If this style of writing isn't to your taste, feel free to skip. My real-world values are solid, and the novel's content is purely fictional. Please refrain from personal attacks, thank you.

News of victory from the frontier spread swiftly, heralding the triumphant return of the young General Gu Huanzhi to the capital, accompanied by a mysterious woman. The grand procession wound its way through the bustling streets, drawing a crowd eager to catch a glimpse of the legendary General Gu, renowned for his heroic exploits and striking appearance.

At the forefront of the procession rode a figure astride a fiery red-maned steed, clad in gleaming armor. His chiseled features and sharp jawline exuded an air of cold elegance, captivating the onlookers. Among the crowd, many unmarried maidens secretly harbored affections for the dashing general.

Yet, General Gu paid no heed to the adoring gazes. With a swift, graceful dismount, he handed the reins to his loyal deputy, Yue Qing, who stood by respectfully. The crowd's attention shifted as Gu Huanzhi strode towards the rear of the procession, revealing a solitary carriage that stood out amidst the ranks of mounted soldiers and infantry.

Approaching the carriage, a rare softness flickered in his otherwise icy eyes. "We've arrived," he murmured.

The curious onlookers, held back by the protective cordon of soldiers, buzzed with speculation. Who could possibly warrant such personal attention from the illustrious General Gu?

Moments later, the plain curtain of the carriage was drawn aside by a delicate, porcelain hand. The sight of the fair wrist alone was enough to draw gasps from the crowd. As the curtain fully opened, a breathtakingly beautiful woman emerged. Her lustrous black hair framed a face as radiant as a blooming apricot, with cheeks flushed like peaches. Her slender waist swayed like a willow in the breeze, her eyebrows arched like distant hills, and her eyes sparkled with the allure of autumn waters.

Her visage was as enchanting as a drunken hibiscus, her complexion as pure as a rain-kissed pear blossom. Though clad in simple, light-colored garments, her natural beauty was impossible to conceal.

Gu Huanzhi personally assisted the strikingly beautiful woman down from the carriage, his hand firmly gripping her slender waist without the slightest intention of letting go. The gazes of the surrounding crowd converged on her, making her visibly uncomfortable. Her lovely eyes darted nervously, glistening with uncertainty as they sought refuge in Gu Huanzhi's steady presence.

"General..." Yun Wu's voice was as soft as an orchid's whisper, trembling slightly. The sheer number of people around her filled her with fear. Gu Huanzhi shielded her from most of the prying eyes, his arm still wrapped around her as he led her straight into the vast expanse of the General's residence.

The intrusive stares of the onlookers only fueled Gu Huanzhi's irritation. He suppressed the violent urge to gouge out their eyes, maintaining his composed demeanor as Yun Wu's savior in her presence.

As night fell, Yun Wu was settled into a lavishly decorated chamber within the General's residence. The household was devoid of any female presence, not even a single maidservant. The grandeur of the chamber, now occupied solely by her, triggered memories of her previous world where she had been imprisoned by the male lead. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, her hands clutching tightly at her dress.

Seeing her distress, the system, Xiao Bai, voiced its concern within her mind:

*"Host, don't be afraid. In this world, we just need to follow the script. Once the male and female leads achieve their happy ending, we can move on to the next world."*

Yun Wu was a host bound to the Cannon Fodder System, tasked with traversing various novel worlds by inhabiting the roles of minor characters and fulfilling their predetermined storylines. The previous world had been her first mission as a cannon fodder, but instead of the male lead falling for the female lead as intended, he had become obsessively fixated on her. Meanwhile, the male lead, who was supposed to cherish the female lead, had imprisoned Yun Wu, confining her to his side under the guise of love, day and night.

It was only through Xiao Bai's intervention that she had been forcibly extracted from that world. Otherwise, she would have been consumed by fear...

The story unfolds in the ancient world of "The Aloof General Falls for Me," where the female lead is Princess Wenyi of the current dynasty, and the male lead is General Gu Huanzhi.

