Chapter 378: Sending a Girl to Your Door!
Ji Meilan was ambitious. She had long heard that the Young Master Shen of the Yanxia Shen Family was not only from an illustrious background but also exceptionally handsome. It was a pity that during the last Jiangjing Manor banquet, she was abroad attending a film festival and couldn't make it back in time.
This time, perhaps misfortune could turn into a blessing. If she could become Young Master Shen's woman and the mistress of Jiangjing Manor, then the immense wealth, a hundred times greater than the Ji Family's, would be hers. She would become a woman like a crown princess.
Ji Meilan was extremely confident in her charm. Although in terms of delicate features she was not as good as Zhong Lingyin, another top actress, she was more alluring, a woman who could ignite a man's passion.
Hearing Ji Meilan's words, Ji Jia Cheng, the Ji Family Head, and Gao Dan, the head's wife, were both greatly moved and praised her repeatedly. If this matter truly succeeded, the Ji Family would prosper. The Lu Family and Qian Family of the Demon City would be incomparable to the Ji Family.
However, the Ji Family, engrossed in their wishful thinking, did not notice the hint of mockery and coldness that flashed in the eyes of the plain-looking female assistant with black-rimmed glasses behind Ji Meilan...
Afterwards, Ji Jia Cheng and Ji Meilan, pushing Ji Ba Duan, who was in a wheelchair after initial medical treatment, rushed to Jiangjing Manor, followed by bodyguards and assistants carrying numerous gifts of apology.
Looking at the understatedly luxurious Jiangjing Manor, which resembled a prince's residence, Ji Meilan was ambitious:
"This Jiangjing Manor is the top luxury residence in the Demon City, located in the city center, covering eight thousand square meters, valued at over two billion. Its predecessor was a renovated prince's residence. I will definitely become the future mistress of Jiangjing Manor."
Ji Jia Cheng's face was no longer gloomy; he repeatedly praised her and offered all assistance, as long as it could help his daughter.
Ji Ba Duan, sitting in the wheelchair nearby, rolled his eyes, speechless.
What kind of situation was this?
He had only flirted with Zhong Lingyin a couple of times and ended up with two broken legs. As soon as he woke up from the excruciating pain of the bone-setting procedure, he was hastily placed in a wheelchair and pushed to Jiangjing Manor to apologize like a criminal awaiting sentencing.
And his sister, Ji Meilan, who was always incredibly proud and looked down on everyone, was even going to actively offer herself to seduce Young Master Shen.
However, Ji Ba Duan considered that if his sister Ji Meilan managed to seduce Young Master Shen, he would also rise with her, soaring directly. He imagined himself bullying others under the Shen Family's banner, which made him feel delighted despite the throbbing pain in his shins.
'The Ji Family is truly shameless.'
The female assistant with black-rimmed glasses watched this scene with cold eyes, full of sarcasm. She stood slightly apart from the main group, holding a heavy stack of documents, her posture unassuming yet oddly steady. Beneath the thick lenses, a sharp, predatory glint flickered for a nanosecond before disappearing into the dull gaze of a servant.
They waited at the entrance for a long time.
The afternoon sun in Shanghai was unforgiving. Heat radiated from the asphalt, distorting the air around the golden gates of the manor. Sweat began to trickle down Ji Jia Cheng's back, soaking his expensive Italian suit. Ji Meilan fanned herself with a delicate hand, trying to maintain her exquisite makeup, but the humidity was a relentless enemy.
Since they were there to apologize, they didn't dare go inside to wait. This was the hierarchy of power. The Shen Family was the sky; the Ji Family was merely a cloud floating beneath it. Without Shen Anyu's word, the butler wouldn't let them in, and they wouldn't dare to complain.
After waiting for a short while, the low hum of powerful engines vibrated through the ground.
A motorcade slowly approached from the private road.
"Young Master Shen is here!"
Seeing the luxurious motorcade—a phalanx of bulletproof SUVs flanking a sleek, majestic vehicle—Ji Jia Cheng, Ji Meilan, and the others were all invigorated. They straightened their backs, wiping away sweat, putting on their most humble and ingratiating smiles.
