"This can't be serious, can it?"
Lu Chengwen was on the verge of losing it. "I haven't done a single thing! I wasn't even planning to do anything bad. Why the hell is the protagonist showing up? Doesn't writing a story require some brain cells? If the villain hasn't done anything evil, what's the hero got to pick a fight over?"
System: "Oh, oh, my apologies. Aren't you planning to do something to Leng Qingqiu?"
"I've got over six billion worth of defective drugs waiting for me to destroy overnight at the factory! What would I do to her? When would I even have the time?"
System: "Oh, I see… let me check… Xu Xuejiao is over there, isn't she? So, you're planning to make a move on both female leads at the same time. Got it! You're trying to ramp up the difficulty for the protagonist, Long Aotian, to swoop in and save the day. Brilliant move, by the way!"
"You're full of it! I'm not making a move on anyone! I'm just going to destroy defective drugs! Drugs! Defective ones!"
System: "Is that so? That doesn't make for a very exciting plot, you know. We'd prefer if you could be a bit more… proactive. Maybe show a little ill intent toward the female leads? That way, the protagonist's storyline can really kick into gear."
"Listen up!" Lu Chengwen struggled to keep his cool, trying to reason with the system. "Long Aotian can kickstart whatever he wants, but I'm done! I'm not touching any female leads. I'm not interested in a single one of them! Tomorrow, I'll deal with both of them, clean and quick, no messing around!"
System: "Deal with them? You said 'deal with them.' Got it! So you're planning to go all out tomorrow, unleash some truly heinous, despicable, utterly deplorable villainy on both female leads, right?"
Lu Chengwen was in tears.
"Big sister, give me a break! I've died six times already, each one more miserable than the last. Can't you just let me survive a little longer? I'm not touching either of those women. And can you make them stop hovering around me? I'm not the protagonist! Shouldn't they be spending their free time with Long Aotian, doing… you know, flirty, romantic, eye-candy stuff? Honestly, the plot's already gone off the rails on day one, and you guys bear some responsibility for this mess!"
System: "You've got it all wrong, Host. In reality, everyone and everything here is real. We're just observers, supervising from the sidelines. The only thing we can do is nudge your plot progression, enhance your abilities, and provide limited off-field communication. What the protagonist or female leads do, where they go, who they get close to—we can't control that, nor do we care to."
Lu Chengwen suddenly calmed down, his mind starting to analyze.
"Real? It's all real? So… I must have done something to make them keep getting tangled up with me. But what? I haven't done anything!"
"With Leng Qingqiu, I tried to break off the engagement, but she wouldn't let me. And tonight, she's the one who came looking for me."
"As for Xu Xuejiao… Long Aotian was about to make a move on her, and I stopped him. Wait, does she know? No, she shouldn't know. But at the factory, she seemed awfully sure I'd destroy the defective drugs…"
System: "By the way, a friendly reminder: Survive the first day, and you'll unlock the First Day Gift Package!"
"The First Day Gift Package—loaded with goodies, packed with value! It'll be your trusty sidekick on the path to your doom, letting you dive headfirst into epic clashes with the protagonist. Before you inevitably get crushed, you'll experience the ultimate thrill, dying with no regrets and a smile in the afterlife!"
Lu Chengwen shook his head. "You're such a jerk."
_
After settling Leng Qingqiu in a clean guest room to rest, Lu Chengwen called Zhao Gang and rushed to the factory.
If he was going to die, so be it.
If the Grim Reaper wanted him dead by midnight, the system sure as hell wouldn't let him live past dawn.
But according to the system's hints, this was a real world?
Was the system some kind of higher intelligence overseeing this world? They wouldn't interfere or forcibly alter the world's logic or flow—is that what they meant?
Whatever. He'd deal with today first. The First Day Gift Package sounded tempting, even if it came with a vibe of rooting for his demise. But only by claiming it would he have a shot at surviving.
Long Aotian, I'm coming for you!
You want to crush me?
I don't believe it. If I don't do a single bad thing and kneel the moment I see you, would you really have the guts to kill me?
_
The process went smoothly.
Under multiple layers of oversight, batches of finished drugs were fed into the shredder, reduced to worthless scraps, and hauled away by a third-party as waste.
Lu Chengwen supervised the entire operation.
Xu Xuejiao stayed up all night too, monitoring every detail with utmost seriousness, as did the other responsible parties.
Everyone was on edge, fully aware of what this meant.
As the final batch of drugs was reduced to waste, a calm smile spread across Lu Chengwen's face.
At least I've done something good, right?
Lu Chengwen thought bitterly: No matter what, these drugs are destroyed. No one will get hurt because of them. If I die in this world tomorrow, at least I did something meaningful today.
Worth it.
From a distance, Xu Xuejiao watched Lu Chengwen's profile, catching wind of his thoughts and reeling in shock.
This guy… is he about to die?
Is that why he's suddenly turned over a new leaf and become a good person?
No way. He's Lu Chengwen! He's got a top-tier private medical team monitoring his entire family's health. If something serious was wrong, that team wouldn't stay so quiet!
What's going on?
