Strategy to Capture That Scum Gong

Chapter 200 - Eighteen Ways to Tease Your Dog

Translated by Eve

Edited by Serefina

Apologies for the late release. Looks like the scheduler is malfunctioning.

8. Eighteen Ways to Tease Your Dog

Xie He’s days were extremely relaxed and comfortable. He hadn’t shown 444 his collection in a very long time. It was like he had really let go.

Xie He hadn’t had such a peaceful life in so long. Many years ago, the main system had started sending capturing hosts to his world with increasing frequency. Near the end, it had reached a frequency of approximately one a month. Those people had been unscrupulous. They had thought of new ways to approach him every single day.

Every second of his life, he had been forced to differentiate who around him was a host. After one died, another would arrive almost immediately after. There was no break in-between.

Right now, Xie He didn’t have to discern between original inhabitants and hosts. He didn’t have to worry that someone he knew would suddenly become possessed. He didn’t have to…suppress his anger and play love games with these strangers.

Aside from going to work, Xie He would occasionally eat out with Yu Shu or go watch a film with him. He seemed to be really intent on taking this relationship seriously.

444 didn’t take it seriously at first. But as time passed, he started to feel a bit stupefied. Why did he feel like his host really planned on continuing on like this…? But didn’t Host dada say that he wasn’t that kind of person?

444 couldn’t help but pose a question after seeing Xie He send Yu Shu home.

【444：Host dada, are you really planning on settling down? Σ( ° △°|||)︴】

【Xie He：Is that such a bad thing?】

【444：Well, no….】

【Xie He：An ordinary person only gets one life. One cannot speak on behalf of another. As for me, whether I win this game, or when I win this game…all of that can be easily decided….Actually, if I can live the rest of my life peacefully like this, it doesn’t really matter to me whether or not I get the escape medicine. Smile.JPG 】

【444：…That’s true.】Sounds very reasonable….orz

【Xie He：Therefore, there’s no need to think so hard, Baby. This world is very easy-going. Go out and play some more if you’re free. 🙂 】

【444：Okay!╰(*°▽°*)╯】

Xie He lowered his gaze, covering up the cold in his eyes. He…obviously wasn’t such a generous person. He hated the idea of resigning to his fate. But there was no need to tell 444 that.

Xie He drove home. At night, the city was lit up with neon lights. People walked along the streets in every direction. The slightly chilly breeze carried a scent of osmanthus flowers….His world felt so real…but what was it in the eyes of the main system?

These vibrant lives— their sorrow, joys, happiness and anger—what value did it have? Was everything real, or merely an illusion that had been crafted for him?

When Xie He returned home, it was already very late into the night. He came out of his underground garage and was met with the sight of a tall figure standing by his door. Xie He’s steps paused, before he continued onwards, acting nonchalant.

Lu Ting saw that Xie He was coming over. Because he was nervous, his face looked particularly stern and cold.

Actually, his thoughts went like this:

【Lu Ting：He seems really unhappy to see me….】

【666：Don’t be afraid! Just do him!】

【Lu Ting：……】

【666：According to the information I got from 444, Xie He has already decided to earnestly date an original inhabitant of this world! Do you plan on staying here for the rest of your life? Do you want to give him your blessings as his ex?】

【Lu Ting：No. I don’t want that.】

【666：Exactly! So do him, do him, do him! Pull out your courage from before! The roles you transmigrated into were more impressive than how you are now!】

【Lu Ting：Lets not talk about that. He would definitely not like it if I treated him like that….】Those memories were like knives shaving away at his heart….

【666：But he had given Favourability points very happily, hasn’t he? I saw it! If I’m lying, let me be struck by lightning!】

【Lu Ting：……】

While Lu Ting was hesitating, Xie He already reached the door. He didn’t even glance at Lu Ting. It was as if Lu Ting were invisible. Xie He just pulled out his key and unlocked the door.

Lu Ting saw that the person he loved was about to disappear in front of him again….In the end, he grabbed Xie He’s wrist. His voice was full of suppressed emotions. “I…have something to say to you.”

