Lu Chengwen's eyes brimmed with tears as he grabbed Zhao Gang by the collar. "I've died six times already. This time, I'm surviving to the end. I have to make it."
Zhao Gang blinked, utterly lost. "Young Master, can you stick to plain Chinese?"
Lu Chengwen yanked the big oaf into a tight hug, grinding his teeth. "Brother, if you pull this off, there's a new sports car in my garage. It's yours."
Zhao Gang's eyes lit up. "That's a Porsche!"
"It's yours."
Zhao Gang wiped his tears, clasping his fists in gratitude. "Heaven and earth are vast, but nothing compares to Young Master Lu's kindness. From this day forward, my body is yours, my life is yours—"
"Enough blabbering. Get a gift ready for a hospital visit and pull the car around. I'm going to see my god-grandfather."
"Yes, Boss!"
_
Lu Family Estate
Lu Chengwen stepped into the old man's sickroom, set down the gift, and made small talk with Chen Qiushou. He was already plotting his escape when the butler entered. "Master, Miss Xu is here. Young Master Chen is back too, and he's brought someone—a so-called divine doctor."
Chen Qiushou frowned. "Xuejiao's already a renowned physician. Why's Xiao Huan dragging some 'divine doctor' here? Whatever, let them in."
Lu Chengwen's heart sank. Damn it, system, you're screwing me! I can't even dodge this?
This was straight out of a later chapter. Xu Xuejiao would botch the treatment, leaving Chen Qiushou at death's door. Then Long Aotian would swoop in, save the day with his miraculous skills, and win Xu Xuejiao's admiration and budding affection. Chen Qiushou would be eternally grateful, paving the way for Long Aotian to charm both Chen Mengyun, the Chen family's eldest daughter, and Xu Xuejiao, the Xu family's prodigy, into his harem.
This plot has nothing to do with me!
Why am I even here? No time to run?
Lu Chengwen shot to his feet. "God-grandfather, rest well. I've got business at the company, so I'll head out."
"No, stay," Chen Qiushou insisted.
Damn it. The old man adored Lu Chengwen. Too much. Lu Chengwen, though, felt nothing for him. In the story, he'd later exploit Chen Qiushou's trust to sabotage the Chen family. Long Aotian would then swoop in, save them, and punish Lu Chengwen—again.
But for now, Chen Qiushou trusted him completely. Of course he does. How else could I betray him later? And if I don't, how's Long Aotian supposed to cripple me and win the girls?
The protagonist needed his harem, and Lu Chengwen, the perfect villain, was just a stepping stone for Long Aotian's conquests. Screw that!
I'm changing my fate. My life's mine, not the story's!
He scanned for a back exit. Gotta slip out.
Chen Qiushou clutched his hand. Lu Chengwen forced a smile, subtly trying to pry the old man's fingers off. "Grandpa Chen, you'll be fine. I really gotta go…" At an angle no one could see, he swatted the old man's hand. "Let go, let go, come on, let go!"
Xu Xuejiao walked in, her face cold. "Lu Chengwen, Grandpa Chen adores you, and you're trying to bolt after five minutes? Have you no shame?"
Lu Chengwen froze, spotting Xu Xuejiao—and Chen Mohuan entering with Long Aotian.
Long Aotian's eyes narrowed, hatred radiating as he locked onto Lu Chengwen.
Lu Chengwen sighed inwardly. That's right, I'm the villain. One glance, and everyone wants to strangle me.
He glanced at Xu Xuejiao. Oh, what a perfect little lolita. Petite but perfectly proportioned, with delicate, adorable features pushed to the extreme. And despite her small frame, her chest was… impressively bold. Clad in a JK-style uniform, she exuded youthful charm, her slim legs wrapped in white cotton thigh-highs, radiating a unique allure.
Xu Xuejiao greeted Chen Qiushou warmly and began examining him.
This girl's all curves and no height—what a troublemaker she'll be!
So much to look at! A uniform-loving lolita! Long Aotian's one lucky bastard.
Xu Xuejiao spun around, glaring. "What did you say?"
"Huh? I didn't say anything!" Lu Chengwen protested.
"You did, you pervert!"
Chen Mohuan stepped in. "Xuejiao, what's wrong? Young Master Lu didn't say a word."
Xu Xuejiao hesitated. Am I hallucinating? She shot Lu Chengwen a dirty look and resumed her examination.
Oh, look at that! Bent over, showing off that perfect little curve!
Explosive figure, loves uniforms—this girl's a dream from behind! Long Aotian's gonna have a field day.
Xu Xuejiao whirled again, glaring daggers.
Lu Chengwen blinked, confused. She looked around—everyone else seemed oblivious. What's going on? They didn't hear him, but I did. Is it… his thoughts?
As Lu Chengwen indulged in his musings, a chill ran down his spine. He turned to find Long Aotian staring, eyes burning with malice.
Xu Xuejiao, sensing something off, knew no one would believe she could hear his thoughts. She pushed it aside and finished her examination. Smiling, she said, "Grandpa Chen, it's just some blocked blood vessels. A few acupuncture needles, and you'll be fine. Relax."
