Chapter 118: Extra: Xu Zhizhi’s Past Life (Parallel Universe) – Former Dust

 

In a dimly lit private room, tinged with ambiguous lighting, a group of men and women stared at the girl standing in the center.

Their faces wore malicious smiles as they jeered and urged her to drink.

The sharp burn of the liquor coursed down Xu Zhizhi’s throat. Instinctively, she frowned as the strong alcohol rushed to her head, leaving her dizzy.

But she dared not show it. She forced herself to stay alert, unwilling to become anyone’s prey.

Whiskey mixed with red wine and white wine. Internally, she bitterly realized the suffering she’d endure for the next two days.

The alcohol dulled her senses. She stumbled forward before catching herself, leaning slightly over the table to steady her balance. As she bent down, a greasy arm rested on her shoulder.

Taking advantage of her distraction, it rubbed her shoulder twice.

“Xu Zhizhi, stick with me and I’ll get you all the resources you want! You’ll be untouchable in the company!” a sharp, nasal voice rang in her ear, dripping with sleazy intent.

Realizing what was happening, Xu Zhizhi quickly swatted his hand away and stumbled forward two steps. Despite her drunken haze, she firmly yelled, “Get lost!”

The man’s face twisted with anger as he watched her flee. “Don’t refuse a toast only to drink the penalty! You came here and now you think you can keep yourself clean? Let me tell you, if you don’t obey me, I’ll ruin you by tomorrow! You won’t survive in this industry!”

With that, he advanced toward her.

Xu Zhizhi’s face flashed with fear, and she instinctively stepped back, her hand brushing against the cold, sticky surface of a glass bottle.

In the dim room, the other men and women, there to accompany the drinking party, watched with amusement and smirks.

They stared at Xu Zhizhi, anticipating her struggle before succumbing to the unspoken rules of the entertainment industry, just like so many others.

The man swayed closer to her, his voice low and menacing, “Xu Zhizhi, no one is going to save you.”

He had done his research. Xu Zhizhi had no friends and had been abandoned by her family. Someone like her could be toyed with as much as he pleased.

The private room wasn’t large and Xu Zhizhi knew she couldn’t get out of this unscathed. Determination flashed in her eyes as she grabbed a bottle and held it in front of her.

“Don’t come any closer!” she shouted angrily.

The man laughed heartily and stepped even closer, now less than half a meter away from her.

The whiskey bottle trembled in her grip, her fear evident in her teary, trembling gaze. She bit her lip, looking at the man with misty eyes, unaware that her vulnerability only fueled his depravity.

Just as he stepped forward to speak, Xu Zhizhi felt an intense sense of danger. Her eyes hardened with resolve as she swung the bottle with all her might, smashing it against his head.

“Ugh!” the man grunted, stumbling forward and collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud.

The noise startled Xu Zhizhi, making her flinch.

She wasn’t stupid. Realizing the gravity of her actions, she quickly glanced around at the others before bolting toward the door.

However, the alcohol had taken its toll. As soon as she stepped out of the private room, she nearly collapsed to the floor in a drunken stupor.

Lin Yu, who had been waiting outside, rushed to her side. Hearing the commotion behind the door, Lin Yu decisively supported Xu Zhizhi and helped her hide elsewhere.

They didn’t head for the exit, as she knew that’s where they would search first.

As expected, as soon as Lin Yu hid with Xu Zhizhi, the people in the private room started making calls and heading outside to look for them.

If they had tried to leave immediately, Lin Yu wouldn’t have been able to evade them while supporting Xu Zhizhi.

Having done her homework beforehand, Lin Yu knew there was a back door in the building. She quickly led Xu Zhizhi toward it.

It wasn’t until they got into the car that Lin Yu let out a long sigh of relief.

But thinking about what would come next, her brows furrowed. She had a bad feeling.

Looking at Xu Zhizhi sitting beside her, trembling all over with fear, Lin Yu sighed again.

