Ghost Exorciser: Is Loved By All
Chapter 604: Pretend

Chapter 604: Chapter 604: Pretend

What was this bastard even pretending for?

Though she loved Leng Huan at the beginning and was happy when they got into a relationship, as time passed, she became more and more dissatisfied with Leng Huan.

Leng Huan acted aloofly every time. Never once did he help her in her career and let her fight all those dirty directors.

Let alone caring for her, he didn’t even ask what was going on in her life.

However, now was not the time to think about all those things. She couldn’t fall out with Leng Huan for the time being.

"Leng, I swear on everything I love, I never wanted to hurt you. I was scared of disappointing you," she cried.

"You’ve always had high standards, and I thought I could take care of everything without burdening you with it..."

But Leng had hardened, his silence a clear indication that her charm was faltering. He let out a harsh laugh.

"And here I thought we’d get married someday. Seems like you were already shopping around for a better offer."

"No, Leng, don’t say that!" Yu Mei’s tone climbed, frantic. "You’re the only one I love, I swear. I just—"

"I think we’re done here, Yu Mei," he interrupted, voice heavy with finality. "You should focus on your career. Clearly, that’s what matters most to you."

Desperation flickered in Yu Mei’s eyes as the line went quiet, and she knew she was hanging on by a thread.

Leng Huan’s patience was already wearing thin, and her usual methods of sweet-talking weren’t working.

She took a deep breath, her tone softening even more, shifting from pleading to vulnerable.

"Leng, please, I know I’ve made mistakes, but I promise, I was only trying to protect what we have," she said, her voice breaking convincingly.

"It wasn’t easy out there, trying to make a name for myself, always fearing I’d disappoint you. I thought... maybe if I could show I was capable, you’d finally see I was worth your trust."

Another silence stretched between them, and she sensed a flicker of hesitation on his end.

"Why didn’t you just tell me?" he asked, his voice losing a fraction of its earlier coldness.

"If you were struggling so much, why not ask for help instead of turning to someone else?"

Yu Mei seized on the shift, lowering her voice to a near whisper.

"Because, Leng... I didn’t want you to see me as weak. You always seemed so self-sufficient, like you didn’t need anyone.

I wanted to match that, to be someone you could respect. But instead, I failed... and now, I’m paying for it."

Leng sighed heavily, the tension in his voice beginning to thaw.

She could almost sense him softening, and she pushed further, carefully lacing her words with genuine-sounding regret.

"I’ve loved you from the start, Leng, and if there’s any way I can fix this... I’ll do it. I’ll stay away from everyone else, I’ll focus on us, and I’ll work hard to make this right," she promised, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Just don’t walk away from me, please."

Another silence followed, but then, after a deep exhale, he replied.

"Fine. But I won’t tolerate any more of these so-called sacrifices, Yu Mei. I expect you to be honest from now on."

A triumphant spark flashed in Yu Mei’s eyes, though she kept her tone humble.

"Thank you, Leng. I won’t let you down again."

She coaxed Leng Huan for a few more minutes, before hanging up the call.

Yu Mei’s eyes flashed with viciousness.

Though earlier she indeed loved Leng Huan, as time passed and her survival became more important to her, she slowly detached herself from Leng Huan.

Her feelings for him disappeared too.

Now Leng Huan was nothing more than a tool for her.

Yu Mei focused on more important matters.

However before she could think of anything else, the atmosphere around her turned cold and she lost consciousness.

When she opened her eyes she found herself surrounded by complete blackness.

Yu Mei’s heart pounded in her chest as the cold, oppressive darkness tightened around her.

She knew instantly where she was: she had been summoned by the dark entity she had once struck a deal with.

Swallowing her fear, she knelt, the void closing in around her, chilling her to the bone.

Just as her lips parted to speak, a voice echoed out of the blackness, calm and resonant but dripping with malice.

"Yu Mei," the dark entity spoke, each syllable wrapping around her like an iron shackle.

