Chapter 1: The brilliant game designer and her foster father 1
Valeria’s mind spun for a moment, her body turning weightless, as if she had been thrown into a state of zero gravity. The dizziness lasted only an instant. When everything finally stabilized, she opened her eyes and found herself standing in a cramped space, more precisely, a restroom. She was wearing a simple white T-shirt and blue jeans, a crossbody bag slung over her shoulder, containing books and a few stationery items.
At that moment, the cold, mechanical electronic voice of 001 sounded again,
“We are currently inside a novel titled The Brilliant Game Designer And Her Foster Father. The owner of this body is an antagonist who meets an extremely tragic end. Your mission is to change her fate and fulfill the character’s wish.”
Valeria paid no attention to 001’s incessant chatter. She stepped out of the stall, walked over to the sink, and studied the reflection staring back at her in the mirror.
Good. It’s still my familiar face, Valeria thought.
The girl in the mirror had smooth, fair skin and well-defined features. Dark brown hair fell softly to her shoulders. Her amber eyes were crystal clear, yet so cold and composed that they were impossible to read. It was a striking, dazzling kind of beauty, sharp-edged, carrying with it an air of distance and quiet danger.
The moment the thought crossed her mind, 001’s electronic voice rang out once more,
“To facilitate your adaptation to your current identity, the system has chosen to retain your original appearance and real name.”
Valeria’s lips curved slightly, though it was unclear whether the expression held satisfaction or mockery.
“What is this novel about?” she asked, communicating with 001 through her consciousness.
“The system intends to transmit the novel’s content directly into your mind. Please select confirmation.”
Valeria nodded and replied, “Confirm.”
“Here is the author’s introduction:
From an orphaned girl to a genius game designer.
He was the angel who gave her white wings, allowing her to fly toward her dreams.
For his sake, she never stopped learning or improving herself. She overcame illness, bridged the gap in age, and defied societal prejudice, all to stand by his side.
Hand in hand, the two of them created a legend in the world of game design.”
Valeria frowned, finding the introduction somewhat overblown. However, she did not raise any further questions with 001 and instead focused on processing the data flooding her mind.
This world was the setting of a contemporary romantic novel, its plot not particularly complex. The female lead was named Fiona. She grew up in a Group home and, from a young age, displayed exceptional talent in various programming languages. When Fiona was twelve years old, the male lead - Ralph Harold - adopted her. Ralph was fifteen years older than Fiona and the owner of the most renowned game design company in the country. He was single, handsome, wealthy… and the man of countless girls’ dreams.
After being adopted, Fiona continued to nurture and develop her interests. At eighteen, she designed a classic game that took the world by storm and propelled her to the peak of success.
It was also at this time that she mustered the courage to confess her feelings to Ralph. Moved by her sincerity, Ralph ultimately accepted her, and the two of them ended up happily together - a happy ending.
Valeria’s frown deepened. She couldn’t help blurting out,
“Is this a story about a pedophile? He takes her in at twelve, raises her until eighteen, and then has her. I seriously question the author’s moral integrity.”
001 immediately explained,
“The female lead developed feelings for the male lead first and took the initiative in pursuing him. If you read Chapter 85 carefully, you will see that the male lead is also deeply conflicted over their respective roles and the age gap between them.”
“Conflicted for an entire chapter. How exhausting for the male lead,” Valeria snorted, then added, “So who am I, exactly? What role do I play in this story?”
“You are Valeria, the female lead’s twin sister who was separated from her at a young age. The female lead suffers from a congenital heart condition, and her health steadily deteriorates. When she is seventeen, the male lead finds Valeria and brings her back to keep the female lead company, hoping it will lift her spirits. However, Valeria has long since picked up the bad habits of those she lived among in the group home.
“She also falls for Ralph and deliberately studies game programming to attract his attention. On multiple occasions, she even schemes in ways that trigger relapses of the female lead’s heart condition. Valeria goes so far as to steal a game designed by her younger sister and claim it as her own work. At eighteen, she dies in a traffic accident. Before her death, she agrees to donate her heart to the female lead. Thanks to her sister’s heart, the female lead is able to live a healthy life and achieve a happy ending with the male lead.”
Hearing this, Valeria’s brows knit slightly. She stared at her reflection in the mirror for a moment, as if weighing something in her mind.
“I’ve changed my mind. I’m not doing this mission anymore. Send me back to the real world.”
001’s electronic voice rang out at once. It was still the same familiar, mechanical tone, yet this time there was an unmistakable hint of rare urgency threaded through it:
“That is not possible. Your body in the real world has entered a vegetative state. Completing the mission is the only way to sustain your life and awaken.”
Valeria fell silent for a second, then replied calmly,
“If I can’t wake up, then so be it. That’s still better than being trapped in this brain-dead script.”
001 spoke up immediately. This time, its speech was noticeably faster, as if afraid she might truly abandon everything,
“Please don’t. The mission is very simple. Your brain in the real world has already been declared clinically dead. Returning would lead to only one outcome - death.”
