Chapter 17: Gu Tingchuan Only Loves Zhu Shiyan

The moment Yu Ling realized this, her joy instantly turned to sorrow. She even felt as if the sky outside had darkened, about to rain.

That man—if he took action, he could definitely help Lin Mianmian.

But Lin Mianmian had already cheated; surely he wouldn’t stand by her anymore, right? No man could tolerate his girlfriend’s infidelity.

[Lin Mianmian is currently sobbing and calling Gu Tingchuan, tattling on Yu Ling. Yu Ling is in danger.]

Seeing this message, Yu Ling was speechless.

She wished she could gouge out her own eyes—after finally seeing clearly, this was what she got.

No, she couldn’t help but wonder: what exactly did Gu Tingchuan like about Lin Mianmian? Liked her so much that he could tolerate her cheating? Was he that deeply in love?

Wait...

[If it weren’t for Zhu Shiyan, Gu Tingchuan wouldn’t have gotten involved in this mess. He finds Lin Mianmian disgusting just by looking at her.]

Zhu Shiyan?

Could there be some hidden story?

Yu Ling focused intently on the messages:

[My poor Shiyan and Gu Tingchuan—they were such a perfect pair, childhood sweethearts in school. They were supposed to get married, but…]

[But Shiyan had a car accident and became a vegetative patient, confined to a cold hospital bed. Gu Tingchuan waited for her for a year, and no one knows how many more years he must wait.]

So Gu Tingchuan and Zhu Shiyan were truly a couple, and he loved his girlfriend deeply.

Yu Ling frowned. Then what on earth was Lin Mianmian?

The comments seemed to read her mind perfectly, as if they knew her thoughts. Her confusion was answered the very next second.

[So what’s going on between Gu Tingchuan and Lin Mianmian? Has he fallen out of love? P.S. I skimmed through, didn’t watch carefully.]

[No, Gu Tingchuan only loves Zhu Shiyan. Everything is Lin Mianmian’s scheme, and Gu Tingchuan is the victim—he was deceived by Lin Mianmian. Lin Mianmian approached Gu Tingchuan, claiming she had a way to wake Zhu Shiyan. If he helped her destroy Yu Ling, then Shiyan would wake up.]

[She also told Gu Tingchuan that he and Zhu Shiyan were the true protagonists of this world, a perfect match by fate, while Yu Ling was the wicked supporting female. As long as Yu Ling existed, Zhu Shiyan would never awaken.]

[Did Gu Tingchuan really believe that?]

[He did. He had to believe it. With the system involved, making something supernatural happen was easy. Besides, he loved Zhu Shiyan so much—if there was a way to revive his beloved, how could he not believe it? Even if reason told him it might not be true, emotion would always triumph over reason.]

Yu Ling agreed with that perspective. Human emotions were far too complex—they could destroy everything, but also allow everything to rise again from the ashes.

Love, in particular, was the most destructive force.

Yu Ling even thought it was a disease that had spread for billions of years, existing since the dawn of life.

And humanity had yet to develop a cure.

---

After reflecting on love, Yu Ling hugged her trembling self tightly. Her protagonist felt so pitiful—losing her fortune was bad enough, but now she was branded as the villainous supporting character.

Who wouldn’t pity her?

In the original story, Lin Mianmian had truly driven her to death and replaced her as the lead.

Now, a new question arose.

Would Lin Mianmian, who had achieved her desires, really fulfill her promise to wake Zhu Shiyan?

Yu Ling was very curious about this.

An answer had already formed in her heart, and it was most likely correct.

[The hateful Lin Mianmian, after stealing Yu Ling’s life, never woke Zhu Shiyan. She even sent people to kill Shiyan, seized Gu Tingchuan’s company, and imprisoned him.]

[Gu Tingchuan never even saw Shiyan’s ashes. The young couple was separated forever, never seeing each other one last time.]

That was so tragic.

One had to admit, Lin Mianmian fit Yu Ling’s stereotypical impression perfectly.

Lies upon lies, breaking promises, insatiable greed...

A man as excellent as Gu Tingchuan would never give up on her. If Zhu Shiyan woke up, how could Gu Tingchuan still help Lin Mianmian?

In that case, Lin Mianmian would lose a powerful ally, and she would never allow that.

She wanted to control everyone and everything.

Knowing the cause and effect, Yu Ling couldn’t help but pity the poor lovers, Gu Tingchuan and Zhu Shiyan.

But Gu Tingchuan was still deceived by Lin Mianmian and would probably soon turn against Yu Ling.

What was going on?

Yu Ling’s mood could only be described as powerless.

Nothing but powerlessness.

[If Yu Ling also went to find Gu Tingchuan, could she change his mind?]

Yu Ling pondered silently: if she went to Gu Tingchuan and told him she was the true female lead of this world, and Lin Mianmian was the villainous supporting character, would he believe her?

What were the chances?

Harsh but realistic: zero.

[It’s very difficult, almost impossible. Gu Tingchuan isn’t a fool who believes everything he’s told. He believes Lin Mianmian because she has the system and can do things beyond human capability. What does Yu Ling have?]

[Moreover, Gu Tingchuan thinks Yu Ling is the culprit who harmed Zhu Shiyan and wishes she were dead. He wouldn’t even meet her.]

---

“Exactly,” Yu Ling nodded glumly.

She had no system, no superpowers—only the comments.

But only she could see the comments; no one else could.

How could Gu Tingchuan possibly believe her?

Not to mention she couldn’t even meet him face to face.

Having just won a battle, Yu Ling felt no joy whatsoever.

So frustrating—why were there so many people wishing her dead?

The road ahead was long and dark; she could see and grasp nothing, unable to find a single chance to break through.

Yu Ling could only pin her hopes on the comments, hoping they might give her some hint.

[Yu Ling can’t meet Gu Tingchuan, but Chi Ran can.]

[Yes, Chi Ran is the heir of the Chi family and Gu Tingchuan’s childhood friend. He can definitely meet Gu Tingchuan.]

Chi Ran? Yu Ling’s eyes lit up.

There was still hope.

But the comments immediately doused her newfound enthusiasm with cold water.

[But by now, Chi Ran and Gu Tingchuan have fallen out, right? Chi Ran found out Gu Tingchuan was targeting Yu Ling behind his back, barged into Gu Corporation and beat him up, then vowed never to have anything to do with Gu Tingchuan again...]

...

The hope Yu Ling had just glimpsed shattered like a bubble before her eyes, leaving no trace.

Yet, at the same time, a bittersweet warmth blossomed in her heart.

Chi Ran had truly done so much for her, even when she didn’t know it.

[That may be true, but Chi Ran’s prestige still matters. If he went to see Gu Tingchuan, Gu Tingchuan would definitely meet him.]

[Hey, do you want to reach out to Chi Ran? He’s nearly frantic, afraid you can’t bear the blow of betrayal, but without the status to find you. The last time you saw him, you just left, deeply hurting him. He still thinks you hate him.]

Yu Ling was completely stunned upon reading this.