ABSML Chapter 35: Offense and Defense
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The receptionist shook her head without hesitation. "I'm sorry, but we can't disclose customer information." She then maintained her professional smile. "However, you can leave the wallet with us, and we will help locate the owner."
Faced with this airtight response, Chen Zhan awkwardly fumbled in his pocket for a moment before admitting, "Alright, there was no wallet—I just want to find someone."
Like any young person caught red-handed, he clenched his teeth and made one last desperate argument: "Actually, I'm his twin brother."
The receptionist gave him a skeptical look. "That’s impossible. You two don’t look alike at all."
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
Meeting a pair of amused yet unreadable eyes, the receptionist remembered the guest's warning from the previous night and hesitated to make amends.
Chen Zhan’s smile disappeared. "No need to worry—it's just a business rivalry. I just want to confirm whether he’s in town for a bidding competition."
As the receptionist’s nervousness slightly eased, he added, "I hope this conversation stays between us."
Her gaze wavered, and Chen Zhan followed it, shrugging. "Of course, you can also call and inform him. But leaking guest information would be a breach of duty. If he decides to pursue it..."
He didn’t finish his sentence, but the implication was clear.
After he left, the receptionist picked up the phone several times but ultimately put it down, deciding not to contact the guest from the previous night.
[System: You have been deceived emotionally.]
Chen Zhan was fair when judging situations. If Yin Ronglan was at fault, he himself wasn't entirely blameless either. The other had hinted multiple times, especially after the bar and the gathering in Wangcheng, gradually leading the conversation as if trying to reveal the truth.
What had he been thinking at the time?
As he reflected, the system provided an answer: [You were once a noble person; alas, you became a thief.]
However, the understanding he had built up dissipated considerably when he recalled Yin Ronglan’s words about having to sleep at the train station.
Back in the room, Chen Zhan's smile remained unchanged. "Awake?"
Yin Ronglan had already freshened up, his damp bangs giving him the appearance of a young college student. Seeing the bag of food in Chen Zhan’s hand, he nodded.
Chen Zhan took out the seafood noodles. "Eat while it's hot."
A subtle warmth spread through Yin Ronglan's chest. It was different from waking up at home to a cold, empty ceiling—this was another kind of life.
As he ate, Chen Zhan sat by the bed, casually bringing up the dog that had been taken in. "Where did you leave it?"
Yin Ronglan had naturally left it to his subordinates. "A friend is taking care of it."
Chen Zhan pondered for a moment before suggesting, "Taking the train is too tiring. Give me your ID number, and I'll book a flight for you."
Yin Ronglan, who always had a private jet at his disposal, didn't want him to waste money and made an excuse. "It's not worth canceling the ticket now."
Chen Zhan didn’t insist.
After finishing his meal, Yin Ronglan was about to say something when he heard the faint sound of rustling. Looking up, he saw Chen Zhan sitting cross-legged on the bed, writing swiftly in a small notebook. He was momentarily stunned. "What are you writing?"
Chen Zhan calmly paused and, amidst the silence, gave him a serene smile. "A manuscript."
Since Yin Ronglan had once enjoyed recording things whenever inspiration struck, he didn’t think much of it.
That afternoon was the auction.
The founder of Fenghe Group had put up a highly valuable painting for sale, which was the reason for Yin Ronglan’s visit. Since he couldn't enter the club directly, he had to find someone to bid on his behalf.
Just as Chen Zhan suggested heading to the leisure area, thinking that there wouldn’t be many people in the morning, Yin Ronglan got up and followed him out.
When they arrived, there were indeed only a few people around.
Looking around, Chen Zhan spotted a familiar face. A young man was playing billiards with a well-proportioned girl. Upon seeing them, his pupils flickered unnaturally for a moment, but he quickly regained composure. His gaze shifted to Yin Ronglan as he arrogantly said, “You’ve already settled the bill, why are you still hanging around here?”
The girl, from a moderately well-off family, didn’t recognize Yin Ronglan. She clung to the young man’s arm and asked who he was.
“Just a pauper,” the young man sneered, tilting his chin up. “Ignore him.”
Chen Zhan pulled out the small notebook he had never put away and started jotting things down.
His odd behavior caught attention. When the young man looked over, Chen Zhan naturally explained, “I just started a new novel and need to make the most of my time writing.” He smiled. “It’s also a good way to practice shorthand.”
“Boring.” After expressing his opinion, the young man turned away with the girl.
Chen Zhan remarked lightly, “Your arms and legs were moving in sync.”
Just as they were nearing the exit, the young man almost tripped. He turned back to glare at Chen Zhan before striding away.
Not far away, a middle-aged man who had collaborated with Yin Ronglan many times before observed this scene. His gaze flickered slightly before he approached them. “Kids can be immature. Don’t take it to heart.”
Yin Ronglan shook his head and sighed helplessly.
The man’s mouth twitched… What kind of show of resilience was this?
At that moment, Chen Zhan’s attention was drawn to a chess game in progress nearby. He walked over to observe.
Yin Ronglan finally spoke in a low voice, “I might not be able to attend the auction and will need someone to bid on my behalf.”
The man was momentarily stunned but quickly asked, “How much?”
