The system that had long remained silent in his mind finally spoke up during this interrogation.
"The plot of this world has deviated, the bound character Bai Ruanruan has failed her mission, lost the protagonist's privileges, and the system's assistance function will soon be terminated."
Bai Ruanruan screamed hoarsely, as if she had been choked, and her movements of smashing things froze in place.
"The system has submitted an unbinding request and is awaiting feedback..."
"Application approved, system initiating unbinding..."
A chill ran through Bai Ruanruan, whose hair was disheveled. His face was ashen, and a shrill scream echoed in his mind.
"087, what are you saying?"
"I am the protagonist of this world! This world only keeps turning because of me! What right do you have to deprive me of my right to be the protagonist!"
"087, what good will it do you if I fail my mission? Why won't you help me?!"
"Speak up, 087! Who do you think you are! A useless piece of trash who only knows how to point fingers! What gives you the right to untie me just like that!"
The system data fluctuated rapidly several times, and a hint of irritation crept into the otherwise unremarkable, mechanical sound.
"Host, you are truly the worst host I've ever mentored."
"For you, I'm willing to be punished. From that perspective, perhaps you can be considered successful."
"I'm a useless bum who bosses everyone around, and you're an idiot who's all talk and no action. You squandered a winning hand and now you're in this mess all by yourself."
"The main character hates you to the bone, the villain is ruthless, your family in the storyline avoids you like the plague, your character has collapsed, even your brainless fans have started to curse you. After losing the protagonist's halo, you will suffer the backlash and be in unbearable pain."
Bai Ruanruan's sharp cry was stuck in her throat.
The progress bar for unbinding the Heartthrob Little White Flower System was clearly displayed in his mind, and Bai Ruanruan finally felt fear.
He threw down the chair he was holding, fell to the ground, and sobbed, begging for mercy from the system in his mind.
"087, you can't be so heartless! We're business partners, you can't just abandon me like this!"
"There's not a single good person in the Bai Family. Qin Jingzhu, who pretended to love me, hasn't shown up since she fainted. Bai Yanxiu has also turned against me. I can't even see Qin Mubai. They've locked me up. With this crippled leg, I can't go anywhere!"
"087! You can't untie me! You can't stop me from being the protagonist! I was born to be the protagonist of this world, you can't be so cruel!"
"I was wrong! It's all my fault! Please don't unbind me. I promise I'll listen to you from now on, whatever you say goes--"
The progress bar for unbinding was already halfway through, but the system in his mind remained unmoved, as if it hadn't heard his shrill screams.
"087! You can leave if you want! I won't report you! Don't you have some special skill you haven't given me? Here's what we'll do: give me my special skill, and then heal my injuries. I promise I won't report you. I'll remember your kindness for the rest of my life, okay?"
The system remained silent for a few seconds, but finally couldn't help but speak.
"When I first healed you, I said that this recovery treatment cooling-off period is once a month. Moreover, to avoid being discovered and questioned, it must be done in an extremely discreet and little-known manner. The other party is very clever. Not only did they block your monthly usage limit, but they also clearly and extensively published your injury details online. The system's abilities cannot contend with the will of the world, and I cannot erase everyone's memories."
"Your tongue, your eyes, your legs—none of them can be cured."
Bai Ruanruan felt a chill run down her spine, as if someone had stepped on her tail, and she screamed.
"What nonsense are you talking about? How could anyone be that smart!"
All her hopes were shattered, Bai Ruanruan's face drained of color.
"Where's my 'Heartthrob Halo?! You said I possessed Heartthrob Halo that targeted both the protagonist, Xi Juan, and the villainous boss, Huo Yuzhou! You left it to me! You left it to me--"
The progress bar for unbinding had reached its final mark, and the system's voice came from an extremely distant place.
"I really regret giving someone like you the 'Heartthrob Skill."
"You don't deserve to be with the main character, and don't bother him anymore..."
As the last note faded, the system's image vanished from my mind.
Bai Ruanruan looked terrified and frantically banged her head.
"System! System! 087! You can't leave me! You can't leave me!"
"How can I be an ordinary person! I was born to be the protagonist! What right do you have to untie me—"
There was no response in her mind; only a shrill, hoarse scream echoed from the room.
The servants' voices could be heard outside the door, whispering among themselves.
"Young Master Bai is terrifying, has he gone mad?"
"This time it was still handed out through the door; he's going to hit someone again when he gets angry..."
"Hey, what's that sound? Why is it so quiet? Could something have happened?"
"How about we go in and take a look? Together?"
Snowflakes were falling outside the window, and the attic was warm and cozy with underfloor heating.
