The male protagonist of the book is poisonous

The scene shifted without warning, and I was instantly pulled back into my all-too-familiar rental apartment. Every inch of this small, cramped space exuded a familiar, worn-out feeling. The mottled walls, the simple furniture, and the window that always leaked a little—everything was perfectly ordinary, yet at this moment, it felt strangely unfamiliar.

My phone lay quietly on the sofa, its screen black, as if it were asleep. And I, sprawled on the floor in a horrible, awkward position, my limbs stretched out in a mess, my hair tangled on the side of my face. I felt like a foreign object suddenly thrown into this scene, completely out of place in my surroundings.

A sharp, rapid alarm suddenly rang from the direction of my phone. Like a thorn, the sound mercilessly pierced the silence in the room and violently pulled me back from the world I had been immersed in. I was dazed for a moment, my consciousness like a ball of wool tangled by a cat, chaotic and tangled. Then, I slowly raised my hand and rubbed my sleepy and slightly aching eyes. Consciousness began to return, like a slowly untangled thread.

I looked down and saw that I was still wearing the clothes I had worn when I got home from get off work that day. It was an ordinary white shirt, now wrinkled, with the corners rolled up and the collar a little askew. The wrinkles on the shirt were like traces of time, each one seeming to tell the story of the chaotic journey from the time I got off work until now. My blue jeans had become baggy, and there was a small stain on the knee, probably from an accidental rub. I reached out and picked up my phone with a slightly hesitant movement. My finger swiped across the screen, and as the screen lit up, the old, sadistic novel that I hadn't finished reading appeared before my eyes.

At that moment, a flood of thoughts surged through me like a broken dam. Everything I had just experienced was like an extremely long movie, playing rapidly in my mind. Every scene was astonishingly clear, as if I could touch and hold it. Had I really not transmigrated into the book and become the villainous female supporting character? Yet, the memory of it all was so vivid. I could clearly recall every detail of that book world. I remember the confusion and fear I felt when I first entered the book world. Everything around me seemed to be following a predetermined script, and I was forced into the role of the villainous female supporting character. That feeling of being forced into this role still haunts me.

I still remember every encounter and interaction with Brother Lingxiao. His gentle gaze, like the warm spring sun, always easily penetrated the haze in my heart. I can still vividly remember the scenes of us playing in the courtyard of the book world. The yard was filled with a variety of flowers, and the colorful petals drifted in the wind, and we chased and played in this shower of flowers. His laughter was hearty and energetic, and it seems to still echo in my ears. Our warm little family is even more unforgettable. It was a harbor filled with love, and the small house was filled with the fragrance of happiness. The morning sun filtered through the windows, casting patches of light onto the wooden floor. The children's adorable smiles were like little suns, bringing endless joy to our home. The scene of our family sitting together for dinner was so heartwarming, the table laden with delicious food, and everyone shared the day's fun, laughter and joy.

That feeling of happiness was like being surrounded by a warm fire on a cold winter's day, radiating comfort from every pore. But now, this lingering warmth of happiness has made me even more confused by the reality before me. I feel like a traveler lost between dreams and reality, unsure which side is the real world.

I glanced at the time on my phone, and it suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. It was already late, and the numbers flashed on the screen, as if relentlessly urging me on. I didn't have time to think about what was going on. Like a hare being chased by a hunter, I rushed to the bathroom.

The bathroom was filled with a faint mist, and a few water droplets still formed irregular streaks on the mirror. I turned on the faucet, and the icy water poured down my body, making me shiver. The water flowed from my hair, onto my face, and then slid down my body, completely awakening me. I quickly grabbed a towel and wiped myself roughly a few times, then almost ran to the closet.

The clothes in my closet were a bit messy. I frantically searched through them until I finally found something that suited me. It was a light blue dress, simple yet elegant. I quickly put it on, not even bothering to fix my messy hair, and rushed out to the office.

I ran so fast that my breathing became rapid, as if something were blocking my chest. I hadn't even had time for breakfast, and my stomach felt empty, but I didn't care. My strides were rapid, my footsteps clacking against the ground, and my heart pounded fiercely in my chest, as if playing a passionate symphony, urging me to move faster. People came and went on the street, some strolling leisurely, some hurrying along. I was like a fish swimming upstream, darting through the crowds, brushing past people from time to time. I heard some dissatisfied grumbles, but I didn't have time to pay attention.

As I reached the base of the company building, I saw groups of colleagues heading inside. They were chatting and laughing, seemingly relaxed and at ease. Some were sipping coffee, enjoying their last moments of leisure before work; others were excitedly discussing the plot of last night's TV series. But I was terrified, beads of sweat already forming on my forehead. I hurriedly quickened my pace, practically jogging to keep up with them. The moment I entered the building, I secretly felt relieved that I wasn't late yet.

