Chapter 29: Twenty-nine, I have someone I like Chapter 29: Twenty-nine, I have someone I like Song Yan Ning slowly opened her eyes and was about to sit up when she felt a wave of dizziness, accompanied by a stabbing pain in her forehead that made her involuntarily furrow her brows.
She reached out to touch her head and found it wrapped in a white bandage, clearly indicating she had been injured.
At the same time, her brain was flooded with a series of information that didn’t belong to her. Her current identity was that of Zhou Mumu, the unloved daughter of the Zhou Family. She was neither beautiful nor smart, so the Zhou Family people didn’t care for her and saw her as a disgrace to the family.
Zhou Mumu had an older sister named Zhou Qi Qi, who, in contrast to Zhou Mumu, was the apple of the Zhou Family’s eye. Zhou Qi Qi wasn’t just smart but also the most beautiful woman in Yun City, pursued by countless suitors. The entire Zhou Family adored her like a princess, fulfilling her every demand.
Zhou Qi Qi was very proud and looked down upon her pursuers. Yet, she harbored special affection for Zhou Mumu’s fiancé, Ling Yichen.
The Zhou Family also had intentions of pairing Zhou Qi Qi with Ling Yichen, but the Ling Family did not agree to call off the engagement. Hence, the Zhou Family hoped that Zhou Mumu would personally go to the Ling Family and speak with Ling Yichen to call off the marriage.
However, Zhou Mumu herself harbored deep feelings for Ling Yichen and naturally did not wish to do so.
Enraged, Zhou Qi Qi slapped Zhou Mumu, who fell unexpectedly and hit her head on the corner of a table, injuring herself.
Song Yan Ning curled her lips in amusement, sat up, got out of bed, opened the door, and walked out. Her mission this time was to make Ling Yichen’s brother, Ling Yiran, fall in love with her and to search for the Crystal Stone hidden in this world together with him. It was fortunate that her Primordial Soul was already that of an adult; otherwise, this mission would have been quite difficult.
Time in this virtual world was different from the outside; one hour outside equated to ten days here. The system had given her a month to complete the mission. If she failed to do so within the set time, she would have failed the mission.
Just as Song Yan Ning stepped out of the room, she saw a beautiful and haughty-looking young woman walking toward her. Without guessing, she knew this must be her sister in this system, Zhou Qi Qi.
“Have you thought it through?” Zhou Qi Qi asked Song Yan Ning, her gaze filled with barely concealed contempt and disdain. She was unaware whether the Zhou Mumu in front of her was a character created by the system or someone like her carrying out a mission. Her mission was to sabotage the relationship between Zhou Mumu and Ling Yichen, and to become Ling Yichen’s wife. She suspected Ling Yichen was probably Brother Yushen, and she could finally be with Brother Yushen in a mission.
“Let’s go,” Song Yan Ning said, bypassing Zhou Qi Qi and walking ahead.
Song Yanxue was startled, “Where to?”
“Calling off the engagement,” answered Song Yan Ning with a chilly voice. Since her mission target wasn’t Ling Yichen, it was better to get it over with quickly.
A hint of surprise shone in Song Yanxue’s eyes, and she quickly followed Song Yan Ning. To her delight, this Zhou Mumu was quite cooperative, sparing her quite a bit of trouble.
In the study, Ling Yu rubbed his temples with a headache and a face full of worries, “How can there be such a mission? How am I supposed to complete it?” His current identity was the Second Young Master of the Ling Family, Ling Yichen, who had been engaged to Zhou Mumu since childhood. His mission was to make Zhou Mumu fall hopelessly in love with him and then search for the Crystal Stone together. As a child, he had no understanding of love—was this some kind of joke?
“Knock, knock, knock!” The sound of knocking echoed.
“Come in!” Ling Yu grabbed his hair in irritation. If it weren’t for the rule that the first to fail the mission would be eliminated, he would quit right now. This mission was too difficult!
The study door opened, and an elder entered, “Second Young Master, the two Misses from the Zhou Family are here to see you, saying they have something to discuss.”
“Got it, ask them to wait. I’ll be right there,” Ling Yu said impatiently. All he wanted to know was where the Doctor was. Was she also facing as peculiar a task as he was? Would she choose to complete it or to give up?
“Ugh, this is so annoying!” Ling Yu slumped over the desk, knocking his head against the surface.
Song Yan Ning examined a painting not far from her. She didn’t understand much about paintings, but she was interested in this one because it exuded strands of Spiritual Energy.
She had always felt that Emperor Realm was no ordinary secret realm, and now she was even more certain. The Crystal Stone in the maze contained Spiritual Energy, and so did a mere painting, suggesting that Emperor Realm might be a place designed for cultivating Cultivators.
“Have you really decided to cancel the engagement?” Zhou Qi Qi asked again, still not reassured.
“What else?” Song Yan Ning replied, shifting her gaze to Zhou Qi Qi. Even if it were a real person, not just a virtual character they were discussing, entering her eyes was not so easy.
“You said it, no going back on your word later, or don’t blame me for being unsympathetic,” Zhou Qi Qi threatened.
“Sisterly affection? Are you sure it exists?” Song Yan Ning retorted with a scornful laugh.
Zhou Qi Qi was about to respond again when she heard footsteps. Turning her head, her eyes lit up at the sight of the newcomer. If it weren’t for the rule prohibiting revealing one’s true identity, she would definitely tell Brother Yushen who she was, and her mission would be accomplished instantly. However, she was certain he had to be Brother Yushen, for only he would possess such dignity.
Ling Yu sat down opposite Song Yan Ning and Zhou Qi Qi, his gaze resting on Song Yan Ning, “Mumu, what brought you looking for me?” Damn! How cheesy! He had never called a girl so affectionately.
“Brother Yichen, Mumu says she wants to break off the engagement with you. I’ve tried to persuade her for a long time, but she won’t listen,” Zhou Qi Qi looked reproachfully at Song Yan Ning, giving her a warning glance.
Zhou Qi Qi would not allow Zhou Mumu, whether a virtual character or not, to get close to Brother Yushen. Brother Yushen could only belong to her. If Zhou Mumu dared lay a finger on her Brother Yushen, she would stop at nothing, even if it meant breaking the mission’s rules. Zhou Qi Qi’s previous two mission failures were because she had broken those rules.
Ling Yu turned to Song Yan Ning, “Is it true?” If he could end his mission this way, that would be great. But since she was his mission target, what could he do?
“Yes,” Song Yan Ning nodded slightly.
“Why?” Ling Yu asked. Was he being rejected by his mission target? How was he supposed to proceed? He had no experience chasing girls.
“I have someone I like,” Song Yan Ning said, looking towards Ling Yiran, who was coming down the stairs.