I Just Want to be a Throwaway Character - Chapter 12

Chapter 12: The Best in the World

Summer Break and a Visit

Summer break arrived. Ji Wan immediately moved out of the school dorm and into the Ji family’s old estate, as if hiding from something. The traditional Chinese-style modern building was understated yet luxurious, occupying a large part of a mountainside. With its pavilions, lush flowers, and fresh, cool climate, it was Ji Wan’s favorite style.

However, Ji Wan was currently holed up in her room, burying her head in the luxurious, princess-themed bed. She didn’t look happy at all.

“What’s wrong with my precious Wanwan? Old man, she’s gone upstairs looking so unhappy,” a dignified old lady in a noble suit said to an equally silver-haired old man in a traditional Chinese robe on the other side of the sofa.

“Hmph, I bet it’s because of that girl from the Gu family again,” the old man grumbled. He just couldn’t understand what his precious granddaughter saw in that girl.

“Ah, it’s a young person’s business. How about we take Wanwan to a banquet in a while to get some fresh air? Staying cooped up at home all the time will make her sick,” Ji Wan’s grandmother said.

“Alright, let her see the world, so that girl from the Gu family doesn’t completely steal her soul,” Ji Wan’s grandfather agreed.

At that moment, Ji Wan had no idea her grandparents were making arrangements for her. In the original owner’s memories, her parents were often abroad, so she was raised by her two grandparents. Their relationship was incredibly close. Even her strict grandfather was willing to let little Ji Wan pluck his beard. Ji Wan was very happy with the two elders, thanks to the original owner’s memories.

System Update

“Host, I’m back! Aren’t you happy, surprised, or shocked?” A familiar electronic voice echoed in her mind.

Ji Wan pouted and grumbled, “Not happy.”

“Uh, Host, I’m back with an upgrade. Are you really not happy?” The system, 111, turned into a ball of light and zipped around Ji Wan.

She grabbed the little light orb. Ah, a familiar touch. Ji Wan’s mood improved slightly. “Tell me, what did you upgrade?” She leaned back against the bed’s pillows, holding and rubbing the system 111.

“Ouch, Host, be gentle,” system 111 cried out.

“Stop with the nonsense, just say it,” Ji Wan said impatiently, letting go of the light orb.

“Wuwu, Host is so cold,” the now-free system 111 whined. But then it saw Ji Wan’s threatening glare and shivered instantly. “What did the Host go through? She looks so resentful.”

System 111 quickly and eagerly explained, “I’ve upgraded with a spatial-temporal travel feature, a pain immunity mode, and a do-not-disturb mode. Isn’t that great?”

“Mmm, what do they do?” Ji Wan’s expression was indifferent and cold, looking at system 111 as if it were an idiot.

“Ugh, Host is so apathetic!” system 111 grumbled, turning its back and drawing circles, even though it didn’t have hands.

“Hurry up,” Ji Wan said, growing inexplicably annoyed and ignoring system 111.

“Okay, I’ll explain right away,” system 111 said, sensing the threat and acting more sensibly.

Upgrade features:

1. Spatial-Temporal Travel: Allows the Host to travel to a designated time point in the past (Small print: one use will freeze two mission worlds, making them unusable).
2. Pain Immunity Mode: The Host will not feel pain when injured (Has side effects).
3. Do-Not-Disturb Mode: The system will automatically block messages in special situations for the Host.

“Oh,” Ji Wan replied softly. She lost interest and burrowed back into her blanket to sleep, no longer paying attention to system 111’s resentful gaze. The so-called spatial-temporal travel was just a one-time big move that would leave her waiting for a long time. The pain immunity was only useful if she was in pain in the first place, and the do-not-disturb mode was even more useless since she could already block system 111 on her own. Ji Wan yawned, bored, and took a nap, ignoring system 111’s disgruntled look.

A Social Event

The luxurious hotel lobby was designed exquisitely, with well-trained waitstaff. The elegant music blended perfectly with the aroma of wine drifting through the air. A dazzling array of delicate desserts was laid out on a long rectangular buffet table. The guests were mostly young heirs and heiresses from various industries, all with polite smiles, trying to build connections with potential partners and people who could benefit their families.

Ji Wan wore a gorgeous, pure white strapless gown. Her long, straight black hair cascaded over her pale shoulders, and she wore a pair of pure white high heels. Around her neck was an elegant platinum necklace that her grandmother had insisted she wear.

Ji Wan was holed up on a sofa in the most secluded corner of the banquet. She yawned, covering her mouth with her hand. It was so boring. If her grandmother hadn’t gently but persistently badgered her, she would have had no interest in attending this kind of social event. The worst part was that the high heels were incredibly uncomfortable, and she couldn’t eat anything without ruining her image. She could only sit there and wait until the banquet was halfway over before reporting back to her grandmother and going home.

She didn’t know that even though she was in the most secluded corner, people in the banquet hall were constantly glancing at her. After all, she was the only daughter of the Ji family, one of the four great families. And her looks, her figure… Tsk, tsk, she was a top-tier beauty.

A few corporate heirs in the corner noticed that no one was approaching Ji Wan and were eager to be the first to go talk to her.

“Ji Wan?” A voice filled with obvious, delighted surprise came from beside her. A shadow blocked Ji Wan’s light.

Ji Wan looked up. A handsome young man in a well-fitting suit stood in front of her. His face was full of joy, and a hint of his cute canines was visible.

