When my childhood best friend was surrounded by fire, he calmly looked in my direction. I knew he had reincarnated, too. Suddenly, a stream of comments flashed across my vision. “LOL, the thirsty female side character is going to rescue the male lead again.” “Wait for the female side character to save the male lead, get sixth-degree burns, and be shipped off to the sticks. Then the male lead can introduce the poor female lead as the fake daughter to the side character’s family. Childhood romance trope, so sweet.” “Our pure female lead just wants a home. The reborn male lead definitely won’t let the side character return to threaten her happiness.” Is that so? What if, in this life, the one who gets sixth-degree burns is my childhood friend, not me? Chapter 1 The fire crackled loudly. The hot, scorching smoke made it impossible to breathe. “Coral, don’t worry about me. Run!” That familiar scene and voice made my entire body tense up. I thought I was dead. Dead, after my childhood friend and the fake heiress tormented me. Dead, caught in a once-in-a-century blizzard. “It’s okay, even if I die here, it doesn’t matter. As long as you live, that’s all that counts.” “Coral, you’re the kindest, most innocent girl I’ve ever met. I just wish I had met you sooner in the next life to protect you.” Anyone hearing those passionate, sorrowful words would feel compelled to stay. In my past life, I was fooled by them. But in this life, my heart is colder than a sword forged in the mountains for sixteen years. I looked up and met the flawlessly handsome face of my childhood friend, Henry Wen. His expression seemed fearful, but his eyes held an unsettling calm. With that single glance, I knew he had been reborn, too. I curved my lips, about to speak, when a stream of comments flashed across my vision. “LOL, the thirsty female side character is going to rescue the male lead again.” “Wait for the female side character to save the male lead, get sixth-degree burns, and be shipped off to the sticks. Then the male lead can introduce the poor female lead as the fake daughter to the side character’s family. Childhood romance trope, so sweet.” “Our pure female lead just wants a home. The reborn male lead definitely won’t let the side character return to threaten her happiness.” Oh, how amusing. Not only am I reborn, but I can also see these bizarre comments. This second life is going to be far more entertaining. Chapter 2 Just like in the past life, I said, sounding frantic: “Coco! I won’t let you die!” Henry curved his lips into a mocking smile, but just as his smile peaked, I spoke again. “You wait here! I’m going to call the cops and get help!” “Henry, wait for me!” With that, I turned and ran. I ran so fast I almost stumbled and fell. I wasn’t rushing to save him, but this fire was going to spread rapidly. The area was full of dry brush, and it could easily get out of control. Even though the fire didn't spread in the previous life, I couldn't risk it. My life is valuable. I have to stay alive until these scumbags are dead! Henry watched me run until I was far away, realizing I wasn't joking. He started yelling for help. “Help!—Help me!” “Skylar Li! Come save me! I’m going to burn to death!” Hearing that, I finally stopped. Relief flashed in his eyes, but when he saw me simply standing there, arms crossed, watching lazily, he panicked for real. He tried to save himself, rushing toward the ring of fire, desperate to escape. But the idiot was too busy posing. The fire was much bigger than he anticipated. He even deliberately sent the housekeeper away and told the security guards he was setting off fireworks so they wouldn't disturb him. He wanted the fire to spread quickly so I would burn. Now he’s getting a taste of his own medicine. The comments section exploded. “Is this side character crazy? Why isn’t she saving the male lead!” “WTF, is the handsome male lead going to die in the first chapter?” “No way! He’s the male lead, the Chosen One! Others might die, but he’ll probably just get burned, then get reconstructive surgery to look even hotter. That’s the standard trope.” I smirked. I don’t know who’s posting these comments, but they’re all idiots. Henry can't get plastic surgery because he has a tendency to keloid scarring. And the Wen family isn't as wealthy as mine. He absolutely cannot and will not be reborn as a success. I swear, even Jesus can't help him! … Five minutes later, a passing neighbor heard his cries for help and frantically called the police and an ambulance. I watched him being carried away on a stretcher from a distance. The white sheet didn't cover his face, which told me the jerk wasn't dying yet. Good. Chapter 3 After a night of emergency surgery, Henry woke up. His proudly long legs were amputated, and his handsome face was melted by the flames. The smell of burned flesh permeated the air. Henry’s parents almost passed out from grief. This was their only son. When my parents and I stepped into the hospital room, Henry, numb and despairing from the pain, instantly roared with incandescent fury: “Skylar Li! I was so good to you! How could you just watch me burn?” “Do you know my leg was amputated? I’ll never stand again! I have sixth-degree burns and I’m crippled! You could have just reached out and saved me! Why were you so cruel? Why did you ruin me? What did I ever do to deserve this? Are you happy now that you see me like this?” His desperate accusations sounded like a spiteful woman. He looked nothing like the refined, gentle boy he used to be. I wasn't this unhinged when he ruined me in the past life. I pursed my lips, feigning innocent distress. “Henry, how could you accuse me? Everyone knows I do whatever you tell me.” “You set the fire! You drew that big circle with gasoline and said you were going to show me a magic trick! I thought you were putting on a show again. And you kept insisting I leave. I thought it was part of the act, so I listened and left!” Henry’s mom wiped her tears, complaining. “You left, but you should have called the police! How could you just watch him burn like that?” I spread my hands, looking even more innocent. “I didn’t leave. I was standing right there, watching Henry’s