The Abusive Novel System Pleads with Me to Resign

Chapter 35

Gao Yingli stared expressionlessly at his father.

He uttered a cruel remark: "If you can't raise someone better, you only deserve to be called a turtle."

For a moment, Gao's father felt like he had been insulted—but then again, maybe not.

He could only silently remind himself that this was his own son, and since he couldn’t beat him, he might as well put up with it.

By then, the dishes had been served.

Today, Shen Ying had been craving Chinese cuisine, so Gao Yingli had completely disregarded the preferences of the other two families.

However, given the number of people present, the meal was naturally extravagant.

Shen Ying sat across from Gao Yingli, showing no interest in getting acquainted with anyone else at the table, focusing solely on enjoying the feast in quiet contentment.

Among the dishes was a braised lion’s head in abalone sauce—rich, flavorful, and layered with umami.

Shen Ying loved it so much that she helped herself to two extra servings.

The portions were delicate, with only a few meatballs per plate. Before she knew it, the dish was nearly empty, with just one lone meatball remaining.

Without hesitation, Shen Ying decided to claim it.

But just as she picked it up with her chopsticks, another pair reached into the plate—only to grasp at air.

Shen Ying looked up and saw Gao Yingli’s chubby half-brother glaring at her.

The two of them were the only ones at the table fully engrossed in eating. Having barely savored the dish, the little fatty was now furious that the last bite had been snatched from him.

His eyes bore into Shen Ying, clearly demanding she back off.

Shen Ying met his gaze—then slowly, deliberately, placed the meatball into her mouth.

The little fatty slammed his chopsticks on the table.

"I’m done eating!"

His mother quickly intervened, "What’s wrong? You were eating just fine. Was there a problem with the dish? I’ll have them—"

Mid-sentence, she remembered this wasn’t their home. Gao Yingli wouldn’t fire a chef just because her son threw a tantrum.

She hastily corrected herself, "I’ll have someone make it for you at home."

The spoiled brat, used to getting his way, pointed at Shen Ying. "No! I want her to spit it out!"

Shen Ying leaned back slightly, giving him a strange look. "Seriously? You’d still want it after that?"

The little fatty recoiled. "Ew! Who’d eat that? Spit it out—you’re not allowed to have it!"

His stepmother hurriedly tried to placate him while shooting Shen Ying a disdainful glare, silently warning this woman—who had no official standing—to show some respect to Gao Yingli’s younger brother.

But before their silent battle could escalate, Gao Yingli’s voice cut through from the head of the table.

With a cold indifference, he remarked, "What? Do you want to go back to your foster parents and hog all the food there?"

The words sent a chill down the little fatty and his mother’s spines.

They cautiously turned to Gao Yingli.

He smirked, his smile devoid of warmth. "Your foster parents had no other children, so letting you eat like a glutton was fine. But at a table full of people, do you still think you’re the only one who matters?"

The little fatty trembled, suddenly reminded of his elder brother’s ruthless authority—something he’d nearly forgotten after years of separation.

His stepmother couldn’t resist muttering, "They weren’t foster parents..."

Gao Yingli scoffed. "Weren’t they? If that old couple hadn’t rescued this idiot when he got lost on the highway, he’d have been roadkill by now. And yet he dares to fight over food at my table?"

He turned back to his half-brother. "They saved your life and raised you for months. Tell me—have you even visited them since?"

The little fatty broke into a cold sweat, his lips turning pale.

Gao Yingli’s expression darkened. "So that’s a no?"

"Ungrateful little brat. You don’t even deserve a seat at this table. Get out."

His stepmother nearly burst into tears. Who was the one who’d nearly gotten her son killed in the first place? And now he had the nerve to lecture them about gratitude?

The butler swiftly set up a small side table with a few dishes, forcing the little fatty to eat alone—cramped and pitiful.

Even Gao's father found the scene uncomfortable. He had long given up on his younger son’s mediocrity and usually indulged him.

He started, "Come on, we’re family—"

Gao Yingli cut him off. "Don’t worry, Dad. I’ve been sending regular payments to his foster parents. I even paved roads in their village and arranged for their care."