“Are you Shen An?” Ji Wan searched her memory for her impression of Shen An. He was the class prince of the next class over, a lively and cheerful person who was good at basketball and the second son of the Shen family. It was a good thing that her family had a business partnership with Lin Luo’s family, so she had heard a few things, otherwise, Ji Wan would have forgotten.

“It’s me. It’s an honor that you know me,” the young man said excitedly, unable to hide his happiness.

“Is there something you need?” Ji Wan asked with a smile, looking at the boy who seemed honest and adorable.

“W-well, can I have the first dance with you later?” Shen An’s face flushed slightly as he bravely asked, shyly scratching his face with his fingers.

Looking at the obviously smitten young man, Ji Wan didn’t want to give him false hope. It wouldn’t be good for either of them. Plus, she was wearing heels so high they were called “heaven-haters.” Her feet hurt, and it would be so embarrassing if she fell.

“I’m sorry, I’m very happy you asked, but I’m not feeling well today, so I’m not suitable for dancing.” Ji Wan politely declined.

Shen An looked disappointed but quickly smiled at her. “That’s okay. You should rest. I’ll be over there. If you need anything, just wave at me, and I’ll come right away.” If Shen An had a tail, it would be wagging right now.

“Alright,” Ji Wan replied politely but distantly.

The Confrontation

On the second floor of the banquet hall.

“Nice, Shen An! You had the guts to go flirt with Ji Wan! Hahaha!” Shen An’s best friend said, wrapping an arm around his neck.

“She didn’t say yes,” Shen An replied, shyly scratching his flushed cheek.

“Keep trying, keep trying! Even the most stubborn woman can be won over by a persistent man. You can take your time,” his best friend said, patting Shen An’s head.

“I’ll work hard,” Shen An said with a smile.

Shen An walked with his best friend toward the center of the banquet. Unbeknownst to them, in a corner on the second floor, a pair of eyes was intently watching Ji Wan’s spot, filled with jealousy.

Gu Nianqing was restraining herself. She had promised Ji Wan she would give her time. So she could only watch her, watching others approach her. With a crack, the wine glass in Gu Nianqing’s hand shattered. Blood flowed down her hand and dripped onto the floor, accompanied by a cold scent of mint.

Gu Nianqing seemed oblivious to the pain, releasing her grip on the broken glass, her eyes dark and unreadable. Not far away, Ji Wan shivered. A strange coldness.

A New Development

Finally, halfway through the banquet, Ji Wan got up and started walking toward the exit. The hotel’s path to the road led through a garden. The neatly trimmed flowerbeds looked unique under the flickering lights. Ji Wan couldn’t help but stop and look for a few moments.

“Ji Wan!” A lively, energetic voice came from behind her. Ji Wan guessed who it was immediately. She reluctantly turned around and asked politely, “Shen An, is there something you need?”

“W-well, it’s not safe for you to walk alone. I’ll walk you back.” Shen An’s eyes were bright, like the sun, and his face was flushed.

“There’s no need. I can go back by myself.” Ji Wan rejected him coldly and turned to leave.

“Ji Wan, I… I like you,” Shen An said, subconsciously grabbing her hand.

Even though she had guessed Shen An had feelings for her, Ji Wan hadn’t expected him to confess so quickly. Now she had to come up with a good reason to reject the pure-hearted teenage boy.

“Let go of her!”

Just as Ji Wan was about to speak, a cold, familiar voice came from behind Shen An. Gu Nianqing, with a dark expression, walked quickly and pulled Ji Wan away. Gu Nianqing was wearing an elegant black evening gown that highlighted her beautiful looks, but her expression was cold and angry. There was a bandage wrapped around the hand that was holding Ji Wan.

“Ouch, that hurts,” Ji Wan cried out from the firm grip.

“You’re hurting her!” Shen An shouted anxiously at Gu Nianqing.

“She’s mine,” Gu Nianqing replied coldly, her gaze as sharp as an ice pick aimed at Shen An.

“What gives you the right? Who are you to her?” Shen An retorted, not backing down.

Watching the two of them in this tense standoff, Ji Wan felt awkward and wanted to escape, but Gu Nianqing had a firm grip on her hand. Then, both of them looked at Ji Wan.

Ji Wan thought: Silence, oh silence. If I don’t explode in this silence, I’ll perish in it.

“Well, Shen An, I’m sorry, but let’s just be friends,” Ji Wan said to him. Then she quickly pulled Gu Nianqing toward the road, her actions making her stance clear.

The two figures, one in black and one in white, made a perfectly matched pair as they walked away. Shen An was left standing alone, looking dejected. Was he truly no match for Gu Nianqing?

Ji Wan pulled Gu Nianqing to the roadside outside the hotel and stopped. She turned to look at Gu Nianqing and said in a deliberately cold voice, “Gu Nianqing, let go. Let me go. I’m going home.”

But Gu Nianqing’s expression remained cold, yet there was a hint of a smile in her eyes. Ji Wan had chosen her. She held onto Ji Wan’s hand stubbornly without saying a word, a slight, unnatural flush appearing on her face. A cold, minty scent intensely filled Ji Wan’s nose, making her feel a little dizzy.

“This scent is strange.” Ji Wan suddenly realized something. In the original story, Gu Nianqing’s pheromone was mint. So she was differentiating!

Looking at the clearly dazed Gu Nianqing, who was still holding her hand tightly, Ji Wan was glad she wasn’t an Omega. Otherwise, this situation could be a disgrace to their differentiation. Pah, what was she just thinking? Ji Wan’s face flushed with embarrassment.