performance.” Henry’s mom’s face went white with anger. She was about to point at me, but Henry’s dad stopped her, trying to soothe her. “Calm down. It’s over now. Henry did set the fire, and he did tell Skylar to leave. She’s only twelve. It’s normal for her to think it was a magic trick.” My parents had already heard my side of the story on the way over. While I might have been partially involved, they couldn't blame me entirely. My mom quickly added: “We’re so sorry. We spoiled Coco too much. We truly apologize for this.” “I’ve already spoken to the hospital director. They’re contacting the best specialists globally for Henry’s treatment. Technology is so advanced now, he’ll be able to get prosthetic legs soon and walk again. Please let us know if you need anything at all.” Ha, dream on. My parents spent a fortune in the past life trying to get me back on my feet. It was useless. His injuries were too severe. The amputation went up to his thigh, and he damaged his reproductive organs. He’ll never have children unless he’s getting cheated on. Chapter 4 My dad gently patted Henry’s dad on the shoulder, sighing. “I know our children are our lives. I understand how you feel.” “But life must go on, no matter how hard it is. Once you’ve recovered, let’s start the wind power project together. The approval documents just came through.” Instantly, Henry’s parents’ expressions softened. They were just waiting for my dad to say that. After all, their son was crippled—that’s a fact. And it was his own fault. Blaming me was pointless. Better to exchange the misery for a multi-billion dollar partnership. Henry’s dad nodded. “You’re right. We have to keep living.” Henry expected his parents to demand justice for him, to make me pay a painful price. Instead, he realized they were using him as a tool for business interests. He was so angry his face turned crimson. He was about to curse me, when I leaned in and whispered mockingly in his ear. “Henry, I lied to them just now.” “I knew you weren’t doing a magic trick, and I deliberately didn’t save you. You can forget about advanced prosthetic legs. The scars will be permanent.” “I personally ruined you, but this is just the beginning.” The words were devastating. So devastating that his hysterical screams started only after I pretended to tuck him in. “Skylar Li, you bitch! You devil!” “Mom, Dad, she just admitted it! It was all deliberate! She wanted to ruin me! No, she wanted to kill me!” “Mom, Dad, you have to kill her! Kill her—” He didn't finish. Henry’s dad angrily yelled at him. “Henry Wen!” “Are you done throwing a fit? You’re still trying to blame Skylar!” “You set the fire yourself, and you told the security guards it was fireworks so they wouldn't check! Everything that happened is your own damn fault! Be thankful Skylar didn't get hurt, or your life wouldn't be enough to pay for it!” Henry was so enraged he started spitting up blood. Doctors and nurses rushed him to the operating room for emergency treatment. The comments section was livid. “WTF, the side character is seriously insane! Absolutely unhinged!” “Did the side character reincarnate too? She’s brutal! Her words are murderous. It’s pathetic how the male lead is being destroyed by her.” “Honestly, this psycho side character is kinda hot. The male lead wanted to kill her, and she reversed the outcome. That’s fair.” “Haha, when you put it that way, it’s actually pretty cool.” I smiled. Of course, it’s cool. Compared to the hypocritical male lead and the weak, fake female lead, a vicious side character like me is much more entertaining. I’m ready to kill them both. Don't bother trying to bind me with morality. A devil who clawed her way out of hell has no morals whatsoever. Chapter 5 The national wind power project was a massive opportunity. So tempting that Henry’s parents quickly forgot about their son still in the hospital. And I, the vicious side character, used the excuse of taking care of him to visit the hospital every day, just to provoke and disgust him. I read him the love letters I received. I danced the ballet I just learned right in front of him. Dancing alone is boring, so I brought a handsome, gentle boy to dance with me. I frequently brought his former rivals to visit him. I shared good news, like getting first place in the entrance exam... He couldn't take it anymore and complained to his parents, begging them to keep me away. Henry’s dad was furious, accusing him of being ungrateful. He said I was so busy, yet I made time to visit and even brought friends to cheer him up. He called Henry a spoiled brat. Henry developed full-blown depression. I used the opportunity to suggest: “Maybe the hospital environment isn't good for Henry’s recovery.” “My family owns a villa in the countryside. The scenery is beautiful, the people are kind, and the food is all organic and healthy. With a private nurse and two caregivers, the recovery results would be much better than here.” “Then we can get Henry the most advanced prosthetic legs, and he can play basketball again.” Henry’s dad instantly agreed. “You’re so thoughtful, Coco. We’re too busy to be with him.” The decision was finalized then and there. He was sent to the countryside that afternoon. He fought and screamed and threatened a hunger strike. But what could he do? They just packed him up and put him in the car. He didn’t even have the strength to fight back. The comments lit up. “The side character is a poison! So cruel! The poor male lead is ruined...” “This plot is familiar. Is the side character planning to do everything the male lead did to her, back to him?” “Who says the side character has to die? This counterattack is so satisfying!” “What if the side character takes a cute guy and trains him to be her submissive boyfriend? That would be so hot.” Even the cutest guy wouldn't be as handsome as the male lead, right? The male lead is the handsomest. Wait, there’s a major villain, Alec Lin, who’s supposedly just as handsome. But Alec’s ruthlessness matches his good looks. He’s a cold-hearted bastard. “If the side character and the ultimate villain team up, the destruction of the world is basically imminent.”
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