Chapter 52

But Ruan Ning's smile lasted only a second before it dimmed.

Only then did she realize how much negative emotion she had been unloading onto the inherently pessimistic Bai Xingmiao during this period—and he had never once complained.

Ruan Ning knew all too well the pain of someone with depression carrying the weight of others' emotional baggage. That was why she regretted even more that she had rarely asked about Bai Xingmiao's condition, instead chattering on about her own confusion and sorrow.

She quickly opened her browser and searched for upcoming anime events.

Country A's ACG industry was highly developed, with nearly every city hosting its own anime convention. Ruan Ning had no trouble finding the nearest one—an anime carnival in the neighboring city of Qiao. She immediately bought two e-tickets and sent one over.

【There's an anime carnival in Qiao next Friday. Would you like to go with me?】

After sending it, she quickly closed the messaging app, walked to the window, and gazed at the school's clock tower.

In truth, she had decided to use this final anime convention trip as a way to say goodbye to Bai Xingmiao.

In the past, even a single symbol from Bai Xingmiao would send her spiraling into days of overthinking. Now she suddenly understood—he had been bearing pressures he shouldn't have had to bear all along.

People in poor mental states need a safe, fresh environment, as far away from triggers as possible.

Ruan Ning felt her own situation was a complete mess right now. The accumulated problems and stress since the semester began had left her barely able to manage herself, with no capacity to absorb another person's complex emotions. Moreover, she was afraid that her own quietly radiating negativity would affect Bai Xingmiao and worsen his condition.

Both of them were little boats adrift in a sea of suffering. If merely holding their own oars already took every ounce of strength they had, why drag each other down further?

Only now did she understand why she had always felt she could connect with Bai Xingmiao on a deeper level—and why, no matter how hard she tried to get close to him, she never received a positive response.

She was tired.

So much had happened that Ruan Ning increasingly felt life was unpredictable, that fate was like a script already written. Even if she kept putting off accepting Bai Xingmiao's reward, she would have to face it sooner or later.

She was bound to the villainess system, and no matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't escape the villainess ending.

The system had started its countdown for her.

In the blink of an eye, half the semester had passed, and the major plot point was approaching—winter break.

During winter break, the three male leads would gather for the first time because of the female lead, the supporting character would begin to reveal her true colors, and soon after, she would flee abroad and go into hiding.

By now, Ruan Ning had come to accept failure.

Sometimes a person lives on a single breath of determination, and when that breath dissipates, everything falls apart.

It just meant she would disappear from the world entirely—but in the end, doesn't everyone disappear from the world? At that thought, Ruan Ning suddenly felt free.

That evening, Jiang Yihao sent a text right on schedule.

Recently, Jiang Yihao had been busier than ever, but no matter how late it got, he always sent a message. Today, he asked what her weekend plans were.

Ruan Ning: 【I'm going to the anime convention in Qiao City on Friday】

Jiang Yihao, surprised: 【What anime convention? Our team happens to have a charity event at a Qiao orphanage on Friday afternoon. Let's grab a meal together after it's over.】

Ruan Ning: 【Sure, can you come in the morning?】

Jiang Yihao sent a string of happy emojis: 【So eager to see me?】

Ruan Ning: 【Haha, is that okay?】

Jiang Yihao: 【Of course. It's just that you've been so proactive lately, I'm not used to it.】

Ruan Ning: 【So can you come?】

Jiang Yihao: 【Of course. Remember to bring the bag I gave you (laughing.jpg)】

Ruan Ning smiled at the screen but didn't reply further.

Setting that aside, she immediately called Bu Chen and left a voice message before he could call first: 【This Friday, could you accompany me to the anime convention?】

Lately, with tensions rising both domestically and internationally, Bu Chen had been contacting her much less frequently.

Though their conversations had grown shorter, she could sense Bu Chen's complicated and difficult feelings toward Jiang Yihao. That was one of the few times she felt Bu Chen still had a human side—and the same went for Jiang Yihao.

So, she wanted to say goodbye to all of this. To gather everyone together and make things clear: she was just an ordinary person, so ordinary she could be found anywhere, and she wasn't worth them fighting over her like brothers.

Besides, she was tired of living behind a mask, caught between all of them.

An hour later, Bu Chen replied with a single text: 【Are you okay?】

Ruan Ning: 【I'm fine. Can you come?】

Bu Chen: 【Is there something you want to say?】

Ruan Ning: 【Yeah, I'd rather say it in person】

Bu Chen replied with a brief 【Okay】, and then nothing more.

Ruan Ning wasn't surprised. She saw Bu Kai on the news every day now. As Bu Kai's son, this must be Bu Chen's busiest time.

In truth, she had invited everyone to the carnival partly out of fear—only in a crowded place would she dare speak her mind. After all, given their statuses, they wouldn't dare do anything rash with so many people around. As for what came after, she didn't want to think about it or care anymore.

On the day of the anime carnival, Ruan Ning arrived in Qiao City. The event was held at a remote suburban exhibition hall, and along the way, she saw many anime fans dressed in colorful cosplay outfits.

They wore wigs in every shade imaginable, with elaborate makeup and props and costumes so finely crafted they were one-to-one reproductions of the characters. Each face brimmed with excited smiles as they headed to the annual celebration.

She was happy for them, though her own heart remained tightly sealed, unable to share in their joy.

At the exhibition hall entrance, a sea of cosplayers formed a spectacle that shattered the barriers between dimensions. They came in groups, pushing suitcases and lugging props, laughing and joking as they queued to enter. The noise was deafening, the crowd seething—enough to pull anyone out of reality and into the world of 2D.

Ruan Ning had bought a VIP ticket and entered quickly. After a beep scanned her QR code, her e-ticket changed to "Entered." Bai Xingmiao's remained untouched.

After she sent the message, he had gone silent again.

Having gamed with him for months, she knew his schedule like the back of her hand. She was certain Bai Xingmiao was free today.

Bai Xingmiao was always like this—so hot and cold. For someone as naturally introverted and passive as Ruan Ning, she had exhausted all her initiative on him. She no longer had the strength to chase after him, waiting for his response.

She stood at the entrance watching people stream in pairs and groups. Because she was standing in such a conspicuous spot, people kept asking her for directions. Ruan Ning would awkwardly say, "Sorry, I just arrived myself."

The other person would feel embarrassed and immediately apologize: "Oh, sorry, sorry."

Anime fans were usually polite and introverted—at the slightest hint of making someone uncomfortable, they'd apologize and back off. Ruan Ning didn't know how long she stood at the entrance. A group of Certain Death cosplayers passed by, and she didn't even look up.

She refreshed the page from time to time; the other e-ticket still showed "Unused."

She wondered who would appear before her first.