HBWMA -Chapter 4 A New Chapter

Three years earlier, Jiang Huashan suddenly awakened. And for a “paper character” to develop self-awareness was nothing short of a disaster for a scripted narrative world that had already formed its storyline.

Once characters gained a self, they would no longer be willing to obey the plot. And if the storyline could not be restored, the entire stage world could collapse at any moment.

To prevent this from happening, the Book Spirit had no choice but to intervene directly.

At first, its methods were extremely forceful—it directly erased Jiang Huashan’s memories and consciousness, turning her into a puppet under its control. But as this happened more and more times, Jiang Huashan began to develop resistance. She would often wake up mid-control, causing the plot to become unstable and incomplete. The amount of time the Book Spirit could control her was also getting shorter and shorter.

Take the previous plot, for example.

Fu Sui’er’s visit to “teach Jiang Huashan a lesson” was originally an important event to advance the development between the male and female leads.

According to the original storyline, during their argument, Fu Sui’er revealed evidence that Jiang Huashan had colluded with the second branch of the family to poison Old Master Shen. In order to protect herself, Jiang Huashan would try to silence her—she not only struck Fu Sui’er with a vase, but also pushed her off the second-floor terrace, leaving Fu Sui’er in a vegetative state.

This incident completely enraged Shen Lanxi, who, disregarding Old Master Shen’s final wishes, demanded a divorce. After regaining his freedom, the male and female leads could finally interact openly, with emotional tension and romantic ambiguity.

But such a crucial turning point was ruined by Jiang Huashan.

At that time, the Book Spirit only managed to control her long enough for her to hit Fu Sui’er with a vase. Just as Fu Sui’er fainted, Jiang Huashan broke free from control and immediately ordered the driver to send her to the hospital. Because of timely rescue, Fu Sui’er only needed a few stitches on the back of her head.

Jiang Huashan had Old Master Shen’s “protective amnesty token,” so this level of incident was not enough to force Shen Lanxi into divorce. Without the divorce plot, the emotional development between the male and female leads became flawed, and their character arcs were no longer stable.

More importantly, as the plot changed, many unexpected side stories began to emerge—for example, Su Yun being dragged onto trending searches, something that never existed in the original storyline.

Because of this, the Book Spirit became increasingly desperate to correct everything and bring the story back onto its original track.

Jiang Huashan closed her eyes, preparing to rest. Suddenly, that cold electronic voice echoed in her mind again.

【You have always wanted to know the truth about the night Shen Zhuang died. If you continue serving the plot, I can make an exception and let you see what happened that night.】

The Book Spirit could sense every character’s inner thoughts. Just now, when Jiang Huashan spoke with Shen Lanxi, she appeared indifferent—but the moment Old Master Shen was mentioned, her reaction was completely different.

It was as if a still lake had ripples spreading across its surface.

And indeed, Jiang Huashan took the bait. She slowly raised her eyes.

“You said the past cannot be revisited?”

【I cannot, but you can. The book exists in your mind. You can open it with your consciousness and find the chapter you want to see.】

The past cannot be reversed, and the future cannot be changed. That was the rule of this scripted world. But in order to repair this “bug” named Jiang Huashan, the Book Spirit had no choice but to take a risky step.

Jiang Huashan looked suspicious.

“Is it really that simple?”

【Of course not. This book is the law of the entire scripted world. Once your consciousness connects with the rules again, your identity label will be deepened. Your awakened self will be erased, and you will return to being the original Jiang Huashan. In other words, the current you will completely disappear.】

For a paper character, awakening self-awareness was extremely rare. In a sense, she already possessed life. Would she really be willing to destroy herself for a truth that could no longer be changed?

Even the Book Spirit was uncertain.

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Huashan nodded.

“Alright.”

【You only have one chance to witness the truth. The plot will transport you to the day Shen Zhuang died, but you will only be an observer, a shadow. You cannot change anything. After Shen Zhuang’s death, your consciousness will also be erased.】

The Book Spirit, lacking emotion, still dutifully gave its warning, even though it could not understand her choice.

Jiang Huashan smiled lightly.

“I don’t really want to live anyway. It’s fine to go see Grandpa one last time.”

The Book Spirit had always believed her awakened consciousness came from unrequited love for Shen Lanxi after being expelled from the Shen residence. It never expected that the true source was Shen Zhuang—the old master who had once taken her in.

But this farce was finally about to end. As long as Jiang Huashan gave up her self-awareness, everything would return to normal.

【Then begin. Close your eyes and let your consciousness approach the stage world… Chapter ****: “The Death of Shen Zhuang”…】

Jiang Huashan followed the instructions and closed her eyes. As the distance shortened, the veins of every leaf in the mental “book” became clearer and clearer.

【Ding—】

【Consciousness bridge established.】

A faint green light suddenly exploded into brilliance. Heavy pages began to flip rapidly within the flowing light…

【Beep—beep—beep——】

【Warning! Character consciousness resisting! Plot destruction in progress!!! Warning!! Warning!!】

This sudden change shocked even the emotionless Book Spirit.

Was Jiang Huashan deceiving it? That whole attitude of giving up and waiting to die—was it all an act?

Damn it. She really was a villain after all, even tricking the rules themselves.

【Jiang Huashan, stop! Once the pages are torn, the order of this world will collapse and everyone will die!】

“Riiip—”

In response, only the crisp sound of tearing pages echoed again and again. Green-glowing paper fragments drifted through the endless sea of consciousness.

“Little Book Spirit…”

A carefree, teasing voice echoed through the mindscape.

“What I want is not to go back to the past—I want to change it. Since your rules don’t allow that, I’ll just tear this broken book apart~ Sorry, but we’ll all go down together~”

【Ding—】

【Identity erasure failed. Character label detached. System generating new storyline.】

【Ding—】

【Generation complete.】

【Prologue begins—“I Was Just Stirring Trouble, How Did I Become the White Moonlight?!”】

Book Spirit: “?!”