Chapter 23: Hugging the Wrong Person
Success! Wu Yifan's heart soared—he'd done it! The task, tricky as it was, was finally complete. He could already picture the enhancement points piling up, transforming him into something extraordinary.
Wait. Where was Xue'er's confirmation?
Wu froze, then glanced down.
The woman in his arms wasn't Ye Xiwen.
Panic exploded in his chest.
She was beautiful, sure—late twenties, with sleek hair and a tailored blue suit that hugged her curves—but she was a stranger. Her eyes widened, shock giving way to fury. "What do you think you're doing?! Let go of me! I'll scream!"
Wu scrambled back, his face burning. "I—uh—you see, there was wine—"
The woman straightened her suit, glaring. "Wine? What does that have to do with *mauling* me? I don't even know you! You think this is funny? Grabbing women in front of everyone?"
Wu's mouth went dry. This was worse than failing the task. This was *assault*.
"I'm sorry! It was an accident!" he babbled.
"An accident?" She held up a tiny camera, its screen displaying a crystal-clear photo: Wu's arms wrapped around her, his expression halfway between panic and… something else. "Does this look like an accident? I've never even had a boyfriend, and now—*this*? You owe me an explanation."
Wu groaned. Great. Now she thought he was a pervert *and* a creep.
"Look, we're clearly not a match," he said, edging toward the door. "Let's just forget this happened."
"Forget? You think I'll let you *grab* me and walk away?" She grabbed his arm, her grip surprisingly strong. "Who do you think you are?"
Wu glanced绝望ly at Ye Xiwen, who stood nearby, her face a dangerous shade of green. He mouthed "help," but she just crossed her arms, looking thoroughly unimpressed.
Zhang Hualei and Song Mingjie? They were suddenly fascinated by the ceiling, like it held the secrets of the universe. Traitors.
"Fine," Wu muttered. "What do you want?"
"An apology. A *real* one." She tilted her chin, challenging him. "And don't lie. You did that on purpose."
"I didn't even know who you were!"
"Then you're just careless. Or stupid."
"Stupid, maybe. But not a pervert."
"Prove it." She stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. "Am I ugly? Not your type? What's wrong with me?"
Wu choked. This girl was relentless. "You're… very pretty. Okay? Just… not who I meant to hug. Happy?"
"Hmm." She didn't look convinced. "Then why'd you do it?"
"Because—" He stopped himself. *Can't tell her about the Enhancer.* "Because I'm an idiot. Happy now?"
"Not really." She waved the camera. "This photo's pretty damning. Sexual harassment charges, maybe? The police would love this."
Wu's blood ran cold. "You wouldn't."
"Try me." She smirked, enjoying his panic.
"Fine! What do you want? Money? I'll buy the photo!"
"Money? How much?"
"Fifty yuan."
Her laugh was sharp. "Fifty? I paid more for the film! Make it five hundred."
Wu gaped. "Five hundred? For a *blurry* photo? You're robbing me!"
"Take it or leave it."
"Leave it. I've never been to jail. Might be an adventure."
She sighed, deflating. "Fine. Buy me dinner, and I'll delete it. Deal?"
Dinner. Wu mentally calculated: two bowls of noodles, ten yuan total. "Deal. But I pick the place."
"Whatever." She tucked the camera away, grinning like she'd won.
Wu exhaled, exhausted. He'd survived—sort of. Now to face Ye.
He slunk back to her side, forcing a sheepish smile. "Ye, I—"
"Save it." Her voice was icy, her gaze fixed straight ahead. "Your business is your own."
Wu winced. That was worse than anger—she was *dismissing* him.
Across the room, the mystery woman waved, holding up the camera like a trophy.
Wu buried his face in his hands.
This task was cursed.
And with three hours left, he was further from completing it than ever.
Great. Just great.