Chapter 2: The Tragic Male Lead Revises the Script Online

Chapter 2: The Tragic Male Lead Revises the Script Online

A man and a cat strolled through a pitch-black tunnel, overhead countless meteors trailed bright tails, shooting across the void.

Qin Qing gazed upwards at the meteor-filled sky, his dark eyes capturing fragments of light.

996 glanced at him, momentarily mistaking the shimmer for tears.

"If you save up enough points to mend your body and soul, you can stay as an envoy. Envoys have eternal lives, you know?" 996 ventured.

"No, I need to go back," Qin Qing said, looking down at the boundless, dark path beneath him.

"Why the insistence on returning? Staying here seems like the better choice."

"Because I have someone to meet, a question to ask," Qin Qing blinked, a hint of moisture glinting on his lashes.

"Who do you wish to see? What question?" 996 inquired with curiosity.

But Qin Qing just smiled without offering an answer.

"Even if you don't say it, I know! You surely want to meet the one you love and ask that one question – do you love me? I guessed right, didn't I?" 996 said, swishing its tail triumphantly.

The glistening wetness on her eyelashes disappeared. Qin Qing looked down at the chubby kitten, her voice slightly hoarse: "It's neither right nor wrong."

"What do you mean by that? If you guessed right, you guessed right. Don’t be shy about it!" 996 teased with a touch of triumph. He then added in warning, "I should tell you, completing missions is arduous. You may face countless deaths, but you won't truly die. Only your body in this miniature world will perish."

Qin Qing nodded calmly, "I know. I'm not afraid of death."

996 eyed his scar-laden body and felt that assurance was indeed convincing.

"Beyond death, you might also face torment, humiliation, trampling, exploitation, deception… In short, all the worst things might happen to you, and you absolutely cannot resist. You have to play whatever role the script assigns you," 996 further cautioned.

"Script?" Qin Qing frowned.

"Ah, in the terms of your

cultivation

realm, it would be fate. The track of destiny set by the heavens."

"I understand," Qin Qing responded, his brow furrowed and head slightly lowered, "In the face of such vast power as destiny, I believe anyone would be powerless to resist."

996 snorted coldly, "As long as you get it. So, when you're in the miniature world, make sure to listen to me! Oh, we're almost there!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of white light exploded in the dark tunnel, unexpectedly swallowing both the man and the cat.

After what felt like being tossed in turbulent waters, Qin Qing knelt on the ground, dizzy. 996, perched atop his head, tried to suppress his nausea, scanned their surroundings, and then let out a cry of despair!

"Meow! Qin Qing, we're doomed! We've entered the world of the Heartless Monster! This world is trapped in a perpetual loop! We can't escape!"

Qin Qing had no time to pay attention to the panicked 996.

Clutching his burning stomach, he knelt in a filthy bathroom, leaning over the toilet, violently retching. It was the peak of summer, and the heat fermented in the cramped space.

Sticky sweat, the overpowering scent of alcohol, combined with the acidic stench of vomit made Qin Qing feel even more nauseous and dizzy.

Yet an even more intense headache surged, overwhelming him. Memories flooded Qin Qing's mind, quickly informing him of his situation. He was currently selling liquor at the largest night market stall in Sea City. To please customers, he was often forced to drink excessively, resulting in frequent blackouts.

The burning sensation in his stomach indicated an onset of a gastric ulcer.

"I think I need to go to the hospital immediately," Qin Qing mumbled weakly, spitting out bile.

"No way! There's a crucial plot point that requires your participation!" 996 leapt from atop Qin Qing's head to a nearby washbasin, looking down authoritatively, "You can only go to the hospital once the plot progresses. If you don't play your part, we'll never be able to break the cycle and leave this place."

"What cycle?" Qin Qing managed to ask between retches, his voice growing fainter.

"This world is malfunctioning. Fated lovers constantly fail to unite, and one of them keeps dying from a terminal disease. Every time that happens, the entire world resets, and everything starts all over again, like an abyss with no escape!"

"If you can drive the plot forward successfully, everyone's fate will return to its rightful course, and the world won't reset. Only then can we leave; otherwise, we'll die. Every reset drains our soul's power, and there will come a day when our souls are completely exhausted."

