176 - I Don’t Want to Be Turned Into the Female Protagonist by the System

### Chapter 176: Setting Off Su Qi hung up the phone, her mood somewhat heavy. She was skeptical about the truth of the matter. After all, a lung bursting from anger was highly unusual. But recalling that her mother had never lied to her since she was a child, Su Qi found it fairly credible. She had read a news story before about a middle school student who, after losing a dozen rounds in a MOBA ranking tournament, burst a lung from anger. At the time, she thought it was just a joke. Who would've thought that one day such a strange thing would happen to someone in her own family? She knew her father had a rather bad temper, but exploding from a game of Go with Uncle Zhao from next door was unexpected. Though she wasn't particularly fond of her father, he was still family. After all, blood is thicker than water, and she was genuinely concerned. Her small face was filled with sadness—right now, all she wanted was to rush home and check on her father. Officer Zhang Ru and Su Siyang watched Su Qi walk over, a bit dejected. What on earth had happened? The little girl seemed quite down, her lips pouting in displeasure. Her pure eyes were filled with a sense of loss, like a kitten no one wanted. Even though Lu Ran told Su Qi not to tell Su Siyang about the situation, Su Qi felt she had to inform her brother. She feared that when she got home, Su Lujun might see her in her girl form and get so angry that his recently mended lung might explode again. Moreover, their father always liked the third and fourth brothers a bit more than her. “Brother, do you know? Our dad, he exploded?” Su Qi said timidly. Officer Zhang: Su Siyang: The situation suddenly turned awkward. Su Qi realized she hadn’t made herself clear and hurriedly added, “Brother, I’m not joking. Dad was playing Go with someone and his lung burst from anger!” Su Siyang recalled having just spoken with their father, who sounded as vigorous as a lion. He didn't seem sick at all. It seemed their mother had come up with this creative excuse of a lung explosion. She really knew how to fabricate things. But on pondering, it wasn’t entirely impossible for their father to do something like this due to his hot temper. As he nearly laughed out loud, he caught sight of Su Qi's sorrowful gaze. Su Siyang, being an actor, quickly slipped into the scene. His brows knitted in concern, his entire expression appearing notably somber. He said in a low voice, “I was wondering why lately Dad’s been so much more easygoing on the phone. Turns out, this is why.” Hearing this, tears began to pool in Su Qi’s eyes as if a faucet had turned on. Any doubts she had vanished thanks to her brother's act, and she believed it fully. Officer Zhang Ru discreetly glared at Su Siyang. How could he deceive the child like this? However, she didn't plan to expose Siyang's little conspiracy. After all, Yang Ming’s case was set to be heard soon, and if the ID issue wasn't resolved, the little girl might find herself in a precarious situation. Looking at the teary-eyed girl, Officer Zhang Ru sighed, feeling the child was far too gullible and couldn't help but worry even more. "Then I'll head home now! Brother, are you coming home?" Su Qi wiped her eyes and asked. Su Siyang felt conflicted. If he said he wasn’t going back, it would imply their father was fine and he was lying, breaking her trust. But if he did go back, he had to consider the endorsement Liu Qi had agreed upon in his place, maintaining his reputation as a celebrity was important. Just as he was pondering how to explain himself. His little sister spoke with a bit of a sobbing tone, “Brother, you have work tonight, so don’t go back! If you did, Mom would surely think I told you!” Officer Zhang Ru watched this exchange, amazed by the maneuver. Truly, she's selling herself short, even counting the money for others. She even thoughtfully provided him an excuse without requiring any thought on his part. Thinking back to how impressive Su Qi seemed academically, Officer Zhang Ru couldn’t help but feel like when God opens a door for you, he closes a window! Siyang, immersed in his performance, put on a sorrowful face and said, “Alright, then I'll take you all to the station now. I'll be back home early tomorrow. You check on Dad for me.” Listening to Su Siyang, Su Qi was reminded that Officer Zhang Ru was also returning to Zhejiang City. Something felt off. Watching the little girl deep in thought, visibly trying to piece things together, Officer Zhang Ru finally felt some relief. Perhaps she did have some judgment after all! Su Siyang, nervous inside, maintained his calm. Thanks to his acting experience, he kept an unruffled facade, remaining as anxious as ever about their father. But inside, he was extremely afraid. Having just started to gain his sister’s affection, he feared upsetting her by revealing the little plan to coax her back home, orchestrated with their mom. In his heart, he secretly wished his parents would be less dramatic. Why the insistence on getting Su Qi back home today—why not wait one day? Su Qi looked at Officer Zhang Ru, remembering the original plan of returning to Zhejiang City with Su Siyang after he finished filming. This indicated that her brother didn’t have anything scheduled tonight. Her mother had just claimed he had a commitment, and while Su Siyang did have a job, it was spontaneously added. Her mother, Lu Ran, instructed her not to disclose this to Su Siyang—so how did their mother become aware of this event in the first place? The timing didn’t add up! Just as Su Qi was about to voice these inconsistencies, Director Zhang approached with a smile and said to Su Siyang, “I just informed Lu Ran about your engagement tonight. Do your best, work hard, and go home tomorrow!” Officer Zhang Ru observed their conversation, then glanced back at the newly concerned girl. Hasn’t she noticed anything odd about this situation? Like a lung bursting, perhaps? She wasn’t aware that if she had seen Su Lujun, she would understand such an ailment was not entirely surprising for him. Unable to accompany them back home, Su Siyang ordered a private car for them. Why a private car? Because Su Qi couldn’t use her ID to board a train or bus. Looking at the estimated price of 1,850 Yuan, Su Qi felt it was the most expensive trip she’d ever taken. The journey would take approximately six hours, and coincidentally, their driver was the same professional-looking one from before. The driver felt it must be fate and helped load their luggage into the trunk. "When you get home, send me a message, okay? Take good care of Dad for me! I’ll be there first thing in the morning. Call me if anything comes up!" Su Siyang instructed during their departure. Watching this scene, Officer Zhang Ru couldn't help but think it was all so fake—befitting someone who acts for a living, playing role after role. Out of Su Qi's sight, she shot him a frustrated look. As for the innocent little girl, the officer instinctively sympathized with the weaker party. Officer Zhang Ru felt even more concerned for the girl and had to admit that her clinging demeanor, crying yet relying on her, was indeed endearing. And so, Su Qi finally began the journey back home.