The Abusive Novel System Pleads with Me to Resign-Chapter 53

Perhaps the sweetness of emotional scheming had almost made Chang Ming forget the treacherous nature of this woman.

Only now did he feel as if he had been struck by a wake-up call.

He immediately condemned Shen Ying’s despicable behavior: "This again? Stirring up trouble and making us pay to settle it."

"If you had even a shred of professional integrity, you wouldn’t have entertained those three guys after partnering with me."

Shen Ying replied lazily, "Want an exclusive deal? Then the price won’t be the same."

Chang Ming: "Name it. I’ll pay."

He was straightforward now, knowing someone like Shen Ying wouldn’t give up profits over mere words.

But this time, Shen Ying didn’t jump at the money. Instead, she gave him a mocking glance.

"Tsk tsk," she said with exaggerated admiration. "Mr. Chang is quite decisive when it comes to monopolizing opportunities."

"Just like how you kept me hidden from the other three for months at the start."

Chang Ming’s face darkened at her words, a mix of embarrassment and discomfort flashing across his expression.

Luckily, Shen Ying didn’t linger on the topic. She continued, "You might lack principles, but I can’t afford to."

"Back then, when I was struggling alone to demand unpaid wages, penniless against a stingy, well-connected former boss—that is, you, Mr. Chang—"

"It was those three who stood up and spoke out for me. They gave me the courage to fight to the end, and that success inspired me to start my new venture."

"I owe my current standing to them. They played an irreplaceable role."

"If I’m willing to do business with even you, Mr. Chang, there’s no reason I’d refuse to help them."

"This isn’t just business—it’s gratitude. No amount of money can replace that."

Chang Ming nearly choked on his anger hearing this.

But she wasn’t done. She added theatrically, "Besides, giving only you an advantage would be unfair to my sister."

"Even though I’m profiting from this, I still want my sister to have multiple options. If I only strategize for you, I’d be narrowing her choices."

"I’m here to make money, not to let my sister miss out on a good man."

Chang Ming scoffed in disbelief. "You dare bring up your sister? If you really cared about her, would you be exploiting her suitors for profit?"

"Even outsiders would cringe at how hypocritical that sounds. Yet you don’t seem the least bit ashamed."

Shen Ying raised an eyebrow. "If you understood the nature of ‘emotional strategy’ yet still hired me and were happy with the results—"

"Then that means you prioritized your own needs over my sister’s. We’re both hypocrites, Mr. Chang. How can you judge me?"

Her expression suddenly turned cold. "Business is business. Don’t act smug just because you got what you wanted, then throw a tantrum when competition catches up."

"One question: buy or not?"

Chang Ming was left speechless, but with the advantage firmly in her hands, he had no choice.

Gritting his teeth, he finally spat out, "Buy!"

Only then did Shen Ying smile again, slipping back into her professional demeanor.

"The logic for boosting your competitive edge is simple: offer what others don’t have, and when they catch up, be even more unique. I doubt I need to explain that."

She took a sip of water before continuing leisurely, "The previous plan secured my sister’s extra attention, with most of her private time devoted to you."

"But now, the others have caught up using their own methods. Even though everyone’s communication frequency with her has skyrocketed, if everyone improves, the situation stays the same."

Chang Ming snapped impatiently, "All thanks to you!"

At Shen Ying’s warning glance, he shut his mouth and didn’t dare interrupt further.

Mumbling, he asked, "Then what should I do? I can’t make Shishi feel too threatened—she’d just give up."

Chang Ming was no stranger to mind games himself and had long mastered Shen Ying’s tactics.

But he knew this required precise control. A measured sense of competition could make Shishi take initiative, but crossing the line would backfire.

If his fabricated ‘rival’ seemed too formidable, Shishi’s personality might make her withdraw entirely. Or if she’d already shown initiative but the ‘rival’ remained prominent, she might feel her efforts were futile and lose interest.

He was certain that if Shishi showed even a hint of distancing herself, the other three would immediately push him out of the game, stripping him of any chance.

So, with no solution in sight, he had no choice but to return to Shen Ying.

True to form, she didn’t disappoint. "Right now, everyone is draining my sister’s attention. She must be exhausted."

"So, what if one of you became a breath of fresh air instead?"

Chang Ming frowned. "You want me to contact her less? Are you sure that won’t backfire?"

This was a war for attention—everyone was on edge.

Stepping back might not make him stand out; it might just leave him behind.

