The Female Supporting Character in a Melo-dramatic Novel Switched Roles from Omega to Seme - Chapter 1

On an autumn afternoon, warm sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the light wood floor in a golden glow. A gentle breeze stirred the white curtains, yet the atmosphere inside the room was far from tranquil.

“Zaozao, Zaozao? Why won’t she wake up?”

“Do you think tonight’s banquet will have to be canceled?”

“How can you be thinking about that at a time like this! Dr. Yang, hurry and find a solution!”

Nearly ten people stood around the bed in the spacious room, some with faces etched with worry, others wringing their hands anxiously. They surrounded Lu Chizao, the Lu family’s only daughter.

The heiress seemed trapped in a nightmare, her brow furrowed, beads of sweat glistening on her forehead and neck. Despite their repeated calls, she remained unresponsive.

In her dream, she heard no voices, only orderly rows of cylindrical glass screens and an inhuman, mechanical voice.

[“The world of the novel More Than Just Coveting has collapsed, posing a Level 1 network threat. Preparing for reconstruction.”]

[“All plot nodes have been reset. Assistance characters have been selected. Preparing for redeployment. 3… 2… 1…”]

[“Redeployment successful.”]

After countless calls from her family and just as Dr. Yang was about to attempt electroshock therapy, Lu Chizao finally gasped and opened her eyes.

“Huff…”

As if she had narrowly escaped some perilous ordeal, Lu Chizao’s pupils visibly contracted, and she sat up abruptly, clutching her head.

Yet there was no pain.

Hesitantly, Lu Chizao touched various parts of her body, finding only the smooth, soft skin exposed by her silk nightgown. Her skin was flawless, as white and pristine as ever, without a single scar or any trace of the gruesome, bloody wounds she remembered.

Huh?

Finally breaking free from some lingering emotion, she noticed the changed surroundings and the many eyes fixed on her.

Lu Chizao hesitated, then scanned each person present, recognizing the familiar faces before her: her parents and the gentle servants she saw every day.

How could this be?

Lu Chizao couldn’t believe it.

Hadn’t she fallen to her death? Before her death, she had been cast out by the Lu family’s true heiress, her ten-year engagement stolen due to her low pheromone compatibility, and, unable to find her biological parents, she had become like a stray dog in the elite circles.

Once the most renowned Omega in the capital, her prestige had vanished, her reputation ruined.

But now… why was she still on the third floor of the Lu family villa? Why were her parents, the servants, and the family doctor all rejoicing at her awakening, as if past grievances had been forgotten?

Utterly bewildered, Lu Chizao remained frozen, motionless for at least half a minute after opening her eyes.

Her series of reactions seemed utterly bizarre to everyone else. Shen Wenyao, the woman who had been her mother for over twenty years, grew even more anxious. She grabbed Dr. Yang’s hand and asked urgently, “What’s wrong with her, Dr. Yang?”

Her mother was tense, and her father was equally worried. “Quickly examine her. She was perfectly fine last night before bed. How could she suddenly be like this?”

No, from now on, I should only refer to them as my adoptive parents.

Lu Chizao’s eyes stung as she looked up at the source of the voices, her throat so tight she couldn’t utter a word. Beyond the people, the familiar decor triggered a flood of memories.

After all, she had lived here for twenty-six years. Everything in the room had been designed according to her preferences. The New American-style decor appeared simple and luxurious, but the materials were top-tier and the furniture was priceless—the sole indulgence for the Lu family’s only daughter.

But… this shouldn’t be happening.

The immense pain still felt like it was piercing her body and heart, as if it had happened just moments ago. Those couldn’t have been dreams.

Yet, everything before her was intact, as if she had returned to the past.

Could this be the dream now?

No, wait. Just as Lu Chizao was drifting between sleep and wakefulness, she had faintly heard a strange mechanical voice mentioning reconstruction and a novel.

She couldn’t quite remember the details.

