The Abusive Novel System Pleads with Me to Resign-Chapter 55

Jiang Liuxu didn’t press further about Yu Shishi’s series of strange reactions. Instead, he shifted the topic to another matter.

Picking up his coffee, he feigned casualness and asked, "Which club did Yu Ting take you to before?"

Seeing Shen Ying’s surprised expression, Jiang Liuxu smoothly added, "Yu Ting isn’t much of a socialite. Despite being in the entertainment industry, he’s not really into going out."

"So, his knowledge of places is limited. On the other hand, I have a wide circle of friends, including those whose families run entertainment businesses. They’ve given me the rundown on all the top-tier clubs in the country."

"Compared to Yu Ting, if you want to go out for fun, you should really be asking me."

Shen Ying scoffed, "Didn’t I try asking you? Weren’t you the one who refused to budge?"

Jiang Liuxu’s smile stiffened slightly. "Times have changed. Since you’ve already found your way in, there’s no point in me standing in your way now."

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"Tell me, which one did you go to that day? Yu Ting was too embarrassed to admit it after being mistaken for a male escort. He absolutely refused to tell us."

"Since you’ve already been entertained, why not go for the best? I’m not sure if the place Yu Ting took you was up to par—did it make you feel truly welcomed?"

Shen Ying’s interest was immediately piqued. "Exactly! I know these high-end clubs each have their own specialties."

"Some pride themselves on their rare liquor collections, others on their stunningly attractive staff, and some even facilitate discreet transactions."

"I’m not sure if the one Yu Ting took me to was known for its beauties. Do you have a better recommendation?"

Jiang Liuxu had only meant to fish for information, but her response unsettled him. "How do you know all this so well?"

"You’ve only been once, right? How are you already so familiar with the ins and outs?"

Shen Ying smirked. In her past life, her reputation as the wealthy and formidable "Shen the Tycoon" had been legendary in every elite club.

She glanced at Jiang Liuxu and said, "I just have a natural affinity for this scene. Walking into a club feels like coming home—familiar and comforting."

Jiang Liuxu’s smile nearly slipped. He deeply regretted not giving Yu Ting a good thrashing yesterday.

Nodding, he abruptly changed tactics. "Occasionally going out for a drink to unwind is understandable."

"But right now, you’re at a critical point in your career. Your business relies on timeliness, so you should focus on making the most of your opportunities. You can’t deny that, can you?"

Shen Ying nodded in agreement, though her system was internally rolling its eyes.

Here was a man being ruthlessly exploited, earnestly urging the exploiter to work harder and push further.

Jiang Liuxu pressed on, "Then you’d agree that you shouldn’t let other distractions drain your energy, right?"

"From what I know, your self-control when it comes to entertainment isn’t the strongest. Getting too involved in these kinds of places too soon won’t do your career any favors."

Shen Ying quickly retorted, "Don’t misrepresent me. I’m not the type to neglect my responsibilities for fun."

"Besides, balancing work and leisure is important. Honestly—" She grinned cheekily. "My work doesn’t take much time. I can squeeze it in between breaks."

Slacking off was her main occupation. Work? Just something to half-heartedly dabble in during spare moments.

Jiang Liuxu choked back a response, momentarily forgetting that she was the one coasting through life with ease.

He tried another angle. "Regardless, frequenting clubs at this stage isn’t safe."

"You look exactly like Yu Shishi. While she’s abroad, her adoptive parents aren’t. If you run into them, things could escalate quickly. If they panic and call her back, it’d be a fatal blow to your business."

Shen Ying looked horrified. "That’s a stretch, isn’t it? Would elderly, cultured people really cross paths with me at a club? Weren’t they described as a refined, scholarly family?"

"Besides, the whole point of high-end clubs is top-tier entertainment and discretion. Your argument doesn’t hold up."

Jiang Liuxu countered, "Even if the odds are slim, there are plenty of other risks."

"You’re now a young, beautiful woman with assets in the hundreds of millions—prime target material for opportunists."

"The crowd in those places is far more complex than you can imagine. Don’t assume the club’s rules guarantee safety."

"I’ve heard of more than a few women who were swindled into bankruptcy or massive debt by the men there."

"Every single one of them is a masterful love scammer in private."

Jiang Liuxu’s expression was grave, but Shen Ying only smirked. "Have you forgotten what I do for a living?"

"No one alive is capable of deceiving me in matters of love."

Jiang Liuxu frowned. "You’re that confident?"

Shen Ying replied, "Human nature and desires are transparent. Shouldn’t you know that better than anyone?"

His expression faltered. He’d been too hasty, forgetting how effortlessly she’d dragged out his most guarded secrets.

Defeated, Jiang Liuxu dropped all pretense. "Fine. But you can’t deny how much I’ve contributed to your business, right?"

