Zhezhi's mind was in complete disarray: "I-I-I... how about... I give you this painting instead...?"
She proposed an idea.
However, Lucian had little knowledge of paintings and wasn't particularly interested in them.
Lucian cleared his throat lightly: "As for the painting, I'll have to decline. After all, I'm not interested in artwork."
"Since you don't have the money and aren't willing to offer yourself in marriage, how about compensating me with something valuable you have on you?"
Zhezhi was puzzled: "Something valuable on me...?"
She looked herself up and down: "I don't... really have anything valuable on me..."
The only thing of value was her paintbrush, which she treasured the most.
Reluctantly, she handed the brush over.
Lucian: "?"
"Didn't I just say I'm not interested in paintings? Tools for painting don't interest me either."
Zhezhi was at a loss: "Then... what does Mr. Lucian want?"
A folding fan appeared in Lucian's hand out of nowhere: "Have you heard of a clothing store called 'Longyue'?"
Zhezhi nodded slightly: "Longyue isn't a brand from Jinzhou, but it's quite well-known throughout Huanglong... Why does Mr. Lucian ask?"
She was confused, unsure why Lucian had brought up a clothing store.
Lucian affirmed: "Exactly. Coincidentally, a few days ago, the owner of 'Longyue,' Linglong, wanted to create a brand-new type of stocking, so she specifically asked me to collect stockings for research."
Of course, this was a complete lie. As the Magistrate's exclusive intelligence officer, directly demanding a young girl's stockings would be far too perverted, utterly unbefitting of his dignified position.
As for the owner of 'Longyue,' Linglong—he didn't actually know her. He had merely overheard the name while lost in the commercial district.
But in the end, it was all the system's fault for being so inhumane.
Had it become this perverted after upgrading?
The previous options, while sometimes difficult, had never been this outrageous...
Wait, no—hadn't the system once made him lick Yinlin's thigh before...?
Lucian suddenly realized: the system had always been this perverted. It just hid it well, only revealing itself at critical moments.
[...Even if this system is perverted, it's nowhere near as perverted as you!]
Zhezhi's face flushed bright red: "So... you want my stockings...?"
Lucian frowned: "What, is that not acceptable either?"
Zhezhi took a deep breath: "Though it's a bit improper... compared to a million Shell Credits..."
After hesitating for a long while, she finally relented: "Fine... I hope you'll forgive me after I give them to you..."
Lucian nodded firmly: "Naturally. A gentleman's word is as unbreakable as a chariot's track. As the Magistrate's intelligence officer, I, Lucian, pride myself on honesty and trustworthiness."
Zhezhi walked over to a stone bench and sat down. Noticing Lucian's unwavering gaze, she shyly said, "Um... Mr. Lucian, could you... turn around...?"
Lucian immediately adopted a grave tone: "Zhezhi, you must have heard of my character."
"Even the Magistrate herself has called me an upright, honorable, and incorruptible man."
"So you needn't worry—I would never entertain any improper thoughts."
Biting her lip, Zhezhi removed her leather shoes, then swiftly peeled off the white stockings covering her legs, revealing her snow-white, slender legs and delicate, jade-like feet.
Her stockings were thigh-high, part of a full pantyhose set. Once removed, she felt a sudden chill below her waist, her face burning red.
Quickly slipping her bare feet back into her shoes, she stood and handed the stockings to Lucian.
Her face was flushed with embarrassment, her gaze averted, unable to meet his eyes.
Lucian took the stockings. They were soft, thin, and smooth as silk, still carrying traces of warmth from her body.
"This... should suffice, right...?"
There was no denying it—Zhezhi had never experienced anything so mortifying in her life.
Let alone undressing her intimate garments in front of a man.
The more she thought about it, the more her head seemed to steam from sheer humiliation.
[Ding! Option 3 completed. 5,000 points acquired!]
Lucian stored the stockings in his system space. Of course, he had no intention of actually delivering them to some clothing store for research—the entire story had been fabricated.
"Ahem, very well. In that case, I'll consider this matter settled."
Zhezhi sighed in relief. A million Shell Credits would have been impossible for her to repay.
This outcome... while embarrassing... was still far better.
After all, Lucian was a high-ranking official close to the Magistrate and a great hero of Jinzhou. Offending him... she didn't even dare imagine the consequences.
Watching the ever-changing expressions on Zhezhi's face, Lucian couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. Why did this feel like bullying an innocent, naive girl?
Damn this stupid system!
Just then, Lucian heard the voices of Rover and Abby approaching from behind.
"The people at the foot of the mountain said Lucian went up this way. The summit's just ahead—he should be up there..."
No sooner had the words been spoken than the two spotted Lucian and the young girl.
Rover: "?"
Lucian: "..."
Rover walked up and pinched Lucian's ear: "It's only been a few hours, and you're already flirting with another girl?"
Zhezhi froze at Rover's voice: That voice... it sounds so familiar...
Lucian hadn't expected Rover to arrive so quickly. He chuckled awkwardly: "Rover, let me explain."
Rover: "Go on."
Lucian straightened his expression: "Actually, this young lady is a painter who's recently hit a creative block. She just wanted me to read her fortune."
Rover raised an eyebrow skeptically: "Read her fortune? Since when do you know how to do that?"
Lucian smiled: "Well, I was just about to start. Let me demonstrate."
He turned to the dazed Zhezhi and gave her a meaningful look.
Zhezhi nodded blankly: "Y-yes... Mr. Lucian was going to read my fortune..."
Lucian nodded in satisfaction: "Indeed. Miss Zhezhi, please extend your right hand."
Zhezhi lifted her right hand. Lucian took her slender fingers and studied the lines on her palm with great seriousness.
Zhezhi, meanwhile, held her breath, lips pressed together, her cheeks tinged pink.
Rover: "?"
Are you sure you're not just taking advantage of her?
Rover eyed Lucian suspiciously, but his expression was utterly serious, not a hint of deceit to be found.
After a moment of scrutiny, Lucian declared with certainty:
"People eat grain, sheep eat grass—Miss Zhezhi, you're definitely younger than your father, aren't you?"
Rover: "?"
Abby: "?"
Zhezhi: "...?"