Ning Yunhuan would never make the foolish mistakes of her past life again. Lanling Yan had already declared she wouldn't take Ning's life, which probably meant she could finally escape the miserable fate of being used as a research subject last time. The protagonist should never cross paths with her now - if they did meet, this woman who was destined to be an antagonist would certainly play those petty tricks that made people despise her.

The thought brought some comfort to Ning Yunhuan's chest. She belonged to the Film Department of Diku University, a program she had chosen solely to please the protagonist and ingratiate herself with her in her past life. The Ning family business was entertainment-related anyway, so they had no objections to this major choice. At the new student registration area now, a slender figure stood among the crowd, warmly greeting freshmen one after another.

Those who received her gentle reassurances all cast appreciative and affectionate glances toward her direction.

As for romantic novel protagonists, she always had to look unremarkably pretty with fragile features yet subtly curvaceous under that plain exterior. Just thinking about it made Ning Yunhuan scoff coldly - one couldn't even finish the thought without a "beep" sound effect.

"A warm welcome to our big family!" A soft and elegant female voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts. With it came a delicate white hand reaching out to take over the bag Ning Yunhuan was carrying.

Ning instinctively stepped back, lifting her chin defiantly. She saw the protagonist now twisting her hands awkwardly, eyes shimmering with waterworks as she murmured in that meek tone: "Sister, let me carry it for you."

Typical protagonist behavior - soft-spoken enough to draw protective gazes from onlookers who fell helplessly into her saintly aura. But Ning Yunhuan was no ordinary victim. Last time this woman had ruined her life badly. She merely shook her head stubbornly: "No need, I can manage myself."

The protagonist's eyes immediately welled up at the cold reception.

"Yingxi, c'mon," a short-haired girl in glasses tugged sympathetically on her companion's arm. "Why bother with someone who clearly doesn't want help? She has two working hands for heaven's sake! Don't let this ungrateful person make you look like some princess needing rescue!"

But the protagonist refused to budge, still extending her hand while sweetly smiling: "I'm Gu Yingxi, a senior in third year. If you ever need advice, just call me. Or better yet, give me your number so we can hang out when convenient." The protagonist's gentle voice was indeed part of her essential skills package - though merely pretty with an ordinary schoolgirl outfit (loose white blouse and jeans), she managed to exude a seductive yet innocent charm that would attract men easily.

Ning Yunhuan had lived through this firsthand in her past life. Every man who'd been entangled with Gu Yingxi ended up worshiping her like an angel, while anyone who disapproved of her was cursed to the eighteenth circle of hell for their "evil" intentions. Even raising one's voice at her warranted execution by a thousand cuts.

In her last life, Ning had tried being the devoted sidekick, only to end up brutally killed anyway! Now seeing Gu Yingxi again, she remembered how desperately she'd wanted to reform in that past life - determined to be the protagonist's number one fan and avoid her male admirers' wrath. But ironically, when the protagonist asked for help once more by shedding fake tears about being smothered by love interests ("Huahuan, you've always supported me..."), Ning had stupidly agreed again.

The memory made her want to slap herself two hundred times. What madness had possessed her then? Gu Yingxi was a manipulative schemer who'd first used her as a pawn in relationships while pretending innocence! She remembered how she'd once consoled the protagonist after she'd been seduced by Ning Yuncheng, only for that man to steal half of the family inheritance before leaving her for dead.

The recollection darkened Ning's expression further. As Gu Yingxi tried to walk past her, something snapped in the protagonist who suddenly tore free from her companion and blocked Ning's path: "Sister, what's your name? You never told me."

Exactly why Ning didn't want to give it! She skillfully sidestepped the sudden ambush, clutching her bag tightly as she hurried away.

The first encounter with her archenemy from past life left Ning Yunhuan determined to live this reborn existence fully. Compared to ordinary people who only had one shot at life, she was doubly blessed - not just with knowledge of all plot twists but also two complete lifetimes' worth of memories. It would be a waste if she spent it solely on revenge.

If Gu Yingxi showed any common sense in this new timeline and stayed away from her schemes... Ning could easily pretend those past horrors were just a nightmare. But should the protagonist be foolish enough to repeat old mistakes? Well, even as an open-book protagonist, she'd better beware - when darkness knows exactly where light is, there's always time for retaliation!