C5 Beauty Temptation

At six in the morning, just as dawn was breaking, Shiyu was snugly wrapped in her blanket, sleeping soundly. The alarm clock on her phone went off, and she groggily reached out from under the covers to silence it. The room returned to darkness and quiet, and she snuggled deeper into her blanket, a small smile on her lips.

But the peace lasted only two minutes before the alarm blared again. Just as she was drifting back to sleep, the noise startled her awake. With her eyes still closed, she reached for the culprit, but as soon as her fingers touched the phone, she yelped in surprise.

"Ah!" Shiyu jerked her hand back, the jolt of electricity snapping her fully awake. She opened her eyes to glare at the phone lying innocently beside her pillow, fear still lingering in her gaze.

She scooted back a bit and, with a shaky voice, addressed the phone, "You said this wouldn't harm me! Why did it shock me?"

Trying to sound braver than she felt, she raised her voice, "I'm going to complain about this!"

The system remained unfazed, almost amused. "User, as explained yesterday, failing to complete tasks results in certain penalties. This was clearly stated in the user guide. The electric current is carefully measured and tested, providing only a mild stimulus without any harmful effects. You can use it with confidence."

"You, you!" Shiyu's finger trembled as she pointed at the phone. "What do you want from me?"

"It's now six ten. Please get up immediately."

Hearing this, Shiyu wrapped the blanket around herself defiantly. "I've only slept five hours. I'm exhausted. I'm not getting up!"

With that, she got up and walked to the door, a hint of triumph in her voice. "If touching you shocks me, I'll just go to another room!"

Just as she was about to head out, it felt like she bumped into something and was bounced right back into the room. Ruan Shiyu, not one to give up easily, tried a few more times, but each time she was pushed back. She reached out her hand and realized it wasn’t her imagination. Her doorway was somehow covered with a transparent, stretchy film that was soft yet resilient.

Ruan Shiyu spun around, glaring at the phone on her bed with eyes that could shoot fire. “What’s the meaning of this?!”

“Oh, this is a built-in feature of the system—a confinement film, designed especially for hosts like you who try to avoid exercise.” Despite the electronic tone, Ruan Shiyu could hear the smugness dripping from it.

She sat back on the bed, looking at the phone with a pout. “What do you want from me? I really haven’t slept enough. Can’t you let me sleep a little longer? Just a bit more, please?”

Knowing that being tough wouldn’t work with the system, Ruan Shiyu switched tactics, her naturally soft voice now laced with a pleading whine.

But the system remained unmoved. “It’s already 6:20. The laps have increased to four. Please get up soon.”

“You!” Ruan Shiyu shot up from the bed, pointing at the phone in frustration.

“Every ten minutes, the laps increase by one.”

The calm electronic voice carried a clear threat.

Defeated, Ruan Shiyu dropped her hand, ruffled her hair in frustration, and headed to the bathroom. “Fine, I get it!”

By the time Ruan Shiyu finally stepped out, it was nearly 6:40, but surprisingly, the system hadn’t added any more laps. Staring at the clouds tinged with golden light, she felt a mix of surprise and enchantment. A flood of inspiration rushed through her mind, making her want to sit down and start working immediately.

But just as the thought began to take root, the system interrupted. “Get downstairs and start running.” Having figured out Ruan Shiyu’s stubborn streak, the system had become much more casual in its dealings with her.

Ruan Shiyu responded with a couple of half-hearted nods, changed her shoes, and was about to head out when she noticed the door across the hall opening. Out stepped a man in athletic wear—it was Mrs. Qian's son.

Seeing him, Shiyu offered a polite smile. The man seemed momentarily surprised to see her but nodded in acknowledgment, a silent greeting exchanged between them.

Today, the man was dressed head-to-toe in sportswear, a stark contrast to the formal suit he wore yesterday. This casual attire gave him a more approachable, energetic vibe. Yet, as they both entered the elevator, Shiyu still felt a bit uneasy.

"Are you going for a run too?" Shiyu asked, trying to break the awkward silence in the elevator.

The man seemed taken aback that Shiyu spoke but replied, "Yeah."

"Oh, I'm going for a run as well," Shiyu said offhandedly, realizing her attempt at small talk only intensified the awkwardness.

Realizing this, Shiyu let out a dry laugh and decided to stay quiet.

The silence in the elevator was soon interrupted by a cheerful woman who joined them on the next floor. She was simply dressed, carrying a grocery basket, and her round face radiated warmth and friendliness. Upon seeing the man, her eyes lit up. "Qian? Back to visit your parents?"

"Mrs. Shih," the man replied, his tone noticeably softer upon seeing someone familiar.

Mrs. Shih beamed at him, giving his shoulder a couple of hearty pats. "Oh my, it's been so long! You've grown into quite the young man! I remember when you were little, you were the most charming kid in the building..."

