The Abusive Novel System Pleads with Me to Resign-Chapter 41

That face which had haunted their dreams suddenly appeared before them.

The three men in the elevator instantly fell silent, their eyes brimming with joy and disbelief.

The person who had been abroad, refusing their company or even visits, the one they thought they wouldn’t see for who knew how long—was right there in front of them.

No words could describe the shock and delight of this moment.

"Shi—" Yu Ting was about to greet her when the woman outside the elevator lifted her head and stepped inside.

Her expression was calm and indifferent, showing no reaction upon seeing the three of them. Her gaze was cold and unfamiliar, as if they were complete strangers.

This abrupt shift made Yu Ting’s voice catch in his throat.

The woman turned to stand in front of them as soon as she entered the elevator, but fortunately, the walls were lined with crystal-clear mirrors.

The three men could observe her closely from every angle.

The resemblance was uncanny—her face, her figure, every detail was identical. If the two were placed side by side, they would look like mirror images.

Yet their auras were entirely different, which was why they quickly realized they had mistaken her for someone else.

Shi Shi radiated warmth and sunshine, her presence gentle and soothing. But this woman was different.

She seemed aloof and languid, exuding an air of indifference—nothing like the disciplined, proactive Shi Shi.

Still, the three men couldn’t tear their eyes away from her, so absorbed that they didn’t even notice the elevator arriving at their floor.

When she stepped out, they instinctively followed.

Coincidentally, her destination was the same as theirs—Starlight Restaurant.

A woman who looked exactly like Shi Shi walking into Shi Shi’s favorite restaurant—the scene left them dazed.

She chose a seat by the window, and naturally, the table behind hers became the three men’s immediate choice.

Only after sitting down did they realize they had ended up at the same table, exchanging looks of mutual annoyance.

But with no other seats available, they had no choice but to grudgingly stay put.

The restaurant manager was baffled. These three men, each with their own private VIP rooms, were now crammed into a mediocre spot in the main dining area.

Not daring to question it, he hurried over to personally attend to them.

Shen Ying, seated with her back to them, first took out her phone and snapped a selfie, posting it to her social media.

Only then did she accept the menu from the waiter and begin ordering.

Meanwhile, Assistant Zhu, who had been keeping tabs on Shen Ying’s movements all day, frequently checked his phone for updates.

Soon enough, he saw the selfie she had just posted—confirming she was already at Starlight Restaurant.

But that wasn’t the main point. In the bottom corner of the photo, three familiar faces were visible at the table behind her.

His expression darkened, and he immediately rushed to find Chang Ming.

"Mr. Chang, this is the photo Miss Shen just posted."

Chang Ming initially glanced at it casually, but his face quickly twisted in shock—

By the time Shen Ying had eaten her fill, the three men at the table behind her had reached their limit.

Just as the most impatient of them, Yu Ting, stood up, a figure strode briskly toward Shen Ying.

When he reached her, his gaze clashed with the three men seated behind her.

Their eyes widened at his sudden appearance, then flicked to Shen Ying, their expressions shifting with knowing speculation.

Chang Ming’s face was grim as he spoke to Shen Ying in a voice like ice. "Come with me."

Shen Ying didn’t even move. "I’m still waiting for dessert."

His tone turned even colder. "Don’t make me repeat myself. Get up."

Not only did she refuse, but she leaned back leisurely. "So forceful?"

"What authority are you using to order me around—boyfriend?"

Chang Ming scoffed. "I thought after disappearing for a night and coming back, you’d have no more illusions about your position."

Shen Ying nodded. "True. A boyfriend saying something like that should be on his knees."

"Since this isn’t about feelings, then it must be business."

"I thought people usually paid first before acting this entitled."

Chang Ming narrowed his eyes. Shen Ying’s behavior was strange—unlike anything he’d seen from her before.

But he didn’t care. He wasn’t interested in her personality or whether she was different from what he’d assumed.

All he wanted was to see that face quiet and still, because the moment she spoke or moved, the resemblance shattered.

And right now, her sharp, mercenary attitude was an insult to that face.

His voice turned dangerous. "Say one more word, and you’ll regret it."

Shen Ying shrugged indifferently. "I’ve regretted plenty of things. One or two more won’t matter."

Then she tilted her chin toward the seat opposite her. "Sit. Let’s talk about our arrangement."

Chang Ming had no intention of humoring her—until she added, "You keep looking behind me. Is there something there?"

With that, she turned around, spotting the three men at the neighboring table. "Friends of yours? Should we invite them over?"

