Chapter 1: Saving the PUA’d Supporting Female Lead (1)

Summer in Yu City was unbearably hot. The scorching sun made even the chirping of birds outside the window sound listless. Behind the commercial street, the staff dormitory of Mingyuan Restaurant was like a giant steamer; staying inside for even a moment felt like one would dehydrate and suffocate.

On the innermost bed of the dormitory, a gaunt figure slowly stopped breathing. Moments later, the deceased suddenly opened her eyes. Her previously murky eyes became sharp and clear, and a familiar electronic voice rang in her ear: “Host has arrived in the Fifth Plane’s Universe 71, coordinate Small World 541. This Small World is a Retirement World for Taskers. Please enjoy your retirement life, Host.”

Tang Qi sat up, assessing the body she had transmigrated into. A sallow complexion, limbs so thin they lacked any fat, resembling a skeleton draped in skin, possessing a terrifying kind of ghastliness.

This time, she had transmigrated into an orphan. Both parents deceased, she had lived with relatives since childhood, managing with great difficulty to get into university. The relatives claimed the insurance money her parents left behind was spent and a large debt was owed, so there was no money for her education. Furthermore, to save face, they forbade her from applying for student loans.

To study, the Original Host could only work desperately. On one hand, she had to pay tuition; on the other, she had to endure the relatives’ endless demands for money. In the end, she died from sudden death during her summer job in the staff dormitory.

“Adjust physical condition.” Tang Qi spoke, her voice hoarse, like sand rubbing together.

“Points spent: 1000. Remaining Points: 8001564830. Physical condition adjusted to optimal. Host, please replenish nutrition as soon as possible.”

The dull ache in her body slowly faded, replaced by an immense hunger. Tang Qi stood up and took off the sweat-soaked staff uniform. Rummaging through the Original Host’s wardrobe, she found nothing except two patched-up high school uniforms.

She checked the wallet; both ID card and student card were there. The Original Host happened to also be named Tang Qi. She also checked the Bank Card; it had a few thousand yuan left. This was the tuition money the Original Host had saved.

Tang Qi was an ace Tasker from the main plane, existing to maintain the newly born worlds created by the universe. In newly born worlds, many souls would be unstable, so she needed to play characters whose souls had collapsed to complete the World Line. Before retirement, she had already maintained over a thousand Small Worlds.

A Retirement World was a mature Small World that would not collapse. The character she transmigrated into was completely unrelated to the main World Line of this small world. She could live as she pleased, even if she wanted to dominate the world.

This was a benefit the Main God gave to every Tasker.

The System would communicate with the Original Host, helping them reincarnate, and she would take over their identity to live on.

“Go out to eat and buy a few clothes along the way.”

The Mingyuan Restaurant she worked at was a medium-sized establishment. In the normal World Line, after the Original Host’s sudden death, her relatives came to make a scene, extorting a considerable sum from the Boss.

Tang Qi could feel the guilt left by the Original Host, thinking she had harmed the Boss. It was because she refused the staff meal, insisting on being paid cash instead, eating only two steamed buns a day, and refusing to use the air conditioner, ultimately leading to sudden death from dehydration and starvation.

Wearing her glasses with one broken temple, she greeted the Boss. Knowing Tang Qi was going out to eat, the Boss was exasperated: “We’re a restaurant ourselves, why go out to eat? I’ll have the kitchen make you some fried rice.”

Tang Qi didn’t act coy: “Thank you, Brother Hu.”

The Boss was a cheerful middle-aged man, laughing as he patted his bald head: “Why be so polite? From now on, you eat with everyone else, and your salary remains the same.”

“Thanks, Brother Hu. I’ll eat the staff meals as normal and deduct the fee according to the rules.” Tang Qi’s tone was indifferent. She had played others for tens of thousands of years, every step a set emotion, a set line. She had forgotten how to express emotions or what reaction was appropriate when.

Fortunately, the Original Host was also a silent and introverted person, so no one suspected a thing.

After eating, she went to a wholesale market, bought two sets of clothes for herself, and got a pair of rimless glasses—this was one of the Original Host’s trademarks; she didn’t change it.

She then found a cheap roadside barbershop to cut her thick, heavy hair. Tang Qi looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair, just reaching her ears, perfectly showcased her facial features. It was a handsome and elegant face. Her originally gaunt complexion had turned fair, and her high nose bridge gave her a touch of sharpness and unapproachability.

The Original Host was very tall, but her bones were somewhat deformed. After adjusting the parameters, she was 1.75 meters tall, with long limbs and a slender neck, making the fifty-dollar-a-set clothes look like they cost five thousand.

“Host, let’s go conquer the world.” The System bawled. It had always envied those retirement systems, doing whatever they wanted. Now it was finally its turn, no more following that damn World Line.

But unexpectedly, Tang Qi, having changed her entire look, went straight back to the restaurant where she worked, returned to the kitchen, put on an apron, and began chopping vegetables.

“Host, what are you doing?” the System howled.

“Working.” Tang Qi was concise, efficiently washing and cutting vegetables. Hearing the Head Chef call her, she would even help serve dishes. She ignored the System’s racket, eventually even blocking it out.

Having worked through thousands of worlds, her greatest wish was to live as she pleased. Even though she had forgotten what living freely truly felt like, compared to the past, where every single action had to follow someone else’s script, she felt this was very good now.

Tang Qi worked at the restaurant from noon until midnight. In the mornings, she washed dishes at a breakfast shop. On weekends, she also tutored a middle school student. After a month, she successfully earned a few thousand yuan. Brother Hu, knowing she was going to school, even gave her an extra five hundred.

