《Survival of the Antagonist》 Break up Early Morning. Haiqing City, Xuri University. As one of the top ten prestigious institutions in Dongxia, countless students have made it their goal, doing everything they can to get in. Inside, it is filled with the children of the rich and powerful. "Creak~ Creak~" The grating sound of friction rang out as a shabby bicycle wobbled its way towards the depths of Xuri University. Riding the bike was a young man who appeared to be around twenty years old. The young man had a handsome and chiseled face, with a determined expression like it was carved from stone. His dark, deep eyes exuded an indescribable charm. "Wave after wave~ Wave after wave~"Humming a song, the young man rode his bicycle to a grove of cypress trees next to Yanshui Lake in the southern part of the school. There, a girl was standing. he had a slender figure and fair skin. Although her looks weren''t top-tier, she was quite attractive, easily scoring an eighty-nine out of a hundred.Next to the girl was a handsome young man in a high-end suit, exuding a polite and refined demeanor.The first thing that came to mind upon seeing him was: "Second-generation rich kid!" Li Ze stopped his bicycle and walked up to the girl. "Wang Jia, did you call me here for something today?" Wang Jia glanced at Li Ze''s shabby bicycle, a hint of disgust and disdain flashing across her face. "Are you blind? What do you think I called you here for? Can''t you figure it out yourself?"With these words, Wang Jia leaned towards the boy beside her and said coldly, "Let''s break up." Many people nearby noticed the situation and stopped to watch, their faces filled with curiosity and gossip. "Hey, isn''t that the famous pretty girl Wang Jia from the freshman class?" "The one next to her... is her rumored boyfriend Li Ze, right? Hmm, he does look quite handsome, but unfortunately, he seems like a loser." "Who''s that guy beside Wang Jia?" "I don''t know, but he looks wealthy." "From the looks of it, Wang Jia has hooked up with a rich kid and is going to dump Li Ze? Tsk tsk, how pitiful." Almost instantly, everyone at the scene made their judgments. A certain male student grumbled indignantly, "I never expected Wang Jia to be such a materialistic woman. I even considered her a goddess! I''m so disappointed!" These remarks immediately prompted agreement from several seemingly sincere-looking male students.But several girls nearby immediately objected. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. "What, do you expect us girls to suffer with you losers? Have some shame!" "Yeah, we''d rather cry in a BMW than laugh on a bicycle!" "Being materialistic is not a crime; being selective is justifiable!" "Who told you guys not to be second-generation rich? Whose fault is it?" " ........." A series of harsh criticisms came rushing in. The faces of those male students turned bright red with embarrassment, but they couldn''t retort. The crowd continued to look at Li Ze and Wang Jia, their faces wearing mocking smiles, ready to enjoy this juicy gossip. Wang Jia said coldly once again, "You''re simply not good enough for me. Let''s not waste each other''s time." Just then, a red, cool Bugatti Veyron suddenly drove into the scene along the path and slowly came to a stop. The crowd erupted into a commotion. Many girls looked on with envy, jealousy, and resentment. "Wang Jia has really hooked up with a wealthy guy! She''s hit the jackpot this time." "Wow, I really wish I were the one in that car. I wouldn''t mind being a mistress." "If she''s lucky, Wang Jia might marry into a wealthy family through this opportunity. Then, she''ll be in a completely different world from us." Wang Jia''s expression became even more smug. "You see, Li Ze, we''re simply not from the same world. Only this kind of lifestyle can match me, and you... can''t provide that for me." Now Wang Jia firmly believed that only money was paramount. She looked around with a flaunting expression, feeling greatly satisfied when she saw the envious and admiring gazes of the bystanders. That''s right.This is the life that belongs to me!All eyes were on Li Ze. Pity, regret, sarcasm, malice, all sorts of emotions filled their eyes. hey all wanted to know, how would Li Ze respond? Begging desperately? Losing his temper?Or perhaps, roaring furiously? "Alright then, let''s break up," Li Ze said calmly, without any hesitation. A hint of sarcastic smile played at the corner of his mouth. Everyone was stunned. "Huh?" This script doesn''t seem right, does it? Wang Jia publicly dumping Li Ze, such a humiliating thing, why is he so composed? Equally bewildered was Wang Jia. She never expected Li Ze''s reaction to be like this. "You..." An inexplicable anger suddenly surged up. Li Ze''s indifferent demeanor left Wang Jia''s sense of superiority unsatisfied. In Wang Jia''s view, the other party should have come forward to beg desperately, and then she could have stomped on his face mercilessly! Li Ze patted his clothes and smiled, "Alright, no more pretending. Let''s lay it all out. Actually, I''m a super-rich second-generation." "Pfft." As soon as these words came out, there was an instant burst of stifled laughter around. "Hahahaha!"Wang Jia couldn''t help but burst into laughter. Li Ze, a super-rich second-generation? Wearing cheap clothes and riding a shabby bicycle? What a joke! In her opinion, Li Ze was just trying to save face. It was simply pathetic and laughable. "Hmph, why should I be angry with him? We are destined to be from different worlds." Wang Jia snorted coldly, her expression becoming proud again. Then, she stepped forward, wanting to hold the shoulder of the boy next to her. But what happened next took everyone by surprise. The boy unexpectedly swung his arm and pushed Wang Jia aside! Wang Jia was suddenly stunned. "Honey, what are you..." But the boy had already taken large strides and came directly in front of Li Ze, bending deeply at the waist. With a respectful tone, he said, "Young Master!" The Bugatti Veyron also roared to life again, arriving beside Li Ze. Then, it slowly came to a stop. Everyone who had been watching the spectacle with a mocking attitude now had a dumbfounded look in their eyes. "Snap."Some even dropped their phones directly from their hands, falling to the ground.What''s going on?Young Master?That Bugatti Veyron... belongs to Li Ze!What fuck? ? ? 1 Break up Early Morning. Haiqing City, Xuri University. As one of the top ten prestigious institutions in Dongxia, countless students have made it their goal, doing everything they can to get in. Inside, it is filled with the children of the rich and powerful. "Creak~ Creak~" The grating sound of friction rang out as a shabby bicycle wobbled its way towards the depths of Xuri University. Riding the bike was a young man who appeared to be around twenty years old. The young man had a handsome and chiseled face, with a determined expression like it was carved from stone. His dark, deep eyes exuded an indescribable charm. "Wave after wave~ Wave after wave~"Humming a song, the young man rode his bicycle to a grove of cypress trees next to Yanshui Lake in the southern part of the school. There, a girl was standing. he had a slender figure and fair skin. Although her looks weren''t top-tier, she was quite attractive, easily scoring an eighty-nine out of a hundred.Next to the girl was a handsome young man in a high-end suit, exuding a polite and refined demeanor.The first thing that came to mind upon seeing him was: "Second-generation rich kid!" Li Ze stopped his bicycle and walked up to the girl. "Wang Jia, did you call me here for something today?" Wang Jia glanced at Li Ze''s shabby bicycle, a hint of disgust and disdain flashing across her face. "Are you blind? What do you think I called you here for? Can''t you figure it out yourself?"With these words, Wang Jia leaned towards the boy beside her and said coldly, "Let''s break up." Many people nearby noticed the situation and stopped to watch, their faces filled with curiosity and gossip. "Hey, isn''t that the famous pretty girl Wang Jia from the freshman class?" "The one next to her... is her rumored boyfriend Li Ze, right? Hmm, he does look quite handsome, but unfortunately, he seems like a loser." "Who''s that guy beside Wang Jia?" "I don''t know, but he looks wealthy." "From the looks of it, Wang Jia has hooked up with a rich kid and is going to dump Li Ze? Tsk tsk, how pitiful." Almost instantly, everyone at the scene made their judgments. A certain male student grumbled indignantly, "I never expected Wang Jia to be such a materialistic woman. I even considered her a goddess! I''m so disappointed!" This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. These remarks immediately prompted agreement from several seemingly sincere-looking male students.But several girls nearby immediately objected. "What, do you expect us girls to suffer with you losers? Have some shame!" "Yeah, we''d rather cry in a BMW than laugh on a bicycle!" "Being materialistic is not a crime; being selective is justifiable!" "Who told you guys not to be second-generation rich? Whose fault is it?" " ........." A series of harsh criticisms came rushing in. The faces of those male students turned bright red with embarrassment, but they couldn''t retort. The crowd continued to look at Li Ze and Wang Jia, their faces wearing mocking smiles, ready to enjoy this juicy gossip. Wang Jia said coldly once again, "You''re simply not good enough for me. Let''s not waste each other''s time." Just then, a red, cool Bugatti Veyron suddenly drove into the scene along the path and slowly came to a stop. The crowd erupted into a commotion. Many girls looked on with envy, jealousy, and resentment. "Wang Jia has really hooked up with a wealthy guy! She''s hit the jackpot this time." "Wow, I really wish I were the one in that car. I wouldn''t mind being a mistress." "If she''s lucky, Wang Jia might marry into a wealthy family through this opportunity. Then, she''ll be in a completely different world from us." Wang Jia''s expression became even more smug. "You see, Li Ze, we''re simply not from the same world. Only this kind of lifestyle can match me, and you... can''t provide that for me." Now Wang Jia firmly believed that only money was paramount. She looked around with a flaunting expression, feeling greatly satisfied when she saw the envious and admiring gazes of the bystanders. That''s right.This is the life that belongs to me!All eyes were on Li Ze. Pity, regret, sarcasm, malice, all sorts of emotions filled their eyes. hey all wanted to know, how would Li Ze respond? Begging desperately? Losing his temper?Or perhaps, roaring furiously? "Alright then, let''s break up," Li Ze said calmly, without any hesitation. A hint of sarcastic smile played at the corner of his mouth. Everyone was stunned. "Huh?" This script doesn''t seem right, does it? Wang Jia publicly dumping Li Ze, such a humiliating thing, why is he so composed? Equally bewildered was Wang Jia. She never expected Li Ze''s reaction to be like this. "You..." An inexplicable anger suddenly surged up. Li Ze''s indifferent demeanor left Wang Jia''s sense of superiority unsatisfied. In Wang Jia''s view, the other party should have come forward to beg desperately, and then she could have stomped on his face mercilessly! Li Ze patted his clothes and smiled, "Alright, no more pretending. Let''s lay it all out. Actually, I''m a super-rich second-generation." "Pfft." As soon as these words came out, there was an instant burst of stifled laughter around. "Hahahaha!"Wang Jia couldn''t help but burst into laughter. Li Ze, a super-rich second-generation? Wearing cheap clothes and riding a shabby bicycle? What a joke! ֻӡֱǿɱͿЦġ ߣΪʲôҪעҪԲͬ硣 һֱõ ȻǰȥסԱкļ ˶һ꾹ȻһӸ첲Ƶһߣ Ѷʱסˡװģʲô...... Ѿ˹ֱǰ ù˵ү ӵҲٴߡȻͣһֱԳŪ̬ȹۿһ۵ˣж¶Ŀɿڴɫ žЩֱӽֻе䣬ڵϡô£үӵ......ʲô 2 The Strongest Antagonist System! Wang Jia''s face turned pale. Suddenly, she understood everything the other party was testing her! Yet she, unaware of her own folly, had been proudly flaunting herself in front of him, thinking she had managed to hook a rich second-generation, only to find out that he was just a subordinate of the other party! Click. The boy in the high-end suit respectfully opened the car door for Li Ze and gestured with his hand. "Young Master, please get in the car," Li Ze nodded slightly. At that moment, with a pale face, Wang Jia''s body trembled, and she hurriedly stepped forward, saying frantically, "Li Ze, I was just joking with you, you won''t take it seriously, right? Give me another chance!" "Do you believe that yourself?" Li Ze was almost amused. He smiled lightly and said, "Thank you for presenting me with such an amusing drama." Wang Jia''s face immediately turned ashen. She knew she was finished! Just as Li Ze was about to get into the car, suddenly a figure stood in front of the car. It was a girl. She was wearing denim shorts, with a slim waist and long legs, and had a typical internet celebrity face. With heavy makeup on her face, she looked alluring. Leaning against Li Ze''s Bugatti Veyron, the internet celebrity girl placed one hand on her head, the other hand on her hip, with a charming smile on her face. Her posture was extremely flirtatious as she coquettishly said, "Hey handsome, can you take me for a ride?" "I''ve never ridden in a Bugatti Veyron before~" Her words were a wild hint. Clearly, she saw an opportunity and was trying to take advantage of it. Li Ze said lightly, "What, did you think I''m a trash can? I collect all kinds of rubbish?" "If you''ve never ridden in a Bugatti Veyron, just go home and sleep. You can dream about anything you want!" The internet celebrity girl''s expression froze. Meanwhile, the boy in the high-end suit, with an elegant demeanor, had already walked up and pushed her away.Then, he opened the car door for Li Ze."Young Master, please." "Let''s go." Li Ze ordered coldly."Yes, sir." The young man responded respectfully, and before leaving, he gave Wang Jia a cold stare. The driver started the car, stepped on the gas pedal, and drove away swiftly. Leaving only the internet celebrity girl standing alone in the wind in disarray. Oh no, there was also Wang Jia, the green tea bitch, standing there disheveled with her. Onlookers exchanged glances with each other. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. This unexpected turn of events was too unbelievable. Without a doubt, this bombshell news would quickly spread throughout the entire Sunrise University! In the car, Li Ze closed his eyes and contemplated. Then, he suddenly silently recited in his mind: "System!" A cluster of silver light suddenly appeared in front of Li Ze, unfolding to outline a panel that others couldn''t see. Antagonist Development System:Host: Li ZePersonal Wealth: 1.9 BillionCharm Value: 13 [Normal people have 10-30]Physical Fitness: 12 [Normal people have 10]Skills: Cello [Advanced], Piano [Advanced], Literary Appreciation [Intermediate]...Antagonist Value: 0Currently Triggered Book: "Martial Arts Expert from the Countryside Enters the City" Li Ze is actually not a native of this world, although he retained his original name, body, and memories, he is actually a time traveler. And the world he is currently in is a world transformed from a television series. It is a parallel world similar to Earth in some places but with many differences. And the television series currently triggered is called "Martial Arts Expert from the Countryside Enters the City"! This is a television series that is well-known in every household in China. It is one of the "XX Enters the City" trilogy. As soon as this television series began airing, it became a nationwide sensation. The male lead''s rebellious personality and various face-slapping moments made countless young women scream. There was even an incident where a 60-year-old woman left her 70-year-old husband on the road to rush home and watch the show, causing the police to intervene. Detailed information about the television series had already been transmitted to Li Ze''s mind when he crossed over, and Li Ze himself had watched this series before. His current identity is astonishingly a major antagonist in the story, who shares the same name as him and appears throughout the early and middle parts of the series! Li Ze. Li Ze is the only son of the top-tier wealthy family Li in Haiqing City, the Li Group, which is a major conglomerate involved in various industries such as biology, film and television, and real estate. It is a huge conglomerate with assets totaling tens of billions! Even in the entire Eastern Xia region, he is definitely not a minor character. If placed in other television series, Li Ze might be a protagonist, but in the book "The Top Master Enters the City," he gradually turns into an antagonist due to conflicts with the protagonist Ye Tian, and eventually meets a tragic end of ruin and demise. A perfect example of an advanced cannon fodder! Until the moment his life ended, he was still begging Ye Tian for mercy like a dog, but ultimately met a gruesome death. "Crunch." Li Ze clenched his fists tightly, his eyes cold and fierce. If he did nothing, all of this would eventually repeat itself in his life. He would be humiliated by the protagonist and lose everything! Since he had traveled to this world and taken on this identity, he would not let it happen again! Actually, if you think about it carefully, if you remove the empathy initially poured into the protagonist, aren''t all the antagonists in those brainless TV dramas truly detestable and deserving of death? Not necessarily. In the end, it''s all about the victor becoming the king and the loser being vilified! Under the protagonist''s halo, there is simply no room for an antagonist to survive. As for Li Ze, he didn''t care whether his current identity was the protagonist or the antagonist, whether he was on the side of justice or evil. He only wanted to survive. "So, Ye Tian......" Li Ze''s eyes narrowed slightly as his fingers rhythmically tapped on his knee. "For me to survive, you... should just die!" He was not the fool who, despite having wealth and power and being in an absolutely advantageous position, kept making blunders and ultimately lost his life. "Since I have taken over his identity, I am the true chosen one of this world!" A gleam of determination flashed in Li Ze''s eyes."Moreover, I have the system." Li Ze paused and turned his attention to the system panel. Most things were easy to understand, but what stood out was the so-called "Antagonist Value." With a casual tap, an explanation he already knew by heart appeared: "The host can plunder luck value from the protagonist by seizing protagonist''s opportunities or changing the fates of story characters, converting it into Antagonist Value. Antagonist Value can be used to enhance attributes like physical fitness and charm, draw new skills, upgrade skill levels, and increase the host''s abilities. More functions will be unlocked by the system in the future, so stay tuned~" "Friendly reminder: The host''s current Antagonist Value: 0, the protagonist''s current luck value: 15,000." Staring at the system panel, Li Ze murmured, "It should be about time." Suddenly----- "Ding!" "Congratulations to the host for altering the plot and preemptively humiliating the green tea bitch ''Wang Jia'', earning +200 Antagonist Value and -200 Protagonist Luck Value!" "Friendly reminder: The host''s current Antagonist Value: 200, the protagonist''s current Luck Value: 14,800." "Ding! Congratulations to the host for altering the plot for the first time and receiving a beginner''s gift package! Choose two out of three rewards!" "Reward 1: Management - Proficient X1.""Reward 2: Skill Upgrade Card X1.""Reward 3: hamster X1." 3 The Fiancées Identity? "As expected." A slight smile appeared on Li Ze''s lips. Wang Jia was a minor antagonist in the television series, originally meant to be exposed as a green tea bitch by the protagonist Ye Tian and humiliated in a show-off scene. Now, she was replaced by Li Ze, altering the plot. Thus, the storyline changed, earning him 200 Antagonist Value, while Ye Tian''s Luck Value correspondingly decreased. Luck Value can essentially be understood as the protagonist''s plot armor. With it, the protagonists in novels can act recklessly and remain invincible. Once Ye Tian''s Luck Value drops to zero, his plot armor will be completely stripped away, and he will lose his protagonist status. "The beginner''s gift package is an unexpected bonus, not bad at all." Li Ze''s gaze shifted to the three options. He could only choose two out of the three. "Corporate Management - Proficient, a Skill Upgrade Card, and... a hamster? What the heck is a hamster doing here? How is that even a reward?" Li Ze was speechless, his face showing clear disdain. "System, what does ''Proficient'' mean exactly?" The system quickly replied, "Skill levels are divided into Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Proficient, and Perfect. Advanced is generally the limit that an ordinary person can reach under normal circumstances. Proficient is already enough to outperform others." "Ah, I see. So, isn''t this reward awesome?" Li Ze exclaimed, feeling pleasantly surprised. Without hesitation, Li Ze chose the Skill Upgrade Card and Proficient Corporate Management. "Skill transmission in progress..." Li Ze felt a vast amount of information descending, directly penetrating his mind. In an instant, various knowledge and experiences about corporate management transformed into his memory. It felt as if he had gone through countless learning and practice sessions. Naturally integrated. "Ding! The Skill Upgrade Card reward has been placed into the storage space. Host can check and use it." With a thought, Li Ze reached into the storage space provided by the system. Inside, there was indeed a shiny card. With a casual glance, the introductory information appeared before his eyes. Skill Upgrade Card: After use, one skill can be upgraded by two levels. "I don''t need it for now. I''ll keep it for later," Li Ze withdrew his thoughts, pondering his next move. Escape is impossible. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. He couldn''t choose to live a peaceful life as a rich second generation, because the will of the world would forcibly push Ye Tian to collide with him, causing conflicts. There''s no possibility of friendly interaction between the protagonist and the antagonist. If he doesn''t take the initiative, he will undoubtedly end up dead! So, the goal is clear. Change the plot, seize the protagonist''s opportunities, completely plunder Ye Tian''s luck, strip him of his protagonist halo, and finally... make him disappear from this world! As for directly sending someone to assassinate Ye Tian, a bullet to the head? In the early stages of the TV series, the protagonist, whether in terms of strength or influence, is far inferior to the later stages, making it seem like a feasible option.This idea had occurred to Li Ze early on. However, the system directly poured cold water on it. The system has clearly told him that until Ye Tian''s luck value drops to zero and the protagonist''s halo is completely stripped away, if he wants to forcibly eliminate the other party, Ye Tian will miraculously survive due to various accidents. It would instead risk exposing himself prematurely, even putting himself in a dangerous situation. The risks outweigh the benefits. Even if he were lucky enough to kill Ye Tian, he wouldn''t gain enough antagonist value to enhance his own abilities. When opening the next TV series, the protagonist''s strength will undoubtedly be much stronger, and his own situation will undoubtedly be very dangerous. So, this tricky method won''t work. Li Ze''s advantage lies in his identity, which is currently hidden in the dark, and most importantly... his familiarity with the plot! Li Ze squinted his eyes. In the TV series "Martial Arts Expert from the Countryside Enters the City," the protagonist Ye Tian was originally an orphan with no parents. He was accidentally taken up the mountain by a mysterious old man, where he learned various skills such as medicine and martial arts. After returning from the mountain, he thrived with his background and abilities. And now, there are seven days left before the day he comes down from the mountain. He still has a lot of preparations to make. "Is there anything else scheduled for today?" Li Ze breathed a sigh of relief and turned to the young man in a high-quality suit, named Guo Han, his personal secretary. He asked. Guo Han, Li Ze''s personal secretary, who had been specially trained by the family since childhood, replied."Master, you have a golf game scheduled with Miss Wang Jingjing from the Wang family at the golf course at 3 o''clock."Upon hearing this, Li Ze''s expression immediately froze.Wang Jingjing!She was undoubtedly the leading lady in the TV series.And at the same time... also the biggest antagonist! Two seemingly contradictory roles appearing simultaneously in one person. Wang Jingjing has always been disguising herself, accumulating power. In fact, she has long been secretly controlling most of the power of the Wang family, and later will swallow up many forces in Haiqing City, continuously expanding outward. Even the protagonist Ye Tian is fascinated by her beauty, and for quite a long time, he was manipulated and used by her at will. Willing to be a stepping stone for Wang Jingjing, he assisted her step by step to reach the peak! In the later stages, she directly turned dark and engaged in a full-scale war with the protagonist. She is the super antagonist big BOSS of the entire TV series! The author''s mind must be quite unique; the storyline can be described as extremely ingenious. And now, Wang Jingjing has another identity, that of his fiance! Three days later, the two will hold a formal engagement banquet. The Li family and the Wang family plan to strengthen their alliance through this marriage! So both families have been trying to foster the relationship between the two. Today''s golf game was also arranged with this in mind. Li Ze glanced at his watch. It was already approaching two o''clock, and it would take some time to get to the appointed place. "Let''s go straight to the golf course," Li Ze ordered indifferently, a touch of coldness flashing in his eyes. In the original plot, the downfall of the Li family, Li Ze''s death, and the involvement of Miss Wang from the Song family were all closely related. "Today, I''ll go meet this Wang Jingjing!" 4 test Bugatti Veyron speeds like lightning all the way. Approximately half an hour later, he arrived at the agreed location with Wang Jingjing, the Qingteng Golf Club located on the outskirts of Haiqing City. Here operates a strict membership system, not open to ordinary visitors. To maintain membership status, one needs to pay an annual fee of two million, making those eligible to come here either wealthy or prestigious. As soon as the Bugatti Veyron parked in the parking lot, a manager from the club hurried over. "Snap" The manager personally opened the door for Li Ze. With a respectful and ingratiating smile, he slightly bowed and said, "Young Master Li, as soon as I heard you were coming, I immediately put aside everything to welcome you. The venue and equipment have already been prepared for you." Li Ze''s feet touched the ground of the parking lot. "Hmm." He responded flatly, glancing at the club''s manager. "Well done." He didn''t reject sycophants; at least, he didn''t feel repulsed by them. Those truly noble individuals who completely dislike others trying to please them were too few. At least Li Ze wasn''t one of them. "This is what I should do." Li Ze''s praise left the manager delighted. He quickly added, "Miss Song has just arrived and has already entered the venue ahead of time." "I see." Nodding, Li Ze walked into the venue, heading to his exclusive suite. Under the service of Guo Han, he changed his clothes. Then, he sat in the golf cart and headed to the golf course. Soon, a graceful figure caught Li Ze''s eye. The woman had a cool and elegant appearance, with bright and clear eyes, delicately shaped willow eyebrows, and skin as fair as porcelain. Her delicate nose was straight and perky, her lips as red as rose petals. Her black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, cold and clear as a mountain spring, exuding a sense of ethereal and aloof temperament, captivating the soul. Dressed in a white sports miniskirt, she perfectly showcased her well-proportioned figure. The gentle breeze played with her black hair, adding to her aura of nobility and elegance. Wang jingjing Even Li Ze was momentarily stunned. But the next moment, he quickly regained his composure. "Indeed, just as described in the books, a beauty that brings disaster, captivating the hearts and minds of men. No wonder even the protagonist, Ye Tian, couldn''t resist her charm and was manipulated by her," Li Ze thought to himself, feeling a chill in his heart, becoming even more vigilant. "Arrived early?" Stepping towards Wang Jingjing, Li Ze greeted her first. "I''ve also just arrived not long ago." Wang Jingjing turned around, her gaze meeting Li Ze''s with a slight smile. Those eyes seemed to hold the vastness of the stars and the sea, sparkling and mysterious, captivating. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. "Well then, let''s begin," Li Ze said, picking up his golf club and walking forward without saying much more. If it were the Li Ze from before, he would probably have eagerly stepped forward to please her. After all, it was nearly impossible for anyone to resist Wang Jingjing''s near-perfect appearance and otherworldly demeanor. Not to mention, the original host was a typical villainous bootlicker. Unfortunately, no matter how much a villain groveled, he couldn''t win the woman''s heart, let alone Wang Jingjing, the ultimate supervillain big boss in the story, whom even the protagonist, Ye Tian, couldn''t conquer. Wang Jingjing''s brows furrowed unconsciously. She felt that this young master from the Li family... seemed somewhat different from before. Previously, Li Ze, as a dandy, always exuded the exaggerated air of a rich kid. He used to eagerly approach her, taking the opportunity to glance at her whenever he pleased. But this time, he only glanced at her for a moment before withdrawing his gaze. And in addressing her, he simply used the neutral "Miss Wang." his made Wang Jingjing feel somewhat uncomfortable and, at the same time, a bit puzzled. "Is it just my imagination?" With her back turned to Li Ze, Wang Jingjing''s eyebrows slightly creased. "Or is it..." Her gaze flickered slightly. It seemed she was considering a possibility. Li Ze... Was he intentionally trying to attract her attention in this way? Many boys nowadays indeed liked to use this reverse psychology, deliberately acting indifferent and aloof to catch a girl''s attention. Wang Jingjing''s impression and evaluation of Li Ze dropped a few notches. "How childish and laughable." "But Li Ze still has a lot of utility value. It''s far from the time to turn against him or the Li family." Wang Jingjing composed her expression and followed Li Ze''s pace gracefully as they boarded the golf cart. Soon, the two arrived at the starting point. "Shall we have a game, stroke play or match play?" Li Ze asked. "Let''s play match play." "Ladies first, so please, Miss Wang," Li Ze said. Wang Jingjing didn''t hesitate, taking the golf club directly from the attendant. Time flew by, and before long, several hours had passed. "Buzz~" At that moment, Wang Jingjing''s pocket vibrated slightly. She furrowed her brows, took out her phone, and said, "Hold on, let me take this call." She promptly answered the phone. "Hello, what''s up... What?" Wang Jingjing''s face darkened slightly as she said, "Hmm, I see." Li Ze inquired, "What happened?" "My father felt unwell just now, but the family''s private doctor took timely measures, so there''s no major issue now," replied Wang Jingjing, closing her phone and letting out a sigh of relief. Li Ze asked, "In that case, Miss Song must be planning to go back and see him, right?" Wang Jingjing shook her head. "My father said it''s not a big deal, and he told me not to come back specially." Upon hearing this, Li Ze''s gaze became focused. Wang Fugui. Wang Jingjing''s father, the current leader of the Wang Group, was rumored to be suffering from a chronic illness due to managing such vast industries, and his condition had been deteriorating in recent years. Because of this, Wang Fugui had been vigorously pushing for the marriage alliance between the Fang and Song families. This was because Wang Fugui had no son, only two daughters, and the elder daughter had tragically passed away several years ago. Therefore, among the legitimate descendants of the Wang family''s younger generation, there was only Wang Jingjing left. According to the traditional beliefs of such large families, a woman like Wang Jingjing had neither the qualification nor the ability to lead the family. Unless... through marriage! Wang Fugui needed to leverage the power of the Li family to maintain his position and control over his lineage. In the eyes of ordinary people, wealthy families seem endlessly glamorous, but they also have many troubles, such as the brutal struggles between various factions within. If Wang Jingjing cannot marry into the Li family, members of other branches will try every means to seize the rights of their lineage. This is something Wang Fugui cannot tolerate. He is someone who values family interests above all else, even placing them above his own. Therefore, even if his illness flares up, he still insists that Wang Jingjing stay here to prevent any unexpected incidents in the alliance between the two families. Wang Jingjing picked up the golf club again but seemed somewhat distracted, as if worrying about her father''s health. With a meaningful glance at Wang Jingjing, Li Ze suddenly said, "Is Uncle Wang''s illness really just due to being overly busy and fatigued?" Wang Jingjing''s hand holding the club trembled imperceptibly. She leaned on the golf club, slowly straightened her body, her eyes as sharp as a blade, staring at Li Ze. "What do you mean?" The tranquility and softness in those eyes vanished. In its place was an extreme chill and coldness, as if capable of piercing through a person''s body and soul! 5 My belongings, how could I allow others to touch them? Li Ze fearlessly met Wang Jingjing''s gaze, smiling: "It''s just what it seems. Although Uncle Wang took on the responsibility of the Wang Group at a young age and has worked tirelessly all these years, he''s always paid attention to his health and maintained good fitness. How did his condition take such a sudden turn for the worse in the past few years?" "Could there be some hidden issue?" Wang Jingjing stared intently at Li Ze, her eyes flickering coldly, but eventually, her expression gradually softened. Suddenly, she broke into a smile. "Young Master Li, you think too much. Do you think I don''t know my own father''s health?" "Really? Maybe I''m just overthinking." Li Ze chuckled lightly and spoke casually, but inwardly, he couldn''t help but sneer. As if I''d believe that! He knew all too well that Wang Fugui''s illness was entirely orchestrated by Wang Jingjing! The private doctor in charge of Wang Fugui''s condition was also her person. "If I remember correctly, after my engagement ceremony with Wang Jingjing, under her manipulation, Wang Fugui''s illness would relapse, treatment would fail, and ultimately... he would die suddenly!" "Then, with most of the Wang family already under her control, she would completely take it over." "However..." Li Ze frowned inwardly. Wang Jingjing truly lived up to her reputation as one of the top villains in the book. Her psychological resilience was indeed formidable. If it had been anyone else, they would have panicked under such a sudden probe. But she adjusted her mindset in just a few seconds. "That''s good. It''s fine as long as the misunderstanding is cleared up. But, Young Master Li, there are some things that shouldn''t be said carelessly." "Don''t you agree?" Wang Jingjing smiled sweetly, like a flower blooming on a mountaintop. Her stunning beauty seemed to make everything around her fade into insignificance. The attendant standing by her side, dressed in a white jacket and a black tie, couldn''t help but glance up at her. He felt as if he was completely captivated by her nearly perfect figure. A flash of greed appeared in the attendant''s eyes. If he could taste such a beauty, it would be worth dying for! Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Suddenly, he felt a chill run through his body and instantly realized something was wrong. He silently cursed his misfortune. Li Ze was still standing right there. Wang Jingjing was his fiance! Blatantly staring at the fiance of the eldest son of the Li family was courting death! "Ga-ga." The attendant''s neck turned stiffly, and then he saw Li Ze''s expressionless face and those cold, piercing eyes! His body immediately froze. "Where do you think you''re looking?" Sure enough, Li Ze''s voice came through, devoid of any warmth. No matter what, Wang Jingjing was now his fiance in name, his possession, and his possession... how could he allow anyone else to touch it? Even a single glance was unacceptable! The attendant felt a chill in his heart. He hurriedly bowed repeatedly, sweating profusely, and said, "Young Master Li, I was wrong! I definitely didn''t mean to... I am willing to accept any punishment!" Because of his nervousness, his words were stuttering and stumbling. At this moment, the attendant deeply regretted his actions. Was he an idiot? How could he make such a basic mistake! A scolding was inevitable, not to mention the embarrassment, and he might even have his wages docked. Of course, the attendant wasn''t overly worried. In his understanding, Li Ze had a pretty good temper, so he didn''t really think Li Ze would do anything severe to him. Li Ze''s expression remained unchanged, his eyes slightly narrowed. "Oh, since you''re willing to accept punishment, I won''t make things difficult for you." "Resign voluntarily and get out of Haiching City." "What?" The attendant froze. Resign and leave Haiching City? The attendant''s face turned pale. "No, Young Master Li, are you joking? My whole family is in Haiching City!" "Hmm?" Cold light flashed in Li Ze''s eyes, chilling to the bone. "Do I look like I''m joking with you?" "If I ever see you in Haiching City again, I''ll have someone dig your eyes out! My possessions, are they something you can covet?" Under that gaze, the waiter''s body went limp, and he collapsed directly to the ground, his face pale as ash. It''s over. He had been foolish for a moment, taking one too many glances, and now he had jeopardized his own future and destiny. Everything he had struggled so hard for in the first half of his life. All gone! "No, Mr. Li, please give me another chance. I won''t dare again, I promise!" The waiter crawled desperately towards Li Ze, clutching his thighs and pleading incessantly. But Li Ze impatiently kicked him away with a single push: "Get lost!" "Mr. Li, is it really necessary to go this far?" A clear voice came from beside him, prompting Li Ze to turn his head. It was Wang Jingjing speaking, her expression calm but with a hint of anger flickering in her eyes. The tone she used seemed to imply that he belonged to her! Li Ze stepped closer to Wang Jingjing, stopping right in front of her. "Of course it''s necessary. Some people just never understand their place or who they''re dealing with. Naturally, they must pay a painful price... Don''t you agree?" His words carried a weighty implication as he spoke. Wang Jingjing''s expression subtly changed. The opponent''s upright posture, sharp gaze, and domineering, almost arrogant language, unexpectedly brought her a faint sense of oppression! Was this still the same dandy young master who had never been taken seriously by her before? The way he made her feel today was indeed different! "I''m tired today. Let''s stop here," Li Ze said, turning to grab a towel from the side to wipe the sweat off his face. With that, he turned and walked away. "Ding! Host successfully altered the plot!" Host villain points +500! Protagonist Ye Tian''s luck points -500! 6 Charm value Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Soon, the driver pulled the Bugatti Veyron out of the parking lot and departed with Li Ze.Leaving the Qingteng Golf Club. ...... 7 Parents. Haiqing City, Li Family Villa. Upon returning home, Li Ze first took a hot shower and changed into fresh clothes. After completing these tasks, it was already dinner time. Li Ze stepped into the spacious and bright dining room. Next to him stood a row of waiters, ready to obey commands at any time. Upon seeing Li Ze enter, they all bowed and slightly bent their bodies:"Young Master!" The dining table embodies Italian postmodernist artistic stylesimple, dignified, and majestic. At this moment, a man and a woman are seated at the table. The man has a composed demeanor, with shiny jet-black hair and a strong, resolute face. He bears a striking resemblance to Li Ze, except for the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and the graying at his temples, which add a touch of wisdom and experience to his appearance. He is Li Ancheng, Chairman of the Li Group. Starting with nothing but determination and no background, he built a vast business empire over several decades. He is truly a genius in the business world. Even Li Ze couldn''t help but secretly admire his own father. The other woman with an elegant demeanor is Li Ze''s mother, Zhao Huifen Despite being in her middle age, she still retains her charm, with a gentle smile on her face. She married him before Li Ancheng made his fortune and has been supporting him until today. The two have always had a very harmonious relationship. Mutual support. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Although they are not young anymore, Zhao Huifen still likes to occasionally show affection, teasing Li Ze, who is still single. "Dad, Mom," Li Ze greeted as he approached. "Ze is here, please have a seat," Zhao Huifen welcomed Li Ze, her eyes filled with indulgence. Li Ancheng nodded slightly at Li Ze. "Yeah," Li Ze replied as he sat down at the table, feeling a bit hungry. He picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks and put it into his mouth. "Did you meet with Chaoyu this afternoon?" Zhao Huifen asked with a smile. "How did it go? You''ve always liked Chaoyu, haven''t you?" Li Ze smiled meaningfully. "It was fine..." Zhao Huifen continued, "Let me tell you, when dealing with girls, you have to put in some effort to make them happy. Girls need to be pampered. You can''t be like your dad back then, as stiff as a log." Li Ze shrugged. The original Fang Shao was quite attentive, always fussing over every detail. Unfortunately, he ended up with nothing in the end, all because he was too servile. Of course, the original owner of the body was also largely driven by lust. Li Ancheng coughed violently. "What are you saying in front of the child?" His originally stern expression suddenly softened, and he turned to glare at Zhao Huifen. "What, isn''t what I said the truth?" Zhao Huifen retorted unapologetically, her voice raising in volume. Li Ancheng immediately backed down, choosing not to say more. To everyone''s surprise, the seemingly dignified Li Ancheng turned out to be quite submissive to his wife. The waiters standing nearby narrowed their eyes slightly, their gaze drifting upwards. Observing this scene, Li Ze couldn''t help but chuckle silently, touching the tip of his nose. However, his expression soon turned somber as if something had crossed his mind, and he sighed inwardly. According to the original plot in the book, after Li Ze and Ye Tian officially fell out, Zhao Huifen and Li Ancheng, who were deeply attached to their son, unhesitatingly stood by Li Ze''s side. As a result, they ultimately suffered the consequences. Unable to bear the news of Li Ze''s death, Zhao Huifen suffered a severe mental breakdown and was admitted to a psychiatric hospital, where she spent her days in a state of confusion. Meanwhile, after the company went bankrupt and Li Ancheng faced widespread blame without anyone willing to risk offending the protagonist to help him, this former business tycoon eventually ended up working on a construction site. Li Ze''s expression was blank. From the protagonist''s perspective, Ye Tian was undoubtedly a qualified protagonist, blessed with good fortune and ruthless in his actions, leaving no room for potential threats. ڶͬǵĶ˵ġ ȻһΣһжٷˡ ͺܿͽˡ ǼֵʱԻݷҺɽһһ˿ȷڣԻݷ̲סʵӣ˺ܶࡣǰ̫һˡ ʼ磬شŶҲѾˡ ԻݷҺɽһ ɢȥϢصȴûм˯෴˼һж Part 8 Let the game begin. The next day, early morning. Entertainment Media Company. This is a subsidiary of the Li Group, a billion-dollar media company currently managed by Li Ze. Chairman''s Office. Li Ze lounged in his leather chair, looking relaxed. Knock knock knock. Someone knocked on the office door. Li Ze said, "Come in." Guo Han walked in from outside, "Young Master, what can I do for you?" Without saying much, Li Ze picked up a document from his desk and tossed it in front of Guo Han. Guo Han took a look and was a bit surprised, "This is..." "A list." Li Ze said calmly, "What you need to do is find everyone listed here and then..." He gave the necessary instructions. "If needed, you can leverage the power of the family. This list is a compilation of supporting characters from the storyline, curated by Li Ze. These individuals will, at some point in the future, either assist the protagonist in various ways or be recruited by him. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. They are relatively minor characters, easy to handle, and simple to deal with in the early stages of the story. Individually, each one is as insignificant as an ant before the Li family, easily crushed.But too many ants can bite an elephant to death! Not to mention, under the protagonist''s aura, the threat posed by these people will be exponentially magnified!" Before the protagonist Ye Tian officially appears, Li Ze doesn''t mind getting rid of them to avoid any future trouble. "Understood." Guo Han didn''t question the task at all. It was a habit formed from being Li Ze''s personal assistant since childhood. Ask less, do more. He didn''t need to understand Li Ze''s orders; he just needed to carry them out. On the sidewalk outside a residential area, a middle-aged woman in a red jacket was walking her dog when a young man wearing a sun hat and a white uniform ran up to her, holding a stack of what looked like flyers. "Congratulations, ma''am!" "Me?" The middle-aged woman stopped, pointing at herself, looking confused. "Yes, our travel company has opened a branch in Haiqing City. To celebrate, we''re randomly selecting thirty people to receive a fourteen-day trip to Hawaii, all expenses paid, including food, accommodation, and assistance with passport and other documents. We just ask that you promote our company afterwards!" "Really? Is there such a good thing?" The middle-aged woman looked delighted, feeling like she had won the lottery. The staff member smiled slightly, "Of course it''s real. Our company is very well-known, and you can find our official information online. You can rest assured. Do you accept this invitation? If you agree, come with me to the company to register, and we can arrange your trip immediately!" "I accept, I accept!" The middle-aged woman, overjoyed, quickly followed the staff member with her dog. She didn''t know that, according to the original trajectory, she would soon suffer a sudden illness on the road. Then, by coincidence, she would be saved by Ye Tian, who would show off and humiliate an expert doctor at the scene. But now, she accepted the invitation to go on vacation to Hawaii, so this incident would no longer occur. Whether she falls ill in Hawaii depends on fate, which is beyond Li Ze''s concern. He is a villain, not a saint. The lives of these irrelevant people mean nothing to him. "Ding! Villain points +200! Protagonist''s luck points -200!" ...... Part 9 One Less Supporter - Out of the Game Jinhao Entertainment Center, one of the well-known comprehensive entertainment venues in the West District, is always bustling with customers. The owner, Liu Chuanyu, is quite influential in the area, and almost everyone gives him face. Usually, no one dares to cause trouble here. Today, a black sedan slowly stopped at the entrance of Jinhao Entertainment Center. Then, a group of burly men wearing sunglasses swarmed out. They stormed directly into the entertainment center''s lobby, startling all the guests, who were too intimidated by their fierce aura to move. A few security guards bravely stepped forward, "Who are you? Do you know whose turf this is? You can''t just..." Before they could finish, the leader, a hulking man built like a tower, glanced at them coldly, "Get lost." The security guards fell silent immediately, for in that brief moment, they sensed the undisguised murderous intent from the man, which was terrifying. The group forcefully made their way to the top floor, heading straight to the most luxurious room, which was the office of the owner, Liu Chuanyu. "Bang!" The door was violently kicked open. Liu Chuanyu, overweight and slightly balding, was sitting at his desk. Startled by the loud noise, his face turned dark, "Who are you people? This is outrageous!" "Are you Liu Chuanyu, the owner of Jinhao Entertainment?" the burly man asked. Liu Chuanyu snapped, "Since you know who I am, how dare you cause trouble here?" The hulking leader stepped forward and said calmly, "You have two days to shut down Jinhao Entertainment and leave Haiqing City, or face the consequences." Shut down the entertainment center in two days? Leave Haiqing City? Liu Chuanyu was stunned, then burst into furious laughter, thinking these people must be insane. This isn''t a small shop! Jinhao Entertainment might not be a large corporation, but it''s worth billions. How could it be closed just like that? "You''re delusional! Get out now, or I won''t be so polite!" Liu Chuanyu said, his face darkening as he reached for his phone to call security. "Think carefully about the consequences before you speak. This time, we''re here on behalf of Young Master Li." The leader said coolly. Liu Chuanyu''s eyes narrowed, "Which Young Master Li?" The man sneered, "In Haiqing City, who else dares to call themselves Young Master Li besides him?" The hint was clear. Liu Chuanyu wasn''t foolish; he instantly understood who they were referring to. Li Ze! The eldest son of the Li family in Haiqing City! A top-tier family in Haiqing City, not someone a small-time boss like him could contend with. But why would he suddenly trouble him? Liu Chuanyu''s expression turned grim and uncertain. "Even if it''s Young Master Li, he can''t just shut down my Jinhao Entertainment without any reason." Buzz. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. At that moment, the burly man''s phone rang. He glanced at it casually and chuckled."Young Master, yes, we''ve met Liu Chuanyu at Jinhao Entertainment Center. However, he seems to have some objections. Alright..." As he spoke, the man turned his phone screen towards Liu Chuanyu and said coldly, "My young master wants to talk to you." Liu Chuanyu''s expression tightened, but he thought about the value of Jinhao Entertainment Center, the culmination of his life''s work. So, gritting his teeth and summoning his courage, he pleaded, "Young Master Li, we have no connection, right? I don''t recall ever offending you. Why are you asking me to shut down Jinhao Entertainment Center at the drop of a hat?" "Well, you haven''t offended me yet," came Li Ze''s voice from the other end of the phone, "but you must leave Haiqing City within two days, no reasons necessary." "Liu Boss, I''ve given you two days'' grace period. Isn''t that merciful enough?" "Merciful my foot!" Liu Chuanyu was almost choked with anger. Why did it sound like he was the one getting the upper hand? "Young Master Li, you''re going too far. This is the foundation I''ve built my whole life! You want to destroy it with just a word? Your family may be powerful, but Liu Chuanyu isn''t someone to be trifled with!" "A cornered dog will jump over a wall!" Liu Chuanyu''s face flushed with anger, his mind clouded. As soon as these words left his mouth, the temperature in the room seemed to drop suddenly, chilling to the bone. Liu Chuanyu shivered involuntarily. His body stiffened abruptly. Because a hard object was already pressed against Liu Chuanyu''s forehead. "Liu Boss, choose your words wisely!" The leader''s face bore an undisguised chill, suggesting that if Liu Chuanyu uttered another wrong word, it might cost him his life on the spot! Silence fell on the other end of the phone. Cold sweat started dripping from Liu Chuanyu''s forehead, the silent pressure almost crushing him. With a twitch of the burly man''s fingers, his life could be over in an instant! After a few seconds, Li Ze''s voice came through with a sigh, "Liu Boss, is there a misunderstanding? A cornered dog will jump over a wall? If you know you''re a dog, then act like one... Do I look like I''m negotiating with you?" His tone was icy as he issued a final ultimatum: "Tell me, do you want to obediently leave Haiqing City, or do you want to bury yourself and your family in Haiqing City?" Li Ze didn''t need Liu Chuanyu''s opinion, nor was he here to negotiate with him.In the eyes of the Li family, what was Liu Chuanyu? Being in a position of advantage meant using all available resources to one''s advantage, even if it meant resorting to ruthless and bullying tactics. As a villain, one had to act like a villain. I''m not like those villains whose intelligence is diminished, constantly making stupid moves and handing out experience points to the protagonist and their cronies all day. They may appear to have control, but in reality, they are just providing opportunities for the protagonist to gather various resources and strengthen their forces. For him, it was about using his power from the start to crush the enemy in their cradle."I..." Cold sweat trickled down Liu Chuanyu''s forehead. At this point, Li Ze spoke again, slowly: "Liu Boss, don''t sabotage yourself. Even for the sake of your daughter Liu Xiaoxiao, you should think carefully." "You!" Liu Chuanyu suddenly looked up, disbelief written all over his face. To have everything he had today, Liu Chuanyu had engaged in many shady dealings and made numerous enemies. For safety reasons, he had always kept his daughter''s true identity hidden, even from his closest associates, to prevent enemies from retaliating. When the leader''s hulking figure mentioned his daughter''s name directly, Liu Chuanyu''s last line of defense crumbled. Under the wolf-like bloodthirsty gaze of the leader, Liu Chuanyu finally trembled and said, "Okay, I promise to leave in two days." "Isn''t this better? Liu Boss, you''ve made a wise decision," Li Ze chuckled. "Both sides reaching such a peaceful agreement without resorting to violence or bloodshed, isn''t that a bright future for us all?" With the gun still aimed at him, Liu Chuanyu''s mouth twitched as he repeated, "Yes, yes..." "Young Master Li, what about us?" the leader asked over the phone. Li Ze replied, "Withdraw. You have other tasks." "Alright, let''s go!" After hanging up, the hulking man holstered his gun, gestured, and the group departed in a formidable manner. "Phew~ Phew~" Liu Chuanyu suddenly slumped in his chair, feeling as if his body weighed a thousand pounds, his lips drained of color. After a long while, he pressed a button on his desk. A man with a center-parted hair walked into the room. "Boss, you called?" He was Liu Chuanyu''s trusted confidant. Liu Chuanyu, exhausted, said weakly, "Take inventory of our assets, dismiss the staff. We need to leave Haiqing City." "What?" His confidant was shocked, turning pale. "Boss, this is not acceptable, we..." Boom!! A potted plant on the desk was violently smashed onto the confidant''s head, causing him to bleed profusely and collapse. Liu Chuanyu''s face twisted in fury, bloodshot eyes roaring, "Do as I say! If you don''t want to die!" "Yes, yes." The confidant was completely terrified, clutching his head and hastily leaving the office. The rage on Liu Chuanyu''s face slowly dissipated as he slumped back into his chair once again. At the same time, in the Chairman''s office of the Entertainment Media Corporation. Li Ze hung up the phone. Liu Xiaoxiao, daughter of Liu Chuanyu, is one of the heroines in the TV series "Country Experts Go Urban," where she meets the protagonist Ye Tian at Xuri University. After a clich hero-saves-beauty incident, she was captivated by Ye Tian''s charm and strength, joining his harem. As a result, Liu Chuanyu became involved with Ye Tian through Liu Xiaoxiao''s influence, providing him with considerable support in the early stages. And now, With Liu Chuanyu leaving Haiqing, he