Lu Junyue and Ji Yanli had just returned one after another.
They noticed Shen Zhiyi’s complexion didn’t look well in her seat.
“Zhiyi, are you feeling unwell? Should I take you back to rest first?”
Ji Yanli took a few steps forward but was blocked – by Lu Junyue, whose face was cold.
Shen Yanyan held a wine glass, her tone mocking.
“Brother Yanli, sister is the star of tonight’s event. She can’t leave.”
At these words, both Lu Junyue and Ji Yanli simultaneously furrowed their brows, their gazes falling upon Shen Zhiyi.
Five minutes earlier.
Shen Zhiyi had received a system notification.
【Ji Yanli’s Heartbeat Value +15, Total: 75. Host darling, 75 Heartbeat Value! Ji Yanli must have been tossing and turning recently, realizing he’s fallen in love with you】
Shen Zhiyi: 【What’s the damn use. The original owner who truly loved him is already gone】
Thinking of the original owner, a heart-wrenching ache surged in her chest.
According to the novel, the original owner wasn’t supposed to die for another two months. Yet she had died prematurely.
The system said it might be a bug.
But only she knew it wasn’t a bug.
“I’m too tired. Since gaining consciousness, I’ve never been happy. I struggled to survive just waiting for the day when my abusive father, biased mother, and unloving younger brother would finally see me, love me.”
“But I waited for so many years, until I was nearly dead… I never reached that day, nor did I get Ji Yanli.”
These were the words the original owner’s residual consciousness had spoken to Shen Zhiyi when she transmigrated into this body.
The original owner had awakened, realizing she was the protagonist in an Abusive Novel, tortured physically and mentally by the author.
After her death, her lover would feel heartbroken regret, her family would weep in remorse –
This became the final straw that broke the camel’s back.
The original owner never imagined that the over twenty years of torment and abuse she endured were merely the author’s design.
Unwilling to become part of this plot, she swallowed pills to end her life.
Before her consciousness completely faded, she spoke her final words to Shen Zhiyi.
“Don’t forgive them! Including Ji Yanli, don’t forgive him, don’t love him.”
“If possible, please take revenge for me.”
Shen Zhiyi’s response to the original owner was: 【The suffering you endured, I will repay a thousandfold for you.】
Forgive? She would personally send those people to hell!
“Not feeling well?” Lu Junyue also noticed Shen Zhiyi’s complexion and reached out to check her forehead temperature.
Shen Zhiyi leaned back to avoid his touch.
Her voice was obedient and sweet, but her words were cold.
“Lu Junyue, tonight’s business dinner – I’m the main course, right?”
Before returning to the private room, Shen Yanyan had blocked her at the door, saying Charlie had seen her once at Ji Corporation and was very interested in her.
Shen Yanyan also said, “Lu Junyue is determined to secure this cooperation. I heard Charlie was originally hesitating between Lu Corporation and Ji Corporation, but just now, Charlie suddenly decided to cooperate with Lu Corporation. Shen Zhiyi, what do you think is the reason?”
Lu Junyue didn’t need to think to know where this nonsense originated.
In any circle, there were plenty who used women as bargaining chips. But he, Lu Junyue, disdained such practices.
“I warned you long ago, staying by my side means certain death. It’s still not too late to run…”
Before he could finish, Shen Zhiyi suddenly stood up.
Then.
The automatically rotating dining table was overturned with one forceful push.
Porcelain bowls and food soup scattered across the floor.
At the table, Ji Yanli, Shen Yanyan, and Charlie were all splattered with food, becoming drenched in sauce.
Lu Junyue watched quietly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
She liked to pretend to be well-behaved, but he preferred her true self—cunning, unruly, and at this moment, like a bristling kitten.
“Lu Junyue…”
Shen Zhiyi’s eyes were red, as if she had endured endless grievances, and her trembling lips were pale.
Her pitiable appearance could evoke a sliver of compassion even from the cold-blooded, ruthless Living Yama, Lu Junyue.
She only softly called his name, saying nothing more, and stumbled out of the private room, knocking over a chair in her haste.
Her deeply distressed state was truly heartbreaking.
