Backstage at the concert was a mess.
After Lu Cheng and Anya made dinner plans, he took three stunning beauties, each with a different charm, and calmly departed under the envious gazes of the crowd.
Only Jiang Chen was left, standing in a daze.
The sympathetic, regretful, and even gloating looks from the surrounding staff and school leaders pierced his somewhat shattered, proud heart.
[Shock Points - 10000!]
In his mind, the cold, emotionless system prompt continued to echo, like the most vicious curse, giving him a splitting headache.
This was the most crushing defeat he had ever experienced since transmigrating to this world!
He didn't believe it was an accident!
The last person to touch this piano... was Lu Cheng!
That man!
He tampered with it!
He must have tampered with the piano!
Jiang Chen roared frantically in his heart, trying to find a reasonable excuse for his failure.
"It was fine when he played it, so why did the piano keys fall off when I played it?"
"This is definitely not a coincidence!"
His hands clenched into tight fists... He wanted to scream, to tear everything in front of him to shreds, to vent this suppressed feeling.
But his eight-year-old body didn't even have the strength to overturn a nearby table.
The huge contrast and sense of powerlessness between his strong soul and his weak physical body in reality made him even more frantic!
"Lu Cheng! Lu Cheng!"
"Who exactly is he?"
"Especially... he wants to go after my sister!!"
"That's my designated woman!"
...Anya finally managed to get away after calming the audience and negotiating with the school leaders, returning backstage.
When she saw her younger brother's pitiful appearance, her eyes instantly filled with heartache.
She quickly stepped forward, reaching out her hand to comfort him.
"A Chen, it's okay, don't be sad..."
"It's not your fault! It was just bad luck."
However, Jiang Chen suddenly looked up!
His big, dark eyes, now streaked with terrifying blood vessels, glared at Anya, screaming almost commandingly:
"Sister! I forbid you to go!"
"I forbid you to go to dinner with him!"
Anya was slightly stunned by his sudden action.
Her younger brother had always been so well-behaved and mature?
What was wrong?
Alas, a child is still a child, unable to withstand setbacks; he probably couldn't accept the result of failure... It was also A Chen's fault for being too smart, having always had everything go smoothly before, never experiencing failure.
Then, she sighed helplessly and patiently explained:
"A Chen... Mr. Lu not only helped us out of a difficult situation but also promised on the spot to donate an even better piano to the school."
"By all accounts, I should go to this dinner."
Jiang Chen, however, started to throw a tantrum like a child whose beloved toy had been snatched away!
"I don't care! I don't care!"
"He's a bad guy! He wants to pursue you, he wants to trick you away from me!"
"You're my sister! I won't allow him to trick you!"
Anya looked at her younger brother's tantrum, and for the first time, a serious expression appeared on her beautiful face.
"A Chen, stop making a fuss."
Her voice, though still seemingly gentle, made Jiang Chen detect the firmness and seriousness within it.
"Mr. Lu is the CEO of Lu Corporation, a titan in the business world, and a true artist."
"Befriending him will do us no harm."
Anya didn't know why her usually mature brother was suddenly throwing a tantrum like a child... But she couldn't cancel an already accepted invitation and break her word because of this!
"I've already decided on this matter."
Anya's 'disobedience' made Jiang Chen realize for the first time that although he was a child prodigy, a genius, and a favored son of destiny with a system, he wasn't truly omnipotent in this world.
He couldn't even completely control his closest sister.
This strong'sense of losing control' instantly elevated his hatred for Lu Cheng to a new level!
...On the way back to Lu Family Manor.
Lu Cheng first dropped off Lu Xuan and Xia Qinghe at their top-floor apartment next to the school.
In the car, Lu Xuan was still excitedly relishing the wonderful scene from earlier, chattering non-stop.
"Brother! You were so handsome, when did you secretly practice the piano!"
"You didn't see that little brat's face at the end, it was as green as a frog! Hahaha, serves him right!"
"Let him show off, driving and acting arrogant at eight years old!"
Meanwhile, Xia Qinghe shyly stole a glance at Lu Cheng beside her and asked the question she had been holding in for the entire ride.
"Brother Lu Cheng, are you... are you really going to have dinner with Master Anya?"
Lu Cheng looked at her adorable expression, wanting to ask but not daring to, and teased with a smile: "What? Is our Qing He jealous?"
"No, no!"
Xia Qinghe's pretty face instantly flushed, and she quickly waved her hands.
"I... I just think Master Anya is my idol, and if you... if you can become friends with her, I'd be happy for you too!"
She paused, then added in a small voice:
"Then next time, if there's an opportunity, can you take me with you?"
"I... I want an autograph, I was so nervous backstage that I forgot!"
Although she said that, Xia Qinghe had, after all, experienced it a few times... She knew that Anya probably wouldn't escape Lu Cheng's grasp either!
"I want both my idol and Brother Lu Cheng; if my idol could become a sister... that doesn't seem bad either?"
Xia Qinghe's 'little fan' mentality made Lu Cheng burst out laughing... After dropping off the two girls, only Lu Cheng and Fu Yuan were left in the car.
The car hadn't started yet.
Fu Yuan, who had been silent, finally spoke.
Her voice was cold, tinged with a hint of sourness.
"Lu Cheng, the women around you are really increasing."
"Now, even an internationally renowned artist, after just one meeting, is going to be won over by you?"
Lu Cheng turned his head, looking at her exquisitely beautiful face, which was clearly written with 'I'm unhappy', and instead of getting angry, he smiled.
The next second!
He reached out and forcefully pulled Fu Yuan's soft and charming body into his arms!
Then, he dominantly pinched her small, delicate chin!
"What? Jealous?"
He lowered his head, his lips almost touching her ear, his warm breath fanning her sensitive neck.
"It seems I've let you rest for too long these past few days, you've forgotten your place?"
Two captivating blushes instantly flew onto Fu Yuan's pretty face, and her eyes began to dart around nervously.
"It's clearly your problem, falling for someone else so quickly!"
Lu Cheng, however, smiled even more wickedly, his whisper, like a demon's, carried a hint of 'training'.
"Still acting like that queen who calls all the shots?"
"Have you forgotten who was crying and begging me that night in the Imperial Capital?"
"It seems tonight, it's time to help you review your lessons properly."
"To make you remember again who your true master is."
As the Rolls-Royce smoothly drove into Lu Family Manor.
The car door opened, and Lu Cheng directly scooped up Fu Yuan, who was already soft all over and flushed from his teasing, carrying her by the waist and striding towards the villa's bedroom.