Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Poaching in Plain Sight

A pimple might be normal for the average female, but on Bai Yiyi, it was anything but.

Ever since returning to the First District three years ago, Bai Yiyi had been the undisputed top socialite of the aristocratic circles. She was always impeccably beautiful.

When asked for her beauty secrets, she would claim to never wear makeup, saying she was born that way.

Someone had once hacked into every cosmetic surgery clinic and found no record of her having any procedures, proving she truly was all-natural.

And now, Bai Yiyi had a pimple?

Bai Yiyi’s eyes widened. Lying that she needed to use the restroom, she rushed inside.

Standing before the mirror, Bai Yiyi could clearly see a small, red pimple on her forehead.

Her eyes widening in disbelief, Bai Yiyi let out a short shriek.

She screamed in her mind, ’System? System! How could Chi Yun’s favorability suddenly drop! I clearly made up for the points I lost with him last night!’

The system’s electronic voice glitched for a moment before it stated, cold and emotionless, "Apologies. This is the ’Guidance System.’ It only displays favorability scores, not the reasons for them."

Bai Yiyi fumed, ’Didn’t you say that as long as I keep seducing high-quality males, I could get anything I wanted! Why is there a punishment? This isn’t what we agreed on at the start! I’m going to report you!’

"..."

The system fell silent for a few seconds. "Based on system analysis, it is possible that Chi Yun is too far from the Host. His attention has been drawn by other matters, rendering him temporarily immune to charm items and making it difficult to maintain his favorability score."

Bai Yiyi was frantic. ’Then what do you suggest I do?’ She paced for a few turns, then her eyes lit up. ’Right, I’ll just redeem more charm items!’

System: "Apologies. The Host’s points have been depleted. No further redemptions can be made."

A wave of frustration washed over Bai Yiyi. ’Then what am I supposed to do? Am I just supposed to let this happen?!’

The system said unhurriedly, "It is recommended that the Host bind with other high-quality males to seduce."

Bai Yiyi’s eyes lit up.

’That could work.’

The favorability scores of her five Beast Husbands were all over ninety percent. The only way to raise them further was through marking, but she couldn’t marry them for another year.

’Might as well find a new male. That way, I can earn even more favorability points.’

’Even though I’ll have to maintain their favorability after I’ve seduced them, the rewards are just too tempting.’

Bai Yiyi readily accepted. ’Okay. Help me search for the nearest high-quality males.’

The system beeped.

A few minutes later, the system’s mechanical voice rang out. "Understood. As per the Host’s request, I have located the four nearest high-quality males."

"They are listed in descending order of favorability—"

"Name: Qin Muye

Identity: Seventh Prince of the Empire

Age: 21

Current Favorability Toward Host: 5"

"Name: Yuan Shiyao

Identity: Second Young Master of the Yuan Family, Secretary-General of the Imperial Royal Academy’s Student Council

Age: 20

Current Favorability Toward Host: -5"

"Name: Ye Linyuan

Identity: Honorary Professor at the Imperial Royal Academy’s School of Politics and Law

Age: 25

Current Favorability Toward Host: -15"

"Name: Yi Nuo

Identity: Butler of the Jiang Family

Age: 19

Current Favorability Toward Host: -100"

Bai Yiyi stared at the names, her brows furrowed. ’Yuan Shiyao and Yi Nuo are S Level, but aren’t the other two F Level losers? They count as high-quality males?’

System: "High-quality males are determined by a comprehensive rating."

Bai Yiyi nodded. But on a closer look, she gasped in shock. ’Wait, why are the last three all in the negatives?!’

’Especially that Yi Nuo. I’ve barely even met him, haven’t I?!’

The system said coolly, "According to AI inference, Yuan Shiyao dislikes you because you are close to Jiang Qingli. He believes you are the same kind of person as her, hence his slight aversion."

"Ye Linyuan’s dislike likely stems from your poor performance in the last shooting class, which left a bad impression. He has an aversion to stupidity."

