Chapter 20 : Interlude: Manipulation

“Yo, Old Yang, how’s it going? Think you can seal the deal before the high school entrance exam?”

After Ye Qingshu left, a friend slung an arm around Yang Xinwei’s shoulder, grinning mischievously and winking.

“It’s in the bag. That underclassman’s super easy to sway with the right environment. If that Mu Ziqing hadn’t gotten in the way, I’d have had her by now,” a junior laughed.

“You guys saying this stuff in front of us? We’re totally telling Ye Qingshu~” Li Xiaowan teased in a singsong voice, acting like she was looking out for her friend.

“Come on, you think we didn’t notice? You’re the one who’s got the biggest grudge against Ye Qingshu~”

“Ugh, why you gotta call me out like that~? But seriously, she’s kinda fake. The way she was so harsh to that simp of hers back then, and now with Senpai clearly chasing her, she’s all ‘oh no, but maybe’?”

Li Xiaowan snorted disdainfully. “Made us spread those rumors. You didn’t see how she freaked out—panicked, acting all resistant, but never denying or explaining when people teased her. Such a poser.”

“You’re talking too much,” Yang Xinwei shot Li Xiaowan a look, making her turn away, a bit miffed.

“Senpai’s so biased.”

“Xiaowan’s a bit much, but Yang-ge, you’ve got some serious patience,” the junior said, smoothing things over as Li Xiaowan sulked.

“Haven’t sealed it after all this time. I thought you’d have given up or used some tricks by now.” The junior winked, earning a chuckle from Yang Xinwei.

“You dumb or what? We’re in third year now—no messing around like before,” his friend said, smacking the junior’s shoulder, half-joking, half-warning.

“You lot, watch yourselves. Don’t go causing trouble under our name. Once we’re in high school, we’ll have time to play.”

“Got it~” “Good luck on the exam~” “Yang-ge, can I invite a couple of new girls to karaoke later?”

…

“What’re you doing?”

The curtains were yanked open, and Yang Xinwei sat up on the clubroom sofa, lazily scratching his hair, annoyed at the guy letting sunlight in.

“Can’t you see I’m sleeping?”

“You didn’t reply to Li Xiaowan’s messages. Where were you last night?”

The tennis club president, a bespectacled guy, frowned as he asked.

“…Drinking here with friends. What’s up?”

Yawning, Yang Xinwei sprawled on the sofa, kicking a stray can on the floor.

“At school? Are you insane?” The president suppressed his anger. “I told you, our club’s rep is under fire from some jerk. I said keep it low-key, and you’re bringing this to the clubroom?”

“Relax, it’s just rumors. No big deal.”

Yang Xinwei grabbed two pieces of gum from a can on the table, popping them in his mouth.

“What’s with Li Xiaowan?”

“No clue. She’s been frantically looking for you, crying, like someone messed with her,” the president said, frowning. “I asked, but she wouldn’t say. She seemed scared, acting weird.”

“Others, whatever. Her? Drama queen. Ignore her.”

Yang Xinwei stretched. “Always throwing tantrums for attention. She’s average-looking, no self-awareness, and if she wasn’t somewhat useful, I wouldn’t bother.”

“Can’t ditch her yet. We’re counting on her for material.”

At the desk, the president uploaded data to the computer. “Tch, shame we couldn’t get shots of that new girl, Shen Yingxu. No good opportunities.”

“That freshman rep? Forget it. Her eyes scream trouble, like Jiang Xiang or Liu Senyao. Untouchable.”

Yang Xinwei chewed his gum, blowing a small bubble.

“Your ‘women with too many stories in their eyes are dangerous’ theory again?”

“It’s fact.”

“Is that why you’re so obsessed with that first-year, Ye Qingshu?”

The bubble popped, and Yang Xinwei smirked.

The first time he saw Ye Qingshu, he could barely restrain his desire.

An unpolished gem, radiating innocent allure, yet to fully grasp her own charm but vaguely aware of it. That veiled, moonlit beauty drove Yang Xinwei wild with desire.

People talk about “future beauties,” but for Yang Xinwei, the thrill of conquering and shaping one was the ultimate high.

I’ll have her, no matter what it takes.

Watching Ye Qingshu, still naive and youthful, pass by with other girls on the field, Yang Xinwei squinted from the shade.

…

“Ah, Li Xiaowan finally texted—whoa, she says Jiang Xiang-senpai asked her about the rumors last night, with Ye Qingshu’s childhood friend. She’s warning us to be careful.”

“Childhood friend? Mu Ziqing?” Yang Xinwei frowned. “That guy’s like a ghost, always lingering from middle school…”

“Just us here, no need to play coy,” the president chuckled, his shadow long in the sunlight. “Mu Ziqing was a pain back then, but you crashed because Ye Qingshu overheard you, right?”

“…” Yang Xinwei scoffed. “Yeah. Who knew she’d come back for some takeout dessert for her sister? Flipped out that night. If not for that, I’d have had her.”

The president was about to tease more but saw a new message.

“Wait, she says the childhood friend’s Zhu Hanqi… not Mu Ziqing? Who’s that?”

“Huh? That orphan kid?” Yang Xinwei blinked, then burst out laughing.

“No way! He thinks playing hero once makes him a big shot again?”

“What’re you on about? Wait—this name sounds familiar.”

The president frowned. “…That national-treasure artist thing at enrollment, the lucky—or unlucky—guy involved. Wasn’t he Shen Yingxu’s ex? Kind of a big deal.”

“Just a roadside simp,” Yang Xinwei laughed, spitting his gum into the trash. “He and Ye Qingshu grew up together, and if I’m right, they probably had a thing for each other.”

“Huh? First I’m hearing this.”

Yang Xinwei shook the can on the table—empty, annoying him.

“Because there’s nothing to say. A timid, self-conscious victim tailor-made for a hentai plot.”

“LMAO, what kinda metaphor is that?”

Yang Xinwei tossed the can into the trash with a sneer.

“I’m not joking. I had Li Xiaowan stir things up a bit, and they completely fell apart. Ye Qingshu’s easy to manipulate, sure, but that guy’s inferiority complex and cowardice in front of her didn’t help—not my fault.”

“If he’s investigating, no need to worry. I was nervous when you mentioned Jiang Xiang-senpai, but this guy?”

Yang Xinwei smirked. “Probably got drunk on a fleeting burst of courage, thinking he can save his fallen goddess for her gratitude, dreaming of reconciliation. Easiest type to manipulate.”

…

“Messages sent?”

Li Xiaowan shakily held out her phone, showing the screen to the smiling boy.

“A-All done… as you… no, sir said…”

“Good, good, such a good girl~”

The boy’s plain face held eyes like an abyss, a black hole swallowing all light, chillingly dark.

“‘Will he let me go? If I tell Senpai, can I be saved?’ Great question.”

Each word drew a silent scream of despair from Li Xiaowan’s heart.

The wall clock ticked. The boy’s voice was soft, soothing.

“Depends on how useful you can be. I’m not letting you off easy, but if you’re not good~”

His smile faded, and his calm expression made Li Xiaowan collapse to the ground.

“—those things you fear most? Trust me, I’ll make them a hundred times worse.”

Stepping back, his gentle whisper and warm smile were, to Li Xiaowan, as terrifying as the worst demon.

He lightly traced a finger along her neck, chuckling, casually flicking off a spider and cockroach crawling in her hair, then turned.

“Whoops, dangerous. These little gift critters almost got in your ear. Don’t shake, am I that scary? …Oh, need the bathroom? You could’ve said so. I didn’t ban it. You’ve got class this afternoon—change your skirt~”