So, until the very end, she still didn’t know what exactly Su Wanli wanted her to do.
Meng Wange gazed at the Physical Education Equipment Room passing by her side and let out a soft sigh.
Since Su Wanli was able to spit out those few “charges” against herself so effortlessly, it meant she must have been thinking about it in the Equipment Room for quite some time, and she had already decided what “crime” she wanted to assign to herself.
But because both Meng Wange and Su Wanli were too busy avoiding the teacher’s gaze, they never actually completed that process.
… So, was there something that only she could accomplish in the Physical Education Equipment Room?
It was currently 12:56 PM—too late to catch the Cafeteria still open.
Meng Wange pondered for a moment but finally placed her hand on the door handle of the Equipment Room and gently pulled open the door before her.
Inside the room, there was still only that faint yellow light, a thin layer of dust, the footballs and basketballs piled up in their racks, and the stack of gym mats she had already put back in place.
Just now, she and Su Wanli had been on that very gym mat by the wall.
Ugh, enough, don’t recall that scene again.
Come to think of it, this location was only written on the slip of paper Du Xinxin and the others had handed her, which meant the Physical Education Equipment Room was very likely not Su Wanli’s own choice.
Therefore, it was impossible to judge Su Wanli’s intentions based solely on the location…
Meng Wange patted her forehead and was about to leave when she suddenly noticed some scattered footprints lingering beneath one of the shelves.
Ah, when she left earlier, she must have cleaned up the traces left by herself and Su Wanli.
Moreover, this edge of the shelf seemed unfamiliar; judging by the size and shape, these weren’t Su Wanli’s footprints.
Were they from a staff member?
Curiosity piqued, Meng Wange followed the direction of the footprints, circled around the shelf’s obstruction, and looked ahead.
There—a lightweight wooden easel stood, holding a blank canvas.
Several gouache brushes still rested on the easel, but no paint was nearby. The only usable tools appeared to be two exceptionally sharp black pencils.
This really was… totally out of place in a Physical Education Equipment Room.
The canvas wasn’t covered in dust like everything else around, and from the footprints, it was clear it had been brought here recently—perhaps just before or after her and Su Wanli’s footsteps.
Meng Wange silently rubbed her chin.
“A canvas, and some brushes…”
[ Host, hello. Something unexpected has occurred, but next up is the arrival time for your fourth mission today — ]
Before Su Wanli could even step out of the Cafeteria holding two steaming meat sandwiches, the System’s annoying electronic voice buzzed again in her ear.
“Huh? Didn’t some system just say during the third-period English class that you still had plenty of time before your next Main Mission, so you could enjoy this moment of freedom?”
Su Wanli silently glanced at the clock above the Teaching Building, then grit her teeth and growled, “It’s been less than three hours since you said that. And this is what you call plenty of time?”
[ Apologies, Host. Unlike the usual compulsory Main Missions, this one is a special sudden task. ]
[ As the antagonist and biggest villainess in the story, Miss Su Xiaoli of the Su family, you are not only required to actively create difficulties and setbacks for Meng Wange, but occasionally you must also passively serve as the heroine’s backdrop, highlighting her shining virtues. That is what makes a truly outstanding villainess. ]
Hiss, such a familiar line of reasoning. It sounds like one of those corporate speeches: “You can’t just do your own job, you have to think about the company’s future and how to contribute better. That’s what makes a good employee.”
Su Wanli furrowed her brow doubtfully and pondered, “…What do you mean by that? Since I’m the villainous eldest Miss role-playing system, isn’t it enough to just act like a villainess? If you dare make me work overtime, I swear I’ll blow up on you in the next second…”
[ Ahem, this isn’t overtime. Being the heroine’s foil at certain moments is also part of a villainess’s destiny. However, in recognition of your hard work, the system can increase your lottery chances afterward. ]
The System casually pacified Su Wanli with an utterly unappealing reward, then continued explaining.
[ Recap: As the heroine, Meng Wange’s first day at Baiying Academy was supposed to be brilliant, a day for her talents to shine fully. ]
[ But for some reason, she neither discussed profound philosophical thoughts with the Chinese teacher, nor debated the century-old unsolved math problems with the math professor, nor chatted from heaven to earth with the English teacher just returned from abroad. As for P.E., she didn’t even attend class at all. ]
“…That’s because she and I were both tricked by those three thugs into the Physical Education Equipment Room, right?”
[ Indeed. From the villainess role-playing perspective, your actions are nearly perfect, but the resulting chain of events is quite unacceptable. ]
“What do you mean? You just said it was perfect, and now you’re telling me it’s unacceptable?”
[ Don’t misunderstand, Host, you did very well. But from the current situation, our story has a major problem. ]
The System’s tone rarefied with a hint of seriousness—
[ Namely, there’s a lack of a climax! ]
Ignoring Su Wanli’s dumbfounded expression, the System went on—
[ Now, due to various reasons, although it’s Meng Wange’s first day at Baiying Academy, her highlights are insufficient, and there are no further opportunities to showcase her talents. As the story’s guide and pioneer, we must work together to make Meng Wange’s campus life more eventful. ]
“…I’m just a villainess, okay? What does guiding the story have to do with me? That sounds like your own job, don’t drag me into it.”
[ Fine, since you say that, the system will automatically search for some dramatic events… ]
After a moment of silent processing, the System announced—
[ The best possible climax has been found: 1. Host orders the heroine to wait under the Teaching Building, then jumps from the third floor or above for the heroine to catch. 2. Host orders the heroine to wait under the Cafeteria, then jumps from the Cafeteria rooftop for the heroine to catch. 3. Host orders — ]
“…Wait, wait, wait, what kind of dramatic climax is that?”
[ According to big data calculations, unexpected events happening at unexpected times attract the most attention. As your most loyal system, I will proactively plan the most explosive climaxes for you. ]
“If I really did that, what would explode wouldn’t be the climax, but my head…”
The damn System even used a shattered glass effect on its voice.
Su Wanli silently rubbed her temples.
“All right, all right, enough already. I’ll think about it myself. Basically, just let Meng Wange do something unexpected at an unexpected time, right?”
[ Correct. Preferably, let the heroine fully display some of her talents, exposing them to everyone. ]
…Showcase her talents, meaning let Meng Wange flaunt her big heroine aura, right?
That’s easy. Given that Meng Wange’s skill could put her in the top ten in a shooting game at the amusement park, letting her do something impressive in public would definitely count as a climax.
[ Also, Host, this might be slightly untimely, but don’t forget tomorrow is Baiying Academy’s Opening Exam day. Please prepare in advance. ]
“Ugh, you…”
Damn it, she’s back. It’s all back.
The heat that had just barely dissipated in the Equipment Room now returned, gathering thickly on Su Wanli’s face once again.