The Abusive Novel System Pleads with Me to Resign

Gao Yingli listened to Shen Ying's shameless words, feeling as if the breakfast in his mouth had turned to sawdust.

When the chef had mentioned it earlier, he already thought it was absurd. The head chef he had hired—someone picky like him—was undoubtedly exceptional in his field.

For a chef of that caliber to become infatuated overnight with a woman like Shen Ying, whose looks weren’t breathtaking and whose charm was far from alluring, was nothing short of a joke.

Yet the same joke had just come from the old butler’s mouth.

Gao Yingli could barely keep his composure. He stared at the butler and said, “Do you even hear what you're saying? Your own daughter is older than her.”

The butler had devoted his entire life to the Gao family—he’d seen storms and waves.

But now, his betrayal was resolute: “Indeed, I feel guilty—not only toward my family but also for the distress I’ve caused Miss Shen.”

“So, the only thing I can do is offer Miss Shen the highest material comforts within my authority to make up for the shock she’s endured. Please understand, Mr. Gao.”

Gao Yingli: “…”

Had this old man lost all dignity?

Of course, he didn’t believe a word of their nonsense. But for Shen Ying to turn these people against him overnight—and worse, using the very reasons he’d mocked her yesterday to throw back in his face—meant she must have employed some unseen manipulation or coercion.

Either way, if she’d pulled it off, it was her skill.

Still, Gao Yingli was displeased by how easily his staff had folded.

He glanced at the old butler. “Comforts? I don’t recall your authority extending to placing someone in the room next to mine.”

The butler braced himself, ready to lose his job.

But then Shen Ying spoke: “Did I hear wrong? Mr. Gao, you were the one who delivered the irresistibly charming me to your staff and told them they could treat me however they pleased.”

“Because of your whims, your loyal old employee is now losing face and torn between duty and desire, merely offering the best treatment within your own rules.”

“And even after humbling himself like this, he still gets scolded.” Shen Ying smiled faintly at Gao Yingli. “Mr. Gao, you wouldn’t be a sore loser, would you?”

“You said my treatment would depend entirely on my own ability. Did you only expect me to fail?”

She pushed away the lavish breakfast in front of her. “If you’d said so earlier, I would’ve just admitted defeat upfront—confessed that I couldn’t conquer Mr. Gao—instead of going in circles.”

Then, turning to the head chef, she added, “Take this away. Don’t bother doing anything for me anymore. And don’t say you’re in love with me—Mr. Gao has already decided it’s all a lie.”

Gao Yingli gritted his teeth at her biting, insincere sarcasm.

But the rules were his own. Even if he wouldn’t let this woman lead him around like Lu Linwei, he still had to maintain basic fairness.

He forced a smirk and stood. “I’ve lost my appetite. See me out for work.”

Shen Ying feigned surprise. “Was there ever a rule on how I’m supposed to ‘conquer’ you, Mr. Gao?”

“Sorry, but I’m not going for the patient, doting approach. Please don’t jump to conclusions.”

She gestured to the head maid standing nearby. “Mr. Gao is leaving. Escort him out, would you?”

“Oh, and prepare the yacht for me. I’m going out for a BBQ today.”

The head maid was a stern, no-nonsense woman—someone Gao Yingli had always considered utterly dependable.

Just like the butler had been, once.

Except for one crucial difference: the head maid was a woman.

And though her rank was technically lower than the butler’s, she wasn’t under his jurisdiction. In fact, they had mutual oversight powers.

If Shen Ying thought winning over the butler meant she could do as she pleased, Gao Yingli was eager to see her hit her first real obstacle.

But to his shock, the usually unyielding head maid responded calmly, “Of course, Miss Shen. The recreation department will prepare the yacht for you shortly.”

“Would you prefer the Starlight or the Poseidon? Both have just been serviced and offer the best experience.”

Shen Ying glanced at Gao Yingli and said meaningfully, “The Poseidon. It suits me better.”

Gao Yingli took a deep breath and fixed the head maid with a glare.

His silent demand was obvious.

The head maid hesitated, then finally confessed in a strained voice, “I… I’ve also fallen in love with Miss Shen.”

“Cough—!”

Gao Yingli almost choked. He stared at her in disbelief. “Your son is in high school.”

The head maid grimaced. “Yes… and it’s only now, with Miss Shen, that I’ve found true love.”

“Ever since I saw her, I’ve regretted my marriage. The man at home is worthless—can’t rely on him, can’t stand him. He’s nothing compared to Miss Shen.”

