Peach-Orange! – Chapter 482 – Purpose and Resolve

He had changed a lot, yet he hadn’t completely strayed beyond the scope of the original character.

If Su Tao’s [character weight] fell below 50%, would that necessarily mean she had broken free from the restraints, thus becoming unaffected by the World’s Will and uninfluenced by others?

Chi Xiaocheng had once naively believed that what the system called “below 50%” was the goal to achieve for victory.

But in reality, she had almost forgotten that reaching below 50% only meant one would not be directly influenced and controlled by the World’s Will.

It meant truly possessing a part of oneself.

Yes, a part.

So what would it mean to truly be beyond the influence and control of the world’s will?

‘Isn’t the only example, myself!’

What felt even more dissonant to Chi Xiaocheng was this: as the system and Xiao Hei, who had accompanied her through hundreds of cycles, what plan could they possibly have that she shouldn’t know about?

Was it simply about lowering Tao-Tao’s character weight below 50%?

No.

Chi Xiaocheng knew clearly that Xiao Hei and the system’s goals were different from her own.

She wanted Tao-Tao to escape this world where death was certain, to live together with her forever, free from worries.

Whereas the system and Xiao Hei, throughout hundreds of cycles, had only one goal in what they did.

To ensure that even if they failed this time, there would still be a chance for the next cycle.

This was already theoretically the last cycle, and she was already tightly watched by the World’s Will, so how could they remedy a failure?

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The World’s Will was already anxious, and what It would do was anyone’s guess.

Chi Xiaocheng came to a pavilion in the rear garden, sat down on a stone chair, looked at Xiao Hei, and asked, “So, what you and the system absolutely must hide from me is probably about lowering Tao-Tao’s character weight to 0%, right?”

“And the purpose is…” Chi Xiaocheng extended her hand, a flash of light in her palm, and a worn-out straw doll appeared in her hand.

[Substitute Death Straw Doll (Weakened Version): When the host suffers fatal damage, this straw doll will share the damage with the host. The straw doll will shatter, and the host will die, but it preserves a chance for the host to revive.]

[Chance to Revive: Preserves the host’s soul in the present world, allowing it to remain for half a year without immediately entering reincarnation. The system will temporarily separate from the host in some form and bind to a person designated by the host.]

[The designated person can revive the host by collecting life energy or sharing their own life.]

The item’s description appeared before Chi Xiaocheng’s eyes.

“The purpose is this, right?”

She had thought about buying another complete version of the Substitute Death Straw Doll used for the lottery draw before, but she found that the thing’s price had increased, and by a lot.

The reason given by the system was that after being targeted by the World’s Will, more emotional value was needed to deceive It upon death.

Then, while Chi Xiaocheng was looking for substitute items, this weakened version of the straw doll appeared before her eyes as if recommended by an algorithm.

Immediately after, came the system’s suggestion to purchase it.

The guidance felt a bit too strong.

Saying that more emotional value was needed to purchase it was a judgment that she couldn’t afford it, then conveniently pushing this important item her way.

Chi Xiaocheng said, “As for that so-called binding me to a certain person upon my death, in reality, it can only bind to Tao-Tao, right?”

[…]

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The system fell silent again.

And silence meant admission.

“Hehe, I guessed it, right?” Chi Xiaocheng smiled sweetly, lightening the somewhat heavy atmosphere. “And as long as the character weight isn’t 0%, one will definitely be influenced by the World’s Will. If the other party decides to flip the table, they will definitely also meet a death ending.

“Even if I die afterwards, and Tao-Tao inherits the system and receives your help, Xiao Hei will quickly be directly targeted and killed by the World’s Will.

“At that time, you and Xiao Hei perish together, and the authority over time and cycles returns to the World’s Will.

“And It can then restart the world at that moment, restoring everything to its intended track.”

Yes, as long as the authority is reclaimed the instant Su Tao dies and the world is restarted, even if this unique major female lead dies, it wouldn’t matter at all.

Hearing this, Xiao Hei sighed, “You’ve become smarter than before.”

She had genuinely thought that Chi Xiaocheng’s intelligence had dropped recently because of her lovesick brain.

She hadn’t even noticed some obvious changes in Su Tao.

“After all, I have intermediate acting skills. Although I don’t know where Tao-Tao also learned some acting skills, she’s definitely not as good as me.”

Unconscious feelings in daily life were one thing.

But if she really focused on sensing it, she could still tell that Su Tao was acting.

Xiao Hei sighed and sat down beside Chi Xiaocheng. “Since that’s the case, I won’t hide it from you anymore. Both the light sphere and I believe that reducing Su Tao’s weight is of utmost importance now.

“Even though we know the World’s Will is causing trouble, know that someone named Luo Ying is problematic, and that among the new exchange students there are also pawns of the suddenly-rich female side character, we didn’t plan to tell you.

“The fastest method now is to use the World’s Will’s current desire to break you two apart to further confirm this misunderstanding for Su Tao, thereby….”

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Chi Xiaocheng smiled slightly, “Thereby making it difficult for her to believe this reality, leading to a breakdown and rapidly lowering her weight?”

Once a person breaks down, their so-called character setting indeed completely collapses.

Chi Xiaocheng said calmly, “Then how dare you be sure that a broken Tao-Tao can reach 0%, and how can you be sure she can be entrusted with such an important task?”

Just for a backup plan, going to such lengths?

Xiao Hei lowered her head.

She hadn’t considered that much.

She only knew that if Chi Xiaocheng’s plan failed and she died unexpectedly, a successor would be needed.

The purpose wasn’t to continue the cycle, but to give Chi Xiaocheng a chance to come back to life.

At that time, never mind Su Tao, never mind this world.

Even if it meant doing exactly like before and creating a small world anew.

As long as she could live, that was more important than anything else.

Xiao Hei raised her eyes, took a deep breath, her heterochromatic pupils, one orange and one red, revealing determination. “Even if Su Tao breaks down and becomes a fool, it doesn’t matter. I will save you!”

She wouldn’t operate on the premise that Chi Xiaocheng would definitely die.

But she would definitely make backups and preparations for this possible event.

After speaking, Xiao Hei lowered her head again, her usually cool voice softening for the first time. “I don’t care about Su Tao, so… scold me if you want.”

Chi Xiaocheng sighed and raised one hand high.

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Xiao Hei immediately closed her eyes.

But she didn’t feel that small hand slap her face. Instead, she felt her head being gently and slowly stroked.

By her ear, came Chi Xiaocheng’s angelic voice, “I know you were considering me, how could I bear to scold you?

“However, I also approve of yours and the system’s approach, but there is one difference.”

Chi Xiaocheng’s eyes sparkled. “Even if there really is an accident, and Tao-Tao’s weight drops to 0%, she won’t break down.

“Because she is Su Tao.

“She is the lover I’ve pursued through hundreds of cycles.

“I believe in her!”

Xiao Hei looked at Chi Xiaocheng with mixed feelings. “Then what do you plan to do next?”

“Kill with a borrowed knife.”

“Whose knife?”

“The World’s Will’s, of course.”

“Then… who will be killed?”

The question did not receive a verbal answer from the girl.

But the answer seemed to already be floating on the surface.