The Apocalyptic Queen Back From Hell-Chapter 86: Luring the Prey

With a flourish, he unwrapped it, revealing cleanly preserved biscuits and canned fruit.

"—I have the resources. And together, we could make this place flourish. What do you say? Would you consider joining hands with me? You wouldn’t have to worry about food or safety. I can take care of all that."

He deliberately placed the food in front of her like an offering.

Behind her, Ye Qingxue and Nie Ziyu stiffened, exchanging uncomfortable glances. Song’s expression did not change, but his eyes sharpened to knives.

And then—

Chirp!

Fluffy leapt from Ling Yu’s shoulder onto the table with surprising agility, landing directly between her and the offered food. The tiny creature’s soft fur bristled, puffing up until it resembled a ball of thorns. Its beady eyes narrowed into slits as it let out a sharp, hissing chirp.

The hostility was unmistakable.

Ling Yu tilted her head slightly, hiding the smile tugging at her lips.

Shen Ming blinked, momentarily thrown off. "And what’s this little fellow? A pet?"

Fluffy bared its tiny teeth, though it was not that they were not particularly intimidating, and hopped closer to the food, as if to say: Touch her again, and you’re dead.

Song let out the faintest exhale, almost like a chuckle, though his eyes never left Shen Ming. "It seems even the creature doesn’t welcome you."

Shen Ming’s smile stiffened. "Animals are sensitive. They don’t always understand what’s good for their masters."

At that, Ling Yu finally allowed her lips to curve into the faintest of smiles. It was the kind of smile that could be interpreted in many ways, but to Shen Ming, it must have looked like interest.

She leaned back slightly, her fingers brushing against Fluffy’s fur to calm it. "Perhaps. But animals rarely lie about danger, either."

The scoundrel blinked, then quickly adjusted, chuckling as though she’d made a clever joke.

But Ling Yu’s mind was working several steps ahead.

In her past life, this man had seduced several young women into his orbit, using his handsome face and the promise of resources. Many had died for him, and many more had been discarded when he no longer needed them.

But this time, she had no intention of being fooled.

Still. if he wanted to lure her in, then so be it. She would let him think he had succeeded.

"Food and safety, you say?" Ling Yu murmured, tilting her head slightly, allowing her lashes to lower just enough to mimic interest. "And what would you ask in return?"

Ye Qingxue immediately stiffened. "You..."

Nie Ziyu frowned, opening his mouth to protest, but Song raised a hand slightly, silencing them. His eyes remained locked on her face, as if searching for something, but his expression did not betray his thoughts.

Shen Ming, meanwhile, seized on the opportunity. "Only cooperation," he said smoothly. "You and I, working together. With your elegance and my strength, we can inspire others. It’s like a partnership. What do you say?"

Fluffy squeaked furiously, hopping onto Ling Yu’s lap and tugging at her sleeve with its tiny paws, as though begging her not to. Its hostility was so raw and open that even Nie Ziyu and Ye Qingxue couldn’t help but frown at the sight.

Ling Yu lowered her gaze, stroking Fluffy with a practiced calmness. "You seem very sure of yourself," she said, her tone softening just a fraction. "Perhaps... I should see what your camp has to offer."

Shen Ming’s smile widened triumphantly. "Excellent. You won’t regret it."

But while his confidence grew, Ling Yu’s mind remained sharp as a blade.

She had no intention of letting herself fall under this man’s control.

No, she would play along and pretend to be the gullible noble lady lured by food and charm, just like he wants. All the while, she would observe, calculate, and eventually dismantle his camp from within if necessary.

Her expression remained serene, but in her heart, a cold fire burned. Fluffy, still bristling in her lap, seemed to sense it too.

’Damn! That was almost too easy! So boring...’

Ling Yu’s lips curved faintly as Shen Ming excused himself, annoyed that it was easy to make her comply, but at the same time, satisfied with what he thought was her compliance.

He had bought her act easily, too easily. A man like him would never doubt about his charm, and that arrogance was the first weakness Ling Yu could exploit.

The moment his shadow disappeared beyond the corner of the station, the atmosphere among her small group shifted.

"Ling Yu! What was that?" Nie Ziyu burst out immediately, his voice louder than necessary. His hands flailed in agitation as he furrowed his brows tightly that they nearly touched. "How could you just agree like that? That guy is, he’s obviously slimy! He’s a fraud, a scoundrel, a—"

"—a man who knows how to smile and lure people with it," Ling Yu interrupted smoothly, her gaze calm as she stroked Fluffy’s soft fur. The little creature was still bristling, glaring in the direction Shen Ming had gone as though it wanted to leap after him and claw his face.

Nie Ziyu threw up his hands. "Exactly! He’s dangerous. And you just fell for it in front of him! Right away!"

Ye Qingxue who was sitting a little further back, had her arms crossed tightly against her chest. Though she hadn’t spoken yet, the sharpness in her gaze made her thoughts clear enough: she didn’t like it either.

Ling Yu’s lips quirked, but her eyes remained indifferent. "Did I really fall for it?" she asked softly.

Nie Ziyu blinked, opening his mouth to argue, only to falter again. He looked at her, at the way her gaze gleamed with quiet amusement, and realization dawned on his face. "You— you’re pretending to get fooled by that sneaky little rat, aren’t you?"

"Congratulations," Ling Yu said dryly, "It seems like you’re not entirely dense."

"What?! I’m not so dense! Don’t slander this prince!"