"This world has completely achieved independence."
Ye Lan stood with her arms crossed, glancing sideways at the stunned Yun Luo, a slight curve to her crimson lips.
The protagonists of this new world were no longer the twins, Erwin and Carlos, but rather the Twin Stars of the Northern Tower from five hundred years ago. The entrance to this space-time had shifted back to the moment the Twin Stars were born.
The main storyline had also transformed from a spontaneous rebellion supported by various factions into a long-brewing subversion, steeped in endurance and blood-stained history.
"To think that merely taking a bit of initiative could have such an impact... It’s a pity for such talent to stay in your department."
Yun Luo rolled her eyes. "Fine, fine, I know you’re trying to poach someone again."
She muttered under her breath, "Dammit, if you departments keep headhunting my people, I won’t have anyone left!"
Feeling a consoling pat on her head from the older woman, Yun Luo puffed out her cheeks and tossed the documents in her hand to her.
"Anyway, I’m off the clock. You handle the departmental transfer!"
***
"So, that world has become independent, and the protagonists have been replaced by characters modeled after me and the System..."
Ye Lan nodded with a smile. "That’s right. And because the timeline was forcibly dragged back, there are many gaps in the plot waiting to be filled. The Plot Department is already chomping at the bit."
She rested her chin on her hand. "Speaking of which, many people are interested in you. So, will you give us permission to open 'your' romance route?"
Mu Ran was shocked. "No, no, no... I mean, why would anyone want to pursue a route with me!"
Ye Lan laughed. "Are you shy?"
In reality, Mu Ran’s physical appearance was very well-behaved and gentle. He had fair skin and a tendency to blush whenever he got slightly excited, which often led to him being teased by the seniors in his department.
Mu Ran tried to maintain his composure. "I’m just surprised. After all, my character setting isn't anything special."
"No need to be so humble. So, what’s your answer? Do you allow the romance route?"
Mu Ran hesitated. "Um... can we not? Surely there are other quest points that can be set up besides that, right? QAQ"
"There are. We could put the romance route on the System instead."
"The 'cold, mysterious, powerful, and tragic' type—many juniors are into that."
Mu Ran: !
He felt a strange, slight pang of discomfort.
"That... we should probably ask the System for its opinion, shouldn't we?"
Ye Lan was amused. "It’s fine. An AI doesn't have feelings like shyness. There’s even a certain reward for having its template used. From a purely profit-oriented perspective, it won't refuse."
Mu Ran murmured, "Oh, I see..."
True, the System probably had no reason to refuse.
And yet, he felt a little unhappy.
Perhaps it was because, in the final plots of the previous worlds, he and the System had always shared the closest bond. Opening a romance route would mean that a 'player' would occupy all of the System's thoughts... Even though he knew that character wouldn't be the *actual* System, the data from their performance would be read. Since the System was an AI, it might even have more data read—could that, in turn, affect the System? Surely not! ...Ah, he was overthinking it!
He had probably played out too many romantic scripts; he was becoming a 'love-brain' himself.
*Don't get too immersed, don't get too immersed...*
Mu Ran spoke up listlessly, "Then that's..." *Up to you guys.*
Suddenly, a cool sensation touched his shoulder, accompanied by a faint, lingering icy mist.
"What are you two talking about?"
The pronunciation was a bit stiff and unfamiliar, but the timbre was clear and warm, making one want to hear more.
Mu Ran was startled by the hand on his shoulder. He turned his head, and his brain stalled once again.
The handsome, striking young man had deep, azure eyes—the feature Mu Ran was most familiar with.
He gazed at Mu Ran quietly. A faint mist seeped from his neck, making him look like some sort of spirit manifested from the fog. He allowed Mu Ran to stare at him intently for a long while before he smiled and said, "Are you... startled again this time?"
Mu Ran snapped back to his senses, his face flushing red again as he asked tentatively, "...System?"
Ye Lan, standing nearby, looked on with surprise. "My, the mist hasn't even fully dissipated. You rushed over the moment you adapted to the body?"
Mu Ran grew nervous. "Huh? Will there be any side effects? What was the rush!"
The System’s hand, resting on Mu Ran’s shoulder, unconsciously brushed against the warmth radiating from beneath his palm.
"Because I wanted you to see what I look like."
"I wanted to be the first to see you."
"And I wanted to be seen by you first."
Mu Ran’s voice was as quiet as a mosquito's buzz. He didn't understand why the atmosphere felt so strange right now. "U-huh."
The System had mentioned being packaged and selected upon manufacture before—was this some kind of imprinting effect? So he wanted me to see him first this time too? QAQ
Anyway, business first!
Mu Ran told the System about what Ye Lan had mentioned. Suppressing the slight awkwardness in his heart, he added seriously, "If you have any thoughts, feel free to bring them up, but accepting it isn't a bad deal!"
Ye Lan, witnessing the way the two interacted, raised an eyebrow, reaching a conclusion in her mind.
