Chapter 1

When the male lead’s parents came to the orphanage.

I was quietly giving the director a shoulder massage.

At the director’s signal, I poured two cups of hot tea and brought them to the couple.

Before they could speak, I shyly hid behind the director.

The male lead’s mother was so charmed she lit up, playfully slapping her husband’s shoulder. “This little girl is so well-behaved and sweet! She’s the daughter I’ve always imagined!”

The father calmed his excited wife. “Okay, okay, I know. But we still need to ask her if she’s willing.”

He looked at me kindly. “Little one, how old are you?”

I blushed, nervously fiddling with the hem of my clothes.

The mother started hitting her husband’s arm again, suppressing a squeal. “So cute~”

The old director helped me out. “To be honest with you, Yan Yan is a good child. Everyone here, adults and kids alike, loves her. It’s just a shame she can’t speak.”

The couple looked at each other, both surprised.

My heart sank, and I slowly lowered my head.

Many other couples had wanted to adopt me before.

But they all gave up after learning I was mute.

It would be the same this time.

Just then, there was a commotion in the hallway.

The door was suddenly pushed open, and a female teacher rushed in, breathlessly holding onto a little girl with pigtails. “Miao Miao! You little rascal! Put down Yang Yang’s hearing aid!”

The little girl stuck out her tongue and said with a grin, “Hello, sir and ma’am. Hello, director.”

After her greeting, she quickly ran off again.

Suddenly, lines of text floated before my eyes.

[Our adorable little troublemaker, the female lead, has made her entrance!]

[The adoptive parents prefer the weak and obedient supporting female character right now, not knowing that the female lead is the one who can truly save the male lead.]

[The female lead only needed one smelly sock to successfully force the male lead to speak. His parents were overjoyed.]

[Hurry, hurry, ditch the evil supporting character and take our baby female lead home!]

Seeing the text, a faint sourness spread through my chest.

These comments, which I call bullet comments, started appearing about half a month ago.

I gradually came to understand what they meant.

Apparently, I was living in a story where everyone pampers the protagonist, and I was just a disposable supporting character.

The bullet comments constantly compared me to Miao Miao.

Using her lively and cute personality to highlight how dull and lifeless I was.

The director also spoke up. “If your son is already on the quiet side, it might be better to choose a more outgoing girl to keep him company. I’m worried that even if Yan Yan is adopted, she won’t be able to meet your expectations.”

The male lead’s parents fell silent.

I stared at my toes.

I was already used to this outcome.

The director was just afraid that if I went to a new home and couldn’t adapt, I’d be sent back, which would be even more painful.

The parents conferred with each other for a moment.

The mother made up her mind. “So what if she can’t talk? My son doesn’t talk either.”

“Exactly,” the father added. “I know my son best. We like Yan Yan so much, he’s sure to like her too.”

“Worst case, our whole family will learn sign language. We’ll even pick up a new skill!”

The director was stunned for a moment, then a look of relief washed over his face.

He bent down to look at me, his smile kind. “Well then, Yan Yan, are you willing to go home with this nice couple?”

The parents looked on nervously.

I looked at them, my eyes turning red as I nodded.