Secretly Seducing the Third Female Lead Behind the System’s Back - Chapter 63

Chapter 63: The World of Qisheng

Jiang Yisheng looked closely— the vendor’s beard had vanished. He was actually her real-world neighbor.

“Uncle Li?” Jiang Yisheng furrowed her brows in surprise.

The vendor gave her a glance but continued sketching on the drawing pad.

“You ended up in this novel world too?” Jiang Yisheng’s voice was filled with urgency. Just thinking about Bai Chu suddenly disappearing made her feel as if her heart had been hollowed out. “Where’s Bai Chu? Am I still in the novel or back in the real world?”

“We haven’t returned yet. This is still the novel world as you understand it.”

“As I understand it?” Jiang Yisheng frowned, confused.

“Child, you were never meant to be here,” the vendor said with a sigh as he picked up a different paintbrush.

“I fell asleep and woke up here,” Jiang Yisheng said.

“I came here the same way. This world has another name—it’s called the World of Qisheng.”

The vendor’s expression was calm. From time to time, he glanced in Jiang Yisheng’s direction before focusing back on his sketchpad.

“You can only come here three times. Each visit lasts one night in the real world, but here, it feels like a whole year.”

“Only those with suicidal thoughts can arrive here,” the vendor set down his brush and looked at her seriously. “That’s why I said you weren’t supposed to come.”

“Suicidal?” Jiang Yisheng was stunned, her eyes wide.

“Everyone here is from the real world. They were brought into this place because they wanted to die—to be persuaded otherwise. If, after three times, they still want to die, then no one can stop them. But if they find a reason to live here, they should return and live well.”

“Then what does this have to do with the novel?” Jiang Yisheng still didn’t understand.

“It’s simple. If you find meaning in life here and learn to love yourself, then you become the main character of your own story. By loving yourself, you save the part of you that wanted to die.

“But if you don’t love yourself, you’ll remain a side character—just a backdrop for others. Once the three chances are up, the suicidal thoughts take root and become irreversible.”

“Sigh… what a shame. I don’t want to live or die. I just want to stay in this world forever,” the vendor suddenly looked down and gave a bitter laugh. “But that young guy in charge told me, no one can stay in this world forever.”

“I admit it—I’m running away. Running from the hardship of living alone, and terrified that if I die, there’ll be nothing left—not even the chance to see my wife and daughter again. I’ve never really known where I should go or what my purpose is.” As he spoke, his eyes turned to the distant sunset. The light reflected in his eyes, but it couldn’t brighten the chaos within.

Jiang Yisheng remembered that Uncle Li’s wife and daughter had passed away two years ago. Back then, he had calmly handled all the funeral arrangements and still went on his daily walks in the park like nothing happened. She had assumed he had come to terms with life and death—but it turned out, he too had been lost and helpless.

She frowned, heart aching for Uncle Li, but her thoughts quickly turned to Bai Chu.

“Is Bai Chu one of those people too?” The moment she had the thought, her heart began to hurt.

“Everyone who comes here is,” the vendor replied.

Jiang Yisheng lowered her eyes, biting her bottom lip. “Which time is this for her?”

A voice, different from Uncle Li’s, suddenly sounded: “The last time.”

Jiang Yisheng looked up, recognizing it was the system speaking to her.

Her eyes instantly reddened, filled with anger. “Aren’t there supposed to be three chances? Why did you give her such a painful life? Why do you keep making things so hard for her?”

The moment she thought of everything Bai Chu had gone through, her heart ached even more, and she couldn’t help but feel deeply indignant on her behalf.

“These were all her own choices. It has nothing to do with me,” the system said, its tone so calm it was chilling.

“In this world, people’s origins and identities are illusions conjured from their subconscious. The environments they live in are either their long-cherished dreams or their persistent nightmares. And she… always appears in her nightmares.”

“All her pain in this world stems from her own subconscious. In other words, she can’t forgive herself.”

“When the three chances are used up, and if she still hasn’t become the main character, she will…” Jiang Yisheng couldn’t finish the sentence.

“Die,” the system said coldly.

Jiang Yisheng’s brows twitched heavily, as if a sword wrapped in thorns had pierced her heart.

“But we’ve detected,” the system suddenly added, “that this time, she has begun to show a desire to live.”

Jiang Yisheng’s eyes lit up instantly, but before she could say anything, the system continued: “However, she only has three months left in this final cycle.”

“Three months?” Jiang Yisheng lowered her eyes, her hands instinctively tightening into fists.

Then a thought struck her, and she hesitantly asked, “Did I come here because I wanted to die too? I don’t think I’ve ever had suicidal thoughts…”

The system was silent for two seconds before replying, “Yes.”

“Your outward optimism hides your deeper truth. But it’s okay—congratulations once again on becoming the main character.” The system’s tone finally softened, showing a trace of warmth.

But Jiang Yisheng wasn’t happy at all. Her only concern was Bai Chu. “That means I’ll be leaving Bai Chu behind, doesn’t it?”

“According to the rules, once you become the main character, you’re allowed to leave. But if you choose to stay for someone else’s sake, the longest you can remain is one month.”

“Only one month?” Jiang Yisheng was clearly dissatisfied with this answer.

“Yes. After one month, no matter what happens to Bai Chu, you will return to the real world.”

“If we both go back to the real world, will Bai Chu and I still remember each other?” she asked.

“Not necessarily. Those who don’t become main characters will lose all memories of this world when they return. Only those who become protagonists have the possibility of remembering.

But it’s just a possibility,” the system clarified.

“Can’t you bend the rules and let me stay with her a bit longer?” Jiang Yisheng tried to bargain.

“To save others, you must first save yourself. I’m powerless,” the system said.

As its voice faded, a salty sea breeze swept by.

When Jiang Yisheng looked up again, she was still sitting beside Bai Chu, leaning against her as they waited for the vendor to finish the portrait.

The vendor’s thick beard had returned, as if the earlier conversation had never happened.

Bai Chu noticed how cold Jiang Yisheng’s hands had gotten and cupped them in her own. “Are you getting chilly?”

Jiang Yisheng tightened her grip, holding Bai Chu’s hand even tighter.

“All done. Have a look,” the vendor said, setting his brush down, clearly satisfied with the sketch on the easel.

Bai Chu turned to Jiang Yisheng—only to see tears trailing down the corners of her eyes.

“Why are you crying?” she asked gently.

Bai Chu lifted her hand to wipe away the tears, her brows furrowed with concern.