Chapter 57: “Male Leads Don’t Have to Be Faithful—It’s Just That If They Aren’t, It Violates the National Otome Game Law.”

Thinking about the secret guide, Bai Jingchuan couldn’t help but feel restless and arrived early for their meeting.

The sky was overcast, the weather stifling, naturally inducing a sense of depression with the cold dampness. Bai Jingchuan followed Jiang Huan out of the subway station, standing at the bustling crossroads in the city center. Giant advertisements of idol stars played on the big screens above, while pedestrians hurried past—a common microcosm of urban life. Bai Jingchuan didn’t understand why Jiang Huan had brought him here and even worried that a car might suddenly rush through the intersection—they always seemed to attract danger when they were together.

The clouds enveloped the upper floors of the skyscrapers, resembling the obscured skyline of Mowu City. Jiang Huan finally spoke, saying this was where it all began. The earliest producer was a woman who wanted to create a soulful, long-term companion living inside a phone to keep people company, which led to Forbidden Love Zone .

“What’s the story background of Forbidden Love Zone ? I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone talk about it.”

“Of course not. No one talks about abandoned projects—it failed, after all. It’s a cyberpunk story set in the fictional city of Wuhai, where material resources are extremely scarce, and all production activities are centrally managed. The city expands rapidly, but all emotional activities, including dating, are strictly prohibited. In such circumstances, rebels emerged. Underground arenas trained capable individuals to fight against the system. The female protagonist started as an ordinary civilian, noticed by several male leads in different scenes, each initiating fateful encounters.”

Now Bai Jingchuan understood—it perfectly aligned with all the requirements of the Realm of Myriad Gods. No wonder the project’s settings and worldview were transferred entirely to another dimension for their planet plan. Still, he didn’t get it: “Why is this the original inspiration spot?”

“It’s said that the producer slipped here and was helped up by a man, inspiring the prototype for the first male lead—but it wasn’t Li Junzhu.”

“How can you be so sure?” Bai Jingchuan pressed, no longer wanting to beat around the bush.

“Because Li Junzhu was created by me. I joined the team last, and he replaced a neighborly older brother figure as the antagonist added later.”

As they crossed the intersection, Bai Jingchuan felt a sense of belonging, his every step clicking sharply against the pavement in his leather shoes. Walking through the streets in his overcoat, its collar slightly covering his jaw, he exhaled white breath and glanced at the giant screen. The idol prototypes on Mowu City’s screens likely originated here too. He asked Jiang Huan: “Are there any pink twin-tailed characters in Forbidden Love Zone ?”

“Not really.”

Then it must be from some other abandoned digital character.

Coming back to reality, many people were eyeing him. After crossing the road, a woman rushed over, dressed inconspicuously but behaving like a spy: “Hello, I’m from the talent management team. Do you currently have an agency?”

Bai Jingchuan waved her off: “No need, thank you.”

“Right, judging by your age, you probably already signed somewhere. Where do you work? Is the person next to you your girlfriend?”

Jiang Huan crossed her arms, waiting for his response. Bai Jingchuan replied earnestly and straightforwardly: “I’ve liked her for a long time, but I haven’t formally asked yet. I’ve been waiting for the right moment.”

The woman’s expression turned oddly skeptical: “Brother, you look like you’re thirty, and you seem well-educated. Pretending to be innocent at your age isn’t very convincing, is it?”

Bai Jingchuan flared up: “Doesn’t the girl I like deserve sincere affection and a proper proposal?”

Before the woman could roll her eyes, Jiang Huan quickly dragged Bai Jingchuan away, wanting to leave as fast as possible.

Accompanying Jiang Huan to various locations related to the male leads, they strolled past landmarks, ate crêpes and skewers at the food street, and handed over the hot cocoa Jiang Huan couldn’t finish. Yet Bai Jingchuan heard no gossip or anecdotes about Li Junzhu. He enjoyed paying for meals and reminiscing, but he disliked how Jiang Huan’s words contained nothing about him. There was the famous doctor from Wuhai City who drank hot cocoa before heading to war zones, the beautiful tree shadows during park walks where they kicked leaves and scooped stars from the river, and the arcade where a younger puppy-like fan chased after love—but nowhere was there a location associated with the villain. Jiang Huan explained: “Li Junzhu was added last, so there aren’t many real-life references. By the time Wuhai City’s map was nearly complete, his story existed purely in the cyberpunk setting. But if we must say there’s a reference, all the other male leads were initially designed to seek love and rebel persistently. Only Li Junzhu prioritized grand plans over romance, spending his days aloof as an executor. When he first met the heroine, he aimed to train her as his final opponent. Even when he fell for her, he remained stubborn, repeatedly declaring, ‘Emotions only hinder human progress—they’re the least necessary thing.’”