Xie He peered down at Lu Ting’s hand on his wrist. His gaze was frosty. “Let go.”

Lu Ting didn’t let go. He held onto Xie He’s hand tightly, a complicated look in his eyes. A long time later, he said, “I wanted to see you. I came back…to see you.”

Xie He stared at him, a mocking smile gradually forming on his lips. His tone was full of derision. “I remember you telling me that you came back to see Xie Xi.”

Lu Ting’s expression stiffened. “That….”

There was a fake smile on Xie He’s lips. “You of all people should understand me….I’ve disliked Xie Xi since we were young. I don’t want anything he’s ever touched.”

Sorrow flashed through Lu Ting’s eyes. He obviously knew this. No one had understood Xie He when he was young better than Lu Ting had. He had been the one who had spent the most time with Xie He.

He remembered how, one time, when Xie He had been in high school….Xie Xi had stolen Xie He’s favourite model gun. Xie He’s expression hadn’t changed but he had secretly set Xie Xi up, forcing the other to return it. However, Xie He hadn’t wanted the model gun back. He had broken it in front of Xie Xi.

He had just found Xie Xi displeasing to his eye, that’s all.

“I’m sorry…I…there was nothing between us. I never liked him.” Lu Ting looked ashamed. He knew that he had gone too far. In Xie He’s eyes back then, Lu Ting had been his most important person….It was just that, back then, Lu Ting hadn’t known whether he would be able to come back after leaving….

Because he hadn’t been certain that they would meet again, he hadn’t wanted Xie He to be upset over him.

“Is that so?” Xie He looked indifferent and indolent. His tone was flat. “Actually, you don’t have to think too much over this. I don’t care if you like him or not. Do you still remember what I told you that day?”

Lu Ting pursed his lips, his face paling slightly. Of course he still remembered…Xie He had said that there would no longer be anything between them.

Xie He had no intentions of continuing this conversation. He threw Lu Ting’s hand off and turned around, wanting to slam the door in Lu Ting’s face. However, Lu Ting’s reaction speed was fast. He pressed a hand against the door, making it so that Xie He couldn’t close the door. He then circled his arms around Xie He’s body.

Xie He’s gaze turned ice-cold. “What are you doing?”

【666：Kiss him! Kiss him! According to chapter nine of《The Love Conquest Manual》, when you have nothing to say, a forced kiss will resolve the awkwardness】

Lu Ting was so close to Xie He’s face. The young adult from back then had already grown into a steady man. When that handsome face smiled, he was as refined and cultured as a spring breeze. When his expression turned cold, he was like a thousand mile stretch of ice. One couldn’t read any emotions from his deep, pitch-black eyes….His thin lips beneath that high nose….Lu Ting once again recalled how loving and affectionate the two of them had once been. This was the first time they’d been this close while in their original bodies. He missed the taste of Xie He’s lips so much….

Lu Ting pressed his lips down abruptly! He pressed a hand against Xie He’s shoulders. Lu Ting’s strength was abnormal. Xie He couldn’t push him away at all.

It had been so hard for Lu Ting to control himself, to stop himself from approaching this person. But now that they touched, he didn’t want to part….He missed Xie He so much. For a long time, he had just been barely able to suppress his desire that had accumulated for several hundreds of years.

Xie He felt that Lu Ting’s body was like a mountain. The hand pressed against his shoulder prevented him from moving. He couldn’t do anything but let Lu Ting kiss him. Furthermore, Xie He had never liked to do pointless things. Therefore, he didn’t bother with resisting. He let Lu Ting kiss him until the other had enough. When Lu Ting let go, Xie He didn’t hesitate to slap him.

Lu Ting was dumbfounded by that slap. When he faced Xie He’s icy gaze, shame filled his eyes….Xie He seemed to be really angry….But didn’t they do this last time too?

Xie He took back his hand and gave Lu Ting one more glance. “Piss off. I don’t want to hurt my hand by hitting you again.”

