The Abusive Novel System Pleads with Me to Resign-Chapter 94

The boy immediately stood up without hesitation and ran off to do the errand: "On it!"

Zhong Chen: "...What do you mean by that?"

Shen Ying: "Relax, it's the same as if I went to buy it myself."

Zhong Chen: "How is it the same?"

Shen Ying: "Same vending machine, same batch of water, same random probability of which bottle comes out—what's the difference?"

Zhong Chen: "Then why didn’t you go yourself? Do you just delegate everything I ask you to do to someone else?"

Shen Ying: "A competent boss doesn’t micromanage how their subordinates complete tasks."

Zhong Chen’s expression darkened: "I’m not your boss."

Shen Ying feigned surprise: "Don’t tell me you spent tens of millions just to be friends with me."

"Then you must be a living saint."

Zhong Chen was fuming, the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat.

But then he thought—even Xiao Yun had taken that step without hesitation. There was no reason for him to keep lying to himself.

So his usual haughty expression suddenly turned flushed and awkward: "T-this weekend... meet me at XX Amusement Park."

Shen Ying rejected him without a second thought: "No."

Zhong Chen’s face went blank, as if he’d stepped on air, before twisting into anger: "You’re actually rejecting me?"

Shen Ying: "I don’t like amusement parks. Too crowded, too hot. Which idiot gave you that idea?"

Zhong Chen turned his head and glared at Gong Zhaoxi, who was drinking water, grinding his teeth.

He should’ve known this guy was unreliable. Last night, when he’d decided to ask Shen Ying out, Gong Zhaoxi had immediately tried to butt in and join them.

After being warned off, Gong Zhaoxi had insisted that when asking a girl out, he should cater to her usual preferences.

He’d said Shen Ying was a girl from an ordinary background with modest spending habits—instead of making her adapt to his lifestyle and feel uncomfortable, he should adapt to hers.

Zhong Chen swore to himself that if he ever listened to Gong Zhaoxi again, he’d be an idiot. Then he asked Shen Ying: "Then where do you want to go?"

Shen Ying: "I just want to go for a normal shopping trip."

Zhong Chen’s heart instantly soared. So she’d been waiting for him to ask her out all along.

"Fine, we’ll go shopping," he said.

Just then, the male classmate returned with the water. Shen Ying took it and handed it to Zhong Chen: "I can’t open the cap."

Zhong Chen scoffed: "You had plenty of strength when you hit me."

"I knew it was just an act. But don’t worry, I won’t make you open any bottle caps when we’re out."

He twisted the cap off and downed half the bottle in one go. When he noticed Shen Ying’s gaze lingering on his neck, his face burned.

Luckily, ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‍his flushed face could be blamed on the recent exercise. His voice wavered slightly: "S-so, it’s settled for this weekend."

"Come to the second floor for lunch," he added. "Don’t get the wrong idea—I wasn’t planning to let you into my private space so soon."

"But Qingya sent over two chefs, saying they were for you."

With that, he practically strutted back to his team, radiating smugness, and immediately started roughhousing with Gong Zhaoxi.

Nearby, Xia Meng suddenly spoke up: "Are you going on a date with Zhong Chen?"

Shen Ying glanced at Shen Zuola, who looked like she was about to faint, her two friends frantically pinching her philtrum.

Shrugging, she answered Xia Meng: "Obviously."

Xia Meng lowered her head. For a brief moment, something turbulent flashed in her eyes before she looked up again, calm.

"So, do you actually like Zhong Chen or Xiao Yun?"

Shen Ying smiled: "Why do I have to choose just one?"

Xia Meng: "..."

As Shen Ying stood up, Xia Meng quickly added: "By the way, we had plans to hang out this weekend. Are we still going?"

Shen Ying looked at her: "Of course we are."

Xia Meng’s face lit up with a pleased smile.

The following week passed smoothly for Shen Ying.

No classmates picking on her, no teachers scolding her, free access to the second floor’s top-tier chefs—aside from her routine being a bit monotonous, life was good.

On Saturday, Shen Ying put on a dress and headed out, only to find Zhong Chen’s car already waiting downstairs.

Seeing that she’d dressed up, his chest swelled with pride.

She must’ve been really looking forward to their date.

He stepped out and opened the car door for her. Being alone with her in the confined space left him slightly disoriented.

