After Unbinding the Simp System, I'm Targeted by the Villain - Chapter 26

“Apology?” Yu Chucheng exchanged a glance with Ji Zhou. “Let him in.”

Zhang Hanzhou followed the servant into the living room. Several snack bags were scattered on the coffee table; he hadn’t expected someone else to be there besides Yu Chucheng.

To show his sincerity, Zhang Hanzhou had specifically told the family driver not to follow, personally carrying two large boxes of expensive, high-quality supplements.

When he saw Yu Chucheng’s carelessly exposed nape, he froze for a second, then suppressed the shock in his eyes and offered a soft smile. “I apologize for the poor hospitality at the graduation banquet. My father didn’t want any friction between our families because of it, so I’ve come today specifically to make amends.”

Yu Chucheng’s eyelid twitched. He hadn’t expected this to turn into a diplomatic issue between the Zhang and Yu families. He remembered his brother telling him yesterday that if the Zhangs visited, he didn’t need to force himself to be polite—give them a way out if he felt like it, or kick them out if he didn’t.

Though Yu Chucheng knew his family would always back him up, he also knew the virtue of being forgiving where possible. “The word ‘amends’ is a bit heavy. It was just a small incident.”

Seeing Yu Chucheng’s relaxed tone and lack of hostility, Zhang Hanzhou felt a surge of relief. He took the opportunity to hand over an invitation from his pocket. “The Second Master is truly magnanimous. This is for our newly completed summer resort. On behalf of the Zhang family, I sincerely invite you to be among our first group of distinguished guests.”

Yu Chucheng’s eye corner twitched as he grumbled internally.

Zhang Hanzhou might be the protagonist, but he’s way too formal. What kind of person carries invitations around at all times? And using words like ‘sincere’ and ‘distinguished guest’—it feels like he’s putting me on a pedestal. It’s weirdly uncomfortable.

Ji Zhou’s eyes lit up at the sight of the invitation. “Sunrise Summer Resort! I heard it’s been under construction for three years. Is it finally finished?!”

Zhang Hanzhou sensed an opening. “Yes. we plan to officially open it to the public in late September. Before then, if the Second Master wishes to bring friends, that would be perfectly fine.”

Ji Zhou: “!!!”

Yu Chucheng felt Ji Zhou’s eager gaze practically burning a hole through him. He had no choice but to accept the invitation. “Fine then. Thanks for the Zhang family’s kindness.”

After Zhang Hanzhou and Ji Zhou left, Yu Chucheng checked his phone again. Still no reply from Duan Huaijin.

He waited patiently for a day. The moment it crossed the twenty-four-hour mark, he couldn’t sit still anymore.

For a normal person, being out of contact for twenty-four hours is enough to report a disappearance. And if he counted from the day he was sent home, Duan Huaijin had been silent for four days.

So much for ‘taking responsibility.’ Is this how you do it?

Yu Chucheng didn’t actually need him to do anything, but he was still a bit annoyed. He just didn’t dare express it in the chat box.

He paced around his bedroom twice, then sent a message to the internet cafe owner, asking if Duan Huaijin was there. He wanted to confirm the guy was at least still alive.

The owner replied instantly with fiery enthusiasm. Ever since Yu Chucheng fulfilled his promise and topped up 100,000 yuan, he was the shop’s VVVIP.

Old Fatty: [Reporting to our esteemed VVVIP, Duan Huaijin has been on leave for the past two days and hasn’t come to the shop.]

A faint sense of unease settled in Yu Chucheng’s heart. Did something really happen?

He brushed through his hair and grabbed a hat from the shelf.

Seeing him rush downstairs, a servant said hurriedly, “Young Master, where are you going? The Eldest Master said you need to rest at home these few days, and he’s coming home for dinner tonight.”

Yu Chucheng shouted back without looking, “I’m going to see a friend!”

Yu Chucheng took a taxi straight to Duan Huaijin’s house.

He knocked forcefully for a long time, but there seemed to be no one home. Peering through the peephole, the place was pitch black with no lights on.

Knock, knock, knock!

Yu Chucheng gave it a few more stubborn raps.

Creak—

A door opened, but it was the one across the hall.

A middle-aged man with stubble poked his head out and snapped, “Can you quit it? You’re being too loud!”

Yu Chucheng: “…”

Fine, forget it! If you’re missing, you’re missing! I don’t care!

Wasting his time made him feel resentful. He felt he had already done more than enough.

Downstairs, it was the 5:00-6:00 PM dinner rush. Groups of elementary students with backpacks ran past giggling, and parents were picking up their kids. The sound of bike bells and street food vendors calling out rose and fell. Occasionally, a child would throw a tantrum and get a scolding from an adult.

The “hustle and bustle” of an old neighborhood like this was something no luxury villa could replicate. When Yu Chucheng had lived in his rental, he often came down for snacks. Now that it had been a while, he was actually a bit hungry.

He found a stall selling egg crepes and pulled out his phone to pay.

“Hey! You brat, why did you push my son!”

Not far away, a woman in her thirties gave a forceful shove, pushing a five- or six-year-old girl to the ground.

The girl was tiny and thin, her hair a messy tangle. Even though her arm was scraped, she didn’t make a sound. Any other child would have been wailing by now.

Yu Chucheng squinted.

Wait, isn’t that the “ghost” girl, Yuanyuan, who lives below Duan Huaijin? Why is she out here alone?

The woman shielded her son, who was a head taller than the girl. Seeing the girl pick herself up, the woman poked the girl’s forehead with a long, thin finger. “Speak! What did you do to my son? How dare you bully him!”

Yu Chucheng found it a bit ridiculous. Just looking at the sizes, her son didn’t look like the one who would be bullied.

“Boss, I’ve paid.” Yu Chucheng signaled the vendor, then walked over carrying the hot egg crepe.

The little girl was wearing a floral dress today with a small pink clip haphazardly stuck in her hair. Her lips moved as she tried to explain, but she was interrupted over and over by the woman’s piercing voice.

“Where are your parents? My son is almost crying! Get your parents out here!”

“I’m talking to you! Are you really a mute?”

The girl opened her mouth frantically, but because she couldn’t organize her words, beads of sweat broke out on her nose.

Just as she was at her wit’s end, a warm, well-defined hand rested on her shoulder.

Yu Chucheng knelt down and asked softly, “What’s going on? Don’t worry, tell me slowly.”

The moment the girl saw Yu Chucheng, it was as if a dam had burst. Tears filled her eyes in a heartbeat.

She lunged and hugged Yu Chucheng’s neck, exactly like the first time she’d hugged his waist, clinging to him like an octopus and refusing to let go.

Yu Chucheng was nearly knocked over. Luckily, he had mentally prepared himself this time.

The girl buried her head in his shoulder like a wounded little animal. Yu Chucheng’s heart softened.

Sigh. Even though this kid nearly scared the soul out of me twice, she’s actually quite pitiable.

He stayed in the kneeling position and patted her back comfortingly.

The woman raised her eyebrows sharply. “And who are you to her?”

“A kind passerby,” Yu Chucheng looked up and glared at her. “Can you shut up for a second?”