I turned reality into a romantic comedy.

Lin Mu's mutterings pulled Chen Junqian, who was having a fit of chuunibyou, back to reality. Actually, from the perspective of shopping for clothes, Mu Mu was really the most difficult girl to win over among the girls around him. It wasn't that she was particularly picky about her taste or that she couldn't find suitable styles because of her body type; it was simply because she didn't go out shopping for clothes often.

After all, Lin Mu's dressing up has always been taken care of by his mother since he was a child. From hairstyle to clothes, he can be said to have everything done for him. However, he doesn't ask others to dress him, but rather he gets ready-made clothes directly from them. This is the complete opposite of Xu Youwei, who has been buying her own clothes for several years. So, when Youyou was in elementary school, she would habitually drag him to buy scarves. When Mu Mu ran into her on the street before the Spring Festival this year, she was still shopping for clothes with her parents.

Although the number of times was not many, Chen Junqian, as Lin Mu's childhood sweetheart, naturally couldn't have never gone shopping with her. At first, he would say a few platitudes like "If Mu Mu thinks it looks good, that's fine" or "If Mu Mu thinks it's suitable, then you can buy it." But after realizing that this would only make Mu Mu more and more indecisive, Chen Junqian started to make more assertive decisions.

"Let's go to that store over there, they're having a promotion."

"Okay, let's go."

As always, Chen Junqian had made all the arrangements. Within minutes, he had transformed Lin Mu into a female protagonist in a dress-up game who only moved between the dressing room and the shelves, doing a two-point line exercise between the two places. Only then was Chen Junqian finally able to sit down and rest for a while on the soft cushion next to him, and then he began to let his thoughts wander aimlessly.

Speaking of which, if I were to pray here now for some romantic comedy to happen, like when I rode the elevator with Gu Linguo during summer vacation, it feels like the most classic plot would either be that Lin Mu suddenly bumps into some strange little animal inside and screams as she rushes out to find him, or that the zipper of her clothes gets stuck somewhere and someone can't reach it, so they call her in... It doesn't feel like anything special.

However, even Lin Mu inside didn't send him two photos while changing clothes like a certain Sister Shen did. Today, Chen Junqian still unexpectedly encountered a certain event.

A strong, almost pungent perfume scent, accompanied by a rhythmic footstep, forcefully invaded his sense of smell and hearing. Then, a slightly high-pitched voice, with a deliberately rising tone at the end as if carrying a barb, rang in his ears.

"Handsome, are you alone?"

Chen Junqian subconsciously raised his head.

Standing before him was a woman who was... well, very visually striking in every way.

If viewed through the lens of his system, where everything can be a romantic comedy, this new character would probably be a worthy candidate for the 'hot girl' category.

But the truth is that since his rebirth, Chen Junqian has never had the slightest thought of finding a hot female lead in real life, even though there are a lot of romantic comedy achievements related to this role yet to be unlocked. After all, like the one in front of him, in real life, compared to the term "Japanese hot girl," people would definitely prefer to think of them as "emo" or "spiritual girls."

It was impossible to tell her exact age, and you couldn't tell from her husky voice either. You couldn't tell if she was in her teens or twenties. She had a head of wavy hair that had faded to a dry, straw-yellow color, with only the roots stubbornly remaining black. Her face was covered in foundation that was several shades lighter than her skin tone, making the color difference between her and her neck so striking that it was impossible to ignore.

She wore a black tank top that was so tight it accentuated every inch of her body fat, jeans with so many rips that the fabric was more ripped than there were holes, and platform shoes with soles as thick as bricks. In this already chilly autumn, it was an outfit that made you feel a bit cold just looking at it.

Without a doubt, this is a quintessential example of a "spiritual young woman" active in the urban-rural fringe or on short video platforms.

Upon realizing this, Chen Junqian's mask of gentle refinement and aloof politeness vanished instantly. He nodded slightly, revealing a flawless smile:

"I'm waiting for someone."

"Hey, waiting for your girlfriend?"

