After Unbinding the Simp System, I'm Targeted by the Villain - Chapter 32

The weather at the end of summer in Kyoto was unpredictable, turning sour without a moment’s notice. But the torrential rains came fast and left just as quickly; after a day of thunder and lightning, the roads were mostly dry by evening, looking as if a sprinkler truck had simply passed by.

In front of a small teahouse far from the city center, Lin Mei wore a mask, glancing warily around to ensure no one was following her before darting inside.

This teahouse was small and inconspicuous amidst the glitz and glamour of Jingcheng. The owner lived on the premises and had opened a side door in the back for convenience; it was precisely because of this that she and Zhang Hanzhou met here frequently.

Lin Mei crept up to a small private room on the second floor. A rare trace of motherly affection appeared on her face when she saw her biological son.

When she first learned of Duan Haixiang’s debt, she had tried to borrow money from Zhang Hanzhou, but he had refused her. Since then, she’d had little opportunity to see him. She was happy to hear he was hosting a graduation banquet at home, but she didn’t dare disturb him recklessly.

Today marked the first time Zhang Hanzhou had ever initiated a meeting between them. Lin Mei couldn’t have been happier, rushing over the moment she finished work.

She wore a wide smile, thinking Zhang Hanzhou had had a change of heart.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Hanzhou didn’t even wait for her to sit down before interrogating her: “Why did Duan Huaijin show up at my graduation banquet? Did you tell him to come?”

Zhang Hanzhou gripped his cup tight, his tone urgent. “Just because I didn’t lend you money, you’re using this method to spite me and disgust me?”

Lin Mei froze. “What are you saying? Duan Huaijin went to your banquet?”

Zhang Hanzhou: “Don’t tell me you didn’t know.”

Faced with such cold words from her own son, Lin Mei’s eyes turned red with disbelief. “Hanzhou, I am your mother. I risked everything so you could live a good life; how could I ever do something to harm you?”

Little did she know, these were the words Zhang Hanzhou wanted to hear least. He downed his tea irritably, ignoring the tears in her eyes.

“Maybe it’s a coincidence. I truly didn’t know why he would go,” Lin Mei whispered.

Zhang Hanzhou scrutinized her. Lin Mei’s reaction didn’t seem faked; she genuinely appeared clueless. Besides, she had no reason to risk disgusting him—after all, it would only benefit her if he inherited the entire Zhang fortune.

But Zhang Hanzhou didn’t believe in coincidences, especially since nothing like this had happened in all these years.

“In a few days, I’m taking some friends to the Sunrise Summer Resort. I don’t care how you do it, just make sure he doesn’t appear in front of me during those two days. You’d better keep a close eye on him and don’t let him leave the house.” Zhang Hanzhou’s tone was cold and indifferent—he didn’t sound like he was talking to his mother, but rather like he was giving orders to a servant.

Despite her immense dissatisfaction with his attitude, Lin Mei knew the big picture was more important. She didn’t dare ruin her son’s plans. “Fine, I understand.”

With that, Lin Mei poured more tea into Zhang Hanzhou’s cup with a fawning gesture.

Zhang Hanzhou glanced down at it, then at Lin Mei. He said nothing, but impatience was clearly written across his brow.

* * *

The following weekend, the sun was brilliant and the sky was cloudless. The weather was nice, but the sun was still quite punishing.

Ji Zhou and Yu Chucheng had been waiting under the pavilion at the resort entrance for a long time. They had agreed to meet at 9:00 AM, but it was now almost 10:00 AM and Duan Huaijin still hadn’t appeared.

Ji Zhou fanned himself with his hand. “Do you think he overslept?”

Yu Chucheng frowned.

That makes no sense. Based on his knowledge of the book, Duan Huaijin was extremely self-disciplined and punctual. How could he oversleep?

Yu Chucheng’s phone vibrated; it was a message from Duan Huaijin. Ji Zhou hurriedly leaned over to read it.

Duan Huaijin: 【Something came up here, I might not be able to make it for a while. You guys go ahead and play, don’t wait for me.】

Ji Zhou felt half-disappointed that Duan Huaijin couldn’t come and half-relieved that they could finally move to a cooler spot. He hooked his arm around Yu Chucheng’s neck. “Let’s go. We’ll head inside first.”

Yu Chucheng was also suffering from the heat, so he messaged Duan Huaijin saying he’d already cleared it with the staff; if he showed up later, he could just give his name to get in.

They had only walked a short distance inside when they saw the resort’s sightseeing shuttle parked by the road, with seven or eight people already on board.

Zhang Hanzhou and Mrs. Zhang were sitting in the front. Seeing Yu Chucheng, Zhang Hanzhou greeted him warmly. “Long time no see! Hop on. The resort is quite large, so we’ll take the shuttle to the villas first.”

Mrs. Zhang was dressed in a cream-colored qipao, her hair held back by an exquisitely carved wooden hairpin. Her features were beautiful, and even with minimal makeup, she was unforgettable, exuding an air of educated elegance and gentleness.

Yu Chucheng couldn’t help but steal a few glances.

They say sons take after their mothers, and Mrs. Zhang’s eyes really were a perfect match for Duan Huaijin’s.

The group waited on the shuttle for a bit until Hao Jia arrived, panting as he ran over late.

“Sorry everyone, I’m late!”

The moment Ji Zhou saw Hao Jia, his pupils dilated in shock. He poked Yu Chucheng’s arm hard, whispering in a voice only they could hear: “How is he here too?”

Yu Chucheng remained calm; he had already guessed as much. After all, Hao Jia and Zhang Hanzhou were the official couple. Since Hao Jia had fallen into the pool and been frightened at the banquet, Zhang Hanzhou would naturally use this as an opportunity to console him and invite him along to the resort.

Hao Jia had arrived happily, but when he looked up and saw Yu Chucheng and Ji Zhou sitting in a row watching him, the smile on his face faded, replaced by awkwardness.

Once Hao Jia was on board, Zhang Hanzhou checked the group and said: “Since everyone is here, let’s head out!”

Sunrise Summer Resort was built into the mountainside with undulating terrain. The scenery along the way was stunning; at the end of mid-summer, the mountains were covered in vibrant colors, making one feel as if they had stepped into a Monet painting.

Mrs. Zhang introduced the resort, and before long, the shuttle stopped by a wooden bridge.

Zhang Hanzhou was the first to get off. “This is where we’ll be staying. Each room is designed in a log-cabin style. The first-floor balconies lead directly to Falling Flower Creek, which runs through the entire resort, allowing you to get as close to nature as possible. Across the creek is the large lawn where we’ll have our party tonight. You can pick your favorite rooms and drop off your bags first.”

Someone couldn’t help but ask: “That’s a lovely name. Why is it called Falling Flower Creek?”

Mrs. Zhang smiled slightly. “The upstream part of the stream flows through flower thickets, so petals and blossoms often float down with the current. That’s how it got its name.”

Ji Zhou craned his neck to look. “Hey, it really is like that.”

Yu Chucheng was about to step forward for a look when he felt a tug on his clothes. He turned around to find Hao Jia, taking advantage of the others being distracted by the creek, shamefully pulling at his hem.

“Chucheng, I…” Hao Jia whispered hesitantly. “I wanted to formally say I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean it in the pool last time. My mind was in such a mess then, and I accidentally kicked you and hurt you…”