Chapter 107: Confession

With her back to the director, Xu Zhizhi’s lips curved into a faint smile.

She had previously asked Feng Jie, ‘If someone were in danger, what should they do?’

Feng Jie’s answer was straightforward—run, escape from whatever threatened them.

Xu Zhizhi faced challenges and so did the system. If she failed her task, the system would disappear.

As an advanced AI, the system lacked human emotions but it undeniably possessed a survival instinct.

The will to live is one of the most fundamental traits of humanity.

If the system had evolved to resemble a human, failing its task would mean its death.

It wanted to survive. That explained its previous outbursts, desperation, and schemes.

Just as humans adapt to extremes, the system, when faced with danger, sought to evade it entirely.

Feng Jie instinctively chose to flee in hypothetical danger; the system likely would, too.

Xu Zhizhi speculated that the system used some unknown method to escape.

However, it couldn’t make its escape public because there were rules binding even a rogue system like 011.

Even after escaping, 011’s goal remained to kill Xu Zhizhi, pushing her to a dead end so it could regain the system’s authority without exposing itself.

That was Xu Zhizhi’s bold hypothesis. Initially, she wasn’t certain, as she didn’t want to accuse a director merely for demanding immersion in a role.

She had observed Li Feng for a while.

At first, there seemed to be nothing unusual. His intentions and habits during filming didn’t reveal anything and his demands on actors, including herself, were fairly consistent.

It wasn’t until Li Wanwan’s praise of her acting provoked Li Feng into an unusual display of irritation and anger that Xu Zhizhi’s suspicions deepened.

As someone with a hypnosis skill, Xu Zhizhi had gained extensive knowledge of psychology.

She quickly realized that Li Feng had a guilty conscience.

But what was he feeling guilty about?

Recalling everything that had happened, Xu Zhizhi deduced the answer. The system most probably manipulated Li Feng into pushing her deeper into the role. Watching her struggle, his guilt stemmed from his complicity.

Xu Zhizhi’s smile was directed at him, mocking his hypocrisy. If he truly felt guilty, he wouldn’t have done such things in the first place.

It was pathetic.

At the same time, Xu Zhizhi admired the system’s cunning. If its initial scheme had succeeded, it would have had a double safety net in place.

However, because she refused to sign, one of those safety nets had been removed.

Sitting in the car, Xu Zhizhi gazed at the bustling, intricate city with its historic charm.

After all, she wasn’t truly a person from this world.

That fact had always left her feeling insecure.

She adapted quickly to many people and situations, but emotionally, she wasn’t as quick.

It was just as Feng Jie had said. Xu Zhizhi was a slow and oblivious person, only now realizing her emotional issues.

Taking a deep breath, Xu Zhizhi pushed aside her chaotic thoughts.

A few minutes later, the car stopped at the actors’ apartment complex.

The door automatically opened and Xu Zhizhi lowered her gaze, stepping out with calm poise.

Her shoulder-length black hair slid down, partially covering her face.

She felt the intense gaze of someone on her, and instinctively, she looked up. A tall man in a black trench coat stood in the distance, holding a white rose, silently watching her.

The man exuded calmness, his eyes filled with a profound, undeniable affection.

He took two steps forward and opened his arms.

Xu Zhizhi’s emotions surged uncontrollably. At that moment, she even thought she might be mistaken.

She ran toward Qin Su, and for an instant, time seemed to slow. Everything around her felt so vivid and real.

Wearing a matching black trench coat, Xu Zhizhi threw herself into Qin Su’s embrace. He held the flower in one hand and wrapped the other around her, resting a hand gently on her head.

Buried in the crook of Qin Su’s neck, Xu Zhizhi remained silent for a long time.

After a minute, she finally murmured, “Why are you here?”

She thought she could ask the question calmly, but as the words left her lips, her eyes welled up with tears.

Her voice turned hoarse, tinged with a sob.

She had believed she was strong enough, that she should be strong enough. After everything she had faced, she thought she had learned resilience.

But seeing Qin Su in person, she realized she wasn’t as strong as she believed.

Qin Su gently stroked her head. “It’s okay. It’s okay. I’m here now. Everything will be fine.”

After holding him for a while, Xu Zhizhi suddenly realized they were still outside.

