Chapter 215: I Won't Hand Over What's Mine
"I hate you, you wooden block!"
"Why won't you get out of my body?"
"Give it back to me! Give me back everything! I am Ye Zhen! I am the real one!"
…
One morning during the voyage across the sea.
Ye Zhen jolted awake from another nightmare.
In the dream, the original owner of the identity "Ye Zhen" raged at her as always, even brandishing a dagger.
Each time she awoke, small bruises would appear on Ye Zhen's body.
But those bruises would fade away naturally within a few days.
"Huff."
Ye Zhen stroked her arm, feeling melancholy.
She exhaled a long breath before asking, "Dog System, when do you plan to fix my insomnia?"
[Just hang in there, dog host! This cute little me has already posted the job listing, but no one has applied yet. After all, this guy is both stupid and vicious, like some wild turtle… Who would want a host like that?]
Ye Zhen: "…"
Wait a little longer?
She absentmindedly touched her arm again.
She pressed lightly on the bruise.
A faint twinge of pain made her frown.
"Ye Zhen, breakfast is ready."
Ye Fuli's voice interrupted her reverie.
Ye Zhen quickly let go of her sleeve, stood up, and followed Ye Fuli's pace.
Sleeping poorly at night naturally left her listless during the day.
Ye Zhen yawned constantly, and in her dazed moments, she seemed to see that girl again—bladed dagger in hand, her face blurred.
This inevitably left her feeling uneasy.
"You seem distracted."
Ye Fuli suddenly stopped in her tracks. Ye Zhen didn't notice and collided straight into Ye Fuli's back, stubbing her nose painfully.
When Ye Fuli turned to look at her, Ye Zhen was clutching her nose with both hands, slowly crouching down.
Ye Fuli crouched down beside her, reaching out to ruffle her hair.
"Did something happen?"
"Nothing much, just had a few nightmares," Ye Zhen replied in a muffled voice. "I dreamt…"
"Dreamed about the old Ye Zhen?"
Ye Fuli had somehow guessed Ye Zhen's predicament, leaving Ye Zhen momentarily stunned. Could this be the genius female lead? Was she cheating?
Meeting Ye Zhen's skeptical gaze, Ye Fuli cleared her throat and said, "I didn't guess. I heard you calling out in your sleep."
So she had the bad habit of talking in her sleep!
This was a major flaw that needed fixing.
Ye Zhen gave a wry smile and said nothing.
After a moment of silence.
Ye Fuli continued, "Everything you have now is what you deserve. It's not hers. You don't need to feel any guilt about it, nor is there anything you need to give back to her."
Ye Zhen shook her head. "I don't feel guilty. It's just that…"
"Feel what?"
"I find her annoying."
"…Annoying?"
"Yes. She keeps appearing in my dreams, acting crazy. It's really annoying."
The sea breeze blew in gusts, sending strands of hair flying wildly, obscuring Ye Zhen's eyes.
Her hat bounced wildly in the wind, and she reached up to hold it down firmly.
Gazing out at the endless expanse of sea, Ye Zhen spoke slowly and deliberately: "I won't say I owe her nothing, but I will say this—she won't get anything from me!"
"Ye Zhen, I'm glad you feel that way."
Ye Fuli preferred a little white rabbit that bared its claws and teeth, not one that let itself be bullied.
If she could, she wanted to enter Ye Zhen's dreams, to hold her when Ye Zhen was afraid, even when she cried.
But their dreams had never connected.
"We disembark tomorrow, Ye Zhen. I know an excellent psychologist. I'll have her come see you."
Ye Zhen pursed her lips. "This isn't really a psychological disorder, is it?"
"She has ways to help you sleep better."
"Then… let her come."
…
The cruise ship docked, and passengers disembarked one after another.
Leaving the port, Ye Fuli took Ye Zhen to catch a flight bound for Northern Europe. Before long, they arrived in the city where the psychologist resided.
With a single phone call, Ye Fuli summoned the doctor to come over that very night.
Lying on her side on the sofa, eyes closed in rest, Ye Zhen drifted into a drowsy state and slipped back into her dreams.
This time, before the original host could approach and attack, Ye Zhen mustered every ounce of strength and shouted, "Stop right there!"
The other party seemed taken aback that Ye Zhen could speak—or even move—within her own domain.
With tremendous effort, Ye Zhen slowly raised her hand.
The other harbored resentment, and so did Ye Zhen!
What was the matter?
Did she come here willingly?!
Did she choose to shrink from a six-foot-tall hulk into a five-foot-tall runt?
She hadn't wanted this either. But now that she was here, and through her own efforts and the system's support, she'd gained the life she desired—there was no way she'd just hand it over!
If she had to be the villain, she'd play the part to the end.
She doesn't need any virtue badge anyway…
"Fine, fine! I did steal your identity and your family!"
"So I stole it—do I need to pick a day for it?"
"I've already taken it—do you expect me to give it back?!"
"Come on then! If you've got the guts, come and take it back! Let's settle this once and for all!"
Ye Zhen shouted loudly, as if doing so could draw greater strength from within.
Every bone in her body ached, each step forward an agonizing struggle. Yet, she was gradually gaining the upper hand.
So she clenched her fist and swung it hard at the opponent's face.
A sharp, explosive sound erupted from the opponent.
Then, heedless of the pain, he lunged at Ye Zhen.
"You damn bastard! I'll kill you! Give me back what's mine!"
The ensuing scene descended into utter chaos.
In any case, Ye Zhen, consumed by rage, showed no mercy. When her fists failed, she bit and kicked relentlessly until the other begged for mercy…
When Ye Zhen awoke from the dream once more, she was drenched in sweat.
This time, however, fear had vanished from her face, replaced by a rare sense of satisfaction.
[Dog Host, you really are vicious (?｀?Д?′)!!]
"What? She gets to bully me, but I can't bully her?"
Ye Zhen snorted in disapproval.
[Hehe, now that's more like my host! Such boldness is the main reason I chose you~]
With this cheerful mood, Ye Zhen stood up and stretched lazily.
The next second, she saw Ye Fuli emerge from the bathroom, face covered, hair slightly disheveled, her gaze fixed on Ye Zhen with a haunting intensity…
"Um, what… what's going on here?"
Ye Zhen scratched her head, asking nervously.
No wonder the dream felt so impactful—turns out she actually hit someone in real life?
This was truly damnable.
Ye Fuli snorted but said nothing.
She silently pulled out her phone and called the psychologist back:
"Hello, no need to come over. The patient is fine now. Yes, I'll cover the consultation fee. Just head back the way you came."