After the Strategy Failed, the Heroine Turned into a Crematorium (GL, ABO) - Chapter 2

“I’m not her.”

After saying these words, Bian You stared directly at Qi Zhi’e, as if trying to convey the sincerity in her eyes.

Yet, Qi Zhi’e remained expressionless upon hearing this, even finding it somewhat laughable.

Was this Bian You’s way of trying to escape the future plot?

Qi Zhi’e lowered her gaze, masking the cold ruthlessness in her eyes. If she herself had been reborn, wasn’t it possible that Bian You had also returned?

What she hadn’t expected was how drastically Bian You’s attitude had shifted.

Where was even a trace of the hostility that had once radiated from her?

Qi Zhi’e touched her scent gland, there was no longer the violent, frenzied sensation from last night.

How absurd. She never imagined she’d be the one to pull Bian You back when she had been the one trying to leave.

But what choice did she have?

Qi Zhi’e’s heart turned cold. In her past life, she had resisted fiercely, and Bian You had never succeeded.

Yet what had been the consequence?

The aftermath of the drugs, combined with her unrelieved heat cycle, had left her with severe hormonal disorder!

She lifted her eyes, icy and indifferent, and said coldly, “You’ve gotten what you wanted. Can you leave now?”

“I…”

Bian You faltered under her gaze. Even if she wanted to take responsibility, Qi Zhi’e clearly wanted nothing to do with her and didn’t believe a word she said.

Under that increasingly frigid stare, Bian You sighed inwardly. In the end, she got out of bed, dressed awkwardly, wiped her hands with a few tissues, and left.

Still in the room, Qi Zhi’e glanced indifferently at the discarded tissues in the trash before turning her gaze emptily toward the ceiling.

Leaving the hotel, Bian You smacked her own face in frustration.

What a mess this was!

Following the address from the original host’s records provided by the system, Bian You returned to the original host’s home. The entire estate was quiet and desolate. Even after entering the main building, there was no sound just a few servants moving silently about their tasks, with no one else in sight.

The original host’s two mothers seemed to be absent.

Bian You relaxed slightly. The first thing she did upon entering the original host’s room was take a shower.

She had a bit of a cleanliness obsession, and wearing clothes without washing first had been unbearable.

Staring at her reflection in the mirror, Bian You reached out dazedly, her fingertips pressing against the cold glass before she suddenly snapped back to reality.

This face… was identical to her own.

Except now, it was smooth and flawless, without a single scar. Her original face, after that horrific car accident, must have been beyond recognition.

Her features were sharper than those of most Asians, with a high nose bridge that added a touch of severity. When she frowned, her unapproachable aura was unmistakable.

Though the events of the past two days had been exhausting, Bian You forced a smile at her reflection, making her expression appear more lively.

Since she’d been given a second chance, she was determined to live well.

Only when she sank into the bathtub did Bian You finally have time to think about the system.

However, to her surprise, no matter how many times she called out to the system, there was no response. Instead, the system control panel opened before her.

Bian You stared at the panel in astonishment. The main storyline mission was to win over Qi Zhi’e, but not only was the task progress at 0%, there was also a small note in parentheses that nearly broke her defenses:

(Don’t assume it’s actually 0, it’s just that the target’s level of disgust toward you is beyond measure.)

Bian You felt her heart sink as she read those words. After a brief moment of melancholy, she noticed a letter the system had left for her.

System:

From now on, you’ll have to complete the tasks on your own. My energy hasn’t fully recovered, so I’ll be entering a dormant state. Only basic functions are available for now—make good use of them if needed.

Also, the original owner left you a video message. You can take a look.

[Bian You_A170036.MP4]

Bian You paused for a moment before opening the video.

A holographic projection instantly appeared before her. As she looked at the woman in front of her, Bian You couldn’t help but wonder why she had left this message. Did she already know her body would be taken over?

Even through the projection, the woman’s deep exhaustion was palpable.

Original Owner: “By the time you see this, I’ll have completely vanished from this world. The truth is, I’ve already died once. Only after death did I realize I was just a character in a book.”

“But none of that matters anymore. Living was exhausting, especially when I didn’t even know why I was alive.”

“Please tell Qi Zhi’e I’m sorry. I loved her, but I never knew how to love someone properly. No one ever taught me how to love, and my extremes only brought suffering.”

“I don’t know who you are or what kind of person you are, but I still want to beg you, don’t hurt Qi Zhi’e. She has already suffered enough.”

At this point, the woman’s voice noticeably trembled.

Bian You took a deep breath, feeling an ache in her chest as she watched.

The original owner steadied herself, her voice growing even hoarser.

“One last thing, be careful in your daily life. I always felt like someone was watching me from the shadows, but no matter what I did, I could never find out who.”

“If you ever get the chance, I hope you can uncover those eyes.”

