After Unbinding the Simp System, I'm Targeted by the Villain - Chapter 13

Ji Zhou was soaking his feet at home when he heard the question. He nearly dropped his phone into the footbath.

“Why are you suddenly asking that? What, are you trying to set me up with someone?”

Yu Chucheng: “You’re overthinking it. It’s not for you, it’s for someone else. And they don’t necessarily have to become a couple; as long as they can provide some help and warmth, being ‘bros’ like us is fine too. Just tell me—if it were you, what type would you want most?”

Ji Zhou rolled his eyes, long since used to Yu Chucheng’s tendency to prioritize others. “Is that even a question? Obviously a sweet, soft little ‘Sweet O.’ What Alpha doesn’t love a Sweet O?”

Yu Chucheng: “Be specific.”

Ji Zhou: “I’m not asking for top-tier beauty, but let’s say… if it’s a guy, no taller than 175cm. If it’s a girl, no taller than 165cm. Big eyes, long lashes, fair skin, a soft voice—and ideally, someone who knows how to act a bit spoiled.”

So many requirements, Yu Chucheng grumbled inwardly.

He dutifully noted down every word Ji Zhou said into his memos. “Got it. Thanks. I’ll treat you to a big meal once it’s done.”

* * *

Two days later, at the internet cafe.

Duan Huaijin was at the front desk helping a customer register a card.

A female server who had just started yesterday walked over carrying two cups of milk tea. The girl was petite with a bit of baby fat on her cheeks; her bright eyes were very cute.

“Hello, my name is Bu Xinyue. What’s your name?”

Duan Huaijin returned the ID card to the customer, shifting his gaze slightly from the computer screen. Seeing it was the new girl, he spoke neutrally: “Duan Huaijin.”

Bu Xinyue smiled brightly. “Your name is really beautiful.”

Duan Huaijin’s hand on the mouse paused. Someone else had told him his name was beautiful before.

Bu Xinyue placed a milk tea on the counter. “Here. I saw you’ve been busy for ages. I just went out to buy a drink and grabbed one for you too. This shop is great; my treat.”

Duan Huaijin looked down at the milk tea. “Thank you for the kindness, but I don’t like sweets.”

Meaning: he wasn’t going to accept it.

Bu Xinyue asked enthusiastically: “Then are you free after work? A new cake shop opened nearby; shall we go check it out?”

Duan Huaijin: “Sorry, I don’t like cake either. Plus, I have things to do after work.”

It seemed this path was a dead end.

Bu Xinyue bit her lip, her gaze instinctively darting toward the cafe’s back door.

Yu Chucheng was hunched over behind the computer closest to the back door, wearing a black baseball cap pulled low. He was observing the scene through the gap between two monitors like a thief.

He saw Bu Xinyue shake her head slightly and hurriedly held up his phone to signal her.

It’s normal to have no results on the first day. Just get the WeChat contact first.

Bu Xinyue understood. Seeing Duan Huaijin organizing the merchandise on the shelves behind him, she immediately stepped forward to help.

“You’re the first person I’ve met since I started working here. Let’s be friends—can I add you on WeChat?” Bu Xinyue maintained a professional smile, cute dimples appearing at the corners of her mouth.

Duan Huaijin looked up. “My phone is broken. I can’t add anyone.”

Bu Xinyue: “…”

If she couldn’t take a hint by now, she’d be a fool. Moreover, she was a girl with her own pride; if it weren’t for the fact that the employer was paying so well, she wouldn’t be doing this.

Yu Chucheng saw Bu Xinyue’s awkward expression and knew Plan A had failed.

But why? He had found someone who matched Ji Zhou’s requirements perfectly.

When the “strategist” Ji Zhou heard the news, he stroked his non-existent beard. “That makes no sense. There’s an Alpha out there who can reject a Sweet O?”

Yu Chucheng slumped on the table and muttered gloomily, “That’s the type you like. It doesn’t mean it’s the type everyone likes.”

Slap!

Ji Zhou suddenly slammed the table, making Yu Chucheng jump.

Yu Chucheng: “Are you crazy?”

Ji Zhou: “I think you’re right! Plan A failed because we got it wrong. Duan Huaijin isn’t like me; he doesn’t like those soft Omegas.”

Yu Chucheng: “Then what kind would he like?”

Ji Zhou waved a hand dismissively. “Simple. We’ll know after a few more tries.”

Consequently, through precise scouting, Yu Chucheng arranged for a tall, elegant, “cool beauty” to ride her bike past the entrance of Duan Huaijin’s neighborhood and “accidentally” collide with him.

Duan Huaijin’s already crooked handlebars became even more twisted.

“So sorry! Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?” The beauty’s hair fluttered in the breeze. Her voice was gentle as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear—a single movement that mesmerized the passersby.

Duan Huaijin manually straightened the handlebars. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced toward the greenery across the road. “I’m fine.”

Hiding behind the bushes with his neck tucked in, Yu Chucheng’s heart hammered like a drum. He didn’t see me, right…?

The sun was harsh, making the skin feel scorched.

The beauty shielded her eyes with one hand and tried to steady Duan Huaijin with the other. “Are you sure you aren’t hurt? Let me see.”

The moment her fingers touched Duan Huaijin’s arm, he instinctively dodged.

“No need. Stay away from me.”

The beauty choked. She was the campus belle; any Alpha she decided to pursue was usually a guaranteed success. Today, her undefeated record was shattered in less than two minutes.

A massive wave of frustration hit her. She stared at Duan Huaijin in disbelief, her red lips parted, but she had completely forgotten the rest of her rehearsed lines.

Failed again.

But Yu Chucheng was the type to pick himself up from where he fell. Since he had decided to change Duan Huaijin’s ending, he would keep trying even if it was like an ant trying to shake a tree.

“He doesn’t like sweet and cute, and he’s not interested in the cool ‘big sister’ type either.” The “resourceful” Ji Zhou started brainstorming again. “Do you think the problem isn’t the ‘type,’ but the sexual orientation?”

Yu Chucheng’s eyes twitched. “You mean… he doesn’t like Omegas?”

“Yeah! People are so open-minded now. There are plenty of Alpha-Alpha or Alpha-Beta couples. When you were a Beta, didn’t you say you wouldn’t limit yourself to just other Betas?”

The image of Duan Huaijin walking shoulder-to-shoulder and holding hands with another Alpha surfaced in Yu Chucheng’s mind.

“…”

The image was too vivid to look at directly. Yu Chucheng had his limits and immediately rejected Ji Zhou’s suggestion.

The next day—

In front of the internet cafe, Duan Huaijin was helping unload crates of drinks from a truck.

The weather was hot; after moving only four or five crates, a thin layer of sweat had already formed on his back. The wound on his arm was almost healed, but the bandage made it feel stuffy and itchy.

Duan Huaijin had just finished unloading the order for the cafe owner and hadn’t had time to move them inside yet.

A burly male Alpha blocked his path, offering what he thought was a warm smile. “Let me help you.”