Chapter 200: Satisfy You... The Trap within a Trap
The Child of Destiny or Daughter of Destiny in System-based novels often start weak, like Level 1 characters in a game, but generally have high growth potential.
Take Zheng Qingqing (Zheng Lili), for instance. Right now, she was just a manipulative rich girl with a beauty filter. But if she were to grow... if she were to conquer many Male Gods, absorb their luck, and upgrade her System... the entire world would likely be subjugated at her feet. A world ruled by women, or rather, by one Empress.
Men conquer the world to conquer women; women conquer men to conquer the world. It was an old adage, but a System user made it a literal threat.
To some extent, she is even more of a concern than Xu Ping'an's [Damage Reflection Aura]! A physical shield can be bypassed, but a mental enslavement aura is a plague.
Shen Anyu can take his time playing cat and mouse with Xu Ping'an, the fake young master, and Dragon King Consort Han Qi. They were predictable. But System-based Sons of Destiny and Daughters of Destiny must be eliminated immediately, or there will be endless trouble. Variables must be crushed in the cradle.
Shen Anyu narrowed his eyes and smiled, looking handsome and refined under the gymnasium lights. But a cold, abyssal glint flickered deep within his eyes, invisible to the naked eye.
Zheng Qingqing had no idea that Shen Anyu already knew her biggest secret—her identity, her System, her mission.
At this moment, she was excited and happy, thinking her charm had finally worked a little. She giggled, a sound like wind chimes:
"Okay, handsome! Watch how I satisfy you by striking down Xu Ping'an! I'll make him look like a fool for you!"
"Then I look forward to your performance. Don't disappoint me."
Shen Anyu smiled and nodded, playing the role of the amused spectator.
Then, he turned slightly, blocking her view with his broad back, and took out his phone. He sent a message to his Shadow Guard commander, [Scarlett Smith].
[Order: Eliminate Target: Zheng Hongji (Chairman of Zheng Jewelry). Method: Accidental Death. Execution: Immediate.]
Zheng Hongji, Zheng Qingqing, or rather Zheng Lili's biological father, was her only reliance besides the [Male God Strategy System]. He was her bank, her shield, her entry ticket to high society.
Originally, if Zheng Hongji had been sensible after the last conflict, Shen Anyu hadn't planned to kill him. A dog that knows its place can live.
But who told him to have a good daughter who liked to cause trouble? Who told him to raise a daughter who wanted to enslave Shen Anyu?
If a child isn't taught, it's the father's fault. So, let the whole family be neat and tidy on the road to the afterlife. Isolating the target was step one of the hunt.
Zheng Qingqing, unaware that her biological father was about to kick the bucket in a "car accident" or "heart attack," rolled her dark eyes mischievously.
She smiled sweetly at Shen Anyu, leaning in closer, and said:
"Classmate, I have an idea. A great idea. Come closer and listen to me."
She beckoned him with a crook of her finger.
Shen Anyu looked at Zheng Qingqing with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"If I come closer, you won't deliberately stick to me, will you? I told you, I don't like being touched by strangers."
Zheng Qingqing gave an awkward smile, her hand freezing in mid-air.
She did have such a thought. In fact, it was her main plan. After all, the [Love-at-First-Sight Aura] would take effect as long as there was skin contact. A brush of the shoulder, a touch of the hand—that was all she needed to turn this arrogant young master into her loyal dog.
However, after trying several times just now—feigning falls, reaching out—and failing to even touch Shen Anyu's clothes due to his inhuman agility, she was starting to despair.
This time, her thoughts were exposed by Shen Anyu before she could even act. He saw right through her.
Zheng Qingqing quickly defended herself, batting her eyelashes innocently:
"How could that be, classmate? I know you have a cleanliness fetish. I respect boundaries! I just didn't want others to hear our secret plan."
She still thought that Shen Anyu saying he wouldn't touch "unclean things" was because he had a severe mysophobia (cleanliness fetish), not because he knew she was a "public bus." She didn't think she was dirty; she thought she was a prize.
In reality, even if Zheng Qingqing wanted to take the opportunity to stick to him, it would be impossible.
Shen Anyu's current cultivation is that of a [Martial Dao Great Grandmaster]. His reaction speed is measured in milliseconds. He also possesses [Divine-grade Perception] which alerts him to intent.
She, a mere weakling with a System but no combat skills, couldn't even dream of touching him unless he allowed it.
Subsequently, Zheng Qingqing explained her idea in a hushed whisper.