The suppressed hatred in her gritted words made Bian You believe that if she hadn’t already ceased to exist, she would have dragged those eyes out and crushed them to dust.

Yet after hearing her words, Bian You also felt a chill run down her spine.

Someone had been watching the original owner from the shadows all along?

Why?

Could it be this world’s so-called “Heavenly Will”?

Does something like that really exist?

The thought of being watched sent a shiver down her spine.

Now that she was in the original owner’s body… would those eyes turn to her?

And…

Bian You’s expression turned strange. From the sound of it, the original owner had already lived through a past life?

Recalling the weariness in her demeanor, perhaps that was why she hadn’t wanted to live again.

Placing a hand over her heart, she could still feel the lingering sorrow for the original owner, and for Qi Zhi’e.

Thinking of the original owner’s plea, Bian You got up and dried herself, gazing at the reflection in the mirror.

“You don’t need to tell me, I wouldn’t harm her either.”

She had no reason to hurt Qi Zhi’e.

Having already read the original story in her mind, she felt even more pity for Qi Zhi’e.

Not to mention what had happened in last night’s haze.

What surprised her was that shortly after leaving the bathroom, a servant knocked on her door, saying the madam wanted to see her.

Bian You froze for a moment, realizing this “madam” was the original owner’s Alpha mother.

The original owner’s two mothers had a marriage of convenience, devoid of any affection. After giving birth, they considered their duty done, living separately for years with little emotional attachment to their child.

“Alright, I understand.”

Bian You responded, pondering the reason for the summons as she changed clothes.

Without the original owner’s memories, she had no idea how their mother-daughter relationship functioned.

But since she was here, she might as well adapt. After dressing, she steadied herself and headed downstairs to the hall, where she immediately spotted Bian Lian sitting with an icy expression.

An oppressive, frosty aura surrounded her. Hearing footsteps, Bian Lian turned, her eyes blazing with fury.

Though nearly fifty, Bian Lian looked no older than her thirties.

Yet… they hardly resembled mother and daughter.

Suppressing her thoughts, Bian You called out “Mom” and moved to sit across from her.

“Kneel!”

The sharp command made Bian You’s heart clench instinctively.

She raised her eyes, brows slightly furrowed. She hadn’t expected such hostility from Bian Lian, nor did she know what had provoked such anger.

Hesitating whether to comply, she noticed Bian Lian’s rage intensifying. With a quiet sigh, she knelt gracefully, back straight.

Her gaze rested calmly on the carpet, tracing its intricate patterns.

This kneel would serve as apology for occupying her daughter’s body.

Bian You’s indifferent expression only fueled Bian Lian’s fury, making her think her daughter remained unrepentant.

“Bian You, do you think you’ve grown wings and can fly on your own now?”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

Her voice remained even, betraying no emotion.

“Don’t play dumb! You gave away the project we worked so hard to secure! Remember, I still run this conglomerate, it’s not yours yet!”

Bian Lian slammed the coffee table violently, sending servants scattering from the confrontation.

Bian You looked up, observing how rage distorted Bian Lian’s handsome features.

Recalling the original plot, she began to understand the outburst.

To win Qi Zhi’e, the original owner had struck a deal with Qi’s uncle, handing over a crucial development project to the Qi family.

This project was key to the Bian family’s real estate expansion, no wonder Bian Lian was livid.

After understanding the reason for Bian Lian’s anger, Bian You thought for a moment and said, “That piece of land, who knows when it will actually be developed? Selling it now is better than letting it become a liability.”

If she remembered correctly, the land originally intended for the newest commercial district would soon uncover an ancient burial site during early construction, one with immense archaeological value. The government would directly take over the project, and any development plans would be postponed indefinitely.

Hearing her words, Bian Lian’s expression shifted slightly as she eyed Bian You with suspicion, still unconvinced.

She hadn’t heard any negative rumors herself, how could Bian You be so certain?

Bian You understood her doubt but simply said, “You’ll see within a month at most.”

Although Qi Zhi’e’s father held the majority shares in the Qi Group, he rarely involved himself in management. The company was run by his uncle, a man obsessed with quick success. Having long coveted that land, he would undoubtedly push for immediate development now that it was acquired.

Watching Bian Lian leave, Bian You sighed deeply.

Perhaps they truly weren’t close, Bian Lian hadn’t noticed anything unusual about her at all.

While she felt some pity for the original host, their obliviousness worked in her favor.

Recalling how the original story had the host confine Qi Zhi’e while the Qi family falsely claimed she was missing without making any real effort to find her, Bian You’s expression darkened.

With Qi Zhi’e’s parents uninvolved and her growing influence threatening her uncle’s position, Qi Zhi’e’s circumstances within the Qi family were precarious.

Remembering how coldly Qi Zhi’e had treated her that morning, Bian You’s face showed a trace of bitterness.

She clearly wanted nothing to do with her.