Jiang You recalled her soul body and prepared to sleep.
She had just climbed into bed when her phone rang.
Jiang You froze for a second. A glance at her screen told her it was Shen Lan.
Shen Lan hadn’t come to class today, either.
The number of times he attended class could be counted on one hand.
Jiang You hesitated for a moment before answering.
"Girlfriend, it’s been a day. Miss me?" Shen Lan’s languid voice came through the phone, smooth and teasing.
Jiang You replied haughtily, "Oh? Boyfriend, you miss me after just one day? I thought you’d be able to hold out for two before calling."
The Shen Family Estate.
Shen Lan had just returned from a diplomatic engagement and was in his study handling some business. He wore a slim-fit black suit, looking formal and distinguished.
It was a stark contrast to his appearance in a school uniform.
His father was still the public face for diplomatic matters. Though Shen Lan only stood at his side, most of the real power had already fallen into his hands.
After finishing his work, he found himself missing his girlfriend. A glance at the time told him it was rather late.
So Shen Lan pulled up the school’s security feed, saw that the light in Jiang You’s dorm was still on, and figured she was still awake. That’s when he called her.
Hearing Jiang You’s voice now, he felt a wave of heat wash over him. Maybe it was the alcohol from the engagement dinner kicking in. He reached up, tugged at his tie, and loosened his collar.
"Yeah, I missed you." Shen Lan’s voice was somewhat hoarse and languid, tinged with the sound of being tipsy.
Jiang You’s ears tingled at his words.
’As expected of the male lead. His voice is incredible.’
Jiang You rubbed her face. ’I’m just his girlfriend with a one-month expiration date. Don’t read too much into it, don’t read too much into it.’
’Even if the plot has collapsed, who knows if it might not snap back into place someday?’
’Besides, I’m just going to run off once the mission is complete. Why worry about it so much?’
Jiang You lay down on her bed. "Oh, I knew you’d miss me! I’m just that beautiful, after all!"
She didn’t want to talk anymore. It was so late, and she was dead tired. She wanted to sleep.
"Getting ready for bed?" Shen Lan’s voice came over the line.
Maybe it was the gentle quiet of the night, but Jiang You felt that his voice had become gentler, too.
Jiang You thought Shen Lan sounded a little drunk tonight. "Have you been drinking?"
"Yeah, a little," Shen Lan said slowly.
"Then get some sleep. I’m going to bed, too. Let’s not talk anymore." Jiang You had an 8 AM major-specific lecture the next day.
"Don’t go to sleep," Shen Lan’s voice took on a commanding tone.
"And do what?" Jiang You was already lying down.
"I want to see you. Turn on your camera." Shen Lan’s voice took on a coaxing tone. "Girlfriend, let me see you."
Jiang You was about to snap. ’Aren’t I just a background character girlfriend? This whole thing expires in a month!’
’Are we for real?’
Jiang You felt a headache coming on. She’d never even thought of herself as Shen Lan’s real girlfriend.
"I’d rather not..." ’I want to sleep.’
Before Jiang You could finish her sentence, the system’s voice sounded: [OOC WARNING.]
Her expression tightened. She had to stay in character.
’I’m supposed to be more proactive than the male leads. I’m supposed to be infatuated with them!’
"Fine. I want to see you, too," Jiang You said against her better judgment.
She adjusted her expression.
The camera turned on.
Jiang You was in her pajamas, lying in bed. Her hair was a bit messy from her posture, and without her realizing, the collar of her nightgown had slipped down one side, revealing a fair, rounded shoulder.
She didn’t notice at first, but when she looked at the image on her terminal and realized how much Charm she was exuding, she wanted to pull her nightgown back up. Then she remembered her character profile: seduce the male lead with no holds barred.
In the novel’s plot, she had indeed tried to seduce the male leads many times, but they had always rejected her mercilessly.
So, Jiang You pulled the strap on her shoulder down a little further. "Like it?" she asked, her voice haughty and confident.
Shen Lan appeared to be sitting at a desk, a row of wooden bookshelves behind him. His gaze was fixed on the screen. His blue eyes were hazy with drink, yet somehow clear at the same time. The deep blue orbs seemed more passionate and gentler than usual.
The pad of his slender finger traced her rounded shoulder on the screen, but it was a fruitless gesture; after all, it was just a projection. His fingertip burned, and his Adam’s apple bobbed. "I do," he said, his voice hoarse.
Jiang You felt numb inside. ’The male leads are supposed to be completely unmoved by my seductions!’
’How am I supposed to be even more proactive now?!’
"Hmph, I knew you would," Jiang You could only sniff haughtily. "After all, my charm is irresistible."
"Girlfriend, let me see your legs." Shen Lan’s gaze fell upon her as his finger phantomly traced the line of her collarbone. His throat had gone dry, and his blue eyes were now tinged with lust.
Jiang You’s mind was in utter chaos.
’The male lead is being more forward than the supposed villainess!’
Jiang You was finding it almost impossible to stay in character.
Her fingers trembled as she moved the terminal down, forcing herself to feign a look of smug satisfaction. "Pretty, aren’t they? You like them a lot, don’t you?"
A pair of slender, shapely calves came into view, their skin glowing. They were perfectly proportioned, with a healthy pink blush at the knees. They rested casually on the pink comforter, pressing gentle wrinkles into the fabric.
Inside, Jiang You was already half-dead.
"Babe, lift your nightgown a little higher..." Shen Lan’s words grew increasingly explicit.
As he spoke, he ripped off his tie, his breathing quickening.
Jiang You really couldn’t take it anymore.
’This is too much! He’s really gone too far!’
Jiang You pretended to accidentally hit the light switch, and her surroundings were plunged into darkness.
The image on Shen Lan’s screen went dark as well.
"Oh, I think I accidentally turned off the light," Jiang You said with feigned surprise. Then, putting on a sleepy act, she added, "So sleepy. Going to bed now."
Shen Lan’s ragged breathing could be heard through the terminal.
There was a moment of silence.
"Alright. Go to sleep, girlfriend." In the end, Shen Lan didn’t say anything more.
Jiang You let out a sigh of relief.
Before hanging up, Shen Lan added that he would be busy for the next week and wouldn’t have time to go to school.
Jiang You gave a casual reply.
’I’m just the background character girlfriend, anyway.’
’It would be better if he didn’t come looking for her. Otherwise, she really wouldn’t be able to keep up the act.’
The call finally ended.
Jiang You could finally breathe a sigh of relief and get some sleep.
「The next day.」
Jiang You had her major-specific lecture in her home classroom.
She discovered that most of her classes at the beginning of the semester were theory-based. Since the system wouldn’t let her study, she had to find various ways to waste time.
’Time to keep practicing my makeup skills, I guess.’
The morning’s classes came to an end.
Jiang You didn’t know how she managed to get through it. She couldn’t study, and she’d gotten tired of practicing makeup, so she eventually grew drowsy and slept at her desk for the entire morning.
And someone had been watching her all morning, too.
Xu Che’s gaze rested on her. The girl was sleeping on her side, and the light from the window illuminated her fair face, making it seem almost translucent. Even the fine, downy hair on her cheek was clearly visible.
"Sister You, Sister You..." a voice called out.
The sound seemed to snap Xu Che out of his trance.