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The first thing Su Mian noticed when she opened her eyes was the chandelier.
It was enormous.
Crystal droplets glittered beneath the ceiling, scattering golden light across a dining room that looked more expensive than an entire shopping mall.
The second thing she noticed was the food.
Roasted lobster. Golden-crusted beef. Delicate pastries. A bowl of soup that probably cost more than her previous month's rent.
The third thing she noticed was the group of people sitting around the table.
An elegant woman in a pearl necklace.
A stern older man with silver hair.
Three exceptionally handsome young men.
And a beautiful girl with watery eyes who looked like she had stepped straight out of a romance novel.
Su Mian froze.
Why was she here?
Before she could figure out the answer, a sharp pain pierced her head.
Memories flooded into her mind.
Su Mian.
Twenty-two years old.
Recently returned to the wealthy Su family after spending years away from them.
And, most importantly, the unfortunate cannon-fodder character in a novel she had read before dying from exhaustion.
Her former life had been simple.
Work.
Drink coffee.
Work some more.
Sleep for three hours.
Repeat until her body finally gave up.
She had died at her desk while finishing a design project.
Apparently, even death hadn't been enough to get her out of overtime.
And now?
Now she had transmigrated into a novel called The Beloved Heiress: Five Powerful Men Spoil Her Rotten.
Unfortunately, she hadn't become the beloved female lead.
She had become Su Mian, the biological daughter of the Su family.
The problem?
Her family already had a daughter.
Su Rourou.
The girl who had been raised by the Su family for more than twenty years and was now pretending to be the most innocent creature on earth.
In the original story, Su Rourou would frame Su Mian repeatedly, manipulate the family into distrusting her, and eventually drive her out of the house.
Su Mian would then suffer a miserable fate.
A perfect tragic side character.
A disposable stepping stone.
A walking tragedy with excellent family connections.
Su Mian silently closed her eyes.
Wonderful.
Absolutely wonderful.
I died from overwork only to be reincarnated into a novel where I'm scheduled to die from stupidity.
Could the universe please give me a refund?
A mechanical voice suddenly sounded inside her head.
[Ding! System 404 has successfully activated.]
[Host identity confirmed: Su Mian.]
[Current role: Obedient and silent cannon-fodder sister.]
[Primary mission: Avoid attracting attention. Follow the original storyline. Maintain a low profile.]
[Warning: Deviating from the original plot may result in severe penalties.]
Su Mian nearly choked.
Are you kidding me?
I just got here! Can't I have at least three days of paid leave before the suffering starts?
[Host, please remain calm.]
Calm? You want me to remain calm?
I'm sitting in a house that probably has its own tax department, surrounded by people who are going to hate me, and you're telling me to behave like a decorative potted plant!
[Host, please remember your character setting. You must be meek, timid, and obedient.]
Fine. I'll be meek.
I'll be timid.
I'll be so obedient that I'll quietly find the nearest exit, take my severance package, and disappear into the countryside.
[Host, there is no severance package.]
Then I'll make one.
[Host—]
System, shut up. I'm trying to plan my retirement.
What Su Mian didn't know was that the system had suffered a transmission malfunction.
Its internal voice channel had accidentally connected to the external audio field.
Every word of her inner monologue was being broadcast clearly to everyone within five meters.
And everyone at the dining table had just heard it.
Completely.
Every.
Single.
Word.
Silence descended upon the dining room.
The eldest brother, Su Yichen, stopped cutting his steak.
The second brother, Su Jingyan, slowly lowered his teacup.
The third brother, Su Zeyu, forgot to chew.
Their mother, Lin Wan, stared at Su Mian with wide eyes.
Their father, Su Cheng, looked as if he had just discovered a new branch of science.
And their grandfather?
Grandpa Su nearly dropped his chopsticks.
Nobody spoke.
Nobody moved.
Because they had all heard the same thing.
Their newly returned daughter and younger sister was apparently planning to flee into the countryside.
And, according to her, they were all going to hate her.
Why?
What had they done to make this child think such terrible things?
Before anyone could ask, Su Rourou dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a silk handkerchief.
"Sister," she said softly, "you've been quiet all evening. Are you still upset about what happened this afternoon?"
Su Mian opened her eyes.
Here it came.
The original novel's first trap.
The infamous broken antique vase incident.
According to the original story, Su Rourou had broken their mother's favorite antique vase while searching the study for confidential business documents belonging to the eldest brother.
