The Female Supporting Character in a Melo-dramatic Novel Switched Roles from Omega to Seme - Chapter 3

Lu Chizao harbored a complex mix of resentment, lingering affection, and lingering bitterness toward Lin Raoyin. At this moment, these conflicting emotions assaulted her.

In an instant, a torrent of thoughts flooded her mind, yet in reality, she merely stared at Lin Raoyin for a few seconds.

Seeing her silence, Lin Raoyin assumed she hadn’t given enough importance to this special day and offered an explanation: “I just got off the plane this morning, and there were so many urgent matters at work. I’m sorry I couldn’t pick you up.”

Faced with the sincere gaze of her lover of many years, Lu Chizao felt the pain from their past life’s betrayal resurface with renewed intensity.

Suppressing the unspeakable secret of her rebirth, she forced herself to act as if nothing were wrong. “It’s fine,” she said.

Though she spoke these words, she instinctively dodged Lin Raoyin’s outstretched hand and turned toward the living room to greet the elders.

She didn’t throw a tantrum, but her coldness was unsettling.

Anyone who knew her would remember how clingy she used to be with Lin Raoyin, her heart and eyes filled with nothing but her lover. Her joy had been palpable, like a visible aura. This sudden chill made Lin Raoyin begin to wonder if she had done something to upset Lu Chizao.

As the female lead, Lu Chizao was undoubtedly intelligent and perceptive. The problem lay with her “author-mother,” who failed to provide her with opportunities to showcase these qualities.

The System, monitoring its newly bonded host from the sidelines, was delighted and rushed to praise Lu Chizao: [ Host, you’re doing great! Keep making the female lead question her entire existence. ]

Lu Chizao, ever proud, responded telepathically, even to the System:

[While this is necessary for the mission, it’s more about freeing myself.]

As their parents chatted animatedly, Lu Chizao sat on the sofa, legs crossed, silent and aloof.

Lin Raoyin soon joined her, sitting close and attempting to strike up a conversation. Just then, a servant emerged from the kitchen to announce that dinner was ready. Father Lin, Lin Hexu, gestured for everyone to move to the dining room.

In prestigious families like the Lins and Lus, dining etiquette was paramount, with each person’s seat carefully arranged.

At the head of the table sat the patriarch, Lin Hexu, and his wife, Qin Yin. Across from them were Lu Xingyan and Shen Wenyao, the Lu couple. The younger generation was seated on either side, following seniority.

Lu Chizao had always been an exception. Due to her close relationship with the Lin family, she was less constrained by formality and usually sat beside Lin Raoyin during meals.

Lin Tingci was already accustomed to this, always tactfully yielding her seat to her future sister-in-law.

*****

Today, Lin Raoyin and Lu Chizao were undoubtedly the main attraction, likely even more inseparable than usual.

Without a second thought, Lin Tingci automatically moved to the end of the table.

Strangely, Lu Chizao didn’t sit next to Lin Raoyin this time. Instead, following proper etiquette, she took her place beside her mother.

This unexpected move momentarily startled the Lin sisters, though it didn’t create any awkwardness. Lin Tingci calmly returned to her original seat.

However, Lu Chizao’s new position still left her directly facing Lin Raoyin across the table. Making a quick excuse about not wanting to obstruct her left-handed mother, she asked a maid to shift her chair slightly to the side.

Now, instead of facing Lin Raoyin directly, Lu Chizao sat opposite her, positioned between Lin Raoyin and Lin Tingci.

The adults saw nothing amiss, interpreting it as thoughtful consideration.

But the sisters had been observing Lu Chizao’s every move since she entered the room, and everything felt off.

Lin Tingci shot Lin Raoyin a questioning glance: “Did you upset her?”

Lin Raoyin understood immediately: “I don’t think so…”

They exchanged puzzled looks, both completely baffled.

Lin Raoyin continued to reflect inwardly, searching for any possible cause.

Virtual Image System 33, perched on Lu Chizao’s shoulder, sensed the protagonist’s shifting emotions.

In just a few hours, Lin Raoyin had gained two growth points, suggesting the bookstore had chosen a host with a promising future.

