Chapter 1462: Chapter 575: Messing Her Up (2)

"Peining, about last night... I didn’t mean to leave you there. Sorry, okay? Actually, I was drunk too, and I don’t even remember how I got back..."

The brilliance of Zhou Wang’s words lay in that he wasn’t explaining the reason for leaving Qu Peining at BSK, but for another behavior.

But the reason was universal.

Firstly, it wasn’t intentional.

Secondly, I know you might have been drunk, but I was drunk too.

So, can you understand?

Hearing Zhou Wang mention last night again, Qu Peining’s ears turned slightly red, but her expression remained unchanged, even with a hint of coldness.

"You don’t remember?"

Qu Peining questioned, "You don’t remember anything at all?"

Zhou Wang was momentarily speechless. He spoke subtly, and Qu Peining, of course, asked subtly too.

This "anything" clearly refers to that "something."

Perhaps Qu Peining, out of a subconscious straightforwardness, despite the shameful process, since she had made up her mind to find trouble with Zhou Wang, would not evade it. But this straightforward approach really made it a bit hard for Zhou Wang to handle.

Admitting he remembered would imply it was intentional, right?

But saying he didn’t remember seemed a little irresponsible...

This is the price of impulsiveness, and Zhou Wang was now stuck, feeling very uncomfortable.

And the most crucial issue is, what is Qu Peining thinking?

Looking into her calm yet bright apricot eyes, Zhou Wang realized for the first time that he couldn’t quite read what she was thinking.

Maybe it’s because at this moment, Qu Peining had adopted some kind of defensive posture. Previously, Zhou Wang always led, pulling Qu Peining into a bewildering environment to secretly disrupt her... mindset.

This time, however, the environment dictated that Zhou Wang couldn’t take it slow with her, so the pressing issue was to understand Qu Peining’s psychology and apply appropriate countermeasures swiftly.

Zhou Wang’s mind was racing, and soon he came up with a solution.

In the system warehouse, there was a long-hidden item that seemed suitable for this moment.

[Ali’s Conch (Replica): When the host carries this conch, there is a certain chance to hear others’ inner voices under strong emotional states]

This was the reward for unlocking the second stage of the [Soul Catcher] title after Zhou Wang successfully mentored Li Nuoyi and Bai Feifei last time.

But this item wasn’t unfamiliar to Zhou Wang.

When he attempted to pursue Ji Xiaoxi, this item played a significant role.

Speaking of Ji Xiaoxi, I wonder how she’s been lately... Bah, scumbag!

Secretly cursing himself, Zhou Wang quickly pulled his wayward thoughts back.

Though at that time, he used the genuine product, which was very effective, making Zhou Wang feel that [Ali’s Conch] was the ultimate tool that could easily change fate in anyone’s hand.

Unfortunately, it was one of the ultimate items in the System Store, requiring a sky-high Reputation Value, and Zhou Wang couldn’t hope to exchange for it anytime soon.

This replica, a reward from the title, had the same effect as the genuine one but with two restrictions.

The first is that the replica’s activation is a probability event, not guaranteed to hear everything, and the second is the replica has unknown side effects, which the system had warned Zhou Wang to use "cautiously."

Zhou Wang was more wary of those unknown side effects, so he hadn’t used it since obtaining it.

But now, it seemed there was no other way.

With determination in mind, Zhou Wang reached into his pocket, and with a thought, a cool conch-shaped object appeared in his hand.

Its presence indicated it was already operational.

However, the first voice that entered Zhou Wang’s mind didn’t belong to Qu Peining in front of him.

[What is his relationship with her? Have they slept together? They shouldn’t have... It shouldn’t be that fast, right?]

[Why does he always have so many and... Oh, the phrase is burgeoning, right, burgeoning beautiful women around him? I feel less competitive, what to do... Should I be more proactive... But even by stripping myself naked, what’s left to do? How frustrating!]

Zhou Wang: ?

The first inner voice he recognized as Su Yajing’s. He was aware of her knowing Qu Peining for a while.

After all, back when in Beidou, Su Yajing had tattled on him, mentioning Qu Peining. Part of Zhou Wang’s embarrassment earlier was also because of Su Yajing.

But does Su Yajing’s prejudice against him have to be so severe, assuming things reach "sleeping together" so quickly?

Zhou Wang was covered in black lines.

As for the other inner voice, although it was awkward Chinese, Zhou Wang immediately recognized who it was from.

He didn’t expect Cui Min’er’s inner thoughts to be so dense, but it also confirmed one thing...

That her act at the pool was indeed intentional.

Tsk tsk, this girl...

Zhou Wang didn’t catch the inner voices of Yu Duo and Shen Yutong, either their emotions weren’t intense enough, or the chance wasn’t triggered.

Finally, Zhou Wang turned his gaze back to Qu Peining.

At this moment, he still couldn’t hear any inner thoughts from the expressionless Qu Peining, suspecting the reason being...

Qu Peining’s emotions weren’t strong enough yet.

The mechanism of this tool was likely that the stronger others’ emotions were, the greater the likelihood of hearing their inner voices.

Perhaps when Qu Peining woke up earlier this morning, her emotions were intense, but upon seeing Zhou Wang, these emotions somewhat blocked, simply put... her heart wasn’t chaotic enough now.

What to do then?

Just mess with her.

Mess up her mind.

Thus, after discreetly pulling out the [Heart Guard], Zhou Wang straightened his expression and strode towards Qu Peining.

He walked with such determination and nonchalance as if it didn’t matter whatever Qu Peining might suddenly do.

Qu Peining’s microexpressions visibly changed, and when Zhou Wang was a mere meter away, the [Conch] began to take effect.

[This person... Why is this person suddenly walking over without any sign? Isn’t he afraid of me?]

[What should I do now, stop him, or wait until he approaches and, as I imagined before, give this shameless person a slap?]

Upon hearing Qu Peining’s inner voice, Zhou Wang couldn’t help but twitch his mouth.

Indeed, this woman is crazy; upon meeting, she immediately thinks of slapping me...

Yet, Zhou Wang maintained a calm appearance, striding forward steadily. During this, he constantly adjusted his facial expressions, resulting in Qu Peining only seeing Zhou Wang’s deepening gaze and his slightly raised lips.

[Is he happy? Is it because he saw me or what?]

While Qu Peining was overthinking, Zhou Wang already stood in front of her, stopping only about thirty centimeters away.

Then Zhou Wang slightly tilted his face, gesturing towards Qu Peining.

"Hmm?"

Qu Peining was puzzled.

"You probably want to hit me... Go ahead."

Qu Peining suddenly felt at a loss, how did Zhou Wang know her thoughts, and then Zhou Wang sighed and said again.

"I’ve never been slapped in my life, nor do I like that feeling... But for you, it’s okay."

Qu Peining’s mind became instantly chaotic.

[What does he mean by saying this? Am I special to him, or is he just feeling guilty, thinking that I’ll feel better after hitting him?]

Upon hearing Qu Peining’s inner voice, Zhou Wang knew there shouldn’t be much of a problem now.

But clearly, Qu Peining’s state of mind wasn’t chaotic enough yet; she needed to be further unsettled.

Thus, catching Qu Peining off guard, Zhou Wang suddenly grabbed her hand and placed it on his face. Looking at her with deep affection, he softly said:

"Then consider it slapped, is that alright?"