【Ding, the target Xie He’s Favourability Value -10. The current Favourability Value is -30.】

Lu Ting’s face paled. He didn’t dare stop Xie He again. He watched helplessly as Xie He entered the house and the door slammed closed with a ‘thud,’ separating him from the other.

【666：Cough cough….】

【Lu Ting：Didn’t you say that a forced kiss could resolve the awkwardness?】

【666：Oh…well it hadn’t been put into practice before. The same method will yield different results under different circumstances. I have to research a bit more. Human emotions are really complicated, ah…】

【Lu Ting：……】

【666：But this doesn’t count as a failure.】

【Lu Ting：Is doesn’t?】

【666：Of course. Actually, you succeeded! Look at how much he loathes you now? Isn’t your goal to make him hate you? From a certain angle, you achieved the goal you’ve set. Therefore, don’t be discouraged and keep going! You can make him hate you some more!】

【Lu Ting：…Shut up.】

………………………………

Xie He returned home with a cold expression on his face.

【444 quietly asked：Host dada, you seem really angry….】

【Xie He：Of course I am. After all, what I hate the most is people who lie and go back on their words. Smile.JPG】

【444：Then why did you tease him like that in the beginning? I thought that you didn’t hate him all that much. _(:зゝ∠)_】

【Xie He：That, ah….Some people don’t understand how to grab onto opportunities. They have to learn that sometimes, once an opportunity is gone, it’s really gone. You have to pay a price to get it back. 🙂 】

【444：……】

Xie He slept well that night. The next day was the weekend. He slept in before making breakfast for himself, feeling carefree. Then, he left his house.

As soon as he opened his door, he discovered that Lu Ting had still been standing outside. It was obvious that the other hadn’t left that night and had stood in front of his door all day.

Lu Ting was silent for a while when he saw Xie He come out. He then lowered his head and said, “I’m sorry.”

Xie He’s expression was still cold. “Sorry for what?”

Lu Ting said, “I shouldn’t have done that yesterday…But what I really wanted to tell you is that I’ve never liked Xie Xi. I’ve only ever liked you. Back then, I did that before leaving because I hadn’t wanted you to be upset.”

He then looked at Xie He nervously after saying all that in one breath.

That was what he felt most guilty over, what had tormented him for many years….After so much time, he was finally able to say how he felt. What would Xie He think?

The answer to that question had bothered him for several hundred years.

Xie He looked at Lu Ting and burst into sudden laughter. “I already knew.”

A spark of light appeared in Lu Ting’s eyes. His body grew rigid with apprehension. “Y-you knew?”

Xie He nodded. “It’s not hard to guess. After all, your acting hasn’t improved even after all those years. It’s as terrible as ever.”

Lu Ting: “….”

Xie He laughed for a while. His expression then gradually cooled down. “But regardless of why you left, it doesn’t change the fact that you left me. I don’t care for those that have left me. Therefore, your intentions back then change nothing.”

“Didn’t you want me to forget you?” The corner of Xie He’s lips curved. “I’ll do as you wish.”

【Ding, the target Xie He’s Favourability Value -10. The current Favourability Value is -40.】

The light in Lu Ting’s eyes was snuffed out and his eyes dimmed. His fist clenched tightly and his voice was quiet. “I’m sorry.”

So this was what Xie He thought. The other had always been so clear-headed….In his eyes, the reason Lu Ting left had never been important. What had been important was the fact that he had left.

If he had told Xie He his thoughts back then, would things have ended this way?

Xie He didn’t look at Lu Ting again. He walked over to his car before getting in and driving away.

Lu Ting stood in place, lost-in-thought. A long time later, a bitter laugh came out of his throat. “I was doing something unnecessary. He was even more clear-headed and rational than I had thought.”

666 also hadn’t expected that Xie He would have been able to see through Lu Ting back then. He had really underestimated Xie He.