“Zhiyi!” Ji Yanli wanted to chase after her, but someone grabbed his arm.
“Brother Yanli, I feel so dizzy.””
Frowning, he glanced back at Shen Yanyan and inexplicably recalled Shen Zhiyi’s words, feeling a wave of disgust.
“If you’re dizzy, see a doctor. I can’t help you.”
Ji Yanli shook off her hand.
Shen Yanyan stared blankly at the man’s retreating figure.
This was the first time Ji Yanli had abandoned her to go after Shen Zhiyi.
Shen Yanyan grabbed her purse to follow, but was stopped by bodyguards at the door.
“What is the meaning of this, President Lu?”
“Nothing much, just a simple desire to smash your mouth.”
Lu Junyue toyed with the teacup in his hand as if discussing a trivial matter.
The bodyguards, following his order, began slapping Shen Yanyan’s face repeatedly from both sides.
Boom—
A clap of thunder echoed, followed by a downpour.
Behind them, the sounds of slaps and Shen Yanyan’s screams continued unabated.
Charlie was too terrified to speak, burying his head and noticing a shoe print still visible on his leather shoes.
He recalled the heart-stopping events from just over ten minutes ago.
He had indeed harbored ill intentions toward Shen Zhiyi, suggesting that if the Lu Corporation wanted to collaborate, they should send Shen Zhiyi to his room.
Before he could finish speaking, Lu Junyue stepped on his foot and pressed a gun to his forehead.
“Dare to lay a hand on her? Aren’t you afraid your corpse will remain in the capital?”
Charlie was nearly scared out of his wits.
He had heard rumors that Lu Junyue, the Living Yama of the capital, was a madman. Initially, he thought the rumors were exaggerated, but it turned out they fell short of the truth.
Lu Junyue’s fingers tightened around the cup as he kept recalling Shen Zhiyi’s reddened eyes.
“Tell me, was she acting?”
Charlie looked around—no one else was there.
So, the question was directed at him?
“President Lu, based on my extensive experience with women, Miss Shen didn’t seem to be acting. It looked more like her sincere affection had been crushed, leaving her hurt and in pain.”
“…”
Sincere affection?
Lu Junyue inexplicably remembered this morning, when she had wrapped her arms around his neck and earnestly declared her love for him.
The Lu Residence.
“Little Zhiyi is home!” Grandma Lu beamed like a flower, but her face fell instantly when she saw Lu Junyue at the door.
She looked behind him but saw no sign of Shen Zhiyi.
“Brat, why are you alone? Where’s my little Zhiyi?”
“She ran off.”
Lu Junyue replied indifferently.
“Ran off?!” Grandma Lu immediately picked up an umbrella to head out.
“Grandma.” Lu Junyue held her back, his eyes filled with confusion. “Why do you like her so much?”
“If you prefer someone well-behaved, I can find someone even more obedient to keep you company.”
“I only want little Zhiyi.”
“Why does it have to be her?”
“Because she’s the only one who can wear you out in bed and still keep you in check!”
Grandma Lu shouted loudly, startling Old Butler and the servants nearby, who quickly pretended to be busy mopping the floor and dusting the cabinets.
People always find themselves incredibly busy when feeling awkward.
“Can’t talk anymore, it’s already 11 PM. I need to hurry and find little Zhiyi.”
Grandma Lu grabbed her umbrella and was about to step into the rain.
Lu Junyue had no choice but to take the umbrella from the old lady’s hand.
“I’ll go look for her. You should go back and rest…”
“Great!”
The door slammed shut quickly, as if afraid he might change his mind.
Lu Junyue: “…”
Well, maybe he should go get a paternity test with the old lady next time.
Lu Junyue prepared to call Shen Zhiyi.
Only when he picked up his phone did he remember – he hadn’t saved her number.
Meanwhile.
In a seven-star hotel suite.
Shen Zhiyi lay in the bathtub, comfortably soaking in a rose-scented bath, wearing a facial mask, sipping red wine, utterly content and relaxed.
Outside, thunder and rain raged, while the bathroom was filled with the sound of piano accompaniment.
System: [Host baby, Ji Yanli and Lu Junyue are braving the heavy rain searching high and low for you!]