Reincarnated With The Degenerate System

I arrived at the hotel—a luxurious one right in the heart of the city—about fifteen minutes early. I wanted to look punctual, composed, and gentlemanly.

To my surprise, Hai-Yen was already there.

She wore a sleek black dress that perfectly complemented her dark eyes and hair. Lips were painted a deep shade of red, and a hint of makeup highlighted her features—though she didn't really need it.

Her skin was flawless, naturally radiant, the kind that made any added touch almost unnecessary. She looked every bit the celebrity everyone whispered about.

However, in my opinion, Hai-Min was a level above her—at least in one crucial way.

Hai-Min's submissive personality didn't make her weak. On the contrary, it made her cautious, observant, resilient. and more valuable in my eyes.

I cleared my throat and decided to break the tension by ordering our food.

The meal passed without conversation. She had told me she preferred it that way, saying we could talk while eating dessert instead.

"Can we have a conversation now?" I asked, taking a bite of vanilla ice cream coated in layers of eggshell chocolate.

She looked up at me, and nodded.

That was my signal. I activated my Francis Card.

I now had all the words and strategies mapped out in my mind—how to express myself, how to get her to understand—but knowing them and actually executing them were two completely different things.

"I didn't expect you to dress like this. Honestly… I was speechless. I didn't think you could be more beautiful than you already are."

Hai-Yen's eyes flicked toward me,

"I did not dress up for you," her voice harsh but honest. "This is a formal restaurant, so I just wore what was appropriate."

I smiled faintly, leaning back in my chair. That's the checkered sword maiden for you—always straight to the point.

"Fair enough," I kept my tone light. "I'll just consider tonight one of my luckiest days—getting the chance to have dinner with a celebrity like you."

Hai-Yen didn't look up immediately. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, those sharp monolid dark eyes studying me.

"Are you trying to flirt with me?" she asked bluntly. "Because if you are, don't waste your time. I've already decided I'll never get married or become a mother. It's too much trouble."

"How can you be so sure if you've never tried?" I asked.

The silence stretched long enough to make me wonder if I'd impressed her—or dug my own grave.

"Mr. Mercer, I'm not like those other girls you play around with, the ones you can fool with your sweet words and compliments…" Her gaze sharpened, piercing. "…Did you also use the same tricks to fool that naive sister of mine?

Her words hit like bullets.

My smile vanished—not because she insulted me, but because of the way she referred to her little sister.

"Miss Hai-Yen, While you're right about me having a reputation with women, I assure you… my relationship with your little sister has always been purely professional. Boss and employee, nothing more."

Her eyes narrowed. "Then why have I heard rumors that she calls you 'big brother'? Is it normal for an employee to be that close to you?"

Oh. So she did her homework.

"I don't deny that, but can you really blame her? I mean, she has a big sister who treats her like air. So, in a way… I'm doing you a favor by doing your job."

Thud!

Her fist slammed against the table, rattling the cutlery.

"You have no right to talk about our family..." she tried her best not shout. "…You don't know anything."

The air between us crackled.

"You're right. I don't know everything about your family."+

Her glare didn't soften.

"But I do have the right to form my own opinion," I continued. "And based on what Hai‑Min told me… your so‑called family is toxic, and detrimental to her mental health."

"So if you came here hoping to take her back home...then I'm afraid that won't happen."

She clenched her fist. "Because she refused to come ?

I shook my head slowly. "Because I won't let you get her, or anyone else."

Hai-Yen's eyes narrowed even further.

"Mr. Mercer. I thought you were a smart man. Seems I overestimated you. I'll find a different way to get my sister back—regardless of your opinion."

I didn't raise my voice . "Do you even know what she had to tolerate?"

Hai-Yen's eyes turned toward me, and I didn't wait for her response.

I began narrating everything her little sister had told me. Her mother's drinking. The men in the house. Her father ignoring her. And how her sister moved away, leaving her to suffer alone.

Every detail, every wound she carried.

Hai-Yen bit her lip, but I could see it—deep down, she already knew. She had chosen to ignore it, for her own convenience.

That thought only strengthened my resolve. Hai-Min was safer with me. I might have a reputation as a womanizer, but at least I took care of the people around me. At least I treated them well.

"Are you really serious?" she asked.

"Really serious. I'm not here to play games with your little sister. I'm here to make sure she's protected and gets the happiness she deserves—and I can give that to her."

"So just let her live her own life," I said firmly. "She'll be an adult in a month, anyway. No need to escalate things."

Hai-Yen didn't respond right away.

For the first time since we sat down, she looked unsure—not angry, not threatening. Just conflicted.

The restaurant noise filled the silence. Clinking glasses. Low conversations. A world that kept moving, despite our heavy topic.

"Can I trust you with my little sister?"

"Yes, you can." I raised my hand for a handshake. "I promise I'll make her my priority, no matter what."

"Fine. I'll entrust her to you for now." she gave in." But if I hear even once that she's being mistreated, I'll take her away by force—no matter what it takes."

Our hands shook once. Not as a gesture of friendship—but as a silent agreement.