General Gu Huanzhi's family, known for their loyalty, tragically perished in service to the empire during his childhood. The emperor, moved by their sacrifice, brought him to live in the palace until he turned fourteen, after which he was granted his own residence. Thus, Princess Wenyi and Gu Huanzhi grew up together, their bond as close as that of childhood sweethearts.

Years later, Gu Huanzhi was dispatched to the northwestern frontier to lead troops in battle. Upon his return to the capital two years later, he had transformed from a naive boy into a celebrated young general. It was during this time that Princess Wenyi realized her feelings for him and began to ardently pursue him.

Eventually, through their daily interactions, Gu Huanzhi found himself gradually swayed by Princess Wenyi's affections. Their love blossomed naturally, culminating in marriage.

In the original plot, Yun Wu was a destitute orphan girl whom Gu Huanzhi rescued on his triumphant return to the capital. When Princess Wenyi visited Gu Huanzhi, she offered to help settle Yun Wu's future, but in truth, she was displeased with another woman being close to him. Secretly, she arranged for Yun Wu's elimination. It was Yun Wu's presence that made Princess Wenyi aware of her own feelings for Gu Huanzhi, and after dealing with Yun Wu, she launched her pursuit of him.

Now, as night falls, Yun Wu, weary from her journey, washes up and slips into the soft, comforting embrace of her bed.

"Xiao Bai," Yun Wu calls out to her system in her mind, "What's the next plot point?"

"Tomorrow, Princess Wenyi will visit the general's residence, and then it will be time for you to exit the scene," the system replies.

Yun Wu nods drowsily, her long lashes fluttering. She was once a wealthy young lady, but war and famine claimed the lives of her family and servants. During her escape, she was nearly violated by bandits but was saved by Gu Huanzhi, who brought her to the capital.

Over the fortnight-long journey back to the capital, Yun Wu often felt something amiss. She would occasionally catch the aloof and reserved general casting a certain look her way—a look reminiscent of the male lead from her previous world who had imprisoned her. But it was always fleeting, as if she had imagined it.

Unbeknownst to Yun Wu, who had just entered this realm, the male lead was no longer the same character from the original storyline...

Overcome by exhaustion, Yun Wu succumbed to sleep, her body feeling heavy and weary. She attributed her fatigue to the long journey back to the capital and soon fell into a deep, steady slumber.

Even the system within her consciousness, affectionately nicknamed "Little White," yawned and drifted off into a peaceful dream. Oblivious to its surroundings, it failed to notice a figure stealthily climbing through the window into the chamber.

Gu Huanzhi approached the bed with silent steps. He reached out and extinguished the incense burning on the bedside table, then turned his gaze to the sleeping figure on the bed, satisfied that the sedative had worked as intended.

Assured that Yun Wu wouldn't wake easily, Gu Huanzhi sat down on the edge of the bed. Under the moonlight, his eyes, dark and intense, fixed upon her.

The soft quilt covered her up to her collarbone, revealing the loose white undergarment beneath. The garment had slipped slightly, exposing a glimpse of her fair skin.

In the dim light, her eyes were closed, her breathing even. Her dark hair cascaded around her, some strands curling around her neck, making her look like a goddess under the moonlight, breathtakingly beautiful.

Gu Huanzhi reached out, his fingertips brushing against her soft, pink lips. He caressed them gently, savoring the delicate texture under his touch.

The serene atmosphere only fueled the fervor within him.

In the next moment, Gu Huanzhi leaned down, capturing the lips he had longed for in his dreams. The soft, cool sensation of her lips sent shivers down his spine.

He wasn't the least bit concerned that the person beneath him might awaken.

*

Note: Some have mentioned that in the original storyline of the first realm, the male lead ended up with the original female lead. However, the current male lead is not the same as before! As previously mentioned, Yun Wu was forcibly removed from the last realm, and the soul of this male lead has been replaced. In the subsequent realms, each male lead remains within the original storyline but has no romantic involvement with the original female lead. Rest assured, dive right in!!!