The Green Tea Supporting Girl Is Still Playing Her Role Today (GL) - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Summer brings frequent showers, and the weather changes in an instant. One moment, dark clouds roll in, covering the entire city in gloom, and the next, large raindrops crash to the ground, leaving no time for preparation and making many people look disheveled.

When Wen Pinghan left the Wen family, she slammed the door shut, cutting off her so-called family.

From today onward, she had nothing to do with them.

The rain was heavy, and an umbrella was barely useful. Water drifted under it, soon soaking most of her body.

Traffic jammed the road. She walked with her head down, unable to tell if the drops rolling down her face were tears or rain. She wiped them away with a swipe.

Suddenly, rapid footsteps came from behind. Someone yanked her back forcefully, causing a slight pain in her arm. Then, a car horn blared, followed by the driver’s cursing: “Are you blind? Can’t you walk properly? Who’s responsible if something happens?”

Only then did Wen Pinghan realize she had crossed the street during the yellow light’s pause.

Cars sped by. She turned her head, looking at the man who had suddenly appeared and pulled her back, and thanked him.

“It’s fine. An umbrella can block your view. Be more careful next time.” The man was handsome, with an expensive watch on his wrist.

But Wen Pinghan had no interest in noticing such things. She nodded and prepared to leave, only to be stopped by the man.

“It’s pouring. Are you okay to head back alone in this state?”

*

At that moment, on the second floor of a coffee shop by the road, a strikingly beautiful woman sat elegantly on a sofa, watching the scene intently. She sipped her coffee twice, and when she saw the two start talking, she gave a silent smile.

“Is this the first meeting of the male and female leads?” Xie Zhifei asked.

[Yes, male lead Gu Zhizhang, female lead Wen Pinghan.]

The response came from a mechanical voice, unheard by others, existing only in her mind. This thing, calling itself a system, had appeared the moment she opened her eyes.

She had been diligently working overtime when she suddenly died at her desk—truly a case of working herself to death.

When she opened her eyes again, she found herself transmigrated into a novel, inhabiting the body of a supporting female character with the same name and face as her. A system had inexplicably appeared in her mind.

According to the system, the novel she’d entered was an old-school, melodramatic romance about a wealthy family. The female lead was a self-reliant, resilient underdog with an unfortunate family background. She meets the domineering male lead, and after much struggle, they get together—only to face opposition from his mother and workplace challenges. Throughout, she’s constantly targeted by several female supporting characters.

The male lead, typically tight-lipped, never explains misunderstandings, leaving the female lead to endure alone through humiliation, suppression, false accusations, and confusion. In the end, the male lead loses a leg in a car accident, and after a dramatic display of suffering, he wins her back.

[The story’s final rating was too low, and the plot has numerous bugs. A tasker has been chosen to replace a key supporting character to adapt and fix the plot.]

“And I’m that key supporting character?”

System: [Yes, you’re the female supporting character with the most screen time. You’re childhood friends with the male lead and have loved him since you were young. Smarter than other women, you use his treatment of you as a little sister to boldly stay by his side and drive other women away.]

Xie Zhifei was furious upon learning she was a hated supporting character.

Not because she minded being a side character, but because this character’s ending was quite tragic. Constantly opposing the female lead, she ends up in jail for embezzlement, abandoned by everyone.

Despite having youth and resources, she was the epitome of squandering a good hand.

[Your task is to maintain the original character’s manipulative persona. I’ll adjust the story’s bugs based on your progress.]

“That’s odd. Why should I listen to you?”

[You can refuse, but we’ll replace you with another host.]

“And what happens to me?”

[You return to your original world.]

“But in my original world, I’m already dead!”

[So?]

“Just tell me what to do!” Xie Zhifei was used to being a humble worker. This was just a change of workplace.

“But why choose me for this task?”

[Because you died at your job, devoted your life to work, and had no romantic entanglements. You’re perfect for our needs—a ruthless but dedicated tasker.]

Xie Zhifei: “…”

Was that love for work? Was that ruthlessness? It was work stealing all her time!

[Per key plot points, you must interfere when the male and female leads meet. Remember, your manipulative persona must hold.]

“Got it.”

The rain showed no signs of stopping. Xie Zhifei gracefully left the coffee shop, opened her umbrella, and headed toward the intersection. Spotting the two figures, she smiled slightly, tossed her umbrella aside, and ran over in her high heels: “Brother~”

Hearing the familiar voice, Gu Zhizhang turned, surprised. “Zhifei, what are you doing here?”

“I was shopping nearby and saw you.” Xie Zhifei squeezed under his umbrella.

Clearly, one umbrella couldn’t cover three people. Wen Pinghan, noticing their familiarity, stepped out tactfully.

Xie Zhifei glanced at her, eyes flickering. As expected of the female lead—flawless beauty, bright eyes, red lips, white teeth, refined and ethereal. Rain slid down her smooth forehead, wetting her thick lashes, making her lips appear even redder and moist. Standing alone in the rain, her pitiful appearance could tug at anyone’s heart.

“Who’s this?” Though she knew her identity, Xie Zhifei feigned ignorance and asked Gu Zhizhang.

Gu Zhizhang didn’t know either and looked at Wen Pinghan for an answer.

Not wanting to linger, Wen Pinghan quickly said, “Wen Pinghan,” and turned to leave.

But someone chased after her.

“It’s pouring. Let me drive you home?” Gu Zhizhang offered.

“No need, I live nearby,” Wen Pinghan said, making an excuse.

Without the umbrella’s cover, Xie Zhifei rolled her eyes at Gu Zhizhang’s back, then heard the system’s prompt: [Remember, keep the manipulative persona.]

“I know!”

Answering the system in her mind, Xie Zhifei stepped forward, pitifully saying, “It’s raining so hard, I’m soaked. Can I borrow your place to shower?”

