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Better late than never... dedicated to DaNa020521, who laughs like it's their superpower, somehow survives my chaotic scribbles, and feels things a little more deeply than most. Thank you🪄
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Jerry's vision swam. Am I... dying? No, not l...
The courtyard was quiet, just the rustling of leaves and the faintest hum of dawn. Jerry-now Zhao Yichen-collapsed onto the cold stone floor, limbs sprawled out like a broken puppet. His chest rose and fell heavily, his mind still replaying rooftops, shadows, and the burning sting of near-death.
He mumbled, half-asleep, "Finally... safe..." And before long, his eyes shut.
Morning crept in, warm light against his cheek, when the system's familiar voice jolted him. Host, host! Wake up! Jerry groaned and rolled to the side. "Five more minutes..."
The door burst open. "Wang ye!" someone shouted.
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Jerry shot up, heart hammering, and yelled, "Don't kill me!" His hair was a mess, clothes wrinkled from his night adventure, eyes wide like a cornered animal.
The figure who ran in skidded to a halt, gripping Jerry's arm tightly. "It's me!"
Above his head, glowing faintly, the words flickered into Jerry's vision:
"Xu Ming, Zhao Yichen's companion, childhood friend, Assistant in the Ministry of Rites"
Jerry blinked. Companion? Assistant? ...Wait, I don't remember this guy in the story. His brain scrambled for reference. Then it clicked-Ah, right. Those torn pages...
The man scanned him up and down for injuries, his expression taut with worry. Jerry forced a weak, awkward smile.
Then, with a sigh of relief, the man clapped Jerry's shoulder and sank down beside him. "I told you it was a bad idea to frame the Crown Prince. Did anyone see you last night?"
Jerry shook his head quickly. "No."
"Good." The man's tone softened. "Get ready. Court is about to begin."
Just then, the system chimed again. "Host, your first task is now unlocked. It's a simple task. Task: earn a favorable profile in the Imperial Court."
Jerry froze. "...What?"
"Your next stage of survival depends on building Zhao Yichen's reputation."
Jerry's jaw dropped. "Simple, huh? You send me on a 'simple' qualifying task, and I died eight times! Now this? Simple my foot! From what that cat boy said last night, Zhao Yichen must've caused at least a hundred death-penalty-worthy disasters. And you want me to get a good profile?!"
"Affirmative," the system replied cheerfully.
Jerry dropped back onto the floor, groaning. "I don't believe you anymore. System, you're setting me up to die again!" Jerry paused. "Wait a damn minute! If you count these as simple then what qualifies to be your hard task, frying me on a pole."
Xu Ming was already standing, stretching his arms. He turned back with a raised brow. "What are you doing lying there again? Get up, it's getting late."