When a servant discovered the mess, Su Rourou had immediately blamed Su Mian.
And tonight, she would pretend to be generous by claiming that she had taken responsibility for the accident herself.
A beautiful performance.
Oscar-worthy, really.
Su Rourou lowered her head.
"I know you didn't mean to break Mother's favorite vase," she continued, her voice trembling. "I told everyone that I accidentally broke it instead. I didn't want you to be punished."
She looked up at Su Mian with a wounded smile.
"But Sister, you should tell the truth next time. We're family, after all."
How touching.
If Su Mian hadn't known the plot, she might actually have cried.
She lowered her head obediently.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
On the outside, she looked like a frightened little rabbit.
On the inside, however, she was conducting a detailed investigation into the universe's questionable employment policies.
Wait. WHAT VASE?
You broke it yourself!
You were searching Big Brother's study for confidential business files to sell to his competitor!
Then you hid the broken glass beneath the rose bushes in the garden!
And now you're blaming me?
Girl, your face is beautiful, but your conscience is apparently on permanent vacation.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Su Yichen's silver fork struck the porcelain plate with a sharp clang.
His eyes turned icy.
Confidential business files?
His assistant had reported that several documents had gone missing from his study two days ago.
He had suspected a security issue but hadn't found any evidence.
Now his little sister had just provided a possible explanation.
And the rose bushes?
He had personally inspected the garden that morning.
If there was broken glass beneath them, he would find it.
Su Yichen calmly reached for his phone.
"Uncle Chen," he said into the receiver, his voice cold and controlled. "Have security inspect the rose bushes outside the eastern study. Immediately."
Su Rourou's smile stiffened.
The second brother, Su Jingyan, looked at her.
Then he looked at Su Mian.
His expression remained composed, but his mind was racing.
The vase had supposedly been broken accidentally.
Yet Su Mian's thoughts described a completely different sequence of events.
And she had mentioned the confidential documents without anyone asking about them.
Could she somehow know what had happened?
No.
That was impossible.
Perhaps she had overheard something.
Or perhaps there was something about his newly returned sister that none of them understood.
Meanwhile, Su Zeyu leaned back in his chair.
He had been prepared to dislike his biological sister.
He was a famous idol, constantly surrounded by people who wanted his attention. He had no patience for family drama, emotional manipulation, or people who pretended to be innocent.
But this little sister?
She had just called someone a girl whose conscience was on permanent vacation.
He almost laughed.
He quickly covered his mouth with his fist.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Their mother, Lin Wan, looked at Su Mian's lowered head and felt her heart ache.
The girl was apologizing even though she might have done nothing wrong.
Had their family been so intimidating that their own daughter was afraid to defend herself?
Lin Wan silently made a decision.
From now on, nobody would be allowed to bully her precious daughter.
Not even a little.
Especially not someone who had lived in their house for years and was now trying to make Su Mian look guilty.
Grandpa Su set down his chopsticks.
"Mian Mian," he said gently, "look at Grandpa."
Su Mian's shoulders stiffened.
Oh, no.
The grandfather.
In the original novel, he was the strictest member of the family.
He believed in discipline, tradition, and maintaining the dignity of the Su family.
If he decided she was a troublemaker, her peaceful retirement plan would be ruined before it began.
She slowly raised her head.
"Yes, Grandpa?"
"Are you hungry?"
Su Mian blinked.
"...What?"
"You're too thin," Grandpa Su declared.
He immediately placed a piece of braised beef on her plate.
"Eat more."
Su Mian stared at the beef.
Was this a trick?
Was the beef poisoned?
Was there a hidden camera somewhere?
Why is Grandpa looking at me like that?
Is this the part where he pretends to be kind before telling me to pack my bags?
Please, sir. If you want me gone, just say so. I'll leave quietly. I don't even need a farewell party.
Grandpa Su's hand trembled.
Pack her bags?
Leave quietly?
Who had taught this poor child to expect rejection from her own family?
He wanted to stand up, march around the table, and personally throw out anyone who had made her feel unwanted.
Instead, he forced himself to smile.
"There's no need to leave anywhere," he said.
Su Mian froze.
Had she accidentally said that aloud?
She stared at him.
Grandpa Su cleared his throat.
"This is your home. You may stay as long as you wish."
Su Mian's eyes widened.
Then she quickly lowered her head again.
"Thank you, Grandpa."