"It appears you’ve lost a significant amount of followers in your first four months. Do you realize your mistake?"

Yu Mei bit back a gasp, forcing herself to maintain her composure.

She knew that any sign of weakness or hesitation could trigger the wrath of the entity, and this was no ordinary adversary.

"I do, my lord," she whispered, her tone thick with forced humility.

"I’ve underestimated Yu Holea... but I assure you, next time, she won’t escape. I will take her down."

The silence that followed was thick and unnerving.

Yu Mei waited, feeling her pulse racing faster with each passing second.

Finally, the dark entity’s voice emerged again, softer but sharper,

"Relax, Yu Mei. Hastiness breeds carelessness. You have one more opportunity to correct your path," it said. "Rushing into a flawed plan will only set you back further."

"I understand, my lord," Yu Mei murmured, nodding deeply. "I will come up with a more effective strategy this time."

The entity’s tone remained impassive but carried a trace of ominous satisfaction.

"You must realize, Yu Mei, that with the influence of two powerful families behind Yu Holea, a direct assault will likely fail.

You need to devise a scheme that leaves them both powerless to defend her."

Yu Mei was confused for a while. But slowly understood what the entity was telling her.

It made sense. Yu Holea was surrounded by powerful backers who would do everything they could to shield her.

However, if Yu Mei could corner Yu Holea in such a way that even her family’s wealth and influence couldn’t protect her...

After a few moments of thought, Yu Mei felt a spark of inspiration flicker in her mind.

A slow, wicked smile crept across her lips, and she lifted her head, glancing toward the dark void where the entity’s presence seemed strongest.

"What if," she began slowly, carefully choosing her words,

"I orchestrated a scandal involving Yu Holea and a highly influential figure... someone with enough power that her family would be unable or unwilling to interfere?"

The entity remained silent, listening intently. Encouraged, Yu Mei continued,

"I could arrange it so that Yu Holea unknowingly finds herself in the company of this important figure—someone whom she couldn’t refuse or offend without severe repercussions.

Once she’s in a compromising situation, I’ll leak the story and twist it so she appears vulgar and immoral to the public.

Her family will have no choice but to distance themselves from her, and she’ll be disgraced in the eyes of everyone."

After a prolonged silence, the entity finally spoke, its voice smooth but laced with a chilling approval.

"Your plan has potential, Yu Mei. However," it paused, and Yu Mei felt a prickling sensation at the back of her neck, "you should not stop there. While Yu Holea is busy protecting herself, you should also bring harm to someone she holds dear. This will further destabilize her, consume her with worry and grief, and make her all the more vulnerable to your schemes."

A vicious gleam flashed in Yu Mei’s eyes as the entity’s words sank in.

She had been so focused on taking down Yu Holea that she had overlooked the power of diversion.

If Yu Holea were distracted by the suffering of someone close to her, she would be less vigilant in protecting herself.

"I understand," Yu Mei replied, a hint of excitement creeping into her voice.

"I’ll target someone close to her... perhaps her brother or mother. If she’s caught between protecting herself and safeguarding them, it will be far easier to lure her into the trap."

A silence fell once again, and she sensed the entity’s dark satisfaction, a silent approval that washed over her like ice water.

"Then proceed, Yu Mei," the dark entity’s voice came again, quieter but sharper, with an edge of finality in its tone.

"But remember: if you fail to deliver Yu Holea, her family, and her fortune into my hands within the next few years, you will take their place.

Your life will be forfeit, and your soul will be bound to me for eternity."

A shiver shot through Yu Mei’s spine, the cold tendrils of fear winding around her heart.

She barely managed to suppress a tremor in her voice as she nodded obediently, her head still lowered.

"I... I understand, my lord," she murmured.

"Good," the dark entity replied, the icy satisfaction in its voice unmistakable.

"Then I wish you the best of luck, Yu Mei. And I trust that you will remember the consequences should you disappoint me again."