The Female Lead is Quite Unusual - Episode 8

Lin Wan felt somewhat uneasy when she made this suggestion.

In her original world, she had close female friends, but she had always been focused on her studies and rarely had free time. In friendships, she tended to be the passive one. Always the one being taken out by others.

Lin Wan was naturally attractive, emotionally steady, and never spoke negatively when hanging out with friends. She carried a rare clarity about her, making it easy to feel relaxed and happy around her, which was why everyone loved bringing her along.

This was the first time she had deliberately tried to get close to and please someone.

Although her relationship with Bai Yin had progressed over this period, and Bai Yin seemed indulgent toward her. Even Zhao the butler and everyone else called her Bai Yin’s good friend. Lin Wan couldn’t shake the feeling that there was still an invisible barrier between them.

Bai Yin was so innocent and unguarded. After some thought, Lin Wan concluded that the issue must lie with her: because of their employer-employee relationship and the fact that she had approached Bai Yin with a mission, she always felt somewhat restrained in front of her.

Lin Wan knew that suggesting this outing was a bit impulsive, but she urgently needed outside help.

The night before last, after returning to her room, she had seen missed calls from Wang Jiang on her old phone. Though she didn’t call back, she knew she couldn’t delay much longer. Bai Ru and the others might soon launch a new plan to harm Bai Yin.

Right now, Lin Wan didn’t have the ability to protect Bai Yin completely. In the original storyline, Zhao Feng, who cared deeply for Bai Yin and was utterly devoted to her, was the best candidate for external support.

At Lin Wan’s request, Bai Yin’s room was no longer perpetually curtained as before. A layer of sheer curtains now hung in place.

At this moment, Lin Wan had drawn the curtains open. The sunlight filtered hazily through the sheer fabric, casting a soft glow into the room. Bai Yin’s dark eyes took on an amber-like hue under the light.

Meeting Bai Yin’s gaze, Lin Wan suddenly felt as if all her calculations were laid bare before her.

“Miss, if you don’t want to go out, we can just walk around inside the building. I’ll go pick the oranges for you tonight.”

Under Bai Yin’s gaze, Lin Wan faltered, lowering her head and biting her lip as she spoke softly.

“It’s fine.”

Bai Yin blinked slightly, as if recalling something, and a faint smile curved her lips. She glanced at Lin Wan and took the mask from her hand. “I’ll go out with you to take a look.”

Lin Wan hadn’t expected Bai Yin to actually agree. Her eyes widened in surprise.

Belatedly, she realized how flustered she was. Her plan had many flaws. Bai Yin was allergic to pollen, and though she had given her a mask, there might be other things to avoid.

“Then, Miss, please wait a moment. I’ll call Zhao the butler first.” Without waiting to see Bai Yin’s reaction, Lin Wan immediately dialed Zhao’s number.

“Huh? You’re taking the young miss out to pick oranges? And you’re asking me what to watch out for?”

Clearly not expecting Bai Yin to leave the house, the usually composed and efficient Zhao sounded astonished, his voice rising on the other end of the line.

“Yes,” Lin Wan replied, unable to suppress a hint of pride despite her nervousness. “The young miss agreed to go out with me.”

“I see…” Butler Zhao drew out his tone, his voice steadying as he continued, “Bring the young lady downstairs in ten minutes. I’ll handle the rest.”

Hearing this, Lin Wan finally felt at ease.

She let out a sigh of relief and turned to look at Bai Yin, only to find Bai Yin raising an eyebrow at her with a peculiar glint in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Bai Yin’s gaze was odd, and Lin Wan couldn’t help but touch her own face.

“Nothing.”

Bai Yin’s lips curled into a clear smile, her eyes shimmering as she looked at Lin Wan.

“I just suddenly realized you’re even more interesting than I imagined.”

“Of course!”

Thinking Bai Yin was referring to the fun they’d had together recently, Lin Wan immediately straightened her back. “Just wait, young lady. I’ve got so many more things planned for us to do together.”

Bai Yin’s gaze lingered on Lin Wan’s face before she chuckled softly and lowered her head, saying nothing more.

＊

Over the next few minutes, Lin Wan began recounting the changes in the city over the past two years, hoping to spark Bai Yin’s interest in the outside world and encourage her to step out and integrate into society.

Clearly, Lin Wan was moving too fast. Though Bai Yin tilted her head and listened attentively, she showed no signs of yearning for the outside world.

Lin Wan wasn’t discouraged. After all, Bai Yin agreeing to go out this time was already a huge step forward.

“Young lady, I’ll be on leave the day after tomorrow. I’m going back to my grandma’s place. There’s a newly opened food street nearby. I’ll bring you back some snacks.”

Ten minutes passed quickly. Bai Yin put on a mask, and as Lin Wan excitedly chatted about her holiday plans, she pushed Bai Yin’s wheelchair downstairs.

When she saw Butler Zhao and six burly, muscular men standing at the ready on the first floor, Lin Wan’s voice caught in her throat, her eyes widening in disbelief.

Was this really necessary?

Just to pick some oranges, they needed this many bodyguards?

……

Lin Wan glanced at Butler Zhao, whose face was stern, then at Bai Yin, who lowered her eyes without meeting her gaze.

Was she just overreacting?

Lin Wan took a deep breath and began convincing herself again.

Actually, this was good. With so many people around, anyone who might want to harm Bai Yin would have a harder time succeeding.

