Chapter 14: A Situation

Su Yan slumped in his chair, rubbing his temples. He was still recovering from last night’s disaster. The hot springs mission had been an unmitigated disaster, and the only reason he wasn’t dead right now was pure, dumb luck.

"I am never listening to you again," he told the system.

"Oh, come on! You survived! And you got paid! That’s a win!"

"A win?! I was almost murdered!"

"Details, details…"

Su Yan groaned. He just wanted to lay low and avoid any more trouble. Maybe if he stayed in his room for a few days, the whole sect would forget about last night. Yeah, that’s a solid plan. Just hide until this all blows over.

Then—

KNOCK KNOCK.

He frowned. Who the hell…?

A sense of dread crept up his spine. He wasn’t expecting anyone. Slowly, he stood up and tiptoed to the door, debating whether to ignore it.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

The knocking grew more insistent.

"I know you’re in there, Su Yan~"

His blood turned to ice. That voice was too familiar.

Taking a deep breath, he reluctantly opened the door—

—and nearly had a heart attack.

Standing there was a girl with long dark hair, dressed in sect robes. She had her arms crossed and a smug smile on her lips.

But Su Yan wasn’t focused on that.

He was focused on the fact that he recognized her.

Oh no.

She smirked. "Hello, Su Yan~"

Su Yan broke into a cold sweat. "I-I don’t know you! Who are you?!"

The girl leaned in, tilting her head with an amused expression. "Oh? You don’t remember me? That’s funny… Because I remember you~"

Her voice was light and playful, but the underlying menace made his stomach churn.

"I saw everything in the hot springs last night."

Su Yan stopped breathing.

"Ah—uh—I—y-you must be mistaken!" he stammered. "I wasn’t there! Nope! Not me!" He tried to slam the door in her face.

She stopped it with a single finger.

Her smile widened. "Oh, I know it was you. And unless you want the entire sect to know about it…" She let the words hang for a moment before adding sweetly, "You’re going to do exactly what I say."

The system howled with laughter in his mind.

"Congratulations, buddy! You’re officially being blackmailed!"

Su Yan wanted to cry.

"L-look, we can talk about this!" he whispered frantically. "You don’t need to—"

She stepped forward, forcing him to backpedal into his own room before closing the door behind her.

"No need to act so nervous," she said, sauntering inside like she owned the place. "It’s not like I’m turning you in. I’m helping you."

Su Yan eyed her warily. "Helping me how?"

She grinned. "By giving you a chance to repay me for keeping your little secret."

"...What do you want?" he asked, dreading the answer.

She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Oh, I haven’t decided yet. But I will soon. And when I do, you’ll do whatever I ask. No complaints. No excuses."

Su Yan swallowed hard. "That sounds like slavery."

She gasped, feigning shock. "Oh my! What a terrible thing to say! I prefer to think of it as… a mutually beneficial arrangement."

The system snickered. "Buddy, I love her already."

"You shut up!" Su Yan snapped mentally.

The girl reached into her robe and pulled out… a small, delicate hairpin. Su Yan’s heart sank as he immediately recognized it. It was Zhen’s hairpin—the same one she had worn last night.

"You dropped this on your way out," she said, twirling it between her fingers. "And if I hand this over to Zhen… Well, she’s not stupid. She’ll put the pieces together."

Su Yan felt like he was going to faint.

"So, what’ll it be?" she asked with an innocent smile. "A small favor in the future? Or would you rather face Zhen’s wrath?"

The system whispered dramatically, "Dun dun dunnnn~"

Su Yan glared at the ceiling. I hate everything.

He sighed in defeat. "Fine. What do you want?"

Her eyes gleamed mischievously. "Oh, nothing too crazy. Just… stay close to me for a while. You’ll be my personal assistant. Do little things when I ask. Run errands. Carry my books. Keep me entertained."

"That’s it?" he asked suspiciously.

She grinned. "For now."

Su Yan groaned. "I really don’t have a choice, do I?"

"Nope!" she said cheerfully. "Glad we understand each other. Name's Jian."

She turned to leave but then paused at the door. "Oh, and Su Yan? One last thing."

He braced himself. "What?"

She smirked. "You should smile more. You’re kind of cute when you’re miserable."

And with that, she strolled out, leaving Su Yan alone with his thoughts.

The system was dying of laughter.

"HAHAHAHA! Oh man, this is the best! You’re doomed!"

Su Yan flopped onto his bed, staring at the ceiling in despair.

This is my life now.

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I'll soon release the pictures of the characters. Also, a mass release will come soon enough! Thanks. Love u.

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