As night fell, a black Rolls-Royce silently glided into a cluster of ancient and solemn buildings.
This was the Jiang Family.
Unlike the extreme luxury of Lu Family Manor, every brick, tile, plant, and tree here bore the marks of time.
A faint scent of sandalwood, mixed with the fresh aroma of old trees, permeated the air, unconsciously calming one's mind.
Bai Zhi sat in the car, looking through the window with curiosity at this place, which seemed out of sync with the bustling city outside.
She felt as if she had stumbled onto the set of a period drama.
The car slowly stopped in front of an antique reception hall at the main residence.
The car door was respectfully opened from the outside by a server.
Lu Cheng was the first to step out; he stood in this rustic environment without any sense of incongruity.
Bai Zhi followed behind, like a little attendant, cautiously observing her surroundings.
At the entrance of the reception hall, a figure in fiery red was already waiting there.
Jiang Lian.
She had changed out of her usual flamboyant gown and put on a cheongsam that accentuated her figure perfectly.
The cheongsam was embroidered with golden threads depicting soaring phoenixes, outlining her graceful curves to perfection.
Her dazzling red hair was styled with a simple jade hairpin, adding a touch of understated elegance to her innate pride.
The moment she saw Lu Cheng step out of the car, a very complex ripple of emotion flickered in Jiang Lian's proud phoenix eyes, which usually looked down on all beings.
Apprehension, curiosity, and even... anticipation.
However, when her gaze fell upon Bai Zhi, who was following behind Lu Cheng, wrapped tightly in a hat and mask, her small figure barely visible...
Jiang Lian's willow-like brows still furrowed slightly.
This woman... she remembered her.
At Antique Street, it was her... Sure enough, they were working together.
"Miss Jiang, I trust you've been well."
Lu Cheng spoke with a smile, breaking the silence.
"This is Miss Bai Zhi."
He turned sideways, introducing the wary Bai Zhi to Jiang Lian.
"She's my employee."
"Her main job is to record my flaws at any time and place, and to provide negative feedback on me."
"This helps me correct my mistakes and improve myself."
This introduction instantly lodged all the polite pleasantries Jiang Lian had prepared in her throat.
What kind of job was this... It was clearly Lu Cheng's special arrangement to keep her by his side.
Negative feedback, so she could even scold him freely?
This man doted on her so much; there must be something going on.
She began to re-examine Bai Zhi with interest.
She found that the women around this man were always more interesting than the last.
Bai Zhi felt uncomfortable under Jiang Lian's gaze.
She puffed out her chest, deciding to immediately begin her "work."
"Hmph!"
"Coming on a date with another woman, yet still putting on airs."
"You hypocrite!"
[Ding! Villain's Emotional Value +50!]
Bai Zhi's mood only improved slightly upon hearing the system prompt in her mind.
However, Lu Cheng not only didn't get angry but instead showed Jiang Lian a helpless smile.
"You see, Miss Bai Zhi's work ethic is just that serious, that dedicated."
"I am proud to have such an employee."
This maneuver made Jiang Lian's facial muscles twitch involuntarily.
She found that she simply couldn't see through the man in front of her.
Every one of his actions was filled with profound meaning that defied conventional understanding.
Just as the atmosphere between the three became increasingly subtle...
"Boom—Vroom—"
Outside the manor, a harsh engine roar violently tore through the tranquility.
Immediately following, accompanied by a sharp screech of tires against the ground...
A ridiculously flashy, fluorescent green Lamborghini executed an exaggerated drift and tail-whip, stopping sideways at the entrance of the Jiang Family Manor.
The loud noise made the Jiang Family guards at the manor entrance instinctively frown, a hint of displeasure flashing in their eyes.
The scissor doors slowly rose.
A man in a pure white suit, with half a pound of hair gel in his hair and a confident "I'm the center of the world" smile on his face, stepped out of the car.
It was Xiao Fan.
He ignored everyone, his gaze fervent and persistent as he looked at the fiery red figure.
In his hand, he held an exquisitely carved brocade box made of top-grade huanghuali wood.
"Miss Jiang!"
Xiao Fan spread his arms, using all his strength to let out what he believed was his most magnetic and domineering shout.
"I'm here!"
"Your troubles, from today onwards, will be personally ended by me, Xiao Fan!"
This roar seemed to freeze the air throughout the entire Jiang Family Manor at that moment.
The servers at the reception hall entrance were stunned.
Everyone's gaze, as if looking at an idiot who had escaped from a mental asylum, focused on Xiao Fan, who was striking a handsome pose.
Jiang Lian's expression, in just a few short seconds, went from complex, to cold, and then to undisguised disgust and revulsion.
She felt that her carefully prepared dinner had been completely defiled in the crudest way by this suddenly appearing fool.
And Bai Zhi was completely dumbfounded.
She subconsciously covered her face, somewhat unable to bear looking.
Her mind began to frantically complain.
Sure enough, this Son of Destiny is an idiot... Driving a rented sports car, wearing an ill-fitting suit, and making an entrance by shouting?
This trope is way too old!
This is simply... tacky!
Too tacky!
She felt her eyes had suffered severe mental pollution.
In the entire scene, only Lu Cheng seemed to be watching an interesting play.
Xiao Fan completely ignored the bizarre atmosphere on the scene.
In his eyes, there was only Jiang Lian.
He took a step, walking towards Jiang Lian step by step, with a look of determination on his face.
He seemed to have already envisioned the perfect scene of himself presenting the divine pill to Jiang Lian, followed by her being moved to tears and throwing herself into his arms.
He even began to mentally rehearse what posture he should adopt when receiving the goddess's embrace to appear more composed and graceful.
[Hero Presents Medicine plot has been activated! Host's current Charm Value is Max! Please display your heroic prowess to your heart's content!]
The system prompt in his mind made his confidence explode even further!