Chapter 20
In the original novel Paranoid Possession, Ming Ruogui was a highly polarizing character.
Like her cousin Gu Xingzhou, she had a bold personality, loved and hated with intensity, and often acted unpredictably. In the early stages, misled by Gu Xingzhou’s words, she made many mistakes—acting as his accomplice in tormenting Ning Sheng and even stirring up dramatic jealousy-fueled conflicts, which frustrated many readers.
However, in the later stages, it was she who helped Ning Sheng escape B City after realizing the truth. It was she who secretly aided Ning Sheng in seeking revenge. And when Ning Sheng started her own business, the first person to invest and support her was also Ming Ruogui.
Not only that, but she even slapped Gu Xingzhou several times in public, leaving his face swollen—giving readers a deeply satisfying moment of justice.
As a result, those who liked her adored her, while those who hated her despised her.
Later, the author of Paranoid Possession even wrote a spin-off novel with Ming Ruogui as the main character—a female-led, exhilarating showbiz novel titled Roses and Crowns. But that’s another story.
*
Multiverse Live Stream – Paranoid Possession Original Storyline Broadcast
[Sister Ming!! Sister Ming!!! Cheering for you!!! (screaming at the top of my lungs)]
[Shivering… comforting my fellow Little Roses. In the next segment, Sister Ming is about to attract a whole wave of haters again…]
[I’m chill about it (smiling). Every time the Paranoid Possession arc opens, we have to go through this cycle. I’ve achieved inner peace.]
[Quick plug! If anyone is interested in Sister Ming, hop over to Roses and Crowns—a female-led power fantasy. For those with weak hearts, feel free to skip the upcoming Paranoid Possession segment~]
Because of how Ming Ruogui’s character was written—with a redemption arc that started low and soared high—every time she first appeared in the Paranoid Possession setting, she would attract a storm of criticism. Even her fans, the “Little Roses,” would get dragged into it and insulted.
All previous transmigrators who attempted to change the storyline of Paranoid Possession had focused on Ning Sheng and Gu Xingzhou. No one had ever tried altering Ming Ruogui’s arc.
At this point, Ming Ruogui’s fans had long since given up hoping that any streamer could salvage her reputation in the early parts of the story. They just prayed it wouldn’t be too disastrous.
Suddenly, someone in the live chat mentioned:
[There’s a streamer whose broadcast features Sister Ming’s appearance earlier than the others. Little Roses, you might want to check it out—could be some fresh content! Room number: 6666.]
[Oh ho? Interesting. This Big Rose Lord shall take a look.]
[…]
The veteran fans fell silent.
Who was out here irresponsibly promoting stuff?
Did they not realize they were peering into the abyss…?
*
Outside Yuanzhou Group Headquarters
Looking at the bustling street food stalls in the distance, inhaling the irresistible aroma of onion and beef fried rice, Ming Ruogui found herself unable to move.
“Sister Ming, aren’t you here to meet President Gu?” Bai Shi reminded her. “If you don’t go up soon, he’ll be gone.”
Ming Ruogui’s role in her upcoming fantasy drama was that of a celestial ancient goddess. The director had bluntly stated that she needed to slim down to around 80 pounds to look good on screen.
Because of this, Ming Ruogui had been on a strict diet for a month, so hungry that her ribs were practically touching.
If she gave in now, all her effort would be wasted.
“You’re right, I came here for my little brother.”
Ming Ruogui nodded, forcing herself to look away.
As the leading lady in a high-energy showbiz novel, she did have self-control.
People often called her a pretty face with no talent, but she put her heart and soul into every role. No matter how cliché or frustrating the script was, no matter how absurd the director’s demands, she always did her best to meet expectations.
No one had ever accused her of being unprofessional.
If she had to slim down to 80 pounds, then she would slim down to 80 pounds.
That high-calorie, carb-loaded fried rice was off-limits.
“Exactly! And street food like this is so unhygienic. I got a takeout box yesterday, and honestly? It wasn’t even that good. I’m never eating it again.”
“Sister Ming, someone as precious as you should only dine at Michelin-starred restaurants~”
Bai Shi rubbed her hands together and laughed.
Ming Ruogui maintained a dignified nod.
After escorting Ming Ruogui into the building, Bai Shi immediately spun around, eyes gleaming, and sprinted toward the street food stalls.
Ming-jie might not be able to indulge in street food, but she sure could!
