When The Scheming Female Supporting Character Is Forced To Seduce The Female Lead - Chapter 10

When facing the System, Zhao Qingdai could openly declare that she didn’t hate Zhang Lanxin.

But this openness depended on the circumstances.

When this woman brought the matter to Du Jingmo’s attention, Zhao Qingdai could no longer remain indifferent.

“I don’t particularly want to see her, but… I still need to go at least once to resolve this, right?” She licked her lips repeatedly, trying to restore some color to her face. “Don’t worry, Sister. These messy affairs will never trouble you again.”

She would not allow this to happen again.

Though Du Jingmo was reluctant to admit it, this was indeed Zhao Qingdai’s family matter. She couldn’t interfere too much and could only nod in agreement.

Because of Zhang Xinlan’s sudden appearance, neither of them enjoyed their dinner. That night, lying in bed, Zhao Qingdai stared straight at the ceiling, her gaze growing heavier with each passing moment.

The System, normally reluctant to disturb her, reminded her of its primary function: monitoring data. “If your Blackening Value continues to fluctuate like this, I’ll have to shock you.”

It was truly a kind System, even reluctant to deliver a shock.

Zhao Qingdai turned over, facing Du Jingmo’s room. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this under control. This kind of thing isn’t worth getting zapped over.”

She was no longer that thirteen-year-old girl who, after being slapped twice, had no room to retaliate and could only stumble out to chase after the person.

She told herself not to overthink it, to get some sleep, and to deal with Zhang Xinlan tomorrow. But the more she tried to calm herself, the more her mind raced. Finally, she got up to warm a glass of milk to help her sleep.

The last person who had prepared milk for her was Du Jingmo.

It was a bit sad to think about. Before meeting Du Jingmo, she had never even tasted milk, let alone had someone prepare it for her. What was just a small gesture to Du Jingmo was an extraordinary kindness to her.

Gulp, gulp, gulp. After finishing a glass of milk, Zhao Qingdai patted her stomach and let out a slow burp.

A soft chuckle suddenly rang out.

She turned around and saw Du Jingmo standing at the top of the stairs, her presence seemingly undetectable until she spoke.

“I never imagined someone your size would still burp after drinking milk,” Du Jingmo said, her silk nightgown flowing around her. In the dim light, her skin glowed so pale it was almost luminous, making her instantly visible even without turning on the lights.

Zhao Qingdai felt a wave of shame the moment she saw Du Jingmo. She hastily rinsed the milk cup and put it away, asking, “Sister, why are you up? Did I wake you?”

“I wasn’t really asleep anyway. I heard you get up and came to check.” Du Jingmo leaned against the railing, her skirt swaying with her movement. “Since I can’t sleep, why don’t you come to my room and we can chat.”

Zhao Qingdai’s eyes widened slowly. “Sister… what did you say?” she asked blankly.

Du Jingmo didn’t think she hadn’t heard clearly, only that she was reluctant. “If you don’t want to, never mind…”

“No, I’d love to!” Zhao Qingdai knew better than to be coy at this moment. Some opportunities were fleeting and never came again.

Like the chance to be alone in a room with Du Jingmo.

She quickly wiped her hands, bounded up the stairs, and sat primly at the corner of the bed, looking expectantly at Du Jingmo. She even patted the bed. “Sister, let’s chat!”

Du Jingmo slowly formed an inward question mark.

Though she had been the one to suggest it, for some reason, she felt Zhao Qingdai was the one who was really looking forward to it.

She entered the bedroom, turned on the bedside lamp, leaned back against the pillows, and offered the other empty pillow to Zhao Qingdai, all while suppressing the drowsiness creeping up on her.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t sleep; she just sensed Zhao Qingdai wouldn’t be able to rest, so she’d stayed awake, straining to hear any sounds from the next room. And sure enough, she’d caught her.

Zhao Qingdai accepted the pillow, adjusting it to a comfortable distance as she leaned against the same headboard as Du Jingmo, both of them breathing softly.

Their conversation had been aimless, covering every topic under the sun. Zhao Qingdai could tell Du Jingmo was barely even listening, just instinctively offering comforting words to soothe her.

All she wanted was to reassure her, nothing more.

In truth, Zhao Qingdai needed nothing more than this gesture. The mere fact that Du Jingmo cared was enough to make her happy.

The bedside lamp cast a warm, yellow glow, half-shrouding her face in shadow and obscuring her eyes. “Sister,” she murmured, “I think I’m getting sleepy.”

Du Jingmo inwardly sighed in relief, thinking her task was finally complete. She yawned and slid down the bed, letting her head rest against the pillow. “Then go to sleep.”

Zhao Qingdai scooted closer, whispering softly, “I’m so tired I don’t even want to move. Can I stay here and sleep?”

“Like when we were little,” Zhao Qingdai murmured.

Du Jingmo’s eyes were barely open, and she only managed a soft “Mm.”

Zhao Qingdai smiled.

She turned off the lamp and waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness before she could clearly see Du Jingmo’s face.

She was genuinely exhausted and fell deeply asleep within moments, her breathing even and her posture peaceful, her chest rising and falling rhythmically.