The energetic young woman didn't back down because of those words. Instead, she casually sat down in the empty seat next to Chen Junqian.

With her movements, the mixture of cheap perfume, hairspray, and some unknown tobacco scent launched an even more intense chemical attack on Chen Junqian.

Chen Junqian subtly moved five centimeters to the side, maintaining a polite social distance, and without hesitation admitted in a gentle tone:

"Yes."

In the many romantic comedies he had seen, the so-called "gal girls" were either pure villains or stereotypical villains, mainly responsible for a series of villainous behaviors in school romantic comedies, including but not limited to bullying, causing trouble, and secretly gossiping about the protagonist. They were naturally classified as part of the "normie" faction, which is why Hachiman Hikigaya subconsciously cursed Yui Yuigahama as a "bitch" when he saw her enter the Service Club.

However, once she reaches the level of a female protagonist, she will instantly reveal her pure and kind-hearted nature, just like a dumpling. Don't ask, all these exaggerated outfits are just protective colors to conform to others and social situations. As for the so-called argument that tattoos are for self-protection, Chen Junqian's thought has always been, "Don't make your XX sister laugh." If it is true that in the world of anime, the author can change the setting with a pen, then don't blame him for being stereotypical in reality.

After all, in Chen Junqian's memory, Guoning's little sister would give the whole city a little shock when he was about a year into high school, and incidentally make the so-called "Class 17" system of the entire Guoning High School become the bottom of the hierarchy of contempt.

I glanced again at the system's description of so-called "hot girls" in my mind:

[The "hot girls" in romantic comedies are often outwardly flamboyant but inwardly innocent, blushing easily at a compliment from the male lead, and exuding a sweet scent of citrus or vanilla. Their nails, though long, are meticulously manicured and glossy, resembling works of art.]

Chen Junqian glanced at the hand of the energetic young woman next to him out of the corner of his eye.

Her nails were quite long, covered with plastic nail tips that didn't fit well, and a few rhinestones that looked like they were about to fall off. There were even traces of glue left on the edges.

As he was thinking, the girl next to him pulled out a piece of chewing gum from somewhere, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth. She chewed it noisily while sizing Chen Junqian up and down, her eyes carrying an industrial quality, as if selecting prey.

"Wow, you're quite handsome. Which school do you go to? Or are you already working?"

She shook her leg while trying to lean her body towards Chen Junqian:

"Can we add each other on WeChat? Let's be friends, having more friends means having more options."

Chen Junqian felt his sanity as the male protagonist of a romantic comedy—no, as a good student—was plummeting. Rather, he had never been able to handle these kinds of people since his previous life, but he never had the chance to provoke them in his past life.

If he were to give his opinion, this wasn't a hot girl at all, but rather a potential audience for future social dances and shout-rap. There was no arrogance, no unexpected charm, and even if there were, he wouldn't really want to know. Faced with this kind of awkwardness that practically overflowed the screen and a so-called attraction that clearly displayed sexual attitudes, Chen Junqian could only politely decline.

"Sorry, it's not convenient."

However, on the surface, Chen Junqian maintained a polite smile and waved his hand in reply:

My girlfriend is very strict.

"Tch, afraid of your wife?"

The spirited girl just rolled her eyes at this, but she didn't give up. On the contrary, she became more interested because of Chen Junqian's ascetic rejection. In terms of initiative and enthusiasm, the spirited girl did have the advantages of a hot girl, that is, she took the initiative to break the routine in the rather oppressive and dull environment of school, adding dramatic conflict and comedic elements.

But reality isn't a romantic comedy, you know.

These girls, who are totally obsessed with looks, really can't resist guys like Chen Junqian. They've had tons of experience flirting with and being flirted with, and their main tactic is to be persistent and shameless. It's not like they're looking for a relationship. Having such a good-looking friend to go out for drinks, billiards, and karaoke with is definitely a way to boost their image.

Thinking of this, she immediately took out her phone again, practically shoving the QR code in Chen Junqian's face.

