The Plan to Save the Villainess Supporting Actress [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 27.2

Another reason The Fool became a viral hit online was that the original lyrics were very poignant.

The original creator once posted that the song was inspired by the experience of a criminal’s child.

The author had accidentally come into contact with a young boy whose father was a criminal who had attacked his boss with a knife. Later reports revealed that the company had been withholding wages from workers for years, leaving the father without income for six months. The entire family was barely surviving on the grandmother’s meager pension.

Then one day, the grandmother fell ill and needed a very expensive surgery. The father couldn’t raise the money no matter what, so he went to the boss, hoping to get back his unpaid wages.

But the boss, who frequented high-end establishments and sent his own children to study abroad, told the father that he couldn’t spare a single cent. In a fit of desperation and rage, the father stabbed the boss.

If this had happened on the internet today, there might have been many different opinions. Unfortunately, where it happened was a backward, small city at the time.

And the father’s family hailed from the rural areas of this very city.

After the father was imprisoned, the child was branded for life. People said he was the son of a murderer; that a father like that would naturally raise a child of the same cloth, and that he, too, would one day become a criminal.

The boy endured school bullying and was ostracized by his fellow villagers, who told him to get out of their sight. Ultimately, unable to bear it any longer, he chose to end his own life.

“Oh my god, how could that happen?” Jian Zhiyao sniffled, her eyes rimmed with red, a few crystalline tears shimmering in her gaze.

Zhu Ran said softly, “So, in the eyes of the villagers, the boy was a monster, an unlucky omen. But in the boy’s eyes, weren’t the people who hurt and bullied him just another kind of monster?”

The word “Fool” in this song seems to point to the father, the child, and perhaps the villagers as well. Everyone in the story is a tragedy; everyone is a fool, yet none of them realize it.

“If we want to express the original story, a lyrical style would be more appropriate—something with a tragic feel,” Yu Yulin said, looking at the others. “But I think if we’re going to change it, we should change it into our story.”

“Our story?”

“Mhm. In the process of growing up, don’t we all encounter similar stories? It’s just that the endings of our little stories aren’t as catastrophic as the original, but that doesn’t mean the pain the people in those stories felt simply vanishes.”

Yu Yulin tilted her head toward Zhu Ran. “What about you, Zhu Ran? Do you have any experiences, or someone close to you?”

Suddenly put on the spot, Zhu Ran felt a bit at a loss.

Her?

Of course she did.

In the past decade or so, every day of her life had been like that boy’s. Perhaps she hadn’t experienced the same magnitude of life-and-death suffering, but her state of mind hadn’t been much better. Constantly berating herself, constantly struggling. Suffering through torment with no escape.

At one point, she had even thought about just sinking into the abyss—simply being a pet kept by the Shen family, doing whatever they told her to do, never thinking of freedom. She wondered if living a muddled, senseless life would be easier.

All of this used to be the source of her immense agony. If Yu Yulin had asked her this question a few weeks ago, she might have given a very different answer.

But she was luckier than the boy.

She had met Nan Zhi.

Such a warm person had appeared in her life to tell her that someone would keep adding sugar to her world to mask the bitterness of the past. And so, every day thereafter, she had hope to keep moving forward. By her side, she now had someone to hold her hand.

Zhu Ran’s gaze suddenly softened as she shook her head. She realized that love truly could change a person. From now on, her world would be filled with endless sweetness.

Shao Xiling looked at Shen Jiaying, her tone softening considerably. “So you agree with what I said?”

Shen Jiaying nodded, then shook her head again.

Shao Xiling’s expression shifted. “What does that mean?”

“Lingling, it’s not that I’m unwilling. You’ve seen it yourself—Zhu Ran… she doesn’t listen to a word I say anymore.” Shen Jiaying lowered her eyes and began to sob softly.

“How is that possible? Don’t you still have dirt on her? She… she’s the one who almost killed you!” Shao Xiling was shocked, her eyes flickering with suspicion.

During their past two years as trainees, she had personally watched the sisters enter the company. She had seen how Shen Jiaying ruthlessly trampled Zhu Ran—who was rated as the “strongest trainee”—under her feet to become the company’s most promoted star.

