Tears welled up in Lu Chengwen's eyes as he grabbed Zhao Gang by the collar.
"I've already died six times! This time, I'm going to survive till the very end. I must survive till the end."
Zhao Gang blinked in confusion. "Young Master Lu, could you… maybe say that again in Chinese?"
Lu Chengwen wrapped an arm around his neck, teeth gritted. "Brother, if you handle this matter well, I'll give you that new sports car that just arrived in my garage."
Zhao Gang's eyes widened. "That's a Porsche!"
"It's yours."
Tears instantly filled Zhao Gang's eyes. He clasped his fists and declared solemnly, "Heaven is vast, Earth is kind, but none are kinder than Young Master Lu! From this day forth, Zhao Gang's body is Young Master Lu's body, Zhao Gang's life is Young Master Lu's life—"
"Enough with the nonsense. Go prepare a gift for visiting the patient, and get the car ready. I'm going to see my god-grandfather."
"Yes, boss!"
At the Chen residence.
Lu Chengwen entered the old master's room, placed down the gift, and exchanged a few pleasantries.
Just as he was searching for an excuse to leave, the butler entered.
"Master, Miss Xu has arrived, and the young master is back too. He's brought along someone he calls a divine doctor."
Old Master Chen Qiu Shou frowned. "Xuejiao herself is a well-known physician. Why would Xiaohuan bring another so-called divine doctor? Let them all in."
Lu Chengwen nearly swore aloud.
Damn it, System! Are you playing with me? I can't even dodge this!?
This was clearly part of future plot content!
Xu Xuejiao's treatment was supposed to fail, leaving the old man on the verge of death. Then, Long Aotian would step forward and save him, earning Xu Xuejiao's admiration and winning her heart.
Old Master Chen, overwhelmed with gratitude, would later bless Long Aotian's romantic ties with both his own granddaughter Chen Mengyun and the Xu family's prodigy Xu Xuejiao.
And now I'm in the middle of all that?
Can't I get a five-minute head start to run!?
Lu Chengwen quickly stood up. "God-grandfather, please rest well. I just remembered something urgent at the company. I'll take my leave now."
"Hmm… don't go yet."
Damn it.
Old Master Chen liked Lu Chengwen way too much.
Lu Chengwen, on the other hand, didn't feel the same way.
According to the story, he was supposed to later betray the Chen family, exploiting the old man's trust for personal gain.
Then Long Aotian would appear out of nowhere, save the Chen family, and punish him once again.
But before all that, the old master trusted him completely.
Of course, if he didn't, how could Lu Chengwen even have the chance to betray him?
If he didn't betray him, Long Aotian wouldn't have a reason to cripple him.
And if he weren't crippled, how would the protagonist win over both Xu Xuejiao and Chen Mengyun?
Because that's what protagonists do—they win women.
And Lu Chengwen, as the classic villain, was born to make that happen.
But this time—
[No! I refuse! I'll defy fate! My life is my own, not heaven's to control!]
Now, where's the back door…?
The old master held onto his hand, and Lu Chengwen forced a smile, trying to pry him off.
"Grandpa Chen, you're fine now, I really have to go. Let go, come on, let go—"
He gave the old man's hand a few quick slaps, whispering under his breath. "Let go, let go, seriously—"
Just then, Xu Xuejiao entered the room.
Her face was cold and composed. "Lu Chengwen, Grandpa Chen likes you the most. You've been here for five minutes and you're already leaving? Have you no conscience?"
Lu Chengwen froze when he saw her—
—and also spotted Chen Mohuan entering with none other than Long Aotian.
The moment Long Aotian saw Lu Chengwen, his eyes narrowed, hatred flaring.
Lu Chengwen sighed inwardly. As a villain, I guess I'm doing my job right if the hero wants to strangle me on sight.
He took another look at Xu Xuejiao.
Oh… what a perfect little loli.
Petite frame, balanced proportions, and features so delicate they looked sculpted. Most shockingly, despite her small build, her chest was—well—utterly explosive.
Today she was dressed in a school uniform, youthful and radiant, her slim legs wrapped in long white cotton socks—a dangerously charming sight.
Xu Xuejiao politely greeted the old man before starting her examination.
[This little girl doesn't grow taller, but her chest sure does! She's going to be a walking disaster someday.]
[Tsk, tsk, tsk… what a view! Definitely worth watching. A uniform-loving little loli—perfect combo.]
Xu Xuejiao suddenly spun around, glaring.
"What did you just say!?"
"Huh? I didn't say anything!"
"You did! You pervert!"
Chen Mohuan quickly tried to calm her. "Xuejiao, what are you doing? Young Master Lu didn't say a word."
Xu Xuejiao blinked, confused. Did I… imagine it?
She shot Lu Chengwen another glare and went back to examining the old master.
[Oh my, that curve… such a perfect little backside.]
[A petite, curvy loli in uniform—if I had her from behind, that'd be heaven itself. Tsk, tsk, tsk… Long Aotian sure has it good.]
Xu Xuejiao turned around again, furious.
Lu Chengwen blinked, startled.
Xu Xuejiao looked around—no one else reacted.
And indeed, the voice hadn't sounded like it came from him… Was that… his inner thoughts?
Just as Lu Chengwen was lost in his fantasy, a chill ran down his spine. He turned to see Long Aotian glaring daggers at him.