The thought of being caught by the press made her face flush instantly.

Qin Su took her hand and led her into the apartment building and then into her room.

Feng Jie stood nearby with her arms crossed, watching them leave. She turned to the driver and said, “Talk about ditching your friends for love.”

The driver chuckled. “Let’s head to a café nearby while they have their time. Young couples deserve some space.”

Of course, the driver wasn’t offering to treat Feng Jie to coffee. She would go herself and the driver’s job would end after dropping her off.

Xu Zhizhi was one of the best employers he had worked for. She didn’t demand a constant 24-hour standby service. Usually, his work was done after pick-ups and drop-offs.

Feng Jie nodded at the driver’s suggestion, waving her hand. “Alright, let’s grab some coffee and desserts.”

*****

Xu Zhizhi had always thought of herself as someone who wouldn’t crack under pressure.

But Qin Su’s arrival made her realize that she too had a soft, vulnerable side.

Sitting with the flower in her hands, she looked at Qin Su. “Why did you come?”

He hadn’t answered earlier, so she asked again.

“I just felt like coming. A princess summons her knight and I’ve come to find the solutions to her troubles,” Qin Su teased.

Xu Zhizhi’s eyes curved with a smile, sweetness filling her gaze. “Thank you, my knight. May I kiss you as a reward?”

Sitting on the couch, Xu Zhizhi wrapped her arms around Qin Su’s shoulders and gazed directly into his eyes.

His dark eyes were heavy with unspoken emotion and Xu Zhizhi tilted her head up to kiss his lips.

Qin Su held her tighter and deepened the kiss.

It was the most intense kiss they’d ever shared.

In the end, Xu Zhizhi rested her head on Qin Su’s shoulder and softly said, “I’ve encountered something rather difficult and I don’t know how to solve it.”

It took immense courage for her to admit this.

She was like a lone traveler finally accepting another person into their journey.

“So, you’ve finally realized that you should ask for my help early on, instead of leaving me to clean up after you,” Qin Su said softly, his large hand threading through her hair.

Xu Zhizhi was emotionally slow and highly guarded. On the surface, she appeared cheerful, generous, kind, and dependable, but she had never stopped worrying deep down.

Qin Su had never fully understood the source of her worries or why she carried such a heavy layer of defense.

It was as though she was separated from the world by an invisible barrier, lacking a sense of reality.

Even in her close relationships like friendships, family ties, and romance, Xu Zhizhi seemed to lack strong personal investment.

Her indecision and tendency to isolate herself felt more like she was prioritizing others rather than her own needs.

Qin Su had noticed all of them as he observed her carefully.

And now, as she hesitated to share her thoughts, he could sense her struggle with something deeply personal, but he couldn’t ask.

He could only wait. Otherwise, she would unconsciously shut him out, just like she had done with her emotions.

He thought he would have to wait a long time, but to his surprise, Xu Zhizhi finally opened up, learning to seek help and bare her heart.

Xu Zhizhi straightened up, meeting Qin Su’s gaze and sensing the emotions surging in his eyes. “There’s no escaping the sharp eyes of Captain Qin…”

Qin Su reached out and pulled her into his arms. “There’s still much I don’t know. Tell me something I don’t.”

“About me, for example? But first, let me clarify. No assuming I’m delusional, hallucinating, or suffering from cognitive issues,” Xu Zhizhi said with a smile.

Qin Su let out a soft ‘hmm.’

Xu Zhizhi’s heart raced as she thought about what she was about to say.

After a moment, she gathered her thoughts and whispered softly, almost like a murmur, “Do you believe in parallel worlds?”

The sudden shift in topic left Qin Su momentarily caught off guard.

Holding Qin Su’s hand, Xu Zhizhi continued, “My name is Xu Zhizhi, but I’m not this Xu Zhizhi. I was once an intern lawyer…”

When the system had no external reinforcements, Xu Zhizhi had never thought of calling for help. She didn’t feel the need to tell others everything because she believed she could handle it on her own, even when dealing with an intelligent criminal assistance system.

But the system broke the rules. She wasn’t a fool and the fact that the third task was the final one confirmed it.

Xu Zhizhi realized she deserved to have trusted allies to help her through the challenge.

