I Was Just a Scumbag Extra, But She Loved Me Anyway [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 31

Su Chenli’s consciousness was pulled out of the small world as the system’s countdown ended, and once again, she returned to the vast, empty plane of consciousness.

Faced with the endless white void, Su Chenli ignored everything else. She stood in place, frantically searching for the system. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her face as she demanded, “So, Xie Xunyu is actually Jiang Youning, isn’t she?! All that talk about restarting the world line and changing the mission—those were just lies, weren’t they?! She was always right beside me, and you just didn’t tell me. Isn’t that right?!”

After finally reuniting, they had only mere seconds together.

Su Chenli hadn’t even gotten a proper look at Xie Xunyu. If she had known earlier that Xie Xunyu was Jiang Youning… if only she had realized sooner, she would never have rushed to push the storyline forward.

She had personally cut short the time she could’ve spent with her beloved. She had missed the chance to recognize her and be with her. How was she supposed to accept that?

Even the system seemed startled and stammered in a panic:
[N-no, really, this wasn’t something I planned, Host! The original work never mentioned what Xie Xunyu’s pheromones smelled like. I had no idea they would match the devoted female character from the previous world. I truly thought the only way to see Jiang Youning again was to restart the world line… This—this development isn’t supposed to happen…]

But Su Chenli wasn’t listening. Her heart was consumed with sorrow and regret at having missed Jiang Youning.

[This is so strange,] the system muttered anxiously, confused. **[Characters aren’t supposed to be able to leave the small worlds. Normally, they’re bound by the constraints of their storylines… No, I need to check the manual. What kind of character could be this unusual…?

Ah, found it! Host! I figured it out!]**

But the system’s excitement received no response. When it looked over, it saw Su Chenli half-kneeling on the ground, tears silently falling from her eyes. Growing desperate, the system raised its volume:

[Host! Host, please don’t be so sad just yet! Don’t you want to know how to reunite with the devoted female lead?]

Su Chenli flinched slightly, processing the words. After a moment, she asked in disbelief, “You mean… I can still see her again?”

[Exactly! I just checked—characters can’t leave small worlds unless they’ve awakened. If a character has awakened and their wish is to see you again, then it’s entirely possible that Xie Xunyu is Jiang Youning.]

Su Chenli whispered, “You mean… the beautiful lady wanted to see me too?”

[Of course! Why else would she appear right next to you?]

Su Chenli paused. She slowly raised a hand to cover her eyes and bowed her head, letting her long hair hide her face as tears began to fall again.

The system went quiet for a moment, then spoke in a softer, more sympathetic tone:
**[So really, as long as you continue your tasks and enter the next world in time, there’s a chance you might see the devoted female lead again.

After all, in the second world, neither of you recognized each other, and nothing happened between you. Most people, when making wishes, would want to be together forever—who would be satisfied with just one brief meeting? And even if she doesn’t appear again, Host, don’t forget you can always save up points to see her.]**

“…You’re right.” Su Chenli stood in silence for a moment, then replied with a hoarse voice, “Even if I don’t see the beautiful lady in the next world, I can still accumulate points.”

For a brief while, the host and the system remained silent.

Eventually, Su Chenli couldn’t help but ask, “If she’s in the next world… what kind of identity would she have? Will she still be the devoted female lead?”

[Ah, well… Host, that question’s a bit beyond the syllabus. I honestly don’t know. I suppose you’ll have to explore and find out for yourself.]

“…Alright.” Su Chenli murmured. “If you don’t know, then just send me into the next world. I want to see for myself.”

[Understood! Confirmation received from Host.]

[Loading small world… Your new identity: a spoiled and brainless heiress known for causing trouble. Mission: Stick to the original plotline and make occasional appearances in this old-school melodrama. Once the two main characters achieve a happy ending, you may exit the small world.]

[Stability checks complete. Preparing to transfer Host’s consciousness.]

As the system broadcast its final message, a familiar wave of intense dizziness swept over Su Chenli.

Pain shot through her temples. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself lying down, staring at a gaudily decorated ceiling. Beneath her elbow was something soft and yielding.

Su Chenli froze for a second, then quickly rolled over and got up, realizing she had been lying on a large bed.

She sat in a daze for two seconds before immediately lifting the blanket to check underneath.

Fortunately, the space beneath the covers was empty, and her own clothes were still neatly on.

…Thank goodness the original host in this world wasn’t so wild that she’d wake up with someone already in bed beside her.

This was the third time now, and the system was still consistent in its chaotic style—the locations it sent her to were always this dramatic.

Su Chenli tugged at the slightly slipped fabric on her shoulder, then turned to examine her surroundings, stepping off the bed barefoot.

The carpet beneath her feet was incredibly soft. It looked familiar—like the handwoven rugs from somewhere not quite Persia, not quite Italy, that her mother had used to cover every room in their house. The sensation against her skin was pleasantly luxurious.

The room was extravagantly furnished. Besides the full-wall carpeting, modern, artistically designed furniture stood alongside antique decor. The door to a side room stood ajar, and through it, Su Chenli could see a wall lined entirely with handbags. Beyond that was another unopened door, its contents hidden from view—probably either a walk-in closet or a room for displaying collectibles.

