There are still five minutes until the hero escapes from marriage.

Gu Xianting sat alone in the courtyard for a long time.

He closed his eyes and repeatedly confirmed that he hadn’t messed up. His every expression, glance, and tone of voice were no different from the real Gu Xianting.

Wen Zhao’s reaction didn’t seem out of place either. Finally seeing her former lover, she would be initially moved and excited. After calming down, other emotions like anger and frustration would arise.

Nothing major, easily resolved.

Feeling he had sorted things out, he pulled out his phone and started browsing online information.

The previous video incident had put both him and Su Mengyao in the spotlight. Because he was still on the island, he couldn’t directly feel the impact of this incident on him.

Someone had posted Su Mengyao’s information online, including photos, phone number, school, and home address.

His expression darkened for a moment. How dare these people treat his Mengyao like this!

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger.

Now was not the time. He hadn’t expected to wake up to such a mess.

But it didn’t matter. Even though he couldn’t use his golden fingers now, with his abilities, returning to the top in this lower-level world wouldn’t be difficult at all.

Especially with a lovesick, malicious supporting character he could use.

What? You say it’s immoral to use women?

Ha, what a joke. These lower-level humans should feel honored to be of use to him.

Besides, didn’t Wen Zhao love him deeply? It was only right for her to give her all for him!

Whatever this so-called Gu Xianting from the higher world was thinking, Wen Zhao didn’t know for the moment, and even if she did, it wouldn’t matter.

No matter what the other party was planning, Wen Zhao would never let him succeed!

At that moment, she, wrapped in a large bath towel, sat on the sofa by the window, talking on the phone with Jiang Xinyan.

Jiang Xinyan and the others had just arrived in Licheng. They had very considerately dropped Miss Su off at her doorstep. Of course, Miss Su had been quite uncooperative, very unwilling to go home.

“Zhao Zhao, the Gu family should have a conclusion soon. Don’t stay there too long,” Jiang Xinyan said. “Later, your father and I will negotiate with that old fox Gu Yuanchen.”

“Thank you, Mom.” Wen Zhao’s eyes softened. In both her past life and this one, her parents had always firmly stood by her side.

“Alright, get some rest,” she added a few more reminders, like eating well and not catching a cold on the island, before hanging up.

A gentle knock on the door made Wen Zhao turn her head. It was the butler, holding a hairdryer.

With a nod of approval, he walked behind her and, with a polite “excuse me,” began to gently dry her hair with a towel.

His movements were skilled, as if he had dried someone’s hair countless times before.

“Butler, do you have a girlfriend?” She asked lazily, comfortably narrowing her eyes.

The butler’s hands paused slightly but quickly resumed drying her hair. “Yes.”

She was a bit surprised. She instinctively turned to look up at him standing behind her.

“So the butler has a girlfriend? No wonder you’re so good at drying hair,” she said with a smile. “But won’t your girlfriend be angry that you’re always on the island?”

He put down the towel and turned on the hairdryer, slowly drying her hair.

Amid the whooshing sound of the hairdryer, he said, “We’re having some issues temporarily, but it’s okay. We’ll work it out.”

“I see.” Wen Zhao nestled into the sofa, the warm air making her drowsy. “The butler is very confident. Aren’t you afraid your girlfriend will run away?”

“Not at all.” The butler’s voice was calm. “If she runs, I’ll win her back.”

He gently held her long, black hair, his gaze falling on her profile. Wen Zhao, already half-asleep, closed her eyes.

He tested her hair, finding it still a bit damp. He lowered the hairdryer setting, knelt on one knee, and continued to dry her hair bit by bit.

“Boss, it’s uncomfortable sleeping on the sofa. Go to bed,” he whispered close to her ear.

Wen Zhao frowned slightly, muttering something as she turned over and hooked her arm around the butler’s neck.

He froze for a moment, his gray eyes filled with unspeakable tenderness. He familiarly cradled her legs and lifted her from the sofa.

“What are you doing!” Gu Xianting, pushing his wheelchair, entered and saw this scene!

His nominal wife was nestled obediently in the butler’s arms!

His shout woke Wen Zhao up.

Seeing Wen Zhao frowning as she woke, the butler’s eyes turned cold. He glanced at Gu Xianting, his face indifferent. “Sir, please keep your voice down. You’re disturbing the boss.”

Gu Xianting almost laughed in anger. He glared at the butler. This man, Wen Zhao’s loyal dog, had humiliated him several times and even attacked him before he regained consciousness.

“Butler, remember your place!” He sneered. As another man, he couldn’t ignore the butler’s improper looks at Wen Zhao.

