Chapter 53

Because she felt that some things could not be given up.

【Character: Zhu Qiqi】

【Appearance: 10 (as described in the original novel)】

【Affinity: 5】

Zhu Qiqi suddenly understood why her rating was what it was: "Is it because in this drama, you favor Bai Feifei, so you have a bad impression of me?"

"But why is it indifference? Why not dislike? Why not hatred?"

Zhu Qiqi fell into deep thought.

Moreover, she developed considerable interest in Shen Lang, whom she had never met.

Because according to the diary, this Shen Lang should be a decent man, otherwise he wouldn't have made both her and Bai Feifei fall for him.

Yet at this moment, Zhu Qiqi's impression of Shen Lang was not good at all.

27

Although she was the victor in love within the drama, the real her couldn't help but wonder—

"If Shen Lang was willing to die with Bai Feifei at first, he must have loved her—but in the end, he abandoned Bai Feifei and chose me."

"Then one day, if he meets a girl he likes even more, will he abandon me just as he abandoned Bai Feifei, and turn to someone else?"

"Huh? Why does this feel familiar?"

Zhu Qiqi was startled and uncertain.

Suddenly her heart chilled: "If that's true, then isn't he just a second Kuaihuo Wang?!"

Instantly, Zhu Qiqi developed strong wariness toward Shen Lang.

……

"Shen Lang…"

Bai Feifei's face was grim; she chewed over those two words repeatedly, her gaze icy.

She never expected that after finally giving her heart sincerely—even to the point of willing suicide—she would still be betrayed.

This stirred murderous intent within her.

Fortunately, she soon realized it was only a story; now she was Jiang Sishui's woman, with no connection whatsoever to Shen Lang.

And judging by Jiang Sishui's demeanor, though a bit flirtatious, he was at least responsible—she wouldn't suffer that kind of pain.

……

"Cousin… ah…" Shen Bijun sighed.

She didn't much dislike Zhu Qiqi's actions, because in her view: everyone has the right to pursue love, and in this process, fairness simply doesn't exist.

But her cousin Shen Lang had clearly wronged Bai Feifei.

Shen Bijun put herself in their place: if she herself were betrayed by her beloved, it would truly be worse than death.

"No one is perfect, not even someone as outstanding as my cousin."

Shen Bijun looked up at the shimmering surface of Taihu Lake, her thoughts drifting aimlessly.

【In fact, Shen Lang didn't want to see Bai Feifei die—he returned her to Bai Jing's side, not because he was cowardly.】

【As a condition, he promised Bai Jing that no matter what lies Bai Jing told Bai Feifei, he could never reveal the truth to her.】

【His own Yin-Yang Poison was resolved by learning the Heaven-Extinction Heart Method—not by Bai Jing's intervention.】

Zhu Qiqi, Bai Feifei, Shen Bijun: "…"

Well, they had misunderstood Shen Lang.

Yet abandoning a lover who had died for him, and instead flirting and entangling himself with another woman, was an undeniable fact.

【In the drama, Zhu Qiqi was like a "white lotus," often causing trouble and unlikable, while Bai Feifei was stunningly beautiful and pitifully tragic—so they reversed the roles of female lead and second lead.】

【But in the original novel, Zhu Qiqi was much better.】

【As the most extensively portrayed woman in Gu Lao's work, Zhu Qiqi is a deeply controversial figure—those who love her love her deeply, those who hate her hate her to the bone.】

【Because she is a woman who embodies both great virtues and great flaws.】

【Most memories of the original novel's plot have been overshadowed by the drama's impression, but one online evaluation of Zhu Qiqi was remarkably apt—】

【"Gu Lao broke free from the constraints of concepts like hero and villain, good and evil, and successfully portrayed this unique young woman from a privileged background with an extraordinary life."】

【"Her uniqueness lies in her sincerity mixed with extremism, her cleverness lacking true wisdom, her passion prone to madness."】

【"She is a kind-hearted lady of noble birth, yet also a narrow-minded, jealous woman in love."】

"She is an angel who does evil, a bewitching demoness among the righteous heroes."

【I wonder what Zhu Qiqi is like in this world.】

【Like the novel's? Or the drama's? Or a blend of both?】

Four sentences, mere words, painted a vivid image of Zhu Qiqi, allowing the women to understand this girl more deeply.

Bai Feifei cared especially.

She even used her one remaining chance to check Zhu Qiqi's rating.

Seeing Zhu Qiqi's affinity score was only "five," her cold face suddenly broke into a smile.

Like the first bloom of spring flowers, breathtakingly beautiful.

……

Zhu Qiqi carefully read every comment about herself, sharply extracting key words and summarizing—

Spoiled, selfish, stubborn, brainless, jealous!

This made her grind her teeth in fury.

"Am I really that terrible?!" Zhu Qiqi protested indignantly.

Suddenly she turned to the diary copy, glaring fiercely and snapping: "Indifferent to me? I'll make you fall in love with me—then… beg me to marry you! I won't say yes!"

【This has strayed too far; let's return to the drama's plot.】

【If Zhu Qiqi is a "white lotus," then Bai Feifei, whose heart died and who fully darkened, is a "green tea."】

【And a triple-threat "green tea" at that.】

【To retaliate against the two, Bai Feifei pretended to resolve their misunderstanding and reconciled with Shen Lang, beginning her performance.】

【Pretended to be captured, pitifully.】

【Weak and helpless—her persona firmly established.】

【She feigned illness; I feigned shock.】

【250: Every three steps, she gasped; every five steps, she fainted.】

【The wound of a goddess—supreme and untouchable.】

【Professional output: linguistic artistry: "It's my fault, all my fault."】

【After this combo strike, Zhu Qiqi was completely stunned.】

【Competing in beauty, in weakness, in suffering.】

【She utterly crushed Zhu Qiqi!】

【Though Bai Feifei won back more care and affection from Shen Lang, she felt no joy—only boredom—and decisively left.】

【She even once severed all ties with Shen Lang.】

【But in the story's ending, Bai Feifei ultimately could not let go of Shen Lang; she took a hidden arrow from Wang Lianhua's ambush and died, her beauty extinguished.】

Upon reading this, Bai Feifei, who had previously taken satisfaction in her revenge, nearly choked on her breath and died on the spot.

What kind of trash plot is this?!

Shen Lang abandoned their love, yet she still died for him?!

Bai Feifei was too drained to even complain.

How could she have loved so humbly?

Not just her—many of the other women also felt indignant on her behalf.

Especially Ning Xiang and Shui Shui Furong.

Perhaps because they looked alike, they resonated more deeply with Bai Feifei's plight and were now genuinely furious.

As one of the parties involved, Zhu Qiqi's mood was naturally far from pleasant.

Even though she was the ultimate victor.

"Green tea… this is what a 'green tea' is? Indeed formidable!"

Zhu Qiqi grew wary, and began to ponder in her mind.

If she ever truly faced such an opponent in the future, she'd at least have a strategy ready.