"Ahem, where do you want to go?"

Shen Ying: "Let’s go to XX Plaza."

This plaza was the city’s largest luxury shopping mall, where only top-tier brands were allowed.

Unlike ordinary department stores, the vast space was nearly empty—aside from sales assistants, each floor might only have two or three customers, making it exceptionally quiet.

Naturally, the prices were staggering. If one shopped freely, even a million dollars could vanish in minutes.

This wasn’t a place students usually frequented, but Zhong Chen didn’t see anything odd about it.

The fool had no sense of normalcy. The moment they stepped inside, he frowned and said to Shen Ying: "So this is where poor people shop?"

"What kind of garbage are they displaying in these boutiques? They even have last season’s items?"

The young master had his wardrobe refreshed every season—either tailored by top designers or curated from the latest haute couture collections brought straight to his doorstep.

His eyes were accustomed to seeing only the finest offerings, meticulously selected. The displays in ordinary stores couldn’t compare.

So to him, shopping here was no different from a regular mall.

Shen Ying said flatly: "Either quietly accompany me or go home."

Zhong Chen shut his mouth. After a long pause, he mumbled: "I wasn’t talking about you."

They entered a store. Whether by coincidence or not, the brand’s regional manager happened to be there for an inspection.

The moment she saw Zhong Chen, she froze. She recognized him—she’d personally visited the Zhong family this season to present their collection.

She hurried over, eager to please: "Young Master Zhong, what an honor! Is there anything you need today?"

Zhong Chen didn’t remember her at all and brushed her off: "Don’t mind us. We’re just browsing."

The manager immediately took the hint and backed off, but not before sending an alert to the entire mall.

Every brand needed to ensure the young master had a flawless experience today.

With Zhong Chen’s face as their VIP pass, Shen Ying sat down on a sofa and smiled sweetly: "There are a few bags I like, but last time I asked, they said they were out of stock."

"Are they available now?"

"Out of stock" was just a polite excuse—the real reason was that Shen Ying hadn’t met the purchase requirements.

To buy a bag worth tens of thousands, she’d have to spend millions more on other items just for the privilege.

And for the rarest limited editions, cumulative spending in the millions might be necessary.

But with Zhong Chen present, the rules changed instantly. Sure enough, the sales associate immediately brought out all the "mysteriously unavailable" bags Shen Ying had inquired about.

It was an open invitation—no conditions attached.

Shen Ying happily picked out her favorites. When it came time to pay, her unwitting benefactor had already settled the bill.

She pretended to protest: "This isn’t right. I was the one who asked you to come shopping with me."

Zhong Chen declared: "A real man doesn’t let his date pay."

Shen Ying’s eyes sparkled with newfound admiration: "I had no idea you were such a gentleman."

Zhong Chen was displeased by the remark but didn’t want to ruin the date, so he muttered, "Do I really seem that stingy to you?"

Shen Ying didn’t even hear him—she had already stepped into another brand’s boutique.

The staff, having received advance notice from the mall, were fully prepared. The moment Shen Ying and Zhong Chen entered, they rolled out the red carpet with top-tier service.

By the end of the day, Shen Ying had revamped nearly her entire wardrobe.

She even custom-ordered a jewelry set from a high-end boutique—one that normally had a two-year waiting list.

Of course, Zhong Chen footed the bill.

After dinner, as Zhong Chen drove her home, both were thoroughly satisfied with the day.

Shen Ying’s delight was obvious. By the time she got home, the mall had already delivered her purchases.

Father Shen and Mother Shen were startled when a tall, impeccably dressed man in a suit and white gloves arrived at their door.

After double-checking they weren’t mistaken, they gaped at the mountain of luxury shopping bags piling up in their living room. Once the deliveryman left, they frantically looked up the prices online.

When Mother Shen roughly tallied the total, she nearly fainted.

The moment Shen Ying walked in, Mother Shen grabbed her and scolded, "Have you lost your mind? I knew you had some savings, but this much?!"

"Even if you had money, why waste it on this nonsense? Can you eat these? Wear them?"

Shen Ying cut her off. "I didn’t pay for any of it. Some rich fool bought them for me."

"The same guy whose family offered me ten million to leave him. He can’t let go and feels guilty, so he’s showering me with gifts."