996 expressed with deep concern.

"So, I'm this world's last hope?" Qin Qing halted his vomiting, gasping painfully.

"Yes, you're the only variable and the sole hope. You are vital," 996 affirmed with a nod.

Qin Qing covered his increasingly painful stomach with a cold hand, his breathing growing more labored.

996 was acutely aware of the agony he was undergoing. The pain from a gastric ulcer was unbearable. But that was how the plot was set, and Qin Qing, playing the male side character, had to endure. And the upcoming events would push him into even more dire circumstances.

"Do you still wish to see that person? To ask him something?" 996 deliberately poked at Qin Qing's vulnerabilities.

Qin Qing, whose eyes were slowly losing focus as if on the verge of passing out, suddenly gritted his teeth with determination.

"What's my first plot point?" He rasped, wiping away the bitter bile from his lips.

"Your first task is selling liquor. Get up and sell all the alcohol from the stock. If you don't, your sister's tuition fees will be unpaid," 996 remarked, as if this were a simple matter.

In reality, the initial plot point wasn't just about selling alcohol but a series of disasters resulting from it. The reason 996 withheld this was because, after the calamity, Qin Qing would become disabled.

996 feared Qin Qing's potential rebellion.

Yet, Qin Qing would likely not rebel. He had an obsession, and for someone from the cultivation realm, an obsession was akin to a heart demon. How easy could it be to overcome such a demon?

"If given a chance to return to your original world alive, but with a 1% risk of being shattered into oblivion, would you take it?" 996 probed further.

"Yes! I've already been broken to pieces and lost my soul for him," Qin Qing whispered, chuckling as he pushed his damp hair back.

996 immediately recalled the scars littering Qin Qing's body and his long-broken heart. For the fixation in his heart, Qin Qing was truly willing to pay any price.

996 felt reassured, urging, "What are you waiting for then? Hurry up and sell all the liquor in stock."

As Qin Qing, clutching his painfully cramping stomach, staggered to stand, the bathroom door was violently kicked open by a burly middle-aged man who snarled, "Qin Qing, you're drunk again! The alcohol you've sold isn't even close to what you've drunk! Keep this up, and you'll bankrupt me! Listen, today you must sell all the liquor in storage, or you won't get a penny!"

"See, the plot point is here. You need to go sell the alcohol," 996, perched atop the washstand, chimed in. It continued, "Just speak to me in your mind; I'll hear you. Mortals can't hear or see me unless I allow it."

As Qin Qing attempted to rise, his legs buckled, sending him back to his knees. Clutching his agonizing stomach, he looked up at the burly middle-aged man, saying weakly, "I'm sorry, Jiang. I let you down and hurt your business. I'll go sell the alcohol now."

Currently intoxicated, his blurry eyes shimmered wetly. The tips of his slender eyes bore a hint of flushed red. Tiny sweat droplets clung to his smooth forehead and pronounced nose bridge, while his chapped lips bore an unhealthy crimson hue.

He looked weak and defeated, yet this frailty and degradation made him oddly beautiful. He resembled a flower in full bloom, ready to wither, exuding an intoxicatingly decadent fragrance.

The burly man, who had been pounding on the door, suddenly halted, caught off guard.

"Has Qin Qing always looked like this?" He pondered, momentarily dazed.

Perched atop the washstand, 996, taking in Qin Qing's appearance, exclaimed, "Qin Qing, what happened to your face?"

Qin Qing, having traveled through souls, had inhabited the original host's body. Yet, he now bore his original appearance.

"It's the innate ability of my race," he replied, wobbly getting to his feet to wash his face.

As he splashed water on his face, he sneaked a sly smile in secret. This result was clearly within his expectations.

"I've never heard of such a racial ability! Aren't you from the Rose Flower clan?" 996 pressed, flustered.

Without a word, Qin Qing exited the restroom and calmly told the burly man, "Jiang, my clothes are filthy. I'll buy a new set from the store across the street and return to sell the alcohol."

Several clothing wholesalers lined the opposite street, and purchasing a new outfit would only take about ten minutes. The man, taking in Qin Qing's flush-faced charm, nodded understandingly.

