novelraw Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
"Please take your order—thanks for shopping!"
Yan Huan carried the three freshly-made drinks in his left hand and slipped into the gift shop through the side entrance; the place was only half-enclosed.
From a distance he spotted Ye Shiyu—and the golden-haired girl facing her, chin lifted, a cold smirk curling her lips.
Yan Huan arched a brow. Trouble, obviously.
He stopped short, parked the other two drinks on a nearby shelf, and stabbed a straw into his own lemon-blue brew. Then, drama in one hand and drink in the other, he settled in to watch the fireworks.
Eating popcorn.jpg.
Looks like Contestant Number One, Ye Shiyu, is squaring off against an unidentified blonde Contestant Number Two over who gets the last jellyfish key-chain!
On paper the blonde wins on raw stats—taller, stronger, and she's definitely out-talking Shiyu.
"What do you mean, 'no'? I said I'm taking it—what are you going to do about it?"
"."
Ye Shiyu stood like an unmoving iceberg—or maybe she simply had no idea how to answer.
Poor Contestant One, hopeless at social combat, now on the back foot!
Can she turn this around, Shiyu-sis?
Yan Huan sipped happily while providing running commentary in his head. Serve her right—last night she'd tried to hypnotize him and he'd spent the whole night chasing nightmares.
He'd already cut her plenty of slack in front of Ye Lan; now that she was on the verge of embarrassment, why spoil the show?
But Ye Shiyu's grip on the key-chain was slipping. Her knuckles whitened.
"It's about to be snatched away, key-chain."
The blonde's grin widened, weirdly thrilled.
Yan Huan bit down on his straw. Seriously? All this over a key-ring?
Ye Shiyu's stubbornness was no surprise—she labeled everything she liked. But what was the other girl's problem?
Two weirdos finding each other? Yan Huan marveled at the matchmaking algorithm of the universe.
Then Ye Shiyu's phone screen lit up in her left hand.
Contesting the point, Contestant One decides to... cheat?
Coach Yan's response?
Coach, coach is warming up!!
Yan Huan scooped up the drinks and strolled over.
Theory: the Modifier grew stronger every time its host used it to get what she wanted. The more it succeeded, the deeper reality twisted.
To break the cycle, two things had to happen.
First, cut the frequency—stop her from relying on the cheat for every little thing.
Second, make sure the cheat didn't actually work, so eventually the host would try normal means.
Both were almost impossible. But at the very least he could stop her from using the app over a stupid key-ring.
After all, he was a model youth—especially in the virtue department.
His irritation vanished under Perfect Expression Management, replaced by the same blank mask Ye Shiyu wore.
He walked straight up. Only when he was a few steps away did the blonde notice someone new approaching.
She looked up—and froze at the sight of a vaguely familiar, ridiculously handsome boy.
Her grip loosened. Ye Shiyu, still pulling, stumbled back—straight into Yan Huan's chest.
She stiffened at the warmth, but before she could even process it, a hand closed around her shoulder and shifted her behind him, putting the blonde on the other side of a newly drawn line.
Looked like protection; actually it just kept Ye Shiyu from using hypnosis. Last night he'd heard the system announce [Targeted Hypnosis], usable only one-on-one. Add a third person and her cheat was useless.
Ye Shiyu blinked up at the back now in front of her.
Yan Huan tilted his head as if he'd just arrived with drinks and had no idea what was going on, and asked with polite concern, "What happened, Shiyu-sis?"
"...Nothing."
She clutched the key-chain and answered in a small voice.
Behind him the blonde bristled. "Nothing? That key-ring was in my hand first!"
Yan Huan turned, expressionless. "First? Really?"
The blonde hesitated. Something about the boy's face made her drop the lie; instead she sneered, "Fine, maybe we grabbed it at the same time. I even offered compensation—she can pick anything else of equal value, my treat."
Yan Huan glanced at the shelf. The little jellyfish key-ring cost almost a hundred yuan—more than half the other souvenirs combined. Tourist markup plus decent craftsmanship.
"I'll pay double. Pick whatever else you want, I'll cover it—deal?"
Ye Shiyu spoke up, calm and slow; whether it was an offer or a taunt was anyone's guess.
The blonde took it as the latter. Her smile turned nasty. "Heh. Don't think having your boyfriend back you up makes you untouchable."
