After their confessions were rejected, they regretted it for the rest of their lives.

"..."

That's Ke Yueci!

Xia Weichan sighed, but it didn't matter anymore. Since Ke Yueci was Ke Yuexuan's substitute, it meant that Ke Yuexuan knew about this too...

As expected, they won't let go...

Today, Zhu Xuening is merely a tool used by the Ke family to test the waters...

Using a young girl's appearance as a bargaining chip to please her?

What kind of person do you take him for...?

"well--"

Xia Weichan's feelings were somewhat complicated.

It can only be said that people can become the kind of person they hate.

In the end, Ke Yuexuan still used the method she hated the most.

Just like Ke Yuexuan, who was once controlled by her family...

"Did something I said upset you?"

Seeing the change in Xia Weichan's expression, Zhu Xuening said softly:

"I'm sorry I didn't notify you in advance."

"It's not your fault."

The one who should apologize is Ke Yueci…

Xia Weichan looked at the "bindable" option above the girl's head and hesitated for a moment.

I originally wanted to try it out and see if the extra ghosting effect in the system could be successfully bound.

But now he hesitated.

Because he was reminded of the honey trap scams on Earth.

Although this world version hasn't progressed to that point yet...

But Ke Yueci might actually do that...

"I came here because I didn't want to talk to that Ke Yuexuan."

"Hmm... I see. But if you're considering cooperating with Ke Yuexuan, she'll help with the subsequent property transfer procedures."

"What if I told you that I fell in love with you at first sight, and that my condition for cooperating with her was that I wanted you?"

"Um...?"

Zhu Xuening lowered her eyes, hesitated for a moment, and then said softly:

"That's also acceptable."

"..."

You seem to have some resistance to this kind of thing!

Who would promote themselves on behalf of their master?

Being sold out and still helping the seller count the money, even more foolish than Zhou Juzi...

"What would you do if I really had such thoughts?"

"have no idea."

Zhu Xuening shook her head.

All the girl knew was that Ke Yuexuan said getting back her lover's inheritance was very important to her.

"She has been kind to me, so I will help her as much as I can."

"Doesn't he have even the slightest sense of self?"

Xia Weichan frowned and asked:

"This is the first time the two of us have met; before this, we've never even crossed paths..."

"I'm also a student at National Tsing Hua University."

The girl corrected Xia Weichan's "mistake" in her own way.

"If we're in the same school, does that count as overlap?"

"Yes, it's fate," Zhu Xuening said earnestly.

Gan!

Xia Weichan wanted to refute, but it felt like she was talking to cotton.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and said again:

Even so, don't you find it offensive?

No.

"..."

The obedience test was perfect.

Where did Ke Yueci find such a gentle and sweet-tempered girl?

This personality is probably even more compliant than Ke Yuexuan in the second playthrough. At least Ke Yuexuan knew how to express her dissatisfaction and would show her disgust.

But Zhu Xuening's answer only made Xia Weichan more hesitant to form a bond.

Even if she showed the slightest bit of resistance, Xia Weichan would still think that this guy had some self-awareness.

"I don't like your personality."

"..."

Zhu Xuening fell silent. She didn't know where she had gone wrong. Logically speaking, wouldn't boys like girls who are very obedient?

She blinked and said:

"I will do my best to connect you with the Ke family..."

"What if I say you can't do it?"

Xia Weichan was still unwilling to give up; he inexplicably wanted to know the limits of this girl's patience.

Just how many hurtful and despicable things must he say before he could elicit even a flicker of emotion from Zhu Xuening's calm face?

"Let's suppose that during our time together, I fall for you, but I also have a girlfriend who wants to marry me. According to the Ke family's wishes, it's certainly not a problem for me to ask you to be my mistress. However, it's not impossible that I would neglect you later, use your body, and then discard you."

"I can accept it..."

"..."

"Mr. Xia?"

Zhu Xuening watched as Xia Weichan silently leaned back, closed her eyes, and pressed her hands against her temples, falling into silence.

The girl interpreted his reaction as hesitation and obediently waited by his side.

Xia Weichan is now facing a dilemma...

Should we bind ourselves to this guy or not?

In fact, he wasn't sure if he could tie up a second one.

Perhaps the ghosting in that system is simply a display bug.

However, Xia Weichan dared not take any chances. If she ignored the double image and waited until she had finished nurturing Zhou Juzi, what unexpected event might happen and kill her again?

This was unacceptable to Xia Weichan.

But he was also worried that if he missed Zhu Xuening, he wouldn't be able to find another person to be with.

After all, Xia Weichan had explored the entire university campus back then.

One advantage of being paired with Zhu Xuening is that, like Zhou Juzi, you don't have to worry about things like confessing your feelings.