Yin Ronglan gestured with his fingers. “Within this price range.”
The man nodded but hesitated for a moment before curiosity got the better of him. “Are you pretending to be poor?”
Silence is sometimes an answer.
The man studied him for a few seconds before patting his shoulder. “Have fun.”
Since there was an auction to attend, Chen Zhan didn’t watch the chess match for long. Predicting the outcome, he turned back to Yin Ronglan. “Want to go to the club together?”
Yin Ronglan shook his head. “I heard you need an invitation.”
Chen Zhan didn’t say much. While waiting for the elevator, he pulled out his notebook.
The afternoon auction might take a while. The usual lunchtime was now dedicated to writing, while Yin Ronglan rested against the headboard with his eyes closed.
To avoid disturbing his rest with the sound of typing, Chen Zhan sat by the door with his laptop—
...........
As soon as I returned from Country H, I immediately launched a new plan.
He doesn’t believe in fate, so I will manipulate human nature instead. In the Bible, God created the world in six days. I will use six days to destroy their love.
On the first day, I deliberately booked a table at his favorite restaurant with a group of friends. As he walked past the private dining room, I loudly commented, “Can you believe someone wears the same tie every day and changes shirts only once in a while? So careless.”
On the second to the fifth day, I orchestrated casual encounters, discreetly spraying perfume when he wasn’t looking.
The goal was to make his goddess smell another woman’s scent on him.
Texting the CEO also became a daily task. Every night after ten, I bombarded him with ambiguous messages: “Honey, do you miss me?” “Baby, love me one more time.” “Are you choosing her, or do you want me and the baby?”
I firmly believe that doubt is the best weapon to destroy love.
Suddenly paying attention to appearance, carrying the scent of another person, receiving constant late-night messages—these suspicions pile up and only breed distrust.
That was the plan. But on the seventh day, I was unexpectedly arrested.
The reason? I carelessly used my real phone number when sending the texts, leading them right to me.
The police insisted I apologize to the victim, but I refused outright.
I felt no remorse—only regret that my plan wasn’t meticulous enough. Once I’m out of detention, I will strike again.
..........
Writing took longer than expected. To avoid being late, Chen Zhan posted the update without checking readers’ comments, then quietly returned to the room to grab a jacket before heading out.
Even the faintest noise seemed enough to wake Yin Ronglan. He suddenly opened his eyes, instantly alert. Seeing it was Chen Zhan, his gaze softened slightly.
Chen Zhan paused. “Did I wake you?”
Yin Ronglan shook his head. “Sleeping too long isn’t good either.”
Chen Zhan left the room key behind so he could come and go freely. “Sure you don’t want to come?”
Yin Ronglan stared at the invitation in his hand and turned away. “I don’t deserve it.”
“……”
Watching him degrade himself just to maintain an image, Chen Zhan’s expression turned complicated. Without another word, he left.
Unlike the rigid competitive auctions seen on TV, this one had an element of entertainment, resembling a banquet.
Chen Zhan’s attire and status didn’t particularly stand out among the guests. He moved through the crowd, looking for familiar faces.
A young man nearby, noticing him, instinctively wanted to avoid him but was too late. Chen Zhan approached, engaging in small talk. The young man’s father, seeing his intentions, discreetly introduced him to several people.
With the help of an elder, Chen Zhan became a networking machine, quickly gathering a stack of business cards.
After categorizing them, he sincerely expressed his gratitude.
“It’s nothing.”
The older man had seen a lot in life. Given that Yin Ronglan was willing to lower his status to befriend Chen Zhan, he figured the young man’s character couldn’t be too bad. Extending a favor now was a wise investment.
…
Meanwhile, after the latest chapter of "The Years When I Harassed the Queen of Film" as updated, the first person to read it was Lin Chiang.
Seeing himself depicted as the victim in the story filled him with an odd sense of satisfaction.
Jiang Ying walked over with a plate of freshly cut fruit, took the phone from his hand, and read the chapter without commenting.
Lin Chiang took a bite of fruit she fed him, his smile tinged with mockery. “Who knows how many tricks he pulled back then.” He paused before adding, “Fortunately, you weren’t fooled.”
“At most, just some petty tricks,” Jiang Ying smiled slightly. “But this article is quite interesting.”
Lin Chiang raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t it just the usual formula?”
The message was clear: those who harm others ultimately bring harm upon themselves.
Jiang Ying placed the phone in front of him. “Read it.”
“Read what?”
Jiang Ying sighed. “With how focused you are on work, it’s understandable that you didn’t notice.” Then, she added a hint, “Take the first character of each paragraph.”
“One, day, in…” He had to flip the page, his voice trailing off slightly. After reading it all, he froze. “In one day, apologize to me?”
Jiang Ying chuckled. “Wonder who managed to get on his bad side.”
At the same time, still at the auction, Chen Zhan glanced down at his watch and muttered to himself, “21 hours, 9 minutes, and 53 seconds left.”
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Author’s Note:
A Non-Serious Short Scene:
Chen Zhan: I gave you a chance.
Yin Ronglan: …
Chen Zhan: Prepare to die!
Yin Ronglan: …
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T/N: Please support my ko-fi page for more update 🌸🌸🌸
XD pen is ready to strike!!!!
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