Chang Ming seethed. He knew without a doubt that if he made a wrong move, those three would immediately intervene.

They were already straining to eavesdrop on the conversation.

Reluctantly, he sat down.

Shen Ying cut straight to the chase: "Who is that woman?"

Chang Ming wore an expression as if something precious had been tainted by unworthy mention. Looking down at her, he said, "You have no right to ask about her, nor do you deserve to even enter her line of sight. I’m warning you—don’t get any ideas. Know your place."

Shen Ying replied, "Isn’t that exactly what we’re discussing right now? At this point, there’s nothing left to hide. Might as well lay it all out."

Chang Ming could swear the chairs of the three people at the table behind them had inched closer.

Shen Ying continued, "Last night, I went through all your social media accounts. Plenty of photos with a girl named Yu Shishi. Even now, I’m still shocked—how could someone look so much like me?"

Chang Ming corrected coldly, "You look like her."

Shen Ying shrugged. "Whatever. So, you’re using me as her replacement?"

Chang Ming didn’t answer, but the arrogance in his eyes said it all.

Shen Ying slapped her thigh. "No wonder you’ve kept a beauty like me at home but never laid a finger on me. I thought you just couldn’t perform."

"I even assumed you were masking some deep-seated insecurity with all that cold arrogance, so I tiptoed around you, always accommodating. Turns out—"

Her unspoken meaning was clear, her face now etched with regret—sympathy wasted on an idiot who’d taken her kindness for weakness.

A snort of laughter came from behind them.

Shen Ying turned to see a dazzling celebrity—Yu Ting—covering his mouth apologetically. "Sorry, carry on."

Though the woman had piqued their interest and the conversation had made the situation obvious, they were more than happy to watch Chang Ming’s humiliation unfold.

Chang Ming, however, was seething. The fact that Shen Ying had made him a laughingstock in front of those three was unbearable.

He sneered, "You want me to touch you? Too bad I have zero interest in you."

His gaze shifted to a painting on the wall—Van Gogh’s Starry Night.

Pointing at it, he said, "See that? Someone who truly loves Starry Night might pause to admire it, but no one would ever be moved by a replica. Every bit of admiration is meant for the original."

"That’s what you are—a cheap imitation. Understand?"

Instead of looking hurt, Shen Ying’s expression shifted to amusement.

She shook her head. "No. Someone who truly loves the original wouldn’t even glance at a copy."

Her smile turned mocking. "As far as I can tell, that girl isn’t dead—just not around. And yet, you still need a replacement? Just how flimsy, how fake, how cheap is this ‘love’ you’re boasting about?"

"Something that worthless wouldn’t even be picked up off the street. And here you are, acting like it’s some priceless treasure."

Chang Ming’s pupils constricted. He shot to his feet, his presence looming over her.

Meanwhile, the system in her head screamed: What are you doing?! All four male leads are here! If you expose the replacement trope now, how are we supposed to follow the plot?!

Shen Ying declared righteously, "I run my business with complete transparency—no hidden traps, no deception. Everything’s strictly consensual."

"If you’re hiring a replacement, then act like it. Don’t play the lovesick saint in front of me. That’ll cost extra."

The system retorted: That’s not business—that’s extortion! You think you can just posture and squeeze them for more?

Let me break it to you—after hearing this, the male leads’ likelihood of seeking replacements has dropped by 80%. They’re even starting to self-reflect!

Shen Ying: "So the replacement plotline’s been avoided?"

System: You wish.

Shen Ying: "Then what’s the problem? Temporary clarity means nothing. It’s cheaper than crocodile tears."

After shutting the system down, Shen Ying turned her attention back to Chang Ming.

She smiled. "Relax. I don’t care about your love life. Sit down—let’s get to the point."

Chang ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‍Ming’s face darkened, but he forced himself back into his seat, unwilling to give the trio behind them more ammunition.

Once seated, Shen Ying continued, "We’re not in a relationship, yet you’ve unapologetically monopolized a stranger’s time, made demands, restricted her freedom, and leeched off her emotional labor."

"All without a legal employment contract, no salary, no benefits, not even the pretense of ‘following your dreams.’ Three months in, and my compensation remains zero."

"Mr. Chang, I thought only shameless sweatshops pulled stunts like this. Isn’t this a blatant violation of labor laws?"

"HAHAHAHA—" A burst of laughter erupted from behind them.

Yu Ting was slapping the table in amusement, Pei Ying watched with arms crossed, visibly entertained, and Jiang Liuxu’s gaze lingered on Shen Ying, his interest unmistakable.

