Chapter 1: The Wrong Target

This was my seventh year attempting to conquer Zhou Yan.

Looking back, the day I died, I transmigrated straight into this world. The System fast-forwarded time to when I was eighteen, offering me a deal: successfully seduce the male lead, and I’d get billions of dollars plus a ticket back to my old life. Otherwise, I’d be stuck here playing the female protagonist. And in this story, the female lead’s path was tragic—family ruined, ruined by the villain, and ultimately left freezing on the streets. Hearing that, I immediately chose the mission.

The male lead back in high school was a gloomy, self-deprecating puppy. So, I went full caretaker mode. Hot milk in the morning, bought him lunch, tutored him in the afternoon. When he got bullied, I fought back; when he was isolated, I built an anti-bullying squad just for him. Bit by bit, I turned that dark, broody boy into a warm, gentle golden retriever.

His affection meter skyrocketed to 95%. I almost cried tears of joy. But then, it stopped dead.

The System gave me a hint: [Love after marriage is the ultimate trope. Once you get hitched, the affection auto-caps to 100%.]

I swallowed the bait hook, line, and sinker, using my family’s influence to force him into marriage.

The result? I went through all that trouble to drag him down the aisle, thinking I only needed to cross the finish line to complete the mission and leave this place. Who could have guessed that on our wedding night, the meter dropped 5%?

On our honeymoon night, he told me he had no sex drive. My world crumbled. It turned out the “abstinent” trait the System mentioned wasn’t a personality description—it was a literal condition!

Post-marriage, no matter how provocatively I dressed or tried to entice him, he remained entirely unfazed. Clearly, he had desires… just not for me. From start to finish, I was the only one clinging to him like a leech. He had never once said he loved me.

Desperate, I asked the System, “Is the male lead really not into me? How else could he hold back like a monk?”

The System paused before replying:

[Confirmed: The male lead loves you. Affection rating: 90%. Perhaps… he just lasts three seconds.]

Me: …I’d rather just cry into my pillow.

That night, I was determined to find a solution. I sat in front of my laptop until midnight, pestering everyone from medical experts to random online sellers:

“What should I do if my 25-year-old husband is impotent?”

“Can this condition be treated?”

“You mean if it’s psychological, meds are out of the question?”

My throat was dry from all the typing. Just as I reached out for a drink, a glass was placed right into my palm. I gulped it down in one go. But when I turned to say thanks… I froze.

I was the only one supposed to be in this room. Where did the water come from?

I slowly turned my head. Zhou Yan was standing right behind me, silent as a ghost. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest.

Just then, my laptop pinged. A message popped up from the seller: Rather than meds, dear, I strongly suggest swapping husbands.

My face darkened, and I slammed the laptop shut. But it was too late. Zhou Yan had already seen it.

He lowered his gaze, concealing whatever was brewing in his eyes. “Are you… looking to replace me?”

Alarm bells shrieked in my head. Before I could explain, he cupped his hand over my mouth.

“You clearly enjoy kissing me… why are you so obsessed with taking that final step?”

Panicking, I blurted out that I wanted a baby. He paused, his dark eyes staring down at me so quietly that a chill ran down my spine.

“Didn’t you say you never wanted children? Or is it… that you’re only with me because…”

Shit, I screamed internally. Cover blown! Zhou Yan was usually gentle and cultured, but he loathed being deceived above all else. The tension was suffocating, and there was nowhere to hide.

Half an hour later, sobbing and breathless, I pleaded, “Enough…”

He shook his head softly. “Not enough. If you aren’t satisfied… what if you go looking for someone else?”

Every single day, he used those long, jade-like fingers to tease and pinch me senseless. Furious, I cursed him out: “You bastard!”

He would just wrap me in a gentle embrace, nuzzling my neck, whispering softly, “Does it… feel good, baby?”

The System kept egging me on: [Just one step left! Fortune favors the bold! A guy like this just needs to be forced once. After that, he’ll be hooked.]

I fell for it again. This time, wearing a sheer lace nightgown that left nothing to the imagination, I grabbed his belt and dragged him straight into the bedroom.

“Hubby, does this look pretty? Do you like it? I bought it just for you.”

The usually reserved man flushed deep red at the tips of his ears. He clamped his hands around my waist, his expression strained, restraint slipping as his hands grew bolder. He bit my lip until it bled slightly. But right at the peak, he suddenly shoved me away.

He took two steps back, straightening his glasses with a trembling hand. His voice was hoarse. “I’m sorry… can you give me a little more time? If you need it… I can still use my hands. I… just don’t have any desire for that. I’ve disappointed you again.”

I almost laughed out loud. “Zhou Yan, the clothes are already off. Are we switching to a psychological drama now?”

Flustered, he turned on his heel and bolted.

With only one month left on the mission clock, I decided to give it one last shot—on our first wedding anniversary.

The lights were dimmed to a romantic glow, the Western dinner set to perfection with roses and red wine. I wore a long red silk dress, intending to project an atmosphere of pure, dangerous seduction. As for the mini handcuffs and whip hidden under the table… well, minor details, not worth mentioning.

I unscrewed the aphrodisiac vial, tipped it into his wine glass, and gave it a gentle swirl.