Strangely, Gao Yingli got the feeling that some part of her words was genuine.

He glanced back at his sprawling mansion, never imagining that in just one night, he’d feel as though his territory had been invaded.

He called over one of his assistants and ordered him to stay behind and investigate the whole situation.

Then, with barely contained frustration, he left for work.

The morning’s irritation still hadn’t faded by midday, so Gao Yingli decided to take it out on Lu Linwei.

At least that woman had one use—keeping her under control would ensure long-term suffering for Lu Linwei.

Without her sharp tongue stirring trouble, Gao Yingli figured he could extract endless amusement from Lu Linwei now.

While Gao Yingli headed to Lu Corp., Assistant Liu, left behind at the mansion, watched Shen Ying set sail on the private yacht.

After a morning of finding no clues, he finally decided to confront the matter directly.

His first stop was the butler, who was currently in the wine cellar cataloging Gao Yingli’s latest collection of rare, expensive vintages.

Assistant Liu walked in and asked bluntly, “What were you thinking, putting her in the room next to Mr. Gao’s?”

“What exactly did that woman do?”

The old butler’s thoughts drifted back to last night.

After Mr. Gao had retired to his room, Shen Ying had approached him, demanding a place to rest.

Understanding his employer’s intent, the butler had initially taken her to the servants’ quarters, intending to assign her a modest room there.

But the moment the door opened, she’d wrinkled her nose. “No. This is too small. The bathroom in my last place was bigger than this.”

“The bed’s too narrow too. I toss and turn in my sleep—I’ll fall right off.”

“And there’s no fridge or ensuite? So if I want water at night or need the bathroom, I have to go outside?”

The butler remained unmoved. “My apologies, Miss Shen. This is the only available room suitable for you.”

Shen Ying countered, “Who says? The room next to Gao Yingli’s is empty. I want that one.”

The butler didn’t budge. “That room isn’t for you.”

Shen Ying turned, her smile unwavering. “By Mr. Gao’s own words, isn’t ‘suitability’ entirely up to your discretion?”

“If you decide I’m suitable, you can put me there. Can’t you do me this favor?”

The butler smiled: "I don't think it's appropriate."

Shen Ying wasn’t embarrassed in the slightest and immediately countered: "Then which do you think is easier—arranging a better room for me or weathering your wife’s fury?"

"Not just that. Add in your children’s resentment, your relatives’ accusations, getting divorced at your age, and having your dignified, elegant image shattered beyond recognition."

The old butler’s lips twitched at her words, finding her utterly baffling, yet his posture remained poised and refined as he replied, "I’m afraid I don’t understand what Miss Shen is implying."

Shen Ying shrugged. "Don’t understand? A married man with children secretly funding the child his first love bore—what’s so hard to grasp about getting your head bashed in?"

The butler gasped sharply, quickly glancing around.

Only when he confirmed no one was nearby did he exhale in relief.

But then her voice continued, "Boy or girl?"

Without waiting for his answer, she deduced, "Ah, must be a boy."

The butler lowered his voice urgently. "How could you possibly know?"

Shen Ying smirked. "Yi Wood and Robbery Wealth—I get it. You’re the type who loves protecting fragile, helpless vines with no survival skills."

"Clearly not your wife’s fate, and your own destiny isn’t one for illegitimate children either. In fact, your life chart shows integrity and self-restraint."

"Even if the other party is pitiable, for the sake of your family, you’d only offer minimal support, not long-term provision. So the only thing that could make you break your principles is a higher moral duty overriding your moral fortress."

"Long-term financial burdens are usually illness, debt, or a child. The first two, given your means, wouldn’t drag on for years unresolved. So that leaves… a child."

She circled the now-sweating butler. "Your wedding ring, that locket with a family photo—you take such good care of these sentimental items. Seems you cherish your wife and family dearly."

"Pity that peaceful home of yours is about to be engulfed in flames."

"The room next to Mr. Gao’s, right?" The butler relented instantly. "I’ll arrange it immediately."

The butler’s thoughts snapped back from last night to the present, meeting Assistant Liu’s scrutinizing gaze.

He maintained firmly, "Miss Shen did nothing. I simply believe she deserves it."

No matter how Assistant Liu pressed, the butler refused to say more, forcing him to turn to the head chef in the kitchen.

The chef was inspecting the day’s fresh seafood delivery when Assistant Liu approached. "What was your deal this morning? Since when do you lack such basic tact?"

The chef’s face darkened. He’d stayed up late last night only to be summoned by the butler, expecting a midnight snack request from Mr. Gao—only to face some irrelevant woman.

