Su Ming could ignore the system's habit of recommending he "target" every girl he met. But why did this bond quest pay out Sleazy Points?
He thought hard—and a toe-curling memory surfaced.
Back when he'd just started dating Mei, when he was sixteen, he'd been waiting for her during a date and scrolling videos. He saw Elysia's clip and made a strange laugh.
"My Elysia… my Elysia…" he'd mumbled like an idiot.
To be fair, a true Elysia fan is supposed to have exactly one reaction upon seeing her:
I have sinned.
Isn't that right?
And then—possibly due to some cosmic sense of humor—his view was suddenly shadowed.
He looked up.
A pink demon.
"Oh? A girl as lovely as falling blossoms—Elysia, that's me~ You were saying something interesting just now. Could you say it again for me?"
She smiled sweetly, fingers brushing her hair.
Sixteen-year-old Su Ming felt his soul leave his body.
You heard it. You definitely heard it.
Mom, I'm not an Elysia fan anymore.
…
Now, with that humiliation resurrected in his mind, Su Ming finally understood the system's judgment.
[Review: Ugh. Disgusting.]
No defense. None.
Strategic retreat. Temporary tolerance.
He followed behind Mei and Elysia like a malfunctioning robot until they reached the tech division, where Vill-V was signing off a delivery and Kevin had returned.
Thank goodness. Kevin's here. Salvation.
"Kevin, let's go. Fishing. Call Su too. Where's Pardo? Get Pardo to open the door for us!"
Su Ming grabbed Kevin's hand and tried to drag him away.
At least not today. I can't stay in the same space as Elysia. I need to ask the system if it has a memory-wipe function. I need that memory deleted.
"Huh? I'm fine with that," Kevin said, hesitating. "Su's busy today. Pardo's probably asleep somewhere. I can call her, but… are you really that desperate?"
"Nope," Elysia sang from behind Su Ming, voice sweet as poison. "Didn't Mei say you still have work today~?"
Su Ming's eyes lost all light.
Mei… I'm abandoning you.
"Rest improves productivity," Vill-V said calmly without looking up. "But I recommend you finish your work first."
Vill-V. Save me.
Su Ming seized the opening and latched onto Vill-V's hand without thinking.
"Teacher Vill-V! You remember last time I asked about that technical detail and you said it's better in person? Come—this way—let's discuss it in depth."
Even if he couldn't leave the company, he could at least get away from Elysia.
Vill-V frowned, then glanced at Elysia. Seeing no objection, she nodded.
"Fine. Office."
Su Ming fled with Vill-V, leaving behind Mei and Elysia smiling at each other—and Kevin, thoughtful.
…
Back in the office, Su Ming collapsed onto the sofa like a man who'd survived a disaster and chugged water.
Why does dealing with Elysia feel harder than dying in a dungeon?
Vill-V leaned against the wall, then asked bluntly:
"I'm curious. Why are you so afraid of Elysia? Every time you see her, you try to run."
Su Ming stiffened.
"Is it really that obvious?"
"Completely," Vill-V shrugged. "Everyone knows. Including Elysia."
So "everyone" meant the thirteen shareholders of World Serpent.
Since he'd been called out, Su Ming sighed and dumped it all.
"It's not that I'm afraid of her," he said. "I'm afraid of what she might do—or what I might do."
No matter what, he loved Mei. He didn't want to hurt her, at least not while he was still trying to play the role of "good man" (allegedly).
"Then why are you willing to be alone with me?" Vill-V's tone lifted, turning playful. She stepped closer with a teasing smile.
Wait. Why does this feel like the "Magician" persona?
Su Ming leaned back, preparing to run.
Vill-V moved faster.
In one motion, she pushed him back into the sofa, closing the distance.
"You're not afraid I might want to do something too?"
Su Ming's brain screamed.
He pressed a hand to her shoulder—not to reject her, but because he was unreasonably strong and didn't want to hurt her if he shoved too hard.
"We… we can't," he said, voice tight.
At least not here. Not at the company.
Vill-V tried to get closer, but his hand held firm. After a few attempts, she clicked her tongue and finally straightened.
"Fine. I'll leave this to my 'main self.' I won't overstep."
She turned away, tossing a last remark over her shoulder like someone delivering a warning after a prank:
"Consider it a reminder. Some people aren't as easy to talk down as I am. Try not to be alone in a room with them, okay~?"
Vill-V left.
Su Ming sat there, stunned.
What do you mean some people?
There are more?
-------
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