"I'll ask him to help me back to the dorm. I'll make him think he has a chance. Then, when we get there... I'll humiliate him. I'll make him do something embarrassing and record it. Or I'll get him in trouble with the dorm manager. How about that?"
Shen Anyu's expression was peculiar. It was a vicious plan for a girl to have against a boy who just wanted to help her. But it suited a "Villainess System" user.
Under Zheng Qingqing's expectant gaze, he nodded lightly and said:
"Then let's do as you say. Go play with him."
Shen Anyu was happy to see Zheng Qingqing, the Daughter of Destiny who only thought of conquering men, strike down Xu Ping'an, the Child of Destiny who only thought of collecting women.
Dog bites dog. It was the best kind of show.
It could also be considered making good use of waste, squeezing the value dry before Zheng Qingqing died (or lost her system).
And...
Shen Anyu's eyes deepened with a dark amusement.
Zheng Qingqing still didn't know that Xu Ping'an was not an easy target to deal with. He wasn't just a simp; he was a Child of Destiny with a [Damage Reflection Aura].
Zheng Qingqing wanted to strike down Xu Ping'an to please Shen Anyu, but she didn't know that she was about to suffer a great loss! Physical or mental, the backlash would be severe.
...
[Ding! Child of Destiny Xu Ping'an is envious and jealous! Plundering +9999 Destiny Value!]
[Location: Modu University Gymnasium - Bleachers]
"Damn it! Damn it!"
"How does Shen Anyu, this pretty boy, have such good luck with women? Is he using black magic?"
Xu Ping'an watched Shen Anyu and Zheng Qingqing whispering together from behind a pillar. His eyes were red with jealousy, his teeth grinding together.
He returned to Modu University today to pick up some things from his old dorm and unexpectedly ran into Zheng Qingqing on campus. It was love at first sight (again).
He didn't even bother with his money-making venture or exposing Shen Anyu's true colors to his sister. He eagerly followed Zheng Qingqing to the gymnasium like a lost puppy.
But he didn't expect that Zheng Qingqing would be disdainful and cold towards him—slapping his hand away!—yet so warm and intimate towards Shen Anyu.
"Look at her... she's smiling so sweetly at him. She's whispering in his ear!"
This made Xu Ping'an's heart sour, like eating a crate of unripe lemons.
Su Hongmian (Fiancée), Jiang Linlin (School Beauty), Liu Mi (Sexy Senior), Xu Ruoshui (Sister/CEO)...
Xu Ping'an listed the women close to Shen Anyu in his mind. Especially since one of them was his most important older sister, Xu Ruoshui.
And now this new goddess, Zheng Qingqing?
His heart exploded with jealousy and a sense of cosmic unfairness.
"No! I won't let him trick another one!"
"I must take a picture and send it to Xu Ruoshui! I'll show her that her 'boyfriend' is flirting with other girls!"
Xu Ping'an felt that his older sister, Xu Ruoshui, hadn't fallen as deeply as Su Hongmian or Liu Mi yet (he was in denial about the kiss). As long as Shen Anyu's philandering true colors were exposed with proof, Sister Ruoshui would definitely break up with Shen Anyu.
He fumbled for his phone.
"Eh? Why did Shen Anyu leave?"
Just as Xu Ping'an took out his phone, ready to take a picture, he found that Shen Anyu had directly turned and walked out of the gymnasium, leaving Zheng Qingqing alone.
"He rejected her? Or did he just leave her hanging?"
Zheng Qingqing was still there, looking a bit disappointed but resolute.
What surprised Xu Ping'an even more was that Zheng Qingqing actually turned and walked towards him. She spotted him hiding behind the pillar.
"Xu Ping'an."
She called out.
"My foot still hurts a bit. You said you would help me? Please help me back to the dorm to rest."
Zheng Qingqing didn't show the eagerness or sweetness she had in front of Shen Anyu. Her expression was cold, almost arrogant, and she spoke to Xu Ping'an imperiously, like a queen commanding a servant.
But to Xu Ping'an, this was angel music.
He was excited and hastily agreed, nodding like a bobblehead eagerly:
"Okay! Okay, Qingqing! I'll help you right away! I'll send you back to your dorm safely!"
At this moment, Xu Ping'an didn't care about Zheng Qingqing's coldness or imperiousness at all. He didn't care that she was clearly using him as a backup tire.
He only felt as if a pie had fallen from the sky.
