Admittedly, Yin Sangyu’s task was to redeem Xiao Muyi with “love,” but he had no intention of getting personally involved, planning to resolve his susceptibility period and retreat once the job was done.
In short, for his own sake—and incidentally to prevent the tragedy the system mentioned—he was to be a love con artist.
So, the current situation was dire, nearly unsolvable.
If he rejected Xiao Muyi’s seduction, it would be awkward. The novel’s vengeful villain might feel humiliated, turning shame into rage.
But if something actually happened with Xiao Muyi, Yin Sangyu couldn’t accept it from any angle. He was destined to marry an omega, not entangle ambiguously with others.
Yin Sangyu’s mind wrestled, but outwardly, he looked stunned, staring blankly at Xiao Muyi.
Xiao Muyi narrowed his eyes. He’d given Zhu Ling ample time to react, yet she foolishly hugged him back and froze, not just overly slow but practically walking into the tiger’s mouth.
Hardening his heart, he pressed his lips closer, feigning a kiss. Just as they were about to touch, he was finally pushed away as desired.
Yin Sangyu wasn’t pretending now, his eyes wary and uncertain, fixed on Xiao Muyi.
Xiao Muyi sneered disdainfully, then, as if provoked, grabbed Yin Sangyu’s wrist fiercely. At that moment, he truly seemed like an aggressive thug, speaking insolently, “You came with me to a place this deserted, and you’re still pretending?”
Yin Sangyu’s brow twitched at these words.
Xiao Muyi didn’t relent, roughly pinning Yin Sangyu’s wrist to the wall, closing the distance again, their breaths mingling, “Or does the noble young lady find this place too dirty?”
Yin Sangyu was both angry and amused, finally realizing what was off. He was an omega now, and Xiao Muyi wasn’t seducing him but attempting to molest him, with words begging for a punch.
Amusingly, Xiao Muyi was shorter, weaker, yet acted domineering, unaware Yin Sangyu could lift and toss him several times with one hand.
Yin Sangyu ground his teeth inwardly but couldn’t actually beat Xiao Muyi. In this emergency, he sought help internally, “System, what do I do now?”
The system, a romance-obsessed entity hoping for Yin Sangyu and Xiao Muyi to fall in love, said, [Suggest the Host counter-tease, fulfilling the villain’s needs.]
Yin Sangyu was speechless for a moment. He had principles. His eyes chilled, warning the system before acting, “I’m going to hit him.”
The system hurriedly said, [Host, you won’t lose anything.]
“Of course. I’m an alpha, he’s a beta. He’d be the one losing.”
[No, I mean, Host, have you forgotten? The villain’s setting in the novel includes a hidden ailment.]
[So, he might just be bluffing.]
Yin Sangyu paused, clarity dawning. No wonder Xiao Muyi suddenly went crazy, his persona collapsing. There was a reason.
No way an alpha would let a beta take advantage. Confident of victory, Yin Sangyu flashed Xiao Muyi a smile, climbing the pole offered, “This place is indeed dirty. Take me to your home, and I might not refuse.”
Xiao Muyi didn’t believe it, retorting with a laugh, “You’re a bit clever. Saying this to make me lower my guard so you can escape?” The source of this chapter is g.com.
“No.”
Yin Sangyu said, “I just think your eyes are beautiful, and you smell nice. Being with you isn’t a loss, since you can’t mark me anyway.”
Xiao Muyi’s eyes widened slightly, his expression dazed, like a startled kitten.
After a long moment, his grip on Yin Sangyu’s wrist slowly loosened. He stepped aside, pulling his hood to cover his face more, murmuring, “Sorry.”
Yin Sangyu rubbed his wrist, not letting Xiao Muyi off, deliberately using an innocent tone, “Why apologize? I agreed. Take me to your home.”
As expected, Xiao Muyi floundered, wondering if the nation’s omega training included odd elements. To prevent further misunderstanding, he explained, “I was just trying to scare you. I didn’t mean it.”
Yin Sangyu feigned realization, “Oh, I get it. Were you playing a game with me?”
“…Sort of.” Xiao Muyi frowned slightly, baffled at how an omega could be so unguarded.
Yin Sangyu looked thoughtful, then suddenly stepped closer to Xiao Muyi.
Xiao Muyi instinctively backed away until his back hit the cold wall, stopping. In an instant, their positions reversed from earlier.
Yin Sangyu placed his hands on either side of Xiao Muyi, leaning slightly so their noses nearly touched.
