Dan Jingqiu had a simplistic view when it came to food. She loved good food but she was not obsessed with it. In other words, feast if it’s there, move on if it’s not. Before she left her own world, she purchased a ton of delicacies from Jack Ma’s*. With an additional fee, it was possible to get whatever food she wanted no matter how popular or rare it was. (TL Note: Jack Ma is the founder of Alibaba, the largest online retail in China.)

This was why she never understood why people insisted on standing in line on a scorching hot day for 4 to 5 hours, just to eat something.

As an honest and trustworthy good citizen, she never missed an appointment, and right now as she looked at her extremely full ledger, Dan Jingqiu was ashamed to say that all her time and energy was restricted to the Golden Autumn Eatery.

Fortunately, she was able to catch her target, the third daughter, Jin Wanzhu, in her shop today.

A few days ago, after sending off Fang Yanru and the group, Dan Jingqiu suddenly recalled hearing about the unknown “Female Lead” in the original character’s memories. She had concluded that it was probably Fang Yanru, the person who was desperately putting down her daughter. Since most of Dan Jingqiu’s understanding of the world originated from the original character’s memories and the cheating System’s synopsis, she did not have a deep impression of the female lead.

The only thing she knew was this female lead’s personality is abnormally “unique.”

Her general understanding of the storyline was this: An “infatuated” female lead woos the Male Lead. Under the influence of love, she targeted the ‘white moonlight’ aka Xiuzhu,who hurt the male lead, as well as the original character who verbally humiliated the male lead. Not only did the female lead make sure the original character lost her daughters’ trust, but she even made sure the youngest daughter, Wanzhu, underwent the same verbal humiliation suffered by the male lead.

Without the original character’s memories, one would probably think that the female lead was just being overly protective of the male lead.

But once you add the original character’s memories, the fates of these supporting characters in this romantic comedy were seriously tragic. The female lead’s extreme and temperamental personality went beyond everyone’s imagination, and her controversial actions could easily populate discussion forums for days.

Dang Jingqiu’s peculiar performance was her way of preventing Lingzhu from carelessly intervening out of concern for her younger sister.

After all, given the female lead’s extreme ideas, a background character like Lingzhu might become the next Wanzhu.

However, there was fortune to be found in misfortune. Unlike those violent/ gang-leader type students that Dan Jingqiu grew up watching, though Fang Yanru’s methods were not honorable, they did not cause people to lose their lives.

Or else this story would really be in Hellish Mode.

Dan Jingqiu’s mind was overthinking now because she did not know how to start a conversation.

Although she possessed a lot of the original character’s memories, and she could treat these three daughters as her precious treasures, she’s actually not that good at dealing with personal relationships.

She quietly watched her youngest daughter, Wanzhu, who was busy tidying up the dining room. She had spent half the day muttering to herself, not knowing where to start.

“Hey Mom, what’s going on with you? Why did you ask me to come here? I promise to complete whatever task!”

Jin Wanzhu surrendered to her mother. This woman had specifically summoned her back from school, sent away her older sister, and had been staring at her back this entire time. The feeling of being constantly watched from behind was really scary.

Once Dan Jingqiu realized that she had been discovered, she finally found her voice: “That…I just want to know, how are you doing in school these days?”

Dan Jingqiu knew that something was wrong the moment those words left her mouth. Back in the day, she and her friends used to rant about their parents. It seemed like whenever their parents wanted to talk to them they would always start off by asking how they were recently. Now that she had landed in a story world and became someone else’s mother, she somehow became just like her parents.

Jin Wanzhu turned to look at her mother’s face, slightly worried: “It’s been fine, mom. if you have something to say, just say it!”

Wait, did my twin sister’s relationship get exposed?

Crap, she even came and borrowed money from me a few days ago, did she…

“Mom! I really don’t know anything about Xiuzhu borrowing money to raise a kept man!” Wanzhu lifted both her hands and frantically spilled her heart out.

Dan Jingqiu almost fell over: “What did you say?!”

Wasn’t her second daughter Xiuzhu supposed to be the pure and simple one in the storyline who dedicated herself to protecting her penniless boyfriend? The one who had no regrets no matter how many times she was beaten down for it? What’s this about her borrowing money and raising a sugar baby?!

The pair went back and forth for a while before things were finally cleared up. Dan Jingqiu glared fiercely at her imaginative youngest daughter. It’s all Wanzhu’s fault for giving her weird ideas!

“But mom, what were you trying to ask?” Once Jin Wanzhu’s curiosity got piqued, she would never let it go.

Dan Jingqiu decided to be blunt: “Wanzhu, tell me honestly! What are your opinions on dating and marriage?!”

Dan Jingqiu mentally prepared herself as she stepped on that landmine without knowing what the potential damage and casualties that may lie.

Right now, she could safely set aside Lingzhu’s relationship. Since Xiuzhu had just started hers, then the story of her youngest daughter, Wanzhu, was inevitably coming soon.

However, having experienced her care and guidance, her daughters clearly seemed much more livelier. This was largely different from the previous story arc, where the gullible and naive Wanzhu was being taken for a ride.

