Chapter 1: Breaking Off the Engagement

“I’m breaking off my engagement with Xu Yunzhu, and no one can stop me.”

The resolute, cold words echoed through the entire banquet hall, reaching the ears of Xu Yunzhu, who was skulking at the corner of the second-floor staircase. Peering down at the chaotic scene below, she could only feel a headache coming on.

At the center of it all stood an aloof man with finely chiseled features, trailed closely by a delicate, pure-looking girl. Xu Yunzhu was speechless. That must be Pei Jin, the so-called fiancé who betrayed her, and also the male lead of this melodramatic tragedy. The girl whose hand he clutched tightly was the female lead, Ning Qinghuan.

Xu Yunzhu felt utterly despondent. Inwardly, she addressed the system, “So, as long as I successfully win over the male lead, I can leave this world, right?”

System 077 replied: “Yes, Host. You only need to successfully capture the heart of the tragic male lead, prevent him from falling into darkness after the female lead’s death, and protect him from being killed by the deranged second male lead, thus disrupting the world’s collapse. Once you complete the mission, we’ll compensate you with a billion and send you home. If you don’t wish to return, you may stay and live a happy life here.”

Xu Yunzhu, who had just inherited a hundred billion only to be forced into this melodramatic novel before she could even enjoy it, was speechless.

Without a hundred billion in assets, happiness would be out of the question. No matter what, she had to go back.

But what could she possibly use to protect herself? Xu Yunzhu was troubled. In the story, even the crazed second male lead could kill the main character—how could he possibly fear a minor cannon fodder like her?

Tears welled in her eyes; she felt terribly unlucky.

Just a day ago, she’d transmigrated into a tragic novel called “Beloved Wife in His Arms: Lord Pei’s Uncontrollable Desires.” She’d become a doomed side character destined to exit early. The love story between the male and female leads was so heartrending and absurd that even the gods would call it outrageous—a tale of pure tragedy.

The female lead died, the male lead descended into darkness, the deranged second male lead killed him, and then succumbed to his own old illness. Every major character perished, leaving the readers so furious that the world itself was on the verge of collapse.

And Xu Yunzhu had been the loudest among those angry “readers,” only to be forcibly bound to the “Tragedy Conquest System,” tasked with personally changing the bleak ending.

But she’d arrived at a most inopportune time—the leads already harbored feelings for each other. What was supposed to be her engagement ceremony had become Pei Jin’s public breakup, with Ning Qinghuan in tow.

077 noticed Xu Yunzhu standing motionless for an hour and felt a pang of sympathy. “You’ve worked hard,” it intoned mechanically.

Expressionless, Xu Yunzhu replied, “Not hard, just unlucky.”

Now, Pei Jin’s provocation was aimed squarely at Xu Yunzhu, with no regard for Old Master Pei’s thunderous expression or the guests eager for drama. The moment Xu Yunzhu descended, he would unhesitatingly walk out with Ning Qinghuan, making it clear to all that he would never marry a woman he didn’t love, especially not someone like Xu Yunzhu—greedy, materialistic, and hopelessly vulgar.

What could be done? After all, the original Xu Yunzhu was a country girl, only found by the Xu family at eighteen as their true daughter. Despite Madam Xu’s relentless five-year tutelage scrubbing away the rustic air, her tasteless style and naïve demeanor still couldn’t win over the elite ladies of the capital.

Not even Pei Jin’s own mother, Xu Jingsi, ever showed her kindness. Had it not been for the engagement set by the previous generation, the Pei family would have cut ties completely—the Xu family simply didn’t measure up.

Yet, the original Xu Yunzhu had fallen for Pei Jin at first sight, overjoyed that the engagement, once meant for an imposter, had returned to her.

Xu Yunzhu took a deep breath. She could distinguish between a mere man and a hundred billion fortune.

So, come what may, the engagement could not be broken today!

“Heh, break off the engagement? How amusing.”

A deep, magnetic voice resonated through the hall. Silence fell for two seconds as all eyes turned in disbelief to the tall, imposing man entering through the doors.

He wore a bespoke suit, his features strikingly handsome. His elegant, fox-like eyes gleamed coldly, lips curled in a subtle smile. Perfectly groomed black hair was slicked back, revealing a flawless, prominent forehead.

His gaze swept the room, exuding an unspoken dominance, as if none present were worthy of his attention. The arrogance was palpable, but faced with this breathtaking face and his terrifying background, everyone found his rudeness excusable.

Pei Jin’s expression stiffened, his eyes filled with hostility. “Pei Qiaonian, what do you mean by this?”

“Don’t play the saint after acting the whore. For your so-called true love, you abandon your fiancée and disgrace the Pei family—what do you think you’re doing?” Pei Qiaonian’s tone was casual, yet laced with mockery.

Pei Jin turned livid, his dislike for Pei Qiaonian intensifying.

Upstairs, Xu Yunzhu’s lips twitched. If it weren’t for Pei Qiaonian’s ambiguous glances at Ning Qinghuan, she might have thought he was here to help her.

She shrank back a step, nerves jangling.

Pei Qiaonian was the infamous deranged second male lead—current head of the Pei family, Pei Jin’s cousin, and sworn nemesis. Their feud stemmed from mutual interest in the female lead.

Reading this novel, Xu Yunzhu had scorned him most, for not only was he mad, but also violent and capricious, universally detested. In the story, her original self died at his hands—after blackening and framing the heroine, she was killed in a man-made landslide.

A chill ran down Xu Yunzhu’s spine. All she wanted was to inherit her fortune and live out her days in peace—why was she being put through so many trials?

And now, her very first challenge was the toughest of all—confronting Pei Qiaonian. Could she defect on the spot?

077, reading her mind, urged, “Host, don’t be afraid! This is a lawful society—he won’t hurt you. Be brave! As long as you win over the male lead, the heroine will naturally gravitate to the second lead and redeem him. Then, you’ll both have your happy endings and world peace will be restored.”

Expressionless, Xu Yunzhu replied, “Why don’t you give it a try?”

077 fell silent, equally terrified.

After much mental preparation, Xu Yunzhu glanced down at her 36D chest, regaining some confidence. She adjusted the neckline of her evening gown, squared her shoulders, and prepared to make a bold entrance.

Downstairs, Pei Qiaonian’s gaze shifted to the host on stage, his tone lazy yet unyieldingly authoritative. “Continue the ceremony. He has no say in breaking off this engagement.”

The host, sweating profusely, hurried to smooth things over. “Thank you all for attending the engagement ceremony of Mr. Pei Jin and Miss Xu Yunzhu. Let us welcome the bride and groom.”

Pei Jin’s face was ashen. Ning Qinghuan glanced at Pei Qiaonian, then quickly looked away, tears brimming in her eyes as she clutched Pei Jin’s sleeve.

Pei Jin relaxed, squeezing her hand reassuringly.

From above, Xu Yunzhu saw their furtive glances and felt utterly doomed.

How was she supposed to seduce him now? Not even her 36D assets could guarantee success!

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Pei Jin announced coldly, “I said I’m breaking off the engagement. If you’re so worried about the Pei family’s reputation, why don’t you, dear cousin, take her for yourself?”