Long Aotian spoke up. "Little miss, I'm afraid it's not that simple."
Xu Xuejiao stood, eyeing him. "Who are you?"
Chen Mohuan jumped in. "Oh, right! This is my good friend, Long Aotian. A master physician. I brought him to help Grandpa."
Xu Xuejiao's face hardened. "I know every renowned doctor in the Northern Kingdom, and I've never heard of a young 'miracle healer' named Long Aotian. Grandpa's health is critical, Mohuan—don't trust just anyone."
Long Aotian chuckled. "Little miss, true masters don't always show themselves. Don't underestimate me."
Xu Xuejiao was about to retort when Lu Chengwen's thoughts interrupted:
Here we go, right on track!
You'll half-kill Grandpa Chen, then Long Aotian saves the day.
This little spat's just flirtatious foreplay. Soon you'll be smitten, joining his harem alongside Leng Qingqiu. Off you go, sisters!
Xu Xuejiao turned, pale with fury. What?! My skills will fail? I'll kill Grandpa Chen? And join this loudmouth's harem with Leng Qingqiu?
That stuck-up ice queen? Me, with her?
"Shut your mouth!" she snapped.
Lu Chengwen gaped, pointing at Long Aotian. "He's over there!"
"I'm talking to you!"
"I didn't say a thing! Ask them!" Lu Chengwen was near tears.
Long Aotian laughed. "Little miss, I'm afraid no one in the Northern Kingdom—no, all of Hua Xia—can cure this but me."
Xu Xuejiao was fuming. One guy wouldn't stop his mental chatter, the other spouting smug nonsense. They're both insufferable!
"While I'm working, both of you shut up!" She shot them each a glare and began her acupuncture.
Lu Chengwen shook his head from the back.
The Wenwang Nine Needles is a top-tier technique, but this girl's too cautious. Skipped two major points, and that mistake's gonna send Grandpa Chen waving at the Reaper.
Just waiting for Long Aotian to swoop in, save him, and have Xu Xuejiao worshipping at his feet.
Such a shame—a prodigy lolita… I mean, a prodigy physician, famous in her youth, doomed to be Long Aotian's harem girl.
Xu Xuejiao's heart skipped. This jerk knows medicine? She had used a gentler approach, avoiding two risky points. How'd he know? Since when is he a medical expert?
Sure enough, Chen Qiushou began coughing violently, trembling, blood trickling from his mouth, eyes rolling back.
Chen Mohuan screamed, "Grandpa! Grandpa! Xuejiao, what did you do? This is bad!"
Xu Xuejiao paled but realized the issue. Long Aotian waved a hand, pulling out his needle kit. "Step aside, little miss. I'll bring him back from the brink!"
"He's still alive," Xu Xuejiao said firmly, grabbing a needle and piercing a critical point.
The effect was immediate—Chen Qiushou's condition eased, though he remained unconscious.
Long Aotian was stunned. That needle… completely different from her earlier style. Bold, precise!
As Xu Xuejiao prepared another needle, Long Aotian's hand slipped into his sleeve, fingers poised to flick…
Lu Chengwen, watching like a hawk, caught the glint in his eye and the subtle shift of his hand. Oh no, he's up to something!
Without thinking, Lu Chengwen lunged, grabbing Long Aotian's arm. "Brother Aotian!"
Long Aotian jumped. "Uh… what?"
"Just… you're looking sharp!"
"Oh, thanks."
"No problem."
Xu Xuejiao, having heard Lu Chengwen's warning thought, nearly faltered but held her focus. She glanced back, catching Long Aotian's suspicious hand movement just as Lu Chengwen blocked her view—and his hand.
Two needles later, Chen Qiushou's complexion warmed, and within moments, he opened his eyes. "Xuejiao."
"Grandpa Chen."
"You're a blessing, child. Stay in Snow Capital, don't leave."
"Rest easy, Grandpa."
Chen Qiushou, still weak, looked around. "Where's Chengwen, my favorite grandson?"
Lu Chengwen hurried over. "Grandpa."
"Why's my hand hurting so much?"
Lu Chengwen glanced at the red marks from his earlier swats. "Just… loosening your muscles, improving circulation."
Long Aotian was livid. My moment to shine, ruined again!
Damn you, Lu Chengwen—why are you everywhere?
Lu Chengwen turned, catching Long Aotian's glare and Chen Mohuan's scowl. Grandpa's too fond of the Lu kid. I'm your real grandson!
Lu Chengwen thought:
Good grief, I gotta get out of here. Except for this half-dead old man, everyone wants to strangle me.
Long Aotian's pissed I'm blocking his harem plans. Chen Mohuan's jealous because his grandpa favors me. And Xu Xuejiao's hated me since we were kids—today, she's ready to choke me.
I'm out.
Xu Xuejiao caught his thoughts and smirked. But remembering how he'd stepped in to stop Long Aotian, a flicker of warmth stirred. Maybe he's not completely heartless.
Zhao Gang rushed up, whispering urgently in Lu Chengwen's ear. "Young Master, big trouble. You need to get to the pharmaceutical factory, now."
Lu Chengwen's heart sank. The factory? Something's gone wrong?!