ATBNLB 05

Chi Chuchu had always known the system was screwed up.

She just didn’t expect it to be this screwed up.

Logically speaking, she knew that choosing A or B was the smartest move.

But that strange, electric thrill bubbling up inside her—what was that supposed to be?!

Excitement? Anticipation? A barely restrained urge to stir chaos?

When she felt the surrounding gazes subtly drifting toward her, Chi Chuchu’s porcelain-white cheeks gradually flushed pink. The color only made her look even more like a blooming peach blossom—radiant, vivid, impossible to ignore.

But don’t misunderstand.

This wasn’t embarrassment.

Not at all.

It was pure excitement.

Even if she knew this was a “last resort” forced by the system, she simply… liked doing things differently.

Liked going off-script.

Chi Chuchu suddenly smiled.

A faint dimple appeared at the corner of her lips. She tilted her head with a hint of mischievous delight, then without hesitation chose option C.

【Doesn’t Ye Qishan like her?

Then let him be publicly humiliated by his so-called “white moonlight” in front of everyone.

She didn’t believe a domineering CEO could swallow that kind of insult so easily.

And if this could even slightly derail the plot—then thank god for that.】

As the center of the banquet, Ye Qishan and Ling Tingyao—the perfectly matched couple on the surface—were already the focus of everyone’s attention.

And with Chi Hongcheng, a tycoon of the industry, personally bringing his precious daughter to the event, countless people were quietly observing.

Speculating.

Was the Chi family about to form a deep partnership with the Ye family?

That thought had barely formed—

Before reality slapped it apart.

Chi Hongcheng’s beautiful daughter lifted her chin slightly. Her gaze swept across Ye Qishan with unmistakable arrogance and disdain.

In that instant, her previously ethereal aura—like a lotus untouched by dust—shifted completely.

Now she looked like a crimson rose with thorns. Stunning. Sharp. Dangerous.

And then she spoke.

Cold voice. Clear and cutting.

“Ha. Someone like you… is worthy of praising me?”

The words landed cleanly, each syllable sharp as a blade.

The entire space froze.

Silence fell instantly.

The atmosphere tightened so much it felt suffocating.

Even those standing nearby could clearly see Ye Qishan and Ling Tingyao’s expressions change at the same time.

The guests were stunned into silence, then confusion, then disbelief.

Even Chi Hongcheng froze for a moment, turning to his daughter with a questioning look.

What on earth was happening here?

The crowd exchanged glances in disbelief. No one had ever seen anything like this.

Ye Qishan’s handsome face flickered with a brief flash of shock.

He looked at Chi Chuchu—her face clean and bare, almost innocent—and for a moment, it was like he was seeing her for the first time.

Silence stretched.

As for Ling Tingyao…

This was her first time seeing her husband’s “white moonlight.”

From everything she had heard, the girl was supposed to be:
beautiful, gentle, considerate.

She had even prepared herself mentally for a graceful, difficult opponent.

But reality… was nothing like that.

Yes, she was stunning.

But gentle? Considerate? Soft?

Those words felt almost like a joke.

Ling Tingyao was still processing the shock when she suddenly thought of something and turned toward her husband.

She thought:

With this kind of arrogant behavior, she definitely isn’t the type Ye Qishan likes.

Maybe… this banquet is actually my chance.

But the moment she turned—

Her expression froze.

“…?”

Because the man who had always been cold and indifferent toward her was now completely different.

His eyes were locked onto Chi Chuchu.

Not the usual restraint.

Not indifference.

But something intense—almost burning—barely contained yet overflowing.

Ling Tingyao felt a chill crawl up her spine.

She was suffocating.

But Chi Chuchu was even more suffocated.

She didn’t even dare look back at her cheap father’s expression. Instead, she kept desperately poking the system in her mind.

【What the hell?! System, what is wrong with this guy?! Why does he look like he just saw fresh meat and can’t stop wagging his tail?!】

System: “…The host’s choice of metaphor is difficult to approve of.”

【Cut the nonsense! Help me!】

After a pause, the system replied:

“Based on data analysis, the male lead is exhibiting a corrective emotional response due to plot deviation.”

【Speak human!!】

The system sighed—and then granted her “empathy access.”

The next second, Chi Chuchu’s vision blurred.

And then she heard it.

His inner voice.

[Chuchu really is different.]

The first line alone made her scalp go numb.

[No one has ever treated me like this. She’s so special… I like her.]

Chi Chuchu: …I’m done.

[Only someone like her deserves to be my white moonlight.]

[No one else is worthy of being compared to her.]

That last line…

Was this guy seriously doing a full-on “lifting one while stepping on the rest” routine?!

Chi Chuchu glanced at Ling Tingyao with a complicated expression, inhaling sharply in silent disbelief.

Your husband… is a bit broken.

No.

Very broken.

At this point, even escaping the plot felt meaningless.

The situation had already spiraled into something even more ridiculous than the original script.

And the system, somehow, looked very satisfied.

No plot collapse.

Even better—this chaos perfectly matched the “tragic romance meltdown route.”

A textbook fire-and-brimstone escalation.

Chi Chuchu: “…I’m leaving.”

And so, under Chi Hongcheng’s complicated gaze, she quickly grabbed An Lisheng and fled the banquet.

If she didn’t leave now, she genuinely felt like she might die here.

After using the unlimited black card, payment was extremely smooth.

An Lisheng looked at the transfer notification and actually smiled—a rare, genuine one.

Chi Chuchu: “…”

If only the original owner had realized earlier—

this so-called “high-and-mighty cold beauty” wasn’t into perfume, gifts, or romance at all.

He was into money.

Pure, simple, vulgar money.

Afterwards, An Lisheng said he still had class the next day, so they parted ways.

Before leaving, he lightly tapped the car window.

When Chi Chuchu looked at him in confusion, he spoke slowly:

“Since I’m being paid… I think I should give you a friendly reminder.”

“Did you forget? Tomorrow is your performance department midterm exam.”

“…Huh???”

Chi Chuchu froze.

What?!

That kind of fatal news actually exists?!