Ye Shiyu shook her head, simply watching her, apparently still waiting for an answer.
Snap.
Yan Huan flicked his fingers in front of the blonde's face—like striking a match to her fuse.
"What are you doing?!"
Before she could explode, Yan Huan ignored her, turned back to Ye Shiyu and gave a helpless, patient smile.
The blonde's anger faltered at that smile meant for the black-haired girl.
Yan Huan raised a hand and called toward the door, "Excuse me, we need some help!"
"Coming—what can I do?"
The shop assistant hurried over.
Yan Huan pointed at the jellyfish key-chain in Ye Shiyu's hand. "This is the last one on the shelf and both of us want it. Do you have more in stock?"
"Yes, yes—please come to the register first. Miss, just a moment, I'll fetch another one right away."
Yan Huan turned back to the now-deflated blonde with the exact face of that meme of the shrugging guy.
All this drama over a key-ring?
He almost muttered "idiot," but caught himself—friendly fire might hit the girl he was protecting.
Without another word to the blonde, Yan Huan scooped up the drinks, smiled at Ye Shiyu and said, "Let's go, Shiyu-sis."
Ye Shiyu looked at him. For once she avoided his gaze, apparently aware she'd been acting foolish.
"Mm."
Yan Huan stayed behind her, still shielding her from the blonde, and they walked to the register.
The blonde didn't follow. She simply watched their backs, gaze flicking between Yan Huan and Ye Shiyu.
At the counter the jellyfish key-ring was scanned—99 yuan. The service was thorough; even the tiny trinket got gift-wrapped, ribbons and all.
Ye Shiyu took out her phone. Only now did Yan Huan notice the message notification from minutes ago—from Ye Lan.
Feeling his glance, Ye Shiyu opened the app and read aloud, "Mom says she'll be a while. Let's find somewhere to sit."
Wait—so the phone had lit up earlier because...
"..."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Realizing Ye Shiyu probably hadn't been about to use the hypnosis app, Yan Huan barely kept his smile intact.
Beep.
"Plane received—99 yuan."
"Thank you for your purchase—have a nice day!"
Ye Shiyu stepped outside with the little plastic bag and found an empty bench where she and Yan Huan could sit.
The moment they sat, she tore open the packaging and pulled a tiny sticker sheet from her handbag. Yan Huan caught a glimpse: each sticker was printed with her name—"Ye Shiyu." She peeled one off, removed the backing, and pressed it firmly against the side of the jellyfish keychain, smoothing it so it would never come loose. Now the trinket was indisputably hers.
He watched the effortless sequence—stick, press, admire—then saw her tuck everything back into her bag. Only then did Ye Shiyu look up and meet his gaze.
Neither looked away, though her pupils flickered almost imperceptibly. Yan Huan, still smiling, handed her the drink he'd just bought.
"Shiyu sis, here's something cold. I wasn't sure what you like, so I grabbed the usual."
"Thanks."
She glanced at the cup, then without hesitation reached into the bag and pulled out the large Banana Sweet. That one had been meant for Auntie Ye. Yan Huan blinked, about to explain, but thought better of it. Did Ye Shiyu secretly like banana milk too?
Yet she didn't drink right away. She stared into space, fingertips tracing the paper cup in a pattern only she could read. A moment later the hesitation ended. She looked at Yan Huan and said quietly, "Thank you... for earlier."
"No problem. Least I could do, Shiyu sis."
He smiled—he really was a cheerful guy—though he'd shown that other girl no warmth at all.
Ye Shiyu's face gave nothing away as she looked down to unwrap the straw. Well, maybe he'd misunderstood her about the app, but no harm done. She'd gotten what she wanted, the Modifier hadn't been used, and a pointless fight had been avoided. A win-win—no, a win-win-win, since the blonde girl had also walked away with a jellyfish keychain.
Sipping, Yan Huan noticed Ye Shiyu take a tentative pull of the Banana Sweet. Her eyes lit by slow degrees; her lips pressed together, savoring the sweetness, and a faint smile slipped out.
Just like Ye Lan—Ye Shiyu loved banana milk too.
"Ding! Payment received: ¥99. Thank you for shopping. Have a nice day."
The blonde girl exited through another door, brand-new jellyfish keychain swinging from her fingers. She was heading toward the plaza outside the aquarium, so she never crossed paths with Ye Shiyu and Yan Huan.