Inside, however, she was screaming.
Huh?
Did he just say I can stay?
Is the original plot already broken?
System, explain!
[Host, please continue following the original storyline.]
Your original storyline is about to be followed straight into the trash can.
[Host!]
Su Yichen's lips twitched.
He had heard every word.
His younger sister had the courage to argue with a mysterious voice inside her head but was too frightened to ask her own family for reassurance.
Something had gone terribly wrong.
He would investigate it.
Quietly.
Thoroughly.
And if anyone had mistreated her before she returned home, they would regret it.
At that moment, Uncle Chen hurried into the dining room.
"Young Master," he reported, "we found broken glass beneath the rose bushes."
Su Rourou's face turned white.
Uncle Chen continued, "We also found a document envelope hidden nearby. It contains photocopies of several confidential business files."
The dining room became deathly silent.
Su Yichen placed his phone on the table.
"Bring the evidence to my study. Seal the area and review the security footage."
"Yes, Young Master."
Su Rourou stood abruptly.
"I—I don't understand! Why would anyone hide those things in the garden?"
Nobody answered her.
Su Mian stared at her plate.
Wow.
The universe actually has functioning security cameras.
I'm impressed.
Wait, no. Don't look at me. I didn't do anything!
I'm just a humble little cannon-fodder character trying to survive until retirement.
Su Zeyu coughed.
It sounded suspiciously like a laugh.
Su Rourou looked at him in disbelief.
"Third Brother, why are you laughing? Sister has clearly been—"
"Who said I was laughing?" Su Zeyu interrupted.
He picked up his glass of water and took a long drink.
"I'm simply impressed by the garden's ability to produce evidence."
Su Mian nearly choked on her soup.
This third brother is ridiculous.
Does he practice these lines in front of a mirror?
Su Zeyu almost spat out his water.
Ridiculous?
He was a nationally famous idol!
His face appeared on billboards across the country!
And his own sister had just classified him as ridiculous!
For some reason, he wasn't offended.
In fact, he found it rather refreshing.
Su Rourou's eyes filled with tears.
"But I only wanted to protect Sister! Why is everyone treating me like a criminal?"
Lin Wan finally spoke.
"Rourou, nobody has accused you of anything yet."
Her voice was gentle, but her expression was serious.
"We'll investigate the evidence before drawing conclusions."
"But Mother—"
"That's enough for tonight."
The words were quiet.
They were also final.
Su Rourou sat down slowly, her fingers tightening around her handkerchief.
She had expected Su Mian to accept the blame.
She had expected the family to praise her generosity.
She had even prepared a second story about how frightened Su Mian had become after returning to the household.
Instead, the family was investigating the garden.
And Su Yichen was looking at her as if he had suddenly discovered that the person standing beside him for years was a stranger.
What had gone wrong?
Across the table, Su Mian was experiencing a completely different crisis.
That's it. I'm finished.
The fake heiress is going to hate me now.
She'll probably plan revenge, and then I'll be dragged into another ridiculous family battle.
I need money.
Money means freedom.
Freedom means a small apartment, a soft bed, delicious food, and absolutely no involvement in the lives of rich people.
Su Yichen slowly turned toward her.
"Su Mian."
She immediately straightened.
"Yes, Big Brother?"
"Do you have a bank account?"
She hesitated.
"Yes."
"Good."
He took out a black card and placed it beside her plate.
"Take this."
Su Mian stared at it.
The card was black, elegant, and completely unfamiliar.
She had a terrible feeling about it.
"What is this?"
"An additional card linked to my account."
Her brain stopped functioning.
"...What?"
"Use it for your expenses. If you need anything, tell the housekeeper."
Su Mian looked at the card.
Then at her eldest brother.
Then back at the card.
Is this a bribe?
Did he discover that I know something?
Is this how wealthy families silence witnesses?
Oh my goodness. Is this money laundering?
Su Yichen's eyelid twitched.
Money laundering?
He was offering his sister an allowance, not inviting her to participate in an international financial crime.
He took a slow breath.
"Mian Mian, you don't need to do anything in return."
Su Mian blinked.
"I don't?"
"No."
"You won't ask me to sign anything?"
"No."
"You won't make me work at your company?"
"No."
"You won't suddenly tell me I owe you money?"
Su Yichen stared at her.
Then his expression softened.
"No. You're my younger sister."
For a moment, Su Mian didn't know what to say.
