The Real Heiress Just Wants to Be a Lazy Fish - Chapter 65

Chapter 65: Out of Control

This was a battle from which ordinary people had to stay far away, for even a slight oversight even being brushed by the aftershocks could result in instant death.

The Demon sitting enthroned there opened its eyes. Suddenly, the star Tianxiang among the Six Stars of the Southern Dipper burst forth with a brilliant light.

“Ugh…” Jiang Zitan suddenly clutched her heart and collapsed in pain.

Xiao Ran was terrified and hurried to support her, her voice trembling with tears. “Jiang Jiang? Jiang Zitan! Don’t scare me!”

As the starlight hit her, Tao Yitong felt a sudden wave of powerlessness. Her strength began to ebb; however, the one affected most was the Taotie. The fellow who had been so arrogant just a moment ago stopped making snide remarks and watched the giant demonic statue with a rare look of seriousness.

Tao Yitong: “…”

She hadn’t expected Jiang Zitan to ask so bluntly. However, coaxing people was a minor skill Tao Yitong had mastered. After “acting cute to pass the test,” she finally managed to close her eyes for a bit of rest.

After resting her mind for a while, she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She quickly opened the app and saw the data automatically updated by the system.

Character Profile (Base Version 1.0)

• Name: Jiang Zitan

• Gender: Female

• Height: 171cm / Weight: 53kg

• Age: 20

• School: Central Academy of Drama, Acting Department (Graduated)

• Identity: Female lead of “True Daughter’s Counterattack,” the real daughter of the Tao family, Rank 1 on the Central Academy entry list (Others to be unlocked).

The earlier parts weren’t the focus; Tao Yitong’s gaze swept past them and landed on the final “Others to be unlocked.” As an experienced RPG player, Tao Yitong knew the most fearsome thing was a character having a hidden identity. The app clearly told her there was one but refused to say what it was, leaving her to unlock it herself.

If Jiang Zitan was the same age as her, Tao Yitong had taken a gap year to be an idol trainee, yet Jiang Zitan had already graduated normally. Logically, after graduation, one should find a job. Since Jiang Zitan graduated from Central Academy, her career path would definitely be the entertainment industry. But Tao Yitong racked her brain and couldn’t recall a single work by Jiang Zitan in the industry.

The woman standing a hair’s breadth away was her peer, yet so inscrutable.

• Current Main Story Progress: 2% (Completed important plot: “Go Home.” Reward: One “Save/Reload” opportunity.)

• Main Task (2): Pass the trainee interview at MT Company. (Important! If you fail, you will reload and try again. Three failed reloads count as mission failure, and the host will be obliterated.)

When Tao Yitong opened the car door, the app sent another notification emphasizing the reload mechanism. Tao Yitong realized she could act with a bit more freedom now.

“What are you giggling about?”

Jiang Zitan’s voice drifted over, pulling Tao Yitong from her daydreams. The girl hunched her shoulders apologetically: “Sorry, Sister. When I’m nervous, I can’t help doing weird things to relax.” She looked very sincere, following it up with a silly smile.

Having been pampered in a wealthy family for so long, Jiang Zitan had expected Tao Yitong to be hot-tempered or arrogant, but she was an approachable, somewhat ditzy girl. Jiang Zitan was surprised and a bit suspicious.

Tao Yitong, like a nimble bird, fluttered over and grabbed her arm. Jiang Zitan hesitated but didn’t pull away, eventually letting her huddle close like intimate sisters as they walked through the gates.

The “MT” sign shimmered like gold in the sunlight. MT was one of the few domestic entertainment companies collaborating with overseas partners. Their groups followed an overseas model with their own music stages and shows, each garnering significant traffic. Since it operated mostly domestically without a strict seniority system, it was a top choice for trainees.

Upon reaching the registration entrance, Tao Yitong parted ways with Jiang Zitan. She watched Jiang Zitan leave with another woman without asking if she was a staff member, throwing herself into the assessment. Though it wasn’t yet 9 AM, a massive wave of applicants had arrived. Tao Yitong stood on her tiptoes, estimating a two-hour wait.

She felt bored in this unfamiliar place. The applicants treated each other as rivals; while not hostile, there was little conversation. Tao Yitong actually found herself missing Jiang Zitan at least with her around, there was someone to talk to.

Her boredom lasted until a man in a suit approached and bowed. As the crowd’s gaze focused on her, she realized he was there for her. She was led away by the man, who looked like an assistant, while the crowd whispered behind her.

The moment the interview room door opened, Tao Yitong felt a sense of unreality. She didn’t know anyone here, but she realized she had been fast-tracked. Behind a rosewood table sat examiners with various expressions. One looked familiar, but she couldn’t place her. Tao Yitong cleared her throat, swept away her stage fright, and bowed politely with a sweet smile.

