Chapter 2: The Aloof Eldest Miss

This was Jiang Li’s first time receiving a task. She stared at the line of bold red text, formatted as if terrified she’d overlook it. Paired with its content, she could almost imagine blood trickling down the letters.

“123, this is my first time completing a task. Is there a newbie protection period? Like, can we skip this one and try something easier…”

Jiang Li asked hopefully. Even a temporary reprieve would do.

On a first meeting, asking someone if they’d like to lie in a jar of formalin—what was the difference from asking them to die?

123 let out a few soft mews, ruthlessly dashing her hopes. “Darling, the bottom-ranked system doesn’t come with that perk.”

Staring at those nerve-wracking words, Jiang Li kept up her sweet smile and flattered, “I might be bottom-ranked, but I’ve heard about your old SSS scores. Surely a little privilege like this is no big deal for you.”

“Oh, but it’s been ages since I punched the clock. The glory days had that perk. Now? Not so much.”

Seeing Jiang Li about to protest, 123 cut in. “Yang Mu’s already out of the car, waiting on you.”

Jiang Li whipped around. Sure enough, Yang Mu stood at the front of the car, phone held chest-high. She caught Jiang Li’s gaze and flashed a gentle smile. “Shall we head in?”

Yang Mu didn’t ask why she’d zoned out—a perfect out for Jiang Li. She nodded and trailed after her toward the mansion’s entrance.

Luo Yihuan watched the silk hem of that skirt vanish from view behind Yang Mu. She withdrew her gaze and tapped the armrest with keen interest. So this was the psychologist Yang Mu raved about.

She pictured Jiang Li earlier, circling in bewilderment as she surveyed her surroundings—like a kitten fresh to the world, cute and captivating. The kind anyone would want to take home and keep.

No wonder Yang Mu was smitten.

Pity. Luo Yihuan rose, her slender pale fingertips smoothing the faint crease in her qipao hem from sitting. Her cuff slipped back, baring a stretch of fair, creamy wrist. No flicker of extra warmth stirred in her eyes.

She had no taste for pets that played too nice.

With her qipao straightened, Luo Yihuan didn’t rush downstairs. She fetched the watering can from nearby and began tending the potted plants on the balcony with leisurely care—all her cherished favorites.

The two visitors downstairs? The maids would handle them.

“Nanny Li, is Eldest Miss awake yet?”

Yang Mu gestured for Jiang Li to sit, then lounged against the sofa and asked Nanny Li, who stood waiting nearby.

“Eldest Miss is likely still resting,” Nanny Li replied with a respectful bow. “Miss Yang, Miss Jiang—please enjoy some tea and pastries while you wait.” She waved over a maid bearing the tray.

They all wore matching custom uniforms of fine fabric. Jiang Li’s keen eye spotted a camel embroidered on one maid’s hem as she leaned forward for a snack.

Assured Luo Yihuan was still asleep, Yang Mu settled beside Jiang Li. She beamed, introducing the array of pastries.

She’d always been attuned to Jiang Li’s tastes—what foods she craved, what caught her fancy. Most of these snacks were right up her alley.

The few she didn’t care for, Yang Mu discreetly plucked aside.

Yang Mu explained with earnest care, but 123 in Jiang Li’s head kept butting in.

【Sister, sister, you love sweets so much—why not turn Luo Yihuan into a cute little cake?】

【Sister, sister, check this chocolate cream-filled one. So much filling! Perfect for feeding Luo Yihuan when she’s locked in a dark room, hehe.】

【Sister, sister, just tea and no sweets? Missing her juicy, sweet flavor already?】

Line after such line echoed in Jiang Li’s mind. She set aside the strawberry tart, black forest cake, coconut cookies, and more. Even her tea lost its appeal.

The final remark hit amid the bright sunlight flooding the room. Jiang Li responded coolly, “Student Jiang Li hereby reports the 123 Yandere System—for public indecency in broad daylight.”

Result: Report failed.

Rejection reason—Yandere System: lewd regardless of time or place.

123 dissolved into laughter in her head, leaving Jiang Li staring at the notice, her face a mask of confusion. Was this really a legit system? The ones in books didn’t act like this.

Once done cackling, 123 fell silent. Jiang Li, cheeks burning, sipped her tea to steady her fluster.

Whether Nanny Li had perfect timing or Luo Yihuan had given prior word, a maid descended from upstairs just as they finished their tea. She murmured in Nanny Li’s ear. Nanny Li nodded and waved her aside.

“Miss Jiang, Eldest Miss invites you to the flower room.”

Yang Mu froze at her own exclusion. Considering the nitpicky soul upstairs, she eyed her outfit—no flaws. Then recent antics clicked: last night’s bar crawl. Got it.

She’d been barred from the flower room over that.

Jiang Li tilted her head toward Yang Mu, awaiting word.