Mother Shen’s expression instantly brightened. "Oh, it wasn’t your money? Then never mind."

She turned to Father Shen, beaming. "Our daughter’s got real skill—she’s got him wrapped around her finger."

"With talent like this, she’ll have no trouble marrying into wealth."

Father Shen frowned. "What kind of nonsense are you filling her head with?"

Mother Shen had a simple, unwavering obsession with the world of the wealthy, doing everything to push her daughter into that circle.

The method didn’t matter.

Given her narrow-mindedness, it was a wonder the original Shen Ying had been so pure-hearted and indifferent to fame and fortune.

But this Shen Ying was different. Mother Shen couldn’t corrupt her—she was already rotten to the core.

Today’s date with Zhong Chen wasn’t just about milking him dry.

She said to Mother Shen, "All this stuff adds up to a fortune. The whole neighborhood saw those deliverymen just now."

"Our building’s security is terrible. Old Man Chen on the fifth floor got robbed last week. Don’t you think we might be next?"

Mother Shen panicked. "I’ll change the locks tomorrow, maybe even install a security gate."

Shen Ying scoffed. "For millions worth of goods? What lock’s going to stop a thief?"

"We should just move—somewhere upscale with tight security. Then we won’t stand out."

Mother Shen hesitated. She wasn’t against buying a house, but—

"Would we still be able to run our stall in a fancy neighborhood?"

Shen Ying sighed. "Yes, of course. No one can tell homeowners what to do for work."

"Besides, my sugar daddy said he’d chip in if we’re short on the down payment."

The promise of a bargain sealed the deal for Mother Shen. "Fine, let’s buy!"

Shen Ying exhaled in relief. Finally, she could escape their cramped, stifling living conditions.

She was pleased with today’s haul.

Meanwhile, Zhong Chen was even more satisfied.

The moment he got home, he bragged to Xing Jiale and Gong Zhaoxi—who’d been waiting for him—about how smoothly the date had gone.

When he walked in, they’d teased him: "You actually lasted a whole day without fighting?"

"No storming off mid-date?" frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

"No getting ditched by Shen Ying because she couldn’t stand you?"

Zhong Chen smirked. "Keep hating. Our relationship’s leveled up today."

The two immediately crowded around. Gong Zhaoxi leaned in. "Oh? You sealed the deal?"

Xing Jiale elbowed him. "Don’t set the bar too high for Ah Chen. At most, they kissed." He turned to Zhong Chen confidently. "Right? You kissed, didn’t you?"

Zhong Chen’s face froze. A flash of "Why didn’t I think of that?" crossed his expression before he hastily recovered. "Don’t lump me in with you two losers. I’m after a deeper, spiritual connection."

They slumped back onto the couch, unimpressed. "So… nothing happened."

"Pathetic."

Zhong Chen bristled. "She’s completely under my spell now!"

Xing Jiale held up a hand. "Proof?"

There was no way he believed Shen Ying genuinely admired Zhong Chen.

Zhong Chen’s grin widened. "She called me a generous gentleman."

The two exchanged surprised glances. Compliments? From her?

Gong Zhaoxi pressed, "What were you doing when she said that?"

Zhong Chen rolled his eyes. "We’d just bought a few bags. She tried to pay for some small stuff, but I beat her to it."

Xing Jiale rubbed his temples. "What else did she say to make you think you’d… progressed?"

Zhong Chen’s lips curled. "She said I really understand her."

Gong Zhaoxi: "When?"

Zhong Chen: "She was torn between two custom necklaces, so I decided for her—got both."

"She was so docile, just nodding along. Didn’t dare argue."

Gong Zhaoxi massaged his forehead. "And?"

Zhong Chen’s pride overflowed. "She even apologized for being too harsh before, saying she’d overlooked how emotionally intelligent and considerate I am."

Xing Jiale blinked. "And how did she… discover this quality?"

Zhong Chen: "I complained her dump of a place couldn’t fit all her new things."

"Since we’re serious now, we’ll be shopping a lot, so I gave her an apartment."

His smile turned dreamy. "But she refused to take it for free—insisted on paying ten million."

"She’s just that worried about me losing out."

Xing Jiale and Gong Zhaoxi shared a look before slowly saying, "Is there a chance…"

"You’re being played for a fool?"