She had a reckless soul—she was born for street food!
Anyone who tried to stop her from eating would be her mortal enemy!
Today, the fried rice stall was incredibly popular. By the time it was Bai Shi’s turn, only ten servings remained. Holding the steaming, fragrant bowl of fried rice in her hands, she grinned with delight—
Then turned around—
Only to meet Ming Ruogui’s striking, elegant face.
Ming Ruogui’s gaze was filled with scrutiny.
Bai Shi: “…”
Ming Ruogui: “You’re eating behind my back?”
Bai Shi: “No, I… You… I…”
Ming Ruogui had only come back to grab something, but what she saw was Bai Shi—who had just sworn that the fried rice was “totally not delicious”—now holding a steaming bowl, drooling, clearly about to dig in.
Ming Ruogui felt deceived.
A rebellious spark ignited in her. Bai Shi, who had been with her through thick and thin since her debut, was now guarding a bowl of fried rice like this?
Ming Ruogui thought: I have to try this. What’s so special about this fried rice? Is it made of gold?
She waved her hand, and a bodyguard immediately stepped forward, respectfully handing her a sterilized golden spoon.
After wiping her hands, Ming Ruogui took the spoon and scooped up a bite of fried rice.
It was freshly made, still steaming. Every grain of rice was coated in egg, glistening with a rich soy aroma. Crispy-edged beef cubes were nestled within, their juices seeping into the dish.
Bai Shi, making a last-ditch effort: “Sister Ming, no, you can’t—”
Ming Ruogui put the fried rice into her mouth.
As she chewed, an explosion of flavors filled her senses. The rice was perfectly cooked—not too sticky, each grain distinct and chewy, infused with smoky, savory wok hei. The crispy eggs and pan-seared beef cubes blended seamlessly, their rich umami enhanced by the slight sting of caramelized onions.
It was sinful. It was high-calorie. But…
Ming Ruogui: “!!!”
It was delicious!
The guiltier the pleasure, the more irresistible it became. Ming Ruogui simply grabbed the entire bowl and started devouring it.
After a month of dieting—abstaining from all rich foods—this single moment of indulgence was pure bliss. As the morning sun bathed her in golden light and birds chirped softly in the background, Ming Ruogui had never felt so at peace. So happy.
She thought back to childhood summers, chasing cicadas with her cousin in the countryside, running wild after kites all day. At sunset, they would return home to the scent of fried rice cooked over a wood-fired stove by her grandmother.
That carefree time, that warmth, all came rushing back with this indescribable taste.
Why does conflict exist in this world?
Why can’t everyone just live in harmony and enjoy good food together?
Tears welled up in Ming Ruogui’s eyes. Her soul had transcended.
Bai Shi: “…”
“Sister Ming, at least save me a bite!!!” Bai Shi wailed.
Her fried rice! That whole, giant bowl of fried rice!
Ming Ruogui had eaten most of it before Bai Shi’s protest finally snapped her out of her trance.
Reluctantly, she stopped chewing.
Then, her gaze drifted toward the fried rice stall owner nearby, and a brilliant idea suddenly formed in her mind.
*
Before 10 a.m., all 100 portions of fried rice had sold out.
Jian Yunlan was very satisfied. He had once again fed many happy customers, and seeing their smiles brought him endless joy.
It was time to close up shop.
A few unfortunate latecomers stood in disbelief, crushed by their misfortune.
“A hundred portions? Only a hundred??”
“If I’d known, I would’ve come earlier…”
“Boss, please, can’t you sell me just one more serving?”
They had hesitated before, afraid of being overcharged when business was slow. But once they saw others enjoying it, they realized they had made a terrible mistake.
Hesitation leads to failure.
They cursed themselves for not lining up sooner.
Jian Yunlan shook his head regretfully. “I only make a hundred portions a day. I’ll be here at 9 a.m. every morning this week. You’re welcome to come back tomorrow!”
“Alright, you better keep your word!” They nodded tearfully.
Just then, a striking figure pushed through the crowd and stopped in front of Jian Yunlan.
Ming Ruogui stood tall in a crimson dress, champagne-colored heels clicking against the pavement. Behind oversized sunglasses, her aura was overwhelming. “Boss, what’s your surname?”
The crowd gasped.
Wait… was that Ming Ruogui, the famous actress?!
Jian Yunlan: “My surname is Jian.”