“What place does he need to remember?” Wen Zhao’s cold voice interrupted him. She hated being woken up just as she fell asleep!

She patted the butler’s shoulder, and he set her down compliantly.

She took two steps forward, standing before his wheelchair, looking down at him. Her gaze was sharp, as if piercing through his facade to see the soul beneath.

“Xianting, you never used to speak like that,” she said, her eyes filled with suspicion. “You wouldn’t happen to be…”

Gu Xianting, under her intense gaze, felt a chill. He quickly said, “I was just a bit jealous seeing that scene suddenly. Zhao Zhao, you know, we’ve been apart for five years…”

“Jealous?” Wen Zhao laughed as if she had heard a joke. “Xianting, during those five years, I watched you be intimate with Su Mengyao. Don’t you think I was jealous?”

“That’s because my body was taken over!” His scalp tingled as he listened to her bring up old issues, feeling that things were going wrong. “I didn’t want this either, Zhao Zhao. I just love you too much.”

“Love me too much?” A hurt expression appeared on her face. “If you love me, why did you question me in that tone just now!”

Gu Xianting felt wronged. “I wasn’t questioning you; I was questioning the butler. I thought he had bad intentions towards you.”

“Questioning my butler is questioning me!” She said. “He was just afraid I’d catch a cold and was moving me to the bed! That’s something you should have done. He’s taking care of me for you, and instead of thanking him, you’re reprimanding him!”

Gu Xianting: ???

He was stunned by Wen Zhao’s logic. “I should thank him?”

“Shouldn’t you?” She said righteously. “I’ve been in pain every day for the past five years. And where were you? You were with Su Mengyao! Sure, you might say it wasn’t your choice, that you were forced. But that’s your problem. I didn’t know anything, and I was the one suffering!”

As she spoke, she suddenly bent down, turned Gu Xianting’s wheelchair around, and kicked the back of the chair. The wheelchair swiftly rolled out of the bedroom. “I can tolerate your body hugging and cuddling another woman for five years, but you can’t tolerate my butler! You’re such a hypocrite! You’ve disappointed me!”

“It’s not like that…” He wanted to explain, but the bedroom door slammed shut in his face.

He wheeled himself back to the door and knocked. “Zhao Zhao, listen to me. It’s not what you think. That’s not what I meant. Please open the door so we can talk, okay?”

“Get lost! I don’t want to see you right now!” There was a thud, as if something was thrown at the door.

Sitting in his wheelchair, his expression changed repeatedly, his breathing heavy. If he didn’t have to hide his true self, how could he possibly endure this humiliation and speak so humbly to this malicious woman!

Inside the bedroom, Wen Zhao didn’t show any sign of anger. She even yawned. “Sorry for dragging you into this.”

“It’s alright. The gentleman just misunderstood,” the butler said apologetically. “I overstepped earlier.”

“No need to say that. Thank you for tonight. You did a great job drying my hair,” she said. “You can go now. I’m going to rest.”

“Yes, Boss,” he replied, bowing slightly before heading to the door and leaving.

Gu Xianting was still in the small living room outside the bedroom, his expression dark. He was searching through Gu Xianting’s memories, trying to figure out the dynamic between him and Wen Zhao and why she was so temperamental.

Seeing him, the butler’s eyes flashed with sarcasm, but he quickly hid his emotions. “Sir, you really misunderstood earlier. I was just worried the boss would catch a cold sleeping on the sofa, so I wanted to move her to the bed.”

“So I should thank you?” Gu Xianting’s tone was sarcastic. “Remember your place. Don’t touch what you shouldn’t!”

“Understood,” the butler replied with a warm smile before leaving the room. As soon as he closed the door, the smile vanished from his face.

He told himself to be patient and to trust Wen Zhao.

Lowering his head, his long bangs covered his gray eyes, which were filled with a sickly madness.

At this moment, in Licheng.

Su Mengyao stood at her doorstep, looking at the graffiti on the walls and door—phrases like “Homewrecker deserves to die,” “Shameless,” “Die,” “Bitch,” and “Go to hell”—feeling as if she had fallen into an icy pit.

Trembling, she reached out to open the fingerprint lock, but it seemed too many people had come by, and the battery was drained.

She couldn’t open the door.

Her fist pounded on the door, her head resting against the cold surface, tears streaming down her face.

This was the house Gu Xianting had given her, but now she couldn’t get in.

“Hey! Look, the homewrecker is back!” someone exclaimed from nearby.