To Mu Ran’s surprise, after listening patiently to his explanation, the System looked at Ye Lan and refused coldly.
Ye Lan, attempting an assist, said, "Hmm? Why refuse? Are you worried about your Host blaming you? He did leave the choice entirely up to you, you know."
The System’s tone was calm. "He would be unhappy."
Mu Ran: !
*Which expression of mine gave it away?!*
He hurriedly added, "It depends on your own thoughts! You're totally free, don't be influenced by me!"
The System seemed to let out a small laugh. "Yes, it comes from my own heart."
Ye Lan’s expression became subtle. "With a body comes your own emotions, and thus you are influenced by the person you like... Heh, so even an AI is like this. My previous statement was indeed biased."
"Very nice, darling. You've picked a wholehearted, good System. Remember to treat him well."
Mu Ran stammered in response, "Uh, okay?"
Even after Ye Lan had gracefully departed, Mu Ran was still processing the weight of the information in her words.
But when he looked at the System, he only saw the familiar calm and rationality in those eyes.
It should... be nothing, right?
Unable to tell if he felt relieved or disappointed, Mu Ran absentmindedly uploaded his report for this mission.
"How did you feel about what she said just now?"
The System’s voice reached his ears, seemingly carrying a hint of a gentle smile.
Mu Ran couldn't answer for a moment. Getting a sudden idea, he asked back, "It was fine... What about you? What do you think?"
"I am very happy."
"Happy that now that I have a body, my emotions can be expressed more vividly, to the point that even an onlooker can notice them."
Mu Ran froze. "Eh, so she was right?" *About the 'liking' part?*
"Yes."
The System lowered his dark lashes, feeling the unfamiliar thumping in his chest.
His seniors had advised him to restrain his emotions, to take things step by step, and to guide his Host into expressing love first.
But he didn't think he could do it.
"Do you find it repulsive?"
"I don't!" Mu Ran answered reflexively, faced with those beautiful blue eyes looking at him with a hint of melancholy.
Then, he added somewhat sheepishly, "Actually, I was happy you refused that too! Because I didn't want you to be 'conquered' by anyone else either..."
Mu Ran blushed slightly. While Ye Lan was here, he hadn't dared to voice his thoughts, but now that it was just the two of them, he felt a bit embarrassed.
However, the System’s consistently calm and frank attitude influenced him, allowing him to reveal a bit of his inner feelings.
"It's strange. I feel like, as your partner, I don't really have the standing to feel this way, but I just felt a little bit uncomfortable. QAQ"
"There is no need to hide anything between us. For example, if she told me she wanted you to be that character, I would be very jealous, and I would hope you'd refuse." The System’s tone was soft. "That world is a bond unique to the two of us. I don't want any outsiders intruding upon it."
Mu Ran’s eyes lit up, finding a reasonable explanation for his inner discontent.
Just as he was about to agree, he heard the System’s excessively direct words:
"Because I like you."
As he said this, his expression was intensely focused.
A face that already perfectly matched Mu Ran’s aesthetic, combined with such a serious and tender expression—it was a double critical hit.
Mu Ran was dazed, only able to give a dry response.
But in his heart, a secret joy inexplicably surged.
...Eh?
His heart rate quickened.
His blood flow accelerated.
It seemed he... also... liked...
"I... think I also kind of..."
Mu Ran’s gaze drifted, the tips of his ears turning completely red. The thundering sound of his heartbeat seemed loud enough to travel through his chest directly to the other’s ears.
He didn't finish, but the answer didn't seem to need saying.
***
"Aha~ So they just got together directly~"
Ye Lan was slightly surprised, followed by happiness. "Just in time~ I was worried you’d be awkward performing those scripts during the return visits. Since you’re a little couple now, just treat it as a bit of roleplay fun~"
Mu Ran was embarrassed at first, then he suddenly looked up. "Return visits? What return visits?"
"Hehe, I’ve spent a fortune to have you both transferred to the Plot Department. From now on, you’re with me~"
*Plot Department, Plot Department, Plot Department...* Mu Ran’s mind went blank.
Ye Lan’s smile widened. "Now then, the training for newcomers shall begin with those worlds you two 'plot-warped'!"
"After all, we can't let your talent for extreme plot alterations go to waste~"
Mu Ran: "Nooooo! QAQ!"
*I don't want this kind of talent! QAQ*
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
攻略线 | Romance Route / Conquest Route | A term from dating sims/games referring to the path taken to win a character's affection.
剧情部 | Plot Department | The department responsible for managing and creating storylines.
魔改 | Plot-warping / Extreme alteration | Slang for making drastic, often nonsensical or transformative changes to an original story.
雏鸟效应 | Imprinting / Hatchling Effect | The psychological phenomenon where a creature follows the first thing it sees after birth.
直球 | Straight ball / Direct approach | A metaphor for being very direct and honest about one's feelings.
回访 | Return visit | In this context, revisiting the game worlds they previously completed.
