Chapter 56 Chapter 56: One Finger
Chapter 56: One Finger
The childish voice was particularly grating, like a cornered beast frantically displaying its aggression.
Even though Si Chen was mentally prepared, the voice still startled him.
He let out a few dry laughs into the phone, his voice tinged with guilt. "Well now, that was just a joke. I guessed it was you, Chi Xiaocheng. I'm not here for Su Tao this time; I specifically came for you!"
Si Chen seemed to know how to handle her, and before Chi Xiaocheng could unleash her next outburst, he quickly added, "You like Su Tao, right? Su Tao and I have a good relationship. I can be your insider and help you win her over. How does that sound?"
Chi Xiaocheng's hoarse tone didn't soften in the slightest. "You two have a good relationship?"
"Um, ahem ahem, I mean, we're just ordinary friends. I swear I've never liked Su Tao!"
"But you just said you wanted Su Tao to be your girlfriend!"
"Oh dear, that's my alter ego acting up. Why can't I control this mouth of mine?"
As the voice spoke, there were two sharp smacks of palm against face. "Since this concerns Su Tao, how about we discuss this seriously and rationally?"
Chi Xiaocheng inwardly declared she wasn't the obsessive type; her emotional control was impeccable.
Reason took over her brain. She sat on the sofa, deciding to drop the act, and inquired, "What do you mean by 'joining forces'?"
Si Chen said, "You actually know Su Tao's true identity, don't you?"
Chi Xiaocheng paused, instinctively retorting, "True identity?"
"You don't know?"
Si Chen's voice also conveyed clear shock. His risky decision to abandon Su Tao and choose Chi Xiaocheng had been deliberated for a long time.
Now, it sounded like this decision might be unreliable.
Chi Xiaocheng realized something and quickly said to Si Chen, "Wait a moment."
With that, she swiftly opened her system page. "System, I want to see the table of contents for the original novel."
She really had no idea Su Tao had any hidden identity.
After some searching through the table of contents, she finally discerned something significant from the chapters between 650 and 700.
Fifty chapters, a total cost of 250 emotion points.
If this could gain her Si Chen's assistance, for her current situation, that was a small price!
Chi Xiaocheng decisively purchased it, and the original novel's content flooded into her mind like a memory.
She suddenly understood.
This section was another melodramatic plotline typical of female-oriented novels.
Su Tao had angered Ye Liang because of the divine doctor male lead. Ye Liang, in the book, was set as the ultimate jealous type. To punish Su Tao, he made her live in his dog kennel and bullied her in various ways.
After all, with a domineering CEO persona, many female readers enjoyed such popular tropes of a delicate wife being doted on, or even forcefully pampered.
But anyone who writes novels knows that conflict creates interest; sweetness is merely a seasoning.
At this opportune moment, Su Tao's mysterious background was revealed: she wasn't actually an orphan but had a War God father abroad.
When the War God father returned and heard his daughter was living in a dog kennel, he unleashed a hundred thousand mercenaries in a fit of rage!
Her father and the male lead Ye Liang became adversaries, and a tumultuous clash of love and hate ensued.
Si Chen appeared in fewer plotlines, but Chi Xiaocheng could still infer his purpose from the preceding and succeeding events.
He wanted to leverage Su Tao's father's influence to reclaim his position as the Si family heir!
Sure enough, in the eyes of people like him, so-called friends were merely a means of exchanging benefits.
But if that's the case...
Tao Tao is mine.
Her doting father would also side with her.
And she had the system, and could read the original novel. Helping Si Chen wouldn't be a problem.
Operating on the principle of making a grand offer first, Chi Xiaocheng picked up her phone and said to Si Chen, "You're talking about Su Tao's father, right? I know."
"You really do know!" Si Chen's voice relaxed with relief. "Chi Xiaocheng, you've been acting so strange, I guessed you probably want Su Tao to fall hopelessly in love with you, right? I can help you."
"Normally, I can lie low by Su Tao's side and guide her, helping you win her over. And in return, after you win her over, you'll use her father's influence to help me reclaim my position in the Si family. How does that sound?"
"It's a good collaboration, isn't it? Her father won't return to the country for a while yet. Before that, I'll fully assist you. If you think I'm also problematic, you don't have to help me afterwards; you won't suffer any loss!"
"Besides, you can't handle Ye Liang alone. While my influence isn't extensive, I can distract him and occupy some of his energy."
It had to be said, Si Chen's proposition was hard to refuse.
As a rational character who also studied psychology, he had a complete grasp of Chi Xiaocheng's current situation.
After saying all this, Si Chen began to scheme in his mind.
Although Chi Xiaocheng was an unpredictable obsessive, after two encounters, he had gradually found the key to controlling her.
And that was Su Tao!
As long as he kept using Su Tao as an excuse, he could test her rationality and guide her actions. Once he probed her limits...
Such an easily enraged lunatic was much easier to control than the intelligent Su Tao.
But no sooner had this thought crossed his mind than he heard Chi Xiaocheng's voice, full of suspicion, through the phone. "Will you really listen to everything I say?"
Si Chen adjusted his glasses, a flicker of shrewdness flashing in his eyes. "I, Si Chen, always keep my word."
"Then... what's the cost?"
As Chi Xiaocheng's ethereal voice resonated, Si Chen paused, not quite catching it. "What cost?"
"This kind of transaction isn't equitable." Chi Xiaocheng's voice no longer sounded normal like it had at first. "Without you, I can still win Tao Tao over. I like her, and she will only like me!"
Si Chen quickly interjected, "I can also help you distract Ye Liang, not to mention that guy Dongfang Yang. With me around, I can better help you manage Su Tao's social circle and situation. This is already a fair exchange."
"But I don't like what you said about wanting Tao Tao to be your girlfriend~"
"That alleyway, and this phone call just now, you didn't think I'd forgotten, did you?"
"She's mine..."
"She's mine."
"She's MINE!!!"
"After saying such things, you expect me to trust you?!"
Her voice grew increasingly chilling, even letting out a faint, hoarse growl only a small beast would make.
Si Chen reached up and touched the side of his face. That scar had been left in the alleyway back then, and it still hadn't faded.
He had thought the matter would simply be overlooked.
He never expected Chi Xiaocheng to still hold a grudge!
Si Chen closed his eyes and thought for a moment, then let out a long breath and asked, "Then what do you want me to do? I swear I don't like Su Tao. Everything I said like that was to test you on Su Tao's behalf; it was all... all Su Tao's orders!"
"I won't allow you to speak of Tao Tao like that!"
"She would never do such a thing!"
Chi Xiaocheng's tone was cold and resolute. "It must have been you who misled her!"
At this, Si Chen was so angry he almost smashed his phone.
Obsessive! She's utterly obsessive!
This was absolutely impossible to communicate with!
Suddenly, Chi Xiaocheng said abruptly, "One finger."
Si Chen froze, not having heard clearly. "What did you say?"
Chi Xiaocheng's voice was hoarse. "I want one of your fingers, as a gift to apologize to Tao Tao!"
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