Everyone knew Zhu Ran was malicious, cold-hearted, and rude. Only Shen Jiaying could suppress her and make her bow her head. Whatever Shen Jiaying said, Zhu Ran would do without question. To say now that Zhu Ran wouldn’t listen to her—how could she believe it?

“Zhu Ran has changed,” Shen Jiaying cried. “Now she only listens to Nan Zhi. It’s been so long since she’s been willing to talk to me. Look, ever since that short video incident, she hasn’t chosen me once.”

Shao Xiling was both anxious and furious. “Then what do we do?! Doesn’t that mean we’re bound to lose?!”

Shen Jiaying gently wiped away her tears and looked up, wearing an innocent, pitiful expression. “There’s still a chance, Lingling. Let’s go back and practice first…”

“Is practicing even useful?” Shao Xiling pressed. “Is there any point?”

“It’s meaningful at least in the sense that if something happens to Zhu Ran and her group, our team can still complete the performance.” Shen Jiaying suddenly stepped forward and took Shao Xiling’s hand. “Lingling, I have a way to make Zhu Ran and the others fail, but I need your cooperation. Are you willing?”

Shao Xiling hesitated for a moment, then leaned her ear in toward Shen Jiaying. After a few moments of soft whispering, Shao Xiling’s face turned pale. She shoved Shen Jiaying’s hand away. “You’re asking me to ruin myself!”

Shen Jiaying stood her ground with a smiling face. The pitiful look from a moment ago vanished completely. Her tone was sweet, yet so cloying it made one’s heart race with unease.

“Lingling, don’t forget—I don’t just have dirt on Zhu Ran. If you want to stay in the competition, do as I say. I promise you won’t be eliminated in the first public performance.”

[Submitted report is under review]

[Reminder: The group code-named ‘Wheel’ does not belong to any department and possesses an independent management system. To date, this group has only passed three special contingency plans. Agent ‘Hui,’ please be prepared for various emergencies.]

[Additionally: The blackening value of this world’s second female lead has entered a stable phase. Congratulations, Agent ‘Hui,’ for completing the task ahead of schedule. You may choose whether to exit this world.]

Nan Zhi froze when she heard the last sentence.

So fast? Zhu Ran’s blackening value had already stabilized?

[World Report: Detection indicates the second female lead, Zhu Ran, has lacked emotional connection since childhood and was unable to learn to love herself or others. Through effort, the agent has conveyed correct, positive emotions and taught her to explore love, aligning with the world’s theme. The world repair program can now sustain the second female lead’s emotional fluctuations. Even if the agent leaves, the world bugs will be automatically repaired without Bureau intervention.]

[Agent, do you choose to leave?]

Nan Zhi clicked “No” without a moment’s hesitation.

[Please enter reason]

The fluffball wasn’t as lively as usual; clearly, the communication had been temporarily taken over by a higher-up.

Nan Zhi slowly typed into the light screen: [The reference value’s blackening is at 98%. Temporary withdrawal is impossible.]

[Submitted report approved. Technical team has activated energy protection for this world.]

[Agent ‘Hui,’ do you have any further questions?]

Nan Zhi didn’t just have questions; she wanted to reach through the screen and punch someone.

What the hell! She had waited days for approval and gotten nothing, but now that they wanted her to leave, they were suddenly so efficient?

Suppressing her anger, Nan Zhi typed out one word at a time: [Can’t come back. Just wait!]

She was half-joking, but with energy protection activated, why should she put up with these old fossils?

After a long silence, the fluffball suddenly gave a little hop.

Nan Zhi said happily, “Little Bao! You’re back!”

[I’m back! How strange, the higher-ups didn’t actually force you to leave.]

Nan Zhi rubbed her head, not quite understanding what those old men and women were thinking every day. Anyway, as long as she didn’t have to leave, it was fine! She had just started dating Zhu Ran; if she left now, she would literally cry her eyes out at the Bureau’s front door.

The little fluffball gave a disgusted “Eww,” and hopped away to a corner. Being embarrassed for its host was also part of its job.

Nan Zhi laughed and reached out to pet the little ball in the air. Now, she didn’t have to worry about Shen Jiaying acting out anymore. Her eyes narrowed slightly, her lips curling up. She intended to return every ounce of pain Shen Jiaying had inflicted on Zhu Ran.

