The System Wants Me to Win Over the Overpowered Protagonist - Chapter 3

After that ordeal, I successfully attached myself to Situ Qianyin.

I remembered that the original novel had given him the Truth-Piercing Eye, one of his greatest gifts. It could see through practically anything—illusions, formations, other people’s techniques, even fortune itself.

That was why he had discovered the system immediately.

But even he could do nothing about the shocks. The system existed in a different dimension from us and couldn’t be selected as a target.

As my thoughts wandered, Situ Qianyin took two steps toward me.

For every half-step he advanced, I retreated three. My lower back soon struck the round table behind me.

The handsome man showed no emotion. “What is your name?”

“Nan Xu,” I answered obediently. “Nan as in north and south, Xu as in willow catkins.”

“You know me?”

I shook my head, paused, then nodded and gave him my most ingratiating smile. “I’ve long admired your reputation, young master.”

He ignored me after that and began cultivating.

The system had truly landed me in a nightmare. I stood there so awkwardly I had no idea what to do with my hands or feet. Eventually, I sat down with great care and poured myself some tea, only to scald my tongue.

Feeling wronged, I complained silently, “Electric Eel, you have done nothing but evil.”

【Is that the name you’ve given me?】 the system asked. 【What evil? I am forging a love story for the ages.】

It was clearly an office-worker system driven mad by performance targets, shoving together anyone it saw without a trace of reason left.

I advised it earnestly, “A melon twisted off the vine by force isn’t sweet.”

【If it’s edible, that’s good enough. It’s not as if I can taste it.】

“…”

My future looked bleak.

A few minutes later, the system announced, 【Host, take note. Routine vulnerability scan and repair commencing. This system will enter a twelve-hour sleep cycle.】

Before I could answer, several beeps sounded. Then it went completely silent.

At the exact moment the system fell asleep, my vision blurred. Someone appeared in the chair opposite me.

Situ Qianyin had flashed across the room.

Damn!

I stared up at him blankly.

His cold voice cut through the room. “I will ask questions. You will answer truthfully. If you deceive me—”

Before he could finish the threat, I nodded furiously. “Ask whatever you like.”

“What is the thing inside you?”

I had no idea how to explain it. After a moment’s thought, I chose the most vivid description.

“A kidnapper.”

His eyes darkened, unconvinced.

“What does it want you to do? Kill me?”

It wants me to seduce you.

I didn’t say that. I translated it into terms he might understand. “It wants me to… bewitch you? Capture your heart?”

Even Situ Qianyin laughed at that. A mocking curve touched his lips. “You?”

His gaze sharpened. “And I have no interest in men.”

I wailed inside. I knew it! System, you really were wicked!

“Oh. Oh,” I stammered, feeling as if his eyes might cut me apart. “What a pity.”

“How do I undo its spell?”

I shook my head. “I don’t know.”

He continued to study me. “Were you coerced as well?”

I nodded eagerly. “Yes. It holds my life in its hands.”

“Is that so?” he asked idly. “What happens if you disobey?”

I thought about it. “I won’t live through the year.”

So compared to me, being shocked a few times was practically nothing.

Situ Qianyin lowered his gaze. His face revealed nothing of his thoughts.

I stole frightened glances at him, wondering whether my declaration of loyalty had persuaded him that I wasn’t a threat.

Then he looked up as an idea occurred to him. “That thing is inside you.”

It was a statement, not a question.

I blinked, confused.

His gaze locked onto me, a cold gleam flickering in his eyes. “If I kill you, will it disappear too?”

I went numb with terror.

Inside my head, I screamed: Why did male-power-fantasy heroes always have to fight, fight, kill, and kill? What was wrong with being cheerful and well-adjusted?

In fairness, his early life was to blame. He was the beautiful, powerful, tragic type—belittled, abused, betrayed, and steeped in darkness. Whatever kindness remained in him had nearly been ground away.

I drew a trembling breath.

“Then I’m begging you.”

“Please spare me.”

I waited anxiously for his answer.

For a long moment, he neither spoke nor moved. He seemed to be weighing his options.

At least he didn’t say he wasn’t in the business of “sparing horses.” At last, he rose and looked down at me.

“We leave for Suzhou tomorrow,” he said coolly.

“You had better not let me catch you playing any tricks.”

I was safe for now. My heart finally dropped back down from my throat.