Trying hard to maintain a steady gait, Qin Qing made his way across.

Following close behind, 996 voiced its concern, "I have a bad feeling about this. Your face is going to cause us major trouble!"

Qin Qing chuckled softly, feeling the pain in his stomach ease slightly.

"Yes, this face tends to attract trouble," he murmured, caressing his burning cheek. "But it's impossible to hide. What can we do?"

"You've traveled souls; it shouldn't be impossible to hide! Are you truly a flower demon? You didn't deceive me, did you?" 996 grew suspicious.

Initially, 996 viewed Qin Qing as a gentle, easily manipulated tool. However, the recent turn of events made it reconsider.

Having reached the opposite side of the street, Qin Qing paused, gazing down at the plump feline, and softly posed, "Do you know the purpose of a flower?"

"Is it the outcome?" 996 was utterly perplexed. He couldn't grasp why the conversation had suddenly shifted this way.

With a gentle sway of his slender index finger, Qin Qing spoke softly and slowly, "No, it's a splendid opening." As he spoke, a hint of a smile curled upon his crimson lips, his striking face exuding an irresistible allure.

996 was stupefied, and after a long pause, he muttered in exasperation, "For heaven's sake! So that's it! Such vanity in a flower demon. Why the obsession with beauty?"

As the chubby cat fumed and stomped about, Qin Qing had already reached the sole clothing store that was still open. It was midnight, and while the night market was bustling at its peak, other shops had already closed for the night.

The proprietress of the clothing store turned off the lights and walked out with a large padlock in her hand.

With one hand pressed against the glass door, Qin Qing whispered, "Excuse me, may I purchase an outfit from your store? It will only take ten minutes of your time."

The shopkeeper, with her back to Qin Qing, responded impatiently while locking up, "No! Can't you see I'm already locking up?"

"Ah, I apologize. I'll look elsewhere then."

The disappointment in the man's voice was deep and husky, reminiscent of a slowly drawn violin in the hush of night.

A tickling sensation pricked the shopkeeper's ears, prompting her to swiftly turn her gaze to Qin Qing.

Their eyes locked.

A pair of drowsy, moist eyes shimmered with delicate, gentle luminescence. His face, flushed and seemingly enchanted, carried a smile filled with melancholy, radiating an aura of decadence and fragmentation...

Could such a man truly exist?

The shopkeeper was in a daze, and it took her a moment to realize that while Qin Qing's arm was pressed against the glass door, she was standing so close that it felt as though he was holding her.

Her head spun and her plump figure uncontrollably leaned towards him.

However, at that precise moment, Qin Qing retracted his arm, took a courteous step back, and gently steadied her. Once she was stable, he quickly withdrew his hand, and kindly inquired, "May I buy an outfit here? I'm truly sorry for the inconvenience, but I'm in quite a disheveled state right now."

With a wry smile, Qin Qing lowered his head to gaze at his shirt and jeans, now soaked with cold sweat.

At this moment, he looked a total mess. Yet, this state didn't repel but instead evoked a profound sense of sympathy.

The shopkeeper's cheeks flushed as she hurriedly unlocked the door she had just secured, exclaiming, "Of course, of course! I'll open it right up for you!"

Ten minutes later, clad in a crisp white shirt and sharp black trousers, Qin Qing gracefully walked toward the night market stalls across the street.

The shopkeeper stood at the entrance, waving at him in a daze, her voice dreamy, "Qin Qing, I'll have new arrivals tomorrow. Do drop by! I'll gift you some new outfits. You look good in anything!"

Qin Qing turned back, offering the shopkeeper a soft and tender smile.

The shopkeeper's face grew warm as she was completely smitten.

As they walked, 996 looked at Qin Qing with deep concern.

With such striking looks, could he really play a secondary male role?

Qin Qing, seemingly unaware of the little chubby cat's concerns, looked at the bustling night market ahead and lightly chuckled, "See? This face can stay out of trouble sometimes."

996 impatiently scratched the cement ground with his chubby, short paw. With these turn of events, would their original script remain intact?

Stay out of trouble? That's the last thing it wanted! 996 wished for Qin Qing to stir endless troubles!