My Cuckhold System

Chapter 171: Unexpected Interruption

The interior of the Zu Li’s office was nothing short of luxurious. The walls were lined with ancient artifacts and modern displays alike as they entered her office.

It was spacious and elegant with a wide desk at the center and large glass panels behind it overlooking the entire estate.

Zu Li walked ahead and sat casually on the edge of her desk.

West leaned against a nearby pillar.

“…So?”

She looked at him.

“…You didn’t come for training this week.”

West rolled his eyes slightly.

“I told you before.”

“I’m not actually your apprentice.”

“We’re just pretending, remember?”

Zu Li clicked her tongue.

“…Hmph.”

“Fine.”

She crossed her legs.

“Then how many now?”

West thought for a second.

“…Nine.”

She raised a brow.

“The last one makes it nine ruins cleared.”

“One more…”

“And I’m eligible.”

Zu Li nodded slowly.

“…Ten ruins.”

“That’s the minimum requirement to officially become a gang leader.”

West shrugged.

“Which means until then…”

“Shadow Reapers stays on pause.”

West didn’t sound bothered. If anything, he sounded patient because at the very least, he was gathering experience. There was still a lot about ruins that he was discovering along the way.

Zu Li watched him for a moment.

“…You’ve been busy.”

West smirked slightly.

“Clearing ruins.”

“Training newbies.”

“Playing your ’apprentice’…”

“Working for your gang without actually being in it.”

Zu Li chuckled.

“…You say that like you’re not benefiting.”

West didn’t deny it.

“Fair enough.”

She leaned back slightly.

“…You’ve grown.”

West glanced at her.

“…I’d like to say you too but you still seem the same.”

She laughed softly at that while West spoke again.

“For the next one…”

“I want to bring Jax and Nina along.”

Zu Li’s expression changed a bit.

“…Hmm.”

“They’ll slow you down.”

West shrugged.

“They need the experience.”

“And I’ll handle anything serious.”

She studied him for a moment before sighing.

“…Fine.”

“But—”

Her tone sharpened slightly.

“You’re coming for training this week.”

“Whether you’re a fake apprentice or not.”

“You still need it.”

West groaned slightly.

“…You’re persistent.”

“And you’re stubborn,” she shot back.

A brief silence passed before West responded.

“…Alright.”

“I’ll come.”

Zu Li smirked.

“Good.”

West pushed himself off the pillar.

“…Anything else?”

She shook her head.

“Go.”

He turned and began walking toward the door.

But just before he left, her voice stopped him.

“Are you sure you’re ready to be a gang leader? It’s a whole different world… a treacherous path…”

West glanced back slightly.

“I know. Whatever may come… I’ll face it… as I always have.”

She smiled while watching him walk out.

“And you have me as well…” She muttered with a low voice.

As West stepped out into the corridor, awakeners who passed by slowed, glanced and whispered expressions of envy.

…

…

West returned to his apartment later that evening, settling into the well furnished space.

It felt less like a temporary hideout and more like a base of operations now. Everything reflected a quiet kind of luxury.

But right now, none of that mattered.

With a low exhale, he loosened his collar and headed straight for the bathroom. The bathtub there was easily one of his favorite parts of the apartment.

It was a wide marble basin with smooth edges, large enough to stretch out completely.

He turned the tap and Warm water poured in causing steam to slowly rise and curl into the air like ghostly fingers. Within minutes, the room was filled with a soft haze.

West stepped in and the heat embraced him instantly, sinking into his muscles, washing away the fatigue from constant training, fighting, planning… everything.

He leaned back, closing his eyes.

For a moment, there was silence and peace until a faint ripple disturbed the water.

West didn’t open his eyes immediately… he already knew what was causing this disturbance.

“Can’t let me get one moment of peace, eh?” he muttered.

A soft, amused and sultry voice echoed beside him.

“You looked… too relaxed to resist,” she voiced with a teasing tone.

When West finally opened his eyes, she was already half-submerged in the water with her serpentine features blending elegantly with her human form. As always, her facial expressions carried something dangerous… and something alluring.

Her fingers trailed lightly across the surface of the water as she leaned in closer.

“You push yourself too much,” her gaze locked onto his as she added.

West smirked faintly. “And you’re here to fix that?”

“Maybe.”

The space between them closed slightly as the atmosphere grew heavier and charged with tension.

Seraphyra fingers slowly trailed across West’s thighs underneath the water.

However, before things could deepen further, the door creaked open slightly.

Gor’thala stood there with her arms crossed, clearly unimpressed.

“If this is relaxation,” she said bluntly, “you’re doing it inefficiently.”

West laughed under his breath. “You want in too?”

She took a step forward but before she could take another.

Ting~ Ting~

All three paused as loud buzzing sound rang out.

West sighed, dragging a hand down his face. “Of course…”

He stepped out, quickly drying off and throwing on something casual before heading to the door.

When he opened it, he found his neighbor standing there.

She looked slightly flustered, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Oh—hi, um… sorry to bother you,” Mrs Smith said quickly. “I just… I need help moving something and my husband isn’t home yet.”

West leaned casually against the doorframe, a faint smile forming.

“Heavy?” he asked.

“Very.”

He chuckled. “Alright. Lead the way.”

—

Her apartment was just a few doors down.

As soon as he stepped in, West noticed the difference in atmosphere. It was more… lived-in. There were family photos, toys tucked into corners and the quiet signs of everyday life.

“The kids are still at school,” she explained. “I didn’t want to wait too long.”

West nodded while she led him to the object in question… a large, bulky cabinet.

Without hesitation, he lifted it.

The woman blinked in surprise. “W—wait, that easily?”

West just smirked. “Perks of working out.”