Xu Zhizhi was so unlucky. How did she end up encountering someone as twisted as the young master of Popular Entertainment?

Xu Zhizhi felt uncomfortable all over. She was barely holding herself together, not fainting out of sheer fear.

She was terrified that she might have killed someone and would have to face jail time.

Before she could process anything further, the overwhelming effects of the alcohol hit her, and she half-collapsed against Lin Yu’s shoulder.

When they finally arrived, Lin Yu paid the fare and struggled to get Xu Zhizhi home.

After laying Xu Zhizhi down, Lin Yu finally let out a heavy breath of relief.

Since it was already the middle of the night, Lin Yu slept on the couch, occasionally getting up to check on Xu Zhizhi to make sure she was okay.

Early the next morning, Lin Yu went out to buy breakfast so Xu Zhizhi would have something to eat and feel less miserable when she woke up.

Xu Zhizhi was awakened by the ringing of her phone. Fighting through the pain of her hangover, she answered the call, and an unpleasantly sharp voice came through.

Bai Qing was yelling at her, angrily blaming her for everything.

Xu Zhizhi gradually sobered up as she listened, her eyes filling with both grievance and fury.

“Bai Qing! To hell with you! You wanted me to bow down to those dirty rules? Are you even human?” Xu Zhizhi shouted back.

Though she had grown up without parents, her grandmother had raised her decently enough. While her lack of parents made her somewhat timid and insecure, she wasn’t entirely spineless.

After everything that happened, she had already crossed the line. Whatever came next, she wasn’t afraid anymore.

Bai Qing, seething with rage, snapped in his sharp voice, “Xu Zhizhi, if you don’t apologize to the young master of Shengxing Entertainment, you can kiss your career goodbye! You’ll be blacklisted and never get another resource again!”

“Do whatever you want! Blacklist me, I don’t care!” Xu Zhizhi retorted angrily, clutching her throbbing head.

She hung up the call, her chest heaving with anger.

Her face was filled with frustration, her eyes reddened as tears began to fall.

She felt utterly wronged. Never in her life had she imagined finding herself in such a situation.

But now, all she could do was take things one step at a time.

Xu Zhizhi got up, washed up, changed her clothes, and sat at the dining table.

When Lin Yu returned, the two exchanged a glance and fell into a heavy silence.

“Bai Qing is spreading dirt about you online…” Lin Yu hesitated before speaking.

Xu Zhizhi lowered her head, took a small bite of porridge, and finally said, “We might lose our jobs. Bai Qing wants to blacklist me.”

Lin Yu wasn’t surprised. She thought for a moment and said, “We can find regular jobs. We’ll survive.”

“Mm-hmm…” Xu Zhizhi nodded softly, her head still bowed.

She had no intention of trying to clear her name. After all, she knew her account had probably already been taken over by her manager. Even if she posted something, no one would believe her.

She didn’t even dare to look at her phone, afraid to see the storm of public opinion brewing against her.

The only relief for Xu Zhizhi was knowing that the scum from the Popular Entertainment wasn’t dead and was now awake.

At least she wouldn’t have to go to jail and that thought brought her some comfort.

Before she could finish breakfast, Bai Qing called again. This time, his tone was much softer.

“Xu Zhizhi, the young master of Popular Entertainment has decided not to press charges against you,” he began with good news, only to immediately change his tone. “However, you need to show sincerity. He hopes you’ll stop being so stubborn. If you go to the hospital now, there’s still room to make amends.”

Xu Zhizhi listened silently until he was done barking, then replied slowly and deliberately, “I’m not going! Go to hell!”

“Xu Zhizhi! He’s giving you a chance! Do you think someone like you deserves his attention?” Bai Qing’s sharp, effeminate voice screeched.

Xu Zhizhi snapped, “I don’t need it!”

She was so angry that her entire body trembled, her hand clutching the phone shaking violently, tears welling up in her eyes.