Two figures collapsed on the floor. Bai Ruanruan, who was hugging a chair, was panting heavily, her hair disheveled, and her eyes flashing with a crazed light.
"You're the crazy ones! Bah!"
Bai Ruanruan kicked him, forgetting his physical disability. He fell to the ground with the force of the impact, crying out in pain.
He frantically pounded his body, then, despite feeling nauseous, put on his prosthetic leg and the specially made contact lenses.
He combed his hair, took out a brand-new bespoke suit from the closet, put it on, and then applied cologne.
Three hours later.
Bai Ruanruan got out of the taxi and skillfully made her way to the outskirts of a luxury residential area with a river view.
During that most glorious period, he kept a close eye on things and secretly recorded people's faces; no one knew.
Fortunately, the security guards didn't stop him, Bai Ruanruan successfully slipped inside.
No one was home, but the tea was still warm. Bai Ruanruan checked the security camera footage and saw that a few minutes earlier, Xi Juan had received a phone Xi Juan and gone to the rooftop of a building.
Bai Ruanruan knew where it was; it was only a few hundred meters from Xi Juan's house. The top floor had been converted into an entertainment area with a great view.
He glanced at the room's expensive decor, then hurried towards Xi Juan.
When the system unbound him, it said it regretted giving him the Heartthrob Halo and told him not to bother Xi Juan anymore...
Does this mean that his "Heartthrob Halo" hasn't worn off after it was activated on Xi Juan?
He can't stay in the Bai Family forever as an abandoned good-for-nothing; he's the protagonist of this world!
Whether his guess is right or wrong, he has to take the gamble!
So what if someone is disabled?
Even with Xi Juan acting as his dog, he can still live better than anyone else!
When Bai Ruanruan arrived full of confidence, it was already 20 minutes later.
Even the heavens are on his side. Today is the first snow of winter. Everyone is either out on dates or spending time with important people. The top floor is quiet, with only one or two barks from dogs.
Bai Ruanruan hates dogs barking the most.
He walked over with an odd gait, recalling his previous steps, and stood in front of Xi Juan down.
Xi Juan looked up, and the first thing she saw filled her with disgust; her entire body language conveyed undisguised resistance.
" Bai Ruanruan, you still dare to come out and see me?"
"What did you do to me? Why am I acting like a madman?"
"You're disgusting. Who exactly are you?"
Bai Ruanruan remained silent.
He simply gazed silently at Xi Juan with those eyes, silently counting the numbers in his mind, "...3, 2, 1..."
The next second, the handsome face that had been filled with disgust gradually returned to calm, the resistance subsided, and the arms hung down.
It was the same familiar look from a while ago.
Bai Ruanruan was overjoyed and took out her phone to type.
" Xi Juan, do you love me?"
A moment later, a pleasant voice slid from the man's mouth; though it was the most passionate language, it came out flat and emotionless.
"I love you."
Bai Ruanruan was overjoyed.
Last time, Xi Juan refused to say he loved him no matter what. It seems the system was right. With the halo effect, the bond between Xi Juan and him will only grow stronger!
Bai Ruanruan continued typing.
"You came abroad with me, and I got injured. I need to see a doctor."
Xi Juan nodded, the submissive look in his eyes exactly the same as last time.
"Good."
Bai Ruanruan laughed and typed:
"Post on Weibo that Nan Qing announced his relationship. Go and repost it, calling him a cheap slut who'll sleep with anyone who pays him."
Xi Juan Juan's handsome face remained composed, but a hint of suppressed struggle began to surface in his eyes again.
Bai Ruanruan was consumed by jealousy and slapped him across the face.
Xi Juan's head tilted to the side after being hit, and a handprint was clearly visible on his face.
You dare disobey me?
Do you still like Nan Qing?
"Wishful thinking! Who do you think you are now? A fallen movie star, a sleazy man that everyone kicks at!"
"Let me tell you! I can destroy you if I want to! I can do whatever I want to you! You're destined to be my dog for life, and no one can save you! You're destined to be my dog for life! You'll never be able to turn your life around!"
"Idiot! Disgusting! Why don't you just die--"
Before Bai Ruanruan could finish typing frantically, a figure suddenly appeared and fell down.
He was somewhat frightened, but then he Xi Juan embrace him tenderly.
Although she didn't know why Xi Juan hugged her, Bai Ruanruan breathed a sigh of relief, a smug look appearing on her face.
It sounded like a soft laugh, but the voice was too low for Bai Ruanruan to make out.
But the next second, Xi Juan whispered in his ear, his voice so low he could barely hear, a slight smile playing on his lips.
" Bai Ruanruan, you seem to have forgotten--"
"I am the youngest Grand Slam Best Actor in the history of the entertainment industry."