Chang Ming, humiliated by their laughter, snapped, "Who the hell are you mocking?"

Shen Ying added another line: "Oh right, after being exposed for deceiving an ignorant woman into working for free, he even resorted to humiliating her character, putting her down while lifting others up with manipulative PUA tactics, and publicly intimidating her."

"What a shameless, despicable display of exploitation."

Chang Ming's face flushed red with anger, while the three men behind him were practically dying of laughter.

At that moment, Jiang Liuxu stood up and walked over to them.

After smiling at Shen Ying, he said, "Sorry for overhearing your conversation, but I’d like to confirm that I did indeed witness your threats toward this young lady."

"If she needs any assistance, I’d be happy to serve as a witness."

Yu Ting and Pei Ying also approached, pulling up chairs at the table and sitting down, openly expressing their support for Shen Ying.

Chang Ming was fuming, nearly choking on his rage at these troublemakers who clearly enjoyed stirring the pot.

Shen Ying, however, gave the three men a grateful smile. "Really? That’s wonderful. Thank you all for your kindness and support."

The moment they saw that smile, the three men froze, their expressions flickering with momentary confusion.

Up until now, this woman had only resembled Yu Shishi in appearance, with none of her familiar aura or demeanor. But this smile shattered their judgment in an instant.

It was a smile they all knew intimately—warm, sincere, and infectious, with the faint dimples that appeared just so, making it impossible not to smile back.

It was uncanny, as if Yu Shishi herself were standing before them.

A brief silence fell over the group, but Shen Ying seemed oblivious.

She turned back to Chang Ming and said, "Let’s get back to the point. I demand that Mr. Chang compensate me for those months of unpaid wages, overtime pay, and emotional distress over the past two days."

The moment she finished, Yu Ting chimed in, "Exactly, pay her what she’s owed."

"Who even cheats a woman out of money these days? And using deception? Even in our circles, this is a new low."

With a mocking smirk, he added, "Does Shi Shi know you’re this kind of person?"

Chang Ming’s expression darkened, though his anger remained carefully restrained, only faintly visible in the cold glint of his eyes.

Money meant nothing to him, but Shen Ying’s defiance enraged him—especially since it had led to these three laughing at his expense. That was something he couldn’t tolerate.

He had no illusions that these three would keep this quiet. They were probably already itching to tattle to Shi Shi and kick him out of the running.

He couldn’t lose.

So Chang Ming turned to Yu Ting with a scoff. "What if Shi Shi does know?"

"All I did was help a girl who happened to look like her, offering a hand when she was down on her luck. I admit Shi Shi was part of the reason—I couldn’t bear to see someone with that face struggling."

"Do you think Shi Shi would blame me? She’d praise me for my kindness."

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His words made the other three stiffen, disappointment and frustration bubbling up inside them.

As much as they enjoyed the spectacle, they couldn’t forget that Chang Ming was the most cunning among them.

Thanks to his orphaned status, Shi Shi had always been softer on him, and Chang Ming was a master at playing the pitiful victim.

From the sound of it, he hadn’t laid a finger on this woman or made any promises, meaning he could easily spin this as nothing more than a charitable act.

Seeing their expressions, Chang Ming smirked in satisfaction before turning back to Shen Ying.

"I only stepped in because I saw you struggling back then—no savings, no place to live, forced to endure difficult customers, a predatory manager, and coworkers who bullied you."

"I couldn’t stand it, so I offered some help. But I never meant to give you the wrong impression. That’s my mistake."

His tone was earnest, his eyes brimming with remorse—a far cry from the cold, arrogant Chang Ming from the original host’s memories.

The three men exchanged disgusted glances. They knew this act all too well. Whenever Chang Ming played the innocent victim, Shi Shi would melt.

Chang Ming continued, "If you believe I should compensate you, then I will."

"I won’t deny my mistakes. I assumed you had nowhere to stay and arranged an apartment without consulting you. I overstepped by having Assistant Zhu manage your daily life, afraid you’d be too proud to ask for help despite having no savings. I even indulged in my own self-satisfaction, visiting often to reassure myself you were comfortable, reveling in my own generosity."

"I caused you trouble, and for that, I’m sorry."

Shen Ying blinked at him. "So now it looks like I’m the ungrateful one, reading too much into things, and extorting you?"

Chang Ming gazed at her with indulgent understanding, his expression radiating guilt—as if to say, No, the fault is all mine.

