After Unbinding the Simp System, I'm Targeted by the Villain - Chapter 54

“Father—”

BAM!

Zhang Hanzhou had just pushed open the door to the Chairman’s office when a folder flew through the air, slamming into the doorframe and scattering papers all over the floor.

“This is the first project I entrusted to you—take a good look at it yourself! How could you fail to spot such a massive capital shortfall in Jiancheng Industry?!”

Zhang Guangzhi’s chest heaved violently; he was clearly livid, his face practically green with rage.

“You’ve disappointed me deeply!”

Zhang Hanzhou knelt down, picking up the financial reports and F10 data regarding Jiancheng Industry. As he read, his face grew paler.

“This… how could this be…”

He had chosen to cooperate with Jiancheng Industry back then because he wanted to cut corners and save money, but he hadn’t expected them to be this unreliable.

Zhang Guangzhi looked at the stunned Zhang Hanzhou with a look of “resenting iron for not becoming steel.” “I shouldn’t have handed this project to you in the first place. Find a way to clean up this mess yourself.”

Zhang Hanzhou endured Zhang Guangzhi’s tirade, clutching the documents tightly.

“If this isn’t resolved well, don’t even think about touching the Group’s affairs in the future.” Zhang Guangzhi gave a cold snort, leaving Zhang Hanzhou no room for negotiation.

This was a project worth several hundred million, and the Group had already invested a significant amount.

Zhang Hanzhou felt as if a mountain were weighing on his back, his palms slick with cold sweat. “Understood.”

Leaving the office, Zhang Hanzhou shoved the documents into his assistant’s arms. His expression was extremely dark. “No matter what, find out who that anonymous whistleblower is.”

“You two… are you actually going to buy clothes or not?”

The shop assistant, who had been watching for a long time, finally couldn’t help but speak up.

Yu Chucheng suddenly realized they had been hiding behind a mannequin for ages. Ji Zhou had even snatched a sun hat from a nearby rack and put it on as a “cover.”

Yu Chucheng hurriedly dragged Ji Zhou away, afraid that if they stayed any longer, the clerk would call the police.

In the end, after circling around and consulting Xu Mengshu’s opinion, they picked out a bracelet in a jewelry store.

“Does this seem too insincere?” Ji Zhou lifted the bag and peered at it. “It feels so light.”

“The importance of a gift is the sentiment, not the weight. At least you nearly broke your legs running through the mall to buy this,” Yu Chucheng comforted him lukewarmly.

A sharp, provocative whistle interrupted their conversation. Yu Chucheng and Ji Zhou turned back simultaneously.

A few guys around their age stood there with their hands in their pockets, looking at them through their nostrils. The leader had a buzz cut, flashy earrings, and sneakers worth five figures—he clearly came from a wealthy background.

“Yo, isn’t this student Ji, the one pursuing our department’s ‘Goddess’? Coming here to buy something for her? How pathetic—is that thing in your hand even worth a hundred yuan?”

The others burst into jeers and laughter.

Yu Chucheng nudged Ji Zhou with his elbow: “Enemies?”

Ji Zhou gripped the bag tightly, looking like he was facing a great foe: “Love rivals.”

Yu Chucheng, who had been ready to roll up his sleeves for a fight: “…”

How old are you people? Still doing this? Childish.

Two Hours Later—

Thud!

Yu Chucheng downed a glass of liquor in one go and slammed it down, issuing a challenge to the people sprawled across the private booth. “Who’s next?”

Ji Zhou could barely stand, but he leaned on Yu Chucheng’s shoulder like a dog flaunting its master’s power, pointing at the buzz-cut guy. “See that? That’s my brother’s strength! Thinking you could outdrink us—simply overestimating yourself!”

The buzz-cut guy hadn’t expected Ji Zhou’s friend to be such a heavy drinker; his friends had all been drunk under the table. But he didn’t want to admit defeat here. They had started a thread on the school forum before coming; many “melon-eating” onlookers were eagerly waiting for the result. This concerned his future reputation at school.

He pointed waveringly at Yu Chucheng. “You… move aside. Let me and Ji have a duel to the death!”

Ji Zhou was already red-faced and thick-necked from the alcohol. “Bring it on! Who’s afraid of who!”

Yu Chucheng was actually feeling a bit dizzy too, leaning back into the booth with his head tilted back. He hadn’t wanted to get involved in something so childish, but he and Ji Zhou shared the bond of standing in the hallway together for punishment back in school. If he abandoned Ji Zhou today and let him face four people alone, his conscience would sting every time he saw Ji Zhou in the future.

The final result didn’t matter anymore; they were outnumbered, so there was no shame in losing.

Yu Chucheng reached out to tug at his collar. The alcohol’s aftereffects were kicking in, and he felt hot. He stood up, kicking the Ji Zhou who was blocking the way. “Move, I need the restroom.”

Ji Zhou, with a mouthful of booze, gave a muffled “Mm.”

Yu Chucheng stepped out of the booth and exhaled a long sigh of relief. The air outside was much fresher than in the booth—at least it wasn’t so stifling. He walked down the long corridor and found the restroom. After using it, he splashed some cold water on his face; his head felt much clearer.

A man walked in with a cigarette dangling from his lip. Yu Chucheng disliked the smell of smoke and instinctively moved to the other side.

“Young man, this is a special cigarette; it doesn’t smell bad,” the man said with a smile, pulling a pack from his pocket. “Want to try one? It’s very good.”

“No thanks, I don’t smoke.” Just as Yu Chucheng was about to turn away, he caught a sweet scent—like the fragrance of chewing gum, or a bit like cream.

Seeing Yu Chucheng daze for a moment, the man flicked some ash. “How about it? Smells pretty good, right?”

Yu Chucheng took a quick glance at the cigarette pack. Printed on it were the words: Simulated Pheromones, Beta Exclusive Cigarettes.

“Strawberry flavored. It feels quite realistic. Since you’re interested, I’ll give you one,” the man said generously, pulling one out. This special type of cigarette had been developed a few years ago and became a fashion item for Betas. They came in both Alpha and Omega simulations; the man’s was simulated Omega pheromones.

Since differentiating, Yu Chucheng was especially sensitive to smells. He felt choked by this crude pheromone scent and reached out, slapping the cigarette from the man’s hand.

“You! If you don’t want it, I’ll just take it back. Wasted a cigarette on you.” The man lost interest, tucked the pack away, and walked out grumbling.

Once the man left, Yu Chucheng grabbed a paper towel to wipe his hand. Usually, simulated pheromones don’t affect people, but after smelling that scent, Yu Chucheng felt a bout of dizziness—like motion sickness. He felt like vomiting, likely because his own heat was approaching.

He propped himself against the sink. As he turned, his nape felt an itch—a tingling sensation that spread through his body like an electric current, making him shiver.

“I told you to bet on 3 total goals and a 2:1 score, but you wouldn’t listen.”

“Who could have known last season’s league champion would perform so badly this season? They missed an open goal.”

“Aiya, their Number 10 was scouted away. You can’t just look at rankings.”

Two drunken voices echoed in the corridor. Footsteps had reached the restroom door.

Yu Chucheng’s breathing was shallow. In his urgency, he covered his neck, opened a stall door, and ducked inside.