Shen Anyu was not surprised to see Ji Jia Cheng, Ji Meilan, and the others. On one hand, the butler had already reported to him; on the other hand, Shen Anyu was cautious and had set up [Nanometer Monitoring Robots] inside and outside Jiangjing Manor, so not even a fly could hide from him.
As the convoy stopped, the heavy doors opened.
Ji Jia Cheng, one of the top ten wealthiest men in the Demon City, stepped forward and bowed deeply, his posture so low his nose almost touched his knees.
"Young Master Shen, my unruly son offended you today. I, Ji Jia Cheng, specifically came to apologize."
Ji Ba Duan, sitting in the wheelchair, also apologized respectfully, his voice trembling slightly. He didn't dare to look Shen Anyu in the eye, terrified that the other leg—his "third leg"—might be next.
Then, it was her turn.
Ji Meilan stepped forward. She had prepared for this moment. She wore a dress that was cut conservatively enough for an apology but daring enough to showcase her assets.
She bent at the waist, a calculated movement practiced in front of a mirror a hundred times. The neckline of her dress dipped, revealing a generous glimpse of snowy white skin and a deep, alluring cleavage.
"Young Master Shen..."
Her voice was husky, dripping with honey and suggestion. Her charming, watery eyes seemed to send an electric current towards Shen Anyu's handsome face.
She thought that this Young Master Shen was even more handsome than rumored. His skin was flawless like jade, his eyes deep as the abyss, and his aura... it was the aura of a ruler. Her enthusiasm grew from mere ambition to genuine lust.
"Meilan apologizes for her brother Ji Ba Duan. Please forgive him, Young Master Shen."
Shen Anyu looked at Ji Meilan for a couple more glances.
Don't misunderstand, Young Master Shen looked at Ji Meilan a couple more times not because she was fair-skinned, or because of the tantalizing view she was offering him on a silver platter.
He was looking for a notification.
His gaze was clinical, stripping away the flesh and looking at the "Value" beneath.
One second. Two seconds. Three seconds.
The air was heavy with anticipation. Ji Meilan held her breath, thinking he was mesmerized by her beauty.
However...
Shen Anyu still didn't receive a favorability prompt.
[System Notification: None.]
Shen Anyu felt a bit disappointed. It seemed that Ji Meilan was not a Destined Heroine.
Otherwise, with this attitude of practically throwing herself at him—offering herself up to be devoured—how could there be no favorability prompt?
Of course, the fact that Ji Meilan could be mistaken by Shen Anyu for a Destined Heroine was enough to prove her charm and beauty; she was a genuine, first-rate beauty. Her skin was tight, her curves explosive, and her face had that fox-like allure that drove men crazy.
However, since she wasn't a Destined Heroine, Shen Anyu's interest greatly diminished.
To a Villain with a System, women were divided into two categories: "Point Generators" and "Vases." Ji Meilan was just a vase. Pretty, but ultimately useless for his cultivation. She wasn't worth going out of his way to pursue.
Though, if she actively came to him... Shen Anyu wouldn't refuse a free meal. He wasn't a monk.
Ji Meilan noticed Shen Anyu withdrawing his gaze. The indifference in his eyes was like a bucket of ice water dumped over her head.
She was immediately stunned.
'What? He... he looked away?'
Had she lost her charm? Other men usually had their eyes practically falling out when they looked at her. Directors, producers, young masters—they all drooled like dogs. But Young Master Shen only looked twice and then turned away as if she were a piece of furniture?
Just then, the rear car window rolled down.
A face of unparalleled beauty appeared. Pure, elegant, and radiating the aura of a true queen.
Zhong Lingyin smiled at Ji Meilan. It was a polite smile, but the warning behind it was sharper than a knife.
"Ji Meilan, Shen Anyu has a girlfriend. Don't even think about him."
"Zhong Lingyin!"
Ji Meilan saw Zhong Lingyin and immediately misunderstood, her jealousy soaring like a wildfire.
She and Zhong Lingyin were both top actresses in Yanxia. They fought for endorsements, for scripts, for awards. But Zhong Lingyin's fame always surpassed hers. Zhong Lingyin was the "National Goddess," pure and flawless. Ji Meilan was the "Sexy Siren," always playing the seductress.
In others' eyes, Zhong Lingyin was a Heavenly Immortal sister, while she was a vixen.
