If I Don’t Save Him, Who Will?

Su Zhi, a modern woman, dies after staying up late reading a novel and transmigrates into the body of Su Zhi, a wealthy and vicious supporting female character in a romance story. In the original plot, the original owner relentlessly pursues the male lead, Fu Jingxuan, and upon rejection, harasses Lu Shiyu, the female lead’s childhood sweetheart, forcing him into a fake relationship to pay for his mother’s medical bills. Su Zhi finds herself in a compromising position with Lu Shiyu in a hotel room, a scene initiated by the original owner’s malicious intent. Panicked by the memory of the original character’s tragic fate, Su Zhi attempts to resist, but a system voice warns her that she must follow the original plot or face immediate death. When she tries to push Lu Shiyu away, the system inflicts excruciating pain until she kisses him, revealing that she is bound to the story’s events. Realizing she cannot escape her role, Su Zhi decides to embrace the villainess persona while secretly working to change Lu Shiyu’s fate, as she knows he becomes a paranoid villain in the original novel after suffering immense tragedies.

Lu Shiyu is introduced as a poor but brilliant university student with a tragic background: his father is an abusive gambler, his mother is terminally ill, and his younger sister, Lu Jingyi, is in school. The original owner had previously used her wealth to torment him, cutting off his part-time jobs and forcing him into submission. Su Zhi, however, begins to treat him differently, moving out of the dormitory to live in a house her father buys for her and inviting Lu Shiyu to live with her. She attempts to win his affection by being generous, buying him clothes, and treating him with kindness, though he remains suspicious, believing her actions are merely a new tactic to manipulate him for her own amusement or to get closer to Fu Jingxuan. Their relationship is strained by misunderstandings and Lu Shiyu’s deep-seated distrust, yet small moments of intimacy, such as him caring for her scraped hand and cooking for her, begin to soften the dynamic between them.

A critical turning point occurs when Lu Shiyu’s mother, Ning Yue, requires a heart transplant. Su Zhi learns from the system that in the original story, the mother dies due to the original owner’s interference, which drives Lu Shiyu to darkness. When a matching donor is found, Lu Shiyu is unable to afford the surgery and turns to illegal fixed-match fighting to raise the money. Su Zhi intervenes by calling the police, having him arrested, and bailing him out. She forces him to accept her financial help under the condition that he remains her boyfriend, effectively preventing him from falling into the gambling underworld. Later, when Lu Shiyu’s abusive father visits the hospital and causes his mother to faint, Su Zhi uses the system to save Ning Yue’s life. The system demands a price: ten years of Su Zhi’s lifespan in exchange for the mother’s survival, but it also resets Lu Shiyu’s favorability toward her to zero. Su Zhi accepts the cost without hesitation, prioritizing the mission and Lu Shiyu’s emotional stability over her own future.

Following the surgery, Su Zhi continues to navigate the complex relationship with Lu Shiyu, who is now confused by her sudden change in attitude and the loss of his affection for her. She encounters the female lead, Shen Shuyi, at the hospital, which triggers jealousy in both Su Zhi and Lu Shiyu. An incident where Su Zhi is attacked in an alley by thugs is resolved by Lu Shiyu, who saves her and displays a protective, possessive side. This event marks a shift in their relationship, as Lu Shiyu begins to question his feelings and Su Zhi realizes her own growing attachment to him. The story follows Su Zhi’s efforts to balance her system-mandated task of preventing Lu Shiyu from becoming a villain with her genuine desire to protect him and his family, all while dealing with the lingering threats of the original plot and the antagonistic behaviors of other characters like Bai Lele and Fu Jingxuan.

As the narrative progresses, Su Zhi faces the challenge of rebuilding Lu Shiyu’s trust and affection after the system reset. She must carefully maintain her persona as the wealthy young miss while subtly altering key events to steer Lu Shiyu away from his tragic destiny. The presence of the system adds a layer of urgency, as any deviation from the plot risks severe punishment or death. Su Zhi’s journey involves not only winning Lu Shiyu’s heart but also protecting his sister from future bullying and ensuring his mother’s continued health. The story explores themes of fate, free will, and redemption, as Su Zhi uses her knowledge of the novel to intervene in Lu Shiyu’s life, transforming him from a victim of circumstance into a protected and valued partner. The dynamic between the two evolves from one of coercion and resentment to a more genuine connection, though Lu Shiyu remains guarded and uncertain about Su Zhi’s true intentions.

The overarching conflict centers on Su Zhi’s struggle against the predetermined plot of the novel. She must prevent Lu Shiyu from hating the female lead and opposing the male lead, which are key steps in his original villainous arc. Her actions, such as saving his mother and intervening in his financial struggles, create ripples that alter the story’s trajectory. However, the system’s constraints mean she cannot openly reveal her transmigration or her knowledge of the future. This necessitates a delicate performance where she must appear selfish and demanding while secretly acting selflessly. The story builds tension through these dual layers of interaction, with Lu Shiyu gradually becoming more aware of Su Zhi’s consistent care for him despite her harsh words. The narrative sets the stage for a long-term relationship development, where Su Zhi aims to not only complete her mission but also find genuine happiness with Lu Shiyu, defying the tragic endings prescribed by the original author.