My Boss, My Ex, and Our Crazy Love Triangle

To boost my performance, I livestreamed stealing my boss’s personal thermal underwear.

To attract attention, I read erotic stories online, aimed directly at my boss.

I thought he was asleep.

But after he banned me from my livestream, he whispered a single word in my ear.

…

I transmigrated.

Into one of my own fast-paced smut novels.

And now, I’m Selena Vance, the stunningly beautiful heroine of the story.

Back then, readers roasted me for writing about a bunch of brainless male leads falling for the heroine, and I fought back. Turns out, karma's a bitch—I got transmigrated into my own book.

Now, one of the male leads, the unhinged scientist Lysander Kane, is holding a gun in one hand and a rose in the other, forcing me to choose between the two.

His rose is deep red, almost as if it’s soaked in blood.

He says, “Either take my rose, or I’ll put a bullet through you.”

Am I supposed to put up with this? Hell no. I march right up and extend my right hand...

Snatching the crazy bastard's rose.

Lysander's face is frozen in shock, clearly unable to believe I actually picked the rose from his hand.

This is hilarious! I’ve only just arrived—I’m not dying just yet!

At that moment, a pleasant mechanical male voice rings out:

"Congratulations, Host, you've successfully bound to System 004. Once you unlock the hidden ending, you can choose to return to your original world. Now, you must choose between hearing the protagonists’ thoughts up close or hearing everyone else's thoughts except the protagonists’. Please note, hidden tasks must be discovered by the host."

Wait, what? Another choice?

004 continues: “It’s speculated that the hidden ending is related to the protagonists. You may want to consider the first option.”

I respond mentally, “Yeah, yeah, I agree with you! So, I choose the second one—to hear everyone else's thoughts except the protagonists'!”

004: ???

Sure, hearing the protagonists' thoughts sounds good, but there are only a few of them. This is a case of the majority ruling, right? Listening to all the side characters' thoughts sounds way more exciting!

004 growls, clearly frustrated: “Host, to avoid OOC behavior, I recommend you throw Lysander's rose into the trash. That way, you can avoid any punishment.”

Hmm? Really? Alright, I’ll give it a try.

I’m only half convinced, but in Lysander’s confused gaze, I toss the bright red rose into the trash.

His eyes darken, and after a moment of internal struggle, he closes his eyes and throws his gun on the ground, looking utterly dejected as he mutters to himself.

"Selena Vance, do you really hate me that much?"

Seeing the crazed Lysander so lost, and knowing that later in the story, he would create his own AI just to love the heroine better, my heart can't help but ache for him, as his creator.

"Ha, I can’t believe you actually believed that! I was just messing with you since you didn’t listen to my advice at first. Don’t worry, there’s no punishment."

004’s voice echoes in my mind.

“As a host bound to me, you don’t have to endure punishment from anyone but me. Do whatever you want. But don’t disturb me unless it's absolutely necessary, because watching you go through the plot is pretty boring.”

Wait, really? I can do whatever I want?

So, as the slightly naughty female streamer I am, can I go comfort the heartbroken, crazy, handsome Lysander standing right in front of me?

004 grumbles in a strained voice: “No! No getting handsy!”

Fine, fine. It's no fun anyway.

But hey, since I can ignore my character's setup, and I can also hear the side characters’ thoughts in real time—being the author of this story feels like having god-level powers. With this kind of buff, completing the hidden tasks and returning home is practically a done deal!

It’s practically a guarantee!

I step closer to Lysander, pulling him into an embrace. As I gently pat his back, I show him my bloodied finger, just as described in the novel.

Lysander’s lips press together, a flash of excitement flickering behind his previously dejected expression. He lifts my hand, gently kissing my bleeding finger.

After savoring the moment, he finally looks up at me.