After Backstabbing The Villain, The System Allowed Me To Enter The Book Again - Chapter 12

The mastermind behind the scenes was obvious. Her bright apricot eyes watched curiously as Shen Chumo struggled in the river, until the last bubble completely disappeared in the splash of white foam. Only then did she clap her hands lightly, pretending as if nothing had happened, and walked away.

【System: Please respect the story development and preserve character arcs.】

【Shen Huaixin: …】

Taking advantage of Saturday, Shen Huaixin went to the autumn trip location to inspect it in person. When she saw the river from the original story, she fell into thought.

Filling in the river? Not feasible in a natural scenic area.

Enhancing safety measures? Feasible.

Wasting no time, Shen Huaixin contacted the staff, shared her ideas, and offered to fund measures to ensure a safe sightseeing experience for visitors. She quickly received a response. She patted her empty wallet and felt the joy of doing charity.

The following Friday, under the guidance of the class teacher, Shen Huaixin followed the main group to the autumn trip location. After a brief ten-minute ride on the sightseeing bus, they were free to explore.

As usual, Shen Huaixin tried to secretly take photos of Su Zihan, but her actions were a bit obvious. Qi Yi, standing next to Su Zihan, noticed and gave her a slight sideways glance, his eyes warning her. Shen Huaixin knew it wasn’t right to violate someone’s privacy, so she took another photo—enemies could reconcile, but her character must remain intact.

Qi Yi’s expression hardened. He furrowed his brows, then gently sent Su Zihan away, and walked straight toward Shen Huaixin.

“Shen Huaixin, even if you want to photograph me, be more discreet.”

“Uh…?” Shen Huaixin blinked, quickly pulling up the photo to show him—a single youthful, beautiful girl stood in the frame.

Qi Yi leaned closer, zoomed in with his finger, and finally spotted the corner of his jacket. He tapped the screen, indicating the evidence.

“You never take front-facing photos, yet always capture my unguarded movements, side profile, or distant shots,” the boy said, calm and confident. “You said you liked life-like shots—I understand now.”

Shen Huaixin inhaled sharply, realizing for the first time that Qi Yi could be quite humorous. “I mean… is it possible that the person I was photographing is actually someone else?”

“Who would that be?”

“Maybe Su Zihan?”

Qi Yi shook his head. “Shen Huaixin, even if you lie, choose your targets carefully. I’m not that easily fooled.”

He remembered clearly that after receiving love letters from other girls, those girls had been forced to leave school. If not for Su Zihan having his protection, she might have suffered the same fate.

Shen Huaixin couldn’t help but smile, then quickly restrained it. “Okay, whatever you think looks good.”

“…” Qi Yi glanced at her sideways. “Your backup singers are here, so I won’t disturb you.”

“Qi Yi, wait.” Shen Huaixin called after him.

He stopped. “What is it?”

“About the photos… can you not tell Su Zihan?” She hesitated, then offered an excuse. “I won’t interfere with you guys. I’m just a photography enthusiast.”

“…”

Qi Yi was momentarily speechless. Proud as Shen Huaixin was, she humbled herself in this way—pretending to love photography while secretly taking candid shots of him and another girl, worried it might affect their relationship, and even asked him to keep it secret. Loving someone more than oneself—he had never experienced this feeling before.

In the end, he said nothing, only nodding slightly, somewhat burdened.

The boy’s heart softened more than usual. After a moment of thought, he took a small pendant from his bag. Originally meant for Su Zihan, he decided Shen Huaixin’s bag needed a decoration.

“Wow, it’s beautiful! Thank you!” Shen Huaixin’s eyes lit up. Polite and grateful, she said, “Really too kind. Next time, I’ll treat you to a meal.”

Qi Yi quickly refused, worried she might take advantage of his momentary softness.

Hearing that, Shen Huaixin didn’t insist further, respecting the boundaries—after all, the male lead belonged to the female lead. Despite her numerous past misdeeds, Qi Yi’s lack of grudges proved he was worth befriending.

She hung the small pendant on her bag. The circular jade piece carried a faint fragrance, exuding understated luxury. Once attached, this inconspicuous charm seemed to symbolize the bond of friendship; she felt an unspoken increase in understanding with Qi Yi.

Being generous with others’ efforts, Shen Huaixin gave full emotional value in return. She put on the conscientious act of a worker, praising Qi Yi enthusiastically.

Qi Yi, though intelligent, lacked social experience and didn’t know how to respond, secretly glancing toward Fang Xiaozheng and hoping they would soon come to rescue him.

The three girls had moved further away, pretending to chat, hands behind their backs, pretending to enjoy the scenery, unaware that right in front of them was a public restroom.

…As always, they knew how to read the leader’s cues.

Qi Yi, helpless, rubbed his nose, waiting until Shen Huaixin ran out of words before politely speaking. “I’ll go first.”

Shen Huaixin nodded and waved goodbye.

After Qi Yi left, Fang Xiaozheng approached, observing Shen Huaixin’s expression with a teasing glint in her eyes.

Seeing their mischievous expressions, Shen Huaixin knew what they were thinking and shrugged to Fang Xiaozheng. “Hand over the homework first.”

Fang Xiaozheng handed the lunch box into Shen Huaixin’s hands and persistently asked, “What were you talking about just now? I noticed he seems gentler toward you…”

“I told you, Sister Xin is naturally beautiful—he can’t resist her.” The twin-tail girl snickered proudly.

“I think so too.” The doll-faced girl quickly agreed.