As Mrs. Shih continued to reminisce about the man's childhood, Shiyu stole a glance at him. Though his expression remained stoic, his eyes betrayed a hint of exasperation. Despite this, he patiently listened to Mrs. Shih, responding occasionally.

Ruan Shiyu looked at the man, momentarily stunned.

"Qian, is this your girlfriend? My, she's a real beauty," Mrs. Shih said, somehow steering the conversation toward Shiyu. She reached out and took Shiyu's hand, looking her up and down, occasionally letting out a few exclamations. "Qian, you're almost thirty. It's time to settle down. Oh, this young lady seems like a good match."

Caught off guard by Mrs. Shih grabbing her hand and assuming she was the man's girlfriend, Shiyu's face turned red.

Seeing the man glance her way, Shiyu quickly pulled her hand back from Mrs. Shih's grip and explained, "Ma'am, you've got it wrong. I'm not his girlfriend."

"Huh?" Mrs. Shih looked puzzled, glancing between Shiyu and the man. "Then why are you two wearing matching outfits and coming down from the same floor?"

Shiyu lived on the top floor, while Mrs. Shih lived just below them.

Hearing this, Shiyu couldn't help but look down at her clothes and then at the man's. Only then did she realize why he seemed familiar at first glance—their tracksuits were similar, especially since they were from the same brand.

Her face flushed even more, but she waved her hand at Mrs. Shih. "Ma'am, I'm really not his girlfriend. I'm just renting a place from his family."

Mrs. Shih finally understood and apologized to Shiyu with a bit of embarrassment. "Oh dear, I made a mistake. Please don't mind."

Shiyu shook her head. "It's no problem at all."

Mrs. Shih beamed, her fondness for Shiyu growing. "You're such a nice girl. Come over later, and I'll make some dumplings for you!"

She then turned to the man. "Qian, you come too! I remember you love my mushroom and pork dumplings. Come by tonight and see if my cooking is still up to par!"

Seeing Mrs. Shih so enthusiastic, Ruan Shiyu found it hard to refuse her invitation. The elevator quickly reached the first floor, and as they stepped out, Mrs. Shih warmly reminded them to come over for dinner that evening. Once they both agreed, she happily headed off with her shopping basket.

After Mrs. Shih left, Ruan Shiyu turned to the man and said, "About earlier..."

He interrupted, "Sorry for dragging you into that. But Mrs. Shih is really nice, she means well."

"Oh, I know," Ruan Shiyu nodded earnestly, hesitating slightly.

The man seemed to notice and asked, "Is there something else?"

"Well..." Ruan Shiyu fidgeted with his fingers behind his back, mustering the courage to say, "I'm Ruan Shiyu, your tenant."

The man nodded, "I'm Xiangqian Hsu."

Hearing his name, Ruan Shiyu squinted slightly, looking up at him, "Mr. Hsu, where do you usually run?" He quickly added, "I mean, I plan to run around the neighborhood. If you're going the same way, maybe we could run together."

"Let's go," Xiangqian Hsu said, heading towards the neighborhood exit, casually tossing out the words as he passed by Ruan Shiyu.

Surprised and delighted, Ruan Shiyu looked up, only to see that Hsu had already walked ahead. He quickly caught up.

Having someone like Xiangqian Hsu as a running partner was definitely motivating. Ruan Shiyu hadn't exercised in a while, and although the neighborhood wasn't large, one lap was nearly a mile. Four laps made it about four miles. If it weren't for Hsu's impressive running form spurring him on like a carrot dangling in front of a stubborn mule, Ruan Shiyu might have given up by the second lap.

Even so, by the third lap, Ruan Shiyu felt a metallic taste in his throat, and his legs were like noodles, ready to collapse after just a few more steps.

Ruan Shiyu had only one thought left in her mind: finish the four laps. Her legs moved mechanically, and she didn't even notice when Hsu Xiangqian ran up beside her.

"Don't take too big of steps, keep your breathing steady," a calm voice came from beside her, bringing a moment of clarity to her muddled mind.

She looked to the side in a daze, realizing the man who had been running ahead of her was now by her side.

Hsu Xiangqian didn't look at her, maintaining a steady pace. "Eyes forward, inhale for two steps, exhale for two."

Almost unconsciously, Ruan Shiyu adjusted her movements according to Hsu Xiangqian's instructions. Her previously heavy body seemed to find some support, finally feeling a bit lighter.

"Th-thank you," Ruan Shiyu managed to express her gratitude to Hsu Xiangqian.

He glanced at her briefly. "Keep breathing, don't talk." With that, he ran ahead of her once more.

Watching the man's back in front of her, the exhausted Ruan Shiyu suddenly felt a surge of energy, just enough to carry her through the remaining distance.