The Beautiful, Strong, and Tragic Female Lead is Mine [Transmigration Into a Novel] - Chapter 1

Xie Zhitian was woken up by the sound of someone crying.

Whimpering, choked sobs, full of sorrow. If one listened closely, a few words could be made out.

“…so sad, woo woo woo…”

Who was it?

Xie Zhitian frowned, and her eyes snapped open.

While scanning her surroundings, she reached under her pillow for the dagger she always kept there.

But her hand came up empty.

She froze for a moment.

Not only was her weapon gone, but the room itself had changed completely.

Her vision was drowned in a sea of pink.

The bed, the carpet, the vanity—everything was pink. Extravagant whorled floral patterns dazzled the eyes. A window dressed with frilled curtains stood ajar, letting in bright daylight. Tassels swayed gently in the breeze.

At first glance, the décor seemed luxurious, but the more she looked, the more gaudy and tasteless it appeared.

Xie Zhitian thought quickly, searching the entire room to ensure nothing strange was lurking. Then she opened the interface of her portable space and took quick stock of her supplies.

Everything was still there.

Her gaze hardened. She retrieved another dagger from her space and gripped it firmly.

Five years of apocalypse had just ended, but the habits etched into her bones remained. Her nerves stayed taut, incapable of relaxing.

Still… where was she?

Perplexed, she walked slowly to the mirror.

The woman reflected back had a graceful figure, raven-black hair, snow-white skin, features flawless as cold jade. Her eyes were long, their light-colored irises faint and clear—an elegant, distant beauty.

Her clothes, however, were different: a pale-pink nightdress under a thin cream-colored cardigan.

“Um, hello? Can you hear me?”

A soft, timid female voice sounded, careful and testing.

Someone else?

Xie Zhitian’s pupils contracted sharply. Her grip on the dagger tightened.

She barked coldly: “Who’s there?”

“H-hello, Host. I’m System 1551.”

“You can call me Little One.”

“I’m not a bad guy, don’t be so fierce…”

This time Xie Zhitian realized—the voice was in her head.

Silent, she couldn’t stop one thought from surfacing.

—What, had she finally gone insane?

“You’re not crazy, Host. You’ve transmigrated into a novel.”

Little One explained nervously, “You’ve read transmigration stories, right? Every traveler gets a system. I’m the one bound to you. You died suddenly of illness in your original world, but this counts as getting another chance at life.”

Xie Zhitian absorbed the information. “So the crying earlier—was that because I died?”

Little One: “No, I just really didn’t want to go to work.”

Xie Zhitian: …

She sighed. “Fine. Give me a quick rundown of the situation here.”

Years of the apocalypse had trained her to adapt quickly. Whatever happened, she could calm down, assess, and plan her next step.

Just like now. First priority: understand this world and adapt to her new identity.

Little One said, “You’re now a cannon-fodder character in a male-oriented novel, one of the future members of the male lead’s harem. But don’t worry, the body is still your own.”

“This world is similar to the one you came from—apocalypse just ended, and society is rebuilding. Still dangerous, still short on resources, but improving. With your abilities, you’ll be fine.”

Xie Zhitian nodded. “Keep going.”

She had awakened an ability, was physically stronger than ordinary people, skilled in combat, and well-prepared. Her portable space contained abundant supplies, crops, livestock—she could live comfortably anywhere.

“This world survived nearly ten years of apocalypse and is forming a new order: central government, local districts. Your parents are very capable—they’re leaders of District 16.”

“As for you—you’re a spoiled waste of space. A pampered princess type. Not a murderer, but you’ve done plenty of nasty things. Your parents gave you a clerk job in the district office, but you just eat and don’t work. They’re about to fire you. Out of respect for your parents, people still call you ‘Young Miss,’ though you don’t deserve it.”

Xie Zhitian: …a bit harsh, don’t you think.

Little One continued, “The male lead, Xiao Wen, is also a transmigrator. In his original world, he was a scumbag—a master manipulator and emotional abuser who toyed with many women. Here, he has a ‘conquest system.’ By seducing women and raising their affection, he earns points, which he can exchange for supplies. Ordinary goods, yes, but in the apocalypse they’re precious. This gave him an edge.”

“You’ve just met him. In the original story, he swindles you out of money and your body, then scapegoats you until your parents cast you out. You die miserably outside.”

“The original owner has already been sent away for rehabilitation. Don’t repeat her fate.”

Xie Zhitian was dumbfounded. “Male-lead novels are this disgusting now? That guy can be a protagonist?”

“There’s an audience for it. Otherwise, where do you think the saying ‘Rise in rank, get rich, kill the wife’ came from?”

Little One sighed. “The actual heroine, Luo Yang, is pitiful.”

Then pleaded, “Host, can’t you please be good to her? Let her feel some warmth in this world, QAQ.”

The tone turned coy, especially on the words “be good.”

Xie Zhitian’s eyelid twitched. She instinctively objected, “No, I’m straight…”

Little One sobbed, “B-but Luo Yang is a genetically modified weapon, no one’s ever treated her kindly. If you don’t, she’ll get tricked by the scum male lead with a few crumbs of kindness, brainwashed, used up, and die in misery. Then he’ll build a fake ‘deep love’ persona by mourning her while keeping his harem.”

Xie Zhitian’s expression hardened. “So… beat him until he surrenders?”

Little One brightened immediately, “Nope! That’d be letting him off too easily!”

Xie Zhitian: “Then what do you suggest?”

