Chapter 2

The plot checkpoint had failed.

The system rolled around wildly in my head, throwing a tantrum.

I glanced at Zhou Bai, who had taken out his laptop and started rushing through work the moment we got in the car, and spoke to the system through my thoughts.

“All right, tell me how this world works.”

The system climbed to its feet and wiped its tears, hiccupping between words. “Dear guest, every time you complete a plot checkpoint, we reward you with cash according to its importance. The minimum amount is…”

I scoffed.

“Five million.”

My expression turned solemn in an instant.

Well, if they were paying me, perhaps it wasn’t entirely impossible…

No, no. Money still couldn’t make me…

The system sensed my hesitation. “After all, we did insert you into this world with the wrong sex. Male guests are usually delighted to enter a world like this, so we will accept responsibility for our mistake.”

“The system has already applied to our superiors for a compensation package on your behalf. All you need to do is advance the important plot checkpoints by saying the key lines and performing certain actions. AI will fill in the rest of the climactic scenes for you, and the final presentation will show the complete plot.”

“Once you complete every plot checkpoint, we will send you back to your original world—with all the rewards the system has given you, of course.”

I arched an eyebrow in delight and called to the driver, “Turn around.”

Zhou Bai stared at me through exhausted, dark-ringed eyes, utterly confused.

“Ah, I’m suddenly hungry. How about we go back to your place for dinner?” I smiled, looking exactly like one of those infuriating bosses from my old world. “Don’t worry. I’ll double your performance bonus this month.”

Half an hour later, Zhou Bai’s wife, Qin Ruanruan, stood in the entryway once again. She stared at me carrying a bag of groceries and a set of… fleece pajamas, and lapsed into silence.

I smiled. “Sorry. There aren’t many supermarkets open twenty-four hours. I hope I’m not imposing.”

Then I obediently bent down to change my shoes.

My elegant Chelsea boots sat atop their plain wooden shoe cabinet, creating a strangely jarring contrast.

Even more incongruous was the sight of me, tall and straight in a bespoke suit, sitting at their dining table and gazing sincerely at the miserable couple by the door.

“What are you standing around for? Go cook.”

Qin Ruanruan did not know how to cook, so now there were two of us sitting at the table, staring helplessly at each other.

Zhou Bai took a deep breath. Under the kitchen light, his pale profile radiated resentment.

Half an hour later, three dishes and a soup appeared on the table.

What skillful hands.

I was astonished inside, but calmly took a bite. Then my performance began.

I looked at Mrs. Zhou—Qin Ruanruan herself. “Your husband’s attitude toward work hasn’t been very good lately. He isn’t producing results, and his projects aren’t moving. As it happens, the company has one layoff quota to fill.”

Qin Ruanruan forced a smile. “Zhou Bai usually works very hard. Could you…”

I cut off her plea. “But I don’t think the situation is beyond saving.” I gazed at the three dishes and soup, my voice turning deeply affectionate. “I imagine you wouldn’t want your husband to lose his job.”

Both people across the table twitched between the brows, sharing the same thought: Oh no. That god-awful line.

I picked up a piece of beef with my chopsticks and continued speaking to Qin Ruanruan, who was now wearing apricot-colored fleece pajamas. “You’re such a good cook. Why don’t you bring me lunch every day? Then I won’t consider Zhou Bai for the layoff.”

Zhou Bai spoke in a gloomy voice. “…Boss, I made this meal.”

I ignored him and kept pressing Qin Ruanruan. “Give yourself to me in exchange for your husband’s job. What a bargain.”

The second line was complete.

When Qin Ruanruan hesitated, I struck while the iron was hot. “Be good. Don’t resist.”

All three lines delivered. Mission accomplished.

I rolled up my sleeves, ladled myself a bowl of soup, and drank happily. While I was at it, I offered Zhou Bai a suggestion. “Use more salt next time. I like my food strongly seasoned.”

After finishing the soup, I picked up the suit jacket beside me. “All right, I’ve eaten enough. I’ll be going.”

Qin Ruanruan looked at me. “Mr. Lin…”

I raised a hand. “Mrs. Zhou, I truly admire you, and I genuinely enjoy your cooking. If you agree to bring me lunch for a month, I can pay you the same salary Zhou Bai earns.”

Zhou Bai was a senior white-collar employee who earned thirty thousand a month.

“But I don’t know how to cook.” Qin Ruanruan looked at me uncertainly, still reluctant.

I smiled. “Today’s food was excellent. As long as a delicious meal like this appears in my office every noon, I don’t care how it gets there.”

Zhou Bai stood behind her with a smile that did not reach his eyes.

He had to be cursing me.

After all, this meant that from now on, not only would he have to slave away at work every day, he would also have to cook three dishes and a soup for me during his lunch break.

I was very satisfied.

I patted Qin Ruanruan on the shoulder. “Then it’s happily settled. I’ll be off.”

Zhou Bai hastily suppressed his resentment, grabbed his jacket, and followed me.

I stared at him in surprise. “What are you doing?”

“Aren’t we going to fix the presentation?”

I clicked my tongue and glanced at my watch. “It’s already three in the morning. What presentation could possibly need fixing at this hour? You really have no sense of boundaries.”

“I’ll forgive you this time. Be more mindful in the future.”

Behind me, Zhou Bai’s face gradually collapsed. Thoroughly pleased with myself, I shut the door, and a notification chimed in my head: five million had been deposited into my account. I felt utterly refreshed.

Ha!

The good life was opening its arms to me!