"As for Yi Nuo..." The system paused. "It is because Jiang Qingli detests you, and his dislike extends to you as well." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Bai Yiyi: "..."

’Jiang Qingli again!’

’Why won’t that woman just disappear!!!’

She demanded sharply, ’Jiang Qingli should have died in the Underground City last week! Why is she still alive? Is your system broken or something?!’

"Host, some of your own actions also went beyond the established parameters, especially what happened that night..." For the first time, a hint of resentment colored the system’s icy voice. "Therefore, it is normal for a butterfly effect to occur."

Bai Yiyi’s brow furrowed tightly, but it soon relaxed.

’Whatever. Jiang Qingli is just cannon fodder, anyway. I’ll just find a chance to get rid of her later.’

’The most important thing right now is to seduce a new target.’

’Hmm, who should I start with...’

Bai Yiyi’s finger slid lightly over the profiles, finally tapping on one of them.

-

After sitting through the entire class, Jiang Qingli was completely dazed.

’As expected, history class is boring no matter where you are.’

"That tired?" the female student beside her asked with a smile.

"Mhm," Jiang Qingli mumbled softly, rubbing her eyelids. "My eyes would barely stay open. The words were just flying around the page..."

"No wonder you were pointing at the words and reading them one by one."

Watching Jiang Qingli rub her eyes, Lin Xiyue thought she looked incredibly cute, like a fluffy little animal. It made you want to pinch her cheeks and speak to her in a gentle voice.

And in fact, that’s exactly what she did.

The moment she pinched Jiang Qingli’s cheek and felt its soft warmth, Lin Xiyue snapped back to her senses.

’Oh my god, what am I doing?!’

’Th-th-this is Jiang Qingli!’

’A girl from our clique once accidentally touched her hair and got slapped for it!’

’And she was a core member of the group, too.’

’I’ve barely even spoken a few words to her. Am I going to get my face slapped swollen?!’

Lin Xiyue’s face paled. She snatched her hand back and nervously watched Jiang Qingli’s every move.

After a few seconds of stunned silence, Jiang Qingli did indeed reach a hand toward her.

Lin Xiyue squeezed her eyes shut and cried out weakly, "Miss Jiang, c-could we maybe go somewhere with fewer people..."

"Hm?" Jiang Qingli raised an eyebrow, looking a little surprised. "I didn’t know you had that kind of preference."

She leaned closer over the desk, blinked, and asked with a smile, "Is there something wrong with doing it here?"

The girl tilted her head as she spoke. Her silky, smooth black hair cascaded over her shoulder, and her beautiful eyes held a hint of playful amusement as she looked over.

As she spoke, she reached out and pinched Lin Xiyue’s cheek.

Then, seeing the dazed and slightly stunned look on the other girl’s face, she smiled until her eyes curved. "What did you think I was going to do to you?"

Too embarrassed to say "slap me," Lin Xiyue touched her pinched cheek. Infected by the other’s smile, she felt the corners of her own lips turn up.

’Somehow, the Jiang Qingli in front of me seems different from before.’

’She used to be so aloof with us.’

’Today, she not only sat next to me on her own initiative, but she even joked around with me.’

’But... I like this version of Jiang Qingli much better.’

Lin Xiyue relaxed and asked tentatively, "Qingli, would you like to get some afternoon tea? I found a really great place recently!"

"Sure," Jiang Qingli agreed immediately.

’Compared to her nerve-wracking Beast Husbands, hanging out with other girls was far more relaxing.’

’I just hope I don’t run into any of those annoying Beast Husbands.’

But just as they reached the back door, Jiang Qingli spotted Qin Muye walking toward them.

His expression was grim and he radiated a low-pressure aura. Combined with his wild, unruly face, he looked for all the world like a mafia boss looking for trouble.

His gray-blue eyes swept the area before locking precisely onto Jiang Qingli.

Qin Muye advanced menacingly.

Halfway there, however, a figure in a white dress suddenly appeared, blocking his path.

Bai Yiyi looked up at Qin Muye, clutching her hands to her heart. Her voice was delicate and soft. "Prince..."