Shen Ying promptly stood up and refilled his coffee, oozing gratitude—

"Absolutely! Every time I run a promotion, it’s Mr. Jiang who ensures the word gets out."

"Every time a client hesitates, it’s Mr. Jiang who steps in to stir up competition."

"Every time I want to raise prices, it’s Mr. Jiang who fearlessly hypes up the bidding."

"Mr. Jiang, without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today."

Jiang Liuxu: "…"

Even knowing her words were insincere and dripping with sarcasm, her flattery still inexplicably pleased him.

He leaned back slightly, a subconscious gesture of satisfaction.

"Since you recognize my efforts, don’t disregard my concerns."

"Let me be blunt—I don’t want you spending the money you earn from me on men. It’d kill my motivation."

Shen Ying solemnly vowed, "Don’t worry. From now on, I’ll only spend what I make from the other three. The money from you, Mr. Jiang, I’ll lock away in a fixed deposit and cherish it."

Jiang Liuxu laughed in exasperation. "So that’s a no? Then maybe we should end our business dealings."

"Aside from joining in for fun, I don’t actually have any vested interest here. If you won’t humor my small request, I see no reason to keep paying to play along."

He watched Shen Ying closely, anxiety gnawing at him.

This was his real goal.

Truthfully, Jiang Liuxu had never expected to convince Shen Ying about the clubs.

She was strong-willed, decisive, and utterly immune to persuasion. The four of them combined couldn’t sway her.

But using this as a pretext to mask his true intentions? That might work.

Though he enjoyed the current game, he was growing weary of dealing with Yu Shishi privately.

Shen Ying’s skills were too effective—every paying client saw undeniable results.

Lately, ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‍Yu Shishi’s sudden fervor had left him exhausted. Now that she’d developed genuine emotional dependence on him, it was no longer amusing.

Jiang Liuxu felt his odds were decent.

Though some truths were rather bleak, Shen Ying couldn't possibly refrain from indulging in her pleasures just because of his discontent.

And he couldn’t even voice the real reason for his dissatisfaction.

Jiang Liuxu was lost in melancholy when he heard Shen Ying say, "That won’t do. You have to keep pursuing my sister. What kind of message does it send to suddenly leave in the middle of the competition?"

Jiang Liuxu stared at her in disbelief. "Why must I stay on that track? You know full well I don’t like Shishi."

She was the one who had pointed it out in the first place.

Shen Ying countered, "When you first came to me, your affection for my sister was already fake. Did I stop you from entering the game back then?"

"Now you’re ahead of everyone, and you think you can just quit whenever you please? Have you no respect for your opponents? Have you considered how my sister would feel?"

"She’s just started relying on you, eagerly waiting for you to protect her and resolve her crises. And now you want to walk away? Are you toying with her?"

Jiang Liuxu snapped, "You’re the one who’s reaped all the benefits, and now you have the nerve to say this."

"If you truly cared about your sister, loosening your grip would be far more effective than anything else."

He straightened up. "I’ve already decided to withdraw. I’m not asking for your opinion, nor am I here to negotiate."

Shen Ying shrugged. "I’m not negotiating either."

"You have to maintain the status quo. As long as the other three don’t stop, neither can you. You can only quit when I declare the game over."

Jiang Liuxu hardened his tone. "And if I refuse?"

Shen Ying smiled. "Then I’ll make sure my sister loses interest in the other three and sees you as the only lifeline she can cling to. She’ll focus all her efforts on winning you over."

"Everyone around you knows you like my sister, right? And they all approve of her, don’t they? Of course they do. She comes from a good family—her parents are renowned academics, she’s cultured, well-mannered, and has an impeccable resume. Who wouldn’t be satisfied?"

"Given the attitude you’ve shown before, if my sister reciprocates now, she’ll have the full support of everyone around you."

"You’ve hidden your true preferences just to avoid judgment, haven’t you? Are you really prepared to face all that now?"

Shen Ying met Jiang Liuxu’s gaze. "If you don’t want to deal with my sister, then deal with everyone else—oh, and that still includes her."

"Are you ready to expose everything and explain your actions?"

Jiang Liuxu was nearly driven mad with fury. He glared at her. "You’re manipulating me?"

Shen Ying smirked. "Aren’t you enjoying being manipulated?"

Jiang Liuxu retorted, "What part of this looks like enjoyment to you?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Shen Ying stood and leisurely circled around the coffee table, stopping right in front of him before settling beside him.

She sat so close that Jiang Liuxu felt he could sense her presence even if he closed his eyes.

His expression stiffened at her sudden proximity, his anger momentarily forgotten.

Then Shen Ying reached out, plucking the stethoscope from around his neck and fitting it to her own ears.

Holding the flat chest piece, she pressed it against his heart.

The erratic, rapid rhythm echoed in her ears.