“So why do you like Li Junzhu?”

“Who said I like him?”

“…”

Standing in front of the billboard, Bai Jingchuan, whose face already flushed easily, felt like he’d shatter into pieces in the wind after hearing that.

“Li Bode is a pure-hearted villain, completely disregarding others’ lives, but around the heroine, he’s straight-laced, mischievous, and likes shaping his girlfriend like a cat.”

Every detail hit the mark. Bai Jingchuan asked, “Do you like cats?”

“I do, but cats don’t like me.”

“The main point is, Li Bode only loves the heroine.”

“Isn’t that how it should be?” Bai Jingchuan sounded almost righteous: “Finding the one you love most and spending your life together brings such happiness—it’s instinctual to protect her.”

“No.” Jiang Huan walked ahead: “Male leads have to be written this way; otherwise, players would tear the development team apart. Japanese otome games turn gay characters straight, save heartbroken cuckolds, or seduce extramarital affairs—all kinds of攻略 (gameplay) exist.”

“…”

Bai Jingchuan was speechless. What was the difference between these overly confident men who start relationships recklessly and abandon them later? After sending Jiang Huan home, he was deeply dissatisfied with the first lesson of the “Bright Love, Hidden Crush Tutoring Society”—there was too little content about Li Junzhu. Jiang Huan waved casually: “You want to know more? See you in my dreams.”

What seemed like a casual joke unexpectedly brought Jiang Huan to Mowu City two hours later.

The massive architectural canopy, pipes and steel beams crisscrossing everywhere, never allowed sunlight. Different types of lights illuminated the area, combined with artificial rain—everywhere was light pollution and noise. Low-rise buildings of three to five stories, mostly factories, lined narrow roads that only small vehicles could pass through—the truly advanced modes of transportation hovered and flew, thanks to technological advancements achieving true folding. Jiang Huan was surprised to see Bai Jingchuan, but this time she could speak freely: “How are you here too! I just said ‘see you in my dreams,’ how did I end up here…”

In previous dreams, they were in the old main storyline, but Bai Jingchuan couldn’t speak or even have a physical form. Now they could converse freely, leaving only two possibilities: either his level had risen high enough to gain permission to interact freely with Jiang Huan in Mowu City, or the Realm of Myriad Gods was laying the groundwork, gradually inviting Jiang Huan to accept this place.

Unlike past visits where they were hunted half to death, this time there was no pursuit, and the usual alarms didn’t sound. As they passed under an overpass, a cat darted across. Startled, Bai Jingchuan instinctively moved to shield Jiang Huan, but she only mimicked a cat’s meow, finding it amusing. Relieved, Bai Jingchuan calmed down.

Bringing Jiang Huan back to Mowu City meant no pursuit—a dangerous irony reminding Bai Jingchuan that this was her best refuge. On the other hand, Bai Jingchuan was more familiar with this place, and even using just 60% of his abilities was enough to protect her, especially since they wouldn’t be ambushed. Jiang Huan, without suspicion, assumed this was a dream: “Teacher Bai, you’ll protect me, right?”

“Be careful. Guns are freely available here, and there’s a SWAT team.”

“You’re so smart. If you came from here, wouldn’t that make you someone of high status?”

“Warning: Please conceal your identity.”

Bai Jingchuan sighed: “I’m just an ordinary person, having the same dream as you.”

Jiang Huan ignored this, her curiosity about Mowu City piqued: “Is the weather here strange? I felt warm earlier, but now I’m shivering… Achoo!”

“The weather here can be adjusted.” Bai Jingchuan pointed to the weather dial behind the traffic signal: “Citizens passing by can adjust it if their rating is above 4.0—they just need to scan their faces.”

“So magical! But we’re tourists…” Jiang Huan casually stopped a blond girl, who kindly turned the dial, and the entire block became warm enough for shorts. After thanking her, Jiang Huan turned back, crying: “Teacher Bai, it’s so hot! Let’s go!”

Fleeing the 30-degree heat, Jiang Huan stopped in front of a brick-red building: “Isn’t this Li Bode’s library?”

Ahead was the public reading room in the administrative district, accessible only to those with ratings above 4.5. Jiang Huan looked up: “Li Junzhu gave a lecture here once, and the heroine attended. Through this window, they kissed—one inside, one outside. The roses were in full bloom, and the scenery was breathtaking. But because all of Wuhai City prohibited dating, Li Junzhu had to bribe all the students who witnessed the scene.”

Bai Jingchuan listened with interest.

“The former executor was extremely strict—a smiling tiger who killed without spilling blood. But that day, to bribe the students, his pockets were full of cat’s-eye candies.”