Nonetheless, she was determined to take all preventative measures.

Jin Wanzhu bit her lip and lowered her head: “Mom…You found out that Brother Lin Lin and I were dating!” Scraping the soles of her shoe against the floor restlessly, she added, “I didn’t mean to hide it from you.”

“What are you talking about?!” Dan Jingqiu slammed the table harshly and shot up, the pain in both her palms made her face look a little intimidating.

Wanzhu noted her mother’s furious expression. Fearing that she might burst a vessel, she quickly helped Dan Jingqiu back to her seat. She then started fanning her, pouring her water, and spilling the beans to all her secrets.

“Mom, don’t be mad, calm down. I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you! Here,…just relax, I’ll stop playing with Brother Lin Lin’s feelings. Ah! How about I just break up with him?! I know relationships are supposed to be serious! I’m sorry!”

Dan Jingqiu, who had just sat down, nearly had another heart attack.

Before she could verify why ‘Lin Lin’ sounded like such a familiar name, she was shocked by Wanzhu’s words.

What…He dares to toy with my daughter?!

Wait, no…My daughter is toying with someone else?!

Nope nope nope. This must be the original character and Jin Youchen’s fault. You can’t blame this outer world visitor for this child’s upbringing issues.

But why is it sooo infuriating whenever I think about it?!

“Explain everything, and don’t you dare lie to me!” Dan Jingqiu’s tone was devoid of any amusement. Right now, she couldn’t care less who this Lin Lin was. She just wanted to get to the bottom of what Wanzhu was playing with!

“That… I was just curious about being in a relationship…” Jin Wanzhu slowly began her story.

“Many of my classmates were dating…and then my twin sister started too? I was really curious about what it felt like to be in love…and then I met Brother Lin Lin. He had a nice personality and he’s really handsome. Mom, you should see how good-looking he is.”

Mmhmm. Dan Jingqiu internally nodded. Of course she knew. How could this mother not know that her daughter prioritizes looks?

“….Anyway, later on, I realized I was wrong. I thought I liked him because I liked his face, so I courted him.”

“Once we got together, I found that our relationship was not like what Sis has. I don’t feel concerned towards him, and I don’t get jealous…but I don’t want to be alone because everyone else around me is in a relationship. I know this isn’t right, but…”

After a long pause, Wanzhu felt guilty as she watched her mother become motionless from shock. After all, her actions were somewhat rebellious. Swallowing embarrassingly, she quickly told her statue-like mother she was going to go tidy up the restaurant before running off and pretended to be busy.

Dan Jingqiu quietly chuckled as she watched her busy bee of a daughter.

She never expected that the Wanzhu, the story’s most innocent character, and the daughter she fretted most, was actually the boldest.

Then there’s the familiar-sounding name, “Lin Lin.” While it might not be the same person, there should be only one guy who had the same name, who lived in this city, and who knew her youngest daughter…

That would be the supporting male lead who toyed with the feelings of her “innocent and kind” daughter in order to assist the female lead behind the scenes.

And now, he’s the one clinging to Wanzhu in this relationship.

The story had gone full circle.

In reality, Dan Jingqiu was under tremendous pressure, because saving the lives of others sounded like a heavy responsibility.

Not to mention this storyline was quite…depressing and tragic.

She did not know how to resolve every single issue in the plotline.

Should she kill off the female lead?

Or maybe kill off the supporting male lead?

As each day passed, she made a surprising discovery.

The solution to all the problems were shockingly simple.

Lingzhu’s tragedy originated from her “obedience. ” Like those “Fang Shengmei*” characters you see on the news, or those ladies who became “victims of domestic violence.” These women had all the opportunities to leave, but lost their survival instinct to flee because they were”filial” and “obedient.” As a mother, it was her responsibility to guide Lingzhu in the right direction so that she could make decisions for herself and gain control over her own life. (TL: Fang Shengmei is a tv drama character who was overly submissive and loyal to her parents and was willing to suffer through unreasonable situations out of filial piety.)

Xiuzhu’s tragedy started from the original character’s interference. Of course, when their father had passed, Xiuzhu understood that Chen Wentian’s family background might not be compatible. So the only things Dan Jingqiu could provide was unconditional support and guidance, and to ensure that their family would not become a burden in Xiuzhu’s life.

Wanzhu’s bad ending was the result of a lack of attention and general neglect after the passing of her father. It made her vulnerable to affections, and she lost herself when she fell for someone. But this time, as she was showered with sufficient love and attention, Wanzhu was no longer obsessed with being in a romantic relationship and was able to cope without them.

In truth, the solutions could never be derived from the female lead —— even if she was the source of all those problems.

With enough self-sufficiency, there was no need to be bothered by her.

Because the female lead had no control over their lives.

Just like that day, when Fang Yanru’s schemes all went up in smoke.

If the female lead did not exist in this world, would the original character’s three daughters attain happiness?

At least for Lingzhu, that would not be the case.

Dan Jingqiu suddenly realized that when the original character said, “I want them to be happy” and “let them know I really love them,” these two missions do not overlap.

Just because she loved them does not mean they would be happy.

She came to an unexpected conclusion.