would undoubtedly take Liu Xiaoxiao with him. The connection that should have existed between the two is now severed! Ding! Antagonist Points +1000! Protagonist Luck -1000! Part 10 Dinner Party! Li Ze''s dispatched men were actively operating throughout Haiqing City, systematically locating minor characters that were easy to deal with. The methods employed varied, ranging from threats to guidance to temptation. "Ding! Host''s villain points +100! Protagonist''s luck points -100!""Ding! Host''s villain points +200! Protagonist''s luck points -200!""Ding! Host''s villain points +50! Protagonist''s luck points -50!" In the company office, Li Ze was handling business affairs, while the system notifications continued to ring in his ears. He finally let out a long sigh and set down the documents in his hand. Li Ze possessed a mastery-level skill in "Business Management," making these tasks a breeze to handle. The constant notifications in his ears finally ceased, leaving a tranquil silence. His eyes flickered as he thought, "It seems that''s all..." He casually pulled up the system panel. Villain Development System Host: Li Ze Personal Wealth: 1.9 billion Charm Value: 20 [average person: 10, max: 30] Constitution Value: 12 [average person: 10] Skills: Cello [Advanced], Piano [Advanced], Literature Appreciation [Intermediate] Villain Points: 2500 Current Triggered Plot: "Village Expert Enters the City" "Friendly reminder: The host currently has 2500 villain points, while the protagonist Ye Tian has 11800 luck points!" Although they were all minor characters, with the most notable being the likes of the boss of Haotian Entertainment Center, the accumulation of these people brought Li Ze a total of 2500 villain points! The protagonist, Ye Tian, had not yet officially appeared, but Li Ze had already stripped him of a total of 3200 luck points. This made Li Ze very satisfied. Of course, luck points are intangible and elusive, unseen and unfelt. Ye Tian himself couldn''t perceive this, otherwise, he would probably be extremely frustrated. Li Ze first spent 1000 villain points to raise his charm value to 30, reaching the maximum level. As for the remaining 1500 villain points, Li Ze allocated them all to his constitution. Influence, status, and money are external forces; true strength comes from within. Although urban experts descending from the mountains haven''t yet encountered ancient martial arts or the more fantastical elements of cultivation and immortal practices, physical power is naturally advantageous. "Ding! Villain points -1500! Host''s constitution +15!" Accompanied by the system''s mechanical sound, a warm current suddenly arose from his abdomen, transforming into a surge of energy that filled his entire body, reshaping his tendons, skin, and bones. The slight pain was followed by an indescribable comfort that seemed to emanate from his soul. It felt like being reborn! This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. "Whoo..." Li Ze let out a long breath, feeling his muscles becoming slightly more robust, his body filled with surging power. He even had the illusion that he could punch through the earth with a single blow. Of course, this was merely a sensation brought on by the rapid increase in strength. Looking around, he noticed that his perception of the external world had become much sharper; he could clearly see a tiny insect on the green leaves of the potted plant in the distant corner of the room. "The effect is incredible!" Li Ze''s expression shifted as he looked at his system interface. Villain Development System: Host: Li ZePersonal Wealth: 1.9 billionCharm Value: 30 [average person: 10, max: 30]Constitution Value: 27 [average person: 10]Skills: Cello [Advanced], Piano [Advanced], Literature Appreciation [Intermediate]Villain Points: 0Current Triggered Plot: "Village Expert Enters the City" Li Ze clenched his fist and punched forward sharply, stirring up a gust of air, his eyes instantly filled with excitement. "I feel like I can take on five or six people at once with no problem. If I''m this strong with just 27 constitution points, what will I be like if I completely strip Ye Tian of his luck points?" "If I continue to eliminate the protagonists, could I become so powerful that even bullets or bombs won''t affect me?" Li Ze''s heart surged with uncontrollable excitement. Feeling the surge of power within his body and tasting the sweet fruit of increased strength, Li Ze''s approach to tackling the plot and eliminating the protagonist began to shift from reluctant to proactive! At this moment, Ye Tian was no longer just a person in his mind but a walking source of villain points! "Ye Tian alone can provide 11,800 villain points." Li Ze''s eyes burned with anticipation. But then, the system''s mechanical voice sounded in his ear: "Host, I must remind you that once your constitution reaches 50, the villain points required to increase it by 1 will increase." A cold splash of reality hit him. Li Ze frowned slightly. "That makes sense. If the exchange rate between villain points and constitution points remained constant, increasing strength would be too easy." "Strength must be built step by step; it can''t be achieved overnight. For now, I should focus on dealing with Ye Tian." His previously restless mood gradually settled. Li Ze stroked his chin thoughtfully: "Tomorrow night is my engagement party with Wang Jingjing. Shortly after that, the protagonist Ye Tian will arrive in Haiqing City, officially starting the plot. "Time is tight, but no matter how formidable Ye Tian may be, once he arrives in Haiqing City, I''ll turn him into a dead reptile! "According to the original story, there''s also an event during the engagement party that will significantly impact the Fang family in the future. I need to prepare for that in advance..." The next day. At dusk, the Fang family villa was brightly lit and festively decorated. The dazzling lights pierced through the quiet darkness, and luxury cars arrived one after another, nearly crowding the perimeter of the villa to capacity. Behind the golden fountain, on the high steps, the villa''s main doors slowly opened. Rows of waiters filed out in an orderly fashion, standing on either side of the entrance. With polite smiles, they bowed, revealing a path lined with a soft red carpet. "Ding dong~" Melodious ceremonial music filled the air. Accompanied by this elegant and soothing melody, prominent figures from Haiqing City began to step into the courtyard. After passing through rigorous security checks at the villa entrance and presenting their invitations, the distinguished guests were allowed entry. No one was surprised or taken aback by the grand scene and the bustling reception at the door. Under strict surveillance and checks, no one dared to show the slightest discontent. It was because today marked the joint engagement party of Haiqing City''s top familiesthe Li family and the Wang family! Li Ze of the Li family would formally announce his engagement with Wang Jingjing of the Wang family at this grand banquet. With the formidable Li family vying for the top spot in Haiqing City and the equally influential Wang family forming a strong alliance, no one dared to underestimate them. Therefore, almost everyone who received an invitation had decided to attend. The upper echelons of society were tightly knit, with many familiar faces forming small circles, chatting and laughing as they made their way inside. Part 11 Investigation First-floor hall of the villa. It was already decorated luxuriously and elegantly. Purple crystal chandeliers hung, emitting a warm and bright light, illuminating the surroundings adorned with large and exquisite oil paintings exuding an air of opulent elegance. Drinks and snacks were arranged on long tables draped with white silk tablecloths, available for guests to help themselves. The melodious sound of a piano echoed like flowing water, pleasing and crisp. Amidst the bustling downstairs hall, upstairs in a certain room, Li Ze lay back on the sofa, holding a glass of wine in his hand, lost in thought. Creak. Guo Han pushed the door open and walked in, standing beside Li Ze. Li Ze opened his eyes. "Any developments on Wang Jingjing''s side? I instructed you to have someone keep an eye on her." Guo Han hesitated slightly before speaking. "It seems someone has been investigating Young Master recently, and their methods are quite sophisticated. But following your instructions, we''ve managed to catch some leads. If we continue investigating further, we''ll surely gain something." "Hm." Li Ze chuckled coldly. "Just as expected..." Guo Han was very clever and cautious, so he didn''t directly state the details. However, Li Ze instantly understoodthe person investigating him was none other than Wang Jingjing! Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. His probing at the golf course must have raised suspicions, and knowing Wang Jingjing''s personality, she would definitely try to investigate his situation. Li Ze chuckled softly to himself, thinking, "She''s someone who likes to eliminate uncertainties and control everything. How could she possibly overlook a suspicious character like me? If it weren''t for the critical situation, needing to avoid unnecessary complications, she might have come after me directly. In that regard, she''s quite similar to me..." But as the saying goes, "When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you." Wang Jingjing sending someone to investigate Li Ze has, to some extent, exposed herself as well. Li Ze is well-versed in the plot of the book, allowing him to turn the tables and glean detailed information about the other side''s intentions. As for himself... Wang Jingjing shouldn''t expect to find anything useful, as the real secrets are all in his own mind. Li Ze swirled the tall glass in his hand, the crimson liquid sloshing within. "Continue monitoring Wang Jingjing''s side, and report to me immediately if anything comes up." "Yes," Guo Han replied promptly. "And by the way, how are the preparations for the documents I asked for? We''ll need them tonight." A hint of admiration appeared on Guo Han''s face. "Young Master, as you predicted, everything has been investigated and prepared exactly as you instructed." "Very good," Li Ze said with a slight smile. Guo Han reminded him, "Young Master, most of the guests have arrived. Shouldn''t you make an appearance now?" "Yes, let''s go. It''s time," Li Ze agreed. He finished the wine in his cup, slowly rose from the sofa, and walked downstairs. Tonight, there would be quite a showa spectacular one. Guo Han closed the door behind him, then turned to look at Li Ze''s retreating figure. The previous Li Ze had a somewhat frivolous demeanor tinged with a hint of weakness, but now he conducted himself with a sense of sharpness and dominance. He exuded a calm and cold demeanor, reminiscent of those truly wielding immense powerseemingly gentle and indifferent, yet commanding respect without anger. It was difficult to imagine such a dramatic transformation happening in such a short period, like a metamorphosis that defied belief. However, no matter how much Guo Han racked his brain, he couldn''t fathom that the young master before him had already become someone else entirely. Part 12 Old Town Project In the building''s lobby. Originally, the crowd was chattering away, but they were suddenly drawn to the sound of footsteps. "Tap, tap, tap." In a tailored high-end suit, with a tall and upright figure, and a handsome face adorned with a pair of deep and piercing black eyes that were hard to look directly at. Li Ze descended the stairs slowly, instantly becoming the focus of the entire banquet. Many people hurried forward, holding their wine glasses, trying to get close to this young master of the Li family and clink glasses with him. "Young Master Li, I am the chairman of Wenlong Company. We''ve met before.""Young Master Li, I am the president of Shiwei Company. We have worked together before and even had drinks together.""Young Master Li, do you have any plans this weekend? I''d like to invite you to dinner.""Young Master Li..." Li Ze smiled indifferently, responding casually. The enthusiasm of these people stemmed not only from fear of his status but also for another reason. The Old Town Project! A faint, playful smile appeared at the corner of Li Ze''s mouth. The Old Town Project was a massive development initiative led by the Haijing City authorities. The goal was to develop and construct a large portion of valuable wasteland in the Eastern District, creating a brand-new, bustling city center! With enormous investment involved, it was a tempting opportunity for everyone. Anyone with a keen eye could see that this newly developed district would inevitably become the economic center of Haijing City. Once the new district was completed, all investors would reap immeasurable benefits. As the leading family in Haijing City, the Li family naturally could not pass up this enormous business opportunity. With their status, influence, and connections, they secured nearly one-third of the project! This, of course, made many people envious. However, even the Fang Corporation, with its substantial strength, could not undertake such a massive project alone. Thus, Fang Corporation issued a tender announcement, seeking a capable company to collaborate with. As soon as the news broke, many families and tycoons in Haijing City were eager to prove their connections and strength, doing everything possible to secure this opportunity to partner with the Li family. At this year''s banquet, in addition to the engagement announcement between Li Ze and Wang Jingjing, the Li family would also officially announce the winning bid for the project. Most of the people trying to cozy up to Li Ze were families and companies participating in the tender. In their eyes, pleasing the eldest son of the Li family would undoubtedly increase their chances. Li Ze dealt with the people in front of him, his expression calm and composed. The Old Town Project was initially a great opportunity for the Li family. With this chance, they might further solidify their status as the top family in Haijing City. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. "But..." Li Ze''s expression darkened. Knowing the plot from the television series, he was well aware that the Old Town Project not only failed to bring prosperity to the Li family but also plunged them into deep trouble, eventually leading to their downfall. "Young Master Li!" A shout of surprise broke through. Li Ze looked up to see a chubby, greasy-haired middle-aged man running towards him, panting heavily. The moment he saw the man, memories in Li Ze''s mind began to filter and compare, quickly confirming the man''s identity. A hint of coldness appeared deep in his eyes. As expected, he had come! Wang Jianmin, the chairman of Jiancheng Group, possessed significant assets. The group''s construction materials and real estate companies were leaders in Haijing City''s industry. According to the original storyline, he was the partner chosen by the Li family for the Old Town Project. However, due to poor management, Jiancheng Group was on the brink of bankruptcy, laden with debts to various companies and even massive high-interest loans! Wang Jianmin had been concealing the company''s financial status, patching up one problem to cover another, barely keeping the company afloat. He knew that if the true financial situation were exposed, those who lent him money would never let him go, and he would be doomed. In the end, he set his sights on the Li family. In the original plot, Wang Jianmin, under the guise of cooperation, swindled a large amount of liquid capital from the Li family to repay his loans, then absconded with the remaining funds. This ultimately led to a severe financial crisis for the Li family, causing a devastating blow. When the Li family discovered this, they were furious. Li Ancheng even sent people to hunt him down, vowing to tear him apart if found. However, the cunning Wang Jianmin managed to escape. As a result, the Li family was severely weakened, forced to retract their business and influence. This incident made them the first target of Wang Jingjing after she took control of the Song family. Wang Jingjing exploited the conflict between Ye Tian and Li Ze, ultimately leading to the complete downfall of this prominent Haijing City family. Wang Jianmin ignored everyone else and walked straight to Li Ze. With a fawning smile, he greeted, "Young Master Li, it''s been such a long time since I''ve seen you! Why haven''t you come to visit me lately?" He leaned in closer to Li Ze, speaking in a low voice, "I''ve got some new girls at my place, very nice ones. I guarantee you''ll be satisfied, hehe..." Li Ze''s eyes grew colder. Knowing the original storyline, he was well aware of what Wang Jianmin meant by "new girls." Wang Jianmin''s group owned a film and entertainment company that recruited many attractive young actresses. He didn''t run this company to cultivate talent and make money; instead, it was a means to bribe powerful figures. In the original plot, Li Ze was a regular at Wang Jianmin''s company, often indulging himself with the actresses under Wang Jianmin''s control. Wang Jianmin, with his sycophantic tactics, had earned Li Ze''s trust and often spoke highly of him in front of Li Ancheng. This was a significant factor in Wang Jianmin''s ability to successfully swindle the Li family. Li Ze was speechless as he recalled this. How could someone so foolish not meet a bad end? "Young Master Li?" Wang Jianmin called out tentatively, feeling puzzled. In the past, whenever he brought up such topics, Li Ze''s eyes would light up, and he would pull Wang Jianmin aside for a private conversation. What was different today? With a smile, Li Ze patted Wang Jianmin on the shoulder and whispered, "I appreciate it. Go wait over there; you''ll have your moment tonight." Wang Jianmin was overjoyed. It sounded like he had a real opportunity this time! The onlookers nearby all wore somewhat unpleasant expressions, their gazes towards Wang Jianmin tinged with distrust. These were all influential figures present, seeking to impress Li Ze but maintaining their dignity and limits. Wang Jianmin, however, shamelessly groveled like a dog, utterly shameless. Yet, Wang Jianmin showed no embarrassment at all; instead, he looked smug and satisfied. Ha, there''s an art to flattery! Different strokes for different folks. Did he really think he could get away with such shameless flattery? Wang Jianmin sneered inwardly. "Li Ze is such a fool. A few favors and sweet talk, and he''s all ready to do my bidding. Ha-ha, the trap is set, just waiting for the Li family to fall into it. Once they clean up their mess, I''ll slip away scot-free, hahaha!" Wang Jianmin laughed heartily inside. Part 13 The antagonist has arrived? Li Ze walked towards the center of the hall. Standing there were two men and a woman, all dressed in splendor and exuding an aura of authority. Naturally, one of the men and the woman were Li Ze''s parents, Li Ancheng and Zhao Huifen. The other, a middle-aged man of robust build, was the current head of the Song family and Wang Jingjing''s father, Wang Fugui. "Dad, Mom." Li Ze strode forward, greeting Li Ancheng and Zhao Huifen first. "Ah, Ze is here," Wang Fugui coughed twice, speaking with visible pallor on his face. "Wang Uncle." Li Ze showed concern. "How have you been feeling lately?" Wang Fugui waved his hand dismissively. "The same old, no improvement. Just hanging onto life, wouldn''t be surprised if the heavens decide to take me any day." Li Ze''s eyes flickered slightly as he smiled. "Wang Uncle, there''s no need to be so pessimistic." "Exactly, Wang, on this joyous day, why speak such gloomy words?" Li Ancheng and Zhao Huifen also said. Wang Fugui chuckled softly. "I know my own health, don''t worry about me." During the conversation among the few, the hall suddenly fell silent, followed by a stir of voices. It was because a figure emerged from the side corridor. It was Wang Jingjing. Tonight, she wore a black evening gown adorned with faint star patterns, a golden ribbon cinching her waist to perfection. Under the shimmering light of the amethyst chandelier, her phoenix-like eyes reflected a bewitching glow, enhancing her breathtakingly beautiful features with captivating allure. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Beneath that stunning appearance, even the guests couldn''t help but hold their breath in awe. Envy filled the eyes of the women present, and a hint of inferiority emerged among them. In comparison, they felt like mere ordinary fans, unworthy of attention. As for the young wealthy second generation who had come along with their uncles and fathers, they were abruptly jolted out of their stupor by their own elders forcefully pushing their heads down. At this moment, they broke out in a cold sweat. Could they afford to keep staring at the Li family''s young lady? Especially on an occasion like today! If their momentary lapse had been noticed, it wouldn''t just be their own downfall, but possibly spell disaster for their entire family. "Come, come, Jingjing, come over here," Li Ancheng and Zhao Huifen couldn''t stop smiling, thoroughly pleased with their future daughter-in-law. However, Li Ze frowned inwardly. "Wang Jingjing is too good at disguising herself. She has everyone fooled, even Ye Tian fell for it," he thought silently. "Ze, why are you still standing there? Today is the day you two officially announce your engagement," Zhao Huifen urged. Li Ze collected his thoughts and walked over. "Now is not the time to confront her openly. We need to patiently wait for the right opportunity," he resolved. Meanwhile, Wang Jingjing smiled gracefully. Elegant, dignified, and polite, she appeared faultless. Yet her eyes betrayed a cold calculation. "I''ve already had someone investigate him, but found nothing useful. What does this guy really know?" she pondered. And so, the two scheming individuals exchanged a glance, each revealing an innocuous smile. At the same time, on a high-speed train heading towards Haiqing City, a cute and lively girl sat in her seat reading a book. Suddenly, a clear voice came from beside her. "Excuse me, miss, is the seat next to you taken? Would you mind if I sit here?" The girl turned her head to look. Standing next to her was a handsome young man, around twenty years old, with a gentle smile. He wore a white shirt and slightly faded jeans, dressed plainly yet exuding a special charm. The girl''s heart fluttered slightly, her cheeks turning a faint shade of red. "Um... sure, you can." "Thank you." The young man sat down beside the girl, politely smiling, and said, "Hello, my name is Ye Tian. And you?" The antagonist... oh, I mean, the protagonist makes an appearance! Part 14 Plan Successful? Li Family Villa. The banquet continued amidst the lively chatter. At this moment, Li AnCheng strode forward, stepping into the center of the hall. In a deep, resonant voice, he announced, "Ladies and gentlemen!" Everyone in the hall instinctively quieted down, aware that the highlight of the evening was about to begin. Pausing for a moment, Li AnCheng continued loudly, "First of all, welcome to the banquet jointly hosted by the Fang and Wang families. Thank you all for coming. "Today, my son and JingJing will officially become engaged!" A wave of compliments immediately filled the room. "Haha, Mr. Li, you''re too kind." "How could we not attend the engagement banquet of Mr. Li and Miss Wang?" "Exactly, it''s our pleasure! We wish Miss Wang and Mr. Li a harmonious and everlasting relationship!" Zhao HuiFen signaled with a look, prompting Li Ze to adjust his lapel and step forward, directly to the front of the crowd. Standing side by side, Li Ze and Wang JingJing made a striking pair, with his handsome and resolute demeanor and her exquisite elegance forming a captivating scene. At this moment, a faint smile appeared on Li Ze''s lips. Then, he suddenly reached out and took Wang JingJing''s hand, smoothly drawing her into his embrace! Wang JingJing''s body was soft and supple, with a light fragrance that could captivate any man. Li Shao before possessionAlthough Li Shao was nominally Wang Jingjing''s fianc, the two had never had any intimate contact. Even later, when the protagonist Ye Tian was enamored with her beauty and used by her, he never got close to her but was always kept at a distance. In the TV series, Wang Jingjing was like a cold flower standing atop a snowy mountain, with an extremely proud and ambitious personality, making it impossible for her to be engrossed in romantic feelings. In other words, no man could catch her eye! But now, Wang Jingjing was being embraced in front of everyone by a guy who had always been a sycophant, weak, and timid, never daring to make any bold moves. Wang Jingjing''s body stiffened, a flash of anger and surprise crossing her eyes as the temperature around her seemed to drop. However, in front of such a large audience, Wang Jingjing couldn''t openly lose her temper. She only managed to whisper a few words that only Li Ze could hear: "What do you think you''re doing?" Her tone was icy, sending chills down one''s spine. "Warning: The character Wang Jingjing''s favorability towards the host has dropped to a negative value! Wang Jingjing''s favorability towards the host has dropped to -20%!Wang Jingjing''s favorability towards the host has dropped to -35%!Wang Jingjing''s favorability towards the host has dropped to -45%!" Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. "Warning: If the character''s favorability towards the host drops to a negative value, it indicates hostility! If it drops to -100%, it will indicate a strong intention to kill, and the character is very likely to attack the host!" "Hmm? The system can detect favorability?" Li Ze was somewhat surprised, but he acted as if he hadn''t heard anything. He had no intention of letting go, completely ignoring the system''s warnings and Wang Jingjing''s threats. Wang Jingjing kept trying to break free But Li Ze, with his enhanced physique reaching a level of 27, could restrain even a strong man, let alone a woman. She felt as if her body was tightly clamped by iron pincers, unable to move at all. "Bastard!" Wang Jingjing bit her silver teeth hard, almost exploding with anger, but her face still maintained a natural smile. Only with very close observation could one detect a slight stiffness in that smile. Wang Fugui, along with Li''s father and mother, saw this scene and showed gratified smiles. Their biggest worry was that Wang Jingjing and Li Ze would not get along. Now it seemed they had worried for nothing. Many guests were a bit stunned. There had been rumors that Li Ze had been desperately pursuing Wang Jingjing like a lovesick puppy, but she had shown little interest. Now, it seemed that those were just baseless rumors. Look at them, so affectionate! Some gold-digging women in the crowd revealed looks of jealousy and regret, their eyes green with envy. This way, they would have no chance to climb up the Li family''s social ladder. "Ding! Host villain value +700! Protagonist luck value -700!" The curve of Li Ze''s mouth rose even higher. The purpose of Li Ze''s actions, of course, was to gain villain points; he had no real interest in Wang Jingjing. After all, this cold and ruthless major villain is not someone who can be easily subdued. As a typical backstabber, she ultimately eliminated most of her allies along the way, with only the protagonist Ye Tian surviving her betrayals. Li Ze had no interest in engaging in such thankless efforts. "Providing 700 villain points, not bad, not bad. As expected of a late-stage villain boss, her every move and mood shift can potentially twist the plot." Li Ze released Wang Jingjing from his embrace, feeling quite pleased. Then, he glanced at her and thought, "System, check the favorability!" "Wang Jingjing''s favorability towards the host: -75%!" "Tsk, is it really that bad? Her favorability is about to hit -100%." Li Ze clicked his tongue inwardly. But recalling the original novel''s depiction of Wang Jingjing, he felt reassured. In the original story, Wang Jingjing had a quirk: an extreme aversion to physical contact, especially with men. To emphasize this trait, the plot introduced a young heir from a powerful foreign family. During a business meeting, he greeted her with a customary warm hug. That heir never made it back home, as Wang Jingjing had him assassinated! Of