Cat’s-eye candy, a signature feature of Mowu City, consisted of transparent candies with colorful syrup centers resembling cat eyes. Loved by the poor districts where everyone adored cats, this candy was highly popular there. Bai Jingchuan visited the slums once a month just to buy it. Since they were already here, Jiang Huan had to try some. Bai Jingchuan was relieved that his coins still worked in Mowu City despite his limited abilities, allowing him to compensate for his lack of swagger in the real world. Leading Jiang Huan to a seemingly decent restaurant, the dishes served were vibrant and unrecognizable. Jiang Huan took an eager bite and fell silent. Bai Jingchuan grew uneasy: “I know it’s not very tasty, but don’t make such an exaggerated expression.”

“Why do I have to eat pre-made meals even in a dream? Am I destined to be forever tied to some ‘office flavor’?”

This remark left Bai Jingchuan silent too. Her summary was so precise—this was exactly the weariness of living here for three years: formulaic, greasy, soulless, and like working with no future in sight.

Both lost interest in the meal, but Jiang Huan still loved this place: “It’s like Wuhai City, yet not quite—it feels like an evolved version of Wuhai City, so rich! Do you have a home here?”

“…No.”

“What a pity. Living here would be fun. But I wonder if dating is allowed here—is it similar to Forbidden Love Zone ?”

Not only was it allowed, but emotions were fervently desired. Suddenly recalling something, Bai Jingchuan asked: “In Forbidden Love Zone , were there ever instances where your name was used to donate buildings or commemorate special days?”

“No. Such things are reserved for honoring 2D characters—when would others get a chance?”

So that meant the memorial contributions attributed to Jiang Huan-like figures came from others.

Jiang Huan pointed into the distance: “I’m curious what’s at the end of that direction.”

It was the part connected to the snowy mountain. Bai Jingchuan hesitated to approach, but Jiang Huan was excited: “Let me take a look!”

The snowy mountain hadn’t fully opened yet; only ankle-deep snow covered the border areas. Excitedly grabbing Bai Jingchuan, Jiang Huan challenged: “Do you believe me if I lean back—I won’t hit my head because the snow is thick enough!”

“I don’t believe it.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a thud—”Bang!” Jiang Huan clutched her head painfully: “How could this happen… It hurts so much!”

Sitting beside her, Bai Jingchuan reached out to touch the back of her head. Jiang Huan asked, “Why didn’t you fall too? Didn’t you want to share the suffering?”

“I’m not stupid.”

Just as he finished speaking, Jiang Huan pulled Bai Jingchuan’s head down onto the snow, rolling around. It looked like a fight but was actually playful, like two animals that hadn’t learned to walk upright. Jiang Huan slipped her hand into Bai Jingchuan’s neck: “Cold, right? This is the price for not hitting the back of your head!”

Feeling it inappropriate to touch her neck, Bai Jingchuan tilted his head and cupped Jiang Huan’s cheeks instead. Their eyes met, both finding the scene absurd yet neither letting go. Alone, they drew circles on the ground with their legs, heads touching. Bai Jingchuan knew there would be two intertwined circles on the ground—far away, they resembled large protractors; up close, neither seemed particularly smart, and their mental state was questionable.

But happiness was so simple. He never imagined he could feel this joyful in Mowu City. Exhausted from panting, they didn’t get up. Staring at the pale, gloomy sky, he asked the girl lying with her head against his: “How long does it usually take for lovers in phones to confirm their relationship?”

“To encourage user retention and optional spending, about a year. For hesitant ones like Li Junzhu, add another six months.”

“…Maybe the male lead is waiting for the best timing.”

“Their love is planned based on consumer habits—they test, hesitate, waver, and go through life-and-death separations before confessing. Many emotions in this world have no sequence. Bad things happen, and apologies remain unsaid. Hidden feelings left unspoken lose their chance forever. Some people wait their whole lives for the perfect moment, but farewells often come before confessions.”

Bai Jingchuan fell silent, moved by her words.

“Why aren’t you speaking? Are you planning to confess now?”

Jiang Huan stepped back, accidentally stepping on a piece of armor and nearly slipping. A loud rumble sounded.

The armored creature stirred awake, its rebounding damage striking Jiang Huan, knocking her off balance and immobilizing her.

Pain—it hurt so much.

“Step back.”

Bai Jingchuan moved forward to shield Jiang Huan, reaching toward the soft spot between the hard shell and pincers. The air turned into ice blades, striking the creature’s weak point and paralyzing it. Manipulating the air, he stood up and thrust his sword into the injured area. The monster roared and disappeared. Painfully collapsing to the ground.

Three more creatures awaited awakening behind them.