"After all, they’re the Gao family’s benefactors. It’s only right we ensure they’re taken care of in their old age."

Gao's father swallowed his words. "...Right. That’s... only proper."

Back when Gao Yingli had shown no mercy to his own family, it was that kind old couple who’d saved a life.

Gao's mother, watching her ex-husband’s side being humiliated, smirked in satisfaction.

She remarked dryly, "I heard about this incident when I was abroad."

"Who would’ve thought such a tremendous debt of gratitude would only be repaid because Yingli remembered it?"

She turned to the stepmother. "They saved your son’s life and cared for him for months."

"And yet they’re not even worthy of being called foster parents? If you’re so high and mighty, you shouldn’t have needed their help in the first place."

The stepmother had no retort. She wasn’t afraid of Gao Yingli’s mother—but she knew picking a fight now would only make things worse.

Pleased with her victory, Gao's mother glanced at her son.

Taking the cue, her other son—Gao Yingli’s half-brother from her remarriage—stood up with a wine glass in hand.

Approaching Gao Yingli, he smiled warmly. "Brother, it’s been almost six years, hasn’t it?"

"Let me toast to you."

Gao Yingli eyed the glass, then looked at his mother without a word.

She chuckled. "Why look at me? Your brother here has been talking nonstop about you ever since he knew we were coming back."

"He was immature as a child, but now that he’s grown up, he finally understands just how remarkable his elder brother is. These days, his favorite bragging right is you."

Gao Yingli arched a brow, then casually picked up his own glass and clinked it against his half-brother’s.

The young man’s face lit up with flattered delight, his admiration appearing genuine.

He was handsome, with expressive eyes that sparkled with reverence. In every aspect—appearance, demeanor, social grace, and sincerity—he left the little fatty in the dust.

Gao's father and the stepmother watched the exchange with discomfort.

Once her son returned to his seat, Gao's mother announced, "We’ve decided to move back permanently this time."

Gao's parents had originally married for business alliances. Gao's mother had already been in love with someone else but was forced into the marriage by family pressure.

She had loathed Gao's father throughout their marriage and held little affection for Gao Yingli, the son she’d had with him.

When their families’ business interests diverged and ties were severed, she divorced without hesitation and fled abroad to reunite with her true love.

In the twenty-odd years since, Gao Yingli could count the number of times he’d seen his mother on one hand.

Gao's mother continued, "Your brother has graduated now. He’s interested in the domestic market and wants to establish himself. Guide him a little—make sure he doesn’t get swindled."

In an ordinary business setting, this might have been a polite formality.

But coming from Gao's mother as a special request, it clearly meant more than just casual mentorship.

Given Gao Yingli’s standing, he controlled the most elite connections, resources, and industry channels.

With just a slight favor or a casual opportunity from him, a worthless pauper could become a billionaire within a year.

Gao Yingli smiled meaningfully. "Why not ask Uncle for help with this?"

"Logically speaking, your stocks and funds are managed there, and my brother's initial capital came from the same source. Wouldn’t Uncle be more convenient to guide him?"

Gao's mother's smile stiffened. The family's authority being held by her father versus her brother were two entirely different concepts.

Back then, her insistence on divorce had already displeased her brother. Moreover, he naturally prioritized his own children and nephews, not to mention the younger generation from his wife's side.

Compared to them, how much affection could he possibly have for a nephew who grew up abroad and barely knew him?

Was she asking for her son to be casually sent off to some insignificant place under the guise of "guidance"?

Naturally, it would be far better for him to follow his own elder brother and reap the benefits.

She shot Gao Yingli a reproachful look. "How could Uncle compare to your own brother? Your younger brother said he only wants to follow you, even if it means running errands or doing odd jobs for you."

As she spoke, she glanced at her son, and the half-brother eagerly expressed his devotion.

Gao Yingli watched the scene before him, finding it unbearably grating.

The look in his birth mother's eyes as she gazed at his younger brother was filled with infinite tenderness and affection. Even her scheming and flattery only underscored her willingness to sacrifice everything for her precious son.