【666：It’s all in the past….What’s the point of thinking about it now? How about you think about how to get him back instead?】

【Lu Ting：You think I can still get him back?】

【666：In any case, at least you’ll have tried your best! Don’t leave any regrets! Jiayou! Even if you can’t get him back, at least he’ll loathe you. Regardless of what happens, it’ll be a win!】 666 thought that his host’s EQ was no match for Xie He. However, rather than see Lu Ting suffer in silence on his own, he would rather see him work hard and chase after his true love. Although both of his choices sucked…at least he could choose the one that sucked less, right?

……………………

President Zhao and co. organized an outing that weekend. They went to a reservoir to fish.

Xie He was also planning on going. However, he went to pick Yu Shu up before heading over.

The two of them had already confirmed their relationship. Xie He would always bring Yu Shu with him to whatever event he was attending. It was obvious that Xie He didn’t intend to just play with Yu Shu. Therefore, Xie He’s friends also treated Yu Shu with a lot of respect, as they could also see how much Xie He cared about him. By the looks of it, President Xie really seemed to be planning to get serious….

They had really underestimated Teacher Yu. They hadn’t expected that even someone as fickle as President Xie could be tamed. They really admired him!

Today, the sun was a bit intense. Xie He held up an umbrella but sweat still formed over Yu Shu’s fair skin. Xie He gave him a gentle look and helped him wipe off the sweat with a napkin. He also considerately handed him water.

Yu Shu looked a bit shy. He quietly said, “Thank you.”

Xie He turned his head slightly, his lips brushing against Yu Shu’s ears. His laugh was elegant and magnetic. “It’s nothing. I’m just doing what I should.”

Yu Shu flushed red at once.

When Xie He saw this, a smile formed in his eyes. He wrapped his arm over Yu Shu’s shoulder and gave him a soft, sweet kiss. Yu Shu’s hand trembled and the fish he just caught slipped away.

President Zhao and the others all started clicking their tongues. They clearly weren’t fishing but showing off their affection. President Xie’s was as impressive as always.

Lu Ting had also followed along secretly. However, he didn’t dare approach. He stood in the distance by himself. When he saw this scene, a ‘crack’ sounded as he created a hole in the tree in front of him! The splintered wood fell to the earth.

【666：……】Poor tree.

【Lu Ting：He didn’t used to be so skilled in the love department!】

【666：…Calm down!】

Lu Ting suddenly walked over with large strides. When President Zhao and the others saw Lu Ting suddenly appear, they all exchanged glances. No one had invited Lu Ting, so why was he here? Everyone knew about the grudges between Xie He and Lu Ting. That was why they had done their best to prevent the two from meeting.

Things didn’t look too good today….

When Lu Ting saw Xie He kiss another person, it felt like something was stabbing his eyes. He wanted to tear them apart at once! However, just as he was about to act, he recalled the icy words Xie He had spoken to him that say. Xie He had said that he had no right to meddle in his affairs…that they should go their separate ways….

If he acted, Xie He would only hate him all the more.

Lu Ting forced down the jealousy and anger in his heart. He pressed down the impulse to beat up Yu Shu. Instead, he found a spot nearby to sit down, his gaze fixed on the two of them.

Xie He had actually already noticed Lu Ting with his peripheral vision. But he acted like he didn’t care, like he didn’t mind it at all. He continued to act all lovey-dovey with Yu Shu.

But then, Yu Shu also noticed Lu Ting. That fierce, stern-looking man was looking at him with a murderous gaze….Yu Shu paled in fright. He quietly asked Xie He, “Isn’t that your ex-boyfriend? Didn’t you say that there was nothing between you two?”

Xie He gave him an apologetic look. “There really isn’t anything between us.”

Lu Ting suddenly stood up. He walked over to Yu Shu and said, “There was nothing between us before, but I like Xie He and I want to pursue him again. Therefore, you’re my rival.”

Yu Shu: “….”

President Zhao and co.: “….” F*ck, what was happening today? What a frightening reversal. Didn’t Lu Ting like Xie Xi? Wasn’t he the one who threw Xie He away?”

