Chapter 9 No Going Back
Song Jin Nian, with his memories fully restored, had gone completely dark.
We returned to the villa.
For nearly a month, it was just the two of us.
Lost in each other, oblivious to the world.
That comment I’d made about preferring someone younger—he’d taken it to heart.
No fancy tricks now.
Just raw strength.
The System had gone silent on me. I called and called, but nothing.
It wasn’t until a month later that I finally got a break.
And even then, it only meant I didn’t have to see Song Jin Nian every second of the day.
He had to go handle a month’s worth of piled-up work.
I, on the other hand, lost my freedom to leave.
I was confined to the huge villa, eating, sleeping, waiting.
I thought I’d hate it.
But after a while, I actually loved it.
It felt like slipping back into my comfort zone.
I sprawled on the sofa, binge-watching shows.
Surrounded by piles of snacks Song Jin Nian had stocked for me.
Crunch, crunch, crunch.
When I choked, I washed it down with soda.
Sunlight poured over me, and everything felt peaceful.
If you ignored the marks covering my body.
I reached for another piece of chocolate.
The little robot on the table suddenly spoke in Song Jin Nian’s voice.
“No more. Four pieces of chocolate a day, max.”
I pretended not to hear and popped it into my mouth.
“Disobedient. I’ll punish you when I get home.”
“…”
Back to the days of Song Jin Nian controlling everything.
He always caught me when I overdid the snacks.
I swear he watched the surveillance 24/7.
I ignored him.
Then he said, “Be good. I’ll make your favorite Spicy Crayfish when I get back.”
Fine. Forgiven.
Life isn’t the same with just anyone.
According to the original plot, this should have led to punishment, misunderstandings, and reconciliation.
But between me and Song Jin Nian?
It felt like we skipped straight past the drama.
Though that “skip” lasted an entire month in bed.
He’d grown used to my chaos.
I’d grown used to his pampering.
The days he didn’t cook, I lost weight.
My sleep schedule went completely off the rails.
I woke every morning to his kisses. It had become my internal clock.
This routine felt healthier.
I was deep in my thoughts when the long-silent System finally reappeared.
“Host, your task termination request has been denied.”
“The bond between the male and female leads never formed. But considering you were the variable, the higher-ups have approved your return home.”
I closed my eyes and rolled over.
“Thanks, but I’m not going.”
The System explained, “You can take the massive fortune with you.”
“Oh.”
“Host, didn’t you always want to go back and live as a rich woman?”
“I already am one.”
The System went quiet for a moment.
“But didn’t you always complain the male lead was too controlling and restricted your freedom?”
“I’ve been with him too long. I’m used to it now. You’re too late.”
Another pause.
“Host, are you sure you won’t leave? This is your only chance.”
“Though the male lead is deeply attached to you now, the world trajectory will keep correcting him. You might still end up as the Vicious Supporting Female.”
I shook my head, voice tinged with mock grievance.
“Because of your last ‘correction,’ I couldn’t get out of bed for a month. I’ve lost all trust in you guys.”
The System muttered, “...Sorry.”
“Besides, life is uncertain. Giving up present happiness for an uncertain future would be stupid.”
I remembered how irritated I’d felt seeing Song Jin Nian standing with the original female lead.
Once I’d made up my mind, I wasn’t turning back.
I wasn’t leaving.
I was staying to sleep with Song Jin Nian for the rest of my life.
I figured he felt the same.
If I left and he suddenly went full dark mode, destabilizing the world, I’d have to come back to fix it—that would be a hassle, probably leaving me stuck in bed for months again as unpaid overtime.
Better to cut off that possibility from the start.
After I finished, the System’s tone shifted—almost proud.
“Congratulations, Host.”
“You’ve passed this evaluation.”
“After detecting your love for the male lead and this life, we are now updating your task identity—you are the world’s female lead.”