But in his memories, his mother's eyes had always been brimming with impatience and disdain. She hadn’t even bothered to pick him up when he fell down the stairs—

Because ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????she was afraid his blood would stain her clothes.

These starkly contrasting images clashed in Gao Yingli's mind, mocking him with cruel irony.

Gao Yingli let out a cold laugh. "Guide him? Am I even worthy?"

Gao's mother froze.

Gao Yingli continued, "Didn’t you say I was stupid and vicious, just like my father, a disgrace to your noble genes?"

"A defective product like me—in your eyes—actually has the right to teach your perfect son? Am I hearing this right?"

Gao's father erupted in fury. "I’m a disgrace to you?"

"Look at yourself, obsessed with nothing but love and romance. You’re a joke. Isn’t that why you fled abroad?"

"Now that you’re back, do you even have a place left in the domestic circles?"

Gao's mother sneered in response. "A joke? Are you talking about yourself?"

"Was anything I said wrong? Have you even looked at the son you had later?"

Gao's father: "..."

He glared at his younger son. "Stop eating. You’re going on a diet as soon as we get back."

Having regained some ground, Gao's mother quickly turned back to Gao Yingli. "When did I ever say such things? Don’t—"

"When I was five years, three months, and six days old."

Gao's mother: "..."

She hadn’t expected her son to remember grudges with such precision. After a stunned pause, she finally put on a sorrowful expression—

"It was my fault. Back then, my marriage was miserable, and my postpartum depression never fully healed. I took it out on you sometimes."

"After divorcing your father, I reflected a lot. I know I was wrong, but your brother genuinely admires you."

Gao Yingli: "Funny. My childhood was miserable, and the scars from my youth still haven’t faded. Just seeing my brother makes me want to take it out on him."

"Don’t even think about letting him follow me. I’d be unhappy just knowing he’s back in the country."

"Don’t worry, I’ll reflect on myself too. But don’t rush me—it’ll take time. Until I’ve figured things out, keep your son out of my sight."

"Because if he pushes me too far—" Gao Yingli glanced at the chubby boy. "There’s already a precedent."

This was tantamount to telling Gao's mother that not only would her son not prosper under him, but he wouldn’t even be able to establish himself in their circles.

Gao's mother had never imagined Gao Yingli could be so ruthlessly cruel, leaving her no face at all.

A spoiled heiress who had lived her life unchecked, she had little patience for restraint. Lowering herself for her son’s sake was already her limit.

Her expression twisted into shock and rage as she stared at Gao Yingli, her demeanor reverting to the familiar hostility of his childhood.

Gao's mother snapped. "This is exactly why I never liked you. I knew it the moment you were born."

"You’re just like your father—a rotten seed, cold and vicious by nature. No, you’re even worse than him."

"If only you’d been a little more obedient, how could I not have loved you?"

Gao Yingli had thought he could laugh off his past, that nothing could ever wound him again.

But hearing his mother’s venomous words, his heart was still pierced.

Her malice, sharp enough to transcend time, struck the little boy from over twenty years ago all over again.

Gao Yingli’s eyes reddened—not from tears, but from a surge of overwhelming fury.

Just as that fury threatened to shatter his restraint, a voice cut through the tension.

"Huh? So you don’t love Young Master Gao because he’s a scumbag? Why?"

The air froze. Everyone turned to look at Shen Ying.

Shen Ying: "Don’t you love scumbags? They’re your true passion. Young Master Gao was born this rotten—shouldn’t he be your favorite?"

Gao's mother frowned, eyeing Shen Ying with the same disdain she reserved for Gao Yingli’s stepmother—the contempt of a privileged heiress for a gold-digger.

She regained her composure. "Miss, we’re discussing family matters. Anyone with basic manners wouldn’t interrupt."

Shen Ying remained unruffled. "Just making conversation over dinner. No need to be so uptight when we’re all at the same table."

She then turned to the half-brother. "So I’m still curious—if they’re all scumbags, why do you love these two but not Young Master Gao?"