“Just one last step…” I muttered, rubbing my hands together in anticipation. Watching the sunset, I dialed Zhou Yan’s number with a smile. “Good boy, pick up the phone.”

Ring—

At that exact moment, the System shrieked inside my head so loud it nearly blew my eardrums out:

[Comrade! I made a mistake! Your husband isn’t the male lead—he’s the villain!]

I nearly fainted on the spot. How could a system be this incompetent?! No wonder Zhou Yan was so cold toward me while his affection meter sat at a staggering 90%. I had been targeting the wrong damn person from the very beginning. No wonder the data stopped progressing—how could it complete if I had the wrong guy?!

The System kept panicking: [Only one month left! Go find the real male lead right now! Otherwise, start preparing your begging bowl!]

Right then, the call connected. Zhou Yan’s voice bled through the speaker, as tender as ever: “Have you been waiting long? I canceled all my evening meetings. I’m on my way home.”

Clutching my throbbing head, I gritted my teeth and cut him off. “Don’t bother. Don’t come back.”

“Why?”

“Keeping you around is useless—you’re all show and no substance. I’m sick of it. Let’s get a divorce.”

The sound of shattering glass echoed from the other end of the line. “Dung Chieu Thu… what did you just say?”

His voice was raspy, laced with a terrifying edge, like a man standing on the brink of an abyss. My heart hammered against my ribs, and out of sheer panic, I slammed the phone shut.

That very night, I packed my bags, fled under the cover of darkness, and caught the first flight to Hai Thanh.

The System clicked its tongue: [Damn, girl. You move fast.]

Once in Hai Thanh, I played it extremely safe, even hauling along my stash of “props”—the handcuffs, the whip, and a few other questionable items.

What I couldn’t stand was this useless System. One second it claimed the male lead was in the East, the next it swore he was in the West. It ran me in circles until I finally lost my temper and yelled, “Can someone please factory reset this glitchy piece of trash?!”

Right after shouting, I stepped out of the elevator carrying a paper bag—and BAM!

I crashed headfirst into a young man rushing past. Drafts, pens, and supplies scattered all over the floor. My bag didn’t hold up any better, spilling its… highly suggestive contents everywhere.

“I’m so sorry—”

Before I could finish, I felt an intense, burning gaze on me. Looking up, I froze. “Giang Du?”

His eyes lit up, stuttering with pure joy, “Sis… it really is you!”

Giang Du hurriedly helped me pick up my things, but the moment his eyes landed on those sensitive items, a furious blush crept up his neck to his cheeks. “Do you… like this kind of stuff?”

I wanted nothing more than to dig a hole and swallow myself whole.

Suddenly, the System reactivated: [I told you! The male lead is right here!]

I stood frozen. Giang Du was the male lead? In my memory, the male lead was supposed to have a 90% affection rating from the start. But this guy was just a kid I used to sponsor years ago.

The System let out a sly chuckle: [Here’s a little pro-tip: that pen you’re holding… it has a sensory link to the male lead’s body.]

My hand trembled. Subconsciously, I gave the pen a light squeeze.

“Ah…”

A muffled, intensely scandalous groan escaped his lips. I looked up to find the teenager standing in front of me stiff as a board, his face burning like a raging fire.

Me: ??? Wait a second. For real?!

The System giggled: [A special perk exclusive to the female lead~ Besides, if you don’t conquer him within a month, you’ll end up a beggar. Plus, you just pissed off the villain—holding onto this might come in handy.]

I forced the most “polite” smile onto my face. And who was the one that made me piss off the villain in the first place?! Wasn’t it you, you broken piece of software?!

Despite cursing the System to hell and back in my mind, I put on a gentle expression and looked at Giang Du. “This pen is really unique… can I buy it from you?”

Flustered, Giang Du nodded instantly. “I’ll give it to you.”

Poor kid… I thought to myself. He has no idea what he just handed over.

After that day, I moved into the apartment next door, officially becoming Giang Du’s neighbor.

In just one week, I learned the true meaning of a “genuine 90% affection rating.” “Accidental” run-ins outside. “Accidental” hand brushes in the elevator. Even his cat “accidentally” kept wandering into my lap.

In short, I didn’t even have to try—the male lead was clinging to me automatically.

Once, while helping him tweak a design draft, I casually spun the pen between my fingers. The poor boy turned bright red on the spot. A few suggestive lines while watching a movie, and his affection meter spiked to 96%. This speed was faster than playing a game with cheat codes.

Curious, I asked him, “Why do you like me so much?”

He fell silent for a moment… and then tears welled up in his eyes.

“Seven years ago, you saved me in that alley when I was being beaten up. When I was about to jump off the rooftop… you pulled me back and told me I had to live. You sponsored my education… you dragged me out of the dark…”

Everything was going far too smoothly. But a few days later, the System popped up again. Its voice trembled, thick with sheer panic:

[There’s… something I haven’t told you yet. Your ex-husband… I think he’s gone completely insane.]

I sighed, patting it metaphorically like soothing a child. “Any man accused of being useless is bound to have a breakdown. Doesn’t matter—once the mission is done, we leave this world. Nothing to worry about.”

It didn’t take long for me to realize I had been vastly, hopelessly optimistic. And I wasn’t laughing anymore.