The after-effects of the electric shock still faintly throbbed at Xiao Fan's nerve endings.
He lay paralysis on the bed for a full hour before he managed to recover from that sensation.
However, when he opened the system interface and saw the cold yet infinitely tempting string of numbers in that virtual account, Xiao Fan's pupils were once again consumed by bloodshot veins and fanaticism.
He sprang from the bed and paced back and forth in the cramped dorm room, his face, twisted by pain and resentment, now undergoing a frantic brainstorming session.
"Last time, I was too direct!"
"How could a goddess like Jiang Lian only value money?"
"A woman as proud as her must care more about ambiance, about romance!"
"Right! Romance!"
Xiao Fan slapped his thigh suddenly, as if he had unblocked his meridians and found the root of his failure.
He attributed all his mistakes to his methods not being "sophisticated" enough, completely unaware that the problem lay with him as a person.
"Isn't that guy named Lu Cheng just pretending to know more and have more style than me?"
"This time, I'll splurge on the most luxurious romance in the world!"
"I'll let Jiang Lian know who truly understands her and is worthy of her!"
A perfect plan quickly formed in his mind.
He contacted the top private customization team in Magic City and, in a nouveau riche tone, gave his instructions.
"I want to book out the rotating restaurant on the top floor of the Sky Tower, Magic City's landmark! For the entire night!"
"Cover the entire restaurant floor with nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine Juliet roses, flown in from Holland!"
"Bring me the best violinist in the world for a live performance!"
"Finally, I want a thousand drones to form the words 'Jiang Lian, I love you' on the exterior wall of the Sky Tower! I want everyone in Magic City to see my love!"
The planning team on the other end of the phone fell silent collectively upon hearing this series of almost insane demands.
Isn't this... "spiritual pollution"?
But Xiao Fan didn't care.
He only knew that no woman could refuse such an ultimately luxurious and grand declaration of love!
Moreover, he still had a killer move that every woman loved, which he hadn't used yet!
[Ding! Host has locked onto a new strategy direction: Ultimate Romance!]
[System judges this plan's success rate to be significantly increased! Host temporarily gains status: Romantic Aura (Charm +50)!]
Seeing the system's prompt, Xiao Fan's self-confidence instantly swelled to its peak!
Look! Even the system approves of me!
This time, I will definitely redeem myself!
...Meanwhile, at Lu Family Manor.
Lu Cheng was lazily reclining on the sofa, and in the virtual light screen before him, Xiao Fan's "Simp Plan" was clearly displayed page by page in PPT format.
From the type of roses to the selection of the violinist, and then to the flight path of the drone formation, every detail revealed a rustic luxury.
"Pfft..."
Lu Cheng looked at the plan and finally couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
In that laughter was undisguised pleasure and... pity.
He casually instructed the beautiful figure standing silently beside him like a shadow.
"Shuying."
"Master."
Ye Shuying's figure quietly appeared, bowing respectfully.
"Send word to buy the ownership of the Sky Tower restaurant."
Lu Cheng's tone was as casual as if he were saying, "What's for dinner tonight?"
"Also, send Anya a message, tell her to have dinner with me tonight, and bring her violin."
"Yes."
Ye Shuying's figure disappeared silently once more.
For her, her master's command was the supreme oracle; she didn't need to understand, only to execute.
And the moment Lu Cheng issued the command, a completely different, wonderful prompt sounded in his mind.
[Ding! Detected that the sub-system host is carrying out a "simp-style" strategy, triggering a hundredfold return!]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the special title: "Romantic Terminator"!]
[Title effect: Your attractiveness to specific women will automatically increase by 1000% in any romantic atmosphere! And it will cause a "dimension-reduction strike" level of mental crushing effect on love rivals!]
...At the Jiang Family.
An exquisitely packaged invitation, even sprayed with a strong rose perfume, was delivered to Jiang Lian's hand.
When she saw the name "Xiao Fan" at the bottom, Jiang Lian's face instantly frosted over.
This... isn't this that fool who bought things for a billion?
She even felt that looking at that name for another second was an insult to her eyes.
She originally wanted to tear the thing up and throw it in the trash.
But when her gaze swept over the gilded words "Sky Tower Top Floor Rotating Restaurant" on the invitation, her hand stopped as if by a ghost's whim.
Sky Tower... For some reason, another figure involuntarily appeared in her mind.
That tall, slender figure who was calm and in control at the auction.
Lu Cheng... the man rumored to truly control Magic City.
And the top floor of the Sky Tower, overlooking the entire night view of Magic City.
Such a scene, it seemed, was only worthy of such a man.
And not this crude, clumsy clown who only knew how to pile up money!
A strange mixture of annoyance and curiosity intertwined in her heart.
Her sixth sense kept telling her that Lu Cheng seemed to be there too... In the end, she still agreed to the appointment.
She held a nearly cruel, scrutinizing mindset.
"I want to see what new tricks this jumping clown can pull tonight."
...As night deepened and the lights came on.
Just as Xiao Fan put on his suit and excitedly rehearsed his confession speech again and again below the Sky Tower, Lu Cheng was not in a hurry to leave.
He was leisurely soaking in the outdoor swimming pool of his manor.
Under the continuous nourishment of the "Spirit Eye" day and night, the entire pool water had long turned into a light blue spiritual liquid, and a visible, misty spiritual fog even lingered on the surface.
Mu Wanrou and Xia Qinghe, like two mermaids, accompanied him.
The spiritual liquid's cleansing made their skin even whiter and more supple, so delicate it could be broken by a breath, glowing with a sacred luster under the moonlight.
Lu Cheng embraced one with each arm, sometimes guiding their cultivation, and sometimes engaging in extremely intimate "teachings."
The circulation of true qi, accompanied by suppressed moans and laughter, steadily increased their strength in a state of extreme pleasure.
On the lawn not far away, Gu Qingcheng was stroking her prominently swollen abdomen, leisurely strolling with Luo Qingyan.
The entire manor was enveloped in an atmosphere of peace, tranquility, and even sanctity.
This was Lu Cheng's exclusive divine kingdom on earth.
It formed the starkest contrast with the noisy and farcical commotion that was about to unfold outside.
It wasn't until it was almost time that Lu Cheng slowly rose from the spiritual liquid.
Attended by the women, he changed into a well-tailored black formal suit.
He stood in front of the mirror, adjusted his tie, and looked at himself in the mirror, so handsome that even a god would be jealous.
"Well, as the only audience..."
"It's time to take my seat."