บท 16: Since that's the case, let the conquest begin
Fang Qin, usually the one to share a few amusing stories at the dinner table to enliven the mood, sat in unusual silence today. She didn't speak, and no one else spoke either.
Shen Ting, with her introverted nature, never initiated conversation.
Fang Kelu mechanically ate, alternating between bites of food, her face clearly troubled.
Hong Xi had come with the intention of probing Shen Ting's motives. However, after overhearing Fang Kelu and Shen Ting's conversation outside the kitchen earlier, his curiosity seemed to wane, leaving him deep in thought, his eyes contemplative.
No one spoke, and the only sound at the table was the occasional clinking of chopsticks against bowls. What should have been a lively meal felt dull and monotonous.
Fortunately, the host didn't seem embarrassed, and the guests didn't appear to mind much either.
After the meal, Shen Ting washed the dishes in the kitchen. Fang Qin wanted to help, but Shen Ting gently persuaded her to rest instead, noticing her absent-mindedness.
Once everything was tidied up, Shen Ting returned to her room, lying on the bed and staring at the ceiling. She began plotting how to subtly probe the relationship between Fang Kelu and Hong Xi.
If the two really shared the kind of relationship she suspected, she would inform the system and abandon the conquest of Hong Xi. She just hoped the unknown punishment wouldn't be too cruel.
As she pondered these things, drowsiness overtook her, and she soon fell asleep on the bed.
She was awakened later by Fang Kelu.
In the dead of night, Fang Kelu came into Shen Ting's room, hugging her pillow. She kicked off her shoes, climbed into bed, and nudged Shen Ting to move over. Half-asleep, Shen Ting rolled to the side.
"My brother talked to me for a long time before he left. He told me to do as you suggested, and he'll take care of the rest."
Shen Ting, in the middle of yawning, froze, then let out a soft "oh."
Fang Kelu, used to Shen Ting's slow reactions, didn't mind and lay on her side. "I've already talked to my mom. I'll leave that place in no more than two months, focus on high school, and work part-time during my free time. I won't hang out with those people anymore."
Shen Ting noticed that Fang Kelu hesitated when mentioning "those people." After all, they had been together for quite some time—some feelings must have developed.
"Now that you've got this opportunity, you must seize it. Don't hesitate for even a second."
Shen Ting genuinely wished the best for Fang Kelu. Opportunities like this were rare, and if missed, they might never come again. There was no room for attachment or sentiment at this point; a clean break was necessary.
It took a long while before Fang Kelu softly responded with a quiet "mm." Shen Ting sighed inwardly. Despite Fang Kelu's carefree, unrestrained exterior, she was actually more sensitive than most people, though she didn't often express it. It only surfaced at critical moments.
Not wanting to dwell on such a heavy topic, Fang Kelu shifted the conversation to Shen Ting.
"By the way, my brother asked about you again today. Be honest, did you know him before?"
Fang Kelu's curiosity had reached its peak after being baffled by Hong Xi's cryptic actions these past few days. Since he wouldn't answer her questions, she turned to Shen Ting instead.
Shen Ting didn't expect this sudden question. Just as she was about to brush it off like she had before, she remembered her mission. Evading the question, she probed instead: "I've always been curious, why do you call Hong Xi 'brother'? What's your relationship?"
Her tone deliberately carried a hint of ambiguity. After speaking, she watched Fang Kelu's expression intently. If Fang Kelu showed even the slightest hint of embarrassment, Shen Ting would immediately abandon the conquest of Hong Xi.
In truth, deep down, Shen Ting secretly hoped there was some romantic connection between Fang Kelu and Hong Xi. Her own feelings of inferiority made her believe that pursuing Hong Xi in her current state was nothing short of a joke.
If Fang Kelu and Hong Xi were indeed involved, it would give Shen Ting a legitimate reason to back out, at least allowing her some inner peace.
In the darkness, Fang Kelu rolled her eyes dramatically and said with annoyance, "I had no idea your imagination was this wild. I could fall for anyone, but definitely not him."
Suppressing the wave of disappointment in her heart, Shen Ting asked, "Why not?"
In her eyes, despite Fang Kelu's questionable taste in fashion, she had a decent figure and attractive features. Plus, she and Hong Xi moved in the same circles—surely they were well-matched?
Fang Kelu chuckled but no longer referred to him as "brother." Instead, she called him by his name. "Hong Xi may seem easygoing, but he's warm on the outside and cold within. I haven't seen anyone truly catch his interest yet."
She continued, with a sudden note of disdain in her voice: "Besides, that man has no scruples. One woman after another, and he never seems inclined to settle down. Anyone who falls for him is just asking for pain."
... Hearing this, Hong Xi seemed even more terrifying. Even now, after knowing Fang Kelu and Hong Xi weren't romantically involved, Shen Ting still felt inclined to give up.
Someone like her—could she ever catch the eye of such a picky man?
"Hey, wait, you still haven't answered my question. Do you know Hong Xi or not?" Fang Kelu wasn't willing to let this drop, determined to get to the bottom of it tonight.
There was no harm in telling her. Shen Ting briefly recounted how she had seen Hong Xi the day they cornered someone in the alley.
Fang Kelu, finding this first encounter too plain and uneventful, skeptically asked, "That's it? Nothing else? You didn't say a single word to each other?"
Shen Ting shook her head. "He was in a hurry to catch you. Why would he speak to a stranger like me?"
Thinking about Hong Xi's intensity, Fang Kelu pressed further, "Have you run into him since?"
Shen Ting blinked, recalling their meeting at the park.
Should she mention it? It probably didn't matter. Fang Kelu was so familiar with Hong Xi—perhaps she even knew about that woman's grudge against him.
Curiosity got the better of her, and Shen Ting shared the brief encounter, focusing on the story between Hong Xi and the beautiful woman.
"Oh, her," Fang Kelu sneered. "That annoying ****. She's the mistress of a gang leader, but behind the scenes, she flirts around."
"About a month ago, she hooked up with Hong Xi. I heard she got dumped recently and tried to set him up by complaining to the boss, but he humiliated her in front of everyone. It was glorious!"
This woman, thought Shen Ting, is beyond foolish. That was her first reaction after hearing Fang Kelu's account.
A mere mistress and a trusted lieutenant—any boss with half a brain would easily choose the latter.
When a weak person clings to a powerful one yet fails to understand their mind, tragedy naturally follows.
"And now? What's she doing these days?" Shen Ting, fully awake in the middle of the night, was eager for more gossip.
Fang Kelu yawned, growing sleepy. "What else? She threw a tantrum and went back to being a lapdog."
People who are used to being submissive can't leave their masters. That woman had long grown accustomed to being spoiled and catered to, living a life of luxury. There was no way she could give up her golden ticket.
Shen Ting quietly marveled at the kinds of people she had encountered.
Suddenly feeling more talkative, she wanted Fang Kelu to share more stories. But when she looked over, Fang Kelu had already fallen asleep, a light snore escaping her.
The mental struggles of these past days had surely worn Fang Kelu down. Now that she had a solution, she could finally relax.
Shen Ting pulled part of the blanket over to cover Fang Kelu, then lay down, staring at the ceiling for a long time, making a plan.
The system had given her two months for the conquest, which coincided perfectly with the summer break. She would use this time to pursue Hong Xi. If she succeeded, great. If she failed, she would accept the punishment without complaint.
With this resigned thought, Shen Ting felt a sudden weight lift from her heart, as though she had resolved something. Feeling lighter, she pulled the blanket over herself and drifted off to sleep.
As if in celebration of Shen Ting's decision, the blue gem on her bracelet glimmered softly in the darkness.
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