Chapter 2. A Romance? The Kidney-Stealing Kind (2)
Shen Wan currently worked as a junior employee at a company and had a sickly mother at home. When Huo Han tracked down Shen Wan’s whereabouts, he found her in desperate need of money for her mother’s medical treatment.
Huo Han saw his opportunity and appeared before the tearful, anxious Shen Wan, offering his help. Focused on getting treatment for her mother, Shen Wan didn’t think too deeply about his motives.
That’s how they met, with Huo Han presenting himself as a kind-hearted gentleman. Whenever Shen Wan faced trouble, he would promptly appear to help resolve it. More than half of these troubles were orchestrated by him.
Shen Wan had grown up without a father. Her father’s affair had led to her parents’ divorce, leaving her mother perpetually unhappy and less attentive to Shen Wan. Huo Han’s gentleness quickly won over this love-starved young woman.
This led to the later plot where, despite being hurt countless times by Huo Han and wanting to leave, Shen Wan found herself unable to break free due to his unpredictable moments of tenderness. In the early stages, Huo Han inflicted emotional and physical pain on Shen Wan. In the middle, Shen Wan left, wounded. In the later stages, Huo Han finally realized who he truly loved, and tormented by the pain he’d caused his beloved, he searched the world for the devastated Shen Wan.
Huo Han’s change of heart caused Huo Ting to turn evil, tormenting them both in various ways. The story concluded with Huo Ting seizing control of the Huo family. During an argument, a vase struck Huo Han, leaving him partially paralyzed. Seeing the pitiful Huo Han, Shen Wan returned to care for him, and the two disabled individuals ultimately found their happy ending. Huo Ting was arrested and imprisoned for intentional injury.
Readers of this novel were furious. They had been waiting for Shen Wan to utterly destroy Huo Han, never imagining the two would end up together. They felt deeply traumatized by this outcome.
“I feel traumatized too,” Shen Wan muttered as she cooked in the kitchen. “I shouldn’t have believed in this high-paying mission. I never expected it to be such a disaster.”
[188: “Wan Wan, those who suffer the most bitterness become the greatest. Once you’ve paid off your debts and mortgage, you can take on easier missions. I’ll always be by your side.”]
“But I’m the one who’s going to have her kidney stolen!”
[188: “I can block your pain receptors. You’ll close your eyes and it’ll be over before you know it.”]
“You’re truly the best system in the universe.”
For the past week, Shen Wan had gone about her routine of work and caring for her mother at home. Her mother’s health was improving, with no major issues in self-care, and Huo Han hadn’t come looking for her.
System 188 was growing anxious, noticing that Shen Wan seemed unconcerned about the impending kidney theft.
[188: “Wan Wan, do you have any plans? Huo Han will be here soon to take you on that trip. Shouldn’t we find a place to hide for a while?”]
“Where could we possibly run? Huo Han has probably already put me under surveillance. He won’t rest until he gets my kidney.”
Shen Wan’s slow, unconcerned tone made 188, who had been with her for years, suspect something was amiss. Then he heard her say, “Open the backpack. I remember putting some items I bought at a high price in there, including a few cancer cells.”
188: “…” He searched and indeed found a few cancer cells.
“I only have one kidney, and he still wants to take it. Let’s see how he plans to do that if I have a terminal illness.” Shen Wan smirked triumphantly, making 188 shudder.
[“Wan Wan, remember, this is supposed to change from tragedy to romance. The female lead can’t die!”]
“Why so nervous? It won’t kill me. These aren’t real cancer cells. They’re advanced props developed in our universe that expire in the human body.” If they weren’t so expensive, she would have bought more. For mission agents like them, high-level props were essential.
The rules didn’t forbid using props to complete missions, did they? As long as the mission was accomplished, it should be fine, right?
“Once I have a terminal illness and I’m on the brink of death, Huo Han will finally realize he can’t lose me. Ha! That’s how it always happens in TV dramas.”
188 suddenly felt she had a point. In the original plot, wasn’t it Shen Wan’s sudden disappearance from Huo Han’s life that made him realize he had long since fallen in love with this woman he had hurt so deeply? Agents using props was tacitly approved by the higher-ups, with few restrictions. It seemed feasible.
That day, Shen Wan swallowed a cancer cell. The next morning, she looked in the mirror to see her face had turned pale.
