The system, no matter how reluctant, couldn't refuse the host's proactive task assignment. It thus activated the "Suddenly Thought of You" function on Gao Yingli and scheduled an automatic message to Lu Linwei to be sent in half an hour.
It then reminded Shen Ying: 【Host, the "Suddenly Thought of You" skill has been used on one of your targets, Gao Yingli. However, I must remind you that given Gao Yingli’s current favorability toward you, the next time this skill can be used is a month from now.】
Shen Ying replied casually, "It doesn’t matter. I only need it this once."
Though the skill was somewhat useless, it still came in handy under specific circumstances.
Gao Yingli had just seen Shen Ying the night before, and his impression of her, along with his curiosity, was at its peak.
He’d already had someone investigate her, and the results had surprised him.
It turned out that during Lu Linwei’s mysterious disappearance days ago, he had been taken in by this woman.
Given Lu Linwei’s attitude, this woman likely held an unusual place in his heart.
Originally, Gao Yingli had merely wanted to tease her in person and irritate Lu Linwei for fun. But now, as the image of her face suddenly surfaced in his mind, he felt an unmistakable urge to stir up trouble.
Sure enough, not long after, while Shen Ying was taking a stroll downstairs, a convertible sports car blocked her path.
She looked over and saw the "great villain" with a cigarette in one hand and the other resting on the steering wheel. His smooth, long hair was swept back, save for a single strand that fell over his forehead.
His face was half-hidden behind black sunglasses, softening some of his delicate, almost feminine features and lending him an air of cold detachment.
Under Shen Ying’s gaze, Gao Yingli removed his sunglasses and flashed her a smile. "We meet again. What a coincidence."
Shen Ying glanced around and remarked, "Apart from leading back to our shabby little neighborhood, this road doesn’t go anywhere important."
"Then it’s an even greater coincidence. I got lost and somehow ended up right in front of you, Miss Shen."
Gao Yingli didn’t care how flimsy his excuse sounded. He extended an invitation as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Would you do me the honor of joining me for lunch?"
Shen Ying stared at him for a few seconds before shaking her head. "I’d rather not. Lu Linwei said you’re no good and told me not to engage with you."
Gao Yingli’s composed smile froze. He wasn’t sure whether to blame Lu Linwei for being a gossip or this woman for being utterly tactless.
In their world of power and influence, the women around them were all refined, perceptive, and skilled in the art of conversation. He’d never encountered someone so blunt.
But Gao Yingli wasn’t bothered. He met Shen Ying’s eyes and asked, "So, Miss Shen lets Lu Linwei dictate her social interactions?"
"If that’s the case, what a shame."
A faint smirk tugged at Shen Ying’s lips. This line was straightforward, effective, and undeniably smooth—far more so than anything the male lead, Lu Linwei, could muster.
No wonder the naive protagonist in the original story had been repeatedly swayed and deceived by him.
Playing along, Shen Ying replied, "I suppose you don’t seem like a difficult person to get along with."
"But even if I ignore Lu Linwei’s warning, there’s no reason for me to leave with a stranger, is there?"
Gao Yingli drove slowly alongside her. "Then was my enthusiasm last night not enough to make you consider us friends?"
"Not at all."
"Fine." He sighed, then made a call.
After issuing what sounded like an order, he hung up within moments.
Then he turned back to Shen Ying. "I just bought the building you live in. Now, as your landlord, I’m inviting you to discuss lease renewal. Is that reason enough?"
The place they currently lived in wasn’t actually owned by Shen Ying’s family. It was rented for convenience—close to work and school—while their own home, located farther away, had been leased out to cover most of their current rental costs.
Sure enough, as soon as Gao Yingli finished speaking, a text notification chimed on Shen Ying’s phone.
It was from their landlord, informing her that the property had been sold and that their lease would soon expire. Any renewal would now have to be negotiated with the new owner—Mr. Gao.
Shen Ying looked up from her phone, meeting Gao Yingli’s gaze. He gestured elegantly toward the passenger seat.
After a moment of feigned hesitation, she bit her lip lightly and finally got into his car.
Gao Yingli drove his flashy sports car through the streets, drawing attention until they arrived at a secluded Chinese-style estate nestled in the heart of the city.
It was a private restaurant, inaccessible to the general public. Despite its central location, many didn’t even know it existed.
A poised woman in a qipao led them to the innermost private room, where they could enjoy the tranquil beauty of an exclusive courtyard garden.
Gao Yingli ordered effortlessly, recommending the restaurant’s signature dishes to Shen Ying.
Contrary to his usual delicate, almost sickly demeanor, he now exuded an air of gentlemanly charm.
But Shen Ying knew better. The difference between his composed facade and his true nature was stark—he took great pleasure in abruptly tearing off the mask to reveal the ruthless predator beneath.