She turned in shock and saw a young woman with a mask holding up her phone, filming in her direction.

“It’s not me! You’ve got the wrong person!” Su Mengyao covered her face and ran, frantically pressing the elevator button.

“I didn’t get it wrong. You’re Su Mengyao. I’ve seen your photos!” The young woman was clearly excited. “I live next door. I saw Mr. Gu bring you back before, coming and going frequently.”

The elevator ascended slowly, and Su Mengyao felt every second was torture.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” She tried to drive away the woman who kept filming her. “Go away! I’ll call the police if you don’t stop!”

“Wow, listen to her. Even homewreckers are this arrogant these days!” The woman sneered.

Su Mengyao’s face turned pale. She grabbed the woman’s phone and saw it was live streaming!

Furious, she shouted, “How can you do this! I’ll sue you for violating my image and reputation rights!”

“Wow, even homewreckers care about their reputation!” The woman laughed mockingly. “So funny, everyone!”

Finally, the elevator arrived with a ding, and Su Mengyao rushed in, frantically pressing the close button.

As the doors closed, she panted, her heart racing. She covered the tear in her clothes, crouching down in exhaustion.

Why did she have to endure this? Why was no one saving her?

The elevator stopped midway, and she tensed up, shrinking into a corner. Two girls entered, screaming when they saw her crouched there, thinking she was a ghost.

She had no idea how she got out of the elevator or how she left the complex.

On the midnight streets, her tears had dried, and she looked like a stray dog.

This city was so big, yet she had nowhere to go. Seeing a girl in a high school uniform leaving a bookstore, she remembered she was still a college student!

At this moment, her student status felt like a last lifeline. Though going to school meant facing gossip, it was better than wandering the streets at night.

With little money on her, she walked for half an hour before reaching the campus. Despite not having her student card, the guard let her in because she was well-known for her unremarkable looks attracting several prominent suitors, making her somewhat of a legend.

Yes, as the heroine of an old-school Mary Sue romance novel, her suitors were numerous, not just Shen Han Feng. Other male characters also vied for her attention, showcasing her allure.

So, even though it was late, she was let in.

Keeping her head down, she anxiously made her way to her dorm.

Inside, there was lively chatter and bursts of laughter.

Taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage and knocked on the door.

Soon, someone came to open it.

“Who is it?” a bespectacled girl asked, looking towards the door.

When the few people in the dormitory saw her standing at the door, the lively atmosphere in the room seemed to be paused abruptly. They exchanged glances and then turned their heads, casting scrutinizing looks at her.

“Thank you.” Su Mengyao whispered her thanks and then walked in with her head down.

The dormitory suddenly became extremely quiet, and no one spoke.

She no longer had the strength to care about anyone’s reaction. Her bed was on the top bunk at the innermost part of the room. After climbing up, she buried herself under the covers.

The other girls in the dormitory quietly gathered together, glancing at the lowered curtain.

“What does this mean? Why is she back?”

“Exactly. She barely spends half the time here each month. What brings her back now?”

“I bet she can’t stay out anymore. You all know how notorious she is now.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. What’s her motive? She has so many pursuers, but she still ends up being a mistress. I thought that Mr. Gu was single when he came for her. Oh boy!”

“Shush, lower your voice. Don’t let her hear you.”

“So what if she hears? If she dares to do such a shameful thing, why be afraid of people talking about it? Sharing a dorm with someone like her tarnishes our reputations too!”

“Exactly! We should report this to the counselor tomorrow. I refuse to stay in the same room as her.”

“Enough! Can’t you guys stop?!” Su Mengyao couldn’t bear it anymore and broke down crying, “Can you stop talking about it?”

“We’re not wrong! You have no idea how much trouble you’ve caused us. Everywhere we go, people ask about you and look at us like we’re just like you!” One girl said angrily, “You caused us so much trouble, and we can’t even complain?”

“Yeah! And you coming back late at night in disarray, who knows what you’ve been up to?” Another chimed in.

“You’re talking nonsense! Do you want to drive me to death? Would you be happy if I died?” She cried, “When I brought you food and gifts, you didn’t find it troublesome then!”

“Tsk, you always came back late at night, disturbing us. Those gifts were just apologies, weren’t they?” Someone couldn’t stand it anymore, “If you feel so wronged, then get out!”

“Enough, everyone, calm down.” The dorm leader frowned, signaling the others that Su Mengyao’s condition didn’t seem right. If something happened to her, they wouldn’t be able to explain, “Let’s talk about this tomorrow.”

Reluctantly, the others fell silent for now, but their actions were noisy, banging and clattering, creating a tense atmosphere in the room.