Xu Zhizhi was timid and soft-spoken by nature; even saying this much was pushing her limits.

Lin Yu stood by her side, gently patting her back to soothe her.

After hanging up the call, Xu Zhizhi returned to eating her food.

Soon after, her name climbed the trending search list, accompanied by endless slander and malicious comments. The overwhelming negativity invaded her thoughts and rattled her nerves.

She stared blankly at the flood of comments and harassing calls, all of them from strangers scolding her.

By this point, she was completely numb.

Only Lin Yu kept defending her online, engaging in arguments with those who insulted her.

Xu Zhizhi wanted to tell her, “It’s pointless. Stop trying.” But the words caught in her throat, and she swallowed them.

Bai Qing was relentless, continuing to call Xu Zhizhi repeatedly.

She ignored every call, focusing instead on finding a new job to support herself.

After all, overcoming difficulties was nothing new for Xu Zhizhi, whose entire life had been one long uphill battle.

If she was to be blacklisted, so be it.

But deep in her heart, a seed of hatred took root, a hatred for those who had forced her into this situation.

[Malice Points +5]

[Congratulations, Host. You have been bound to the criminal assistance system. The criminal assistance system is at your service.]

[New user bonus package issued…]

[Congratulations, Host. You have received: Crime Simulator Trial x3, Psychopath’s Explosive Skill x3, Murderer’s Perspective Simulation x1.]

[Explore the system’s functions freely. Malice Points can be exchanged for skills. Wishing you an enjoyable experience.]

Before Xu Zhizhi could react, a series of mechanical voices echoed in her mind.

She barely caught words like the ‘criminal assistance system’ and ‘Malice Points’ before the voice disappeared completely.

A translucent blue screen appeared before her eyes. She glanced at Lin Yu, who didn’t seem to notice anything unusual.

Could it be that only she could see this?

A system?

Was it like the ones in novels?

Xu Zhizhi frowned. She should have been excited, but knowing it was a Criminal Assistance System, an ominous feeling crept over her.

Her bad premonition was confirmed as soon as she opened the system. All the skills available were related to theft, fraud, and other criminal activities.

All the system’s features revolved around crime. Even the gifted ‘crime simulator’ was for simulating illegal activities.

Xu Zhizhi’s face darkened and her entire mood took a turn for the worse.

Already in a bad state of mind, this development only made things worse.

She leaned back on the sofa, trying to ease her hangover headache. Her pale face and fragile demeanor made her look like she was on the verge of collapse.

Some time passed before another call came through.

Xu Zhizhi answered, her tone exasperated. “Stop contacting me. Just blacklist me already.”

“Xu Zhizhi, the Popular Entertainment’s young master has decided to pursue charges against you for assault, accusing you of intentional injury,” Bai Qing’s sinister voice said.

Xu Zhizhi, though timid and insecure, wasn’t foolish. She replied softly, “Then let him pursue it. There should be surveillance footage. I believe it was self-defense and since he doesn’t even have minor injuries, I won’t face much trouble. On the other hand, if his despicable actions are exposed along with the reason he got hit, you can imagine how the public will react.”

Even a rabbit will bite when cornered. Since Xu Zhizhi no longer planned to stay in the entertainment industry, she felt less intimidated when dealing with Bai Qing.

Bai Qing hadn’t expected Xu Zhizhi to push back.

He let out a cold laugh, paused briefly, and then changed his tone. “Fine. Let’s set this aside for now. Popular Entertainment’s young master has agreed to let it go for now. Also, I’ve arranged a casting opportunity through my brother. You’ll audition and join the crew directly. Be ready.”

Xu Zhizhi was momentarily stunned, confused by his sudden shift.

She was on speakerphone, so Lin Yu heard it too. They exchanged puzzled looks.

Why the sudden goodwill? Wasn’t this like a weasel paying respects to a hen?

“It’s up to you. Fifty thousand per episode and you’ll go straight to the crew after the audition,” Bai Qing said lazily.

