Chapter 084: Are You Really the Original Ye Zhen?
Inside the venue.
The venue was now packed with people, bustling with excitement.
From this floor all the way up to the rooftop garden, the entire space served as the venue for this gathering.
Upon entering, Ye Zhen took in the distinctive decorations—especially the towering structure built from hydrogen balloons in the distance—and it all clicked.
This place wasn't just the stage for the piano solo performance—it was also a crucial plot point.
"The main venue's electrical system malfunctioned! At 11 PM during the gathering, a short circuit ignited the stacked foam boxes and wrapping paper, then spread to the vast cluster of hydrogen balloons, triggering a fierce fire."
Ye Zhen's heartbeat suddenly quickened considerably.
In the comic, the only people who had come to this venue were her, Ye Fuli, Huang Li, and Bai Ruoting.
"If the plot unfolds as written, I'm Bai Ruoting's sycophant—a villainous supporting character who'd gladly see Ye Fuli torn to pieces."
"After the fire started, it spread throughout the entire venue in mere seconds."
"At that moment, I, Bai Ruoting, and Ye Fuli were all trapped inside."
"Huang Li, as a minor male supporting character, would naturally rush in recklessly to play the hero and rescue the damsel in distress."
"The two of them shielded Ye Fuli as she escaped safely, while I was abandoned in the burning building. Choked unconscious by thick smoke, I suffered multiple burns that left ugly scars."
Scene after scene from the original storyline flooded back into Ye Zhen's mind.
At this point in the comic, Ye Fuli had already returned to the Ye family home.
Taking advantage of the last remnants of affection from her adoptive parents, Ye Zhen had accompanied the Ye family to this gathering.
Before the fire broke out, Ye Zhen had poured red wine over Ye Fuli's head, used scissors meant for cutting ribbon to slash Ye Fuli's expensive dress, and hurled a string of mindless, provoking insults.
In the comic, Ye Fuli merely stared at her expressionlessly.
Amid the scorching flames, Ye Zhen even screamed that she would drag Ye Fuli down to hell with her.
In real life, such a character might not be so bluntly abandoned in a fire—after all, her crimes would be judged by the law. But this is a comic where Ye Fuli is the main heroine.
Comics don't follow the law.
In comics, a villainous female supporting character deserves to die for every breath she takes.
Emerging from the flashback, Ye Zhen's lips curled upward into a wicked smile.
Opportunity. What a golden opportunity!
The plot had spiraled out of control like a runaway horse. Bai Ruoting likely wouldn't make an appearance now, but accidents like electrical shorts should still happen as planned, right?
With that thought,
Ye Zhen promptly addressed the system: "Damn system, can I use my 'screw-up opportunity' here?"
[Absolutely! Even if you should theoretically be roasted to medium-rare, this cute little system can use its privileges to ensure not a single hair on your body gets singed.]
"Then creating the illusion of burns should be possible too, right?"
[Theoretically, yes. _(:з」∠)_]
After all, this one-time recklessness privilege offered considerable flexibility.
Ye Zhen took a deep breath and glanced at the floor-to-ceiling window beside her.
She traced her fingers over her own fair, beautiful face, a daring idea forming in her mind.
To make the Ye family abandon her, or abandon the arranged marriage… then disfiguring this face… might be a good idea, right?
Of course, not permanently—just temporarily.
When the day came for her to leave the Ye family—whether by choice or circumstance—she could simply revert to using this face again.
"Ye Fuli was reborn. She shouldn't be trapped here again. This time, the only one who will be trapped is me."
At this thought, Ye Zhen couldn't help but consider the possibility of Ye Fuli coming to rescue her.
"Hah, probably not."
She had been reborn and knew how terrifying that fire would be.
How could someone who prioritized profit above all else take such a risk?
Just as Ye Fuli had said before, "My slight favor toward you isn't enough to grant you such a high position."
As for the fleeting thought of preventing the fire, it merely flitted through Ye Zhen's mind before she dismissed it.
Who could she possibly run to and tell that the wiring here was faulty?
The main venue was enormous, and the gathering had already begun. The wiring was concealed within the ceiling. Demanding that someone tear off the expensive decorative panels to conduct a large-scale circuit inspection was utterly impossible.