The moment she saw him, she’d demanded, "I want supper. Make something warm and hearty, your specialty. And for breakfast tomorrow, I’ll have—"

As she rattled off a rapid-fire menu, the chef shot the butler a disbelieving look.

*You called me here for this? Mr. Gao already said to ignore her. Why are you treating her like royalty?*

The chef smirked coldly. "Apologies, the kitchen’s closed. No supper. If the lady’s hungry, someone can fetch her instant noodles."

Shen Ying sighed. "I’m sure cooking a midnight snack is far easier than answering a divorce call from your wife at this hour."

The chef bristled. "You’d better be prepared to take responsibility for those words."

Shen Ying nodded. "Oh, I will. Like being a key witness to your affair with that short-haired housekeeping staffer who just walked by."

The chef paled, staring at her as if she were a ghost. They’d been careful—almost no one in the estate knew.

The woman continued, "Given Mr. Gao’s standards, you must’ve been an established chef before becoming his private cook."

"Working for him, handling banquets and parties, gives you access to elite connections and gourmet resources you’d never reach otherwise."

"But your external ventures are managed by your most loyal partner—your wife. I asked the butler earlier. She runs at least six popular restaurants, doesn’t she?"

"Imagine her finding out that while she’s slaving away for your shared business, you’re fooling around with another woman. A woman of her caliber? Doubt she’ll take it quietly."

The chef broke into a cold sweat. *Quietly?*

His employment under Mr. Gao required discretion, and all external assets were under his wife’s name. If this blew up, he’d be tossed out with nothing.

He forced an obsequious grin. "What would you like? I’ll cook it right now. Breakfast tomorrow? Absolutely. Any request, I’ll work through the night."

Shen Ying tilted her chin, signaling him to get to work, then added, "If Mr. Gao asks, tell him you’re hopelessly in love with me and did this willingly. Got it?"

"Not like you’d want to explain the real reason anyway."

The chef thought, *Obviously.* A minor defiance, especially with Mr. Gao’s granted autonomy, would at worst earn a scolding.

But if his affair reached his wife? Game over.

As the chef hurried off, the butler sighed. "I didn’t expect that."

Shen Ying grinned. "What are you talking about? You’re not much better—just not rotten to the core yet."

"But don’t worry. Even if he dodges this bullet, karma’s coming."

*With the Army Star and Right Support in the Spouse Palace, divorce is inevitable.*

No sooner had the chef left than the head housekeeper arrived, summoned at Shen Ying’s request.

The moment she appeared, Shen Ying said, "Fetch me fresh clothes, feminine essentials, and a silk nightgown."

The housekeeper glanced at the butler, baffled by his compliance and unwilling to oblige. "I can arrange that, Miss Shen, but these are personal expenses. If you’re willing to cover the costs, I’ll inquire with procurement tomorrow."

Shen Ying cut to the chase. "Your son’s taking the college entrance exam soon, right? Good grades? High hopes?"

"Tsinghua or Peking University?" She sighed. "What a shame."

The housekeeper stiffened, glaring at the butler. "You shared my personal details with her?"

The butler was equally stunned as Shen Ying continued, "Relax. One exam doesn’t define a life."

"A fluke performance won’t ruin his future."

The housekeeper assumed a veiled threat. "What exactly are you implying?"

Shen Ying shrugged. "Just a friendly reminder. Overloading him with brain-boosting supplements won’t help. His focus today was off, and luck’s not on his side—but that’s not the root issue."

"Let him rest, ease the pressure. If he repeats next year, he might still hit his goal."

"Otherwise, the pressure could become unbearable, leading to severe illness, underperformance that’s hard to accept, a complete mental breakdown, and shattered confidence—that would ruin a lifetime."

The head maid looked at her as if she’d seen a ghost: "How did you—? Don’t you dare harm him."

Her son had always excelled academically, self-motivated and disciplined, but this year was strange. His focus had noticeably declined, and his mock exam results, while still among the top in his grade, had slipped compared to before.

Both mother and son were anxious, but there seemed to be no solution. What was once a guaranteed admission to his dream school now felt uncertain.

Shen Ying smiled lightly. "No need to worry. It’s just a temporary dip in fortune—mental stagnation, an unfavorable alignment with the Wenchang star affecting exam luck. A small issue, easily fixed."

"Of course, you’re free to dismiss this as nonsense. But if you’re interested, bring me that silk pajama set, and we can talk further."

The head maid confirmed with the butler that he hadn’t revealed anything, so she didn’t dare take it lightly.