In the quiet alley, with a cluttered background and dim light, a strikingly tall woman in a white dress trapped a slightly panicked, thin youth in black before her. The scene froze, like an aged painting.
Yin Sangyu smiled, “I like this game. Should we continue the kiss?”
Xiao Muyi held his breath, his wide pupils reflecting Yin Sangyu’s clear blue eyes. An intense sense of danger surged, as if targeted by a predator.
Flustered, he turned his face to avoid the capturing gaze, silent for a moment before saying, “This game isn’t fun. Don’t play it with others.”
Yin Sangyu’s breath, laced with faint water lotus fragrance, brushed Xiao Muyi’s cheek, the atmosphere turning deeply ambiguous. He asked, “What about you? Will you play this game with others?”
“No.”
“Oh, alright then.”
Yin Sangyu stepped back, casually changing the topic, “Muyi, I’m tired from walking. Can we rest somewhere?”
“Mm.” Xiao Muyi nodded, deliberately sidestepping Yin Sangyu to lead the way.
They resumed their initial silence, with no further conversation. Even when Yin Sangyu tried new topics, they failed. Xiao Muyi reverted to his stone-like demeanor, responding with mere grunts, barely maintaining politeness.
Yin Sangyu watched Xiao Muyi’s listless figure ahead, his back screaming ‘don’t approach me’, and inwardly scoffed that the novel’s sole villain was so petty.
He’d started it, taking full advantage, thinking an “omega’s” lips were for anyone to lick?
Yin Sangyu had only countered slightly, yet Xiao Muyi ignored him, acting like a sore loser.
Against his conscience, Yin Sangyu said he had fun today and hoped to hang out with Xiao Muyi again, suggesting a farewell hug.
Xiao Muyi stayed silent, neither agreeing nor refusing, his attitude icy, as if this wasn’t their first meeting but a century-long cold war.
Unfazed, Yin Sangyu didn’t wait for consent, reaching out to pull him into a hug.
Xiao Muyi was as stiff as ever.
This time, Yin Sangyu only whispered in his ear, “Next time we meet, can you not wear the hat and glasses? I want to see your face.”
Xiao Muyi paused, nodding.
Then, standing still, he watched Yin Sangyu leave until his figure vanished in the dazzling lights before turning away.
Once out of Xiao Muyi’s sight, Yin Sangyu darted to a secluded spot, having the system teleport him back.
With a familiar blur, he was back in his room. Exhaling long, he tossed the handbag aside, removed the hat, and sprawled on the bed in a starfish pose.
Silently reviewing the day’s events, he felt he’d been too bold. Xiao Muyi’s later coldness left him unsure how to fix things.
Sighing, Yin Sangyu inwardly cursed the petty, unsporting villain again.
Looking at Xiao Muyi’s life in the novel—friendless, loveless, dying alone—it wasn’t without reason. Who could stand his personality?
With the potion’s effects lingering, Yin Sangyu couldn’t wash up yet, so he waited, feeling bored. Suddenly wanting to hear Xiao Muyi’s songs, he grabbed his phone and opened their chat.
As soon as he entered, bold black text flashed on the screen.
[You have been blocked by the other party and cannot send or view past messages.]
Yin Sangyu froze for about ten seconds.
Bolting upright, head full of question marks, he asked the system in bewilderment, “What’s going on? Why did he block me?”
The system didn’t know either, only consoling, [In the novel, the villain is moody and capricious. Please don’t be discouraged, Host.]
Pinching his phone, Yin Sangyu’s face darkened, feeling he’d been fooled by Xiao Muyi’s quiet facade. He shouldn’t have used normal logic to predict the villain’s actions. Now, he didn’t even know what misstep caused the block.
Was it really because his counter-teasing hurt Xiao Muyi’s pride?
Or, seeing his desired omega before him but hindered by his ailment, unable to act, did he cut ties for peace of mind?
Unable to find other reasons, Yin Sangyu felt this was likely.
It explained Xiao Muyi’s sudden frenzy and later coldness—his goal was to drive “Zhu Ling” away.
Days of effort ruined. The beautiful omega identity, meant to touch Xiao Muyi’s heart, died in a single day. Always pursued, Yin Sangyu had never faced such a setback, defeated so frustratingly.
While wanting to grab Xiao Muyi for a lesson, his competitive spirit flared. He refused to believe he couldn’t win him over.