10. He Wants to Seduce Me

[Current Villain Redemption Value: 10/1000]

[Points earned: 1,000. Host, please keep up the effort.]

The system’s prompt sparked a flicker of joy in Yin Sangyu’s heart. He stared intently at Xiao Muyi. Though the progress was a mere ten points, it was progress nonetheless, showing the villain wasn’t as unyielding as the novel depicted.

Xiao Muyi, unaccustomed to meeting eyes, instinctively turned his head to avoid Yin Sangyu’s gaze. Then, as if recalling something, he awkwardly forced himself to face him again, apologizing softly, “Sorry, I came late. Did those people who took you hurt you?”

If they did, I could kill them for you.

Yin Sangyu, mindful of his online sweet-girl persona, tried to seem livelier, waving his hands, “Look, I’m fine. But it was my first time encountering people like that, and I’m still a bit shaken.”

His tone was light, not quite bubbly but not cold either.

Xiao Muyi had little experience with peaceful interactions. People either approached him with ulterior motives or he approached them with his own.

This bred a habit of scrutinizing others before relaxing. Hidden behind his black-framed glasses and thick bangs, he covertly observed Flying Little Rabbit’s every subtle expression and movement.

Yin Sangyu showed no suspicion, his eyes seemingly filled only with curiosity toward Xiao Muyi.

Once satisfied that Flying Little Rabbit harbored no malice for now, Xiao Muyi said, “Good that you’re okay.”

Yin Sangyu, seasoned in the ways of high society, was keenly aware of others’ gazes and knew he’d been thoroughly assessed.

Xiao Muyi’s stare was particularly unsettling, like a cold, slimy snake slithering over him, deeply uncomfortable.

But what kind of reaction was this?

Late to their meeting, letting an omega get taken by thugs, standing by the whole time pretending to be missing, and now brushing it off with “Good that you’re okay”?

Yin Sangyu could forgive him, but a beautiful omega wouldn’t.

Anyone with a temper would be upset. If Yin Sangyu pandered without principles, it’d raise suspicion. So he frowned, chiding, “Is ‘okay’ enough? I said I was scared. Why aren’t you comforting me?”

This coquettish tone was new to Xiao Muyi. He froze, then spoke even softer, with sincere timidity, “I’m very sorry. If you need… I can do anything for you.”

His earnest apology was unexpectedly sincere, but though the villain offered “anything,” Yin Sangyu couldn’t overstep.

Still…

Rising from the stone bench, Yin Sangyu had considered that, even ten centimeters shorter, he was 1.86 meters—taller than most female omegas—so he wore flats.

Yet, Xiao Muyi was still slightly shorter, making him seem even frailer, almost petite.

Recalling the feel of holding Xiao Muyi during his susceptibility period and that sweet fruity scent, Yin Sangyu’s heart stirred. He said, “I feel a bit panicked. How about a hug?”

A flicker of discomfort crossed Xiao Muyi’s face but vanished quickly. He nodded slightly, hummed, and raised his arms in a welcoming gesture.

Yin Sangyu, unabashedly, hugged him in a very un-omega-like manner, ignoring the obvious stiffness in Xiao Muyi’s body. He even leaned closer to his neck, seeking that lingering fruity scent.

Xiao Muyi, like a shy boy, floundered briefly before hesitantly placing his hands lightly on Yin Sangyu’s back.

He seemed bashful but was probing.

Closing his eyes, Xiao Muyi carefully discerned the faint water lotus scent on the woman, determining if it was perfume or pheromones. Many betas, to please alphas, mimicked omegas.

But that only fooled alphas who’d never met an omega. True omega pheromones, unmatched by merchants’ imitations, were unmistakable upon encounter.

As a hidden omega himself, Xiao Muyi would never mistake omega pheromones.

Thus, he confirmed this woman, Flying Little Rabbit, was truly an omega—a naive one raised in an ivory tower.

So trusting of someone like him.

The alpha monitoring him must be someone else. Xiao Muyi relaxed.

[Current Villain Redemption Value: 20/1000]

[Points earned: 1,000]

Xiao Muyi lacked that fruity scent today, leaving Yin Sangyu slightly disappointed. But the hug felt nice, so he didn’t let go immediately.

The system’s sudden prompt stirred mixed feelings.

Since sending leg photos, Yin Sangyu had noticed Xiao Muyi’s keen interest in female omegas. Their first spoken words raised ten points, a hug another ten.

By this rate, if the novel’s protagonists had just given Xiao Muyi an omega, he might’ve stayed home with a wife instead of causing trouble.

After the hug, they exchanged names. Yin Sangyu gave himself the name Zhu Ling, generously letting Xiao Muyi call him Lingling.

Unfamiliar with typical netizen meetup routines, Yin Sangyu guessed couples’ hotspots. He didn’t mind going, but Xiao Muyi clearly didn’t belong in such places.

Still not lowering his hood, as if avoiding notice, and having just committed a crime, Xiao Muyi shouldn’t be high-profile.