Su Chenli didn’t bother trying to count how many expensive things were in the room. Judging by the decor, it was safe to assume this was the original host’s territory.

After waiting a while and seeing no one come in, she decided to step out and take a look around.

She still didn’t know what the current situation was. At the very least, she needed to interact with some NPCs to get a feel for this world. After that… she could start thinking about finding the beautiful lady.

This time, she wouldn’t rush things. No matter where the beautiful lady was or what role she played, Su Chenli would find her. She wouldn’t stop until she had exhausted every possibility.

With that in mind, Su Chenli reached out and twisted open the bedroom door. A faint scent of cedar incense drifted in from the hallway—a cool, calming fragrance that sharpened her focus.

The hallway’s decor matched the tone of the bedroom, though the overall ambiance was slightly darker. Wall sconces cast a soft glow, illuminating the intricate details of the woodwork and paneling.

Su Chenli glanced down both ends of the corridor and was stunned by its sheer size.

…Just how big was this villa? Had they started building up their family fortune a hundred years ago?

“B-Beautiful lady?!”

“…What nonsense are you spouting now?” Pei Nanxu, standing in front of Su Chenli, lightly furrowed her brows. Her voice remained calm and aloof, but her words sent a jolt through Su Chenli’s heart.
“You went out partying again and drank too much—mistaking people already?”

Su Chenli’s eyes widened in shock. “What? I didn’t—”

She instinctively tried to argue, but as she caught the direction of Pei Nanxu’s gaze, she glanced down at what she was wearing.

…Admittedly, it wasn’t a very proper look. It did make her appear as though she’d just come home after a wild night out and collapsed straight into bed.

“But I really didn’t—”

“There’s no need to explain,” Pei Nanxu interrupted flatly. “I don’t care. In any case, President Su ordered you to be grounded, and the time isn’t up yet. Why are you out of your room?”

Grounded? President Su? Su Chenli couldn’t be bothered to care about any of that right now. Acting like she hadn’t heard a thing Pei Nanxu said, she blocked her path in panic and desperation.

“Beautiful lady, don’t you recognize me? It’s me!”

Pei Nanxu frowned, glancing at Su Chenli with distant indifference.
“What are you playing at this time?”

Su Chenli faltered. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. She wanted to explain, yet didn’t know where to start. She could only stare at Pei Nanxu, visibly upset.

Seeing her expression, Pei Nanxu looked away momentarily. When her gaze returned, her face was just as cold.
“Don’t act pitiful. You’ve used that tactic far too many times. Get back inside, now. Otherwise, I’ll report this to President Su. Be careful, or your supplementary credit card limit will be reduced again.”

Su Chenli tried to argue, “I didn’t… I just wanted to—”

[HOST!!!]

The system finally came online—one step too late—and was immediately so shocked by the scene that its voice erupted in a high-pitched screech:

[Stop talking right now, aaahhh!! Host, did you forget?! The world line imposes restrictions on OOC behavior! Please don’t do anything that wildly breaks character! If you disrupt the storyline too much, you’ll be erased! And not just you—there’s a high chance the devoted female lead will be forced offline too!!]

At those words, Su Chenli’s hand, still clutching Pei Nanxu’s, froze.

Offline—did that mean erasure from the world?

If there was even a chance of hurting the beautiful lady…

She looked into Pei Nanxu’s serene and elegant eyes. Even if she was unwilling, she had no choice but to slowly let go of her hand. A sorrowful smile curled on her lips as she whispered, “I understand. I… wasn’t trying to cause trouble.”

Pei Nanxu regarded her in silence for a moment, then calmly looked away.
“If there’s nothing else, reflect on your actions. Go back.”

“…Alright.” Su Chenli stepped back quietly, making way for her.

To her surprise, Pei Nanxu didn’t move. She stood her ground, tilting her head slightly.
“Why are you still standing there?”

Su Chenli gave a bitter smile. “Must you really watch me go back in?”

Pei Nanxu answered plainly, “Yes.”

Su Chenli, who just wanted to look at her a little longer, was speechless. She lowered her head, finally giving in. Her chest tight with emotion, she stepped back to her bedroom door and turned the knob.
“I got it.”

Pei Nanxu said nothing more.

Even as the door closed, she remained standing there, watching Su Chenli.

The intricately carved door shut Pei Nanxu out of sight—shut everything out. Su Chenli stood in a daze for a moment. She took a deep breath, turned away, and said to the system:

“Alright. Start talking—what exactly is going on in this world?”

So, this really was an old-money family, huh?

As she stood there thinking, the steady sound of footsteps echoed from the stairwell behind her.

The click of leather soles against the polished floor rang out clearly. The person wasn’t walking fast, but their pace was firm and deliberate. A moment later, a clear yet cool-toned female voice called out:

“You’re wandering again. What are you doing this time?”

Su Chenli froze.

At the sudden sound of that voice, her heart skipped a beat. She whipped around, eyes wide with shock and disbelief—only to see a familiar face.

That face—cool, beautiful, with distant eyes and an undefinable sense of fragility. Perhaps it was because she wasn’t wearing makeup, but she looked even younger than in Su Chenli’s memories. She wore a simple white shirt and jeans, still carrying a faint scholarly aura that hadn’t quite faded.