Three days later, Lin Weiwei walked out of the gates of Qing Shan Mental Hospital, dressed in a brand-new outfit sent by Su Qingyu's people.
There was no grand reception as she had once imagined—only a low-key black sedan waiting quietly at the entrance. The driver respectfully opened the door for her. The sunlight was a bit harsh; she instinctively raised her hand to shield her eyes. Breathing in the fresh air, free of the hospital's disinfectant smell, she felt as though she had been reborn into another world.
The car smoothly left the suburbs and merged into the city traffic. Lin Weiwei watched the bustling streets fly past the window—towering skyscrapers, streams of people—everything seemed both familiar and strangely distant. This was the first time since entering the book that she had truly seen this world.
Eventually, the car pulled into a high-end apartment complex with tight security and stopped at the base of one of the buildings.
"Miss Lin, Miss Su is waiting for you upstairs," the driver said, opening the door and handing her an access card.
Lin Weiwei thanked him softly, gripping the cold plastic card. Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the elevator. When she pressed the button for the top floor, the elevator rose in silence, but her heartbeat quickened inexplicably.
A soft ding announced her arrival.
She was greeted by a spacious entryway garden, filled with light. A slender figure stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, back turned toward her, seemingly deep in conversation on the phone.
It was Su Qingyu. She wore simple loungewear; her long hair was loosely tied up, revealing a slender neck.
Hearing the elevator, Su Qingyu turned around. Upon seeing Lin Weiwei, she said briefly into the phone, "Alright, proceed as planned," then hung up.
Her gaze fell on Lin Weiwei, scanning her from head to toe before she nodded slightly. "That dress suits you."
Feeling a little self-conscious, Lin Weiwei tugged at the hem of her skirt. The dress was simple in style but made of exquisite fabric—much more tasteful than the original owner's gaudy designer outfits. "Thank you."
"Come here," Su Qingyu beckoned.
Lin Weiwei hesitated for a moment before walking over to stand beside her. Beyond the vast windows stretched a brilliant city skyline—streams of headlights, flickering neon lights. From this height, the world's splendor seemed to unfold beneath her feet, yet it carried an inexplicable sense of distance and isolation.
"Look down," Su Qingyu said beside her, her tone calm and even. "That direction is where the Gu Group headquarters is located."
Lin Weiwei followed her gaze but could make out only a blur of skyscrapers. Gu Chen… the man who controlled everything in the original story—the root of all the tragedy.
"He'll return next Wednesday," Su Qingyu continued, her voice devoid of emotion. "According to the plot, not long after his return, a business banquet will bring the three of us together again. Then, driven by jealousy, you'll start down another self-destructive path. And I, with his help, will retaliate against you."
Lin Weiwei's heart tightened. The story was still moving forward; their so-called awakening hadn't stopped it completely.
"Then we…"
"Of course we won't follow its script," Su Qingyu interrupted, turning her sharp gaze toward Lin Weiwei. "Are you afraid?"
Lin Weiwei met her eyes. Afraid? Of course she was. He was the male lead—the one favored by the world's very destiny. But more than the fear of the unknown, she despised the feeling of being controlled.
She shook her head, her eyes steadying. "No." After a pause, she added, "Worst case, they'll dig out my organs. But sticking with you now… might just give me a shot."
A faint, fleeting smile crossed Su Qingyu's eyes. "Good."
She turned toward the living room, motioning for Lin Weiwei to follow. "Your room is the second one on the left. Daily necessities are all set up. The right side is my study and bedroom—don't go in without my permission."
Her tone was as casual as if she were merely arranging a roommate.
Lin Weiwei followed her, surveying the apartment. The minimalist decor, dominated by black, white, and gray, felt cold and sharp, with almost no unnecessary ornaments. It mirrored Su Qingyu's demeanor—distant and efficiently detached. Only a few thriving green plants on the balcony added a hint of vibrant life.
"A part-time cleaner handles the housekeeping and cooking. If you have any dietary restrictions or preferences, just let her know." Su Qingyu walked to the island counter in the open kitchen, poured two glasses of water, and pushed one toward Lin Weiwei.
"Oh, okay." Lin Weiwei took the glass, her fingertips brushing the cool glass surface, yet her mind felt unsettled. This cohabitation was beginning with an unexpected calm.
"As for you," Su Qingyu leaned against the island, holding her glass as she studied Lin Weiwei, "I've already settled things with your father regarding the Lin family. He's tacitly agreed to you staying with me for now. Externally, we'll claim you're undergoing 'psychological counseling.' For the time being, you won't be troubled by the Lin family."
Lin Weiwei nodded. As long as her stepfather didn't cause trouble, that was fine.
"However," Su Qingyu shifted her tone, "you can't just sit around doing nothing. Starting tomorrow, you'll come to the company with me."
"The company?" Lin Weiwei froze. "What would I do there?" The original owner had been an uneducated, useless heiress, while she herself was just an ordinary office worker with no clue about business.
"Be my assistant." Su Qingyu's tone was flat yet unquestionable. "You don't need to know much—just serve tea, handle simple paperwork, and stay by my side."
Lin Weiwei instantly understood Su Qingyu's intent. Keeping her under close watch served three purposes: first, to control and protect her; second, to familiarize her quickly with this world's rules and Su Qingyu's current endeavors; and third... to send a signal to certain observers lurking in the shadows.
—Lin Weiwei now belonged to Su Qingyu.
"Understood." Lin Weiwei offered no objection. This was indeed the best arrangement for now.
"One more thing," Su Qingyu set down her glass and took a step closer. Standing slightly taller than Lin Weiwei, she lowered her gaze slightly, radiating an intangible pressure. "Remember the foundation of our 'collaboration.' I need your 'variable' to thoroughly muddy the waters. So when I need you, you cooperate."
Her gaze lingered suggestively on Lin Weiwei's lips, instantly reminding her of that chaotic kiss and making her ears burn.
"H-how... how exactly?"
"You'll find out when the time comes." Su Qingyu didn't elaborate, a faint, inscrutable curve playing at the corners of her mouth. "For now, go put your things away and rest. Tonight, I'll take you somewhere."
With that, she turned and walked toward her study, closing the door behind her, leaving Lin Weiwei alone in the empty living room.
Lin Weiwei stood rooted to the spot, staring at the closed door, then at the cold glass in her hand. Her emotions tangled like a ball of knotted thread.
Su Qingyu was like a beautifully bound book with obscure contents, each page potentially hiding unexpected twists. She seemed to offer shelter and direction, but behind this "kindness," how much stemmed from exploitation, and how much from that inexplicably ambiguous "interest"? Lin Weiwei couldn't fathom it.
But things had come to this, and she didn't seem to have a better choice.
She sighed, resignedly heading toward her own room. Pushing open the door, she found it simply and comfortably furnished, much better than she had imagined.
At least, it was safe for now.
She flopped onto the soft, large bed and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling.
Gu Chen was coming back.
The plot was still lurking, waiting to pounce.
And she, the villainous supporting character who should have been written out long ago, was now tied to the original female lead's fate. Together, they were sailing toward uncharted, storm-filled waters.
The feeling was strange. Fear and unease mingled within her, yet beneath it all, there seemed to be a faint... indescribable thrill.
She rolled over, burying her face in the pillow that carried the scent of sunshine.
"If we're not following the script... then we'll just have to take it one step at a time."