This wasn't even the Ye family's event—who would listen to her?
Insisting would only lead to her being taken away early by the Ye parents and injected with sedatives.
Worst of all, if the inspection actually uncovered wiring issues, she'd struggle to explain the cause and consequences.
"Then they'll just find some excuse to kick everyone out of this area."
Ye Zhen admitted she couldn't be a perfect savior.
All she could do was save a few lives here and there, as long as it didn't bring trouble upon herself.
…
Ye Fuli had no idea what Ye Zhen was thinking.
All she knew was that the shifts in Ye Zhen's expression were quite entertaining.
Does this little devil have a lot of tricks up her sleeve?
"Zhenzhen, you and Ye Fuli stay here. Don't wander off. Your father and I are going to meet some old acquaintances," Mrs. Ye instructed.
Ye Zhen nodded.
Seeing the array of assorted pastries on the long table, she couldn't help but swallow hard.
Damn it, they were all her favorites.
She tugged Ye Fuli's arm and found a prime spot to sit down. Here, she could feel the breeze, take in the city lights, and watch the stage performances—plus it would be convenient to head over for the piano solo later.
"Here, let me cut your cake for you."
Ye Zhen carefully scraped the frosting off the cake, then added a few of the largest blueberries as decoration before handing it to Ye Fuli.
"I know you don't like cream, but you should like blueberries…"
Ye Fuli's eyes darkened at the words: "When did you know?"
Ye Zhen looked at her, returning the smile with perfect, flawless deception. "I guessed. Was I wrong?"
Of course it wasn't a guess, and it couldn't possibly be wrong.
Ye Fuli held the cake in her hands, her heart fluttering slightly as she looked at the plump blueberries Ye Zhen had placed on top.
Was it a coincidence?
Time and again, Ye Zhen had managed to pinpoint her preferences with uncanny accuracy.
Ye Fuli no longer believed the Ye Zhen before her had also been reborn.
Because in her previous life, Ye Zhen wouldn't have known so many of her hobbies.
Something was off about this…
But Ye Fuli couldn't figure out what exactly the problem was.
She speared a blueberry with a plastic fork, popped it into her mouth, bit through it, and let the tart-sweet juice drip onto her tongue.
Watching Ye Zhen's profile, she thought, there's plenty of time ahead. Sooner or later, she would uncover the secrets hidden within Ye Zhen.
The piano performance segment began.
Huang Li, dressed to the nines, puffed out his chest, adjusted his tie, and strode confidently onto the stage, bowing to the audience below.
But Ye Zhen knew he would soon have to clench his buttocks and exit early due to sudden, unbearable diarrhea.
The moment the melodious piano music abruptly stopped, Ye Zhen's eyes lit up. She quickly grabbed Ye Fuli's hand.
"Ye Fuli, please go up and play a piece!"
"I can't."
"How could you not?"
"Why would I?"
Ye Fuli fixed her gaze on Ye Zhen. "I've never played piano anywhere, have I? What makes you so certain I can?"
This stumped Ye Zhen.
She couldn't very well admit it was the manga author who said so!
After a moment of silence, Ye Zhen shrugged her shoulders.
"I just figured someone as multi-talented as you, Ye Fuli, couldn't possibly be incapable of handling even a simple piano."
Ye Fuli lifted her chin, smiling warmly at her.
A silent, scheming Feng Aotian was truly terrifying.
Ye Zhen knew this was a rare chance to shine, but she couldn't force it.
She feigned nonchalance, picking up a strawberry and popping it into her mouth before speaking with a mouthful, "If you really can't do it, then forget it."
"Are you really the original Ye Zhen?"
Ye Fuli often spoke in startling ways.
Startled, Ye Zhen nearly choked on the rotten strawberry.
Ye Fuli stood up, gently patting her back to help her catch her breath.
But Ye Zhen remained shaken, keeping her head down, afraid to meet her gaze lest she detect the turmoil within.
"You really don't resemble the original Ye Zhen. But if you're not her, then who could you be?"
Ye Fuli's words seemed directed at Ye Zhen, yet also echoed her own thoughts.
She sighed as she spoke.
"At least we're dating. Since you want to hear my piano playing, I'll grant you that wish."