The system chimed in again: "However~ since you’ve used the triple talents we gave you—【Crazy Racer + Sharpshooter + Stealth Hunter】—in a short period of time, your body will feel a bit weak for the next couple of days. Make sure to rest well!~"
Qiao Chuchu’s joy lasted no more than three seconds: "Why would I feel weak? My physical condition is pretty good."
The system explained: "Let’s put it this way, after using the talents we provided, you’ll naturally feel weak for a while. Of course, if an emergency arises, you can still use your talents, but afterward, you’ll feel even more exhausted and need more time to recover. Think of it like a skill cooldown or a boss’s fatigue period. Does that make sense?"
Qiao Chuchu frowned in annoyance, unable to hold back her complaint: "I’ve seen others with a system, and it’s not like this. Their abilities are unlimited, with no downtime or weakness."
The system retorted: "That’s because they’re the main character with the protagonist’s luck and a system. You, on the other hand, were supposed to be a side character who died early, paired with a system. They had parents who died early, but their spirit remained unyielding. You had parents who died early, were raised by seven brothers, and then turned against them, driving them to darkness."
Qiao Chuchu: "…"
She scratched her head: "But recently, I’ve been feeling strange. My brothers have been treating me exceptionally well."
The system dismissed it: "They’ve always treated you well."
Qiao Chuchu felt an indescribable unease: "No, this kind of good feels different. It’s like there’s something they’re hiding. And when I think about it, why would my death drive them to darkness?"
She stared at the system curiously: "Could it be that when I was trying to seduce them, they had already fallen for me but didn’t dare cross that line? So they held it in, and after I died, their mental worlds collapsed, leading them to regret and despair, eventually choosing Xia Xuechun as a substitute?"
The system raised its voice, dripping with sarcasm: "Oh, so you’re saying you’re their white moonlight, huh?~"
Qiao Chuchu’s face turned red: "I wouldn’t go that far, but I think my personality could easily make me a red rose."
The system: "…Host, stop being so shameless. You wore sexy pajamas and crawled into their beds, and they kicked both you and the blankets out. If they liked you, they wouldn’t have been able to resist."
Qiao Chuchu: "…So they were driven to darkness because of me."
The system: "I think so. Although I don’t fully understand human emotions, I imagine when you sprang out of Pei Youchuan’s closet like a jack-in-the-box, scaring him so badly he had nightmares for days, even you wouldn’t like yourself if you were in his shoes, right?"
She instantly dismissed her doubts: "That’s why you’re as sharp as a devil, always seeing what I can’t."
The system laughed heartily: "Anyway, I believe your brothers were driven to darkness because of your antics, not because they secretly loved you in some twisted, unspoken way. Don’t overthink it, just go back!~"
Qiao Chuchu’s body swayed, and a wave of exhaustion swept over her.
Or rather, the system shoved her back into her already exhausted body.
She couldn’t even open her eyes, her mind blank and devoid of thought.
She was so tired, like she’d worked hard all day only to realize it was all for nothing.
Qiao Chuchu tried to open her eyes or move a finger.
But her body was still in rest mode, unresponsive.
Someone walked over and took her hand.
It was definitely a man’s hand.
His warm, broad palm enveloped hers, gently massaging each finger, then tenderly caressing her cheek.
His hands carried the pleasant scent of hand soap.
Qiao Chuchu wanted to open her eyes to see who it was.
But she couldn’t.
Her brain felt like it had shut down, sluggish and unresponsive.
She vaguely sensed that this person’s actions were overly intimate, but at the same time, she was overwhelmed by the thought, "Screw it, I just want to sleep!"
Qiao Chuchu struggled for a moment, but her body gradually sank deeper, and she was on the verge of falling asleep.
Suddenly, someone kissed the corner of her mouth.
?
Who!
Who dared take advantage of her while she was asleep!
Qiao Chuchu tried to open her eyes, but her body was still pulling her consciousness downward.
She clearly felt the man’s lips brush her forehead, cheek, nose, and the corner of her mouth.
Finally, his breath lingered near her lips, as if he was about to kiss her.
Qiao Chuchu’s mind screamed internally!
This was her first kiss! Don’t touch her!
His breath grew heavier for a moment, and the warm kiss ultimately landed on the corner of her mouth.
"I’ve missed you."
The man’s whisper was so soft it was impossible to recognize the voice: "Get better soon, Chuchu."
Qiao Chuchu mustered all her strength, but all she managed was a slight frown before her head tilted to the side, and she fell into a deep sleep.
When she woke up again, she groggily opened her eyes and looked around.
The VIP room’s sofa was filled with her family.
Pei Youchuan and Pei Fengnong were leaning back on the sofa, asleep, while Pei Mu and Pei Ci sat close together on the other side.
Pei Buxian was nodding off in a chair, clutching a pillow.
Pei Yuan sat in a chair by the bed, quietly leaning against the wall in sleep.
Pei Che was dozing off at the table in front of Qiao Chuchu, his head resting on his fist. Suddenly, his head slipped, and he woke with a start, instinctively tucking the blanket around her.
Qiao Chuchu croaked out: "Second Brother."
Pei Che looked at her in confusion, then gradually realized: "You’re awake?!"
The men in the room all jolted awake, turning their attention to Qiao Chuchu.
Qiao Chuchu looked around: "Why are… all of you here?"
Pei Buxian’s eyes reddened with joy as he squeezed past his brothers and knelt by her bed: "You’ve been unconscious for a whole day. Ever since you saved Lin Qing, you’ve been asleep. It’s already the second day. I was so worried about you, so I stayed here waiting for you to wake up."
Pei Youchuan stood behind him, hands in his pockets, grumbling: "Pei Buxian, don’t act like you’re the only one who cares about Qiao Chuchu. Are the rest of us dead or something?"
Pei Buxian cheerfully grabbed Qiao Chuchu’s hand: "You can pretend they’re all dead. I’m the only one alive!"
Pei Youchuan: "?"
Pei Youchuan grabbed Pei Buxian and tossed him onto the sofa!
Pei Fengnong took the opportunity to step forward: "How are you feeling?"
Qiao Chuchu felt dizzy and groggy, but it was clearly from oversleeping, and the discomfort was gradually easing: "I’m fine… just really tired."
【It’s just the side effects of using so many talents. It’s nothing serious.】
【But—】
She looked at her seven brothers: "Have you all been here the whole time?"
Pei Mu and Pei Ci answered in unison: "We came as soon as we finished work and haven’t left since."
Her gaze was unfocused as she gently touched the corner of her mouth: "Did any other man come in?"
Pei Che frowned: "Of course not. We’ve all been here the whole time, guarding you."
She nodded: 【Then it must have been a dream. I thought someone held my hand, kissed me several times, and said they missed me.】
Pei Che: "?"
Pei Ci: "?"
Pei Mu: "?"
Pei Fengnong: "?"
Pei Youchuan: "?"
Pei Buxian: "?"
They exchanged glances, then silently walked out of the room and into an empty one.
The moment the door closed, Pei Buxian exploded: "We took turns keeping watch. Except for Pei Mu and Pei Ci, who were together, everyone had their own time slot. Who kissed Qiao Chuchu during their turn?!"
