Inside the teahouse, Jiang Lian sat alone, her mind in a whirl.
She hadn't realized that Lu Cheng's target was never her, but the entire Jiang Family.
Even though his words were tactful, Jiang Lian could discern the deeper meaning within them.
The word "ticket" carried a condescending sense of charity.
Her family's proud foundation, in this man's eyes, didn't even qualify them to board the ship; they needed him to personally hand over a ticket.
In other words, he wanted her and the entire Jiang Family to act as his enforcers, or even as obedient dogs?
This enormous disparity in understanding left her feeling an unprecedented sense of powerlessness.
The things Lu Cheng casually gave her proved his unfathomable strength, but to expect the Jiang Family to submit based solely on that, her inherent pride wouldn't allow it, couldn't accept it.
Meanwhile, in a corner not far away, the woman, completely wrapped up, put away her phone, her eyes behind her sunglasses glinting with excitement and sharpness.
Her name was Bai Zhi, an experienced Transmigrator.
Her mission was to traverse various novel worlds, correcting storylines that were on the verge of collapse due to overly powerful villains, and bringing everything back on track.
And this world before her might be the trickiest she had ever encountered.
The villain's arrogance had reached an unbelievable degree.
The Female Lead completely ignored the Male Lead, focusing entirely on the villain!
The moment Lu Cheng left the teahouse, a cold system prompt sounded in Bai Zhi's mind, right on time.
"Ding! Critical plot node detected!"
"The fated Great Villain, Lu Cheng, has departed. The critical Female Lead, Jiang Lian, is in a state of confusion. Please make your choice, Host!"
"Option One: Immediately approach and engage the Female Lead, Jiang Lian. Righteously expose Lu Cheng's true colors, inform her that Lu Cheng is a villain attempting to control her destiny, and gain her initial trust."
"Reward: God-tier Acting Skill, 100 System Points."
"Option Two: Immediately approach and engage the Female Lead, Jiang Lian. Not only expose Lu Cheng, but also strongly recommend the world's original fated son, Xiao Fan. Find a way to bring the two together and forcefully correct the plotline."
"Reward: Item 'Matchmaker's Red Thread' (one string), which can forcefully bind the target male and female's destined marriage. 500 System Points."
"Option Three: Temporarily abandon the Female Lead. Secretly follow the villain, Lu Cheng. Find a secluded alley without surveillance. Use a brick to knock him unconscious from behind, performing a 'physical correction' to make him deeply understand the iron fist of justice."
"Reward: Special Skill '100% Backstab Success' (When attacking from behind, 100% success and critical hit!). 2000 System Points."
Bai Zhi looked at these three options, her brows furrowing slightly.
That's right, she had a system. The one awakened in this world was a God-tier Choice System... The greater the risk of an option, the higher the reward and the higher the efficiency in solving the problem.
The first two options were too gentle, full of uncertainty.
Reason with the Female Lead?
Match her with that useless guy named Xiao Fan?
According to the information she had just gathered, that Xiao Fan was probably still in the university bathroom at this very moment, "*plop-plop*."
To rely on such a person to fight against this wealthy second-generation heir, Lu Cheng?
It was simply a pipe dream.
Therefore, only Option Three was the most efficient and direct solution!
Catch the ringleader first!
Regardless of the consequences, just teach him a lesson, hit him and run; it's a sneak attack anyway!
If it doesn't work, then consider the first two options... Bai Zhi made her decision in her heart, without the slightest hesitation.
She pulled down her hat brim and quietly followed him out...
Outside the teahouse, on the streets of Modu.
Lu Cheng did not, as usual, directly get into the Rolls-Royce waiting by the roadside.
He waved his hand, signaling the driver to go back first.
Then, he walked alone, leisurely strolling along the flagstone-paved street.
He seemed to be enjoying the rare tranquility, and also seemed to be waiting for something.
Before his eyes, the system panel floated clearly.
"Ding! New Child of Fortune detected!"
"Name: Bai Zhi"
"Identity: Protagonist of 'Villain Rises? Young Miss Arrives, Kicks Him to Death!'"
"Main Abilities: God-tier Choice System, Multi-novel Transmigration Experience"
"Combat Power: 5"
"Charm: 99"
A protagonist from a female-oriented novel?
And one of these "plane police" specifically responsible for correcting plotlines?
This was indeed the first novel species he had encountered.
He could feel the presence behind him, which thought it was well-hidden, following him at a consistent distance.
That presence carried a hint of raw killing intent, and a kind of... impatient recklessness.
Lu Cheng found it amusing and deliberately slowed his pace, heading towards an even more secluded street.
Lu Cheng's steps stopped deep within an alley.
Here, there were no surveillance cameras, and few pedestrians... He could feel the presence behind him, now within arm's reach.
That naive killing intent had also reached its peak.
Here it comes.
Bai Zhi held her breath. At some point, a hefty brick had appeared in her hand.
She had "borrowed" it from a construction site she had just passed, and it felt excellent in her grip.
She looked at the man's back ahead, a cold glint flashing in her eyes behind her sunglasses.
Now!
She pushed off with her feet, her figure darting out like a ghost, silently!
The brick in her hand was raised high, with a whooshing sound, and swung down hard towards the back of Lu Cheng's head!
She put all ten-tenths of her strength into this strike!
She seemed to have already envisioned this arrogant great villain being knocked to the ground by her brick, a pathetic, unconscious mess!
However, just a second before the brick was about to land...
The man, who had his back to her, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, suddenly stepped sideways.
That step was so casual, so effortless, yet so precisely executed that her full-force strike hit nothing but air!
"!!!"
Bai Zhi's pupils suddenly constricted!
The enormous force of her missed swing caused her body to stagger, almost making her lose her footing.
Just as her mind reeled, filled with disbelief...
The man heard the sound and turned around.
In the dappled light, his face wore an equally surprised expression, his eyes observing her with interest.
"Little girl, what's wrong?"
"Did you fall? Are you alright?"
His voice was calm and gentle, like a kind older brother from next door.