Cold snowflakes touched their cheeks, carrying the scent of frost. Jiang Huan exclaimed, “Wow, I knew you had special powers! Your signature move—manipulating air!”

Bai Jingchuan didn’t respond. Instead, he asked Jiang Huan: “Did you notice what’s behind the enemies?”

“Aren’t they just rocks and ruins? It’s so cold here—fighting is uncomfortable…”

This is the snowy mountain, a scene soon to be relocated. Your efforts might be repurposed, though you don’t know it yet.

Before Jiang Huan could react, the world spun, and she found herself cradled in his arms. Just as she thought to complain about the shame of always being protected, a peculiar fragrance wafted before she opened her eyes. The previously attacked machines transformed into a scented shop. Jiang Huan murmured: “Bai Jingchuan, you’re amazing. I told you—you have superpowers.”

“Since you’re dreaming, I can do anything.”

“But why didn’t you let me fight? I finally had a chance!”

“They’re not opponents you can easily defeat—they’re all Transformers. Do you want to waste all your time on them?”

In the dim light, she could see the fine hairs on Bai Jingchuan’s face. Though not conventionally handsome at first glance, the atmosphere was intoxicating—his body radiated sensuality, and his eyes spoke volumes, dripping with tenderness and sweetness. Once entangled, it was hard to escape. At this moment, odd scents mingled—sharp yet relaxing, intensifying the ambiguity, signaling the crisis had passed. Jiang Huan’s hands lingered, clinging to Bai Jingchuan’s embrace. Neither said anything, knowing they were safe. They awkwardly shifted—three steps left, three steps right—before finally letting go.

“Earlier, I also dreamed of this place—with you,” Jiang Huan said smugly. “Clearly, I should’ve realized I had special abilities long ago.”

“Only people who daydream excessively can access this.”

“But when will I get the key to enter here? This place is so wonderful—I wish I had a magic door to meet you here anytime.”

“What’s so wonderful about it?”

“I’ve fantasized countless times about living here with Li Junzhu. Sure, the battles are dangerous, but seeing how incredible Li Bode is—an executor! Can you imagine?”

“Childish.” Perhaps the fragrance bewitched him, but Bai Jingchuan couldn’t suppress his rising pride. “If you like it here, you can’t return alive. Is that acceptable?”

“Are we signing a life-or-death contract now?”

“…It’s just a hypothetical scenario.”

Jiang Huan fell silent for a few seconds: “Though this place is nice, I choose to go back. Wouldn’t it be better to return and eat heartily? The food here is… not very good.”

“True.” Bai Jingchuan pulled her: “Time’s up. We need to go back.”

“There’s a time limit? Are we in some Cinderella story?”

“Then I’ll take your glass slipper too—it can’t stay behind.”

Before the dream ended, a gentle piano melody flowed through the small neighborhood. Suddenly, Bai Jingchuan intertwined his fingers with Jiang Huan’s and kissed the back of her hand: “The timing isn’t ideal, but I still want to say something. If I’m not here, try not to come to this place alone. If you enter on your own, find kind people to help—don’t go to the central area…”

“Hurry up, get to the point.”

“I li…”

The atmosphere was perfect—no need to adjust the weather. Fine drizzle fell, wetting their cheeks. Before Jiang Huan could ask her question, the dream ended. Bai Jingchuan slowly opened his eyes in his bed. All was quiet in his house, the lingering sensation of interlocked fingers still on his skin. Unsurprisingly, Jiang Huan was still deep asleep or perhaps beginning another dream adventure.

His confession attempt failed—he now understood how difficult finding the best timing could be. There was no secret guide to攻略 (gameplay); the first stage was riddled with unexpected events. As an executor, he wanted a perfect攻略 (gameplay) plan, but the process was far from dignified.

It wasn’t enough to simply receive love—you had to give more than you received.

You could always grant privileges to those you liked, accepting both the good and bad, leaving room to reclaim opportunities and meet again.

The brave get hurt first, so they get to enjoy the world first. Unspoken words often mean farewells come before confessions.

With adjustable weather, your willingness to stay by my side creates a harmony beyond imagination. Without restraint, what’s revealed is pure greed.

The unfinished “I like you” could wait until later. Though not expressed in time, I firmly believe your story rarely includes cinematic confessions in formal settings. Since it was interrupted, these words—I’ll continue next time.

Before finishing, Jiang Huan’s text arrived: “I woke up. But there’s something troubling we need to address.”

“What is it?”

“Wen Li’s exhibition angered someone. We might need our friends’ support.”

“She’s so strong-willed—does she really need us?”

Jiang Huan ran forward, her hair slicing through the billboard’s light: “Of course! As my bestie, she’s more important than you boys!”