Gao's mother’s face turned icy. "Are you Yingli’s woman?"

"I’ve never heard him acknowledge a girlfriend. Who do you think you are, daring to criticize my son?"

Shen Ying sighed. "A rapist and violent offender who fled the country in disgrace—what kind of noble status makes him untouchable?"

"You—" Gao's mother gasped, staring at Shen Ying in shock.

She couldn’t believe a woman could uncover this. They had spent a fortune to silence the victim—ordinary people would never find out.

Unless Gao Yingli had told her.

Gao's mother said bitterly, "You knew all along? Is this why you refused to help your brother?"

"It wasn’t like that! That woman seduced him! He’s still young, he didn’t understand—"

Gao Yingli looked equally stunned. "So it’s true?"

His genuine surprise threw Gao's mother into confusion.

Then Shen Ying clapped her hands. "Ah, I get it now. Young Master Gao lost because he wasn’t despicable enough."

She gave Gao Yingli a look of exasperated disappointment.

Gao Yingli: "..."

Though he didn’t understand why, his rage dissipated instantly. The pain from his mother’s words vanished without a trace, replaced only by sheer bewilderment.

Gao's mother snapped, "Shut up!"

Shen Ying soothed, "Don’t worry, Madam. Even if both your sons are useless, you still have a daughter. It’s not hopeless yet."

Gao's mother stared at her like she was insane. "What daughter?"

Shen Ying blinked. "Huh? Your husband’s fate clearly shows two sons and one daughter."

"Let me see… the age gap—less than six months?"

As if realizing she had misspoken, she quickly tried to smooth things over: "My mistake, my mistake. I spoke out of turn—how awkward."

Less than six months apart—there was no way they could share the same mother.

Gao's mother, seeing Shen Ying spouting nonsense and trying to brush it off, was already furious and wouldn’t let her off the hook.

She didn’t even notice the sudden change in her husband’s expression.

Gao's mother: "Explain yourself. What do you mean by 'six months'? Otherwise, I’ll have my lawyer sue you for slander."

Shen Ying: "You’re just taking your anger out on me. Your husband’s mistress and daughter wouldn’t be too far from him."

"Since you rushed back to settle in the country, they must have returned too."

"It’s harder to track them abroad, but now that they’re here, with Gao Yingli’s connections, it’d take at most three days to bring them before you."

Gao Yingli suddenly interjected: "Underestimating me. One day."

"By this time tomorrow, I guarantee that mother and daughter will be right in front of you."

He glanced at Assistant Liu, who immediately understood and got to work.

Gao's mother, bewildered by the commotion, turned to her husband and caught his poorly concealed panic.

After decades of marriage, she knew exactly what it meant.

Gao's mother, disbelieving: "You—"

Shen Ying fanned the flames: "True love, huh!"

Those two words were like lighting a fuse. Gao's mother shot up, grabbed something from the table, and hurled it at her husband.

The garden restaurant instantly descended into chaos. Shen Ying, quick as ever, piled food into her bowl.

She stood up just before Gao's mother flipped the table, stepping aside to watch the scene while eating.

Gao Yingli, seeing this, recalled what Shen Ying had once said in front of him and Lu Linwei.

Now he had proof—her ability to grab food and dodge fights was truly unmatched.

In the end, Gao's mother was led away, sobbing uncontrollably.

Gao's father, who had been enjoying the spectacle, was about to leave when Shen Ying seized a moment alone with him:

"Take care, Uncle. Next time, let’s see your turtle."

"I once had the pleasure of seeing the one Lu Linwei’s father keeps—smooth, glossy shell, truly majestic."

Assuming she’d seen it during a visit to the Lu family with Gao Yingli, Gao's father didn’t think much of it. But her comment sparked his competitive spirit.

Once everyone had left and the estate quieted down, Shen Ying followed her usual routine—lying on the balcony lounge chair after dinner, stargazing and enjoying the sea breeze.

Gao Yingli approached, sitting silently for a while before hesitantly asking: "Why did you stand up for me?"