“My head hurts.”

Suddenly, Lu Chizao clutched her head, curling up and burying her face in her knees.

The family doctor immediately retrieved pain medication.

Amid the chaos, she swallowed the pills with water and retreated back into the soft blankets, quickly regaining her composure.

The doctor’s blood tests revealed no major issues, but he recommended a comprehensive hospital examination once Lu Chizao regained consciousness. Though still uneasy, the others left to let her rest.

As silence settled and the air cleared, the medication began to ease her headache, gradually sharpening her memories.

Even in death, Lu Chizao couldn’t forget the resentment and reluctance she felt when forced to move out of the Lu family mansion, the agonizing push-and-pull of her relationship with Lin Raoyin, the relentless mockery from the elite’s children, and the solitary struggle of her life outside the family’s protection.

Those memories must be real.

But who could explain what was happening now?!

The moment this thought formed, a harsh, crackling electrical sound filled her mind.

A blue light materialized into a semi-transparent, square-headed figure, hovering above the quilt.

[Greetings, Host. Due to the author’s weak writing skills, the plot of your novel has collapsed catastrophically, resulting in a complete Bad End for the main characters. This has sparked intense reader dissatisfaction. To ensure the stable development of the Network Book Bureau, we have decided to reset the story’s plot, erasing the memories of all other characters. Only you will retain your memories, returning to the story’s beginning.]

The mechanical voice was stiff and eerie—exactly the voice she’d heard in her dream.

The pale-faced beauty on the bed stared at the small figure as if it were a ghost, shrinking back against the headboard in terror. “What are you?!” she demanded, her voice trembling as she addressed the insubstantial entity.

[I am the Network Book Bureau Maintenance System, designated System 33. I am bound to your consciousness, and only you can perceive me.] 

Each time the small figure spoke, undulating lines flashed across its square “face,” as if analyzing and calculating.

Its sudden appearance was truly bizarre. Lu Chizao had been staring at it for a long time before finally summoning the courage to wave her hand. As expected, she grasped nothing; her hand passed right through the small figure’s body.

Lu Chizao trembled. “Do ghosts even look like this?”

The System analyzed her reaction and explained, [33 is a virtual construct. You cannot touch it, Host.]

What Lu Chizao was seeing and hearing defied her understanding of reality, yet this very absurdity seemed to explain everything.

Having watched numerous science fiction films and read countless novels, Lu Chizao was surprisingly receptive to this explanation. Since the entity before her appeared harmless, she managed to calm down.

Still utterly bewildered, she asked, “What novel? What Book Bureau? What ‘redevelopment’? I don’t understand.”

System 33 “turned” its head toward her and, with earnest solemnity, repeated its explanation: [ The world you inhabit is a novel titled “More Than Just Coveting.” You are a supporting female character. The author, driven to madness as they wrote the ending, produced a disastrous conclusion. The readers’ resentment exceeded the network’s capacity to contain it, forcing the Network Book Bureau to intervene and implement a top-priority solution. ]

“Then why did you only preserve my memories?” Lu Chizao asked.

[System 33: After data analysis and research, this Bureau unanimously determined that you are the most suitable character to assist the protagonist’s growth. We hope you will cooperate to ensure a satisfactory ending for the protagonist and maintain the stability of the Network Book Bureau.]

The world she had lived in for over twenty years was actually the plot of a novel? This was utterly absurd.

Yet, after Lu Chizao grasped this truth, her primary concern was: “After all the suffering I’ve endured, I’m not even the protagonist? Then who is?”

[System 33: This book has two female leads: Lin Raoyin and Lu Wanqing.]

Lin Raoyin was Lu Chizao’s fiancée.

Lu Wanqing was the Lu family’s true heiress.

Even with her years of proper education, Lu Chizao wanted to curse aloud: “So, not only was I a cannon fodder supporting character, but you also expect me to clean up after that trash author and help Lin Raoyin and Lu Wanqing achieve their happy ending? You’ve got to be kidding me!”