course, the current Wang Jingjing wasn''t yet as powerful and ruthless as she would become. But Li Ze''s actions had clearly enraged her. However, Li Ze didn''t care. They were never on friendly terms to begin with, so a lower favorability rating was no big deal. In fact, considering that Wang Jingjing and Ye Tian eventually teamed up to bring down the Fang family in the original story, she was undoubtedly his enemy from the start. After Li Ze and Wang Jingjing briefly appeared, Li Ancheng continued: "Ladies and gentlemen, besides the engagement ceremony of the Li and Wang families, tonight''s banquet also includes the announcement of the Li family''s partner for the Old Town project!" With these words, the atmosphere became tense. They knew the main event had arrived! While the union of the Li and Wang families was noteworthy, the Old Town project directly impacted their interests. All the businesses and families involved in the bidding held their breath, watching Li Ancheng intently. It was no exaggeration to say that whoever secured this partnership with the Li family would soar to new heights! At this crucial moment, Li Ancheng didn''t keep them in suspense and directly announced: "I hereby announce that the winning bid goes to... Jiancheng Group!" The crowd erupted in astonishment, with everyone casting jealous and resentful looks at Wang Jianmin. "Hahaha, it''s really me!" Wang Jianmin stepped out from the crowd, bursting with pride and joy. The first step of his plan had succeeded. Next, he would use the Li family to clean up his mess and then make his escape! He sneered inwardly, "The Li family is indeed powerful, but once I flee abroad, what can they do to me? Besides, someone has promised to help me leave when the time comes." Part 15 Youve reached the wrong person. Wang Jianmin pondered how to outmaneuver the Li family while also provoking others. "Everyone, thank you for your patience."He waved to the crowd, laughing heartily. Everyone seethed with anger, their faces turning livid. Approaching Li Ancheng, Wang Jianmin spoke humbly, "Thank you, Mr. Li, for this opportunity. Shall we... proceed to sign the contract?" The waiter had already prepared the draft contract, awaiting Li Ancheng''s decision to proceed with the on-site signing ceremony. Wang Jianmin sounded somewhat urgent, despite his well-disguised composure; deep down, he knew the situation was dire. "I have run out of options! Delay will only bring about changes." For Wang Jianmin, the Li family was now his only lifeline! "Don''t rush." Li Ancheng gestured reassuringly and said, "Today, let Xiaoyu represent our Li family in this contract signing ceremony." The crowd exchanged glances. Is Li Ancheng planning to hand over the old city project to Li Ze? Clearly, this move is intended to enhance Li Ze''s reputation and qualifications, preparing him for future leadership of the Fang Group. People began to reconsider their attitudes towards Li Ze, realizing the importance of cultivating a good relationship with him. After all, who knows when the vast Li family might fall into Li Ze''s hands? Wang Jianmin''s smile grew wider at the news. While he had some reservations about dealing with Li Ancheng, who was a renowned figure in the business world, it would be a straightforward task to deceive Li Ze. Externally, he maintained a dignified demeanor, but internally, he was known for his frivolousness, cowardice, and stinginess, often seeking flatterya true playboy. Gao Jianxiong laughed heartily, raising a glass of red wine as he approached Li Ze. "Hahaha! Li Ze, we''ll rely on you a lot in the future. Here''s to a successful signing!" Li Ze also took a glass of red wine from the nearby waiter''s tray. "Clap clap clap clap!" Applause erupted like thunder at the venue. Despite their private thoughts, no one dared to humiliate the Li family at this moment. Amidst enthusiastic applause, Li Ze extended his wine glass forward, facing Wang Jianmin''s ingratiating smile, and poured the red wine over Wang Jianmin''s head. Calmly, he said, "Sign your damn contract." Cough cough! "The red wine flowed into Wang Jianmin''s nose, entering his nasal cavity with each breath, causing him to cough violently. The red liquid soaked his expensive suit, making him look extremely disheveled." Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. The room fell silent. The crowd in the hall instantly quieted down, and you could hear a pin drop. Everyone present was dumbfounded. What... what just happened? Inside, Wang Jianmin seethed with rage. What''s wrong with this guy? He''s humiliated me in front of everyone! Smoothly, he managed a strained smile. "Li Ze, what''s the meaning of this?" Li Ancheng''s voice was grave. "Ze, what''s going on?" Li Ze waved his hand dismissively and said calmly, "Dad, this Wang Jianmin has issues." Wang Jianmin felt a chill run through him. His anger, like a bucket of cold water, was instantly extinguished, leaving only rising icy dread and fear! "No way, does he know? It can''t be, he must be testing me!" Wang Jianmin reassured himself frantically in his mind, then said, "Li Ze, there must be some misunderstanding..." Li Ancheng, who had weathered decades of storms, quickly regained his composure. Though surprised, he spoke calmly, "Do you have any evidence for this?" In such a setting, every action and word concerned the Li family''s reputation. He believed Li Ze wouldn''t fabricate stories lightly. Judging from Wang Jianmin''s guilty demeanor, it seemed there might be some truth to it! "Heh." Li Ze smiled faintly and abruptly began, "Three months ago, at the headquarters of XX Real Estate Company..." "Two months ago, at 8 PM, at XX Bar, you met with loan sharks." "Three weeks ago..." Li Ze spoke emotionlessly, continuing his narration. With each word, Wang Jianmin''s face grew paler! "The financial situation of Jiancheng Group has long been in dire straits, hasn''t it? If one link breaks, it all comes crashing down!" "Are you trying to drag down the Li family to clean up your mess, Wang Jianmin? You have some nerve!" Boom! Wang Jianmin felt as if his brain had been struck by a sledgehammer. Beads of cold sweat dripped down his forehead, and his face quickly drained of color, filled with panic and confusion. How is this possible? Those were the exact times and places he had arranged while borrowing money from various sources. How could Li Ze possibly know? Unless he had been followed all this time, or... was there a mole? Wang Jianmin felt a chill run through his body. "That feeling, as if I were completely exposed under the sun, constantly watched by unseen eyes, without any cover, open to scrutiny." Wang Jianmin''s face contorted, his voice hoarse as he screamed, "No, someone is framing me! None of this counts as evidence!" "No tears until you see the coffin." Li Ze sighed, adjusting his tie, and said, "Take a look at the contract beside you. Weren''t you eager to sign just now? Now take a careful look and see what it really is." Wang Jianmin''s pupils contracted sharply. Trembling hands picked up the document, which wasn''t a cooperation agreement at all, but detailed investigation files against him and Dongsheng Real Estate! Every fund transfer, every deficit, every high-interest loan, even various photographic evidenceeverything was there, irrefutable. Li Ze''s tone turned icy, "Thinking to use the Li family to help you escape, then leave the mess for us to clean up. Quite a clever plan." Wang Jianmin went completely mad, throwing the documents aside and shouting furiously, "It''s all fake, I don''t acknowledge any of it!" "The documents were conveniently tossed beside Li Ancheng. Li Ancheng picked them up and instantly felt a wave of shock. If these were true and he had proceeded with the original plan to cooperate with Jiancheng Group... He dared not think further. Meanwhile, Wang Jianmin continued to shout loudly, but amidst his roars, he began to step backward. Then, abruptly, he turned and ran! "Bang!" A dull thud. Wang Jianmin looked up at the burly bodyguard he had collided with, his face gradually stiffening. A few seconds later, Wang Jianmin was dragged over like a dead dog. "Sir, how should we handle this?" the bodyguard asked quietly. Li Ze turned to look at Li Ancheng, who replied solemnly, "The matter of the project cooperation is now in your hands. Use your own judgment." Li Ze nodded slightly. He then walked slowly forward, approaching Wang Jianmin who was held by the bodyguard, looking down at him with a face drained of color. His eyes were dark, devoid of emotion. Wang Jianmin felt as if he were caught by a vicious wolf, unable to help but shiver. "Mr. Gao, it''s regrettable how things have turned out. If you had chosen a different target, I might have praised your courage and daring. But... you shouldn''t have crossed paths with the Li family." ======================= "I''m currently brainstorming a new novel, but it''s still in the early stages. It might take a while before it''s finished and translated. However, I''ve already decided on the title: ''Spirit Beast Handler Legend''. When it''s ready, I''ll post preview chapters here or on my Patreon. I hope all novel enthusiasts can find something they enjoy during their downtime." Part 16 Hidden agenda Wang Jianmin roared angrily, "Damn it, let me go! What do you want? You want to kill me in front of everyone?" "Of course not." Li Ze smiled, "Today is a day to entertain our guests. How could we do something so crude and violent?" "Besides, the reputation of our Li family is important to us." Wang Jianmin breathed a sigh of relief. But Li Ze''s next words sent a chill down Wang Jianmin''s spine. "However, if your true situation were to be exposed, I''m sure those who lent you money... would be very eager to have a friendly chat with you." "The people who lent you money at high interest rates are not good people. Many of them have backgrounds in underground forces. When they take action, they show no mercy." Li Ze sneered, "Beat him up severely, throw him out of the Li family villa, and then spread that information around." "Yes, sir." "The burly bodyguard replied." "No... Li Ze, I was wrong, I was wrong, please spare me!" Amidst panicked cries, Wang Jianmin was dragged away by the bodyguard, followed by faint sounds of agony. The hall fell silent. A hint of fear lingered on everyone''s faces. Is this the debauched, cowardly, worthless man as rumored? This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Nonsense! The aura emanating from him made even those hardened by decades of experience tremble inwardly. Li Ze suddenly smiled, "Everyone, let''s continue. Eat, drink, chat. That was just a minor incident!" "As for the choice of project partners, the Li family will reconsider later." With these words, the tense atmosphere gradually dissipated. The mood in the room became more relaxed again. Deep within each person''s expression was a concealed apprehension, yet also a hint of excitement! "While Wang Jianmin took pleasure in the misfortune, this incident also made them realize that the position for collaboration was now vacant again. Doesn''t this mean they have another chance?" Li Ze held a glass of wine, observing the eager expressions around him, unable to suppress a soft chuckle. Little did these people know, even without Wang Jianmin, they never stood a chance from the start. Because the choice of project partner had long been decided in Li Ze''s mind. "Furthermore..." As if recalling something, Li Ze''s brow furrowed slightly. He had noticed a detail just now. Before Wang Jianmin was taken away, his eyes seemed to intentionally or unintentionally drift in a certain direction, as if he was about to say something... In the end, he seemed to have held back. Li Ze casually turned to glance in the direction where Wang Jianmin had looked, spotting Wang Jingjing conversing with Mr. and Mrs. Li. His gaze was profound and inscrutable. "In the original plot, Wang Jianmin''s role ended after he successfully deceived the Li family and escaped overseas, never to appear again. Now, it seems there may be hidden motives behind this. "The damage to the Li family caused by Wang Jianmin''s actions weakened them significantly, paving the way for Wang Jingjing''s later collaboration with the protagonist to overthrow the Li family. She can be considered one of the greatest beneficiaries in this matter. "Wang Jingjing indeed intentionally or unintentionally inquired about a lot of relevant information from the former young master of the Li family in the plot... "Moreover, upon careful consideration, although Wang Jianmin may be somewhat cunning, how could he possibly deceive the financial investigation of the Li Group? And how could he successfully flee overseas under the furious pursuit of the Li family?" "There are indeed many suspicious aspects to this. Thinking this through, Li Ze waved to Guo Han in the distance, signaling him to come over. "Young master." "Find someone to keep an eye on Wang Jianmin. We need to know every move he makes. Also, who were the people sent by the Li Group to inspect Jiancheng Group before? Find out for me!" Part 17 Main Character Appears! "Yes, I''ll take care of it right away." Guo Han nodded slightly, accepted the instructions, and hurried away. After giving the orders, Li Ancheng gestured to Li Ze with his eyes. Li Ze approached him, and they moved to a secluded corner. At this moment, Li Ancheng''s face was not only somber but also showed a hint of barely concealed anger. After a long silence, he finally let out a deep sigh. "I can''t believe that after being shrewd all my life, I almost got tricked by a scoundrel like Gao Jianming. It''s really embarrassing." Li Ze quickly comforted him, "Dad, everyone makes mistakes. It''s like a horse stumbling. No one is immune to errors. Just take it easy." Li Ancheng shook his head and asked, "What about Wang Jianmin?" "Don''t worry," Li Ze replied calmly. "I''ve already sent people to keep an eye on him. Even if he manages to escape from those people, I will make sure he pays the price he deserves." Li Ancheng nodded, feeling a bit relieved. Without needing to finish his sentence, his son instantly grasped his meaning. It seemed that Li Ze had truly matured. Choosing to deal with Wang Jianmin at the banquet