Xu Xuejiao frowned. She sensed something odd, but knew no one would believe her even if she said it aloud.
After finishing her examination, she smiled. "Grandpa Chen, there are just a few blocked vessels. I'll clear them up with some acupuncture—please relax."
Long Aotian chuckled. "Little sister, I'm afraid it's not that simple."
Xu Xuejiao straightened up. "And you are?"
Chen Mohuan quickly introduced, "Oh, right! This is my friend, Long Aotian—an incredible doctor. I invited him to treat Grandpa."
Xu Xuejiao's tone turned frosty. "I know every famous physician in the North, and I've never heard of a 'young divine doctor' named Long Aotian. Grandpa's health is no joke, Brother Mohuan—you shouldn't trust strangers so easily."
"Hahaha!" Long Aotian laughed. "Little sister, the true masters are often hidden from the world."
Xu Xuejiao was about to retort when she suddenly heard—
[Yes! That's it, keep going!]
[You'll mess up the treatment, the old man will nearly die, and then our great hero Long Aotian will swoop in to save him!]
[The bickering between you two is just romantic foreplay—you'll fall for him soon enough, join his harem, and become besties with Leng Qingqiu!]
Xu Xuejiao turned white with rage.
What!? I'll botch the treatment!? Turn Grandpa into a corpse!?
And I'll become that jerk's concubine? Alongside Leng Qingqiu!?
That cold-faced woman? As if I'd share anything with her!
"You—shut your mouth!"
Everyone froze.
Lu Chengwen blinked. "Uh… me?"
"Yes, you!"
"I didn't even fart! Ask anyone!"
Long Aotian chuckled. "Little sister, in all of China, perhaps only I—Long Aotian—can save the old master."
Xu Xuejiao was fuming.
One man mumbling perverted nonsense in his head, another spouting arrogance out loud—she'd never met two men so irritating.
"When I start the acupuncture, both of you stay silent!"
She glared at them both before resuming her focus.
Lu Chengwen sighed behind her.
[What a shame. The Wen King's Nine Needles are a top-tier technique, but the girl's being too cautious. She's avoiding two critical acupoints—because of that, Grandpa's about to wave hello to the King of Hell.]
[Just wait—Long Aotian will step in, save the day, and she'll worship him forever.]
[Ah, poor little Xu Xuejiao… a brilliant young prodigy, doomed to become part of Long Aotian's harem.]
Xu Xuejiao froze.
He… knows acupuncture?
Her face paled slightly. What he'd just thought was exactly right—she had avoided two dangerous points out of caution.
How could he possibly know that?
Sure enough, Old Master Chen suddenly coughed violently, trembling as blood dripped from his lips, eyes rolling back.
Chen Mohuan screamed, "Grandpa! Xuejiao, what are you doing!? You've killed him!"
Xu Xuejiao went pale but quickly steadied herself—she knew what had gone wrong.
Long Aotian flicked open his silver needle pouch. "Step aside, little girl. Let me bring him back from the brink of death."
"He's still alive," she said firmly.
Without hesitation, she drove a silver needle straight into a vital point.
Immediately, the old man's body relaxed, his breathing easing slightly—though he was still unconscious.
Long Aotian's eyes widened.
Her technique just now was completely different—bolder, sharper, and astonishingly precise.
Just as she prepared the next needle, Long Aotian's finger twitched inside his sleeve, gathering force.
Lu Chengwen, who'd been watching him closely, noticed the change.
[Oh no! He's about to interfere!]
Without thinking, Lu Chengwen lunged forward and grabbed his arm. "Brother Aotian!"
Long Aotian flinched. "Huh? Wh-what?"
"Nothing. Just thought… you looked handsome."
"…Thanks?"
"No problem."
Xu Xuejiao caught a glimpse of the exchange, noticing how Lu Chengwen's sudden move blocked her view—and coincidentally, Long Aotian's line of attack.
She finished her final two needles.
Gradually, color returned to Old Master Chen's face. Within half a minute, he opened his eyes.
"Xuejiao…"
"Grandpa Chen."
"It's good to have you here. Don't leave Snow City again."
"Just focus on resting, Grandpa."
Old Master Chen smiled faintly, then winced. "Chengwen, my hand hurts…"
Lu Chengwen looked down at the old man's hand—red and swollen from all his slapping earlier.
"Ah… improves circulation," he muttered.
Long Aotian was fuming.
His chance to show off had gone up in smoke—again—all because of Lu Chengwen!
Lu Chengwen turned around to find both Long Aotian and Chen Mohuan glaring at him.
The latter's thoughts were practically written on his face: Grandpa, why do you like him more than your real grandson!?
Lu Chengwen sighed.
[Dear heavens, I need to get out of here. Other than this half-dead old man, everyone else wants me gone—or dead.]
[Long Aotian hates me for blocking his romantic moment. Chen Mohuan hates me because Grandpa dotes on me. Xu Xuejiao has always hated me—and today, she looks ready to strangle me.]
[I'm leaving. Now.]
Xu Xuejiao caught that last thought and couldn't help a faint smile.
But remembering how he'd just protected her, she felt a strange warmth in her chest.
Maybe he isn't completely hopeless after all.
At that moment, Zhao Gang hurried to his side, whispering urgently, "Young Master Lu! Bad news—the pharmaceutical factory's in trouble!"
Lu Chengwen's eyes widened.
[The factory!? Something's happened!?]