Shen Huaixin smiled. “Nothing special, just chatted a little. But you guys, walking so slowly, made me have to make awkward conversation.”

“Not awkward conversation, right?” Fang Xiaozheng raised her eyebrows.

The twin-tail girl covered her mouth to hide a laugh. “I saw Qi Yi hand something to Sister Xin. Was it a gift? Nice, Sister Xin, keep it up!”

“I agree.” Doll-faced nodded.

Shen Huaixin shook her head, opening her lunch box to find vegetables, egg shrimp, pearl rice balls, and fried pork cutlets, all neatly prepared.

“Impressive,” she praised. “Xiaozheng, you could open a restaurant.”

Fang Xiaozheng gave a bittersweet yet satisfied smile. After daily practice, even without innate talent, she had gained some skill.

Shen Huaixin suddenly remembered. “By the way, I had you cook a few times but didn’t eat it. How did you deal with it?”

Fang Xiaozheng thought: it wasn’t “a few times,” it was “every time.” Eventually, she got used to it and treated it as if she were cooking for her mother’s taste.

“I gave it to my mom. She worked late, so it served as a late-night snack and could be eaten the next day,” she answered.

This also had its merits, Fang Xiaozheng thought. Although she initially complained, seeing her mother enjoy her cooking and praise her skills brought her a sense of satisfaction. Even when her mother said she wasn’t hungry and not to bother, she insisted and enjoyed that nightly bonding time.

This gave them a rare chance to chat leisurely, bringing them closer. Though she still felt her mother’s work was tiring and poorly paid, the person who treated her most sincerely was her mother.

Shen Huaixin nodded subtly, secretly pleased.

“So envious. When will Xiaozheng make me a meal too?” The twin-tail girl’s saliva practically flowed.

“Who says you don’t have one?” Fang Xiaozheng stood tall. “Everyone gets a portion, first come, first served.”

Immediately, the mischievous squad was filled with joy. Though it wasn’t mealtime yet, the sight of delicious food already whetted their appetites. They sat down, sharing their snacks with each other.

Shen Huaixin noticed that even with snacks, each had her own way. Fang Xiaozheng took some sparingly, as she had cooked the meal and brought fewer snacks; twin-tail had plenty, showing off both hers and others’; doll-faced mainly ate her own snacks, trying a few from others out of politeness.

Shen Huaixin had the most rare and expensive snacks, but as long as her friends were happy, that was enough. She nibbled some chocolate and propped her head on her hand, watching them enjoy their food.

A flower, a world; a leaf, a Bodhi. The world was far more real than Shen Huaixin imagined.

Feeling joyful, the doll-faced girl suggested a team-building cheer to strengthen their camaraderie.

…And thus came another socially embarrassing moment. Shen Huaixin froze, taking the center position, acting as the conspicuous one.

“Xin Xin girls, never part our hearts.”

Under the sun, the four girls struck their combined action pose, playful and silly. Amid the embrace of green hills and waters, they formed a unique landscape.

“Can’t open the bottle cap,” doll-faced struggled for a long time before handing it to twin-tail. “You’re stronger, try it.”

Twin-tail took it confidently. “If I can’t open this, watch me—”

Five minutes later.

Shen Huaixin raised her hand. “Want me to try? Your hand is all red.”

“Ha, who said?” Twin-tail stared fiercely at the bottle, muttering, “You little—”

“Wait, I have a way.” Fang Xiaozheng slapped her forehead.

All three looked at her. She put the bottle cap in hot water, waited 20 seconds, then twisted it hard. With a “hiss” of escaping gas, the cap opened.

“How did you do that, Xiaozheng?” Twin-tail looked in awe.

Handing the bottle to doll-faced, Fang Xiaozheng replied, “Thermal expansion and contraction—a simple principle.”

“Physics really works! Must study well,” doll-faced said, drinking the soda, relishing the bubbles.

“I actually learned it from Adventures with Lord Long,” Fang Xiaozheng added.

Shen Huaixin smiled, satisfied. She pulled out three protective charms. “Xiaozheng did well. Outdoor trips can be dangerous. You all should carry these.”

She handed them out seriously. Fang Xiaozheng accepted hers nonchalantly, shaking it in her pocket. Twin-tail spoke more straightforwardly,

“Outdoor trips dangerous? Come on, survival skills and charms—same as autumn trip, Sister Xin, you overreact. We’ve fought battles before. Even a wild boar passing by wouldn’t scare us.”

Shen Huaixin rolled her eyes. Still proud of herself, yet daring to comment.

“These are blessed charms from the abbot, very effective, one per person. Do you have your emergency food ready?”

The three responded with perfunctory “Yes, yes, yes,” like handling a leader.

“Sister Xin—“

Not far away, Shen Chumo waved at her, running lightly. With his backpack, his steps were light and energetic, like a newborn foal, initially awkward, then increasingly graceful—reminding Shen Huaixin of the famous movie scene where the male lead runs off, kicking his braces, heading to the horizon.

“How did he get here?” Doll-faced stared, cautiously glancing at Shen Huaixin, afraid she’d be displeased.

Shen Huaixin suppressed her smile, sighed.

The plot that had to unfold still would. She turned her gaze past the red-and-yellow interwoven trees and lush grass, landing on the river above. Her previous good mood gradually faded, replaced by an indescribable guilt.

“You guys go play first. I need to properly attend to… my dear younger brother,” Shen Huaixin said softly, with an expressionless face, her tone carrying a subtle kindness mixed with sternness.