The original Su Mian had spent years feeling unwanted.
Even after returning to her biological family, she had expected rejection.
Perhaps that was why she had been so determined to keep her head down.
Perhaps she had believed that kindness always came with a hidden price.
Su Mian lowered her eyes.
"Thank you, Big Brother."
Her voice was small but sincere.
Su Yichen felt something tighten in his chest.
He wanted to tell her that she didn't need to be so careful around him.
That she could ask for anything.
That she could make mistakes, complain, or even shout at him if she wanted.
But he couldn't say any of that without explaining why he suddenly knew what she was thinking.
And he couldn't explain the impossible voice that seemed to reveal secrets before anyone else could discover them.
So he settled for the simplest promise.
"Eat your dinner. You're home now."
Su Mian nodded.
Then she looked down at the black card again.
Well.
If the wealthy family wants to pay me to stay, who am I to reject their generosity?
I can accept this card, remain obedient, and save enough money to retire comfortably.
I might even buy a little house with a garden.
Maybe adopt a cat.
Actually, two cats.
One for me and one for emotional support.
Su Zeyu burst out laughing.
Everyone turned toward him.
He immediately straightened his expression.
"Sorry. Something funny came to mind."
Su Mian stared at him suspiciously.
What was wrong with this family?
Why did everyone keep looking at her like she was some kind of rare animal?
Was there something on her face?
She quickly wiped her mouth with a napkin.
No sauce.
No crumbs.
Perfect.
Why are they all staring at me?
Are they going to kick me out after dinner?
Should I run now?
Around the table, four powerful men and two equally formidable elders reached the same conclusion.
Absolutely not.
They would sooner throw out the entire Su Group than let this girl leave their home.
And they would do it without hesitation.
Su Mian, naturally, knew nothing about this.
She finished her dinner, thanked everyone politely, and followed the housekeeper upstairs.
Her new bedroom was larger than her previous apartment.
There was a king-sized bed, a walk-in wardrobe, a private bathroom, and a balcony overlooking the garden.
Someone had even placed a basket of fresh fruit on the bedside table.
Su Mian stood in the doorway.
"..."
She slowly walked inside.
Then she fell backward onto the bed.
The mattress swallowed her whole.
This is heaven.
Forget the countryside. I'm never leaving this bed.
System, I have decided to revise my retirement plan.
[Host, your mission remains unchanged.]
Fine. I'll be a silent cannon-fodder character.
I'll eat, sleep, save money, and avoid the plot.
As long as nobody bothers me, I promise to be the most peaceful background character in the history of fiction.
[Host, please remember that your survival depends on—]
Good night.
She pulled the blanket over her head.
Within minutes, she was asleep.
Downstairs, the Su family had gathered in Su Yichen's study.
A security report lay open on the desk.
Beside it were photographs of the broken vase, the hidden documents, and the rose bushes where the evidence had been discovered.
Su Yichen's expression was cold.
"Investigate who had access to my study. Review the financial records connected to the missing files. No accusations until we have proof."
His second brother nodded.
"I'll have the documents checked independently. If anyone has copied or transferred confidential research or business information, we'll find out."
Su Zeyu leaned against the bookshelf.
"And what about Rourou?"
"We investigate the evidence," their father replied. "We do not jump to conclusions."
Grandpa Su adjusted his glasses.
"Regardless of what happened, Mian Mian is not to be questioned aggressively. She has only just returned home."
Lin Wan nodded firmly.
"She needs time to settle in. From now on, make sure her meals are prepared according to her preferences. And ask the housekeeper whether she needs anything for her room."
Su Zeyu raised his hand.
"I'll handle the desserts."
Everyone looked at him.
"What?" he asked defensively. "She likes desserts."
Nobody had heard Su Mian say that she liked desserts.
But her third brother had already decided that she would have access to the best pastry shop in the city.
Su Yichen picked up his phone.
"Increase the security around her room. Keep it discreet. Nobody should make her feel watched."
His second brother added, "I'll arrange a routine health checkup. She looks exhausted."
"Don't frighten her with unnecessary medical examinations," Lin Wan warned.
"I won't."
Grandpa Su thought for a moment.
"And tomorrow, we'll discuss the family trust."
Su Cheng looked at him.
"Father, are you sure?"
"Of course. I have every intention of making provisions for my granddaughter."
Su Yichen rubbed his forehead.
They had spent years building it.