Still… seeing him all melancholic like this, he kind of looks like a brooding prince.
_
"President Xu."
"Huh?" Xu Xuejiao snapped back to reality.
The engineer nodded with relief. "It's all done."
"Got it."
The head of the Drug Administration approached Lu Chengwen to shake his hand.
"President Lu, I know making this decision took immense courage and moral conviction. No one knows what kind of storm Ninth Pharmaceutical will face tomorrow. But as a fellow professional in this field, on behalf of all my colleagues, I want to express our utmost respect and gratitude for your decision."
Lu Chengwen smiled. "It's not as dramatic as you think. Worst case, the factory shuts down, and I get torn apart by the media as a piece of trash."
The official laughed, patting Lu Chengwen's shoulder. "We're wrapping up here. If you need anything, reach out."
"Thanks. Everyone worked hard."
The sky was already brightening.
A faint glow of dawn crept up on the horizon.
Lu Chengwen was exhausted.
On his first day in this world, he'd dodged two direct confrontations with the protagonist, Long Aotian. He'd met both female leads twice, doing his best to keep his distance and sever any ties with them.
It hadn't gone perfectly, but he was still alive. His legs were still attached. That was good news.
The overnight crew dispersed, starting their cars to head home and rest.
Lu Chengwen trudged wearily to his car when Director Zhang approached. "President Lu."
"Oh, Director Zhang, I'm beat. Can we talk tomorrow?"
Director Zhang gave a wry smile. "Just one thing."
Lu Chengwen was too drained to deal with anyone. "Fine, fine, make it quick. I'm wiped."
"Thank you." Director Zhang bowed deeply, then straightened, his eyes misty but his smile relieved. "I'll submit my resignation tomorrow. Don't worry."
As he turned to leave, Lu Chengwen stopped him. "Hold on. Why are you resigning?"
"I…" Director Zhang hesitated.
Lu Chengwen got it. This decision had cost the company billions, and Zhang felt responsible.
Lu Chengwen chuckled. "Teacher Zhang, you're the backbone of Ninth Pharmaceutical. If it weren't for you, I can't even imagine the consequences of this batch. You can't resign. If you leave, who's going to tip me off next time something like this happens? Who's going to help me fix my mistakes? Even if you hate me and think I'm a jerk, don't you have some attachment to the factory? The patients—those who need real, effective medicine—they need you here to ensure quality."
Director Zhang couldn't believe these words were coming from Lu Chengwen's mouth.
He was stunned, deeply moved.
"President Lu, from the bottom of my heart, I misjudged you before. I owe you an apology. What you did today opened my eyes. From now on…"
"Alright, alright, alright!" Lu Chengwen cut him off. "Teacher Zhang, I don't have the energy for your apologies or gratitude. Get some rest, and we'll keep working tomorrow. I'm done. Today was rough."
"Oh, okay, rest well."
Lu Chengwen exhaled, and Zhao Gang gave him a thumbs-up. "Young Master, you're incredible! That was Oscar-worthy acting. Old Zhang was practically in tears!"
Lu Chengwen's face was blank. "Was it?"
"Absolutely! Oscar-level performance!"
"Shut up and drive."
"Yes, sir!"
A familiar voice chimed in nearby. "Brother Chengwen, leaving already?"
Lu Chengwen had just opened the car door. He turned to see Xu Xuejiao standing nearby, having watched his entire exchange with Director Zhang.
"You're pretty good at winning people over," Xu Xuejiao said. "Director Zhang's probably ready to worship you now."
Lu Chengwen pressed his forehead against the car door frame for five seconds, then looked up. "Whatever you want, let's talk tomorrow. I'm done for today. If you've got the guts, tell Long Aotian to come kill me now!"
"Why do you keep bringing up that guy?" Xu Xuejiao yawned. "It's dawn. Buy me breakfast."
Lu Chengwen shook his head calmly. "Tomorrow, after the press conference. Either you transfer all your shares to me, or I transfer mine to you. From then on, we go our separate ways, strangers for good. Deal?"
Xu Xuejiao couldn't figure out what was wrong with this guy. What had she done to offend him?
Why was he so annoyed with her?
Xu Xuejiao felt hurt.
Growing up, boys had flocked to her, praising her beauty and charm.
Why did this guy look at her like she was a pile of garbage?
Xu Xuejiao's temper flared. "Why are you suddenly so annoyed with me?"
Lu Chengwen opened the car door. "Don't know, don't care. Bye."
Without another word, he slid into the car and closed his eyes to rest. "Zhao Gang, home."
As Lu Chengwen's car drove off, Xu Xuejiao stood there, feeling utterly wronged.
This jerk definitely had issues!
He used to promise he'd be her doctor when they were kids. How could he treat her like this now?
You want to stay away from me? Fine, I'll stick to you and annoy you to death!
_
Back home, Lu Chengwen tossed his jacket on the floor, collapsed onto the bed, and passed out.
The sun was high in the sky when he finally stirred. His arm moved unconsciously, landing on something soft and cushioned.
Huh?
He squeezed it twice. Pretty soft.
What the heck?
He opened his eyes.
I'm dead.