“As expected of high-grade props produced in our universe. The effect is immediate.” Shen Wan was satisfied with her pale complexion, looking as if a gust of wind could knock her over.
A week had passed, and Huo Han was due to pick her up today. She donned a little white dress, paired with white shoes, and headed out with her small purse.
Huo Han had called earlier, saying he’d be at her place in ten minutes. She went downstairs to wait for about five minutes, which should be just right.
Five minutes later…
“As expected of a tragic male lead. Is he stuck in traffic, or did Huo Ting call him back?” Shen Wan stood at the entrance of the community, her face pale, but not at all anxious. After all, now that she had “contracted” a terminal illness, she wouldn’t have her kidney stolen. What was there to worry about?
[188 timidly said: “Given the nature of tragic male leads, he’s probably been called back by Huo Ting midway.”]
“Then I might as well take a stroll. We’ll see when he’s done.”
Shen Wan wandered along the community streets, heading outward. As she walked, a car pulled up beside her, and a stunningly beautiful woman stepped out. Shen Wan found herself rooted to the spot, a slight smile curving her lips.
Shen Wan flashed a brilliant smile at the approaching Yin Meichang. “Miss Yin, good morning. What a coincidence.”
The silent 188: “…” How did they manage to meet like this?
“Shen Wan.”
Yin Meichang was again wearing a perfectly fitted cheongsam with exquisite embroidery, her hair elegantly pinned up. Shen Wan thought Yin Meichang looked like a classic Oriental beauty who had stepped out of a painting.
“What are you doing here?”
Shen Wan cheerfully replied, “Just taking a walk and waiting for my boyfriend to pick me up. He’s taking me on a trip today.” Unexpectedly meeting this beautiful woman made her happy, of course.
“Huo Han?” Yin Meichang raised an eyebrow, her expression tinged with mockery. “Do you know where he is right now?”
Shen Wan answered with naive innocence, “He might be stuck in traffic, or something urgent came up. It’s alright, I’ve already applied for annual leave, so I can wait.”
“Shen Wan.”
“Yes, Miss Yin? Did you want to say something?” Shen Wan was particularly excited, wanting to chat more with this beautiful woman.
Yin Meichang tilted her chin slightly, her lips curving into a smile. Her beautiful eyes fell on Shen Wan’s pale face, her brow furrowing slightly. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re very naive and quite foolish?”
“Actually, no.” Shen Wan replied with a smile. “I’ve only been out of college for a year, still a workplace novice. I haven’t shed all my naivety yet. As for being foolish, my academic performance was quite good, and I complete my work tasks well. Miss Yin, I don’t consider myself a fool.”
Yin Meichang: “…” Not only naive and foolish, but also quite self-admiring.
“I just drove past the hospital and saw Huo Han there. He…” Yin Meichang paused, noticing Shen Wan’s unperturbed expression. Irritated, she continued, “He was carefully cradling Huo Ting as they entered the hospital. Huo Ting was completely nestled in his arms. They looked extremely intimate…”
“Huo Ting is ill and near death. It’s natural for Huo Han to be anxious about her.”
Yin Meichang’s expression turned peculiar, finding Shen Wan’s response odd. “Don’t you think Huo Han is too intimate with Huo Ting, too concerned about her?”
“Not at all. They grew up together. I can understand Huo Han’s worry for Huo Ting. It would be the same in any family.”
Seeing Shen Wan’s nonchalant attitude, Yin Meichang felt like she was talking to a brick wall. It seemed they were on completely different wavelengths. Was this what she was trying to convey? Yin Meichang felt annoyed. Why did she have to encounter such a person? Why should she care about this fool’s affairs?
“Miss Yin, you look especially beautiful today.”
Yin Meichang’s anger dissipated upon hearing this compliment. She glanced at Shen Wan’s genuinely admiring face, her irritation completely vanishing.
“Miss Yin, the cheongsam suits you perfectly. It really showcases your beauty.”
Shen Wan had already noticed that Yin Meichang was nearly upset, so she showered her with compliments. Seeing a hint of a smile on Yin Meichang’s face, she felt pleased. Although she couldn’t engage in a grand romance with Yin Meichang or confess her feelings to anyone but the male lead, surely it wasn’t against the rules to compliment her?