"Don't be such a spoilsport. Just say you're a classmate or your younger sister, right? You don't look that old, are you still in school? Ningzhong or Jinzhong?"

"Um, Ningzhong."

Noticing a certain unlocked achievement that was getting brighter and brighter in his mind, Chen Junqian, who had originally planned to kick the person out, changed his mind and continued to patiently and perfunctorily answer.

"Wow, Ningzhong, right? You must be a top student? I love top students the most, but top students are usually virgins, since it seems like they spend all their time studying."

Perhaps because Chen Junqian looked like a high school student, the energetic young woman's eyes lit up, and she began to speak more bluntly without any restraint.

"Are you not talkative? We're out having fun, don't be so reserved."

Seeing that Chen Junqian was no longer going to say anything, the other party began to show a little dissatisfaction.

"No, my throat is a little sore today."

"Your voice sounds so nice even though your throat is sore. I'd love to hear how you talk when your throat feels better. Can I borrow a light?"

As she spoke, the young woman swallowed the gum in her mouth and casually took out a pack of cigarettes from her pocket.

"Sorry, I don't smoke."

"Let's try it today. Although it's not a very good cigarette, it's still quite strong."

Feeling his patience was about to run out, Chen Junqian glanced at the two followers who also seemed to be losing patience and were about to come over from the other side of the crowd, then looked towards the locker room door, and finally heard Lin Mu's voice:

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Qianqian. The zipper got stuck inside. What do you think of this..."

The girl in the dressing room peeked out nervously, her cheeks flushed naturally from the heat of trying on clothes, her eyes clear as a pool of freshly melted snow. Then her gaze fell on the person who had suddenly appeared next to Chen Junqian.

In this way, you can successfully fool the system's achievement assessment once again and achieve an achievement that is neither easy nor difficult.

Rather, this is the only reason he has been able to grit his teeth and deal with this suddenly appearing "spiritual little sister" until now. After all, if you want a girl who is not aware of this at this stage, or even if she is aware, she may not be able to say it in front of other female protagonists, to show that kind of face, then you can only find a little monster for her.

Instead of looking for a system that falls from the sky, why not create one yourself!

At this moment, think about what your good friend Youyou would do.

With this lighthearted and cheerful thought in mind, a certain achievement in Chen Junqian's mind shone brightly to its limit, almost certainly foreshadowing the next move of the person involved.

[The Childhood Sweethearts' Declaration of Sovereignty]

When your childhood sweetheart suddenly takes your arm and smiles at another girl who approaches, saying, "Sorry, this person has been my possession since childhood," the possessiveness accumulated over the years is more destructive than any confession from a girl who isn't your childhood sweetheart.

Whether it's using childhood secrets about the other person that only they know to intimidate a rival, adjusting their collar and tying their shoelaces as naturally as breathing, or directly lying about "our parents have already arranged for us to get married after graduation," childhood sweethearts sometimes have more tricks up their sleeves than you might imagine.

The idea that "it's been like this since childhood" is the most natural yet never realized possessiveness of the childhood sweetheart character.

Condition for achievement: The female protagonist of a romantic comedy, recognized by the system as a childhood friend, asserts her claim to the male protagonist's ownership in front of other female protagonists, through words or actions.

P.S.: Thank you for reading and subscribing.

Chapter Twenty-Two: My Life (Fictional) Was Stolen by Mu Mu (Two-Part Series)

If Chen Junqian could still use a humorous, satirical approach to try and analyze the "spirited young women" he encountered in reality through the mysterious filter of a romantic comedy, then for Lin Mu, a proper, sheltered, and well-behaved girl, this kind of person was the complete opposite of her, belonging to a high-risk group that her family had repeatedly emphasized not to get close to since childhood.

That's why, the moment she saw the scene before her, the expectation and pride on her face instantly froze into a look of bewilderment and helplessness.

The waiting area that should have belonged only to her was now crowded and glaring. A girl dressed in a flashy and exaggerated manner, with dyed yellow hair and a pungent perfume smell, was standing in front of Chen Junqian in a very aggressive manner, almost pressing her body against her childhood sweetheart. She was waving her phone in her hand and had a provocative and socially charged smile on her face that made Lin Mu very uncomfortable.