Shen Ying shook her head. "If that were the case, I wouldn’t dare take your money."

She then laid out her plan in detail. The more Chang Ming listened, the brighter his eyes grew.

His gaze at Shen Ying gradually mixed admiration with a hint of wariness.

Ever since she’d single-handedly swindled his entire household, she’d taken on a somewhat sinister aura in his mind.

After transferring the payment, Chang Ming rushed home and eagerly put Shen Ying’s plan into action.

He deliberately chose a time when the other three were usually unavailable and called Yu Shishi.

"Hello…" Yu Shishi’s voice sounded weary. Even with the video call’s slight beautifying effect, her exhaustion was unmistakable.

And that was nothing compared to how she looked in person. Staring at her reflection, Yu Shishi felt like she’d aged years.

Stress and sleep deprivation had taken their toll—breakouts, sallow skin, dark circles impossible to hide.

She cursed inwardly. Wasn’t this supposed to be effortless? Just basking in adoration? Why was it so exhausting for her?

When Chang Ming called, irritation flared, but she forced herself to sound engaged. "You’re calling early today?"

But this time, instead of launching into his usual spiel, Chang Ming studied her carefully before saying with genuine concern, "I’ve been meaning to say—you look really tired lately."

"Are you not sleeping well? Should I arrange a flight to bring you back?"

Yu Shishi quickly replied, "No, it’s fine. I just haven’t been resting enough. I’ll go to bed early tonight—I’ll bounce back in a few days."

Originally, her trip had no fixed schedule; she could return whenever she pleased.

But now? Impossible. Her current state was bad enough, and with the four men growing more aggressive, phone calls at least provided some buffer. If she returned now, she feared she’d crack under the pressure.

Chang Ming didn’t press further. Instead, he said, "About that person I mentioned before—"

Yu Shishi’s heart clenched. What now?

"—we’ve deleted each other’s contacts."

Yu Shishi felt a surge of delight in her heart, but her face showed regret and surprise. "Why? You finally made a friend."

Chang Ming pursed his lips. "She criticized how often I talk to you."

Not that she was wrong—who else had been giving him pointers all this time?

Yu Shishi’s expression turned flustered. "I’m sorry—then, should we—"

Chang Ming looked serious. "Why apologize? It’s not your fault. She’s the one who lacks boundaries."

"You’re the most important person to me."

A mix of regret and a hint of smug satisfaction flickered across Yu Shishi’s face.

This was the best news she’d received in days. Chang Ming still hadn’t escaped her grasp.

Then Chang Ming added, "Let’s not talk about irrelevant people. Didn’t you say you’ve been having trouble sleeping?"

"I’ve actually been learning hypnosis lately. Want to give it a try?"

Yu Shishi was surprised. "Hypnosis? Why would you learn that?"

Chang Ming’s gaze was unwavering. "Because you haven’t been sleeping well."

Perhaps it was because she was truly exhausted—even though he was partly to blame for her stress—but at that moment, Yu Shishi felt touched.

In the end, though she doubted Chang Ming had actually learned anything useful, she still gave in and humored him.

Following his instructions, Yu Shishi turned off all electronic devices except her phone.

She drew the curtains, turned off the lights, pressed the phone to her ear, and closed her eyes.

From the other end came soothing, rhythmic sounds—like sand being gently shifted, or soap being sliced—soft and steady.

Accompanied by slow, even breathing.

Gradually, Yu Shishi relaxed until she drifted into sleep.

When she woke up, it was already the next morning.

She had never felt so well-rested before, especially compared to her recent bouts of anxiety-induced insomnia. This deep sleep felt like a rare luxury.

She turned on the light but didn’t rush to get up, instead lying there, relaxed, staring at the ceiling.

When she finally reached for her phone, her expression froze in horror.

Because Chang Ming was still on the call.

Yu Shishi nearly lost control of her expression. "Chang Ming—why are you still here?"

Chang Ming chuckled. "Relax, I just woke up too. You slept so well—I just couldn’t wait to show off my success."

Yu Shishi’s heart twisted. Who cared about that?

She hadn’t done any morning routine yet—her hair was a mess, her face oily from the humid seaside heat.

And with her recent poor state, she probably looked terrible.

She hastily smoothed her hair and reached to adjust the beauty filter on her camera.

But then Chang Ming spoke. "I’ve always wanted to do this—wake up and see you first thing."

"Too bad you stopped sleeping beside me after you turned eight."