“Ahem, Miss Lin,” Butler Zhao coughed twice, noticing the confusion in Lin Wan’s eyes. “After the young lady’s accident, we’ve been extremely cautious about her safety. This isn’t directed at you personally.”

At first, Lin Wan hadn’t found anything unusual, but after Butler Zhao’s explanation, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

“Let’s go.”

The afternoon sun at four or five o’clock was still strong. Bai Yin lifted her hand to shield her eyes and spoke softly, interrupting Lin Wan’s thoughts.

Lin Wan snapped back to attention and quickly opened a parasol to shade Bai Yin.

Butler Zhao’s explanation was reasonable. She must have been overthinking it.

＊

Lin Wan pushed the wheelchair, followed by Butler Zhao and the six imposing bodyguards. The group made quite the striking sight as they walked through the villa district, drawing plenty of attention.

Lin Wan noticed movement in a nearby villa. Likely Zhao Feng had already gotten word that Bai Yin was out. She sighed in relief.

After a short walk, the group arrived at the path with the orange trees Lin Wan had mentioned.

Indeed, orange trees lined both sides of the road, their branches heavy with golden fruit. A promising sign of autumn’s bounty, seemingly within arm’s reach.

But that was only true for those who could stand.

Lin Wan had been quietly observing Bai Yin’s movements. It wasn’t until they reached the orange trees that she realized her oversight.

Bai Yin couldn’t stand. What had once been a simple act of plucking an orange was now a challenge for her. Would seeing this scene make her sad?

Yet, Bai Yin’s expression betrayed no such emotion.

She wheeled her chair forward, stopping in front of an orange tree. The butler, Zhao, immediately bent a branch lower. Bai Yin reached up, tilting her head slightly, and picked the ripest orange from the cluster.

Click. Lin Wan quickly captured the moment.

She softened the background of the photo. From Lin Wan’s perspective, sunlight dappled through the leaves, casting dancing spots of light. Bai Yin’s delicate profile, slightly upturned, was flawless—ethereal, like a woodland spirit.

“Miss, this photo is truly beautiful.”

Lin Wan hadn’t expected to take such a stunning picture. Pleased with herself, she was about to show it to Bai Yin when she suddenly noticed the butler and the burly bodyguards eyeing her with intense wariness.

The atmosphere grew oddly tense, as if the men might pounce and restrain her at any moment.

But when she looked again, their expressions had returned to calm.

Lin Wan scratched her head, thinking the bodyguards were being overly cautious. Still, she kept the thought to herself. Bai Yin was in a precarious situation, and hyper-vigilance from the guards wasn’t entirely a bad thing. It meant they’d protect her better.

She eagerly brought the photo to Bai Yin, anticipating praise, when an unfamiliar male voice suddenly cut in.

“Xiao Yin, you’re finally out!”

A handsome man, his face flushed, stood ahead on the path, laden with bags of supplements. Behind him, a translucent panel displaying “2%” flickered briefly before vanishing. Lin Wan’s eyes widened.

This was the second person she’d seen in this world with a panel above their head.

Bai Yin’s panel had flickered for over half an hour before fading, but this one had disappeared almost instantly as if its owner’s fortune had been abruptly stripped away.

But how could that be?

Lin Wan inwardly scoffed at the absurdity. She must be overworked, her nerves frayed from lack of rest. That had to be why everything felt so strange today.

⊥

In Lin Wan’s memory, only one being could seize a world’s fortune and even threaten its consciousness. The terrifying figure the World’s Will had warned her about.

This minor world was far inferior to her original one. If that person had arrived here, the world would’ve been destroyed long ago.

Perhaps the duration of the panel’s flicker was tied to the individual’s fortune. Bai Yin, with her abundant fortune, had a long-lasting panel, while Lin Feng’s, with little to spare, vanished in an instant.

“I’ve been wanting to visit you, but they said the villa wasn’t receiving outsiders and wouldn’t let me in.”

While Lin Wan was still lost in thought, Zhao Feng had already approached cautiously, handing the supplements to Butler Zhao standing nearby, his eyes filled with heartache as he gazed at Lin Wan.

The man handsome and the woman beautiful, the two standing together painted an extraordinarily lovely picture.

Lin Wan sighed inwardly, eager to create some private space for them. However, the usually sharp-witted Butler Zhao seemed to have missed the cue this time, standing conspicuously with six burly men by his side, shining as the brightest third wheel.

Clearly unable to bear their stares, Zhao Feng soon bid Bai Yin farewell.

Before leaving, he gazed at Bai Yin with deep affection, hoping she would relent and allow him to visit her at home. But Bai Yin merely smiled without giving an answer.

As Zhao Feng walked away, his expression was visibly downcast.

“Is that gentleman a friend of yours, miss? He’s so handsome and treats you so well, bringing you so many gifts. Why won’t you let him visit you at home.”

Having filled two baskets with oranges, Lin Wan felt it was enough. She put on her gloves and began pushing Bai Yin’s wheelchair back, quietly probing Bai Yin’s feelings about Zhao Feng along the way.

Bai Yin glanced up at her but remained silent. Butler Zhao, however, snorted coldly.

“That gambling addict has had his eyes on the young miss for ages. Who would dare let him set foot in our home?”

“Luckily, that leech recently lost his bets and had to sell his house. He’ll be moving out of the area in a few days.”