Gu Zhizhang was about to respond when she added, “Sister.”

Gu Zhizhang: Huh??

Wen Pinghan realized Xie Zhifei was addressing her and frowned in confusion. “Are you talking to me?”

Xie Zhifei nodded, looking pitiful. “You live nearby, right? Is that okay, sister?”

Wen Pinghan: “.”

What now?

She was about to refuse when Xie Zhifei sneezed.

Wen Pinghan: “…”

Wen Pinghan: “Fine.”

She didn’t seem like a bad person, dressed tastefully, probably not after her meager belongings.

“Where’s your place? I’ll drive you both,” Gu Zhizhang finally reacted, opening his car door.

And so, having just cut ties with her troublesome family, Wen Pinghan brought two strangers home.

Her “home” was a rented one-bedroom apartment on the third ring, cozy and neatly arranged.

“Make yourselves at home,” Wen Pinghan said, grabbing two dry towels from the bathroom for their hair, then retreating to her bedroom.

Gu Zhizhang sat on the sofa, looking around, about to speak when someone nudged his arm.

“Brother, aren’t you leaving?” Xie Zhifei whispered.

Seeing her winking, Gu Zhizhang realized he was only there to drop them off, yet he hadn’t moved.

“I know, you want to get to know her,” Xie Zhifei raised an eyebrow, giving him a knowing look. “Leave it to me. I’m a girl, better suited to ask questions.”

Gu Zhizhang understood. Looking at his childhood friend—delicate, spoiled, arrogant to others but vulnerable with him, who’d blocked countless bad matches and now saw through his budding feelings, offering to help—was truly thoughtful.

“Then…”

“A strange man here isn’t appropriate. Trust me, I’ll make sure she remembers you.” Xie Zhifei winked.

“Alright, I’ll head out.” Gu Zhizhang said.

Wen Pinghan changed out of her wet clothes, emerging with another set. Seeing only the beautiful woman in the living room, she asked, “Your friend left?”

“Yeah, he had things to do and drove off.” Xie Zhifei smiled. “Sorry for the trouble.”

“It’s fine. Change into these so you don’t catch a cold.” Wen Pinghan led her to the bathroom, then went to the balcony. Rain drifted in before she reached the railing. This storm wasn’t stopping soon.

[Wait, why are you staying?] The system was confused.

“Why not? Should Gu Zhizhang stay? A man and woman alone—what would that look like?” Xie Zhifei replied while changing.

[…] It made sense, but something felt off.

[They’re the leads. Isn’t a man and woman alone normal? On this cold, rainy night, it’s perfect for building feelings.] The system voiced its doubt.

“Normal? What decent woman brings a man she’s known for minutes home, defenseless, and falls for him? Especially after cutting off her family.” Xie Zhifei hit the nail on the head. “Your plot was flawed from the start.”

System: […] Is that so?

The bathroom door opened. Wen Pinghan turned, seeing the woman in her plain T-shirt, which somehow looked expensive on her.

Her gaze lingered on Xie Zhifei’s refined face for a few seconds before subtly shifting away.

“Thanks,” Xie Zhifei smiled.

“You’re welcome.”

They fell silent. Xie Zhifei secretly studied the female lead, eyes full of curiosity, and introduced herself: “I’m Xie Zhifei.”

Wen Pinghan nodded.

“How old are you?” Xie Zhifei asked suddenly.

“Twenty-eight.”

“Where’re you from?”

“…” Wen Pinghan looked at her warily. “Are you checking my ID?”

“No, just curious.” Xie Zhifei grinned. “Doing a favor for someone.”

“?”

Soon, Xie Zhifei got a message from Gu Zhizhang: [Still there?]

[Yep. Her name’s Wen Pinghan, 28, birthplace and residence unknown, but I’ve successfully made her remember you ^-^]

Xie Zhifei typed quickly while Wen Pinghan stepped away to drink water.

Gu Zhizhang was surprised, even pleased: [How’d you do it?]

Xie Zhifei: [I told her you want to pursue her.]

Gu Zhizhang: [????]

Gu Zhizhang: [That sudden? I’m not ready! I just feel good about her, not chasing her yet!]

Xie Zhifei: [Get ready then. You’ll chase her eventually.]

Gu Zhizhang: […]

Gu Zhizhang: [Even if I like her now, didn’t you scare her off?]

[Brother, did I mess up again? Sobs I didn’t mean to, I just wanted you to be happy.] Xie Zhifei replied manipulatively.

Gu Zhizhang: [I’m not blaming you. I know you meant well. Thanks. So, what’d she say?]

Xie Zhifei: [She called me crazy.] And you too.

Gu Zhizhang: […]

“We’re strangers,” Wen Pinghan said after drinking, rubbing her face calmly. She stood before Xie Zhifei, brows furrowed, finding the situation absurd. Already irritated by family issues, she was now more frustrated. “He met me once. What does he like about me?”

Then she saw Xie Zhifei look up, a triumphant smile lingering, grinning ear to ear. “Who knows? Maybe he’s an idiot. Oh, forgot to mention, his name’s Gu Zhizhang.”

Wen Pinghan’s first thought: Someone’s actually named “idiot”?

The rain continued. Xie Zhifei, task complete, stood to leave, thanking her again.

“How’ll you get back?” Wen Pinghan asked, walking her to the door.

“My driver’s downstairs.” Xie Zhifei waved her phone, smiling, pointing at the clothes. “I’ll wash these and return them.”

“No need, it’s just an old shirt.”

“Not specially, just by the way.” Xie Zhifei’s lips curved, her high-heeled figure leaning slightly to meet Wen Pinghan’s beautiful eyes, her tone expectant. “Because we’ll see each other again soon.”