Humans weren’t solitary beings and when things couldn’t be resolved alone, seeking help was essential.

She needed Qin Su to ensure that she would not cross a certain moral line.

As long as she stayed within those bounds, she would emerge victorious in her mission.

Xu Zhizhi kept her explanation simple and chose to trust Qin Su wholeheartedly.

It wasn’t just because of love but also because Qin Su was someone inherently trustworthy, someone who would never abandon or give up on those in need.

Previously, Xu Zhizhi often felt like her experience mirrored her childhood like she had been kidnapped again. Transmigrating into another world, stripped of all familiarity and support, felt like a different kind of abduction.

Now, she sought help.

Her goal was to eliminate the system, the true culprit behind everything.

Xu Zhizhi didn’t know what the ultimate outcome would be. She only knew that criminals deserved punishment, whether they were human or not.

Having already informed Feng Jie that she would be gone for a while, Xu Zhizhi felt at ease sharing everything she knew with Qin Su.

Qin Su’s expression shifted from confusion to wariness, and then to a grim realization.

No wonder Xu Zhizhi had been so guarded. She had been on high alert, wary of something insidious all along.

The information he received deeply worried him.

He frowned as he contemplated the criminal assistance system.

The system’s goal was to influence Xu Zhizhi to commit crimes.

As long as she committed crimes to a certain extent, the system’s objectives would be achieved.

Meanwhile, the system’s chosen host would continuously generate Malice Points and the more Malice Points accumulated, the more the host would be enveloped in malice.

With minimal interference from the system itself, it could achieve its purpose.

Initially, Qin Su didn’t understand why the system lacked control over its host’s body.

It wasn’t until Xu Zhizhi mentioned the arrogance of the system’s creators that everything clicked. Their arrogance led them to believe that the system’s mere existence was enough to tempt anyone.

The Malice Points would corrupt the hosts and cause them to willingly commit crimes without any need for direct control.

Even the creators hadn’t anticipated that Xu Zhizhi would make it this far.

“This time, with the system upgrade and the start of the third task, things feel different,” Xu Zhizhi said, her brows furrowed and her voice heavy.

Qin Su looked at her intently. “I’ll investigate Li Feng and confirm the situation.”

“Okay,” Xu Zhizhi nodded.

Qin Su frowned. Xi Zhizhi’s current situation was complicated. Everything Li Feng had done so far fell within the scope of a director’s duties.

Xu Zhizhi herself seemed to have little resistance against the invasive effects of malice and the tendency to immerse herself deeply in her role.

As for the system, its escape, the location of its host, how to capture it, and whether it could pose a threat to society in the future were all issues that needed consideration.

Qin Su stood up, poured a cup of warm water for Xu Zhizhi, and crouched down to look at her at eye level. “Zhizhi, don’t be afraid.”

Xu Zhizhi nodded slightly. “Okay.”

Qin Su smiled at her and gently asked about her life in the original world.

Xu Zhizhi softly recounted her experiences and encounters from her original world.

In both worlds, her appearance and personality were similar, and she was the same age.

If not for the fact that Xu Zhizhi was certain her past experiences were real and that the terrible events she faced as an intern lawyer truly happened, she might not have believed in the concept of parallel worlds.

Unexpectedly, Qin Su didn’t dwell on it too much. He simply believed her, trusting that she was the Xu Zhizhi from another parallel world.

Many times, she wondered if, over time, she might truly become the Xu Zhizhi of this world.

But now, seeing the unwavering belief in Qin Su’s eyes, Xu Zhizhi was convinced she would always remain herself.

The two talked for a long time, with Qin Su mostly asking questions and Xu Zhizhi answering.

Later, the conversation shifted to trivial details about Li Feng. Xu Zhizhi joked, “If I were a police officer, I’d be a very unqualified one. My method of identifying suspects is entirely based on intuition.”

“That’s your sharp perception,” Qin Su replied. “It proves that no matter how well someone hides it, their dirty intentions can’t stay concealed.”

Xu Zhizhi chuckled lightly. Although Qin Su could be blunt, it didn’t mean he didn’t know how to comfort someone.

While Qin Su couldn’t help her with the effects of immersing herself too deeply in her role, he could do everything in his power to prevent her from committing crimes.

