Manipulative Harem God



After changing into fresh clothes, Zhang Wei took a moment to enjoy a cigarette borrowed from the hotel staff.

The fortunate turn of events was that the rain had ceased, offering a respite from the earlier downpour.

Zhang Wei also requested the hotel staff to procure two mobile phones, recognizing the importance of maintaining access to their cloud and social media accounts despite losing their SIM cards.

Standing outside, bathed in the cool post-rain atmosphere, Zhang Wei smoked the entire cigarette, his thoughts drifting momentarily to the unexpected weather.

He didn't linger on it for long, intending to return to the hotel.

But just as he was about to step back inside, an unexpected sound pierced the air—a melodic, laughter that resonated like a siren's call.

"Who...?" Zhang Wei turned abruptly, instinctively drawn toward the source of the laughter.

There, he spotted a figure bathed in an ethereal light, a beautiful woman, her laughter a sweet melody.

His brows furrowed as recognition dawned. "You again?" he muttered, his astonishment apparent.

Feng Ruoyan couldn't help herself; her laughter rang out like sweet music.

She covered her mouth, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, seeing your face! Ehehe!" she giggled, thoroughly enjoying the way Zhang Wei had reacted to the unexpected weather.

Zhang Wei's frown deepened, suspicion simmering in his narrowed eyes. "Was all of this done by you?" he questioned, his tone edged with a growing sense of frustration.

Feng Ruoyan, however, showed no inclination to provide a straightforward answer. Instead, she continued to mock and tease him, pushing his buttons further. Zhang Wei's anger flared up in response to her provocation.

"Wasn't the last time we met and you were beaten enough for you?" he spoke, his voice carrying a note of exasperation. His words seemed to have the opposite effect, only fueling Feng Ruoyan's laughter further.

"Then come and beat me again," she taunted provocatively, her smile gleaming with defiance. She knew well that he couldn't do much to her at this moment.

Understanding that everything from the manipulated weather to the thunder strike had likely been orchestrated by Feng Ruoyan, Zhang Wei let out a resigned sigh and crushed the cigarette butt beneath his shoe.

"Do you think everything is a joke?" he retorted, frustration etched into his voice.

Feng Ruoyan stopped laughing and glanced at him, her smile shifting to something more sinister.

She sneered, "Don't tell me you would die from such weak thunder?"

Zhang Wei fell silent, his irritation mounting.

After a moment, he sighed. "Childish."

Ignoring her, he turned and headed back into the hotel, leaving Feng Ruoyan stunned and infuriated.

She stamped her foot in frustration. "Childish? How dare he!" she seethed, refusing to accept her impulsive actions.

With a step, she vanished, leaving the scene in a whirlwind of anger and frustration.

________

Inside the opulent presidential suite, Zhang Wei found himself momentarily transfixed by a mesmerizing vision, as he stood near the entrance, startled and confused.

Chen Yulan had undergone a stunning transformation that left him breathless, as though he had stumbled upon a mythical creature in the midst of an earthly sojourn. 

She stood before him, a radiant embodiment of grace and beauty, as if she were a celestial being who had deigned to visit the mortal realm.

Her choice of attire, a resplendent crimson dress, was nothing short of enchanting. The fabric clung to her form in the most beguiling way, accentuating every curve with a teasing allure that left little to the imagination.

Subtle droplets of water adorned her flawless skin, bearing witness to the recent shower she had taken. They caught the ambient light, creating a bewitching display of shimmering jewels upon her body.

Her cheeks bore a delicate flush, a blush like the petals of a rare flower in full bloom. It added a touch of vulnerability to her newfound confidence, making her all the more captivating.

Her eyes, previously unassuming, now sparkled with an inner life, a secret longing that hinted at hidden depths within her.

Zhang Wei found himself suprised by the radiant presence she exuded.

In her transformation, she had become a living masterpiece, an embodiment of beauty and elegance that transcended mere mortal description.

Zhang Wei couldn't help but raise his brows, and comment, 'She looks even more stunning than that photo,' drawing in a deep breath.

The image on her phone's wallpaper couldn't do justice to the true radiance of her beauty.

Rain had played its part earlier, obscuring his view and preventing him from fully appreciating her appearance.

