Reborn As A Doomsday Villainess-Chapter 91: Being a system is hard work

The taxi rolled to a stop in front of the facility, and Qingran stepped out, stretching briefly before heading toward the entrance.

The security guards barely glanced at her as she flashed her ID, their attention more focused on their morning coffee than on checking personnel properly.

Not that she minded—it was less hassle for her.

Inside, the building was the same as always. Cold, sterile and efficient.

The air smelled of disinfectant and machinery, and the quiet hum of activity filled the halls.

She had worked here long enough to know the rhythms of the place—the way people moved, how their expressions shifted depending on what projects they were working on. Right now, everything seemed normal. But that wouldn’t last.

Lingquan’s voice broke her thoughts. [Are you going straight to your supervisor’s office?]

Qingran adjusted the strap of her bag. "Might as well. The sooner I submit the leave request, the sooner I can get out of here."

Her department was on the fifth floor, so she took the stairs, skipping two at a time.

Elevators were unreliable, and in sixteen days, they’d be more of a death trap than a convenience. Better to keep her body in shape and her habits sharp.

She reached her destination in under a minute, knocking once before pushing open the door.

The office was small but orderly, lined with bookshelves filled with medical journals and research files.

Behind the desk sat her supervisor, Dr. He, a woman in her early forties with sharp eyes and an even sharper tongue. She barely looked up as Qingran entered.

"If you’re here to complain about workload, save it," Dr. He said, flipping through a file. "We both know you can handle it."

Qingran smirked. "Flattering, but I’m actually here to take a one-month leave."

That got her attention. Dr. He closed the file and leaned back, studying her. "One month? That’s excessive for someone who barely takes a day off."

"It’s necessary," Qingran said, keeping her tone even. "I’ve wrapped up my pending assignments, and I won’t leave anything unfinished. If you need a reason, consider it burnout prevention."

Dr. He narrowed her eyes. "Burnout, my ass. You thrive on work."

Qingran just shrugged, not wanting to delve deeper into the topic.

A tense silence stretched between them before Dr. He sighed and pulled out a form. "Fine. Fill this out. If the department head approves, which is I, you’re free to disappear for a month."

"Appreciate it." Qingran took the form, signed her details without hesitation, and slid it back across the desk.

Dr. He stamped it, shaking her head. "Whatever you’re planning, don’t drag my department into it and Qingran do stay safe. A lot of crazies has started occurring"

"No promises Ma’am" Qingran said with a grin, before turning on her heel and walking out.

As she stepped back into the hallway, Lingquan hummed. [That was easy.]

"Of course. She likes me."

[She tolerates you, that would be the word.]

"Same thing."

With that done, Qingran had nothing else tying her here. She descended the stairs just as quickly as she had climbed them, exiting the facility without looking back.

Now, she had sixteen days to make sure everything was in place. Training plans to draft. Escape routes to finalize. And when the time came—reality to shove down people’s throats.

Qingran stepped out of the facility, her pace unhurried as she merged into the morning crowd.

The sun was already climbing, casting sharp shadows against the pavement.

Sixteen days.

It seemed like a lot on paper, but in reality, it was nothing, it would pass within the blink of an eye.

Lingquan’s voice hummed in her mind. [So, what’s the next move?]

"Breakfast," she said. "Then a training plan."

[You’re really prioritizing food at a time like this?]

"Do you expect me to train people on an empty stomach?"

[...]

Qingran smirked. Lingquan was learning.

She flagged down another taxi and slid inside, giving her address to the driver before leaning back against the seat.

Her mind was already running through the logistics of the plan.

Anya, Tang Haoyu, the others—everyone had different strengths. She couldn’t just shove them into a general survival crash course.

They needed specialized training.

Anya was sharp, resourceful. She’d take to leadership roles naturally, but her combat ability was lacking.

She’d need to focus on self-defense, quick escapes, and adaptability in high-pressure situations.

Haoyu, despite being young, had the potential to be a solid support. His skills leaned toward practical survival—cooking, resource management, even minor first aid.

He just needed to believe in himself more.

And the others... she’d tailor their training once she evaluated them properly.

[Ding! Host is acting very responsible. I’m so proud.]

"Shut up."

[Heh.]

The taxi pulled up to her apartment complex, and she paid the fare before stepping out.

The building was a modest high-rise, nothing fancy, but it was secure.

That was what mattered.

As she made her way up, she glanced at her messages. A few unread ones from coworkers, one from Anya.

[Anya: Busy today?]

Qingran typed back quickly.

[Qingran: Took a leave. Free for a month.]

Anya’s response was immediate.

[Anya: What the fuck?]

[Qingran: You should take one too.]

[Anya: That’s suspicious as hell. What are you up to?]

Qingran smirked, biting back a smile.

[Qingran: Just think of it as an extended vacation. Trust me.]

[Anya: I don’t trust you at all.]

Fair enough.

She put her phone away and unlocked her door, stepping into the familiar space.

"I’m home.."

Qingran took of her shoes, kept them and brought out her indoor slippers, placing her bag on the counter. She walked to the kitchen.

Lingquan materialized from the system space, jumped on the couch and stretching.

[Im damn tired]

"...."

"It’s not like you did anything strenuous.."

"..."

"Be a system is a strenuous work, hosts like you wouldn’t understand.."

".."

"Whatever if you’re done sulking, I’ll pour out some milk for you. I wonder where Haoyu as run off too."

Lingquan jumped down from the couch to bolted to the kitchen at the mention of milk.

"Judging from the lingering smell of sweat, I’d say he’s on his morning workout.."