Xie He’s eyebrows furrowed. There was a look of impatience in his eyes. “Are you done? I told you that there’s nothing between us anymore.”

【Ding, the target Xie He’s Favourability Value -10. The current Favourability Value is -50.】

Lu Ting’s expression froze when he heard the Favourability Value notification. He nearly gave up just then.

【666：Jiayou! Don’t cower! Try to get to -100 Favourability points!】

【Lu Ting：Liu zi, these days, you should really speak less….】

【666：Cough cough….】

Lu Ting pressed his lips together tightly. He lowered his head, a look of guilt in his eyes. “I’m sorry. You’re right to be angry with me. But I’ve always loved you. It was all my fault.”

President Zhao and co.: “….” Were they looking at an illusion? This turn of events had been so sudden that they felt like they had all been flung out of the metaphorical car.

Did President Lu turn into a loyal dog over the course of one night?

But Xie He didn’t want to bother with Lu Ting. He said to Yu Shu, “Just ignore him.”

Yu Shu felt awkward but nodded anyway.

Lu Ting watched as Xie He didn’t even bother to glance at him for the rest of the day. He looked dejected. However, he didn’t dare to beat anyone up. If he did, Xie He would be even displeased with him. He could only suppress his jealousy and watch as Xie He acted affectionately with someone else. The scent of vinegar had already spread out to a ten mile radius.

【Lu Ting：I regret it. If I had known, I wouldn’t have used such tricks. In any case, he won’t fall in love with me anyway. I should have just told him my feelings. I think I’ll go crazy if I have to keep watching this.】

【666：Keep steady. At least you can see him, right? It’s still better than being unable to see him.】

【Lu Ting：You’re right but why don’t I feel comforted at all…?】

【666：……】Mn, at least you haven’t gone insane. I think that this method of treatment is still very effective….

…………………………

From that day on, Lu Ting would basically stalk Xie He. Xie He, however, was focused on dating and had never bothered to even cast Lu Ting a cold glance.

Every day, Lu Ting would study 《The Love Conquest Manual》with 666. It said that if one wanted to move someone’s heart, one had to persevere andshow sincerity. It said that one must not give up halfway….Therefore, Lu Ting continued to persist.

He didn’t let go of any chances to get close to Xie He. Whatever event Xie He attended, he also attended. He would send Xie He gifts and enquire about the other’s well-being, amongst other things….He acted like he was honestly deeply in love with Xie He. If he had a tail, it would have been wagging behind him.

Slowly, everyone realized that President Lu had truly loved Xie He. Although they didn’t know why he had brought Xie Xi into the mix back then, considering how he acted now, it was obvious as to how he truly felt….It was said that, back then, when President Xie had still been young, this was how President Lu had acted….

Lu Ting persisted in coming up with different ways to chase after Xie He. However, no matter what he did, the result would always be the opposite of what he wanted. Every time, Xie He’s Favourability Value would drop. It was already at about -90.

Recently, 444 had been indulging in pleasure. He would occasionally come back and be dumbfounded by the changes. The way his host gave Favourability points was illogical, ah! Back then, when they had just returned, Lu Ting had been so cold but Xie He had happily given him Favourability points. Now that Lu Ting was pursuing Xie He, the other’s Favourability Value just kept dropping.

Every day, 666 would think of ways to get into contact with 444 in an attempt to gather intelligence. However, 444 was too dumb. He didn’t understand his host at all. There wasn’t a lot of useful information.

Very soon, Valentine’s Day came. Lu Ting found out that Xie He had arranged to go out to eat with Yu Shu. Based on the typical pattern of Xie He’s actions, they would definitely be sleeping together after eating.

Lu Ting couldn’t stand it anymore. He broke into Yu Shu’s home and tied the poor teacher up, silencing him by shoving something in his mouth. When he was sure that Yu Shu wouldn’t be able to leave, he followed 666’s information and arrived at the hotel Xie He had chosen.

