Return of Black Lotus system:Taming Cheating Male Leads

Chapter 310: Chapter-310

His words cut off abruptly as his eyes accidentally collided with Heena’s.

Both of them froze.

Samuel looked at her from head to toe and back again—taking in the flowing hair, the striking red outfit, the graceful pose, the way the morning sunlight seemed to deliberately frame her like a painting.

In Heena’s mind, she was CERTAIN that Samuel had frozen because she looked so incredibly attractive that his brain had momentarily stopped functioning.

And she was strategically showing him more of the right side of her face, because she personally thought she looked more beautiful from that angle. The slight tilt of her head, the way her hair fell across one shoulder—it was all calculated for maximum visual impact.

She smiled at him and said in a voice that dripped with sugar, ”Ah, good morning, my lord! I was just enjoying the lovely weather out here.”

But Samuel’s reaction was NOT what she’d hoped for.

Instead of looking entranced or flustered or attracted, he looked like he’d just seen the Grim Reaper itself.

He actually took FIVE hurried steps backward, nearly pushing his confused guard out of the way in his haste to increase distance.

Heena was internally PISSED, but she maintained her sweet, innocent expression with iron self-control.

”My lord, where are you going?” she called after him, taking a small step forward. ”Should I accompany you on your business today? I’d love to spend time with you.”

Hearing that offer, Samuel literally, ACTUALLY hid behind his own guard—using the taller man as a physical shield between himself and Heena.

He shook his head frantically and said to his guard in an urgent whisper that Heena could still hear: ”Tell her I’m extremely busy today. Very important meetings. No time for—for anything else. Apologize on my behalf.”

The guard looked absolutely baffled by this bizarre situation—his young master hiding behind him like a frightened child, the young mistress standing there looking beautiful and harmless, zero apparent threat in sight.

But he was a loyal servant, so he bowed to Heena and said dutifully, ”Young Mistress, the young master regrets that he has urgent business matters today and cannot spare time for leisure activities. He sends his apologies.”

Heena’s smile didn’t waver, but her eyes had gone sharp and dangerous.

”Of course,” she said sweetly. ”I understand completely. Business must come first. I’ll just... wait here. In case he changes his mind.”

Samuel actually made a small squeaking sound of alarm at that threat.

Then he grabbed his guard’s sleeve and physically pulled the man away, using him as a mobile shield while retreating rapidly back into his study.

The door slammed shut.

Heena heard the definite sound of a lock clicking into place.

She stood there in the courtyard, still holding her comb, looking absolutely stunning and completely rejected.

’He LOCKED the door,’ she thought with disbelief. ’He actually LOCKED himself in his study to avoid me.’

The System appeared beside her, trying desperately not to laugh but failing miserably.

”Host,” he wheezed between giggles, ”I think your campaign might need some adjustment. He seems more terrified than attracted.”

Heena’s grip on the wooden comb tightened until it creaked ominously.

”It’s only Day One,” she said through gritted teeth. ”I have plenty of time to adjust my strategy.”

”Sure, sure,” the System said, clearly not believing her. ”Whatever helps you sleep at night, Host.”

---

’’[Day One - Afternoon Strategy Session]’’

Back in their quarters, Heena paced back and forth, analyzing what had gone wrong.

The System sat on the windowsill, watching her with amusement.

”I don’t understand,” Heena muttered. ”I looked beautiful. I was approachable. My signals were clear but not aggressive. Why did he react like I was about to murder him?”

The System tilted his head thoughtfully and said, ”Host, maybe you’re forgetting something important about Samuel’s character.”

”What?” Heena demanded.

”He’s a VIRGIN,” the System said bluntly. ”Like, completely inexperienced. He’s probably never even held hands with a woman romantically. You’re coming at him with the seduction skills of someone who’s had MULTIPLE lifetimes of experience, and he’s basically a scared rabbit.”

Heena paused her pacing. ”So you’re saying I’m too... intense?”

”I’m saying you’re like a master swordsman trying to teach a toddler by immediately doing complex forms,” the System explained. ”You need to start MUCH slower. Build up gradually. Let him get comfortable with smaller levels of intimacy before jumping to ’loose robe and come-hither looks.’”

Heena considered this analysis. It was annoyingly accurate.

”Fine,” she said. ”I’ll adjust the approach. More subtle. Gradual escalation.”

”Good luck, Host!” the System said cheerfully. ”You’re going to need it!”

---

’’[Day One - Evening Attempt]’’

That evening, Heena tried a different approach.

She was dressed more modestly—still attractive, but less aggressively so. Her hair was in a loose braid instead of completely down. She looked pretty but approachable instead of devastatingly seductive.

Samuel had been avoiding their shared quarters all day, clearly trying to stay away from her.

But eventually, he had to come back to sleep.

When he finally entered their room after dark, looking exhausted and wary, Heena was sitting calmly on her sleeping mat, reading a book.

She looked up and smiled—a normal, friendly smile without any seductive overtones.

”Welcome back,” she said pleasantly. ”You must be tired from all that business today.”

Samuel eyed her suspiciously, clearly waiting for some kind of trap.

When none appeared, he cautiously moved to his own sleeping mat and sat down.

”Yes,” he said carefully. ”Very busy day. Lots of contracts to review.”

”Mm,” Heena agreed, going back to her book.

They sat in silence for several minutes.

Samuel kept shooting glances at her, clearly confused by the lack of aggressive seduction.

Finally, Heena set down her book and said casually, ”My wrist is feeling better, by the way. The swelling’s gone down significantly. Your bandaging technique was very helpful.”

Samuel’s expression softened slightly. ”I’m glad. You should still be careful with it for a few more days.”

”I will,” Heena said. Then, very deliberately casual: ”Though it is difficult to wash my hair properly with one hand injured. I might need some assistance tomorrow morning.”

She said it completely innocently, as if just stating a practical problem.

But Samuel’s eyes widened as he clearly imagined helping her wash her hair—the intimacy of that act, the closeness it would require.

”I—I could ask one of the female servants to help you,” he stammered.

”Oh, that’s alright,” Heena said breezily. ”I’ll manage somehow. I was just thinking out loud.”

She picked up her book again, apparently losing interest in the conversation.

Samuel sat there, clearly conflicted.

On one hand, he obviously wanted to help. On the other hand, he was terrified of the intimacy it would involve.

After another minute of internal struggle, he finally said, ”I... I could help. Tomorrow morning. If you really need assistance.”

Heena looked up with a bright, grateful smile—still nothing seductive, just genuinely pleased.

”Thank you! That’s very kind of you. I really appreciate it.”

Samuel nodded jerkily and quickly lay down on his mat, pulling his blanket up to his chin like a shield.

Heena hid her satisfied smile.

’There,’ she thought. ’Step one: establish that physical assistance is acceptable and helpful, not threatening.’

’Tomorrow we escalate slightly.’