Ji Meilan naturally disliked Zhong Lingyin. She hated her.
But now? Now that Zhong Lingyin had managed to get involved with Young Master Shen, the gap between them would become an abyss. With Young Master Shen's influence and capital backing her, Zhong Lingyin would completely leave her behind in the future. She would be untouchable.
This made Ji Meilan even more jealous and unwilling. Her nails dug into her palms.
'No! I won't lose to her! I am sexier! I am more willing to please him!'
'At worst, I'll snatch Young Master Shen away from Zhong Lingyin!'
Ji Meilan thought bitterly. She took a deep breath, pushing her chest out further. Her charming eyes rippled as she looked at Shen Anyu, changing her tactic to open solicitation.
She softly said:
"Young Master Shen, tomorrow night is my Ji Family patriarch's eightieth birthday. I wonder if we would have the honor of inviting Young Master Shen to attend? It would bring light to our humble home."
Shen Anyu looked at Ji Meilan with a half-smile. His eyes were playful, like a cat watching a mouse perform a trick.
"You're quite insatiable. I haven't even agreed to accept your Ji Family's apology and compensation, and you're already inviting me?"
Ji Meilan saw that Shen Anyu didn't seem angry. She felt a surge of hope. 'He's engaging with me! He's teasing me!'
Feeling smug about her charm, she bit her lower lip and said coquettishly:
"Young Master Shen is magnanimous. Everyone knows the Young Master has a heart as wide as the ocean. Otherwise, my brother Ji Ba Duan wouldn't have gotten off with just two broken legs. He surely wouldn't mind."
Ji Ba Duan also chuckled beside her, nodding vigorously despite the pain.
"Yes, yes, my sister is right. Young Master Shen is broad-minded. I deserved it! I deserved it!"
Shen Anyu chuckled softly.
He didn't care about their flattery. He adjusted his posture slightly.
On his lap, a beautiful blonde girl was sleeping soundly.
Susan.
The fierce fighter who had just battled alongside him was now curled up like a kitten. Her golden hair fanned out over his dark trousers. Her long eyelashes fluttered slightly with her breathing. She looked incredibly vulnerable and soft.
Although Susan was powerful—a genetic warrior capable of tearing steel—her mindset was still that of a little girl. After several intense battles and the emotional rollercoaster of meeting her "Big Brother," she was exhausted. She had fallen asleep leaning against Shen Anyu as soon as they got into the comfortable, air-conditioned car.
Shen Anyu's hand rested gently on her shoulder, his thumb rubbing the fabric of her dress in a soothing rhythm. This intimacy, this casual possession, was a silent declaration of his status.
His gaze calmly swept over the Ji Family one last time. Boring. Predictable.
"I accept your apology," Shen Anyu said indifferently. "As for attending the birthday banquet, I'm not available. I have important matters to attend to."
Saying this, Shen Anyu raised his chin, signaling the driver to continue. He prepared to close the window.
The motorcade engine revved, ready to continue into Jiangjing Manor.
Watching Shen Anyu's handsome profile disappear behind the rising glass, Ji Meilan was extremely unwilling. Despair clawed at her throat. She felt that if only she were given a chance—just one night, just one hour—she would let Young Master Shen know how good she was. She could serve him better than that pure Zhong Lingyin ever could.
But Young Master Shen didn't even give her a chance to get close.
Just then.
Shen Anyu's gaze inadvertently swept past Ji Meilan and landed on the plain-looking female assistant standing in the shadows behind the wheelchair.
His [Void Breaking Divine Eye] activated instinctively.
Buzz.
Information flooded his retina.
Shen Anyu suddenly froze. His eyes widened slightly. He turned his head, looking at the Ji Family—specifically at that "background character"—with surprise.
He thought for a moment, a slow, predatory smile forming on his lips.
"Stop."
The window stopped rising.
Shen Anyu looked at them and said:
"Let me think. Tomorrow night, I might be free and can go to the Ji Family's birthday banquet to take a look."
Ji Meilan, Ji Jia Cheng, Ji Ba Duan, and the others were overjoyed at these words. They looked as if they had won the lottery, bowing and scraping in gratitude.
And a peculiar glint flashed in Shen Anyu's eyes...
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