Chapter 677: Don't You Want to Live Anymore?
"You peeked at me!"
Ling Qingcheng's sharp and beautiful face instantly flushed, and she looked at Shen Anyu with shame and anger.
The location of that birthmark was absolutely impossible for outsiders to know, unless someone had peeked.
"Absolutely not, I swear." Shen Anyu's expression was the picture of righteousness, his tone firm as he denied the accusation. He hadn't peeked—not with his naked eye, not with any esoteric pupil techniques, and certainly not with his Divine Sense. The very suggestion was an affront to his character, or so his performance implied.
Of course, the truth was far more insidious. He knew because he had seen it within the pages of the Goddess Future Diary, a glimpse into a future that was for his eyes only. The System had ensured that even the book's original owner, the supposed protagonist Ren Zhacheng, had been denied this particular secret, his vision conveniently blocked at the most crucial moment. Shen Anyu possessed a level of insight into Ling Qingcheng's life that was almost godlike, and profoundly invasive.
A flicker of amusement danced in his eyes. This birthmark was just the tip of the iceberg. If he were to reveal the other, far more intimate details he'd gleaned from the diary, he had no doubt her shame and anger would curdle into pure, unadulterated murderous intent. She'd probably try to chop him into a thousand pieces right here in this high-end boutique.
"Hmph! I will investigate this thoroughly," Ling Qingcheng declared, her voice laced with ice. Her phoenix eyes, usually a study in cool command, now blazed with a personal fire. She pulled back sharply, breaking free from the lingering warmth of his embrace as if it were poison. The air between them crackled with her indignation. "If I find even a shred of evidence that you spied on me, I promise you, I will not let you off. And another thing—I am going to make Yaqian break up with you. I cannot stand by and watch my best friend walk into a pit of fire."
"Then you can try," Shen Anyu replied, the corner of his mouth lifting into a lazy, infuriating half-smile. It was a simple phrase, yet it was a gauntlet thrown down with absolute confidence. He knew her better than she knew herself.
Dealing with a woman as powerful and self-possessed as Ling Qingcheng was a binary proposition: conquer or be conquered. Being subservient to any woman was anathema to his very nature, a cosmic impossibility. Yet, a direct, forceful conquest would only shatter her pride and earn him her eternal hatred. She was a fortress, impenetrable to brute force.
The only way in was through guile. He had to become a puzzle she couldn't resist solving, an enigma that burrowed into her thoughts when she was alone in her office late at night. He had to stoke her curiosity, to feed her a desire to explore the mystery he presented, until she found herself wandering so deep into his labyrinth that she could no longer find the way out. Only then would she fall. Without this approach, his current identity as Zhang Yaqian's boyfriend was a dead end, a permanent barrier between them.
The System's cold data confirmed her resistance. Her favorability toward him was a paltry five points. For a man of his peerless charm, a man who could typically elicit a baseline of at least ten points from any Destined Heroine upon first meeting, this was a proof of her formidable willpower.
He also hadn't forgotten the high-stakes bet he'd made with Liu Ruyan and Zhong Lingyin. He couldn't just reveal his true identity and power to her; that would be cheating. But if some foolish outsider were to force his hand and expose the truth… well, he certainly couldn't be blamed for that.
"The banquet is about to begin," Shen Anyu said leisurely, cutting her off just as she was about to launch into another tirade. "We'll be late if we don't go now." His gaze drifted downwards, intentionally or not, and settled for a fraction of a second too long on her full, red lips. The look was possessive, a silent reminder of the kiss they'd shared, a clear signal that he was savoring the memory.
Ling Qingcheng caught the direction of his gaze instantly. The flush on her cheeks deepened, a fresh wave of heat rising to her skin. She felt her lips tingle, the phantom sensation of his touch returning unbidden. With a cold, sharp snort, she turned away.
"Mr. Shen, since General Manager Ling is your female companion, Yiyi doesn't need to go, right?" A soft, timid voice interrupted the charged atmosphere. It was He Yiyi, who had been standing by, watching the entire exchange with wide, anxious eyes.
She looked utterly dejected, her shoulders slumped. The dream of attending a truly top-tier society banquet with the fascinating Mr. Shen was dissolving before her eyes. More than that, she genuinely enjoyed the time she spent with him. But the reality was clear: the 'main wife' had arrived, and as the other woman, she knew her place was to step aside gracefully, to avoid causing him any trouble or misunderstanding.
"Of course you have to go," Shen Anyu said, a hint of amusement coloring his tone. He turned to her, his smile disarming. "Otherwise, I can hold you accountable."
He found the situation ironic. How had this shy, easily flustered young woman ever summoned the nerve to embezzle public funds? She seemed more like a frightened rabbit than a corporate criminal.
"Huh?" He Yiyi was stunned into silence, her mind struggling to process his words. 'Hold her accountable?'
Ling Qingcheng, who had been observing the interaction with a cold, judgmental stare, suddenly spoke up, her voice crisp and authoritative. "You are an employee of our Ling Group," she said, her sharp gaze fixed on He Yiyi. "If this Shen fellow is threatening you, you just tell me. As your CEO, I will help you get justice." She was positioning herself as the righteous savior, swooping in to protect her vulnerable employee from this predatory man.
Under the immense pressure of Ling Qingcheng's commanding aura, He Yiyi felt herself shrink. "I, I accidentally rear-ended Mr. Shen's car," she stammered, her face a mask of misery.
"I'll pay for you. You can go," Ling Qingcheng declared, decisive and dismissive. She reached for her purse, ready to end this farce with a simple transaction.
"He Yiyi, what do you think?" Shen Anyu didn't even look at Ling Qingcheng. He kept his smiling eyes fixed on the timid girl, placing the decision squarely in her hands.