He looked at her, his eyes full of warmth. "After all these years, it still feels the same."

Yu Shishi studied his expression—there was no disgust at her disheveled appearance, no hint of discomfort.

To him, she looked no different from when she was perfectly put together.

Some of the tension in her chest eased.

Chang Ming then chatted with her about casual, everyday things—light and effortless, with no pressure.

It was as if he had matured overnight, no longer prioritizing his own emotional needs, even adjusting to her mood.

For Yu Shishi, trapped in a stressful situation, this was a rare moment of relief.

Once, when Yu Ting was being particularly unreasonable on a call, his constant incoming notifications disrupted their conversation.

Yu ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‍Ting had no choice but to hang up in frustration.

Yu Shishi thought it was just a coincidence—until Chang Ming admitted he’d done it on purpose.

He’d known Yu Ting was bothering her and found a way to cut their call short.

"Have we been putting too much pressure on you lately? You’re supposed to be relaxing, but we keep demanding things from you."

"Shishi, you don’t have to indulge us. I don’t know what’s gotten into those guys, but remember—the most important thing is your happiness."

"If you’re tired, just ignore them. But I know you struggle to say no, so don’t worry—I’ve got your back."

From then on, whenever she faced a difficult situation, a subtle hint to Chang Ming was enough for him to find a way to help—whether by disrupting calls or keeping the other three occupied.

Yu Shishi was deeply moved. Instead of distancing herself from Chang Ming due to exhaustion, she grew even closer to him.

Among the four, only with Chang Ming could she find a moment of peace.

This genuine, voluntary care made a far stronger impression.

No matter how much Chang Ming cursed Shen Ying in his mind for being a swindler, he couldn’t deny her skill.

But since she was a swindler, she naturally didn’t keep quiet about the upgraded package’s effectiveness.

No matter how low-key Chang Ming tried to be, the other three eventually found out.

So they stormed into Shen Ying’s house, accusing her of favoritism.

Yu Ting was furious. "Why Chang Ming again? What’s so special about him? Do you have a soft spot for him after those months together?"

He glared at Shen Ying, heartbroken. "I thought you were a heartless money-grubber, but you’re actually forming attachments? Do you even remember how he treated you? He was all about the cash back then!"

"Yet the second something happens, you side with him. We all paid—why does he get special treatment? Get your act together and show some professional detachment!"

Pei Ying and Jiang Liuxu exchanged a look, silently agreeing Yu Ting was an idiot, but they didn’t call him out.

Pei Ying even played along. "It’s true. Your repeated bias toward Chang Ming raises questions."

"We’re all competing here. If the tutor shows clear favoritism, it’s unfair to the rest of us who paid the same fees."

Shen Ying feigned innocence. "Both times had valid reasons! The first time, you three had just signed a truce and swore you never wanted to see me again."

"The second time, Chang Ming came to me himself. How is that ‘special treatment’?"

Pei Ying countered, "But timing can decide everything."

"If Chang Ming gets ahead just because he moved faster, and Shishi ends up choosing him first, that’s a failure on your part as a service provider."

Shen Ying waved a hand dismissively. "Relax, that won’t happen."

"Who my little sister ends up with is my call."

Yu Ting scoffed. "You never hold back on the bragging, do you?"

But he was the only one who took it as empty boasting. Pei Ying and Jiang Liuxu felt a chill at her words.

Shen Ying had a loose tongue, but she never lied.

No matter how outrageous her claims, she always delivered.

They’d learned that the hard way. Only Yu Ting, the oblivious fool, still didn’t get it.

And the fool kept protesting. "Stop changing the subject!"

"The issue now is that we're falling behind schedule. What guarantees did you make when taking our money?"

Shen Ying: "I've already fulfilled the initial guarantees. Surely Mr. Yu didn't assume they'd last indefinitely?"

"My god, this is an emotional game—the most complex evolution of human hearts. Do you expect me to be responsible for eternity?"

Then, just as Yu Ting was about to explode, she smoothly pivoted to pitching a new upgrade package.

"The reason Mr. Chang has taken the lead again is simply because he purchased the premium package."

"After weeks of strategizing, my professional skills have also evolved significantly. I welcome all three bosses to experience the new installation..."

Yu Ting rolled his eyes in frustration: "Why don’t you just rob us—oh wait, you’ve said before that robbing isn’t as profitable as you."

"You’re treating me like a cash crop, milking me over and over without end. The gaming industry is missing out by not having you."