Little One: “We’ll fight fire with fire. Since he has a conquest system, I’ll give you an anti-conquest system. Let him taste his own medicine before we banish him!”

Xie Zhitian raised a brow. “How does it work?”

“Simple. When he tries his manipulative lines, you just contradict him. If his words fail to have their intended effect, his points get frozen bit by bit. Once all are frozen, he’ll be banished to a matriarchal world as the lowest of slaves, living in endless misery.”

“The freezing gives no alerts, but he won’t be able to use his points. He won’t notice at first, but over time he’ll be squeezed dry.”

Xie Zhitian was satisfied. “Good. Let’s do it.”

Yes, slow death by a dull blade was always the cruelest.

Little One reminded, “But you must watch Luo Yang closely. Don’t let the scumbag trick her.”

Xie Zhitian readily promised, “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of her.”

Little One asked slyly, “Earlier you were about to say you’re straight?”

Xie Zhitian nodded. “Yeah, so what?”

Little One said with conviction, “But you’ve been single and loveless for 22 years. Never even liked anyone. How can you be so sure? What you think you think might not be what you really think.”

Xie Zhitian: …Thanks, that was offensive.

She clenched her jaw, ready to retort, but Little One rushed to speak first.

“Anyway, I’ll stop here. I’ve already put the book you’re in inside your portable space. Read it carefully. The text won’t cover everything—this world is huge, you’ll have to explore on your own.”

“Don’t worry. To others, it looks like an ordinary book. Only you see the truth inside.”

Xie Zhitian’s eyes narrowed. “So you’re getting off work now?”

“What? No way! Don’t say that! Poor kids like me have to juggle multiple jobs, QAQ.”

Little One flustered. “I just have to check on my next host. Don’t bother me unless it’s urgent. If you need me, just trace my number—1551—on the book’s title page.”

Xie Zhitian chuckled slowly. “Do you say this to every host, then slack off all day?”

“I—I don’t! You’re mistaken—”

But Xie Zhitian decided to let the overworked little system go. “Fine, leave. I’ll call you if I need you.”

After Little One left, Xie Zhitian skimmed a dozen pages of the book. The apocalypse here had been caused by swarms of alien creatures of unclear origin. Humanity fought back together and wiped out most, though not all.

Ecological changes had caused women’s physical abilities and lifespans to increase, while men weakened, becoming a vulnerable group. Female survivors outnumbered men, and women held higher social status. Many weak men survived only by attaching themselves to women, even as servants.

Against this backdrop, Xiao Wen brazenly built his harem. Other men struggled to live, yet he thrived, giving his male readers a sense of vicarious pleasure.

And the Xie Zhitian in this story was the first cannon-fodder woman he conquered.

She frowned, then examined the anti-conquest system Little One had given her.

A very simple panel. In the corner:

Current Xiao Wen’s remaining points: 872.

Not even a thousand. Not much.

She recalled that when he first transmigrated, he had 500 points. Considering the timeline, things were still early. There was time.

A knock sounded on the door.

She slipped the book into her space. “Come in.”

A gentle-faced boy stood outside, bowing respectfully. “Young Miss, Mr. Xiao wishes to see you.”

She recognized him from the novel’s beginning—Xiang Nan, the servant assigned to her.

Mr. Xiao? As in Xiao Wen?

Her eyes flashed with disgust. She was about to refuse, then changed her mind. “Let him in.”

A test subject delivered right to her door. Perfect for trying the system.

Xiao Wen entered, just as described—1.75 meters tall, scholar-like, glasses hiding eyes full of calculation.

He smiled. “Young Miss, are you still angry with me?”

She hadn’t read this part yet, so didn’t know the context.

Coolly, she asked, “Angry about what?”

He assumed she was still jealous and grew pleased.

“Miss, I know you’re upset I’ve been close to Luo Yang, but she’s hurt. I was only checking on her, nothing more.”

He spoke while gauging her expression, puzzled by how she suddenly seemed different.

The spoiled, brainless girl he knew now radiated a sharp, cold aura, like a blade hidden in its sheath.

Probably just his imagination.

He suppressed his doubts and pulled out a small handmade object, placing it carefully on the table before her. “Miss, I made this for you. It isn’t worth much, but it carries my sincerity. Doesn’t it look like me? When I’m not with you, let it keep you company.”

Xie Zhitian glanced at it: a crude clay figurine.

Inside, she sneered.

Scumbags always emphasize that their cheap gifts are “full of heart.” A lovesick fool might be moved to tears.

But she was far too clear-headed. For men like him, where the money goes is where their heart lies. Giving her something worthless meant she was worth just that little to him.

Seeing her stare, Xiao Wen thought she was touched. Indeed, women were easy—such a trinket could delight them.

He pressed his advantage. “Miss, do you know what kind of women men like best?”

It was one of his standard manipulative tactics: bait with a leading question, then impose his values.

The old her would’ve walked straight into it.

But now, the beauty before him only chuckled coldly.

She twirled the figurine in her hand, drawling, “What men like… what’s that got to do with me?”

Her words cut sharp. Xiao Wen blinked, thrown off.

He told himself she was just jealous. He softened his tone. “Miss, I only want us to understand each other better…”

But before he could finish, a flash of silver streaked—

The clay figurine’s head rolled twice across the floor.

She’d sliced it clean off with her dagger.

Stunned, Xiao Wen stammered, “Miss, you—”

“You want to understand me?”

Xie Zhitian twirled the dagger in her fingers, spinning a graceful flourish.

Her eyes gleamed with mockery. “Then do you know what happens to men I don’t like?”

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