Chapter 1: Arrogant Big Star

【Arrived at the designated task node.】

Light filled his vision, and System 05’s eyelashes fluttered. He opened his eyes.

He was clearly in the living room of an old apartment complex, lying flat on his back on the sofa.

Sounds of someone climbing the stairs echoed from outside.

If nothing unexpected happened, he would meet the protagonist gong and shou in three seconds.

This world had been derived from an ancient abusive novel.

The protagonist gong, Ji Xingci, had been born into wealth and was also a big star. His only flaw was a sex addiction combined with extreme germaphobia and an obsession with looks.

He had approached his childhood playmate Xu Qing because he seemed clean enough and treated him as a tool for relief.

Xu Qing believed the two of them were dating and that he was important to Ji Xingci. In reality, Ji Xingci had never considered going public.

The plot had just reached the point where the gong and shou had reunited.

Ji Xingci had used the excuse of wanting to eat a home-cooked meal made by Xu Qing himself to get Xu Qing to bring him back home.

The sound of a key turning in the lock rang out, and the front door swung open.

Perhaps because it was an old house where every space felt cramped—even the light filtering through the windows seemed dim.

The moment Ji Xingci stepped inside, it truly made one understand what it meant for a humble abode to be illuminated by a guest’s presence.

Even with a mask on, his profile looked incredibly sharp and profound. His naturally straight and long eyelashes drooped low.

Sunlight enveloped him alone in a layer of golden glow.

The pure white custom-made fabric of his outfit clashed starkly with the dilapidated surroundings.

His brows were furrowed, as if suppressing his displeasure. His tall frame with broad shoulders and narrow waist forced him to stoop just to navigate the narrow apartment hallway.

With nothing but his aura, he transformed the place into the set of a stage.

Xu Qing trailed behind him like a shadow. Even though he was returning to his own home, his expression still held a trace of disbelief.

It was as if he hadn’t yet recovered from the shock that the big star Ji Xingci had spoken to him of his own accord.

Only after pushing open the door did Ji Xingci realize there were several people inside the room.

“My God.”

“Y-You’re… Ji Xingci, aren’t you?!”

Five young people in disheveled clothes looked like they had been about to head out, only to be blocked at the door.

Some were still pulling on T-shirts, others tying their shoes, their hair a total mess.

Only one girl came to a full stop, her eyes wide as she stared at Ji Xingci.

Ji Xingci’s mouth tightened instantly, his brows knitting together. His voice came out cold and hard as ice.

“You’ve got the wrong person.”

He never could have imagined the room would be even worse than the outside.

He could smell the stench of alcohol on them even through his mask.

The living room sofa was surrounded by scattered beer bottles, cigarette butts, playing cards, and even some underwear that hadn’t been put away.

He suspected the corner might hold used condoms.

Revulsion made the veins on Ji Xingci’s forehead throb.

To make matters worse, Xu Qing—the one he considered relatively clean—was starting to walk further inside.

“Where’s 05?”

Ji Xingci had no choice but to look over.

Only then did he notice that on the sofa piled high with clutter in the living room, there lay a slender youth with long legs, sprawled out lazily.

“05.”

The living room wasn’t large, so Xu Qing quickly reached him and removed the towel draped over his head.

“Are you okay?”

“Your face is so pale.”

The young man called 05 was tall with a good build. A head of long hair obscured most of his face as he tilted his head up to speak with Xu Qing. His chin and neck, at least, were very fair.

Ji Xingci stared subconsciously.

Until 05 turned his head, revealing the large swath of red birthmark on his face.

The red was so jarring that it covered nearly half his left cheek, enough to make anyone ignore his features entirely and form the impression of someone shockingly ugly.

Ji Xingci’s expression turned as foul as if he’d been force-fed shit.

Even the girl who had recognized him didn’t dare speak again. Her friends hurriedly dragged her out the door.

It was as if Xu Qing had only just remembered Ji Xingci was there. He rushed to explain.