Lu Chizao had already noticed the change in Lin Raoyin’s growth value, which had increased from 58 to 60. Her gaze sharpened instantly.

A cold look is enough to make her reflect and grow? I’ve been too kind to her all this time.

With that thought, Lu Chizao pressed down harder as she sliced the tuna.

As expected, the anonymous letter would soon be delivered by the Lin family’s servants. Recalling the humiliation she had suffered at this very dining table in her previous life, Lu Chizao had no time to worry about Lin Raoyin’s feelings.

She couldn’t bear to relive the pain of that dramatic upheaval. She had to find a way to avoid it.

The soft scrape of the knife against the plate seemed sharp to Lin Raoyin’s ears, as piercing as Lu Chizao’s gaze across the table, cutting through her nerves.

She desperately wanted to ask why, but couldn’t bring herself to confront Lu Chizao in front of their parents.

The two sets of parents remained oblivious to the simmering tension between the two women, chatting amiably about how delicious the meal was and occasionally mentioning recent developments at their companies. The conversation eventually shifted to praising Lin Tingci, noting how much she had grown and how beautiful she had become.

The topic of marriage, being too formal, hadn’t been broached yet.

Lu Chizao secretly rejoiced, because if she could, she wanted nothing to do with Lin Raoyin—no seeing her, no hearing about her—at the moment.

So Lu Chizao followed the conversation, joining the others in turning her gaze toward Lin Tingci.

Having previously neglected those around her, Lu Chizao suddenly realized how much more striking Lin Tingci had become as she grew older.

The bright indoor lighting revealed a stark contrast to the dim garden setting where she had seen her earlier.

Her long, straight black hair cascaded down her sides. Though her eyebrows were thick, her slender, phoenix-shaped eyes held a deep melancholy. Combined with her quiet demeanor, she exuded an air of detached self-restraint, as if she existed apart from the world.

She bore no resemblance to Lin Raoyin. The elder sister was a gentle, intellectual, and commanding Alpha type, while the younger sister’s features carried an aggressive edge, yet retained the feminine grace of a female Alpha.

Their differences extended beyond appearance; their personalities and interests were worlds apart.

Lin Raoyin was remarkably attentive, always mindful of those around her.

Lin Tingci, on the other hand… wouldn’t even spare a glance for matters that didn’t concern her.

Lu Chizao hadn’t read the original novel yet, but the System had given her a rough outline of the ending.

She couldn’t understand why Lin Tingci, who showed indifference to everything beyond herself and whose greatest passion lay in filmmaking, would suddenly steal Lin Raoyin’s possessions in the original ending.

*****

In the business world, Lin Tingci was all smiles and polite conversation, but she seemed utterly uninterested in pursuing fame or wealth. What benefit could she possibly gain from seizing her family’s business and social standing?

The original novel never explained this plot point. The author, having been relentlessly criticized, had completely given up on the story and likely forgotten about it altogether.

Unable to make sense of it, Lu Chizao turned to the System for answers.

33 replied: [This question can likely only be answered by the original author. However, since the Host has intervened, the plot is inevitably changing due to interference. You may explore the reasons for these changes yourself.]

Lu Chizao: “……”

Oh, okay then.

Lu Chizao felt an urgent need to finish reading the original novel as soon as possible.

After her conversation with the System, her attention returned to the present.

She listened to the elders and Lin Tingci’s conversation, noting the few details about their daily lives and preferences that were mentioned.

It wasn’t anything special; Lu Chizao simply felt she should start learning more about Lin Raoyin’s family and close friends.

The pain inflicted by those closest to us cuts the deepest, a truth Lu Chi had learned firsthand in his previous life. To truly temper Lin Raoyin, Lu Chizao realized she should prioritize targeting these relationships.

Forget the “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” nonsense. Why should the female supporting character be destined for physical and emotional torment, her dignity trampled upon?

Lu Chizao refused to accept this. If Lin Raoyin was deemed a “failed creation,” she shouldn’t suffer alone. Moreover, given her pampered and willful nature, how could she possibly conform?

Hmph.

