding Hongyuan a thorough beating. I’m not marrying him.”

“…” Zhao Yi was visibly stunned. After a moment, she reached out and felt Cang Xuehe’s forehead, bewildered. “Are you possessed, or did the water finally drain out of your brain?”

Cang Xuehe took her hand and said with total sincerity, “I know the old Cang Xuehe was stupid and naive, but times have changed! I’ve woken up. From now on, I’ll hit that dog of a man every time I see him.”

“I don’t know why you suddenly had a change of heart, but I’m relieved you’ve come to your senses.” Zhao Yi finally let out a comforted smile and squeezed her hand back. “You could have anyone you want, why settle for that trash? Besides, your families aren’t even on the same level.”

“Were we really that mismatched?” Cang Xuehe asked tentatively. Ding Hongyuan was a “rich second generation” after all; surely his family background couldn’t be that bad if the original lead fell for him?

“Let me ask you: which is more valuable, ten mountains of gold or one mountain of silver?”

“…Alright, I get it.” Cang Xuehe stroked her chin and frowned. “Right now, I’m just worried about how to break off the engagement. Do you have any ideas?”

Since the original lead had insisted on marrying Ding Hongyuan, she wasn’t sure what the rest of the Cang family thought of it—the author hadn’t spent much time on that detail.

“That’s easy. Just tell your big brother. Didn’t he always oppose this marriage anyway?”

Cang Xuehe thought Zhao Yi made a lot of sense. The Chairman of the Cang Group was gradually moving behind the scenes, and Big Brother Cang was now handling the company affairs. He clearly held significant status.

Deciding to strike while the iron was hot, Cang Xuehe immediately called the eldest brother. While waiting for the call to connect, the system popped up again.

[System]: You cannot break the engagement!!

[Cang Xuehe]: None of your business. I suggest you “tail juice” (behave yourself).

“Hello.” A deep male voice answered—exactly the “elite professional” image Cang Xuehe had pictured.

“Um… Brother? I have something I want to discuss with you.”

“Perfect timing, I have something to ask you too.” There was a pause on the other end, then his tone shifted. “News just came from the Ding family. You beat up Ding Hongyuan?”

Cang Xuehe’s heart skipped a beat. She had been so focused on venting her anger that she forgot she had to answer to the Cang family. That “line-ending” kick was no small matter.

Hardening her resolve, she replied, “Yes, I hit him. Did he go crying to you?”

“Nonsense!” Big Brother Cang barked. “There’s a limit to being willful. Have you forgotten he’s your fiancé? How could you hit someone like that? If something truly happened to him, you’ll be the one crying later!”

Cang Xuehe instinctively assumed her brother was taking Ding Hongyuan’s side. She leaned back in her chair and let out an impatient “tsk.”

She was about to snap back, but a thought occurred to her and she changed tactics.

Instead, she began to wail and sob into the phone: “Brother, you… you have no idea… I… I almost got… tricked into bed by him today! Where else do you think his injuries came from? Wooo hooo… I haven’t even married into the family yet and he’s already lusting after my body. He’s clearly not a decent person… he wanted to ‘cook the rice’ so I wouldn’t be able to back out…”

Zhao Yi sat nearby, jaw-dropping. She had never seen someone whose voice and facial expression were so vastly different. While Cang Xuehe sounded like an innocent girl crying over a near-violation, she was actually expressionless, casually picking at her fingernails.

Sure enough, even a cold-blooded CEO panicked upon hearing his sister’s aggrieved weeping.

“You… don’t cry. Alright, alright, Big Brother will handle this for you. Don’t cry anymore.”

Cang Xuehe sobbed, “Then Brother… can I cancel the engagement with him?” She paused, then used a bit of reverse psychology: “If breaking the engagement affects the cooperation between our families… I… I suppose I can endure it…”

As expected, Big Brother Cang, who had been hesitant, immediately declared: “What kind of trash is Ding Hongyuan? If my sister doesn’t want to marry him, she won’t! No reason needed! I’ll speak to Father about this later.”

“Okay! Big Brother is the best~~~”

After hanging up, Zhao Yi couldn’t help but clap. She lamented, “With acting skills like that, it’s a tragedy you didn’t enter the entertainment industry to win Best Actress.”

Cang Xuehe raised her eyebrows triumphantly.

She had to thank all those “White Lotus” and “Green Tea” female rivals she had read about in novels over the years.

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