33’s small face flickered with distorted wavy lines before stabilizing, as if it had weathered an electromagnetic storm and finally found its answer.

[System 33: Although you are not the protagonist, you are unanimously recognized by the entire Bureau as the most promising character! The fate of this world rests entirely on you! By ensuring the protagonist’s growth and a satisfactory ending, you can avert the crisis of this book’s deletion!]

Lu Chizao scoffed, “Pah! Haven’t I suffered enough? You want me to relive it all and be a stepping stone again? Let whoever wants to do this crap do it!”

33, flustered by her sharp retort, pleaded in its emotionless voice. 

[“Host, you can’t think like that! If the mission fails, you, 33, and every character in this book will be erased. We’ll vanish from the boundless network, not even our names will remain!”]

“Then hurry up and destroy us already!”

******

In her previous life, even amidst cold stares and worldly hardships, Lu Chizao had loved Lin Raoyin until her final moments, a love that had endured for ten long years.

If the true heiress hadn’t returned, she and Lin Raoyin would have been married soon. Now they wanted her to help her lover get together with someone else? What audacity!

And they claimed she was the “most suitable candidate”? Clearly, this “Network Book Bureau” was utterly unreliable.

The System, terrified by her fiery temper, scrambled its information and nearly forgot about the rewards. It immediately projected a series of benefits before Lu Chizao.

[“Host, please don’t rush to conclusions. As a key supporting character, we will provide you with appropriate compensation.”]

Having lost all fear of the System, Lu Chizao straightened her posture, crossed her arms, and glared coldly at the System interface projected in mid-air.

33 eagerly explained:

[Your primary mission is to help the female lead, Lin Raoyin, grow spiritually and mentally so, she can endure the various hardships the author has laid out. If you succeed, the System will reward you with fifty million yuan.]

During this period, 33 will also generate random missions based on the plot’s development. Successfully completing these will earn you additional generous rewards.

Lu Chizao scoffed, “Can’t I earn money myself? What do I need your rewards for?”

33 retorted bluntly: [But you’ve been given a second chance at life.]

[As the protagonist’s growth value increases, you’ll gain corresponding luck points. Moreover, with your memories intact, you can forge a completely different life from your previous one.]

Lu Chizao’s expression flickered, but her words remained sharp: “What if I refuse? What if I insist on stealing the female lead from Lu Wanqing?”

33 responded emotionlessly: [Immediate termination. Activating backup candidate.]

What a ruthless robot!

33: [There’s one thing you must understand, Host. The synopsis of “More Than Just Coveting” has already predetermined the two female leads’ fates. As a supporting character, your actions may trigger a butterfly effect that alters the plot, but regardless of whether your mission succeeds or fails, their destinies will inevitably converge.]

This meant that whether Lu Chizao died early as she had in her previous life, or whether she avoided death in this life, nothing could prevent the two female leads from ending up together.

Lu Chizao found this impossible to accept.

Having grown up in a wealthy and influential family, Lu Chizao had enjoyed the most privileged life, unconditional love, and the status of a top-tier Omega. Her pride and arrogance were deeply ingrained in her very being.

Yet, in her previous life, she had endured countless cold stares and humiliations for Lin Raoyin’s sake, desperately trying to salvage their years-long relationship. This was because she refused to believe that fate was predetermined.

Now, the harsh reality had revealed that no amount of effort could alter what was destined to be.

If there was no chance of a different outcome, what was the point of forcing things?

Was she just rushing to die again?

Lu Chizao was someone who knew when to advance and when to retreat. She understood the logic, but she struggled to make a decision.

The System’s casual words had shattered her long-held beliefs. She needed time to process this.

Lu Chizao lay back down, pulling the blanket over herself and staring blankly ahead.