Xie He had already arrived. He had always been a romantic and sentimental person. He had chosen a very tasteful hotel. The interior was refined and clean. He was currently dressed in a form-fitting suit. Paired with his handsome, confident face, he was the picture of elegance.

When he heard the sound of footsteps, he turned his head slightly, revealing a graceful profile. When he saw that it was Lu Ting, he didn’t look surprised.

Because he was nervous, Lu Ting’s expression looked cold and hard. He sat in front of Xie He and was silent for a few seconds before saying, “He won’t be coming today.”

Xie He didn’t look surprised or angry. He just said in a flat voice, “Didn’t you decide to not disturb my life? What are you doing right now? Is it fun, changing your mind all the time?”

Lu Ting’s voice was pained. He said, “I got you a gift.”

As he said this, he pulled out a black, velvet box. He pushed it over to Xie He.

Xie He looked at the box and then opened it. He quietly looked at the metal pendant inside. He couldn’t tell what it was made out of. It wasn’t particularly shiny. There were two characters simply engraved onto it: Ting & He.

Lu Ting said, “This is made out of the strongest metal from the system store: Ace metal. Nothing can break it. I made two. I’ve always worn one and had wanted to give the other to you. Unfortunately, I never had the chance.”

Xie He caressed the pendant, his eyes dark. One couldn’t see the emotions in his eyes.

Lu Ting seemed to be recalling the past. A reminiscent look appeared in his eyes and his voice became a bit strained. “I know that my actions have been ridiculous. After all, I was the one who left you back then. Regardless of why I left, I can’t change that fact that I did. I was also the one who had been dishonest first. It’s only expected that you won’t forgive me.

“I just…wanted to tell you that I’ve always loved you.”

That’s right. What had he been hesitating for before? He loved this person so much but he hadn’t ever dared to tell him how he felt….He had confined himself, trapped himself and hadn’t been able to come out.

But if he didn’t say it now, he would never get the chance to say it again. That would probably become his biggest regret in his life.

In the hundreds of years since Lu Ting had left, he had always been toeing the line between life and death. He had escaped from death time and time again. He had never regretted having gone to Xie He’s world for a moment. He had never regretted having fallen in love with him….This person hadn’t pushed him into these circumstances. What he had given Lu Ting was the courage to survive in such dangerous places. He had given him the hope he needed to persevere.

If he hadn’t had this love and hope, he probably wouldn’t have been able to survive to see today.

Perhaps he would have already died. Every day, many hosts died. But Lu Ting had come back alive. Because he had always believed…that this person had been waiting for him.

You are the reason I could come back alive.

“I’m sorry.” Lu Ting stood up. He gave Xie He a final look full of yearning and love. The other’s Favourability Value was already at -90, would it really reach -100? Forget it. If he truly loved Xie He, he shouldn’t continue to bother him like this. Lu Ting didn’t want to see the other unhappy.

He had only done these things because he didn’t want to keep his emotions hidden anymore. This was the honesty he owed Xie He. Although it was too late, at the very least, he…didn’t want to leave any regrets.

Lu Ting chuckled. “If you don’t like it, throw it away. But wait until I leave to throw it away. That’s my last request.”

After saying that, Lu Ting turned to leave.

This time, he would really leave. He wasn’t leaving out of self-control, but because Xie He didn’t need him any more.

Lu Ting had only taken a few steps when he heard a slightly cold voice come from behind. “Wait.”

He stopped his steps and turned around, a smile on his face. “What’s wrong?”

Xie He gazed at Lu Ting, an eyebrow cocked. There was an unreadable light in his eyes. He had on an indolent expression. “Nothing. I just suddenly recalled something I had forgotten to ask you. Lu Ting…is that your real name?”

Eve: Most tragic character in this arc: Yu Shu. Poor guy getting tangled up in this.

sere: omg Lu Ting is babyyyy at least he’s trying hard :))) lmaooo but also poor Yu Shu, this innocent bystander, getting tied up in his own home oof