The Abusive Novel System Pleads with Me to Resign

Gao Yingli couldn't possibly be unaware that he had been played by Shen Ying.

But Qiao Mingfei didn’t know that. She merely sneered, "I never expected Mr. Gao to drug me in his own home. Going to such lengths for someone as insignificant as me—I’m almost flattered."

Gao Yingli fell silent for a few seconds. "It wasn’t me."

Qiao Mingfei gave him a look that said, You must think I’m an idiot. "If not you, Mr. Gao, then who? The kidnapped Miss Shen?"

Damn right it was this woman, Gao Yingli thought, but he had no intention of arguing with Qiao Mingfei.

He didn’t care what she believed. His gaze simply settled on Shen Ying.

Faced with his accusatory stare, Shen Ying put on the full display of a traitorous lackey—

Worried for his worries, she said, "No need to explain, Mr. Gao. I understand you."

"This woman is only bold enough to come here alone because she thinks she has leverage over you and believes she’s uncovered your reluctance to get entangled in conflict."

"But this fool hasn’t even noticed the gaping holes in her own story. She claims only the Qiao father and son knew about the confidential operation—so how did she find out?"

"There are only a few possibilities: eavesdropping, coincidence, guesswork, or she was involved in the planning without the Qiao men realizing."

"But no matter which it is, she wouldn’t dare expose herself to them—especially now, with the Qiao family suffering heavy losses from the failed operation. A loose end like her would be the first suspect for the leak."

"Not to mention, the Qiao family isn’t lacking in people. For negotiations with someone of your stature, Mr. Gao, would they really send a mere underling like her?"

"So I’d bet anything she came here without anyone’s knowledge. She’s just bluffing, trying to intimidate you with the Qiao family’s name."

Gao Yingli stared at Shen Ying, sorely tempted to ask, Are you sure Qiao Mingfei is the only one bluffing here?

Then Shen Ying concluded, "So all you have to do, Mr. Gao, is throw this woman to the sharks, and the so-called leverage disappears."

She patted Gao Yingli’s chest. "Your staff are the most proactive I’ve ever seen. Once they grasped the situation, they promptly drugged her and left her at your disposal."

Gao Yingli: "...And now you’re taking credit?"

So you’re the one who instigated this, huh?

Qiao Mingfei’s face darkened. "As expected of Mr. Gao—ruthless as ever."

Shen Ying’s entire performance left Gao Yingli at a loss.

He looked at Qiao Mingfei, unsure whether to release her or not.

In the end, he just waved two men over. "Take her away for now."

Shen Ying quickly added, "Right. Mr. Gao doesn’t keep freeloaders. She came here provoking trouble, putting him in a difficult position."

"No reason to treat her well—toss her into the stables to shovel horse dung. No work, no food."

The staff nodded without hesitation. "Understood!"

Gao Yingli was livid. "Why don’t you all just take orders from her instead?"

Only then did the staff realize their boss might have different instructions. "Then... should we prepare a guest room?"

Gao Yingli glanced at Qiao Mingfei, still irritated by her.

He waved dismissively. "Just stick to shoveling dung."

The staff exchanged glances. Wasn’t that exactly what Miss Shen said?

Qiao Mingfei seethed. She glared at Shen Ying and scoffed, "I thought Miss Shen must have been struggling all this time you were missing. I even tried to find a way to rescue you."

"How presumptuous of me. With your skills, you’d thrive under any man’s roof."

"But does Mr. Lu know his fiancée is here, bending over backward for his mortal enemy?"

Shen Ying replied bluntly, "No, he doesn’t. Which is why the only loose end—Miss Qiao—must be eliminated."

Though Qiao Mingfei knew Shen Ying was targeting her, hearing that this was the reason for her impending demise twisted her face with fury and bitter resentment. "You don’t deserve him."

Shen Ying smirked. "Tell that to Mr. Lu. See if he so much as glances your way."

"If he even deigns to reply with ‘Who the hell are you to meddle in my business?’—that’d be him being polite."