Ming Ruogui tilted her chin up and handed him a business card. “I’ll get straight to the point—”
“I’ll pay you five million. Quit selling street food and become my personal chef. What do you say?”
The crowd: “…”
NOOOO!!!
It’s over! The boss is going to be poached! If he becomes a private chef, we’ll never get to eat this heavenly fried rice again!
Who could resist five million? That was five million! Even if he had been selling fried rice since the Tang Dynasty, he wouldn’t have made that much!
Damn rich people!
But then—
Jian Yunlan smiled slightly and declined without hesitation. “Thank you for your appreciation, but my purpose in life is to run this food stall. I’m afraid I must refuse.”
Ming Ruogui pulled off her sunglasses and gave him a deep, scrutinizing look.
She didn’t believe anyone could turn down the temptation of money.
If someone refused—then clearly, she hadn’t offered enough.
“Ten million?”
Jian Yunlan: “No.”
Ming Ruogui: “…What if I add two commercial properties in the city center?”
Jian Yunlan: “No.”
The crowd stared at him in horror.
A humble street food vendor—standing firm, unwilling to bow for wealth!
You never truly know what kind of offers your local fried rice vendor has turned down.
Ming Ruogui took a deep breath. “Fifty million?”
Jian Yunlan shook his head. “No. I’m heading home now. If you’re interested in my fried rice, you’re welcome to come back tomorrow at 9 a.m.”
In that moment, Ming Ruogui suddenly understood her cousin’s obsession with Ning Sheng.
Before, she couldn’t comprehend it, but now, thinking carefully—if Ning Sheng = fried rice…
How could such a delicious fried rice (Ning Sheng) be shared with others?! No, she had to do whatever it took to make the chef (Ning Sheng) exclusively hers! That way, she could enjoy this incredible fried rice (Ning Sheng) every day!
If she had her bodyguards wait for Jian Yunlan on his way home… knock him out and then—
Dangerous thoughts flashed through Ming Ruogui’s mind.
She had to admit, the Gu family did have a slight tendency toward possessive love.
Glancing at the burly bodyguards beside her, the more she thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. She was almost tempted to act.
But—
As if he could see right through her thoughts, Jian Yunlan gave her a deep, knowing look. His dark eyes, tinted with an almost indigo hue, held a profound wisdom.
“Miss Ming, do you think the fried rice tastes good simply because of the fried rice itself?”
Ming Ruogui: “What do you mean?”
“If you were in your luxurious villa, using exquisite tableware, surrounded by servants… with no sunshine, no birdsong, no bustling crowds—would the same fried rice still taste as good?”
Ming Ruogui pondered his words.
So… deep.
Jian Yunlan’s lips curled into a gentle smile.
“Miss Ming, things change, people change—that’s just the way of life.”
Ming Ruogui was struck by lightning.
She understood!
A nightingale trapped in a golden cage can never sing its most beautiful song. A chef is the same.
Some nightingales belong to the sky. And some chefs… belong to the street food stalls.
No high-end restaurant, no private billionaire kitchen could ever chain him down.
But Ming Ruogui was still unwilling to give up. Clenching her teeth, she made one final gamble:
“What if I give you all my shares in Yuanzhou Group?”
The crowd gasped.
Considering Yuanzhou Group’s current market value, this was generational wealth.
Even if Jian Yunlan didn’t accept, they themselves were tempted.
If Jian Yunlan said yes, no one could blame him—because in his place, they would’ve done the same.
Were they truly never going to taste this fried rice again?!
But once again, Jian Yunlan only gave a faint smile. “Sorry, I refuse.”
Ming Ruogui: “Hmph.”
And then—something utterly shocking happened.
Ming Ruogui’s lips curled into a sly smile, as if she had everything under control. Then—
She dropped to her knees, clung to Jian Yunlan’s leg, and burst into tears.
“Waaahhh, I beg you! Please be my private chef! I’ll give you anything you want!!!”
Bai Shi: “…”
The crowd: “…”
Wait…
Wasn’t she supposed to be the cool and elegant top-tier celebrity?!
Miss Ming, your public persona is completely ruined!
*
Yuanzhou Group – Top Floor
Gu Xingzhou stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking down at the bustling city. From this height, the people below were like ants, weaving through the steel-and-concrete jungle.
So small.
Yet endlessly persistent.
It had been four days since he last saw Ning Sheng.