"Today, I’ll show you that the one who pays calls the shots."

He then made a call and summoned Chang Ming over.

Half an hour later, all four male leads gathered at Shen Ying’s place for the first time.

The moment Chang Ming arrived, the other three scorned him. Yu Ting lashed out: "This is all your damn fault for starting this."

Chang Ming, currently in the lead, was basking in his advantage—

"Keen instincts and foresight are competitive strengths. I believed in Ms. Shen’s capabilities and took the first leap while you all hesitated."

"Now you’re jumping out to scold me for moving too fast? How pathetic is that?"

Jiang Liuxu: "Don’t act like you had some grand foresight. She sought you out."

Yu Ting: "Yeah, and she said it was out of pity that she prioritized you."

Pei Ying: "After all, you cried in public. Ms. Shen had never seen such a ‘delicate’ man before—of course she’d cut you some slack."

Damn these bastards.

Chang Ming wasn’t a pushover either. He sneered: "Go ahead, gang up on me. Do you know why I agreed to come so readily?"

"I knew you lot wouldn’t have anything nice to say, but I came out of sympathy for the losers. If this makes you feel better, so be it."

Pei Ying scoffed: "I don’t see why you’re so smug. This is just a game of capital at its core."

"You think your current lead is permanent? Do you really believe we’ll all play by the rules, or that Ms. Shen is so principled she won’t let clients cut in line?"

Chang Ming glanced at Shen Ying—he had zero faith in her integrity.

Pei Ying continued: "In terms of financial power, do you think you hold an absolute advantage among the four of us?"

"So why are you so sure you won’t become a victim of cutthroat competition?"

Chang Ming wavered, fell silent, and retreated to his original stance.

Seeing this, Yu Ting crossed his legs triumphantly and declared to Shen Ying: "From now on, we set the rules. Try any tricks, and we’ll boycott you together—just like the previous ceasefire agreement."

When Shen Ying stayed silent, Yu Ting assumed she’d conceded.

After all, she’d backed off quickly last time when there was no profit to be had.

He pressed on: "First, you are forbidden from artificially stoking competition through tiered services, forced upgrades, or any other pay-to-win schemes."

"Second, no private dealings with clients. All our transactions must be transparent to the other three."

"Third, no exploiting your position for personal gain—like extorting dinners or male escort club visits under the guise of business urgency."

The moment he finished, Jiang Liuxu sharply interjected: "You took her to a club?"

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Yu Ting, the fool, had a straightforward mind. Though worldly, he rarely read between the lines.

If it hadn’t happened, he wouldn’t have brought it up—especially something like this, which likely meant he’d been burned before.

Sure enough, Shen Ying answered bluntly: "Yep, ten of them. Very generous of Boss Yu."

Instantly, Yu Ting became the target—

"Idiot! Sometimes I wonder if your head is just hollow."

"All that effort to lock things down, and you’re the one who ruined it."

"How dare you even mention this? Embarrassing."

Yu Ting flushed red with rage: "I was forced! I paid and got nothing but blame—what, am I a masochist?"

"I was even paraded in front of her as one of the escorts. Why are you attacking me instead of the real culprit?"

The three turned to Shen Ying, who smirked meaningfully: "If Young Master Yu ever quits showbiz, he’ll have no trouble finding new employment."

Yu Ting choked on his words while Jiang Liuxu pressed: "Did she already get a membership out of you?"

Yu Ting: "...I brought this up to solve problems, not start infighting."

Desperate to shift focus, he snapped at Shen Ying: "Did you hear those three conditions or not?"

Shen Ying replied breezily: "Heard them. Won’t follow a single one."

Yu Ting fumed: "Then don’t expect another cent from us."

He gestured for the others to back him up.

Though they wanted to strangle the fool, the three united for now.

Pei Ying: "Agreed."

Chang Ming: "Agreed."

Jiang Liuxu gave Shen Ying an apologetic look: "Same here."

Yu Ting’s face lit up with victory as he stared Shen Ying down.

But she suddenly laughed: "I don’t know what you’re so confident about with such a fragile alliance."

She turned to Chang Ming: "You think your current lead is unshakable, that even if this pact holds, you’ll stay ahead?"

Chang Ming stayed silent, but the truth was obvious—he’d already gained ground.

Whether they collectively cut ties with Shen Ying or enforced orderly rules, he’d retain his advantage.

Shen Ying nodded: "If you want fairness, then let’s reset to a truly fair starting point."