After some thought, Xu Zhizhi realized they had come full circle, back to where they started.

When they first met, Qin Su was cautious and he suspected she might be a criminal.

Now, Qin Su took the initiative to ensure she wouldn’t cross the line into crime.

Xu Zhizhi wasn’t someone to sit idly by. After considering her options, she decided that capturing the system and preventing its escape was the top priority.

She wasn’t sure if she could defeat the system but as a human, she believed in trying.

The hacking skills she gained from the system might play a small but significant role.

When Feng Jie returned, she saw the two of them focused on their respective tasks, with no romantic atmosphere between them.

Qin Su was on a call, seemingly investigating something, while Xu Zhizhi sat with her laptop, sipping milk tea as she typed away.

Feng Jie felt like the two weren’t dating but working together instead.

However, Qin Su’s actions of making calls while still finding time to wash fruit and peel it for Xu Zhizhi looked quite romantic.

After asking what they wanted to eat, Feng Jie ordered some good takeout so they could keep working.

She was happy because Xu Zhizhi seemed less lost and confused, with more energy and purpose.

After dinner, Xu Zhizhi said, “Jie-jie, keep an eye on Li Feng for me. He seems suspicious.”

“Got it!” Feng Jie immediately agreed without hesitation.

She didn’t need to ask further, as she had also sensed that something was off about Li Feng.

Unlike Xu Hua, who was brash but harmless, Li Feng was different. Even when Xu Zhizhi performed perfectly, Li Feng would still find something to criticize.

Feng Jie felt he wasn’t just sharp-tongued but also scheming and unfathomable.

Being extra cautious around him was the right call.

Hearing Feng Jie’s decisive response, Xu Zhizhi’s lips curved into a bright smile.

Now, she wasn’t afraid of anything anymore.

The system set a challenge for her, so she decided to face it head-on.

After 9 p.m., Qin Su left and checked into a nearby hotel.

Xu Zhizhi washed up early and went to bed, her emotions completely at ease.

At 7:30 in the morning, Xu Zhizhi woke up. Reflecting on what she discussed with Qin Su the previous day, she felt no regret, only relief.

In the three years since she arrived in the new world, having someone she could truly trust was a rare and fortunate thing.

When she arrived at the film set, she used the waiting time during makeup to carefully review her script.

Li Feng entered the set holding a thermos, immediately noticing Xu Zhizhi was acting as if nothing had happened.

The events of the previous day had stirred significant private discussions within the crew, leaving Li Feng slightly annoyed. Xu Zhizhi was the kind of person who, with some adjustments to her acting, could deliver lines that seemed full of hidden implications.

He couldn’t understand how the previous directors had tolerated someone with her temperament.

Or perhaps fame had made her arrogant.

Li Feng ignored Xu Zhizhi and began arranging the day’s work with the crew.

Xu Zhizhi also ignored Li Feng, focusing instead on refining her performance.

The movie didn’t have many plot twists but it showcased a lot of skill-based displays.

For the filming that day, there was a mirror magic scene later on.

In that scene, the police could see her, yet it wasn’t her. It was an illusion, like a flower in water or the moon in a mirror.

Once again, she toyed with the police, her arrogance reaching its peak.

However, that day’s shoot was not about that scene but focused on forgery.

While Xu Zhizhi was studying her script, a team of security guards entered while escorting a box.

Without needing to think much, Xu Zhizhi knew what it contained.

It was a Ming Dynasty sky-blue porcelain vase with a twin-lotus design, worth 50 million Yuan. It was also the central prop for showcasing the forgery skill.

Li Feng had borrowed it from a private collector for the shoot.

The next three days of filming would revolve around the prop.

Xu Zhizhi had five scenes to shoot involving the vase, with later scenes involving other actors.

“Director Li is bold! If that thing gets broken or lost, he’ll have to pay for it,” the makeup artist whispered to Xu Zhizhi while working on her makeup.

Xu Zhizhi responded calmly, “I heard it’s insured, so it should be fine.”

“Sure, insurance is one thing, but if it gets damaged or scratched, the responsibility falls entirely on the director. That’s a huge hassle! I don’t even understand why he insists on using the real thing,” the makeup artist continued, glancing over to ensure the director couldn’t hear.