Luo Yihuan summoning her alone lined up perfectly with her task. But she’d come to Luo Mansion today to assess any red flags for Yang Mu’s sake.

Without Yang Mu along, how would she spot Luo Yihuan’s issues?

Yang Mu read her thoughts and patted her shoulder with a grin. “Go on. I’ll wait here. Take it easy—no big deal.”

With that settled, Jiang Li said nothing more. Clutching her gift bag, she followed Nanny Li upstairs.

Nanny Li spoke sparingly en route, and on Jiang Li’s first visit, she held her tongue too—obediently keeping a few steps back.

Minutes later, floral scents thickened around her nose. At least ten varieties teased her senses, their mingled aromas saturating the air and stirring the soul.

Their pace unhurried, Nanny Li brought her to the flower room door. She dipped in a slight bow, her face warming with a smile. “Eldest Miss awaits inside. Please enter directly.”

Jiang Li nodded her thanks. Once Nanny Li departed, she drew deep breaths right there, poking her dimples as if infusing them with courage.

At last—her first task was underway!

She curled her fingers. Though Nanny Li had said to just go in, Jiang Li rapped lightly on the door.

A soft feminine voice bade her enter. Jiang Li turned the handle and stepped inside.

A fierce gust swept through right then.

Leaves and blooms rustled in the flower room, petals whirling madly in countless numbers. Window sunlight poured unsparingly onto the beauty within, cloaking her in radiant glory.

Vibrant greens and reds played off each other indoors. Luo Yihuan’s dark locks whipped freely in the air, her striking features eclipsing the floral riot.

Seeing the woman in person for the first time left Jiang Li breathless for a beat. Admiration sparked in her limpid eyes, noted by Luo Yihuan.

Luo Yihuan caught the entranced stare and let out a quiet chuckle. Her thin lips curved as she greeted the girl, who seemed a touch daft.

“Hello, Miss Jiang.”

The wind carried her words through the flower corridor to Jiang Li’s ears—low, laced with mirth, her lips lightly upturned.

Jiang Li’s prime task target had just cracked her world wide open.

【Ding. Second alert. Host, please deliver this line to the task target: Would you like to soak in formalin to become my eternal love?】

The merciless mews shattered the splendor. 123 blasted the line huge before her eyes: crimson text trailing the smiling beauty in cyan qipao.

Such scenery. Such allure. Ruined by 123’s task nagging. Veins pulsed at Jiang Li’s temples; her vision aptly blackened.

Luo Yihuan stood serene. Greeting done, she plucked a nearby bloom to admire, lost in her own reverie.

Jiang Li glanced at her gift bag, recalling her pick. Eyeing the meticulously nurtured flower room, she smiled inwardly—spot on.

She wove delicately through the floral sea and halted beside Luo Yihuan. Eyes dark and sparkling, she proffered the bag.

“Miss Luo, hello. For our first meeting, I wasn’t sure your tastes—this gift is my hope you’ll accept.”

Luo Yihuan’s fingers paused on the stem. She turned, meeting Jiang Li’s clear gaze. A questioning hum rose in her throat.

She doubted Yang Mu had sent her with a gift.

Her prior one had tripped a trigger—booted out, gift and all.

Yang Mu couldn’t read her. So this was Jiang Li’s doing.

Luo Yihuan cocked her head. Jiang Li’s crystalline eyes fixed unwavering, her smile obediently deepening under the scrutiny.

Willful or not, folk favored the cute and compliant. She wasn’t immune.

Her lips twitched faintly upward. Luo Yihuan accepted the bag with a slight bow and soft thanks.

“May I open it now?”

Jiang Li’s eyes crescented. “Of course! Unwrapping’s pure delight. Hope you love it.”

Her fingertips grazed the silk box more eagerly than the recipient’s. Leaning in, eyes aglow, she watched intently.

Luo Yihuan nudged the box; Jiang Li mirrored the move—like a pet shadowing its master’s whim. Adorably compliant, fun to behold.

No fussing, Luo Yihuan tugged the silk ribbon free, flipped the lid. The gift emerged.

Red and white roses entwined atop thorns, sealed in resin.

The red blazed vivid; the white bloomed chaste and seductive. Thorns bound them eternal—their romance captured forever in peak glory, inseparable.

Plenty knew her plant passion, sending rare seeds flown in. A specimen? Jiang Li was first.

Quirky choice.

Jiang Li admired the crystal-clear roses trapped timelessly, stealing glances at Luo Yihuan. Lashes lowered, she studied it intently.

Liked it, then. Jiang Li exhaled inwardly—bullet dodged on the gift.

Disinterest would’ve stymied segueing to that line.

Right on cue, 123 drawled a nudge. 【Ding ding ding. Complete task in ten minutes, or face punishment.】

Sensing a cajole might help, it wheedled cutely. 【Little Li Li, say it quick~~】

Jiang Li deadpanned inwardly: Yandere System, no earthly good.