The system's voice grew serious, [Host, she possesses ancestral elderwood roots, a divine-level spiritual root that bestows upon her a unique aura of vitality. You could purchase a bloodline for her, enhancing her cultivation talent, and she could become a valuable asset to your legions.]

The revelation about her spiritual roots had been intentionally withheld earlier, making this a delightful surprise for Zhang Wei.

Amidst this unfolding scene, Chen Yulan's voice carried a subtle charm as she inquired, "Does this dress looks on me?" Her faint smile held a hint of anticipation. 

Zhang Wei, though captivated by her presence, composed himself, his words flowing with a casual elegance, "Indeed, it suits you perfectly." With a measured grace, he took his place upon the plush couch, the scene pulsating with unspoken emotions and uncharted possibilities.

Chen Yulan's spirits soared upon hearing his words, and she gracefully made her way to the seat in front of him. "Really?" she inquired with a bright, hopeful smile.

"This is actually for my engagement," she revealed, her smile softening as she shared her secret.

"Huh?" Zhang Wei felt a jolt of surprise, struggling to maintain composure. "Engagement?" he repeated, concealing his astonishment behind a veil of carefully chosen words.

Had this been the reason for her meticulous preparation before revealing herself?

In the midst of this revelation, Wu Xue emerged, adorned in a fresh casual ensemble. Her excitement and surprise bubbled over as she asked, "You're getting engaged? When?"

She settled beside Zhang Wei, both of them fixed on Chen Yulan but with divergent thoughts swirling in their minds.

Wu Xue's excitement revolved around the joy of engagement and the prospect of marriage, while Zhang Wei grappled with the realization that he might have missed the chance to trap this bird in his cage.

He wanted to squash whoever Liu Ming was. Now, his only motivation to sit calmly was to let Liu Ming come and squash him to a pulp.

Men, often unknowingly, lay claim to every beautiful woman they encounter, their possessiveness ranging from those with the means to back it up to the delusional few.

Just as this unspoken truth lingered in the air, a discreet knock echoed through the room. The butler arrived, bearing two smartphones ordered by Zhang Wei.

He promptly handed them over, and both Zhang Wei and Wu Xue began configuring their respective devices.

Wu Xue couldn't help but break the silence, her curiosity getting the best of her. "Hey, don't just keep us in suspense like this. When's the big engagement?" she inquired, her eyes fixed on Chen Yulan.

Chen Yulan, who had fallen into a momentary silence, finally replied, "It's on the 10th of April."

"So soon!" Wu Xue was taken aback by the swiftness of it all. Today was the 30th of March, and in just eleven days, Chen Yulan was set to embark on her journey to matrimony. 

A faint smile graced Chen Yulan's lips as she sensed their surprise. "It's alright. We've been dating for the past five years, and now that I've completed my master's degree, postponing it further wouldn't be wise. Liu Ming and I have decided it's time to make it official. Once the Qingming festival concludes, we'll host the engagement, followed by the wedding later this year."

"Five years?" Both Wu Xue and Zhang Wei exchanged glances, struggling to comprehend such a lengthy courtship.

What had they been doing for five long years?

Yet, Chen Yulan remained unruffled, wearing her polite smile as she sat across the table from them.

Zhang Wei noticed something peculiar, adding to his unease.

Typically, when discussing marriage, a woman would blush or display a hint of embarrassment.

However, Chen Yulan spoke of it as if it were an everyday occurrence, raising further questions in his mind.

An ominous thought loomed in Zhang Wei's mind, one he had been attempting to avoid but could no longer evade. 'How much progress has there been in her relationship with Liu Ming?' he wondered, the question striking him with a disquieting weight.

In response to their shifting expressions, Chen Yulan felt compelled to clarify, "Liu Ming didn't want to rush things. He patiently waited for me to complete my studies."

"Not rush?" Wu Xue blinked in suspicion, her mind racing with incredulity.

Who wouldn't want to rush things with someone as beautiful as Chen Yulan?

Could there be an issue on Liu Ming's end?

Was he impotent?

Wu Xue's gaze scrutinized Chen Yulan from head to toe, her own expression growing complex.

She couldn't help but wonder how Zhang Wei had such exquisitely refined women in his family.