A Budget Cuddling-for-Life System

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Tang Yu worked through the weekend and died from overwork. When she opened her eyes again, she'd landed in a yuri novel with all three classic opening ingredients:

★ A breathtakingly beautiful movie queen

★ A pristine prenuptial agreement that comes with money (P.S. Valid for one year)

★ A System in her head constantly going ding ding: "Get close to her to keep yourself alive!"

Tang Yu (eyes cracking open): I'm not a lesbian! ⊙Д⊙

System: ...@#$%^&*!

System (non-lesbian special edition 1.0, bargain-bin version): Fine... even scavenging trash can keep you alive!

And so...

Tang Yu squatted inside a delivery box Ji Husui had just unpacked, held the mug Ji Husui had used in both hands, and wore the jacket Ji Husui had just taken off over her head. She sighed, eyes narrowed. "This System's pretty humane after all. This'll do for tonight~"

System (making a last-ditch effort): Just kiss her and you'll get a whole month!

Tang Yu (making an X with lightning speed): No! Breaking up a CP brings down heavenly retribution!

System (overheating and smoking): C...CP? What kind of retribution? What have you been doing behind my back?!

*

Tang Yu, family member of a hit drama's two female leads, supporter of real-person shipping, and an absolute, irredeemable believer that Ji Husui is a gorgeous bottom, has been feeling a little suffocated lately.

[Suishui Ping'an Super Topic]

@DimAndBright: #AntiBlack# Quick, report this! A fake account is using the full name of the person it's impersonating to spread rumors that JHS got married under a one-year contract and will split up!

"@HasJiHusuiGottenMarriedToday: Confirmed! JHS's marriage contract is only for one year! SSPA will definitely be the top CP! Nanke's contract-wife ship was just pushed by the fans' rivals to clean things up. Is it even a CP? Why are you shipping it? I'm dying of laughter!"

Tang Yu stared at the account suspension notice. "? The person involved just confirmed the ship right here, and you report me?! The fans in this fandom are impossible to handle!"

*

In a corner of the production team's wrap party.

Tang Yu fixed her gaze on the stars flirting right in front of her and shipped them with tears in her eyes.

The System shrieked: You're already shipping them, so why keep insisting you're not a lesbian?!

*

Everyone on Ji Husui's team knew that Tang Yu "loved their boss to death!"

She followed her to every engagement, immediately reclaimed the half-full glass of water she'd left behind, and, worst of all... stuffed the makeup pads her boss had just thrown away into her pockets!

Tang Yu (feeling smug as she patted her pocket): One minute on my face buys me two hours of life. What a bargain~

Everyone stared in shock. "Wow... she really loves her that much?"

*

Ji Husui looked at the things she'd once used, neatly arranged in the wardrobe, with "life extension expiration dates" of all different times stuck on them...

She remembered the recent wrap party, and Tang Yu tucked away in a corner, gazing tearfully at her while she talked with Ming An'an.

Her fingertips brushed the labels, her expression complicated.

She really loves me that much?

*

With the contract about to expire, Tang Yu's life bar was still...

[It's actually at zero! Hahahahaha!] The System had gone completely bonkers!

Tang Yu lunged forward and threw herself into the blanket that still held Ji Husui's warmth!

As she carefully tried to slow her breathing, she furiously berated herself: "I've already moved on from this ship, but I'm still such a creep!"

"Then who are you shipping now? Is that gorgeous bottom not enough for you anymore?"

A woman's voice, cold as ice, came from outside the blanket.

Tang Yu was so startled she took a huge breath straight into her lungs!

[+96h]

The System's notification sounded immediately after.

Theme: Be sincere enough to face what's in your heart.