She stroked the fluffball and asked softly, “System, you can monitor Shen Jiaying now, right?”

When external power connects to a small world, the internal system gains corresponding data.

The fluffball rubbed comfortably against Nan Zhi’s palm: [Of course. What are you going to do?]

Nan Zhi squinted and smiled. “Revenge, obviously.”

Knock knock.

The practice room door was pushed open from the outside, and a small head popped in.

“Hi, beautiful ladies,” Nan Zhi grinned. “Sorry to bother—”

Before she could finish, Jian Zhiyao interrupted: “Ran! The enemy leader is here to pick you up from work. Go, go quickly, don’t disrupt our troop morale!”

Nan Zhi immediately stood at attention and saluted, saying solemnly, “Thank you, Comrade Xiao Jian.”

In the corner, Zhu Ran’s head popped up from behind the piano. “Nan Zhi, come in and wait a bit. Let me finish writing this part.”

“Orders received!”

The members of The Fool group were long used to this. For three days straight, Nan Zhi had come to pick up Zhu Ran. The two were as close as sisters, going to and from work together every day. It would be weirder if Nan Zhi didn’t show up.

“Oh, by the way, do you guys have a commercial shoot tomorrow?” Kong Annie approached Nan Zhi. “Can you do me a favor?”

Before the first public performance, the top fifteen members in popularity would get a magazine feature—a benefit the production team had established early on. Though the rule was that fans voted within 48 hours of the theme song’s release, the team had already locked in certain contestants based on preliminary data.

Fortunately, thanks to their “ship” fans, Nan Zhi and Zhu Ran’s popularity had soared, landing them both in the top fifteen.

“Sure, tell me,” Nan Zhi nodded. “Need me to bring something back?”

Kong Annie sheepishly turned off her mic and whispered in Nan Zhi’s ear: “I… I didn’t bring enough bras. Could you guys help me bring two back?”

“Huh?”

Kong Annie’s face turned bright red. “No, I didn’t realize how hard it is to dry clothes during the plum rain season! It’s still so many days until our next break, and I have nothing left to wear QAQ.”

“Wait, didn’t you use the dryer?”

“I can’t get one,” Kong Annie sighed. “You know our group. By the time we get back, it’s after midnight. I’m literally exhausted like a dog. By the time I slump for a bit and head to the laundry room, there are never any empty dryers left.”

Nan Zhi suppressed a laugh and nodded. “Alright, give me your size later.”

“Thanks, babe!”

“Don’t mention it.”

Nan Zhi glanced over at Zhu Ran and smirked to herself. Didn’t I just get a perfectly legitimate reason to go to a lingerie shop with Zhu Ran! The thought was actually a little thrilling.

Early the next morning, Nan Zhi crept out of the dorm to avoid disturbing the others. Zhu Ran had been called away by the director’s team first and was waiting for her downstairs.

There had been a rainstorm in the middle of the night, but today was a rare, cool day. The sky was no longer the endless grey of previous days; it was a washed cerulean, dotted with occasional white “cotton candy” clouds.

As Nan Zhi walked downstairs, her steps faltered at the sight of the figure by the door.

Zhu Ran had let down her usual high ponytail. Her straightened black hair fell to her waist, rippling gently in the breeze. From Nan Zhi’s angle, she could only see the girl’s curled lashes, her high-bridged nose, and a profile as white and smooth as a porcelain doll.

She was breathtakingly beautiful.

Zhu Ran was still wearing the group uniform from the theme song recording. Beneath the A-line pleated skirt, a stretch of fair, slender thigh was visible.

It took a long time for Nan Zhi to tear her gaze away. Too enchanting. This is too much! Who could resist this?

“You’re here.”

Nan Zhi looked up to see Zhu Ran turning halfway, smiling at her. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the camphor leaves, dappling the girl’s exquisite face as if the gods themselves were admiring their finest creation.

Nan Zhi pressed a hand against her chest, trying to quiet her racing heart. She stepped forward and interlaced her fingers with her girl’s.

“Does this count as… our first date?”

A flush of crimson appeared on the porcelain-white face. Those curled lashes fluttered down, hiding the shimmering emotion in her eyes.

“Yes.”

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