To accommodate the socially anxious Xiao Muyi, Yin Sangyu considerately suggested a casual walk.

Xiao Muyi nodded obediently and truly just “walked.”

The great villain, hands in pockets, aloof, led the way. Yin Sangyu followed, with zero conversation, taking winding back alleys like they were fleeing in secret.

The atmosphere was uniquely tense. Yin Sangyu vaguely felt Xiao Muyi was more like a captive he was escorting.

This wouldn’t do. Silent walks led to becoming strangers.

Deep in thought, Yin Sangyu pondered topics to break the ice.

Suddenly, inspiration struck. Recalling his collection of good-deed stories, one fit the moment. A cool, clear female voice spoke flatly, “Muyi, have you heard of the Alley Boy story?”

Xiao Muyi paused, then nodded, “Yes.”

Surprised Xiao Muyi knew it, Yin Sangyu felt he’d found the right topic. Quickening his pace to walk beside him, he asked, “What’s your take on it?”

“Take…”

Online, Flying Little Rabbit often shared stories, asking Xiao Muyi for his thoughts, so he didn’t find Zhu Ling’s question abrupt, just excessive.

The so-called Alley Boy was a boy born to prostitutes in the underground black market, living in filthy, stinking alleys, working for money, never escaping.

Better-looking boys followed their parents’ trade; plainer ones resorted to crime to survive.

In the dog-eat-dog black market, they were the lowest.

Unsure if this was an omega’s naive curiosity about suffering, Xiao Muyi countered, “Why did Lingling bring this up?”

Yin Sangyu said, “We’re in an alley, so it came to mind.”

“I see.” Xiao Muyi seemed to sigh, recalling countless passes through dark alleys in the black market, filled with cries of pain and beatings.

Once, a boy tumbled out, landing face-up before him.

Naked, his skin deathly pale from no sunlight, covered in scars, yet smiling, unfazed by pain.

As a tall, sturdy man dragged him back by the ankle, the boy still made provocative gestures at Xiao Muyi.

Snapping back, Xiao Muyi gave a shallow smile, eyes cold, his voice still gentle, “I didn’t expect you’d be interested. What’s your take?”

Yin Sangyu seized the chance to instill human kindness in the villain, saying, “No matter how hard life is, if you hold onto kindness and hope, good things will happen someday.”

Xiao Muyi’s faint smile dropped abruptly.

Since facing each other, he’d avoided looking directly at Yin Sangyu; even his peripheral vision was dazzling enough.

With Yin Sangyu here, the familiar dingy alleys felt foreign.

Hearing such amusing words, he couldn’t help but think Zhu Ling must have been showered with endless love growing up, believing the world was full of kindness, fearlessly following a strange beta into dark places.

Who could bear to disappoint such a pure, trusting soul?

Yet Xiao Muyi felt… disgusted, a strange sense of detachment from the world.

Dark thoughts crept into his mind. He wondered what expression Zhu Ling would wear upon seeing the world’s true face.

Would she stay pure if betrayed by someone she trusted? Would her aloof face, streaked with tears, tainted by anger and hatred, still be beautiful?

Perhaps he should take her to see an Alley Boy, to see if she’d still say such naive, laughable things.

But…

Zhu Ling’s earnest “Because we made a promise” echoed, suppressing his rising malice.

No need.

Zhu Ling and he were from different worlds. Their meeting was a fleeting chance, insignificant. Besides, a carefully cultivated omega’s thoughts and personality were deliberately shaped.

Just a lifelike puppet. Why bother?

Xiao Muyi glanced toward the alley’s end, growing darker. His home was that way.

His patience waned, irritation rising. He just wanted to go home.

He hadn’t planned to meet Flying Little Rabbit but showed up inexplicably. Confirming she was an omega made the trip worthwhile.

A mundane him having further ties with Zhu Ling would do more harm than good. Time to end this chance encounter.

Xiao Muyi thought, disinterested, that scaring a naive, kind omega would make her cry and run.

Unaware of Xiao Muyi’s thoughts, Yin Sangyu awaited his response. Seeing him silent, he leaned closer, urging, “Muyi?”

But the next second, hands pushed him against the wall by the shoulders.

Yin Sangyu’s eyes widened, meeting Xiao Muyi’s gaze.

It was his first clear look at Xiao Muyi’s eyes: thick, curled lashes, upturned tails, pure black pupils larger than most, strikingly beautiful, like they were plucked from a doll.

But that wasn’t the point. Why was Xiao Muyi suddenly so close? Is he trying to seduce me?

Yin Sangyu was shocked.

Xiao Muyi flashed a wicked grin, his restrained, somber aura transforming.

Pinching Yin Sangyu’s chin, he licked the corner of his stunned lips with a red tongue tip, teasing, “Didn’t you come out with me for this? I can’t wait. Let’s start here.”

He’s actually trying to seduce me!

Yin Sangyu’s pupils shook, brain crashing, but his hands instinctively rested on Xiao Muyi’s slender waist, showing no resistance.

Feeling the warmth on his waist, Xiao Muyi froze.