Qiao Mingfei gritted her teeth. "While he’s been searching for you like a madman, you’ve been here, cozying up to Mr. Gao. Would you dare let Lu Linwei know?"

Shen Ying shrugged shamelessly. "Why wouldn’t I? Anyone with eyes can see I’m being forced."

"Just because I’m Mr. Lu’s fiancée, I’ve attracted the obsession of a deranged man like Mr. Gao. Because Mr. Lu failed to protect me, I fell into his hands."

"I’ve lost my freedom and have to sell my charms just to survive. Even Mr. Lu would pity my suffering if he knew."

Gao Yingli couldn’t take it anymore. "Say that again about suffering?"

His entire household was practically under siege—but admitting that would be humiliating.

Shen Ying shrank back at his tone. "No, no, Mr. Gao treats me wonderfully. I’m perfectly content with my life here. I don’t want to go back at all."

Her forced smile and trembling voice made it sound like she was speaking at gunpoint, making Gao Yingli’s blood boil.

Then, just as quickly, Shen Ying dropped the act and flashed a twisted grin. "Which is why I think someone should share this blessing with me."

She pointed at Qiao Mingfei. "Mr. Gao, this woman is one of Mr. Lu’s secret admirers. Unlike Qiao Mingyue, who only runs her mouth, she’s the type who’d do anything to eliminate the women around him."

"Well, Mr. Gao? Wouldn’t conquering someone like that be more satisfying?"

Qiao Mingfei’s heart dropped. She stared at Shen Ying in horror, stunned by her viciousness.

She knew Gao Yingli and Lu Linwei had been enemies since childhood—that Gao Yingli would seize anything Lu Linwei valued, just to spite him.

This might actually work—

But Gao Yingli didn’t even hesitate. "Hah? Some woman Lu Linwei wouldn’t even recognize? Why would I bother?"

Qiao Mingfei: "..."

Relieved, but deeply insulted.

Shen Ying smirked at Gao Yingli. "Still denying your fetish for stealing what’s his?"

Gao Yingli: "..."

So the trap was for me all along.

Furious, he forced a cold smile. "You’re good. You’ve dodged another bullet today."

With that, he stormed out.

Once he was gone, Shen Ying stopped the men dragging Qiao Mingfei away.

"Wait—let me take a photo."

Out of nowhere, she produced a phone, leaned in beside the weakened Qiao Mingfei, and snapped a few selfies.

After uploading them to the cloud, the phone was confiscated again.

Gao Yingli reappeared, scanning the room. "From now on, no phones in the estate."

Shen Ying shrugged helplessly. Gao Yingli scowled and left once more.

For several days, everything was peaceful. When Gao Yingli thought that Shen Ying took the photo out of pride, trouble came knocking on his door.

To be precise, it was a person who came directly to his place. This time, it was General Manager Qiao, the elder brother of Qiao Mingyue.

As soon as he saw Gao Yingli, he questioned him, "I regarded you as a friend and confided in you sincerely. How could you stab me in the back?"

Gao Yingli thought to himself, Who would be friends with an idiot? But on the surface, he feigned surprise and asked, "What on earth has happened that made you come all the way here to question me at this time?"

General Manager Qiao sneered, "You're really good at scheming. I was wondering why everything went smoothly that night, but then the person just disappeared out of the blue.

It turns out you took advantage of the situation. Gao Yingli, not only did you ruin our Qiao family's plan, but now you even have the nerve to kick us when we're down. Do you really think our Qiao family is made of clay?"

Gao Yingli replied, "Did you come here just to talk in riddles?"

Seeing that he was still pretending to be ignorant, General Manager Qiao took out his phone, opened a photo, and pushed it in front of Gao Yingli.

"If it weren't for you, how could that woman be here? And my cousin, she's been missing for several days. It turns out she's fallen into your hands."

When Gao Yingli saw the photo, it was exactly the one Shen Ying took that day.

He felt as if he was going to pass out from anger. With a forced smile through his rage, he said, "Bring them to me."

The people below were very efficient. In just a few minutes, they brought Shen Ying and Qiao Mingfei over.