Slowly, she lifted her gaze to meet his—

"Dr. Jiang’s heartbeat is telling me it’s happy."

Jiang Liuxu’s breath hitched, his entire body rigid—yet every part of him betrayed him.

His chaotic pulse, constricted pupils, uncontrolled breathing, and trembling skin all conspired in an embarrassing mutiny.

Shen Ying left Dr. Jiang’s office thoroughly satisfied. The sky had darkened by then.

She headed straight for the parking garage, stepping out of the elevator only to be intercepted by Yu Ting, who had been waiting beside her luxury car.

Leaning against the vehicle with his arms crossed, he gave her a look that said, "I knew it."

"Of course you wouldn’t follow the rules. Jiang Liuxu couldn’t possibly have been the highest bidder, yet you went to him first. And you claim you don’t mix personal feelings with work? Care to explain?"

Shen Ying raised a brow. "Aren’t you supposed to be filming? It’s a several-hour trip back and forth—how is it I keep running into you?"

She clicked her tongue. "If my sister had even half your time-management skills, she wouldn’t be so exhausted."

Yu Ting scoffed. "Don’t play dumb. What if I told Chang Ming and Pei Ying about this?"

Shen Ying shrugged. "And then what? Another tribunal? Another futile interrogation? Another excuse for me to walk away with a hefty profit?"

Yu Ting nearly lost his composure. Every time he tried to hold her accountable, it ended the same way—she slipped away unscathed, richer than before.

As Shen Ying opened the car door, Yu Ting slid into the driver’s seat without invitation.

She didn’t bother kicking him out. After all, Yu Ting—with his striking looks and gullible nature—was far too entertaining to dismiss.

But the moment the thought crossed her mind, Yu Ting casually remarked, "Before I left the set today, I treated the whole crew to milk tea."

"My luck at cards has been incredible lately. Ran into some poor fool with the worst gambling streak—won every single round. Over the past few days, the winnings added up to quite a sum."

"Even after treating everyone, there was still some left. The crew thanked me, but really, the gratitude should go to the sucker who kept losing to me."

Shen Ying inhaled sharply, barely suppressing her frustration.

She could toss out red envelopes worth hundreds of thousands without a second thought, but every penny lost at mahjong felt like a personal insult.

She shot him a glare. "You caused such a huge disruption on set, and you think a few cups of milk tea make up for it?"

"That was millions in losses. A whole morning wasted for so many people. Anyone else would be too ashamed to show their face—how can you brag about it?"

Yu Ting stiffened. "How the hell do you know about that?"

His performance had indeed been off today. The scene required intense emotional depth, but no matter how many takes he did, something was missing.

The director and producer took it in stride—Yu Ting’s efficiency had been stellar up till now, so a brief slump wasn’t a big deal.

But Yu Ting was anxious. This film had to be submitted for review in its absolute best state before the deadline.

So when the director suggested he take a breather, he’d immediately driven down the mountain to find Shen Ying.

Why her, of all people? He told himself it was just to pick a fight.

Shen Ying smirked. "The crew group chats mentioned it."

"Whether it’s the main project group, the core cast and crew chat, or the director-producer-star inner circle—I’m in all of them. Didn’t you notice?"

Yu Ting was speechless. "I barely check those. No wonder the director’s group had an extra member."

"How did you even get in?"

Shen Ying grinned. "‘Get in’ makes it sound sneaky. The director and producer welcomed me with open arms."

"They even give me regular updates about you."

“Huh?” Yu Ting widened his eyes. “Are they out of their minds? How did they decide you’re my guardian?”

Shen Ying: “I’m not entirely sure either. So every time, I can only awkwardly but politely reply with a smiling emoji, but they seem even more eager to report to me after that.”

“To the point where I’ve also learned about the shady things behind your glamorous celebrity facade.”

Yu Ting: “Sha—what shady things have I done?”

Shen Ying: “You flirted with an actor from the crew, used your status and power to force them to sleep with you—that much is true, isn’t it?”

“The beauty had unyielding pride and firmly refused to bow to such vile underhanded rules, slapping you without hesitation in rejection.”

“But then you resorted to coercion, restricting their freedom, sweetening the deal with incentives, and getting handsy. Everyone around, cowed by your influence, dared not speak up, until the poor beauty finally succumbed to your wicked ways—am I wrong?”

Yu Ting: “That was a damn cat.”

Shen Ying: “Ugh! You didn’t even spare a cat. The very next day after it ‘slept’ with you, you went to the director to negotiate more screen time for the little beauty, didn’t you?”

“Tsk tsk. Now even a cat has to sacrifice its dignity to chase its acting dreams. If this goes on, can the domestic film industry even have a future? The entire industry’s integrity is being ruined by people like you.”

Yu Ting: “…”!