Knowing Xu Zhizhi was broke, he was confident she would accept. Once she did, he’d have another chance to tighten his grip on her.

And he was right. Xu Zhizhi was indeed out of money and job hunting was nearly impossible. Her current notoriety and the bad press around her ensured no one would take a chance on her.

Trap or not, a life-threatening challenge or otherwise, she had to take the chance.

If she could earn money, she’d at least gain some breathing room.

Looking at her phone, Xu Zhizhi said decisively, “When and where? I’ll go.”

“I’ll send you the details shortly…” Bai Qing sneered mockingly on the other end, his voice full of smug satisfaction.

Just wait, Xu Zhizhi. You won’t escape my grasp. When you’re cornered, you’ll have no choice but to comply.

Xu Zhizhi remained silent while Lin Yu muttered a few words, unable to figure out Bai Qing’s angle.

Not long after, the electronic version of the script and the audition details arrived.

Xu Zhizhi read through them, her brows furrowed tightly.

The role was of a serial killer, a deranged murderer who had terrorized Jiang City for years. It was an incredibly challenging part.

Xu Zhizhi thought hard, unsure of how to approach the audition.

To make matters worse, the audition was scheduled for the next day, leaving her little time to prepare.

Sitting beside her, Lin Yu sighed, already sensing this could end disastrously.

Despite her hesitation, they booked plane tickets for Jiang City, set to leave the next day.

Xu Zhizhi threw herself into reading the script nonstop.

Her acting skills were terrible that she even managed to mess up simple roles as a pretty face with no brain.

Now she was expected to play such a complex and intimidating role, portraying a killer who had instilled fear in Jiang City for years. It felt like an insurmountable leap.

Xu Zhizhi pressed a hand to her forehead and sighed deeply, already envisioning her inevitable failure.

Despite her anxiety, Xu Zhizhi didn’t give up and continued studying the script, clinging to the last sliver of hope.

After finishing her read-through, she felt even more uncertain.

Lin Yu, packing their luggage nearby, noticed Xu Zhizhi’s troubled expression and sighed. “Just do your best. Man proposes, god disposes.”

Even though it was likely they’d return quickly, Lin Yu packed thoroughly, preparing everything they might need. To save money, she even included essentials like a hairdryer.

“Alright, I’ll give it my all,” Xu Zhizhi said with a faint but determined smile.

She reopened the script and began analyzing it again.

As she flipped through the pages, a thought struck her. She had the criminal assistance system bound to her.

She remembered it offered tools like the crime simulator and the [Murderer’s Perspective Simulation].

Clutching the script tightly, her eyes flickered as she considered the possibility.

The unknown nature of the system made her apprehensive and she hesitated.

Moreover, the system seemed inherently ominous, something clearly not meant for good.

Should she use it? She bit her lip, pondering.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Xu Zhizhi activated the system’s interface.

She didn’t want to do this in front of Lin Yu, so she told her friend she was going to rest for a while and retreated to the bedroom.

Nervously sitting for a while, she finally selected the [Murderer’s Perspective Simulation].

As soon as she activated it, she closed her eyes and a strange sensation overcame her. It felt as if her psyche was twisted, morphing into that of a murderer.

Opening the script, she found herself thinking in completely different ways.

A trace of excitement appeared on her face. This was insight she couldn’t have gained through her own interpretation.

However, her mental state felt strange. Her mind was flooded with cruel, malicious thoughts that sent chills down her spine.

The experience had no time limit, so she kept it active while immersing herself in the role, suppressing the dark thoughts with her inherently kind nature.

This immersive approach helped her deeply understand the mindset and emotions of the character.

After finishing all the murder-related scenes in the script, she reluctantly deactivated the experience.

She then went to the bathroom to practice her expressions, movements, and lines in front of the mirror.

Though her progress was slow, she felt for the first time that she had a chance at succeeding.

After hours of practice, her facial muscles felt stiff but she finally gained some confidence.

