Mr. Lu's single kick was like a depth charge dropped into a calm lake.
Jiang Lian looked at Xiao Fan lying on the ground, and there was no sympathy in her arrogant phoenix eyes.
On the contrary, a hint of morbid pleasure surged in her heart.
This buzzing, annoying fly was finally quiet.
Bai Zhi composed herself, looking at the dramatic scene before her. The slight ripple in her heart, caused by Mr. Lu's act of protecting her, was replaced by the passion of "building a career."
This was an opportunity!
She couldn't wait for Mr. Lu to act again... She cleared her throat, stepped forward, looked directly at Miss Jiang, and spoke in a clear voice, every word hitting its mark.
"Miss Jiang, you must not be deceived by him!"
"That pill of his, its origin is unknown. God knows what kind of junk he picked up from some obscure corner!"
"What if there's something weird in it and it harms your body?"
As Bai Zhi spoke, she puffed out her not-so-ample chest and patted it proudly.
"This one of mine, I refined it myself!"
"All the medicinal ingredients were bought from Returning Spring Hall, genuine and trustworthy!"
She paused, then added a sentence that even she felt was righteous.
"And it was Mr. Lu's money! The quality is absolutely guaranteed!"
Miss Jiang's lips couldn't help but twitch slightly.
And... Mr. Lu's money?
Is she showing off how good their relationship is?
Just as Miss Jiang was hesitating whether to accept the shimmering pill in Bai Zhi's hand...
Mr. Lu suddenly laughed.
He slowly walked forward, and with a casual movement, took the huanghuali wood brocade box containing the pill from the still-twitching Xiao Fan on the ground.
The entire movement was as swift as a ghost; Xiao Fan didn't even have a chance to react.
"You..."
Xiao Fan watched his "hope" being snatched away, and he was so angry that he spat out another mouthful of blood.
Mr. Lu didn't even glance at him.
He walked up to Miss Jiang, and in front of everyone, elegantly opened the brocade box.
He glanced at the pill inside and said something that petrified the entire audience.
"Xiao Fan also had good intentions."
"However, for something of unknown origin like this, I'll test the poison."
As his words fell.
In the utterly astonished gazes of everyone, especially Bai Zhi and Miss Jiang.
Mr. Lu extended two fingers, picked up the pill, and then, like eating a jelly bean, casually tossed it into his mouth.
"Crunch."
He even chewed it.
"..."
"..."
"..."
The entire venue was silent.
Time seemed to be completely frozen at this moment.
Bai Zhi's small mouth formed an "O" shape; her brain was completely unable to process the information before her.
He... he ate it?
He didn't give it to Miss Jiang?
And Xiao Fan, lying on the ground, had eyes wide with fury... He ate it... He ate it!
He ate it like a snack!
"Pfft—!!!"
A surge of immense humiliation and anger, like a volcanic eruption, instantly broke through his last line of defense!
Then, he rolled his eyes, his head tilted, and he completely fainted.
[Ding! Received a mental critical hit from the Destined Villain!]
[Humiliation +1000!]
[Mental Resilience +100!]
[Masochist attribute awakening +20%!]
A series of system prompts played a distorted symphony in Xiao Fan's unconscious mind.
A faint warm current spread within Mr. Lu's body, then dissipated into nothingness.
He smacked his lips, a more disgusted expression on his face.
"Still too many impurities, the taste isn't good."
These words became the last straw that broke the camel's back.
Everyone present looked at the fainted, still slightly twitching Xiao Fan, their eyes filled with endless pity.
Too tragic.
This was simply... a public execution.
It was also at this moment that the long-awaited heavenly sound rang in Bai Zhi's mind.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for making the final choice! The special item [Danxin Glazed Fire] has been issued to your system space!]
A surge of ecstasy instantly rushed to Bai Zhi's head!
A unique flame!
She had obtained the legendary unique flame!
She forcibly suppressed her urge to jump up on the spot, her small face flushed red with excitement.
Miss Jiang didn't even look at the "mud" on the ground; her mood was incredibly complex at this moment.
"Thank you, Miss Bai Zhi."
However, her gaze passed over Bai Zhi and landed on the man who remained calm and composed.
"And a greater thank you to... Mr. Lu."
Mr. Lu merely nodded slightly, accepting her gratitude.
That composure, that sense of entitlement, made his image in Miss Jiang's heart even more profound and unfathomable.
Miss Jiang took a deep breath and accepted the pill Bai Zhi handed her.
Then, she turned and, facing the Jiang Family elders and guards behind her who were completely stunned, announced loudly.
"Deliver my command!"
"From today onwards, my Jiang Family is willing to be the sharpest sword in Mr. Lu's hand, to brave any danger, no matter the cost!"
These words, like a thunderclap, exploded in the hearts of every member of the Jiang Family!
This marked that the Jiang Family, an ancient martial arts family with a hundred-year heritage and immense pride, officially bowed their noble heads to a man today!
They submitted to Mr. Lu!
Mr. Lu, it seemed, was not surprised by this.
This was the result he wanted.
He looked at Miss Jiang's beautiful face, filled with determination, and said with a smile.
"Miss Jiang, you're being too serious."
"We are friends."
"And in the future, the staunchest allies."
...The banquet ended.
In the Rolls-Royce on the way back, the atmosphere was a little subtle.
Bai Zhi was still immersed in the great joy of obtaining the unique flame; she felt she was one big step closer to defeating the great demon, Mr. Lu!
Thinking of her triumph, a silly smile couldn't help but appear on her small face.
Just then, Mr. Lu's voice, with a hint of a smile, abruptly rang out.
"Miss Bai Zhi, congratulations."
"Why are you so happy when you give something to someone?"
Bai Zhi's inner ecstasy was instantly replaced by alarm!
She couldn't let this villain discover anything!
Subconsciously, she covered her chest with both hands, glaring at Mr. Lu warily.
"None of your business!"
Her brain raced, and she thought of the only possibility.
"Oh! I get it!"
She pointed at Mr. Lu, her voice suddenly rising.
"You're still peeking at me!"
"You pervert! Disgusting!"
"Loli-con!"
Mr. Lu looked at her adorable, bristling appearance, then changed the subject, throwing out a question that instantly froze Bai Zhi.
"Then have you thought about what to do with that Xiao Fan?"
Mr. Lu leaned slightly forward, his deep eyes, with a hint of playfulness, watched Bai Zhi.
"I only kicked him half to death for your sake, you know."