"Host, the female lead has appeared!"
The system's voice echoed in Shen Nanchu's mind.
Shen Nanchu lifted her gaze toward the bus door.
A woman in a white shirt and blue pants, her sharp brows and eyes exuding a spirited aura, boarded the bus with a suitcase in hand.
Bound by the inevitable law of antagonism between the female lead and the villainess, Shen Nanchu felt a faint surge of dislike after just one glance.
According to the original plot, the male lead was supposed to meet the female lead in the Northwest.
But now, due to Shen Nanchu's interference, Pei Zhengnian had not been sent there.
Logically, the thread of fate connecting the two should have been severed, making their meeting impossible in the near future.
Yet here Jiang Shuyi was, arriving in Yongxiu County—Shen Nanchu refused to believe this was mere coincidence.
So, the female lead had been reborn!
And she had chased the male lead here.
How interesting.
Jiang Shuyi noticed Shen Nanchu the moment she stepped onto the bus.
Shen Nanchu was simply too striking in a crowd—it was impossible not to see her first.
Still, Jiang Shuyi only gave her a brief glance before moving past.
With a suitcase in each hand and a backpack weighing her down, she struggled to keep her balance.
Her seat happened to be right in front of Shen Nanchu’s.
Once she settled her luggage and sat down, Jiang Shuyi finally let out a relieved sigh.
After her rebirth, Jiang Shuyi had rushed to the Northwest, hoping to meet Pei Zhengnian ahead of time.
To her dismay, his name wasn’t on the list of those sent there.
Her trip had been in vain.
Fortunately, her father held influence in the military and helped her track Pei Zhengnian’s new location.
So, barely a day after arriving in the Northwest—without even unpacking—she hauled her luggage back up and headed straight for Yongxiu County.
Jiang Shuyi didn’t know why Pei Zhengnian hadn’t been sent to the Northwest as in her past life.
The journey had been grueling, but she bore it willingly.
Still, she was relieved that the Pei family’s exile location had changed to a small village in Daliao City.
Harsh, yes—but not as brutal as the Northwest.
Without the relentless sandstorms, Jiang Shuyi was confident she could present herself perfectly before Pei Zhengnian.
In her past life, she had eventually married him, but she knew his heart was never truly hers. His affection had been more like camaraderie between comrades.
Now, with a second chance, Jiang Shuyi believed she could alter the Pei family’s fate—and win Pei Zhengnian’s love in the process.
She brimmed with confidence.
Little did she know, the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
Shen Nanchu watched from her seat as Jiang Shuyi gazed out the window with that self-assured smile, and her fingers itched.
"System, doesn’t the female lead’s obsession with the male lead seem a little… punchable?"
"Host, what are you planning?"
"System, tell me—can I harvest unlimited dislike points from the female lead, just like from the male lead?"
The system paused. "Host, yes."
Shen Nanchu’s bright eyes sparkled even more.
Then what was she waiting for?
Time to stir the pot!
Wang Xiumei noticed Shen Nanchu’s cheerful expression. "Sister Shen, did something interesting happen outside?"
She made as if to peer out the window.
"Nothing, Sister Wang. I’m just happy we’ll soon arrive at Wang Family Village," Shen Nanchu said deliberately, loud enough for a certain someone to hear.
"Are you going to Wang Family Village in Ning’an Town, Yongxiu County?" Jiang Shuyi took the bait instantly.
"Yes! You too?" Wang Xiumei, ever the warmhearted one, chimed in.
"Yes!" Jiang Shuyi wanted to gather information about the village beforehand, preparing for the Pei family’s arrival.
"Are you a sent-down youth assigned to our village?" Wang Xiumei’s chatterbox tendencies kicked in. "Where are you from?"
"This is Sister Shen, a sent-down youth from the capital," Wang Xiumei added, introducing Shen Nanchu.
Now that she was closer, Jiang Shuyi studied Shen Nanchu, feeling an odd sense of familiarity.
"Sister Shen, have we met before?"
"No."
Shen Nanchu shook her head, her lowered lashes hiding the gleam in her eyes.
In her past life, Jiang Shuyi had seen the original Shen Nanchu once—trailing behind Pei Zhengnian. But back then, illness had ravaged the woman’s appearance.
Moreover, since Shen Nanchu’s transmigration, her aura had elevated beyond recognition.
So it was no surprise Jiang Shuyi didn’t recognize her.
The female lead didn’t know who she was?
A perfect plan to harvest dislike points bloomed in Shen Nanchu’s mind.
Just imagine—once Jiang Shuyi grew close to her, only to discover the male lead was already hers.
The sheer disgust would be priceless.
Shen Nanchu curved her lips into a friendly smile.
"Sister Jiang, you look familiar too—as beautiful as my own sister."
What woman didn’t enjoy praise?
Jiang Shuyi was no exception. "Really? I’ve been traveling for days, my skin’s gotten so rough from the sun."
"What? No way! Your skin still looks so smooth and delicate." Shen Nanchu lied without blinking.
Wang Xiumei’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Smooth and delicate? That description fit Shen Nanchu herself, not Jiang Shuyi, whose sunburnt skin was peeling, pores gaping like needle holes.
"Sister Jiang, do you use snow cream? I’ve been using it every day, but it doesn’t work for me!" Shen Nanchu feigned envy.
System: Who was it that casually gave away hundreds-worth of Estée Lauder?
Jiang Shuyi preened. "Little sister, I never use snow cream. This is just my natural complexion."
Shen Nanchu: "…"
That line sounded familiar.
The boomerang had come back to hit her.
Throughout the ride, Shen Nanchu sprinkled Jiang Shuyi with compliments—regardless of their truth—and Jiang Shuyi lapped it all up.
By the time the bus reached Yongxiu County, Shen Nanchu had successfully bound Wang Xiumei and Jiang Shuyi into a little trio.
Wang Xiumei, a native of Wang Family Village, had been visiting relatives in Daliao City.
With her guidance, Shen Nanchu and Jiang Shuyi avoided many hassles.
"Yongxiu County’s here. We’ll transfer to another bus for Ning’an Town soon."
Wang Xiumei retrieved her luggage from the overhead rack. Strong-armed, she carried one large bag and two smaller ones effortlessly.
Jiang Shuyi, however, struggled with two oversized suitcases stuffed to the brim, plus a bulging backpack.
Shen Nanchu, with just one small suitcase, had the lightest load.
Wang Xiumei, fond of delicate Shen Nanchu, took her luggage too.
Noticing Jiang Shuyi’s struggle, Shen Nanchu’s eyes glinted mischievously.
"Sister Jiang, let me help you with some of that!"
"Oh, thank you so much!"
The moment Jiang Shuyi spoke—clang!
Shen Nanchu stood empty-handed, her face flushing red.
"Sister Jiang, I’m so sorry."
"My arms are too weak… I couldn’t even help you!"
…