The next day, Xu Zhizhi and Lin Yu rushed to Jiang City. On the way, she glanced at the crime simulator feature and decided to shift her perspective. Perhaps she could use the system to her advantage.

Lin Yu had done some research and showed Xu Zhizhi information about the director, Bai Sheng.

Xu Zhizhi’s heart sank as she read. Bai Sheng was notoriously difficult to work with. One actor had even quit mid-production because they couldn’t handle the pressure.

Lin Yu expressed her concerns but Xu Zhizhi shrugged helplessly. “No choice. I’ll just have to face it.”

When they arrived at the set, the crew was already waiting for her.

The director, Bai Sheng, stood there with an air of casual seriousness, scrutinizing Xu Zhizhi as she nervously clasped her hands in front of her.

Frowning deeply at her timid demeanor, he clearly wasn’t impressed.

Xu Zhizhi quickly straightened up, realizing the director’s attention was on her.

Director Bai Sheng flipped through the script and pointed at a murder scene involving the murderer’s character. The male lead, who was already on set, stepped forward to rehearse the scene with her.

Xu Zhizhi took several deep breaths to compose herself before starting.

Recalling the expressions and movements she had practiced earlier, she threw herself into the performance. Lin Yu, watching from the side, was astonished. Xu Zhizhi’s progress was nothing short of remarkable.

Her gaze carried a fierce intensity and her movements during the murder sequence were carefully executed and precise.

Bai Sheng’s expression remained unreadable as he observed her performance. Even after she finished, he didn’t say a word.

Xu Zhizhi clasped her hands nervously in front of her, her white dress looking out of place amidst the gritty crime scene set.

The crew exchanged surprised glances. While her performance wasn’t perfect, it demonstrated a noticeable level of competence. For someone known for lackluster acting, her improvement was evident.

All eyes turned to the director, waiting for his verdict.

Bai Sheng frowned and pressed his lips together, remaining silent for an uncomfortably long time.

Xu Zhizhi felt her nerves tightening, unsure if she would be kept on the project.

“Stay in the crew for now. I’ll admit you’ve captured the essence of the character well enough but your acting is still terrible,” Bai Sheng finally said.

A bright smile broke across Xu Zhizhi’s face. To her, this was a form of recognition, something she had never experienced before.

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she bowed deeply. “Thank you, director!”

Apart from his sharp tongue, Bai Sheng seemed to be a genuine and fair director, entirely different from the manipulative Bai Qing.

“Don’t get too excited yet. If you don’t improve, I’ll kick you out, just like the last one,” Bai Sheng warned coldly, his face emotionless.

Xu Zhizhi nodded earnestly. “Understood! I’ll work hard!”

“Stay on set and watch carefully,” Bai Sheng instructed before finding a seat and resuming his work.

Xu Zhizhi obediently found a spot to observe, closely watching how the other actors performed.

She reflected on her past roles, most of which were shallow, fast-food dramas requiring minimal acting skill. But now, she was determined to study diligently and portray this character convincingly.

That evening, she and Lin Yu moved into a small apartment, where they unpacked and freshened up.

Lin Yu was genuinely happy for Xu Zhizhi, believing the situation looked promising. If she could continue improving, she might even secure a formal contract. Bai Sheng seemed to be a fair and pragmatic director, which eased their worries.

After showering, Xu Zhizhi searched online for details about the real-life criminal her character was based on.

During dinner, she also reviewed the criminal assistance system and realized the crime simulator could be a powerful tool.

The simulator required detailed input to generate an accurate scene.

After careful thought, Xu Zhizhi searched through old forum posts and articles, digging up as much information as she could. Combining her findings with details from the script, she entered everything into the system.

Once the data was ready, Xu Zhizhi nervously pressed the ‘activate simulation’ button.

The world around her turned black for a moment and when she opened her eyes, she found herself in an unfamiliar setting.

Everything around her felt startlingly real and Xu Zhizhi couldn’t help but marvel at the immersive experience.