In the sunlight she examined the keychain, then curled her lip. "Ugly as sin."
She veered toward the nearest trash can—then paused. A little girl in a school uniform raced past clutching a cheap plastic pinwheel, giggling. The blonde girl's boredom melted into a wicked grin.
"Hey, kid."
"Hm?" The girl skidded to a stop and peered up. "What is it, big sis?"
"I'm Spencer. What's your name?"
"Mama says not to tell strangers."
"Spencer Aria Spencer—call me Spencer. And you?"
"I-I'm Wenwen."
Names exchanged like a playground ritual.
"I like your pinwheel," Spencer said, dangling the sparkling crystal jellyfish. "Wanna trade?"
Wenwen's eyes widened at the glittering keychain. Even a fourth-grader could tell it was expensive. She looked at her own plastic toy, uncertain. Spencer didn't wait; she shoved the jellyfish into Wenwen's hand and snatched the pinwheel.
"Pinwheel's mine now. Off you go—enjoy the jellyfish."
Wenwen clutched the keychain and scampered away. Spencer straightened, gave the pinwheel an experimental puff. The cheap plastic refused to spin. She'd need a sprint to get it moving. A hundred-yuan keychain for a five-yuan toy—terrible deal. Yet she looked delighted.
Flicking the pinwheel, Spencer recalled the souvenir shop. She'd never cared about the jellyfish—until she noticed the dark-haired girl eyeing it. Just like now, interest had sparked. That had led to the tug-of-war over the keychain.
She'd won the keychain, but it wasn't the one she wanted; she wanted Ye Shiyu's. And that good-looking guy—why did he look familiar? Where had she seen him? Spencer rubbed her chin, gave up; too much effort.
Whatever. She hadn't beaten that girl, and now Ye Shiyu had her prize. Tch. Hadn't that voice promised she could claim anything she wanted? Must've been a hallucination—or did she have to activate some mode first? And weren't there side effects?
A translucent interface popped up before her eyes:
[Activate Plunder Mode?]
Ah, right. Spencer's grin mirrored the one she'd worn stealing the pinwheel. Why not?
"Yes."
Instantly her face fell into shadow beneath the cap brim, only her golden hair gleaming. Above her head two yellow phantom shapes flickered—like antennae, or tiny horns. They flashed once, sending an invisible ripple outward.
Something had begun, though she felt nothing. She glanced around skeptically.
"Really? Doesn't feel like anything happened."
[Effect activated.]
Spencer shrugged and decided to trust the system—at least for now.
Spencer stopped beside a trash can and looked at the pinwheel in her hand—already bored with it.
Honestly, the toy had never been that interesting in the first place. If she hadn't seen the little brat having so much fun, she wouldn't have bothered snatching it.
Whatever. She shrugged and lifted her arm to toss it away.
Then a child's wail shattered the air behind her.
"Mommy, waaah! That's her! She took my pinwheel! I didn't want to trade, but she made me! Waaah!"
Spencer froze mid-motion.
She turned to see the same primary-school kid from earlier, eyes streaming, dragging along a red-faced auntie who looked ready to breathe fire.
"Damn it—pinching toys from a kid? Get over here!"
"Huh?"
Spencer's muscles locked. She almost blurted, I swapped her a jellyfish keychain for it, but then remembered she'd never actually heard the girl agree.
Besides, where was the fun if the brat had said yes?
Two security guards flanked the auntie. Spencer's heart lurched.
What the hell?
What had the kid told her mom? And why were security guards involved?
Spencer's knees wobbled. She clutched the pinwheel and bolted.
As she ran, she ranted at the voice in her head.
"Didn't you say the effect was active? Why couldn't I even swipe a kid's toy?"
[Effect is active.]
"You liar! What effect? Cancel it!"
[Effect deactivated.]
"Of course you answer now—when it's useless!"
[Effect deactivated.]
"Aaaargh!"
She condemned the imaginary voice to the realm of hallucinations and vowed to see a shrink—right after she escaped.
Her legs never slowed.
"Huff—huff—"
The little pinwheel whirred at last, spinning merrily as she sprinted.
"Still running, are we?" the auntie roared behind her, panting. "You shameless bully—come here so I can beat the crap out of you, you little brat!"
Spencer put on an extra burst of speed and vanished around the corner.
(End of chapter.)