Shen Ying looked fine. She was wearing a silk dress, looking leisurely and lazy, as if she had just taken a good nap.

In contrast, Qiao Mingfei was in a sorry state. She was wearing a blue work uniform, a rubber apron, and rubber boots, and her whole body smelled of horse manure.

Seeing this, General Manager Qiao took a few steps back and asked, "Xiaofei? What's wrong with you?"

"Gao Yingli, how dare you treat my sister like this."

But Gao Yingli ignored him and walked straight up to Shen Ying. In a cold voice, he asked, "What good deed have you done?"

Shen Ying didn't pretend to be innocent either. When she saw General Manager Qiao, a look of disdain appeared on her face.

"Come on, it took you so long to find me after I sent the information. No wonder you can't compete with Lu Linwei.

With this kind of slow - paced and indecisive attitude towards important information, what can you use to fight? I bet you went to your dad first, right?"

General Manager Qiao's face turned red with anger. "Shut up, bitch. You'll pay for this."

Shen Ying retorted, "Why are you getting so angry? Don't you have any manners towards the person who sent you such valuable information?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Gao Yingli grabbed her chin and turned her face back. His expression was extremely dangerous. "Why bother with that idiot? Look at me and answer me."

Shen Ying said earnestly, "I'm also thinking about you, Young Master Gao. The Qiao family is on the decline. Even a small fry dares to come here and threaten you.

I want them to see your courage and determination, Young Master Gao. If you're going to fight, fight the whole Qiao family."

Hearing this, Gao Yingli was silent for a long time, and the anger on his face gradually disappeared.

He sat back on the chair, pulled Shen Ying over, and she fell onto his lap.

"Want to escape, huh?" Gao Yingli said. "If Qiao Mingfei isn't safe, do you think the Qiao family is?

Or do you just want to instigate the Qiao family to fight against me so that Lu Linwei can take the opportunity to save you?"

Then Gao Yingli turned Shen Ying's face towards him and said, "Watch closely. You're walking into the grave you dug yourself."

Then he said to General Manager Qiao, "You can continue."

Before coming here, General Manager Qiao had thought of countless ways to talk to Gao Yingli. After all, the Qiao family didn't dare to fight against both the Lu family and the Gao family at the same time.

So although he came to question Gao Yingli, his attitude wasn't really tough.

At this moment, being swept by Gao Yingli's arrogant attitude, General Manager Qiao suddenly forgot what he wanted to say.

After stuttering for a few seconds, he finally said, "We can overlook the fact that you ruined our Qiao family's plan."

Gao Yingli scoffed, "So what if you don't overlook it?"

General Manager Qiao continued, "... Young Master Gao, don't be too arrogant. Even if the Qiao family has no time to deal with you now, if Lu Linwei knows that this woman is in your hands, he's bound to go crazy, right?"

The only thing the Qiao family was glad about was that there was absolutely no possibility of cooperation between the Gao family and the Lu family.

But Gao Yingli said indifferently, "He's currently in a fierce fight with you guys. Even if he goes crazy, what can he do to me? Do you think I, Gao Yingli, am an opponent he can defeat without going all out?"

Seeing that he was unmoved, General Manager Qiao simply gritted his teeth and said, "There has been a long - standing feud between your Gao family and the Lu family.

Young Master Gao, why don't you take this opportunity to join hands with our Qiao family and completely push the Lu family out of the picture?

There won't be such a good opportunity again. Normally, no one would take such a big risk to cooperate with you. Only our Qiao family would. It's true that our current situation is not good, but in this way, with the two families joining hands, you can also take the lead and divide more benefits.

This is an open and honest offer. What do you think, Young Master Gao?"

Gao Yingli smiled and said, "Although it wasn't my intention to get involved in this mess, I have to make a choice now.

I agree to cooperate with the Qiao family."

As he said this, his eyes were fixed on Shen Ying.

Obviously, he wanted her to understand that the current situation was all caused by her stupidity and recklessness.

General ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‍Manager Qiao originally thought he would have to spend more time persuading Gao Yingli. Who would have thought it would be so easy to convince him? He was immediately overjoyed.

He said, "Then let's meet tomorrow morning. My father will come in person to discuss the details."

Matters like joining hands to deal with the Lu family can't be decided with just a few words. The leaders of the two families must have repeated detailed discussions, make plans, lay out strategies, exchange information, and divide the benefits in advance.

So General Manager Qiao didn't plan to stay any longer. He said, "Then Miss Shen will stay with you, Young Master Gao, for now. After tomorrow's meeting, we'll decide her fate.

As for my cousin, can I take her back first?"

Gao Yingli made a gesture and said, "Please do."

Just as the two of them were about to turn around and leave, Gao Yingli suddenly said, "If it had been you, General Manager Qiao, who came last time, it wouldn't have been so disrespectful.

I thought I, Gao Yingli, was so underestimated in the eyes of the Qiao family that I was only worthy of negotiating with someone like Miss Qiao."

A look of confusion appeared on General Manager Qiao's face. Then he realized something was wrong and asked, "What do you mean, Young Master Gao?"

Gao Yingli smiled and said, "Don't you know, General Manager Qiao? Miss Qiao came here last time and demanded that I hand over Miss Shen. She even threatened me in the name of the Qiao family. I thought it was your instruction."

General Manager Qiao looked at Qiao Mingfei in disbelief and asked, "What's going on?"

Qiao Mingfei's eyes flickered and she said, "Let's go back and talk about it."

General Manager Qiao didn't want to get entangled here, so he took Qiao Mingfei and left the Gao family's place.

Of course, no one knew what the conversation between the cousins was like after that.

But at this moment, Gao Yingli was looking at Shen Ying playfully and said, "Well, as you wished.

I'm about to go to war with General Manager Lu.

Once the two families go to war, we won't have time for that little after - dinner game between you and me. Do you understand what will happen to you if you're handed over to the Qiao family?"

Gao Yingli observed every expression on Shen Ying's face, hoping to see panic and regret. But there was none.

His brow gradually furrowed. Even though logic dictated that her actions could only be described as foolish, this woman’s seemingly idiotic behavior often concealed deeper intentions.

As the anger of being fooled faded, Gao Yingli felt an unexpected sense of anticipation stirring within him.

He had Shen Ying kept under strict surveillance overnight, and the next morning, he brought her to the meeting place arranged with the Qiao family.

It was a secluded private villa—Gao Yingli’s territory. The Qiao family, being the ones seeking a favor, naturally found themselves at his mercy.

Gao Yingli led Shen Ying into the villa’s reception room. Before the meeting began, aside from Chairman Qiao and his son, Gao Yingli, and a secretary from each side, the only extra person present was Shen Ying.

The reception room was soundproof, ensuring no interruptions from outside.

Once everything was prepared, Chairman Qiao and his son engaged in hours of negotiation and back-and-forth with Gao Yingli.

Shen Ying, bored to the point of dozing off, pulled out her phone and started playing games.

Within minutes, the voices around her quieted. Gao Yingli’s gaze fell on her first, and the Qiao father and son followed suit, pausing their discussion.

Gao Yingli snatched her phone away. "Where did you even get this?"

Shen Ying shrugged. "You’re the only one I’m familiar with in this room. It’s not like I could borrow from Chairman Qiao, so of course I took yours."

Gao Yingli scoffed. "You call this borrowing?"

He hadn’t even noticed when she’d swiped his phone. Wasn’t she just an ordinary office worker before? Where did she pick up these skills?

Seeing that he wouldn’t return her phone, Shen Ying sighed. "At least give me something to pass the time?"

Gao Yingli was almost amused by her audacity—still thinking about entertainment at a time like this.

With a glance at his assistant, Shen Ying was handed an offline tablet, good only for playing a simple match-three game.

Better than nothing.

After several hours of mindless tapping, Shen Ying grew bored, just as the negotiations were wrapping up.

Once again, all eyes turned to her.