The exasperated 188: “…” This girl’s ability to find loopholes was getting more impressive by the day.
“Are you saying I’m only beautiful in a cheongsam?”
Shen Wan quickly replied, “Of course not. It’s just that I’ve only seen you in a cheongsam, never in other outfits.” She looked Yin Meichang up and down. “I believe Miss Yin would look stunning in anything.” And, of course, in nothing at all.
Yin Meichang couldn’t help but smile. Noticing Shen Wan’s persistently pale face, she asked, “Are you ill? Should we go to the hospital for a check-up?”
“It’s nothing. I’m perfectly healthy. I just had a check-up last week, and the doctor said I was in excellent health.”
“Let’s still get you checked out.” Yin Meichang insisted, remembering Huo Han. “Isn’t Huo Han at the hospital too? You could see how things are going there and get a check-up at the same time.”
Shen Wan nodded, secretly communicating with her system, “I’m going to see Huo Han, not intentionally flirting with her.”
“……”
Shen Wan didn’t bother asking if Yin Meichang was busy or why she wanted to take her to the hospital. Look but don’t touch—was it really so wrong to sit together and chat for a while?
“Wan Wan, I’m so sorry. Ting Ting was feeling particularly unwell earlier.”
Seeing Shen Wan arrive at the hospital, Huo Han finally remembered their plans. Fearing her anger, he quickly approached to apologize, gently patting her head. “Can we go tomorrow instead?”
“It’s fine. I completely understand that you brought Ting Ting here because she’s not feeling well. Even if you forgot to send me a quick message or call, which would have taken just two minutes, I don’t mind. I know you must have been frantic with worry.”
The eavesdropping 188 was almost dying of laughter.
The observing Yin Meichang: “…” She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about this foolish girl.
Huo Han, prepared for Shen Wan’s anger, was taken aback by her incredible understanding and magnanimity.
Shen Wan secretly communicated with 188, “Wasn’t this supposed to be changed into a sweet romance? We need to be understanding and deal with things graciously, not nitpicking over every little thing. That way, there won’t be so many heart-wrenching incidents. 188, don’t you think if I had gotten angry just now, Huo Han would have thought I was cold-hearted and inconsiderate? He might have blown up at me, and as the female lead who deeply loves him, wouldn’t I have been upset? Now that I’m not holding anything against him, helping him worry about Ting Ting’s health, and understanding his actions, there’s no drama at all. Look at his bewildered expression—isn’t it adorable? I suddenly have a glimmer of hope for our sweet future together.”
While it sounded somewhat logical, 188 still felt something was amiss.
“Shen Wan, it’s time for your check-up,” Yin Meichang reminded her, still concerned about Shen Wan’s alarmingly pale complexion. Noticing Huo Han’s complete lack of attention to this, she felt extremely displeased. How could he be so attentive to Huo Ting’s distress yet fail to notice his own girlfriend’s poor health?
Huo Han didn’t love Shen Wan; he cared only for Huo Ting. She had seen through this long ago. Only a fool like Shen Wan, constantly deluding herself, would believe Huo Han loved her. She strongly suspected Huo Han had some ulterior motive regarding Shen Wan.
Hearing Yin Meichang’s words, Huo Han finally reacted and inquired about Shen Wan’s health.
“I’ll go for the check-up myself. You should stay with Ting Ting.”
Remembering that Huo Ting had been crying earlier, Huo Han didn’t insist and let Shen Wan go for the check-up alone. Yin Meichang, standing to the side, was fuming at the sight.
Shen Wan noticed Yin Meichang’s displeased expression and smiled at her. “Miss Yin, you don’t look well. Have you not had breakfast? Even if you’re busy with work, you must take care of your health. Why don’t I accompany you for breakfast first, then go for my check-up?”
This unexpected concern dispelled Yin Meichang’s bad mood. She took Shen Wan’s hand and led her to the examination room, saying with a smile, “Health comes first. We’ll eat together after your check-up.”
“But I don’t want to eat.”
“You must eat.”
Shen Wan: “188, I really didn’t initiate anything. She’s too forceful, and I can’t refuse. Believe me, I’m in love with Huo Han, and my goal is to have a sweet romance with him. I have absolutely no interest in her.”
188: What utter nonsense!
You two-faced woman.