“Host, why do you do such things?” The System’s complaint rang in her ear: “It’s hot as hell and the pay is low, you used to be a big-shot level figure.”

Listening to the System’s grumbling, she slowly packed her things: “That wasn’t me, those were roles I was assigned.” After bidding farewell to the restaurant staff, she got on a bus back to School.

She was a sophomore this year, majoring in computer science. Upon arriving at the Dormitory, she found everyone else’s luggage was there; she was probably the last one back. She wiped down her own area, took the blanket out to air, and changed the bedsheets.

Taking out some tablecloth she bought online, she simply decorated her spot. A small succulent, a few fabric storage boxes—the tiny space looked cozy and tasteful.

She took out the Books she had bought and arranged them. Suddenly, the System jumped out, shouting: “Host, there’s a protagonist from a minor World Line nearby!”

A mature Small World usually has about 3-5 Protagonist Plotlines. The System was a little excited; it was just too bored: “Host, Host, I’ve compiled the World Lines. Do you want to take a look?”

Tang Qi directly ignored it, went to the cafeteria to eat, then took out her homework to review.

University A was among the top schools nationwide. Although Tang Qi had been an IT mogul in some Small Worlds, the basics were forgotten and needed relearning.

It was a six-person dorm. The other five returned together after dinner. Seeing someone in Tang Qi’s spot, they looked at each other before finally sending one person forward to carefully greet her: “Tang Qi, you’re back!”

The person tried to sound natural, but there was still a slight tremble in her voice.

Mainly because Tang Qi used to be so gloomy. When she looked at people, you could see the whites of her eyes below the iris, making the dorm mates somewhat afraid of her.

Tang Qi turned around and spoke: “Hello, all of you.”

Receiving a reply, the speaker’s eyes lit up. But when they got a clear look at Tang Qi, all five were stunned. Before, Tang Qi’s hair always covered her eyes, her entire face hidden behind it. Occasionally catching a glimpse of her features, her eyes were always lifeless, like an elder on death’s doorstep rather than a young person.

Today, probably because the weather was hot and she was sweating, she had swept her hair up, revealing a smooth forehead. Her handsome, elegant face wore rimless glasses, looking exceptionally refined and scholarly.

“Tang Qi, I realize you’ve gotten… prettier,” the outspoken Mai Lingling blurted out. As soon as she finished, she felt she’d been abrupt, quickly covering her mouth and speeding up her words, afraid to anger her: “I’m just joking, don’t mind it.”

When receiving a compliment, one should smile. Tang Qi slightly curled her lips: “Thanks.” Actually, the Original Host didn’t dislike these roommates; she just didn’t know how to get along with them. Her smile was like a hundred flowers blooming. Mai Lingling’s face flushed, and she muttered: “Haven’t seen you for over a month, it’s like you’ve changed into a different person.”

“Host, Host, she’s actually a major Female Supporting Role in this World Line.” The System yelled, pointing the person out to Tang Qi: “That one who first talked to you, her name is Luo Xue.”

Tang Qi’s gaze fell on Luo Xue. Worthy of being a Female Supporting Role in a minor World Line, Luo Xue was beautiful and radiant, wearing a white dress like a Little Princess from a storybook, with a pair of adorable dimples when she smiled.

Luo Xue opened her suitcase: “I brought lots of specialties from home, all pre-portioned.” She took out six bags of snacks to share with everyone.

“She’s the Son of Destiny’s first love. The World Line says she and the Son of Destiny were in love for seven years, and eventually broke up because she despised him for being poor.”

The System looked at the book formed after the World Line was extracted; the Son of Destiny was the protagonist of the book.

The System read with great interest, occasionally sighing emotionally: “The Male Lead really had it tough, from a poor family but relentlessly striving. Luckily, after leaving the Female Supporting Role, he met his talent scout.”

“Really couldn’t tell, this Luo Xue turned out to be so vain. It’s truly too much.” Seeing a segment in the book where the Female Supporting Role insulted the Male Lead, the System couldn’t help but feel indignant on his behalf.

Tang Qi directly blocked it. Just then, Luo Xue finished handing out snacks and reached her. Luo Xue raised a smiling face, showing her lovely dimples: “Tang Qi, this is my hometown specialty… Everyone got some.”

Tang Qi noticed her own bag was bigger than the others’. Opening it, she saw some pastries. A glance at the others showed small snacks. “Thank you.” Luo Xue secretly sighed in relief: “They’re very delicious, try some.”

Tang Qi understood Luo Xue’s good intentions. Estimating that the Original Host had strong self-esteem, she’d deliberately pre-portioned the specialties, giving her mostly filling foods.

The next day, Tang Qi woke up early, bought breakfast, and went to the classroom. Just as class was about to start, Luo Xue and the other four roommates came running in a chaotic rush. Seeing the classroom already full, with only seats in the first row next to Tang Qi available, the five sat down with faces full of pain.

Class began. Naturally, students sitting in the front row dared not misbehave. Having barely endured the lesson, Luo Xue lay slumped on the desk watching Tang Qi seriously take Notes: “Tang Qi, you’re way too diligent!”

When getting along with dorm mates, should one be a bit more proactive? Tang Qi thought, pushing her Notes towards them: “Do you want to have a look?” She didn’t dislike interacting with others; she just disliked being forced by the plot to interact with people she obviously detested during missions.

“My god, you’re wonderful, I love you.” Luo Xue exclaimed.

Mai Lingling giggled: “That won’t do, you can only love our Senior Li.” The others laughed together.

A flicker passed through Tang Qi’s eyes. Li Chengyu—the Male Lead of this World Line. She had no desire to get tangled up with any Protagonist Plotline right now.