However, this inevitably raises modern ethical issues.

Maintaining an open boyfriend-girlfriend relationship with two girls—isn't that just having a harem?

As for Zhu Xuening, given her personality, it's manageable, but what about Zhou Juzi...?

and many more…

Even if it's not tied to Zhu Xuening,

If it were a different, more normal girl, it might actually lead to problems on both sides.

If the second person she'd be grooming is Zhu Xuening, given that the girl seems completely unfazed by his scumbag remarks...

The problem between the two "girlfriends" then became a one-sided issue.

That makes it a good deal.

However, regarding raising...

Xia Weichan stared at the three black boxes on the girl-raising route selection screen, lost in thought.

What direction can this guy be developed into?

"..."

Furthermore, even if we take a step back, the purpose of this contact was simply a point in Ke Yueci's inheritance plan.

Will they focus more on completing Ke Yueci's task?

And not because of his own training of her?

Forehead…

What happened?

Xia Weichan suddenly felt a strange sympathy for Zhu Xuening. Wasn't she just like herself?

In order to complete the mission, you need to find a way to get close to the target and then increase the target's favorability...

It's like a complete reversal of his personality.

However, people can never truly empathize with their past selves. Sympathy is one thing, but it's a matter for the girl herself.

Xia Weichan felt inexplicably helpless about the character's reversal in this game.

But it doesn't really matter anymore.

At worst, I'll end up like Zhou Juzi.

He would sign a relationship contract, help the girl gain her freedom and develop an independent career, and then ask Zhu Xuening to maintain a superficial boyfriend-girlfriend relationship.

A win-win situation, isn't that great?

He was quite adept at cultivating girls like Ke Yuexuan, making her his second prodigy.

"~"

A gentle melody began to hum softly on the girl's lips, and Xia Weichan's thoughts gradually became clear.

"Add me in the contact information, let's arrange a time to meet tomorrow."

"it is good."

Zhu Xuening nodded obediently, then gently tiptoed, her gray-white eyelashes trembling slightly.

"Does Mr. Xia mean he's willing to accept Ke Yuexuan's cooperation?"

No, I refuse.

Xia Weichan is not yet linked to Zhu Xuening.

Looking at the girl's adorable appearance, he paused, then emphasized:

"Tomorrow, I only want to meet with Zhu Xuening."

"..."

This finally caused a subtle change in the girl's expression, and Zhu Xuening cast a questioning look at Xia Weichan:

"I represent Ke Yuexuan..."

"I know, but I'm not interested in her."

Xia Weichan interrupted,

If you've got the guts, let that guy come and find me in person. What kind of skill is it to bring out a pathetic puppet?

Zhu Xuening looked into Xia Weichan's eyes, lowered her gaze, and pondered for a moment.

"All right."

She didn't care.

.........

Xia Weichan didn't get to see the bird she wanted; instead, she received a call from Zuoqiu Hangyu after the negotiations with the Ke family.

They had no choice but to temporarily leave the melting snow mountain.

"Oh~"

On the bus, after listening to Xia Weichan's story, Zuoqiu Hangyu clicked his tongue and said:

"No wonder."

"No wonder!"

Xia Weichan asked.

Zuoqiu Hangyu shrugged at him, her small, fair, and clean hands outstretched.

"No wonder my conversation with the Ke family's lawyer wasn't as difficult as I expected; it turns out they had this plan all along."

"From a psychological perspective, it's true. A pretty and quiet girl would definitely be more effective in negotiating on your behalf, just like a pretty salesperson is more likely to close a deal."

A complex emotion flickered in the girl's gaze as she looked at Xia Weichan, but it was quickly concealed.

"Isn't the Ke family sending a well-behaved and pretty little girl to approach you just their first gift to ease tensions?"

"Indeed, and it makes sense. I'm not surprised that the Ke family did this."

"If you want to maximize your benefits, you can wait a little longer. I guess we'll be offering you substantial incentives to win you over soon."

"I have no intention of accepting it."

Xia Weichan spoke firmly, for he had long been disgusted with this kind of family that was all show and no substance.

As for Zhu Xuening...

After four cycles of development, he has lost all allure to this beautiful appearance.

"I see. Then why did you ask her out?" Zuoqiu Hangyu asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Don't ask any more questions."

"So, you're cheating on your girlfriend and planning to go on a date with another girl, right?"

Zuoqiu Hangyu clicked her tongue lightly, seemingly expressing her disdain for the behavior of a scumbag.

If any other girl had said this, Xia Weichan would probably have just laughed it off.

But it was Zuoqiu Hangyu who uttered these words.

That, when placed in Xia Weichan's ears, had a rather unique flavor.

He sighed softly:

"I just have some things to take care of."