To be honest, Lin Mu had certainly seen scenes of his childhood sweetheart being confessed to by other girls at school, and some girls didn't even care that Lin Mu was there. But those situations were completely different from the scene before him. The hot girl's straightforwardness and unconventionality were indeed refreshing in the romantic comedy, but in reality, they only made people, at least Lin Mu, feel a certain kind of physical discomfort for the first time.

Her heart felt like it was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand. A mix of aches, panic, and a complex emotion she had never experienced before, one that she couldn't even describe, surged up to Lin Mu's head in an instant.

If one were to try to describe Lin Mu's first thought at this moment, it would lean more towards a sense of resentment and anger at the thought of losing something he cherished most.

However, before Lin Mu's brain, which was even slower than usual due to nervousness, could come up with a solution, and before she could even take a step, Chen Junqian had already moved first.

Without the slightest hesitation, and without even glancing at the young woman, he strode across the few meters between them and walked straight to Lin Mu.

His taller figure blocked the somewhat glaring spotlights overhead, casting a shadow and shelter that felt like a sense of security. Then, very naturally, he reached out and straightened her collar, which was actually not messy at all.

If we only go this far, then this is undoubtedly just an action that the two of them usually do.

But the next second, Chen Junqian's hand did not withdraw as usual. Instead, it slid down and his warm palm, through the brand-new sweater, precisely and firmly gripped Lin Mu's rounded shoulder.

Then, with a slight pull, he drew her closer to his arms.

Lin Mu froze, as if struck by an electric current, his eyes widening instantly, his pupils dilating.

What is Qianqian doing?

In such a public setting, under the watchful eyes of everyone, he put his arm around her shoulder.

Why is it so slow?

The boy's voice came from above, no longer the polite distance he had shown to the girl, nor the usual lazy teasing, but a tone Lin Mu had never heard before.

If Zhu Wenyun were to write this passage, she could probably easily write a long list of various adjectives. But if Chen Junqian were to describe it himself, it would simply be the boyfriend-like state he had with Xu Youwei when they were alone together.

Maruto Fumiaki, one of Chen Junqian and Gu Linguo's favorite game scriptwriters and light novel authors, will release a subtle work called "Now That Things Have Gone, I've Fallen in Love with My Childhood Friend" a few years later. After setting aside the messy Maruto-style plot, the reason why the female protagonist suddenly falls in love with her childhood friend of more than ten years is actually very simple: he has experienced a heart-wrenching romance with another girl without her knowledge.

The idea that someone who loves another is the most dazzling and adorable is often upheld in many romance works, and it certainly makes sense. At least for Lin Mu right now, this is almost the first time she has felt something different from her childhood sweetheart, whom she had grown accustomed to.

Even though biology class had already been completed and removed from the daily subjects of junior high students like them along with geography, with Chen Junqian's sudden approach and his familiar face magnified infinitely in front of Lin Mu, and his warm breath gently touching her forehead, causing a slight shiver, she belatedly realized what the textbook meant by "after entering puberty, one will begin to have thoughts about the opposite sex".

Finally, Chen Junqian didn't use the usual "Mu Mu" as a nickname, but instead used one that Lin Mu had never expected, one that almost made her faint on the spot:

"Baby."

boom--!!!

All I can say is that she felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck her head precisely, followed by a wildfire. Her blood instantly reversed direction, and the temperature on her cheeks rose at an alarming rate, turning red all the way to her ears and even her neck.

Who is he calling? Baby? Am I the baby? Has Qianqian gone mad?

"This outfit looks really good."

Chen Junqian seemed quite satisfied with her reaction, his smile growing even wider. However, he didn't give Lin Mu any time to process what was happening. He tightened his grip on her shoulder slightly, his fingertips gently stroking her shoulder, as if soothing a frightened kitten, or perhaps giving some kind of silent suggestion.