Upon entering the office, everyone quickly immersed themselves in a frenzy of work. The printer hummed, like a tireless bee at work. The clacking of keyboards echoed like a symphony without a conductor. The chatter of colleagues mingled with the shuffling of documents, creating a tense yet orderly atmosphere throughout the office.

I quickly pulled myself together, trying to pull my mind away from that strange dream and throw myself into my work. I turned on my computer, my eyes glued to the screen, my fingers tapping away at the keyboard, trying to appear focused. But despite my efforts to concentrate, throughout the day, my mind kept flashing back to the scenes from my dream of traveling through the book.

Those images, like mischievous imps, popped up from time to time, uncontrollably. One moment, it was a scene of me and Brother Lingxiao playing in the courtyard of the book world. I could see the sunlight on his face, his smile so radiant I could almost feel the gentle breeze caressing my cheek. Another moment, it was the adorable smiling faces of children, their rosy cheeks like ripe apples, their eyes sparkling with innocence, their clear laughter still ringing in my ears. Another moment, it was a heartwarming scene of our family sitting together for dinner, the food on the table emitting an enticing aroma as we shared the day's fun. That joyful atmosphere filled my heart with warmth.

These images constantly played in my mind like a slideshow, distracting me from truly focusing on my work. Often, while typing, my mind would wander, my fingers pausing on the keyboard, my eyes becoming somewhat blank, until a colleague's question brought me back to reality. Sometimes, when I looked at the data on the computer screen, it felt like the numbers were dancing in front of my eyes, meaninglessly dangling before my eyes.

After finally getting off work, I dragged my tired body home along the familiar streets. Passing a bookstore, my eyes were suddenly caught by a book in the window. The cover of the book was strikingly similar to the old, sadomasochistic book I'd seen in my dream. It was a dark cover with some vintage patterns and a faint silhouette of a figure, as if it had stepped out of the dust of history. The familiar color and unique pattern were like a magical key, instantly unlocking the door to my memory.

I paused involuntarily, my eyes fixed on the book, as if under a spell. The world around me seemed to blur, my mind drawn completely back to that strange dream. I stood there, motionless, like a frozen statue, my heart filled with a complex mix of emotions. There was surprise, wonder at seeing such a similar cover here; confusion, wondering if this dream and the book held some mysterious connection; and an indescribable nostalgia, longing for the wonderful times I had experienced in the dream.

After a long while, I slowly came back to my senses from that trance. I shook my head gently, as if to get rid of those messy thoughts from my head, and then slowly left the bookstore.

After returning home, I skillfully picked up my phone and ordered takeout as usual. A moment later, the food arrived. I mechanically ate it, unable to taste it. It was fried rice, which I usually love, but it tasted like chewing wax. I mechanically pushed the food into my mouth, simply to fill my stomach, without feeling the sensation in my throat as I swallowed.

After finishing the takeaway, I sat lazily on the sofa, picked up my phone and wanted to find a light novel to read, trying to free myself from those strange thoughts.

I scrolled endlessly on my phone, a variety of novel covers flashing before my eyes. There were brightly colored romance novel covers, featuring handsome men and beautiful women gazing affectionately at each other; there were fantastical fantasy novel covers, depicting all sorts of magical creatures and ornate magic circles; and there were suspenseful mystery novel covers, with mysterious eyes peering out from a dark background. But even though my eyes were focused on these novels, my mind was completely elsewhere. The words seemed to have become meaningless symbols before my eyes, dancing like a group of mischievous spirits before my eyes, but they could never enter my heart.

Finally, I reluctantly put my phone down and gazed out the window at the bustling streets. Neon lights flickered in a rainbow of colors, red, green, and blue interwoven into a flowing painting. Cars crisscrossed the road like a flowing ribbon of light, their headlights flickering in the night, illuminating the path ahead. Pedestrians came and went, couples strolling hand-in-hand, office workers hurrying by, and elderly people taking a leisurely stroll. Everyone was busy with their lives, their faces filled with either happiness, fatigue, or a sense of calm.

I couldn't help but think, perhaps that dream was a sign of things to come. No matter how difficult or tedious real life may be, I should strive for happiness just as I did in my dreams. In reality, I might just be an ordinary worker, living a routine. Every morning, the alarm clock wakes me, and I rush to work, spending a busy day at the office, only to drag my exhausted body home again. I face the pressure of work, the endless tasks, meetings, and clients; and then there are the chores of life: rent, utilities, and daily expenses. But that doesn't mean I can't have happiness.

I secretly resolved to face all challenges in life with a positive and optimistic attitude from now on. Just as I bravely escaped the fate of the vicious female supporting character in my dream, I would also bravely pursue the life I wanted in real life. With this hopeful thought in mind, I washed up early and climbed into bed, my heart filled with hope for a fresh start tomorrow. I knew tomorrow was another day, a new beginning, and I was ready to embrace it all.