The Abusive Novel System Pleads with Me to Resign-Chapter 115

Xing Jiale felt a shiver run down his spine at those words, his heart skipping a beat—yet at the same time, an odd sense of satisfaction surged within him. The satisfaction of having played those three idiots, who had driven his blood pressure to dangerous levels, for fools.

Still, he couldn’t help but put up a tough front. "Get this straight," he said. "I’m only keeping things under control for the bigger picture. I don’t want those guys making a scene, so I’m covering for you. That’s all."

"Instead of being grateful, you think you’ve got leverage over me? If you really want to go nuclear, then go ahead—call them and expose me."

"Tell them Xing Jiale just lied, that you and your friends were actually throwing money around to lure those three pretty boys into humiliating themselves."

"Sure, I’ll take the heat from those morons, but you’re the one who took all that cash and stirred up trouble. You think their parents will let that slide?"

Shen Ying shrugged. "Even if they don’t, they’ll only go after Zhong Chen and the others. They wouldn’t dare touch me so easily. Don’t you think?"

Xing Jiale suddenly remembered how she had swindled those billions—it wasn’t just about the breakup deal. A big part of it was how she’d salvaged losses far exceeding five billion.

Because of that, the parents of those three families could never just act like high-and-mighty buyers in front of Shen Ying.

The realization made Xing Jiale’s expression twist with frustration.

Seeing Shen Ying turn to leave, he quickly blocked her path. "Where are you going? Back to that room to play your little plate-swapping game?"

Shen Ying replied matter-of-factly, "I’ve got money and people now—of course I’m going to enjoy myself. Since you’ve figured out the situation, stay out of it."

Though Xing Jiale wanted no part of it, he still had some sense of duty left.

He planted himself in front of her. "As long as I’m standing here, you’re not going back there."

"Do whatever you want, but this is my line. No crossing it."

Shen Ying’s gaze swept over him. His shirt was still slightly damp, and as one of the male leads, his overwhelming good looks were impossible to ignore.

She said, "Well, I’m determined to see someone on that swing today. If you won’t let me watch others, then you’ll have to do it yourself."

Xing Jiale recoiled as if burned, his face flushing red.

After a long pause, he pointed at her in disbelief. "Have you had your eye on me this whole time?"

Xing Jiale had assumed she couldn’t possibly be interested in him. By now, they knew each other inside out—every flaw, every ugly truth laid bare. She hadn’t bothered hiding her ruthlessness around him, never putting on an act. If she’d seen him as a target, she wouldn’t have been so blunt.

But after staring her down, he realized she hadn’t denied it.

Xing Jiale was stunned. By the time he was pulled into an empty room, he still hadn’t processed what was happening.

When Monday came and he returned to school, Xing Jiale remained lost in a daze over how things had spiraled.

How had it come to this? Where did she get the confidence? How could she even consider such a thing? And what kind of absurd approach was this?

Still distracted, he walked into the classroom—only to be immediately slung an arm around his neck.

Gong Zhaoxi’s voice sounded in his ear. "You dumbass, what are you doing in Class A? Forget you’re in Class C now?"

Zhong Chen walked over. "Shut up. Jiale’s obviously here to report on what happened over the weekend."

"Unlike a traitor who bailed on his duty, Jiale’s reliable—and actually has our backs."

Xing Jiale was then asked, "Got any plans for the weekend?"

"Didn’t pick up my call yesterday either. Your family said you locked yourself in your room all day—what happened?"

Xing Jiale casually made up an excuse, "Just a bit of a cold, didn’t feel well."

Gong Zhaoxi nodded knowingly, "Figures. This guy probably caught a chill from taking those wet-shirt photos to show off."

He patted Xing Jiale’s chest and teased, "Who’s the one always lecturing us? Turns out you’re no better—wait, what?"

As he spoke, Gong Zhaoxi caught a glimpse of Xing Jiale’s neck.

He tugged the collar aside and confirmed it wasn’t a trick of the eye—there was a distinct red mark near his collarbone.

Xing Jiale startled, swatting Gong Zhaoxi’s hand away before hastily buttoning his shirt up to the top and straightening his tie.

Gong Zhaoxi pointed at the spot. "What the hell is that?"

Panic surged inside Xing Jiale, but he kept his composure, confident his intellect outshone these three love-struck idiots.

"What do you think? The swing ropes weren’t sturdy. Someone had to test them first to avoid accidents. Turns out they really weren’t safe."

He met Gong Zhaoxi’s gaze, eyes faintly hinting at grievance. "See? Left me with a nasty mark."

Zhong Chen exhaled in relief. "Good thing you checked. If it had been her—"

Xing Jiale immediately bristled. "Why the hell is it fine for me but not for her?"

Zhong Chen realized how that sounded and winced, but Xiao Yun and Gong Zhaoxi quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

Xiao Yun: "Zhong Chen didn’t mean it like that. We just assumed, given your history with her, you’d stay indifferent."

"Didn’t expect you to be so chivalrous, worrying about the girls’ safety."

Gong Zhaoxi grinned. "Yeah, that’s my bro—always the bigger man."

Then, with a mischievous smirk, he deflected, "Though that mark’s in a real awkward spot. People might think you got, y’know… violated."