She hurriedly fetched what Shen Ying had requested and, after receiving her advice, called home to wake her husband. She scolded him into moving a potted plant on the balcony and placing a bowl of water in a specific direction.

The next morning, she called to check on her son and was delighted to hear that his morning study session had been unusually efficient—no more bouts of distraction or mental sluggishness.

By noon, her son called again: his latest mock exam results were out, and for the first time this year, he’d reclaimed the top spot in his class.

The immediate effect left the head maid practically ready to worship Shen Ying.

So when Assistant Liu approached her, she snapped impatiently, "I don’t understand why you can’t stand to see a girl in a better position."

"Technically, she’s someone Mr. Gao brought back. I won’t comment on the master’s decisions, but since we were instructed to ensure her comfort, I see no issue in extending her some kindness. What’s it to you?"

Assistant Liu: "..."

Before he could argue further, the yacht carrying Shen Ying returned from the sea.

The head maid eagerly greeted her: "Miss Shen, you’re back already? Would you like some fresh juice? We just received a shipment of imported fruits—all very fresh. Care to try?"

Shen Ying nodded, then turned her gaze to Assistant Liu, a slow smile curling on her lips.

For some reason, Assistant Liu felt a chill crawl down his spine.

While his fate remained uncertain, Gao Yingli had already barged into Lu Linwei’s office—ignoring all attempts to stop him.

Lu Linwei stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, his expression dark. The moment he saw Gao Yingli, he spat out a single word: "Leave."

Gao Yingli smirked. "What’s wrong? Too afraid to face me?"

"Too afraid to face Shen Ying’s dearest friend? Worried I’ll demand answers about her disappearance?"

Lu Linwei’s face twisted momentarily. "Dearest friend? Weren’t you too busy playing the dutiful son? Since when did you promote yourself?"

Unfazed, Gao Yingli taunted, "Don’t change the subject."

"Miss Shen is missing, and my concern is no less than yours. I just want to know—how can you stand here so calmly after nearly 24 hours?"

"Did that one lucky escape from kidnapping make you think she could just swim back from the middle of the ocean?"

Lu Linwei whirled around, his murderous glare fixed on Gao Yingli.

Gao Yingli, however, remained unshaken. "How terrifying. Will taking your anger out on me make you feel better?"

"Go ahead, then. I’m not like Miss Shen—I can handle your misplaced rage."

"I’m genuinely baffled. How does a perfectly capable woman, just by dating you, keep ending up in increasingly dire situations?"

"How did you let her get kidnapped in a place you had completely secured?"

"I heard you’ve been ruthlessly retaliating against the Qiao family since last night. How impressive—everyone’s calling you devoted. But what’s the point?"

"That freezing water, nearly 20 hours… As much as I hate to say it, I can’t imagine any chance of survival."

"Shut up!" Lu Linwei’s voice trembled with barely restrained fury.

Gao Yingli’s lips curled in satisfaction.

Indeed, the frustration Shen Ying had stirred in him earlier that morning was now soothed.

As long as she was in his grasp, he had endless means to torment Lu Linwei.

And this time, he wouldn’t have to worry about her casually withdrawing her so-called "emotional value" with a few clever words.

But Gao Yingli’s enjoyment of Lu Linwei’s anguish lasted less than two minutes before someone burst into the office—

"Sir, you can’t go in—"

"Come on, stop blocking me! Assistant Fang, look at her—what’s the big deal? Brother Lu! Brother Lu!"

Lu Linwei looked up to see Shen Yao, grinning like an idiot, waving his phone.

This was far from the tearful wreck he’d been after learning his sister had been lost at sea.

"Brother Lu! My sister called! She said you weren’t answering, so she told me to come find you."

Gao Yingli’s expression froze.

Lu Linwei could hardly believe it. He stared at the phone in Shen Yao’s hand—still on the call—and carefully took it.

Then, Shen Ying’s annoyed voice crackled through: "Why aren’t you answering your phone? How dare you ignore my calls? What gives you the right?"

Hearing her voice, Lu Linwei felt like a drowning man finally pulled to safety.

His entire body sagged as he collapsed into his chair, relief pouring out in uneven breaths. "You’re alive—you’re alive!"

With the speakerphone on, every word of their exchange reached Gao Yingli’s ears.

The man who’d reveled in Lu Linwei’s torment barely two minutes ago now stood utterly still, his face darkening with fury.

Because even now—even when she wasn’t physically present—her promise haunted him:

*No payment, no emotional value.*