After her self-introduction, the examiners asked her to sing to an accompaniment. From the music library, she picked an old, familiar song: “Faith.”

The choice made the examiners exchange looks. Most applicants chose modern hits like “Love Balloon.” Those wanting to show off chose difficult songs like “Up to the Moon.” “Faith” was an old hit from years ago hard to sing well, but its style was… unique.

Following the song, she performed a rock dance. Though she looked delicate at 45kg, her athletic cells awakened the moment the music started. A high leg kick and horizontal strike like the wind pushed the atmosphere to a climax.

When the dance ended, she stood panting with beads of sweat on her forehead and bowed again. The examiners whispered. The familiar woman turned to her assistant, who nodded and left through a side door. After a short wait, the woman beckoned Tao Yitong to follow her to another room, cutting off the prickly stares from the other applicants.

“Are you Zitan’s sister?”

“This… so fast?”

Tao Yitong hadn’t applied for this before but knew the process from being a fan in her past life. Usually, companies notify you later, and “Public Trainee” slots are rare and prestigious, guaranteeing a debut. While small companies sign many trainees for few debut spots, public trainees are officially announced and essentially guaranteed to debut.

When Du Yaqing mentioned Jiang Zitan, Tao Yitong felt something was off. Even without much social experience, it was obvious Jiang Zitan and Du Yaqing were close. But her relationship with Jiang Zitan wasn’t nearly good enough for her sister to “promote her as royalty.”

Debuting with backing capital is common, but it invites resentment from hardworking peers. Tao Yitong felt uneasy. “Heavy-handed praise to kill” seemed like something the decisive female lead would do. If she were untalented and arrogant, she might rely on this connection and stop practicing, only to be ostracized by teammates.

Tao Yitong didn’t think she had offended Jiang Zitan or tried to steal her inheritance. She had even tried to play nice. The “honey-coated poison” approach made her feel a bit chilled. However, she had to join MT to complete her main task.

After a moment of thought, she looked up and gave Du Yaqing a sweet smile. Her sweaty forehead glistened under the lights. “Then give me the contract, thank you, Sister.”

Du Yaqing nodded, handed over the forms, and left. Once in a different room where Jiang Zitan was staring intently at the surveillance monitors, the previously stoic woman burst out laughing.

“So nervous about your little sister, hmm?”

“Get lost.”

Jiang Zitan brushed the woman’s hand off her shoulder and adjusted her glasses, watching Tao Yitong on the monitor biting her pen. The girl was scribbling at the desk, looking like a carefree young student—completely different from Jiang Zitan’s description.

Du Yaqing felt the girl was guileless. “Are you sure you haven’t misjudged her? If she were that calculating, would she wait until your return to start fighting?”

Jiang Zitan frowned. “You don’t understand. This girl might have very deep thoughts.” Tao Yitong’s every move differed from the typical rich heiress. Given her past, Jiang Zitan preferred caution over trust. And since Tao Yitong’s workplace overlapped so perfectly with hers, she didn’t believe in coincidence.

For such a person, Jiang Zitan had a unique solution: put her on a pedestal. Eventually, the hidden true colors would show.

“Keep a good eye on her for me.”

Seeing that the person on the monitor had finished the form, Jiang Zitan tapped the table. Du Yaqing understood and returned.

Tao Yitong sat alone, playing with her pen. The main story progress had sent a “Task Success” prompt, but she wasn’t happy. It felt like she was accepted only because of Jiang Zitan. Suddenly, her phone vibrated.

• Current Main Story Progress: 5% (Completed important plot: “Enter MT Company.”)

• Main Task (3): Have lunch with Jiang Zitan and express your gratitude.

Express gratitude? Express my foot!

She was knocked out of the sky. Fortunately, she wasn’t flying high, and as an ordinary person, she only took a slight tumble.

The wound on Jiang Zitan’s wrist reopened, blood sliding down her fingers. An Yu was under attack. For some reason, her heart beat rapidly. A voice in her mind told her that An Yu’s panic was because of Tongtong.

Had the worst happened? Had Tongtong… lost control?

“The… the monster is here! Jiang Zitan, run!” Xiao Ran, who had fallen nearby, shouted in terror.

Footsteps and the thick scent of blood came from behind Jiang Zitan. The terrifying pressure made it hard to move. Soon, she felt the monster’s breath on her neck and sharp fangs grazing her skin.

“Tongtong…”

She should have bitten down. Jiang Zitan felt her apply slight pressure, but before piercing the skin, she gave up. Releasing her fangs, she gently licked Jiang Zitan’s neck instead.

Whether it was Xiao Ran or the arriving An Yu, their eyes were filled with horror. Yet, under this terrifying pressure, Jiang Zitan felt the monster’s attachment to her just like in the dream.

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