After enduring this series of terrifying, hellish punishments, Ji Bochang's spirit was completely on the verge of collapse.
He finally... finally realized profoundly.
This damned, inhuman dog system was truly going to torment him to death!
It wasn't kidding!
However, the plot development in this reincarnation was completely beyond his control.
This time, Song Zhiyi had Lu Cheng by her side!
Just thinking about that pervert Lu Cheng, that devil, that unpredictable, ruthless, unfathomably powerful, cheat-like guy!
Ji Bochang felt his liver trembling and his legs shaking!
If it were just following the original plot, engaging in a battle of wits with the two plot characters, Qin Yu and Song Zhiyi, it would still be dangerous, but at least he could rely on his familiarity with the plot to barely survive, earn more rewards, and then go home.
But now, there was Lu Cheng, who completely disregarded conventions, and whose strength and influence crushed his own, eyeing him like a tiger!
He suddenly remembered a heartfelt conversation his cheap old man in this world, the current head of the Ji Family, had once had with him.
"Bochang, you are the future heir of my Ji Family. When you act outside, you can be arrogant, overbearing, and even lawless."
"In Modu, there are almost no people who dare to disrespect our Ji Family."
"However, there are a few people you absolutely! Absolutely must not provoke easily!"
"Especially... the Lu Family!"
At the time, he didn't quite understand why his old man would specifically emphasize the Lu Family.
After all, in his memory of that 'original novel,' even the eldest young master of the Lu Family, Lu Cheng, was just an insignificant simp villain who pushed the plot forward. How powerful could the Lu Family be?
But now?
Having become familiar with this world and having confronted Lu Cheng directly, he finally understood profoundly!
The so-called rankings like Modu's Three Great Families and Five Major Clans sounded impressive, and the Ji Family was among them, commanding respect.
But in reality, wasn't it because the Lu Family, that kind of true behemoth standing at the top of the pyramid, looking down on all beings, simply couldn't be bothered and disdained to participate in such boring, childish ranking games?
Unfortunately... he realized it too late!
He not only provoked Lu Cheng but also danced on his elder's minefield... courting death in front of his woman!
Thankfully, Lu Cheng didn't seem to truly put him in his eyes?
For now... he hadn't yet made a move against him and the Ji Family.
Ji Bochang felt his head was about to explode!
Just as he was trembling, hiding in a corner of the hotel room, seriously considering whether to simply find a rope and end himself, if not to escape this world, then at least to enter a new reincarnation... the system's ultimate threat arrived!
The system's prompt, carrying the cold, merciless, and undeniable tone of a final judgment, slowly echoed in his mind:
"Warning! Host, the system's highest-level penalty warning mechanism has been triggered!"
"If the host still fails to take any effective measures to actively advance the original plot within the next 72 hours..."
"Then, the system will automatically execute the ultimate penalty procedure of 'permanent 50% reduction' after the countdown ends!"
"Please note! Once this procedure is executed, its effect will be permanent! Even restarting reincarnation cannot reverse it!"
Reduced... by fifty percent?
Per... permanent?
After Ji Bochang heard these key words of devastating blows!
His vision suddenly went black!
This was a million times more painful than being directly killed!
This was simply... cutting off his lineage, a rhythm of never being able to rise again!
His voice was shrill and desperate.
"No! System Daddy, System Ancestor! I was wrong, I was truly wrong!"
"I won't dare again! I'll act! I'll definitely act well from now on! I'll act to death! Isn't it enough to give my all until I die?"
"As long as you... don't shorten my...! I'll listen to whatever you say!"
Perhaps Ji Bochang's tearful and sincere attitude moved the system?
Or perhaps the system felt that this idiotic host still had a little bit of residual value?
In short, just as Ji Bochang was kowtowing until his head was bleeding and his voice was almost hoarse from shouting.
The system finally, mercifully, issued a new plot mission:
"Mission re-issued!"
"Mission Objective: Due to the host's previous failure in performing the original plot, the host must, within three days, proactively create an event that allows the original protagonist Qin Yu and the heroine Song Zhiyi to have effective intimate contact."
"Upon completion of this mission, the host will receive an additional temporary skill card: granting a top-tier skill for a short period."
Ji Bochang looked at the bizarre mission objective in his mind.
He was completely numb.
Unable to cry, without tears.
In his heart, there was only one MMP, wondering whether to speak it or not!
"If I had known... if I had known, I wouldn't have read that damn novel in the first place!!!"
"Intimate contact? How is that possible!"
...On the other side, after a meticulous observation, Lu Xuan finally selected her first'strategic target'—
That 'problematic girl' CEO, Song Zhiyi, who had eye-catching pink hair and a figure so hot it was practically against the rules!
In her opinion, this Miss Song, with her clean family background and somewhat cute appearance, seemed to barely qualify to be one of her great brother's many collectibles?
But!
She also keenly noticed that this Miss Song was not active enough, not enthusiastic enough, not devoted enough to her brilliant and mighty brother!
How could this be allowed?
So, this brother-obsessed demon immediately decided to personally intervene and give things a push!
Before pushing things along, she also had to conveniently clear away some... well, small obstacles that might interfere with her brother's great love life.
For example, that big, clumsy security guard, Qin Yu, who had been following Song Zhiyi recently, seemed a bit slow-witted, and kept peeking at her with lecherous eyes!
And Song Zhiyi?
She had an appointment with a business partner for lunch at a restaurant owned by the Song Family to discuss business.
To create an elegant and comfortable atmosphere, all the seating in this restaurant adopted a partitioned design with screens, ensuring a certain degree of privacy while still allowing guests to hear the classical music in the hall.
From Song Zhiyi's conspicuously eye-catching pink hair, it was not difficult to see that this Miss Song was not a demure and well-behaved person at heart.
Today's business partner was indeed very important to her.
She was eager to secure this project, partly to prove her business capabilities to the old conservatives in her family.
On the other hand... it was also to have an alternative and more confidence for a future day, should she ever want to go solo and break free from family constraints...