Su Mengyao lay under the covers, gripping the sheets tightly, not even daring to cry out loud.

When she was on the island, when Wen Zhao sent out the video, she had anticipated social death, but experiencing it firsthand was entirely different. She now understood what true social death felt like.

This was just the first day. She didn’t know how she would face the world tomorrow. It was so hard. Gu Xianting, didn’t you say you would protect me?

Why am I suffering so much now, and you are nowhere to be found?

Far away on the island, Gu Xianting suddenly woke up from a nightmare. He sat up and looked out the window.

Outside, a full moon hung high in the sky, its light streaming through the window.

He dreamt of his Yao Yao suffering. He needed to solve the current problem quickly and make Wen Zhao take him back to Licheng.

“Damn it.” He cursed lowly, feeling irritable.

Why was Wen Zhao so difficult to deal with? He still hadn’t managed to return to the bedroom and had to sleep in the guest room again.

This lower world made him feel so frustrated.

He wasn’t originally from this small world. In the vast, splendid universe, he came from the far-off Alpha Galactic Era. The highly advanced interstellar civilization allowed them to capture other civilizations, turning their world consciousness into systems, destroying those that resisted.

He was the director of the Fast Travel Bureau, overseeing the entire department without any slip-ups.

The reason he was here was because of Su Mengyao.

She was an intern at the Fast Travel Bureau. She made a mistake during a mission and was subsequently exiled to a small world as punishment. The mistake was her soft-heartedness toward the male lead in the mission, doing all the tasks meant for the female lead and causing the original female lead to blacken and collapse the world.

Unfortunately, he was the tragic male lead who fell in love with Su Mengyao during that mission. She was punished because of him, and he couldn’t let his Yao Yao suffer in the small world.

So, he personally selected several lower civilizations for Su Mengyao’s punishment and sealed his memories and consciousness to accompany her.

With his protection, she didn’t suffer much and even lived happily in the previous punishment worlds.

This was the last punishment world. He had already planned to propose to her after this.

He never expected that in this last world, without monsters or supernatural elements, in the simplest overbearing CEO setting, things would go so wrong!

He even had to awaken his consciousness here!

Thinking about being forcibly taken away from the wedding by Wen Zhao made him furious!

In his designed plot, five minutes after the wedding, his Yao Yao would arrive, and they would elope. Despite Wen Zhao’s interference, it would only strengthen their love.

Who knew why Wen Zhao went crazy, crashing the wedding to take him away?

Now, his situation was dire. He couldn’t protect Su Mengyao and would bring endless trouble to her. He told himself to endure, not to alert Wen Zhao until he reclaimed everything and cast her into the abyss.

He had to appease her anger and remind her of their past love. Once he controlled her again, Wen’s and Gu’s families would be within his grasp.

But damn it, no matter how he tried, he couldn’t recall all the details of the original owner’s relationship with Wen Zhao, only scattered fragments.

How could he make her fall for him again?

Wen Zhao had no idea that Gu Xianting in the guest room was racking his brains all night trying to win her over.

She had a wonderful night’s sleep and stretched lazily, feeling refreshed. She finally had time to take out her phone, which was now full of cracks.

Yesterday, when she went berserk on Gu Xianting, the system had trembled in fear and retreated into the phone.

It was now very scared. It never expected his consciousness to awaken! It almost collapsed from fear.

“Tell me, what is he exactly?” She asked.

The system pretended to be dead, unwilling to speak.

“You said before that he can’t die, or the world will collapse. You’re afraid of this world being destroyed, right?”

The system wanted to flip the table!

【Wen Zhao, some things are beyond your understanding. Once Pandora’s box is opened, it’s hard to close.】

She was indifferent, “Doesn’t matter. At worst, we die. Who hasn’t died before?”

So why is everyone in this world crazy?

Fine, let’s all die together then!

【He comes from a higher civilization.】

The system gave up, resigned to its fate. Whatever.

In fact, when it saw Wen Zhao brutally beating Gu Xianting, it was shivering in fear but also feeling a bit satisfied. After all, those bastards were so arrogant when they controlled them!

Now look at their plight!

“System, if you don’t want to talk, fine. But don’t make up such nonsense.”

【I’m not lying! He really is from a higher civilization! These civilizations plunder our small worlds, treating us like entertainment. He’s here for Su Mengyao!】

The system, stimulated by her, blurted out everything, even what should and shouldn’t be said.

Wen Zhao’s eyelashes drooped, her dark eyes filled with coldness, “Entertainment, huh.”