Once the dishes were selected, Gao Yingli finally spoke. "I heard it was you who saved Lu Linwei’s life when he was on the brink of death."
Shen Ying took a bite of the appetizer and instantly regretted setting the skill’s cooldown at only half an hour.
Between bites, she replied, "What does this have to do with the lease?"
"Just because you’re my landlord now doesn’t mean you can pry into my personal life without restraint."
Gao Yingli casually stubbed out his cigarette on the expensive table and smirked. "When I rent out my property, I like to know a little about my tenants."
"What if someone’s using the place for illegal activities? It’d hurt the property’s market value."
"Surely asking a few unconventional questions isn’t too much?"
Shen Ying nearly laughed at his shamelessness.
Instead, she put on an earnest expression. "We’ve never done anything illegal!"
"I just happened to take out the trash at night and found Lu Linwei bleeding and unconscious on the ground. So I took him in."
"He said he couldn’t go to the hospital or risk being seen, so I let him stay for a few days."
"I didn’t do anything wrong, and Lu Linwei isn’t some wanted criminal, is he? So it’s not like I unwittingly harbored a fugitive."
Though Gao Yingli had already gathered the gist of the story, hearing it directly from Shen Ying still left him disappointed.
He clicked his tongue. "Lucky bastard."
"Huh?" Shen Ying blinked at him in confusion.
Gao Yingli leaned forward abruptly, closing the distance between them.
His previously relaxed demeanor turned icy in an instant. His strikingly beautiful, almost feminine eyes locked onto hers, but there was no warmth in his gaze—only the cold scrutiny of a predator.
His voice dropped to a murmur. "You’re truly kind-hearted, Miss Shen. Even a piece of trash like that, bleeding out on the street—you’d still save him. Weren’t you afraid of getting tangled in trouble?"
Shen Ying beamed at him. "Oh, it was nothing, really!"
"When it comes to life and death, anyone with a conscience would do the same. I’m not as noble as you make me out to be."
Gao Yingli: "..."
What an idiot. So this was Lu Linwei’s type. Well, that meant plenty of entertainment in the future.
He continued, "But I do feel quite sympathetic toward Miss Shen."
"Why is that?"
"You mentioned you took Lu Linwei in for a while. That period must’ve been quite taxing, no?"
"Knowing his personality, even under someone else’s roof, he wouldn’t tone it down. No offense, but given Miss Shen’s financial situation, meeting Lu Linwei’s picky demands would’ve been impossible. That time must’ve been rather rough, right?"
They say no one knows you better than your enemy.
If you were to ask Shen Yao this, he’d undoubtedly break down in tears, admitting Gao Yingli’s sharp insight.
But unfortunately, the one here was Shen Ying.
She shook her head casually and replied, "Not really. He was actually pretty easy to take care of—well, to manage."
Gao Yingli didn’t buy it for a second. With a light chuckle, he said, "If you’d known him since childhood, you wouldn’t say that."
"Though, if he was willing to compromise even slightly around you, I suppose that counts as some progress."
Leaning closer to Shen Ying, he added, "After all, you deserve it."
"But isn’t he being a bit stingy? It’s been over a month, and his life-saving benefactor is still living in that kind of place?"
"Constantly at risk of being kicked out—that’s not something a truly grateful person would do."
Never mind that he himself was the one threatening eviction.
Gao Yingli studied Shen Ying’s expression. Even the most oblivious person wouldn’t remain unaffected by such words—right?
Either resentment would stir, or she’d rush to defend herself.
Of course, he knew that for people like them, a debt this big wouldn’t be repaid lightly with money. The more restrained the compensation, the deeper the gratitude.
But that didn’t stop him from stirring the pot for Lu Linwei.
Yet Shen Ying’s response caught him completely off guard.
Her reaction didn’t fit any of his expectations—instead, she was oddly straightforward.
"It’s not that serious. I did get paid, after all."
"Huh?" Gao Yingli’s train of thought derailed. "Paid for what?"
Before he could even consider another angle, a commotion erupted outside—
"Mr. Lu, Mr. Lu, you can’t just barge in—"
Footsteps thudded closer, and the next second, the private room’s door was violently kicked open.
Lu Linwei stood in the doorway, his expression dark.
Gao Yingli frowned in confusion. His visit to this foolish woman today had been a spur-of-the-moment whim, and he hadn’t seen any of Lu Linwei’s people around her.
How had he found out so quickly?
Just as he was puzzling over it, Shen Ying suddenly spoke—
"Even though I had to sit through a bunch of nonsense and still didn’t get to eat, thank you anyway."
"Mr. Gao."
Gao Yingli stared at her, a realization flickering in his mind.
(Keep leaving comments and sprinkling those virtual nutrients, please~)