Her eyes fixed on the System’s main interface, which tilted with her movements. She remained silent for a long time, her mind racing with conflicting thoughts.

Currently, Lin Raoyin’s growth value stood at 58 points. A small note below read: “At least 200 points are required to withstand the author’s traps and endure hardships beyond ordinary human endurance.”

For every 10 growth points a helper helped her gain, they would receive 2 luck points.

The whole situation defied logic and was utterly absurd, yet it undeniably offered a chance at rebirth.

With her memories intact, Lu Chizao could change so much. A woman who valued herself as she did would never repeat her past mistakes, becoming a pawn in the power struggles of the wealthy elite. Nor would she allow herself to be consumed by love again, losing her sense of self and allowing others to bully and trample her.

However… while this opportunity was rare, it didn’t mean she should accept it lightly.

“I’ll take the mission,” Lu Chizao declared firmly, “but all rewards must be doubled. Furthermore, you must provide me with the resources and connections I’ll need for my future endeavors.”

She understood the rules of the upper class all too well: connections and power were far more valuable than mere money.

The System, detecting Lu Chizao’s thoughts, stated mechanically, “All rewards are standardized across the Network Book Bureau. Your request requires approval from the Administrator.”

Lu Chizao shrugged. “Fine. If it’s approved, great. If not, we’ll both be erased. I don’t care.”

Having endured countless torments in her previous life, Lu Chizao was no longer the naive young heiress she once was. Her actions now carried a newfound decisiveness.

You could also see it as her having gone dark. Having experienced death, what else could she possibly fear?

Besides, she was only asking for basic conditions, not demanding the System solve some grand life-or-death dilemma.

The System’s avatar disappeared for a while. By the time Lu Chizao was starting to feel drowsy, almost drifting off on her soft pillow, 33 returned with a message.

[Host’s request has been approved, but it will only take effect once you bind to this System. Do you wish to proceed with binding?]

It’s actually this easy to negotiate with?

Lu Chizao hesitated for a moment before tapping the confirm button.

She had been bluffing earlier. After all, who wouldn’t want to live if given the chance?

[Congratulations, Host! Binding successful! The final reward has been changed to 100 million. For every 10 growth points you help Lin Raoyin gain, you will receive 4 luck points.]

The full contents of the original novel are now being transferred to you.

The virtual interface transformed, displaying Lu Chizao’s photo and detailed information.

Just as she was about to expand the interface to examine the details, someone knocked on the door.

With a mental flick, Lu Chizao retracted the interface and System into her mind. It was her parents, worried and checking on her well-being again.

Even though she knew this was a novel world, Lu Chizao was experiencing it all firsthand. She had been closely bonded with her parents for many years.

Suddenly transported back to her past, Lu Chizao’s heart tightened.

“Zaozao, are you feeling better? Let Mom check,” Shen Wenyao said, sitting on the edge of the bed, her voice tender with the affection she had showered on her precious daughter for over twenty years.

Lu Xingyan, noticing her still pale complexion, hesitated before speaking. He stood beside the bed for a few minutes before asking gently, “Zaozao, will you be able to attend tonight?”

Of course. Today was the crucial day for finalizing the wedding details with Lin Raoyin, a matter of paramount importance to the Lu family.

This union wasn’t just about the childhood sweethearts’ mutual affection; the merger of the two families would also create significant commercial synergies.

Yet tonight, an anonymous letter would shatter the Lu family’s plans, revealing that Lu Chizao was not their biological daughter.

Facing her once-close family, Lu Chizao felt a pang of longing.

But the plot had reached a point where all that was beautiful was about to be lost.

If she wanted to avoid further suffering, she had to start reversing the narrative now.

Suppressing the bitterness in her heart, Lu Chizao declared with resolve, “Of course I’ll attend.”

As if sensing her determination, the System suddenly materialized, perched on her shoulder, and issued its first mission:

[Host, please refuse to marry the female lead.]

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