After chatting with the "kids" on Weibo for a bit, Sylvia finally closed the app.
She then casually looked around the original host's apartment.
Roughly 100 square meters, done in a stark black-white-gray minimalist style.
One glance, and she could tell it was designed to please Gavin.
Unfortunately, Gavin had never spent a single night here.
The book described it clearly—Gavin only slept with the female lead for the first time much later, pouring his heart out as he claimed she was the only woman he'd ever been with.
Sylvia did the math. The female lead received her Lifetime Achievement Oscar around the age of 30.
Only then did she finally agree to be with Gavin.
And Gavin was five years older than her...
"So the male lead didn't get laid until he was thirty-five?" Sylvia's face was full of wtf. Only in a Mary Sue novel would that happen.
In real life? She'd absolutely think Gavin had some medical issue. Or had gone insane from holding it in.
Wait—after the female lead got together with Gavin, she still messed around with several other powerful male characters. And Gavin seemed to silently allow it.
Was that... implying the male lead was physically incapable?
After all, in most novels, the male lead's capabilities were described to the point that the female lead would be so sore she'd fear the sight of a bed.
Sylvia felt like she just uncovered a terrible truth.
She tsked in amusement, continuing to examine the apartment.
In her past life, she'd bought an entire villa just to store her clothes, jewelry, and handbags. This tiny apartment probably wasn't even as big as her jewelry room.
For a celebrity, the original host lived... frugally.
Her eyes wandered aimlessly until they suddenly met a full-length mirror in the room.
And then she froze.
According to the book, the original host entered the entertainment industry with her breathtaking beauty. Unfortunately, after two years, she still didn't have any real achievements.
She had beauty—no doubt about that—but when it came to acting skills, she also just had... beauty.
That's also why, when the entire internet turned against her, her lack of talent became a major target for mockery.
Even so, despite her atrocious acting, she still had a large, loyal fanbase that adored her looks.
Back when Sylvia read that, she thought it was exaggerated.
But now, she kinda got it.
She was stunning.
Pale skin, red lips, ink-black hair cascading over her shoulders. Her delicate brows and watery eyes were both vibrant and seductive.
But the key was—why did she look exactly like her past self?
Exactly.
"Is that even possible?" Sylvia felt a little creeped out.
Same name. Same face.
If it weren't for Gavin's behavior earlier, she would've thought she was part of some elaborate prank.
That she'd just fall asleep and wake up as the award-winning actress Sylvia again.
But there was a slight difference.
In her past life, her eyes were clear and determined. The original host's eyes, even in the mirror, were hazy and seductive, with upturned corners and an indescribable allure—like she was constantly flirting.
Same face. Completely different vibe.
Sylvia: "..."
A little disgusted.
This trashy Mary Sue novel gave her such a proper face... but with such improper eyes!
Ring ring.
Her phone suddenly rang.
She glanced at the screen—an unknown number.
She picked up.
"Miss Shi, the birthday cake you ordered at our store is ready. Would you like to come pick it up now?"
"Birthday... cake?" Sylvia murmured.
A thought struck her. She quickly looked up the original host's info online and discovered—today was her birthday.
Two months earlier than Sylvia's in her past life.
So the original host... died on her 22nd birthday?
The idea made Sylvia feel strangely sad.
"Happy birthday," she whispered to her reflection in the mirror.
At least someone in this world had sincerely hoped the original host would be happy on this special day.
The world Sylvia had transmigrated into was called Wucheng, a fictional city that didn't exist in reality.
But the skyscrapers and architecture looked incredibly realistic, so she had no trouble locating the bakery and picking up the cake.
It was just four inches, small and delicate, topped with a few red cherries.
Sylvia hadn't eaten sweets in years to maintain her figure, but today, she took her time and finished half of the cake.
If the original host had wanted it, she'd eat it for her.
She carried the other half home slowly.
Only then did she start to feel a sense of belonging to this place—and a vague sense of loss.
She was in the book now... but what about her real-world self? Was she dead?
If her older brother found out, would he go crazy?
Even though he was always bossy and controlling, and they had plenty of fights, anything that concerned her was always his top priority.
Without realizing it, Sylvia found herself walking along a riverbank.
The view was beautiful, but there were barely any passersby, as if the area had been cleared.
Sylvia shook her head—when suddenly, she heard something strange nearby:
"If you won't agree, then just die!"
A man was surrounded by a group of thugs, his head being shoved into the water again and again.
He looked like he had no strength left, barely moving at all.
Sylvia: "!!!"
Asher was dunked into the water over and over again, experiencing the full sensation of drowning.
He was just about to call "cut"—when suddenly, the force restraining him vanished.
A pair of warm hands gently touched his face.
"Hey, are you okay?"
Asher's dark lashes trembled slightly. He slowly opened his eyes—
And saw a breathtakingly beautiful face, filled with concern.