Extra: 1 (Return to the Novel World: Part 1)

In an official conference hall somewhere in Magic City.

"Thanks to President Su's meticulous efforts over the years, our Magic City Beauty Industry has fully expanded beyond Magic City and is now reaching nationwide. Let us give a warm round of applause to welcome our Magic City Beauty Association President, Su Qianmo!"

"Nervous?"

Backstage, Gu Chenan leaned on the wall, watching Su Qianmo adjust her attire.

"Why would I be nervous? I've attended many of these meetings over the past few years."

As she spoke, a burst of applause erupted from the audience.

"I'm going out," Su Qianmo said.

"Mhm."

Gu Chenan nodded, watching Su Qianmo walk from the backstage to the podium in the conference hall. He then stuffed his hands into his pockets and strolled into the restroom.

Sitting on the sofa in the restroom, Gu Chenan wiped his face and closed his eyes, pretending to rest.

Suddenly, his phone rang.

"Hey, Yu Tian, what's up?"

On the other end of the line came a gentle, ladylike voice: "Chenan, could you pick up some things for me when you come back? I'll send you the list later."

"Sure."

"Oh, and Kannon asked me to check with you about the trip to Sakura Country you promised her a few days ago. When are we going?"

As she spoke, Kannon's voice came through the phone: "It's okay, Chenan. Focus on your work first. I'm not in a hurry. If you're too busy, I can skip the trip. It's fine."

Gu Chenan was momentarily stunned and quickly replied: "End of the month. We'll go by the end of the month."

"No need to rush. I really don't mind. You should prioritize your work," Kannon insisted.

"End of the month it is!" Gu Chenan's voice suddenly grew louder.

Hearing this, Kannon immediately replied: "Alright, I understand. End of the month it is."

After hanging up, Gu Chenan placed his phone aside and closed his eyes once more.

"Have you thought it through?"

At that moment, the system's voice echoed in his mind.

"Thought what through?"

Gu Chenan opened his eyes, puzzled.

"Earlier, you asked me if the novel world could be activated. I said we could try, but before that, I need to ask you—now that all the female leads are by your side, why do you still yearn for that novel world?" the system inquired.

"This..."

Gu Chenan reached into his pocket, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and said, "Don't you think this world is too boring?"

"Every day, it's either sending Qianmo off to work or helping Mingrui in the kitchen at home. The kids are growing up, and the female leads and I are gradually getting older. Although it's only been five years since we came here, you should be able to sense the changes over these five years."

"Like what?" the system asked.

"Like..."

Gu Chenan took a drag from his cigarette and said, "Yu Tian, in my mind, she should always be an innocent and lovely little girl, but now she's becoming more mature, her actions and demeanor have turned into that of a gentle older sister."

"And Kannon, in my mind, she should always be a sensitive, needy, mischievous little girl, but now she's also becoming more and more gentle and understanding."

"And Yuanyuan, she no longer likes gaming or cosplay..."

"Isn't that good?" the system asked.

"Is... is that good?"

Gu Chenan extinguished his cigarette and said, "Yes, it's true. From a secular perspective, Yu Tian, Kannon, Yuanyuan—they've all improved. But... are they still themselves?"

"Isn't this, in a way, being polished by time, losing their edges?"

"So, what do you like—the characters from the novel, or who they are in reality?" the system posed a sharp question.

Without hesitation, Gu Chenan replied, "I like them for who they are, but they should be the way they were in the novel. Just like how I love tigers and lions; I wouldn't want them to become domesticated, docile pets. I love them for their ability to roam freely across the plains or forests."

"Do you understand what I mean?"

The system fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, "So, you want to return to that world again?"

"No."

Gu Chenan shook his head firmly: "I don't want to return to that world. I just want to see them as they were back then."

With a hint of pleading, Gu Chenan added, "Can you do that?"

"It's not easy," the system said, sounding troubled.

"Ah."

Gu Chenan raised an eyebrow: "So, there's a way?"

"I'll try, but no guarantees."

"Thank you. Really, thank you so much."

"Uh... we don't need to say thanks between us, do we?" The system's tone carried a hint of shyness.

Instantly, Gu Chenan became intrigued.

He straightened up slightly and said, "Speaking of which, it's been years. Shouldn't we meet in person? Are you really afraid I'll go wild and push you down?"

"N-no, it's not that!" the system hesitated. "I was originally the system that brought you into the novel world. By rights, I should have disappeared when you returned to reality, but you brought me along..."

"...In short, after coming to the real world, I've been a wandering consciousness in the void, only recently managing to manifest a human body."

With a tone of pride, the system continued, "Also, don't think I'm just some innocent little system. You should remember, I've always been in your mind, so every time you and the female leads... you know... I've seen everything clearly!"

"Huh?"

Gu Chenan was taken aback, his eyebrow raised: "So, how was I? Am I any good? Was it a decent length of time?"

"You..."

The system was momentarily flustered, shy yet reproachful: "You haven't changed at all! You were a lecher in the novel world, and you still are now!"

"Haha."

Gu Chenan chuckled and said, "Well, now that you have a human body, how about coming out to meet me? Oh, and dress up nicely when you do. You know my taste."

"If you keep talking like that, we won't meet at all!" the system girl immediately got angry.

"Alright, alright."

Gu Chenan quickly backed down: "When should we meet then?"

"Let me first figure out how to reactivate the novel world. We'll meet sometime later."

"Don't wait."

Gu Chenan quickly said, "We can totally meet first, and then you can work on reactivating the novel world."

"Emmmm"

The system girl thought for a long time before saying, "You're right."

Hearing this, Gu Chenan got excited: "So, when should we meet?"

"Later tonight. I need to prepare first," the system girl said.