In Xu Ping'an's view: 'Zheng Qingqing must have hit a wall with Shen Anyu. She realized he is arrogant and cold. So she came to me! She realized my kindness!'
When one is in a bad mood, their temper is inevitably a bit cold. He could forgive that.
Although, to some extent, this was a small 'takeover,' accepting something Shen Anyu didn't want... Xu Ping'an didn't mind picking up the scraps if the scraps were this beautiful.
Xu Ping'an was cheerful. He walked up to her, offering his arm.
He looked at the charming Zheng Qingqing beside him. He held Zheng Qingqing's soft arm to support her. Even through her clothes, he could feel the warmth and softness of her skin.
His heart was filled with satisfaction. 'I am holding the goddess!'
Especially when he scanned the envious and jealous gazes of the other male students in the gymnasium who were watching them leave together.
'Look at me! I am the winner!'
Xu Ping'an felt even more smug. Such good fortune was not something others could enjoy.
...
[Location: Girls' Dormitory Building]
Soon, Xu Ping'an escorted Zheng Qingqing to the front of the girls' dormitory building.
He stopped at the gate, looking at Zheng Qingqing with reluctance.
"Qingqing, here we are."
Due to school regulations, boys were not allowed to enter the girls' dormitory building past the lobby. So he could only stop there.
Zheng Qingqing frowned. She looked at the stairs.
She scolded him irritably, her voice sharp:
"What are you doing stopping here? My foot still hurts! It's throbbing!"
"And there's no elevator in this old dorm building. I live on the fourth floor. How am I supposed to go up alone? Hop?"
"Help me up! Carry me if you have to!"
Xu Ping'an showed hesitation. "But... the rules..."
If he were caught by the dorm manager (a fierce middle-aged woman known as the 'Dorm Auntie'), he would be criticized severely at best, and given a demerit or warning at worst. It could affect his graduation (if he hadn't already dropped out mentally).
"Hmph! Coward!"
Zheng Qingqing snorted coldly. She let go of his arm and pretended to have twisted her ankle again, wincing in pain.
"If you're not going to help me, then forget it! Don't come near me again! I'll find a real man to help me!"
She started limping towards the girls' dorm entrance alone, looking pathetic.
"Qingqing! Wait!"
Xu Ping'an's expression changed. Panic set in.
It was hard to get this opportunity to greatly increase Zheng Qingqing's favorability. He couldn't lose it now. He didn't want to make Zheng Qingqing completely dislike him because of a stupid rule.
Anyway, wasn't it just a criticism or a demerit warning? Who cared? He was going to be a billionaire anyway!
If breaking a rule could win the beauty's heart, it would be a huge profit!
Besides, he might not even get caught. Many girls' boyfriends secretly snuck into the girls' dorms, and some even stayed overnight. It was an open secret.
"I'll help! I'll help, okay? Don't be angry!"
Xu Ping'an was cheerful and full of anticipation again. He rushed forward and supported her.
He helped Zheng Qingqing into the girls' dormitory building, sneaking past the front desk while the manager was distracted.
He escorted her up the stairs, smelling the fragrance of her hair all the way to the fourth floor.
They arrived in front of Zheng Qingqing's dorm room.
The girls' dormitory building where Zheng Qingqing lived was the "International Student / VIP" dorm. It was shared with foreign students and rich kids. It had fewer people and better conditions—single rooms or doubles with private baths.
Ordinary people without connections couldn't get in, but for someone with a family background like Zheng Qingqing (and System money), it wasn't difficult.
At this time, there was no one else in the hallway. It was quiet.
Zheng Qingqing opened the door. Her dorm room was empty (she had a single room). Voices could be heard faintly from the adjacent dorm, but otherwise, it was private.
Xu Ping'an helped her to the bed.
He wanted to stay and sit for a while, to deepen their bond. But he felt that Zheng Qingqing would definitely not agree to a boy staying in her room, and he didn't want to ruin the hard-won good impression by being pushy.
So he prepared to say goodbye and leave like a gentleman.
"Qingqing, rest well. I'll go now."
Zheng Qingqing's eyes darted around. A cunning light flashed in them.
She smiled. It was a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Wait, Xu Ping'an."
She called out softly.
"You've been helping me walk for so long. You carried my bag. You must be tired and thirsty."
She pointed to the desk where a pitcher of water sat.
"Come in and have a drink of water before you go. Close the door."
Xu Ping'an was instantly overjoyed. His heart hammered against his ribs.
Come in? Close the door? Drink water?
Was this... a hint?
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