In recent years, while some domestic entertainment productions have used high-value authentic props, their worth was usually far lower than that vase.

The main concern was the fragility of the prop. The makeup artist, who frequently had to step in for touch-ups and hair adjustments during filming, worried about accidentally causing damage.

A fragile porcelain vase like that could lead to lawsuits and public outrage if mishandled.

As Xu Zhizhi would have the most contact with the vase, the makeup artist couldn’t help but vent to her.

Hearing this, Xu Zhizhi sighed and said, “Let’s just hope the filming goes smoothly.”

“Hopefully. You must be extra careful, Zhizhi,” the makeup artist replied.

Once the makeup was done, Xu Zhizhi moved to the waiting area.

Since the scene was set in an office, the vase was currently kept in a redwood box and guarded by four security personnel.

After assessing the scene and identifying areas where the vase could be at risk, Xu Zhizhi began rehearsing with other actors.

The scene mainly featured the boss showing off the vase and asking the female protagonist to help locate a counterfeit.

The first few minutes included Wen Yang in the scene as a backdrop.

When the counterfeit was needed, the female protagonist, Wen Yang, finally got drawn into the plot.

The boss declared his intention to double-cross the other party.

Wen Yang realized she could also exploit the opportunity and began to act, tying the scene back to the earlier counterfeit production setup.

The scene required subtlety in its performance but without being too stiff.

Xu Zhizhi coordinated with the other actors, ensuring everyone worked together smoothly. During positioning, they all intentionally avoided the box containing the antique.

When filming began, several middle-aged men were seated around a table, engaged in conversation.

Wen Yang, following a signal from the boss, brought the subject of discussion to the table with her bodyguards. The boss quickly introduced his antique.

In the antique world, there was an old saying, ‘Jade shouldn’t pass through too many hands.’

After the introduction, Wen Yang handed the item over to the appraiser.

Wen Yang’s eyes lingered on the stunningly beautiful porcelain vase as it was revealed, a hint of greed flashing in her gaze.

Meanwhile, the appraiser, wearing gloves, began carefully inspecting the piece.

Up to that point, filming had gone smoothly, as the scene was relatively simple.

After the appraisal, the negotiation over the price began.

The boss wasn’t planning to sell the piece but owed those people a debt. However, he had no intention of letting them take the real antique, so after showing it, he signaled his bodyguards to take it away.

When the others asked for another look, the boss refused, saying it wasn’t the right time.

Of course, he still needed an opportunity to swap it out!

What he didn’t notice was that Wen Yang’s gaze remained fixed on the wooden box containing the porcelain vase.

After dismissing the group, the boss instructed Wen Yang, his highly knowledgeable and impeccably qualified secretary, to prepare a high-quality counterfeit.

“You’re planning to…” Wen Yang quickly deduced the boss’s intentions and probed him cautiously.

The boss nodded, chuckling disdainfully, “A treasure like this isn’t for people like them. Get a decent counterfeit, one they can’t detect.”

“Understood, boss. I’ll handle it perfectly,” Wen Yang replied with a sly smile.

The boss laughed heartily as Wen Yang left the room.

She headed to the restroom, standing in front of the mirror.

Wen Yang’s almond-shaped eyes now held a wicked glint and an ambitious edge.

She rubbed the phone in her hand, her lips curling into a smile.

Reaching out, she placed her hand on the mirror.

The cold touch spread from her fingertips to her palm. Her voice, low and slightly malicious, murmured, “It’s all mine. I guarantee they won’t tell the real from the fake.”

Effortlessly, Wen Yang realized the counterfeit skills she had acquired earlier were now coming in handy.

She stared directly at her reflection, her expression restrained, but the emotions in her eyes were unmistakable.

[Ding! You’ve gained 13 Malice Points. Current total: 178 Malice Points.]

[Keep going! When you reach 1,000 Malice Points, you can exchange them for a basic wish.]

[Please do not feel pity or guilt for Xu Zhizhi. Remember, a demon resides in her heart. Always remember that you’re doing this for your child; your talented, kind-hearted, and unfortunate child.]

The mechanical voice echoed repeatedly and Li Feng’s determination solidified.

Gazing at Xu Zhizhi, whose eyes were filled with malice, any trace of guilt or pity in Li Feng’s expression vanished.