Everything was incredibly real and she was filled with a sense of wonder.

She began moving toward the crime scene; a small house where a murder would occur in the afternoon. With the previous cases, the existence of this serial killer was already well-known throughout Jiang City.

A shiver of fear ran through Xu Zhizhi, but as she hesitated, a figure that looked exactly like her walked through her and headed into the courtyard, then into the main hall.

Realizing a tragedy was about to unfold, Xu Zhizhi’s steps faltered. She didn’t dare to go inside but thoughts of her livelihood and potential earnings gave her the courage to push forward.

To her shock, in the brief moment she hesitated, the figure inside had already started the act. As Xu Zhizhi stepped in, blood splattered through her, staining the window frame.

Her mouth fell open and she froze, unable to say a word.

The victim, a young girl, was already dead. The figure with her own face stood watching the scene, smiling in satisfaction.

Xu Zhizhi staggered back, terrified by the expression and gaze.

Then the figure began dismembering the victim.

Xu Zhizhi stood paralyzed before fainting from the shock.

Meanwhile, Lin Yu, busy tidying up the room, noticed Xu Zhizhi collapse and panicked, repeatedly calling out to her.

When Xu Zhizhi finally woke up in the chair, her eyes were filled with overwhelming terror.

A wave of uncontrollable nausea hit her and she rushed to the bathroom to retch. Having eaten very little that evening, all she managed to expel was some stomach acid.

After vomiting, she couldn’t stop trembling.

She had underestimated how horrifying the perspective of a murderer could be.

Lin Yu comforted her and helped her sit on the bed. Xu Zhizhi’s spirit seemed completely drained, her gaze empty and devoid of emotion despite Lin Yu’s concern.

Thinking she was simply overwhelmed by stress, Lin Yu urged her to rest. After all, this role was their lifeline.

Once Lin Yu left, Xu Zhizhi remained unsettled for a long time.

But for the sake of the role, she made a tough decision to continue.

She reopened the crime simulator to start another simulation.

Though she felt terror deep in her bones, Xu Zhizhi forced herself to endure it. She knew that without this opportunity, she wouldn’t even be able to support herself.

Even scared out of her wits, she compelled herself to keep watching.

The next morning, Xu Zhizhi’s legs were weak but she stood before the mirror, summoning her courage. She recalled the expressions and movements she had seen and practiced immersively, embodying the mindset of a killer.

At the set, when Bai Sheng asked her to perform again, her effort earned a look of approval from the director.

The lead actor and actress watched Xu Zhizhi, amazed, remarking that internet rumors about her lack of talent must have been untrue.

With their support, Xu Zhizhi befriended them and officially signed a contract to join the crew as the antagonist.

The production team turned out to be a warm and supportive environment, except for Bai Sheng, who was occasionally tyrannical and harsh.

Xu Zhizhi also met Qin Su, the captain of the criminal investigation team, who served as a professional consultant for the production. His presence was almost too striking.

However, she occasionally noticed the director’s wife casting odd glances at Qin Su and there was something subtly strange about her demeanor.

Still, Xu Zhizhi pushed these thoughts aside as she focused on the director’s relentless guidance and scoldings.

Under such conditions, her acting skills improved significantly.

She also learned how to accumulate ‘Malice Points’ and effectively use the crime simulator.

As the filming progressed, Xu Zhizhi began to notice some unsettling things—things that filled her with fear.

She felt terrified by the way Director Bai’s wife looked at her, a gaze that seemed to change over time.

Even Bai Sheng himself seemed to transform into someone entirely different.

The set felt like a surreal, twisted painting, and Xu Zhizhi was drawn into its chaos, aimlessly floundering like a headless fly.

Though she tried to hide, she was eventually found.

She was lured in, while those around her remained indifferent.

In desperation, she sought help from the police captain, Qin Su, but by then, it was too late.

Bai Sheng was dead.

He had taken his own life.