【Yes, humans from higher planes sometimes get bored and want to experience life in other civilizations.】

Wen Zhao’s hand tightened, “So what exactly are we? Puppets manipulated by others? And you, are you just an accomplice in this tyranny?”

The system was furious, 【Do you think I want to? I’m also being forced! I’ve told you before, your fate was predetermined, just like I’m a cricket caught in someone else’s hands!】

As the system spoke, it withdrew into silence.

But the truth the system revealed today was indeed shocking.

She knew she was in a world from a book, but she didn’t know that the male protagonist in the book had such origins.

The system said the male lead came for the female lead, from a higher dimensional plane. Did this mean that the female lead also came from the same place?

Her eyes turned cold, indifferent to where they came from; since they were already here, they might as well stay.

*Ding dong—* A knock sounded at the door just in time. She threw her phone into the bedside table drawer, got out of bed, and opened the door.

Outside the door, the butler was impeccably dressed as always, “Boss, Mr. Xianting made breakfast himself today. Would you like the chef to make another one for you?”

Shewas surprised for a moment, “Since Mr. Xianting made it, there’s no need for another one.”

“Understood.” The butler lowered his gaze, concealing the hint of coldness in his grey eyes.

Wen Zhao finished her morning routine and leisurely descended the stairs, the butler following dutifully behind her.

Gu Xianting waited downstairs, and upon seeing her, a gentle smile appeared on his face, “Zhao Zhao.”

She hmphed, as if still upset over yesterday’s incident, ignored him, and walked past him.

He caught her hand, stopping her, “Zhao Zhao, don’t ignore me, alright?”

“Why do you think I’m ignoring you?” She stared into his eyes.

“Because I made you angry yesterday.” His voice was gentle, his face showing an indulgent smile, “I shouldn’t have lost my temper at your butler. He was just taking care of you on my behalf. It’s my fault, Zhao Zhao, I’m sorry.”

Upon hearing this, she rewarded him with a smile, “It looks like you’re reflecting.”

“Of course, Zhao Zhao, I made breakfast for you. He spoke as he intentionally or unintentionally revealed the minor wound on his hand to her, “But, it’s been five years since I’ve been able to use this body. I’m a bit rusty, so I don’t know if what I made suits your taste.”

“You made it yourself, so I’ll try it.” She cooperated.

The two walked towards the dining room, where the butler stepped forward to pull out a chair for her.

Gu Xiantingwatched the butler’s solicitousness and found it annoying, but having just apologized to Wen Zhao for the incident with himyesterday, he couldn’t flare up again now.

On the dining table was a bowl of seafood congee and an egg shaped like a heart.

The butler hesitated as he looked at the seafood congee, “Boss.”

“What’s wrong?” Sitting at the dining table, Wen Zhao’s face was full of anticipation, as if she really wanted to taste the breakfast Gu Xianting had made.

“There are dried scallops inside.” He said, “But you can’t eat dried scallops; you’re allergic to them.”

Upon hearing this, Wen Zhao’s expression immediately darkened. Holding the bowl, she could see the dried scallop right on top.

Her complexion changed instantly, she held the bowl and smashed it directly towards Gu Xianting.

Splash of congee and shards of porcelain flew, narrowly missing his eyes, “Zhao Zhao!”

“What do you mean?” Her tone was angry, “Are you holding a grudge against me? Because I got mad at you, do you want me to die? You grew up with me, my childhood sweetheart, my current husband, don’t tell me you don’t remember that I can’t eat dried scallops, even my butler knows, is this reasonable to you?”

“Zhao Zhao, I’m sorry, I didn’t know…” He forced himself to suppress his anger and tried to squeeze out a smile at her. Who knew that this vicious female supporting character still had such a setting? Didn’t she prepare a table of seafood feasts before?

The butler fetched a warm towel and picked up Wen Zhao’s hand, wiping it clean. When she threw the bowl just now, some of the congee had splashed out.

“Boss, I checked it a little earlier. Miss Su seems to really like to eat congee made from dried scallops.” He said in the calmest voice, almost coldly.

Gu Xianting: Will you shut up?

“Xianting, you really disappoint me! I just knew you had changed. From the looks of it, I was just being selfish…” She looked very disappointed.

Gu Xianting only felt a burst of black in front of his eyes. He suddenly covered his head with both hands, his expression became very painful, and then, he leaned his head back and passed out directly.

Wen Zhao walked to his side expressionlessly, her voice seemed to be concerned, “Xianting what’s wrong with you? Don’t scare me, okay? Go call Dr. Xia!”