Chairman Qiao spoke first. "It’s been over a month since we last met, hasn’t it?"

"Hope you’ve been well, Miss Shen."

Shen Ying looked up, returning the tablet to the assistant, and smiled at Chairman Qiao. "Though we haven’t met, your generosity has left a lasting impression on me."

"Every time I recall the moment you signed that transfer agreement, my admiration for you grows."

Chairman Qiao’s expression darkened briefly before he forced a smile.

Turning to Gao Yingli, he said, "President Gao, Miss Shen is a crucial part of our plan. Since my family is taking the lead, shouldn’t she be handed over to us now?"

"Rest assured, if you’re particularly fond of her, we’ll ensure her safety. Once everything is settled, we’ll return her to you."

"Then you can flaunt her in front of Lu Linwei openly—wouldn’t that be more satisfying? Assuming he’s still alive by then, of course."

Gao Yingli ignored Chairman Qiao and instead asked Shen Ying, "What do you say?"

"Would you rather go with Chairman Qiao or stay with me?"

Shen Ying raised an eyebrow. "I actually get a choice in this?"

The Qiao father and son frowned at her remark, but Gao Yingli chuckled. "As long as you can offer the same terms you used to strike me."

Chairman Qiao cut in, "President Gao, we’ve come this far. You’re not going to pull a Lu Linwei and jeopardize everything over a woman—"

Gao Yingli raised a hand, silencing him, and waited for Shen Ying’s answer.

Shen Ying glanced at the Qiao family, then back at Gao Yingli.

"You know that all the previous moves against me were orchestrated by Qiao Mingfei, right?"

Gao Yingli nodded. After Shen Ying’s earlier conversation with Qiao Mingfei, even a fool could deduce the latter’s role in these events.

General Manager Qiao, however, wore a look of disdain. Gao Yingli’s hints had been obvious to anyone with half a brain.

Unfortunately, General Manager Qiao wasn’t among them—he’d even been temporarily placated by Qiao Mingfei’s excuses afterward.

But no one cared about his judgment. Shen Ying continued, "If I knew from the start that she was behind it, why didn’t I expose her? Why let things escalate again and again?"

Gao Yingli’s expression shifted. He was beginning to grasp something, yet it seemed too absurd to believe.

He answered cautiously, "Because you needed excuses to extort money from Lu Linwei."

"Every attack from the Qiao family, rooted in Lu Linwei’s influence, wasn’t a crisis for you—it was a payday."

Shen Ying smiled. "Then tell me, under what circumstances would I finally drag Qiao Mingfei, my personal money-making serpent, into the light?"

Gao Yingli’s voice lowered. "When she’s no longer of any use to you."

What scenario would render the Qiao family incapable of providing further extortion opportunities? Only if their empire collapsed, or if Chairman Qiao’s faction was permanently crushed.

But Gao Yingli still couldn’t believe it. No matter how cunning she was, this was—

The Qiao family was a colossal entity. Even Lu Linwei’s relentless assaults had barely scratched the surface.

Yet Shen Ying’s gaze now settled on Chairman Qiao. "Do you know why I leaked my whereabouts to General Manager Qiao?"

"Because I needed you all to be cut off from the outside world—just for half a day."

"There’s no better excuse, nor one more within my control, than a high-stakes meeting with President Gao to discuss overthrowing the Lu family. So I arranged this little gathering."

General Manager Qiao sneered. "You arranged this? You’re saying the heads of our two families are sitting here because you manipulated us? As if!"

Before he could finish, Gao Yingli interrupted, "Is there any signal here?"

The assistants quickly checked their phones—only to find no signal.

Gao Yingli stared at Shen Ying, who didn’t keep him waiting.

"I had Assistant Liu place signal jammers. A perfect excuse, wasn’t it? ‘This discussion must not leak in any form.’"

(Though even without a good excuse, she’d have found a way to make Assistant Liu comply.)

Now Shen Ying took a seat at the center of the conference table, grinning. "Time for a guessing game."

"What do you think happened in the outside world during these hours you’ve been… unavailable?"