A nameless fire burned within him.
On the sofa, Ming Ruogui sat looking somewhat dejected.
But beneath the surface, there was a sense of relief.
Jian Yunlan had made his choice, and no one could change that—not even her.
All she could do now was give him her blessing…
And line up for fried rice.
Gu Xingzhou cast her a glance. “What’s wrong?”
“I got rejected,” Ming Ruogui sighed. “Turns out, there really are people in this world who can’t be bought with money.”
Gu Xingzhou let out a cold chuckle.
A pale yet stubborn figure surfaced in his mind.
“Of course there is.”
His Ah Sheng was proof of that.
Ning Sheng would bow to money—for his mother’s job, for his grandmother’s medical expenses, forcing himself to do things he disliked.
But no amount of money could ever buy his heart.
Gu Xingzhou said, “If you want something, you have to fight for it yourself. Who’s the man who rejected you? An actor, a singer, or a model?”
He didn’t mind doing his cousin a small favor—helping her out in exchange for a favor in return.
Ming Ruogui: “The street food vendor right downstairs from your office.”
Gu Xingzhou: “?”
“Forget that,” Ming Ruogui yawned. “Why did you call me here today? Just get to the point—I still need to catch up on sleep.”
Gu Xingzhou’s gaze darkened.
“Sis, I need you to talk to Chairman Du and take care of something for me.”
Chairman Du of Hongtu Technology was Ming Ruogui’s godmother. She adored her and was always willing to grant her any request.
Ming Ruogui: “What is it?”
Gu Xingzhou held a photo frame in his hand. The picture inside was broken in half and carefully glued back together. The young man in the photo smiled brightly, as if he had no worries in the world.
His fingertips, ice-cold, traced over the picture as he murmured,
“Use internal restructuring as an excuse to cancel Ning Sheng’s job offer.”
If Gu Xingzhou wanted something, then even if he had to destroy it himself, he would never let anyone else have it.
He wanted Ning Sheng to belong only to him.
But Ning Sheng was changing—finding teachers, making friends, gaining new opportunities. He was beginning to smile in places where Gu Xingzhou couldn’t see him. He was growing wings, preparing to fly away.
Gu Xingzhou wouldn’t allow it.
He would break Ning Sheng’s wings, tear them apart, and send him plummeting from the sky. From then on, Ning Sheng would have no choice but to rely on Gu Xingzhou’s mercy—trapped in an apron, confined to his kitchen, cooking egg fried rice just for him.
“Don’t worry. After canceling his offer, I’ll arrange for him to work at Yuanzhou Group instead. I’ll give him a high salary, make him my personal secretary—he won’t suffer.”
The Gu family had cold blood running through their veins. They had never cared for so-called moral justice.
Blood was thicker than water. Loyalty to family over fairness—that was how they were raised. No matter what mess Gu Xingzhou made, his family always cleaned up after him, solving every problem for him.
Naturally, he assumed Ming Ruogui would do the same.
Looking at her, Gu Xingzhou said, “Sis, you’ll help me, right?”
However—
After a brief silence, Ming Ruogui gave him a look filled with… sympathy.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
Gu Xingzhou: “?”
Ming Ruogui: “Little brother, forced love never ends well.”
That was something she had only just realized today.
She had considered using the classic tyrannical CEO tactics on the street food vendor herself.
But after thinking it through… even if she locked Jian Yunlan up in her house, forcing him to cook fried rice for her every day—what would be the point?
Just as he had said:
A chef trapped in a luxurious villa could never make fried rice as delicious as the one cooked on a lively street corner. Even if he could, it would never be the same.
Standing in a bustling street, on a bright and sunny morning, lining up with strangers, finally getting a bowl of steaming hot fried rice—that joy could never be replicated by a flawless dinner in a pristine villa, using expensive kitchenware, surrounded by silent servants.
Ming Ruogui sighed deeply.
“Only a free nightingale can sing.”
If she had never met Jian Yunlan, she might have agreed to Gu Xingzhou’s request.
After all, Ning Sheng was just a stranger to her, while Gu Xingzhou was her cousin—family she had grown up with.
But now… her mindset had changed.
Gu Xingzhou: “???”
“Why do people have to hurt each other?” Ming Ruogui seemed almost radiant, as if bathed in divine light. She smiled gently. “If you love him, you should respect him. You should give him freedom.”