Zhao Qingdai pulled the blanket over her, then scooted closer. She first rested her head against Du Jingmo’s shoulder, but upon feeling her own heart pounding violently, she quickly pulled back, widening the distance between them.

She was afraid the loud heartbeat would wake Du Jingmo.

Am I really this pathetic? she reflected inwardly.

Though sharing a pillow with Du Jingmo was already more than she’d ever dared to dream of.

In truth, before realizing her feelings, Zhao Qingdai’s highest aspiration had simply been to remain Sister’s lifelong confidante, to become her family, to be forever connected to her.

But human desires are insatiable.

Zhao Qingdai closed her eyes and gently placed her hand on Du Jingmo’s wrist.

Sister was completely unguarded now, sleeping peacefully beside her, even allowing her to share the pillow.

She would never know how many unspeakable thoughts were swirling in the mind of the person sleeping beside her, all directed at her—Du Jingmo.

Zhao Qingdai slept fitfully that night. When she opened her eyes the next morning, the sun was already high in the sky. Auntie, seizing the rare opportunity, had already prepared breakfast.

She sprang up, washed, and changed quickly. “I want to go to school with Sister today. Can I?”

Du Jingmo hadn’t expected her to return to school so soon and hadn’t even woken her. Taken aback, she frowned and asked, “Has your injury fully healed? You’re already thinking about going back?”

“I’m perfectly fine, bouncing back to full health,” Zhao Qingdai replied, instantly reverting to her usual charm, as if nothing had happened the previous day. “Being cooped up at home is driving me crazy. School is much better.”

Seeing Du Jingmo open her mouth to protest, Zhao Qingdai quickly raised three fingers in a mock oath. “Sister, don’t worry. I’ve truly reformed. From now on, men will be like raging floods and ferocious beasts to me. My heart belongs solely to my studies.”

The term “reformed” was used with perfect precision.

Du Jingmo smiled, biting her lip, and tucked her hair behind her ear, revealing her refined and superior profile. “That’s not what I wanted to talk about. Since you don’t get along with your roommates anyway, why don’t you just stay here?”

To be exact, Zhao Qingdai had always kept to herself, without friends, and had poor relationships with most people.

Oh, except for those who eagerly tried to be her “good brother” or “good sister.”

Zhao Qingdai smiled sweetly, her eyes curving like crescents, the epitome of obedient charm. “Okay! I’ll go back to the dormitory and pack my things later. Starting today, I’ll definitely focus on my studies and work hard to earn the rent for Sister.”

The woman who had just sworn to study diligently at the dining table parted ways with Du Jingmo at the school gate. Only after completely losing sight of her did Zhao Qingdai’s obedient smile gradually fade, and she turned to walk out of the school gate.

[System:Don’t you remember the promise you made to the Female Lead just now? Doesn’t your conscience ache?]

[System:To neglect something as important as studying… No wonder you’re just a supporting character! Look at Du Jingmo, she’s still studying diligently even when the main storyline has moved on!]

“I didn’t lie to her. I just have more pressing matters to attend to,” Zhao Qingdai said, standing sideways in the shadows to avoid most people’s gaze. “Please, just this once. Help me locate Zhang Xinlan’s son.”

The System spoke with righteous indignation: “This would violate the privacy of the indigenous inhabitants. Our system has never engaged in such practices.”

“Just this once. Can’t you help me just this once?” Zhao Qingdai softened her voice, lowering her long lashes. A poignant melancholy overflowed from the corners of her eyes. “I even shared my most painful past with you. I thought we were friends.”

The System’s scant remaining conscience suddenly twinged with guilt.

Its comical face contorted in brief internal conflict before relenting: “Fine, I’ll help you this time, but it’s a one-time exception.”

With that, a location appeared before Zhao Qingdai’s eyes.

“Why didn’t you cooperate from the start? You made me exhaust myself putting on that act,” Zhao Qingdai said, her emotions shifting effortlessly. When she looked up again, not a trace of vulnerability remained.

The System: “???”

It had actually fallen for this green tea’s act!

Suddenly, it understood how Du Jingmo felt.

It was furious!

The System’s frustration brought Zhao Qingdai satisfaction. She hailed a car and headed to the location specified by the System. After thoroughly enjoying the System’s pained, comical expression, she finally spoke: “Thank you.”

She felt a sense of relief. The System was finally proving useful, making her feel like she had a cheat code.

The System snorted dismissively, refusing to acknowledge her—a classic case of tsundere behavior.

Zhang Xinlan’s son was only six years old, just the age to start elementary school. During their previous encounter, Zhao Qingdai hadn’t gotten a clear look at him from a distance. Today, she noticed he bore a striking resemblance to her, but with a vivacity and innocence she had never possessed.

Her voice dripped with icy sarcasm: “What a blissfully naive and innocent age. I’m almost envious.”

After delivering this barb, she deliberately bumped into the boy, feigning panic and rushing apologies.

When the boy sweetly replied that it was alright, her lips curled into a smirk. Seizing the opportunity, she offered to buy him a cold drink as an apology.

Her smooth act left the child utterly charmed.

When Zhang Xinlan arrived, she found Zhao Qingdai sitting with her son, chatting animatedly and laughing.

This time, it was Zhang Xinlan whose blood ran cold, her face draining of color.

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