“Sorry, Lin Wu is my friend!” (T/n: Wu means Five)

“He has trouble sleeping, so he just woke up. I’ll clean up right away. How about we all eat together later?”

Was trouble sleeping really the issue here?

Ji Xingci said nothing, but the veins bulging on his neck spoke volumes.

Not only did he have no desire to eat with Lin Wu—he didn’t even want to set foot one step into the living room!

Just as Ji Xingci hesitated over what excuse to use to whisk Xu Qing away from there directly,

Lin Wu stood up and walked toward him.

“Hello.”

05 extended his hand toward him.

“I’m Xu Qing’s roommate.”

Ji Xingci stared at that hand, his face turning as black as the bottom of a pot. He showed no intention of touching it.

05 held it out persistently.

Ji Xingci’s mouth twitched.

“I have germaphobia.”

With that, he brushed past coldly and headed toward Xu Qing in the kitchen.

05 showed no embarrassment. He scratched his neck with the outstretched hand.

Then, amid the beer bottles on the floor, he picked up an empty bottle of sleeping pills and casually tossed it into the trash.

【Passerby character acquired successfully.】

【First contact with task target failed.】

In the original text, though this character was set up as the protagonist shou’s friend, he was glossed over in just a line or two, with pitifully little screen time.

By this point, he had already died from overdosing on alcohol and drugs.

The moment Xu Qing returned, he discovered this tragedy and was whisked away by Ji Xingci amid his grief.

Later, he quickly agreed to move in with Ji Xingci, launching their abusive romance.

The two went through a series of plots that abused the heart, then the body, then the shou again and again, ending in a forced happy conclusion.

Certain events were too outrageous, the logic full of holes, and the character setups contradictory. This created numerous issues when the narrative world was formed, and it ultimately failed the Management Bureau’s review.

It needed major revisions.

His task was to delete their abusive romance arc entirely. He even had to fix the protagonist gong’s awful personality.

And he could only act by borrowing this passerby character.

05 lowered his gaze in thought, then glanced back once more at Ji Xingci’s retreating figure.

Ji Xingci had held his breath the entire way through the living room, as if terrified of picking up some virus.

Only when he stood beside Xu Qing and saw that the kitchen looked relatively clean did he finally plant his feet.

Xu Qing, who was cooking, sensed someone looming nearby. When he turned and saw it was the ever-picky Ji Xingci, he nearly sliced his finger.

He vaguely recalled that Ji Xingci had germaphobia. Maybe he was disgusted by the living room not being cleaned up yet…

“Sorry, the place is too small. Why don’t you wait in my room for a bit?”

Ji Xingci’s face was still sour. Only after a long moment did he reluctantly say,

“Where’s your room?”

Xu Qing wiped his hands and hurriedly opened the door to a small room for him.

Ji Xingci circled inside with a furrowed brow.

He couldn’t find a single spot to sit.

He waited for a while, but his mood only grew worse. He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath.

Forget it!

Just as he decided to simply say his goodbyes and reschedule with Xu Qing for another day, he heard the door behind him open.

A faint scent of soap drifted through the air.

It was simple and clean, like the aura of a boy in a crisp white shirt and backpack.

Ji Xingci’s expression softened as he turned around. “Is dinner ready?”

But the one standing in the doorway was that disheveled drunkard.

Lin Wu had clearly just showered. He wore only a loosely wrapped towel around his waist, his hair still damp. He casually swept it back, revealing the birthmark on his face even more prominently.

Just as clear were the droplets of water on his collarbone, the lean muscles covering his body, his defined abs, and the sharp V-line trailing downward.

Lin Wu stepped closer and extended his hand once more. “Lin Wu.”

The towel around his waist, already loose, suddenly slipped even further.

Ji Xingci heard a snap in his mind—the taut string finally breaking.

Xu Qing, who had been cooking in the kitchen, suddenly heard someone cursing, followed by the bang of a door slamming shut. He jumped in surprise.

When he came out, he saw Lin Wu standing alone in the living room, his expression blank and dazed.

“05, go put some clothes on,” Xu Qing said, his face flushing slightly.