She was also speaking to herself:
If she loved his fried rice, she should respect his right to run a food stall, and give him the freedom to cook for anyone he chose. She should just be a good customer and wait her turn in line.
Gu Xingzhou: “…”
“Sis, you’ve changed.” His eyes darkened, disbelief in his voice.
Ming Ruogui sighed. “Then just think of it that way.”
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now.” She stood up, exhaling deeply. “One last piece of advice—stay away from illegal things.”
Gu Xingzhou: “Sis, you—”
But Ming Ruogui had already turned and left.
The door slammed shut.
Gu Xingzhou staggered back a few steps and collapsed into his chair, clutching the broken photograph.
Murmuring,
“Ah Sheng… even my sister doesn’t support us anymore. She won’t help me.”
“And you… are you really this heartless? It’s been so many days…”
“Not even a single glance my way?”
*
[Universal Livestream Room]
Every time the story reached this scene, the live chat exploded.
—In the original novel, Ming Ruogui had agreed to Gu Xingzhou’s request. Ning Sheng, freshly graduated, lost his engineering job at Hongtu Technology. Every other company had been warned in advance and refused to hire him.
Left with no choice, a top-tier graduate from Beijing University became… Gu Xingzhou’s personal secretary.
After that, a series of heart-wrenching and physically painful events unfolded—he fled, and the other pursued. Ning Sheng’s financial resources and very survival were tightly controlled by Gu Xingzhou, forcing him to comply with all kinds of unreasonable and excessive demands. He gradually became more despondent, sinking deeper and deeper into despair.
[Gu Dog is completely insane.]
[Everything else aside, trying to cancel Ning Baby’s job offer is just unforgivable!!! Just imagining it makes me furious. This kind of scum gong should be thrown straight into the crematorium!]
[“Paranoid Possession” is such an old novel. This kind of plot was popular back then. And trust me, this isn’t even the worst—some romance stories had heart-ripping and even womb-stealing plotlines.]
[New viewers are trembling in fear.]
[Ming Ruogui is so annoying! She actually helped Gu Dog? And she still has so many fans? Unbelievable…]
[WTF WTF WTF! Room number 6666—THE PLOT HAS CHANGED! Sister Ming didn’t agree to Gu Dog’s request! Go watch it now! Our Little Rose has finally redeemed herself after all these years!]
The viewers were stunned.
The plot changed?
How could the plot even change?!
“Paranoid Possession” had two major arcs: the school arc and the workplace arc. Ning Sheng entering Yuanzhou Group was always a fixed event in the storyline. Ming Ruogui had always helped Gu Xingzhou in this matter—no one had ever been able to change it.
Otherwise, half of Paranoid Possession’s original storyline would vanish.
But now…
Thousands of viewers flocked to Jian Yunlan’s livestream.
On-screen, Ming Ruogui appeared almost bathed in holy light as she uttered the now-iconic words:
“Don’t be insane.”
[HAHAHAHA I’M DYING, SO SATISFYING. I’VE WANTED SOMEONE TO SAY THIS TO GU DOG FOR SO LONG.]
[(pounding the table) Gu Dog’s face turned green—did you all screenshot it?! Use it as a reaction meme! :))]
[A classic moment. This is history in the making.]
Not only that, but she decisively refused Gu Xingzhou’s request, even saying things like “Forced love doesn’t work” and “You should commit fewer crimes.”
The audience watched the recording with pure joy—this was even more satisfying than reading a revenge novel.
[Queen Ming! Mighty and glorious!]
[I’m turning from a hater to a fan…]
[Sister Ming, the woman of all women, the ultimate alpha, the queen, the master, the peak of humanity!]
[Damn, I was so ignorant when I was younger. I talked trash about Sister Ming before. I’m kneeling in apology orz.]
[Why did Sister Ming make a different choice in this livestream, though?]
Someone posed the question.
After carefully analyzing the recording, the audience conducted a thorough investigation and fell into deep thought.
Ming Ruogui… was healed by Jian Yunlan’s fried rice.
She then made the mental connection: Fried rice = Ning Sheng.
Putting herself in Gu Xingzhou’s position, she suddenly understood the absurdity of forcing love after being casually enlightened by Jian Yunlan’s words.
And in this entire chain of logic… fried rice played an essential role.
This led to the burning question in everyone’s minds:
Just how delicious is Jian Yunlan’s fried rice?!
This is ridiculously funny