Shen Ying didn’t even look up: "You mean earlier?"

"No, I just didn’t want you to soften and agree to bring your brother along."

Gao Yingli scooted closer, unable to suppress his smile: "You were worried I’d get taken advantage of?"

Shen Ying: "Obviously. Most people can tolerate one person leeching off them, but a whole crowd?"

"Letting your brother freeload would mean I’d have to step aside. I just set up the razor—barely had a chance to shave anything yet."

Gao Yingli: "…"

After a pause, his lips curled up anyway.

She was clearly protecting him but wouldn’t admit it—

How adorable!

For the first time in over twenty years, it felt like someone had shielded the child he once was.

"Oh, and those two fortune-tellers—your brother and stepdad—want their money."

Gao Yingli: "…Transferring it now."

That night, back in her room, Shen Ying asked her system: "Are the protagonist and the main villain at the same progress now?"

System: "…Correct. Both are still at 99% completion."

"Let me remind you, Host—the last 1% is usually the hardest."

Shen Ying: "I know. Downloads always fail at 99%."

She then called Lu Linwei.

"Start preparing the engagement ceremony. I want the most extravagant one."

Lu Linwei was instantly wide awake: "You’re finally coming back? When? Tomorrow?"

Shen Ying: "In a few days. Announce the news to the media first. If it’s not headlines tomorrow, I’m not returning."

Lu Linwei hurriedly assured her: "How could it not be? Don’t underestimate my fame. Once, some no-name celebrity snapped a photo of us entering a hotel and spun a whole story."

"It stayed trending for three days."

"Then my lawyers sued her, and it trended for another week."

Shen Ying nodded, satisfied.

Lu Linwei then tentatively requested: "For the announcement, we’ll need a photo together, right?"

"For a wedding of the century, it should be formal. Why not come back today for the shoot?"

Shen Ying smacked her forehead: "Right, the photo. We definitely need one."

"Tell the photography team to prepare. I’ll be there tomorrow morning."

Lu Linwei, thrilled: "You’re coming back tomorrow morning?"

Before he could finish, she hung up.

Annoyed but too excited about seeing her, he quickly forgot his irritation.

The next morning at breakfast, Shen Ying asked Gao Yingli: "Are you free this morning?"

Gao Yingli: "Depends. What do you need?"

Shen Ying: "Want you to take engagement photos with me. If you’re busy—"

"Free. Of course I’m free," Gao Yingli said solemnly. "It’s a day off—why even ask?"

Assistant Liu: "…"

But… it’s Thursday.

Shen Ying nodded: "Good. After breakfast, then. Get me a white gown."

Gao Yingli agreed eagerly, cutting his meal short to have Assistant Liu arrange photographers, a studio, stylists, and makeup artists.

By the time Shen Ying finished breakfast, everything was ready.

The estate had beautiful scenery, but Shen Ying insisted on indoor shots, claiming natural lighting and complex backgrounds were too troublesome to edit.

Gao Yingli didn’t understand at first—until Shen Ying walked toward him in a pristine white gown. His mind went blank except for the sound of wedding bells.

Dressed in a black suit, hair slicked back, Gao Yingli stood beside her.

Shen Ying didn’t waste time. After a few classic poses, she signaled the photographer to wrap up.

The photographer, a renowned professional, felt insulted—this was beneath his caliber.

Changing out of the uncomfortable gown, Shen Ying sat at the computer to select photos.

Gao Yingli sat beside her, clearing his throat to hide his grin: "Since you’ve decided to get engaged to me, shouldn’t we inform Lu Linwei?"

"No need for you to deal with him—just send a breakup text. I’ll handle any tantrums."

Shen Ying gave him a strange look: "When did I say I was breaking off the engagement?"

Gao Yingli froze: "Then why did you make me take engagement photos—"

Shen Ying: "For Lu Linwei, obviously. Since he’s not here, we needed a reference for photoshopping."

"Luckily, you two have similar builds."

Gao Yingli’s vision darkened, his throat tasting iron. He barely stayed conscious.

Meanwhile, the system was already spitting blood.