Lu Chizao simmered with silent fury. By now, the others had finished grilling Lin Tingci about her recent activities.

During university, Lin Tingci had filmed several projects. Her last self-directed short film had won some domestic awards, and she was preparing to graduate with her master’s degree next summer. Currently, she was busy with her graduation project, having just returned from scouting locations out of town.

While most university students treat their graduation projects as mere formalities to secure their diplomas, Lin Tingci was different. She and her friends had casually written a script, raised funding, cast actors, and actually filmed on location in a real film studio.

Lu Chizao, the idle young heiress, was stunned. Are all kids these days this impressive?

At just 23, having money to invest was understandable, but to throw hundreds of thousands, even millions, into a school project…

Lu Chizao’s gaze toward Lin Tingci shifted entirely.

In contrast, she herself had the academic credentials and overseas study experience, but her major was practically useless. Her only real asset was her striking beauty, which had landed her frequent hosting gigs, promotional shoots, and commercials since high school.

The comparison left Lu Chizao, who had been eager to pursue a career, suddenly losing her appetite. She set down her knife and fork, leaving the main course unfinished.

Her heart burned with urgency to prove this world wrong, to silence all those who looked down on her, to complete her mission and live a fulfilling life.

The problem was, having only been reborn for half a day, she had no idea where to begin.

As for how to accomplish her mission, she had only the faintest glimmer of an idea—nothing concrete.

The Lin and Lu families had been close for generations. Lu Xingyan and Father Lin, Lin Hexu, were childhood friends who had known each other for decades. Their compatible habits meant they rarely spoke during meals, preferring to wait until they were nearly finished eating before getting down to business.

Shen Wenyao, having surveyed the scene and deemed the moment right, finished her last bite of steak and opened the conversation with a compliment: “Aunt Yao’s cooking is truly excellent.”

Aunt Yao was the Lin family’s head chef.

Mrs. Qin Yin, Lin’s mother, elegantly dabbed her lips with a napkin before replying, “We’ll all be family soon. There will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy her dishes.”

Her words brought a cheerful atmosphere to the dining room, and Lin Hexu and Lu Xingyan smoothly transitioned to the main topic.

“Let’s finalize the guest and media lists. If you ask me, we shouldn’t invite the Gu family. We’ve cut off all financial ties with Old Gu long ago…”

The Lin and Lu families ranked among the top three wealthiest and most influential clans in Yuanshou. The marriage of their flagship enterprises was always a major social event.

It was precisely because of this grand scale that Lu Chizao’s fall from grace in her previous life had been so devastating.

The two fathers focused on business matters.

Lin Raoyin, who was set to inherit the Lin family’s business empire, listened intently.

Meanwhile, her younger sister, Lin Tingci, showed even less interest in the wedding than the servants eavesdropping on gossip. Completely detached from the proceedings, she ate her fill and then surreptitiously tapped on her phone under the table, finalizing filming details with friends.

The two mothers were discussing where to hold the wedding banquet.

They had already negotiated extensively beforehand, agreeing that major decisions would be made by the elders, while the younger generation could choose the details they preferred.

Lu Chizao had once dreamed of a grand wedding.

She had envisioned an outdoor ceremony by the sea, from the romantic sunset to the starlit night, with her beloved standing between heaven and earth, their love witnessed by the sun, moon, and stars.

But that was a dream of the past.

Lu Chizao gently reminisced about this dazzling fantasy before pushing it aside. She began crafting her refusal speech, calculating the perfect moment to reject the marriage for maximum impact.

If she timed it right, she might even slip away from the table before the anonymous letter arrived, avoiding the awkward confrontation altogether.

That’s right.

Eavesdropping on the endless negotiations, Lu Chizao prepared herself. She wiped her mouth with a napkin, took a silent, deep breath to steel her courage, and then, amidst the harmonious laughter of the group, cleared her throat to seize the floor.

“Dad, Mom, I don’t want to marry Lin Raoyin anymore.”

Her voice was soft, yet it struck like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, leaving everyone stunned.

Even Lin Tingci, who had been drifting in her own world, snapped her head up at the announcement. Lin Raoyin’s reaction was even more dramatic.

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