The three men exchanged glances, realizing the game was up. This was Chang Ming’s specialty—masterful manipulation, flawless acting.

Yu Ting had even joked more than once that Chang Ming was the one who truly belonged in showbiz.

The original host had never seen this side of him because she wasn’t worth the performance. In a way, the cold, arrogant Chang Ming she knew was the real one.

The three men were deeply disappointed. It seemed this woman wasn’t up to the task—this incident still wouldn’t shake Chang Ming in the slightest.

Even the system gloated: [Ran into a tough opponent, didn’t you?]

This was the nemesis it had specially chosen for Shen Ying. Wasn’t this woman skilled at playing mind games? Shameless? Well, here was someone even worse.

Shen Ying wore a troubled expression and replied to the system, "This really is a tricky one."

"Arguing about whether there’s ambiguity between men and women is already a mess. If I had to dissect it, I’d be sitting here all day."

"Too much trouble. Let’s just take the brutal approach."

The system: [???]

Then everyone watched as Shen Ying leaned forward and grabbed Chang Ming’s hand. Her expression, demeanor, even her aura began to visibly transform—

From her initial lazy, sharp-tongued self to something exuding gentle, powerful warmth.

Everyone, including Chang Ming whose hand she held, froze in shock, their pupils contracting as if witnessing something extraordinary.

She—she could completely become another person?

Before they could recover from their astonishment, Shen Ying spoke, her tone and cadence now entirely different—

Gazing at Chang Ming with firm tenderness, she said, "It’s not your fault."

That look, those words, sent a jolt through Chang Ming’s entire body.

"You just missed your parents. No child should ever be punished for that."

Chang Ming’s breath hitched. That expression, that tone, those words—they were the very things that had carried him through his darkest days.

At the same time, the system was baffled. Because Shen Ying had just recited lines straight from the original novel—lines spoken by the "White Moonlight."

Chang Ming’s parents had died in a car crash while rushing back for his birthday. The weather had been terrible that day, and they’d initially decided to return the next morning. But Chang Ming had called, saying he missed them.

So they’d set out that night—and tragedy struck.

Everyone believed Chang Ming had caused his parents’ deaths, himself included. But adults wouldn’t vent their anger on a child who didn’t understand.

Yet the sensitive boy had silently shouldered the guilt and coldness.

It was the White Moonlight’s companionship and comfort that had pulled him through.

The system wondered—had the host finally realized she was outmatched and resorted to exploiting the script’s advantage?

Indeed, her flawless performance reignited the men’s desire for a substitute, even stronger than before.

Just as the system was feeling smug—

Shen Ying suddenly scoffed. "Just kidding."

Her face remained gentle, her tone playful, like teasing someone close.

But in context, it made Chang Ming flinch.

He stared at her, as if searching for something.

Then Shen Ying asked with a smile, "What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Again, these were lines from the original novel—words Yu Shishi would say whenever Chang Ming gazed at her in a daze.

Before Chang Ming could exhale in relief, her lips curled into another sentence—

"Pathetic coward, addicted to running from responsibility."

Chang Ming’s scalp prickled. He snapped, "Shut up. Don’t use her face to say things like that."

Shen Ying feigned hurt. "So now you’re silencing me?"

This was Yu Shishi’s signature move during their rare arguments—a pout that always made Chang Ming surrender.

But now, faced with the same expression, voice, and words from memory, Chang Ming looked as if he’d seen a ghost.

Shen Ying tilted her head, concerned. "Why are you shaking? And sweating so much—are you sick?"

This was how she’d comforted him during illness.

Then she added, "The ones who took the blame for you haven’t even complained. What right do you have to act pitiful?"

The three men—and the system—were speechless.

This woman was using the White Moonlight’s likeness and words to flay Chang Ming alive.

Every cherished memory, every warm moment—she twisted them into poison.

Dressed as his savior, she tortured him, leaving him defenseless.

True enough, Chang Ming was breaking.

His breath ragged, tears streaming, he begged, "Stop… don’t say anymore. Please."

"Don’t use her face to say these things…"

Shen Ying blinked. Then, in an instant, she shed the White Moonlight act and reverted to her lazy self—

"Ten minutes."

"That’s all it took to turn your White Moonlight into a lifelong nightmare."

"So—about my raise. Are we adjusting that?"

Chang Ming, seeing her normal self again, actually sighed in relief.

His voice still shook. "Yes. I’ll adjust it."

The other three men: "…"

The system: […]

So this was her real extortion talent?!