He Yiyi hesitated, her heart hammering against her ribs. Her gaze darted back and forth between the two titans before her: Shen Anyu, with his warm, encouraging smile that seemed to promise a world of excitement, and Ling Qingcheng, her beautiful face a cold mask of authority, a figure she was conditioned to fear and obey. She was caught between a rock and a hard place, the pressure so intense she felt tears welling in her eyes. After a long, agonizing moment, she took a deep breath and made her choice.
"I… Yiyi will listen to Mr. Shen."
A frigid snort escaped Ling Qingcheng's lips. She shot Shen Anyu one last glare, a look that promised retribution, before turning on her heel. Her long legs carried her away with a powerful, confident stride, her retinue of elite female bodyguards falling into formation behind her as she swept out of the shop.
The moment she was gone, the crushing weight in the air vanished. He Yiyi let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She timidly looked up at Shen Anyu, her voice barely a whisper. "Mr. Shen, will Yiyi affect your relationship with General Manager Ling?"
"If I'm not afraid, what are you afraid of?" Shen Anyu chuckled. "Let's go. We're leaving." He casually took her hand, his warm fingers closing around hers, and led her out of the shop.
He Yiyi looked down at their intertwined hands, a strange mix of emotions swirling within her. 'So, Mr. Shen isn't so perfect after all,' she thought. 'At least, he's quite a playboy.'
But instead of disappointment, she felt a surprising thrill, a secret, illicit joy. A moment ago, when she saw him with the magnificent Ling Qingcheng, her heart had sunk. Compared to the powerful, beautiful CEO, she was nothing but a Cinderella in rags. But now… now it felt as if Mr. Shen had chosen her. Between the commanding General Manager Ling and herself, he had chosen her.
'Could it be… could it be that Mr. Shen likes me that much?'
That was Ling Qingcheng! General Manager Ling! To be chosen over a woman like that… a strange sweetness bloomed in He Yiyi's chest. She felt a surge of pride and unconsciously lifted her chin a little higher. Her gaze, when it settled on Shen Anyu again, was no longer just timid admiration; it was now filled with a fervent, almost worshipful adoration.
[Ding!]
[Detected Destined Heroine He Yiyi's favorability +1. Plundering +30,000 destiny points!]
[Ding!]
[Detected Destined Heroine He Yiyi's total favorability has reached 80. Additional plundering +30,000 destiny points!]
Outside, Ling Qingcheng strode toward her car, her face like stone.
"General Manager Ling, someone is following and taking pictures. Should we expose them?" The lead female bodyguard murmured, her voice low and professional as she kept pace beside her boss. She was a formidable warrior, an Innate Peak Martial Artist Ling Qingcheng had hired for a staggering sum. A moment ago, when Shen Anyu had dared to embrace the CEO, her hand had instinctively gone to her weapon. But she'd held back when she noticed that, after the initial shock, Ling Qingcheng hadn't truly resisted.
"Following and taking pictures? Hmph. It must be Yu Guanxiong's people. How utterly boring." Ling Qingcheng sneered. Even without Shen Anyu's earlier warning, her first guess would have been the Second Young Master of the Yu Clan. Besides that aristocratic degenerate, no one else would be so pathetically crude as to have her followed and photographed.
Only…
Ling Qingcheng's delicate brows knitted together in thought. As the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company, she wielded significant power and prestige. Yu Guanxiong wouldn't be so reckless as to move against her directly. After all, he wasn't the true heir, Yu Guanying, and the Yanxia's Yu Clan's influence had its limits.
But against Shen Anyu? Yu Guanxiong wouldn't show an ounce of restraint. He would crush him without a second thought.
Despite her intense annoyance with Shen Anyu, the fact remained that he was her best friend's boyfriend. And he had gone out of his way to warn her. A reluctant sense of responsibility pricked at her. She decided she should at least give him a few words of caution.
But as she turned her head, the sight that greeted her instantly vaporized any trace of concern. She saw Shen Anyu, strolling leisurely out of the shop, holding He Yiyi's small hand in his. They were chatting and laughing, looking for all the world like a couple on a date. When Shen Anyu noticed her looking back, his smile widened, and he had the sheer audacity to give her a little wave.
A layer of frost instantly covered Ling Qingcheng's beautiful face. She glared at him, her internal resolve hardening into steel.
'Hmph. Scumbag,' she thought venomously. 'I absolutely must persuade Yaqian to break up with this degenerate.'
Shen Anyu watched Ling Qingcheng's graceful figure retreat, a contemplative look on his face. He was pondering a crucial question: should he take her down tonight? Achieving full favorability this quickly was unlikely, but conquering her body… that wouldn't be nearly as difficult. Even Ren Zhacheng, the original Child of Destiny, was planning to pick up the pieces after she was inevitably drugged and assaulted. Why should he, Shen Anyu, be any different? He didn't even need to orchestrate it himself. He could simply wait for Yu Guanxiong to make his move on Ling Qingcheng, then intercept her at her most vulnerable.
'Let's see how the situation develops,' Shen Anyu decided. He was a patient predator, not one to rush his hunt.
On the other side of the city, at the Hilton Hotel, the rooftop swimming pool was a vibrant scene of hedonism.
One after another, hot beauties in revealing swimwear laughed and chatted, their playful splashes echoing in the evening air. It was a sea of glistening white skin, a veritable paradise for any man.
Among them lounged a young man. He was quite handsome, but his features had a soft, feminine quality, and his complexion was a waxy pale—the unmistakable sign of a body long ravaged by indulgence in wine and women.
He was Yu Guanxiong, the Second Young Master Yu
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