“Where’s Ji Xingci?” Lin Wu asked, looking at him.

“He’s gone.”

“Oh… I figured as much.” Xu Qing lowered his head, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. But he quickly composed himself.

“Come on, 05. Let’s eat first.”

Lin Wu obediently changed into a white T-shirt and shorts, then sat down at the dining table and picked up his chopsticks.

“How do you know Ji Xingci?” he asked.

“Ah.” Xu Qing hadn’t expected Lin Wu to be a fan too.

“When I was little, my mom worked as a cook at his family’s house.”

“Recently, my company took on some outsourced work, making boxed lunches for a drama crew. That’s when I ran into him. He said he wanted to try my cooking, so he came back with me.” Xu Qing’s expression grew complicated.

He didn’t say it outright, but Lin Wu could tell from the script’s context.

Xu Qing had been secretly in love with Ji Xingci ever since that encounter. He had never told a soul.

Seeing that Lin Wu had fallen silent, Xu Qing hesitated for a moment before asking carefully, “Did you stay up late again last night?”

Back when Xu Qing had first arrived in the city, it was Lin Wu who noticed he needed help and invited him to stay here, charging him almost no rent at first.

The two had been friends ever since.

Lin Wu had once been full of ambition, determined to become a famous singer.

But after signing with a company, problems arose with his contract. His songs were stolen by others, and he was forced into ghostwriting. When he refused, he was saddled with a massive penalty fee. No other companies would touch his music after that.

In the end, he could only perform at bars.

From then on, Xu Qing could clearly see Lin Wu growing despondent, his eyes hollow. He slept all day, and he drank heavily.

Worried, Xu Qing carefully studied Lin Wu again.

His complexion looked a bit better today.

“If you’re free during the day, why don’t you come help me out?”

Xu Qing was actually just concerned about him, but only after saying it did he remember that Lin Wu had always been obsessed with music—he might not be interested.

But Lin Wu looked up at him, his eyes clear and bright, and nodded. “Sure.”

~~~

Ji Xingci slid into his luxury car and drove off, his face still dark.

He gripped the steering wheel tightly, veins bulging on the back of his hand.

If it weren’t for the problem with his body… he never would have stooped to talking with Xu Qing today.

He never would have set foot in that rundown shack.

And he certainly never would have let that sleazy punk hit on him.

He sped all the way back to his apartment, parked at the entrance, and tossed his keys to the security guard.

After all, he owned the entire building.

The elevator rose automatically to the top floor, where a lavish living room unfolded beyond the doors.

The butler, impeccably dressed in a suit, bowed deeply as he took Ji Xingci’s coat and respectfully informed him that dinner was prepared.

Ji Xingci undid the cuffs of his shirt. “I want to shower first.”

“Very good, Young Master.”

When he emerged from the bathroom—which was larger than the entire living room downstairs—Ji Xingci finally felt like the grime was off his skin.

But his mood remained foul.

At dinner, he selected a bottle of wine from the cabinet and drank alone by the floor-to-ceiling windows. Soon, even his neck was flushed red.

Perhaps it was the red wine, but that night, Ji Xingci tossed and turned on his soft silk sheets, breaking out in a sweat. No matter what, he couldn’t fall asleep. In the end, he threw off the covers.

Damn this illness!

Ji Xingci yanked open the drawer and stared at the pills the doctor had prescribed, glaring at them for a long time.

He generally refused to take them, because they only made the urges worse.

He already wanted it so badly.

He wanted it every day.

If all the people who approached him weren’t so filthy and ugly, repulsing him from any intimacy… how could he be this tormented, unable to find release? He grew more irritable by the day, feeling like he was going mad.

No, it was a problem with people.

The reason he’d spoken to Xu Qing was a powerful instinct.

Things would definitely work with Xu Qing.

Even though he didn’t know why.

Today, it had almost happened.

But then that infuriating roommate had shown up.

Thinking of Lin Wu, Ji Xingci’s brows furrowed tightly once more. His breathing grew rapid.