Xing Jiale’s eyes gleamed with anticipation. "What if I really was violated by her?"

Gong Zhaoxi waved it off, laughing. "No way. I know her—she’s too proud for that."

"You’ve been nothing but cold to her. She’d never give you the time of day."

Xing Jiale pressed, "So sure, huh? What if?"

Zhong Chen cut in, "Even if there was a ‘what if,’ you must’ve done something to provoke it."

He fixed Xing Jiale with a stare. "You didn’t take those wet-shirt pics in front of her yesterday, did you?"

Xing Jiale scoffed. "What if I did?"

Zhong Chen’s gaze darkened. "You’re the only brother I trust. If even you betray me, I can’t promise what I’d do."

Fueled by the humiliation he’d endured, Xing Jiale taunted, "Oh? Do tell."

Before Zhong Chen could respond, Xing Jiale clamped a hand over his mouth.

Having grown up together, the four knew each other’s secrets—many of which would be social suicide if exposed now.

Xing Jiale’s face twisted in outrage. "You mother—are you even human?"

"You three tear each other apart but still follow the ‘bro code.’ Why’s it ‘scorched earth’ when it’s me?"

Gong Zhaoxi shrugged. "Don’t blame me for the tough love. Just got trust issues after being burned too many times."

Xing Jiale nearly punched him. "Says the guy who—"

Gong Zhaoxi said, "Of course. Precisely because I poached those two, I don’t want any brothers poaching me."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Zhong Chen and Xiao Yun pinned him down.

Xing Jiale watched the three of them tangled in chaos, feeling nothing but bitterness in his heart.

He returned to Class C and saw Shen Ying already seated at her desk. When she noticed him approaching, she flashed him a carefree smile as if nothing had happened, then lowered her head to play mobile mahjong.

A flicker of embarrassment and a blush flashed across Xing Jiale’s face, followed by a surge of irritation at his own momentary vulnerability.

He immediately straightened his posture and returned to his seat with an air of arrogance.

Yet, as the day wore on, Xing Jiale found himself unconsciously glancing at Shen Ying more and more often.

The side of his body closest to her grew warm the moment he realized she was sitting beside him.

His gaze kept drifting to her face, searching for any hint of remorse, unease, or shame over what had happened the night before.

But there was nothing. She showed no reaction at all—utterly indifferent to him, the victim.

This left Xing Jiale with a tangled mess of emotions—frustration, anger, relief, and even a trace of unwillingness.

By the time noon arrived, his thoughts were a chaotic stew of conflicting feelings.

At lunch, the two of them headed to the cafeteria. Shen Ying, who usually enjoyed the exclusive service of the second-floor chefs even while sitting on the first floor, suddenly lost interest in the private chef’s refined dishes today.

Instead, she went to the subsidized window for scholarship students and bought a plate of spaghetti.

The perfectly separated strands of pasta were generously coated in rich tomato sauce, the noodles tender yet firm.

Shen Ying twirled a forkful of spaghetti, watching as the strands coiled obediently around the tines—

Just ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‍like the red ropes that had wound around her fingers in loops that night.

Xing Jiale abruptly stood up, his face burning. "You—"

Before he could finish, he bumped into someone behind him. Turning around, he saw Zhong Chen and his two idiots approaching under the pretense of "greeting a friend."

Noticing Shen Ying eating plain spaghetti, Zhong Chen frowned. "Why are you eating this?"

Then he turned to Xing Jiale. "By the way, I’ve been wanting to learn handcrafting lately, but I need an assistant. How about coming to my place after school to help?"

Xing Jiale knew full well that the so-called "handcrafting tools" weren’t delicate yarn but ropes as thick as fingers.

He couldn’t believe this woman had the audacity to bully him right in front of them.

Flustered and furious, he snapped, "Go play by yourself! Who wants to help you?"

The other three weren’t thrilled about her bringing someone home either, but then Shen Ying said, "Speaking of which, you guys haven’t visited my place in a while. My parents keep mentioning it."

She glanced at Zhong Chen and Xiao Yun. "Especially you two. Mom says she’s almost forgotten what you look like."

"I’d love to take you back for a visit, but circumstances haven’t allowed it."

Zhong Chen immediately turned to Xing Jiale. "You. Go home with her today."

"We’ll video call Uncle and Aunt to say hello."

Xing Jiale refused outright. "No way! Why should I accompany her for 'crafting'? Do you even know what’s waiting for me?"

Zhong Chen waved him off impatiently. "It’s just knitting and threading flowers, isn’t it? Yeah, it’s a little embarrassing, but it’s not like anyone else will see behind closed doors."

"Fine, we swear—no one will make fun of you for it. Anyone who dares to joke about it is our enemy."

Xing Jiale was practically shoved into Shen Ying's car after school.

Once inside, Xing Jiale's eyes reddened with anger as he demanded, "What the hell do you want?"

"Let me make one thing clear—that night, I was caught off guard and fell for your tricks. But today, don’t even think about laying a finger on me."

Shen Ying replied coolly, "I was just testing the waters. Who knew your friend would be so eager to hand you over to me?"

At those words, Xing Jiale felt his heart sink into despair.