was also very appropriate. Although it might have seemed like an unsuitable occasion, it served as a perfect opportunity to send a strong message with everyone present. If they dare to have any sneaky thoughts about the Old Town project... Wang Jianmin will serve as a cautionary example! Regarding how Li Ze obtained the information about Wang Jianmin, Li Ancheng didn''t care. He was actually glad that Li Ze had started to develop his own secret channels. What truly worried him was the possibility of Li Ze being weak and incompetent, leading to the downfall of the Li family with no successor. Li Ancheng had founded the Li Group from scratch, and naturally, he didn''t want his life''s work to be destroyed. Li Ancheng took a deep breath, seemingly making a firm decision. "Ze, you should attend the next board meeting." Li Ze looked shocked. "Me?" However, in truth, Li Ze felt no surprise, as he had anticipated all of this. If his guess was correct, Li Ancheng was planning to hand over the Fang Group to him ahead of schedule. Sure enough, Li Ancheng nodded and said, "I plan to transfer the chairman position to you at the next board meeting, and introduce you to the board members. Initially, I wanted you to gain experience and build your reputation through the Old Town project before gradually taking over the group''s affairs. But now, it seems you''ve exceeded my expectations. I believe I can retire early." A smile appeared on Li Ancheng''s face. He wasn''t the type to cling to power, and after decades of hard work, he was indeed tired. Stolen novel; please report. Seeing this, Li Ze didn''t offer any false humility. Instead, he nodded solemnly. "I will manage Fang Group well and lead our family to new heights!" "Good, good." Li Ancheng''s face was full of relief. Over the past few days, whether it was Li Ze''s display of his ''masterful'' management skills or his actions at tonight''s banquet, it was all for this purpose. Although the identity of the eldest son of the Li family was prestigious, he wasn''t the true controller of the group, and the resources he could mobilize were limited. "But if I personally take charge of the Li Group, many things can be done with greater freedom." "With my knowledge of the plot and the system I possess, I can lead the group to avoid many disasters and achieve rapid growth and expansion!" "At least for a long time to come, I will still need to rely on the Li family''s power unless I unlock a storyline that grants me power above the mundane world." Li Ze thought to himself. Just then, his phone suddenly buzzed. He walked to a secluded spot and answered in a lazy tone, "Hello?" "Young Master Li, the target has appeared on the train you asked us to monitor." "What did you say?" Li Ze was stunned. Because the target mentioned was none other than the protagonist Ye Tian from the TV series "Village Expert Comes to the City"! Although Ye Tian''s storyline hadn''t officially begun, Li Ze had long been prepared. According to the plot in the book, Ye Tian would arrive at Haiqing City station by train. Thus, the first thing Li Ze did after his rebirth was to place people on constant watch, ensuring that there was always someone on that particular train 24/7. This way, he could monitor the protagonist''s movements as soon as he appeared and take action immediately. Now it seemed that this decision was undoubtedly the right one! Li Ze''s expression turned serious. "According to the original plot, Ye Tian should arrive in Haiqing City on the fourth day after the engagement banquet. Why is it happening now?" He asked internally, "System, what''s going on?" The system responded, "Host''s actions have altered the storyline, triggering a butterfly effect. This causes changes in the subsequent plot. However, the world''s will has a self-correction mechanism that aligns the storyline with its original trajectory. "Your actions have advanced the timeline, but due to the world''s correction, Ye Tian still arrives in Haiqing City on the same train." "I see." Li Ze took a deep breath. It made sense. Distortions in the early stages of the plot would inevitably change the direction of subsequent events. The world''s will could only correct the plot to a limited extent. If it could correct it completely, all his efforts would be in vain. "Fortunately, I was cautious enough to have people constantly monitoring that train. Who would have thought that actions in Haiqing City could affect Ye Tian from such a distance? "Knowing the plot isn''t omnipotent. As I change the storyline more, the situation will undoubtedly become more unpredictable. "I almost let him slip away, but now..." Li Ze sneered, "Since you''re under my surveillance, don''t think you can cause any trouble." With this in mind, he asked into the phone, "How much longer until the target arrives in Haiqing City?" "The train is expected to arrive at ten o''clock." "Ten o''clock, so another hour and a half," Li Ze said. "What is the target doing now?" At that moment, Zhong Liang was seated a few rows behind Ye Tian. He wore a white baseball cap and had wireless earbuds in his ears. Glancing forward, he spoke in a low voice, "The target is chatting with a girl. They seem to be getting along quite well." To avoid suspicion, Zhong Liang had bought an entire row of three seats, ensuring no one could overhear him. The mission expenses were all covered by Li Ze anyway. As the eldest son of the Li family, Li Ze had nearly two billion in personal assets, so money was not an issue. Hearing Zhong Liang''s report, Li Ze felt a bit speechless. Already hitting it off with a girl? As expected of the protagonist of an urban harem drama, that protagonist aura sure is something. Li Ze''s expression suddenly changed. If he remembered correctly, in the original plot, Ye Tian did indeed hit it off with a girl on the train. Could it be this one? Part 18 Your First Surprise Li Ze said in a low voice, "Tell me what that girl looks like." Zhong Liang squinted his eyes and, using the reflection in the train''s glass, quickly described the girl''s appearance to Li Ze. "She''s not very tall, has an oval face, and... well, she''s very well-endowed and..." "That''s enough," Li Ze interrupted, stopping Zhong Liang from giving more details. Zhong Liang''s description was enough for Li Ze to confirm that the girl was the same one from the original story who traveled with Ye Tian. It must be the world''s will correcting the plotalthough the timing had changed, many things remained the same. Of course, if Li Ze found this girl in advance and kidnapped her, the storyline would change completely. As long as the distortion was significant enough, everything could be turned upside down. At that moment, a peculiar smile appeared on Li Ze''s face. He asked Zhong Liang, "Help me check if there are two people in the carriage behind the target. They should be tall and thin, with one having thinning hair..." "Huh? Yes." Though puzzled, Zhong Liang quickly acted, moving through the rows of seats to the next carriage. Pretending to look around casually, he spotted the two individuals in a corner. Zhong Liang whispered urgently. The two were tall and thin, with one having a mole at the corner of his mouth. They both looked shifty and untrustworthy. Li Ze chuckled. Sure enough, nothing had changed. The two people Zhong Liang had been searching for, though unnamed in the plot, were minor characters. They were professional swindlers who had the misfortune of tricking Ye Tian. With the protagonist aura surrounding Ye Tian, he naturally couldn''t be fooled, and even managed to take their wallets. It''s considered the first small satisfying moment in the plot. And Li Ze planned to use this incident to give Ye Tian a big surprise! Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. He instructed Zhong Liang, "Follow my instructions later..." "Yes!" After giving the instructions, Li Ze found a reason to leave through a side door. Once outside, a driver pulled the car out of the garage and waited at the villa''s entrance. "To the train station," Li Ze said. Confident but not arrogant, he couldn''t afford to be careless against the protagonist Ye Tian. Despite having everything planned, Li Ze decided to personally oversee the situation on-site for peace of mind. The car started slowly, heading towards its destination. "Vroom vroom~" Amidst the roaring sound, the train pulled into the station. Click Among them, a young man with thick eyebrows and big eyes also disembarked, carrying a bulky, rustic backpack. "Ah, finally arrived at Haiqing City," thought Ye Tian to himself. At that moment, the girl sitting beside him on the train leaned forward, cheeks flushed with admiration, eyes sparkling with stars. "Um, Ye Tian, could I have your contact information?" Ye Tian with a sly grin, "Of course you can..." The pretty girl made such a request, how could he possibly refuse? So he immediately took out his phone and exchanged contact information with her. "Great!" The girl exclaimed excitedly. They proceeded together along the platform, chatting happily as they made their way to the waiting hall. "Oh, my contact said they''re waiting for me at gate three," Ye Tian mentioned casually while checking a message on his phone. Even she could tell how amateurish their tricks were; she almost called the train staff herself. Yet Ye Tian fell for it! "What''s this..." The girl leaned in curiously, surprised to find a thousand yuan in cash inside, along with two black wallets. "That''s the thousand bucks I gave them earlier. I took it back myself. As for these wallets, consider them a bonus," Ye Tian explained with a smile. The girl was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Those two scammers got what they deserved! Who told them to cheat people? And Ye Tian, you''re so clever! I had no idea how you managed that!" Hearing the praise from the beauty, Ye Tian smiled proudly. He took their wallets not only to teach them a lesson and make them understand the cost of trying to scam him but also to impress the girl! Just then, a voice suddenly interrupted from nearby. Ye Tian and the girl turned to see several inspectors in uniforms standing in front of them, led by one who spoke coldly, "Someone has reported you for suspected theft. Please show your identification and come with us." What the fuck is going on? Part 19 First Meeting Ye Tian''s mind went blank for a moment. Logically, with his skills, ordinary people shouldn''t have noticed. Did he actually slip up today? Ye Tian felt a bit frustrated. His mind started working rapidly, quickly coming up with a somewhat plausible excuse, and he planned to start denying everything. There was no way he could admit the wallets were stolen! "Inspector, actually I..." But before Ye Tian could finish his sentence, the girl next to him, with a face flushed with anxiety, hastily explained on his behalf: "Inspector, these two wallets belong to bad guys. Ye Tian took them to punish the wicked and promote good! You have to believe him!" Ye Tian''s face turned dark. If you don''t know how to talk, just say less! Who are you trying to frame? Originally, he was just a suspect, but now, thanks to her, he was as good as convicted! "Truly big in the chest but small in brains!" "Punishing evil and promoting good? Who gave you that authority? Stealing is stealing! Young lady, your words will be taken as testimony." Then, he turned to look at Ye Tian. "Come with us." This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Ye Tian was speechless. What was this all about? He had just arrived in Haiqing City and now they wanted to take him in? "I... you can''t do this!" The girl looked worried, but her words were of little use. Ye Tian remained silent, but his hand in his pocket moved swiftly, composing a message and sending it out. Finally, he sighed lightly and said, "Alright, I''ll go with you." Ye Tian had briefly entertained the idea of forcibly escaping, but quickly dismissed it. With his skills, these ordinary people in front of him wouldn''t be able to stop him. However, getting physical with the inspector would escalate things, and Ye Tian didn''t want to become a fugitive. He had already contacted his contact person through text, briefly explaining the situation. They should soon arrange his extraction. There was no need to take unnecessary risks. "Let''s go," said the inspector coldly, cuffing Ye Tian''s hands directly. Ye Tian didn''t resist, but a hint of disdain flickered unconsciously in his eyes. This kind of thing couldn''t possibly restrain him. If he wanted, he could easily break free. Ye Tian shrugged, taking steps to follow the group. And then, suddenly. Ye Tian felt a subtle pull, some inexplicable force guiding him. He turned around and looked back. On the second floor of the waiting hall. A tall and exceptionally handsome young man stood straight, gazing sternly in their direction. They locked eyes across the empty space. Ye Tian believed it was his first time seeing this person, yet he felt an uncomfortable sensation in his heart. Several inspectors urged, "What are you dawdling for? Hurry up and move." "Is it my imagination...?" Ye Tian withdrew his gaze, dismissing the matter from his mind, and continued to stroll nonchalantly. His demeanor was relaxed and carefree, nothing like that of a suspect. On the second floor, Li Ze watched as Ye Tian''s figure disappeared. A faint smirk played on his lips. Li Ze smiled faintly. With a casual gesture, he summoned the system interface. Friendly Reminder: Host''s current Antagonist Value is 1600, while the protagonist''s current Luck Value is 10200. Part 20 Liu Mengyu! Li Zes actions have completely changed Ye Tians plot development, so its not surprising to gain 1000 villain points from him. As for those 100 villain points, they should come from the girl next to him. Originally, she was supposed to have some storyline with Li Ze later on. But now, that wont happen anymore. "As expected of the protagonist, always full of confidence and composure in any situation, nonchalant because they almost never fail. No matter the circumstances, they always turn danger into safety with someone to assist them..." A cold glint flashed in Li Zes eyes. The reason Ye Tian was taken away by the inspector without any fear is partly because he believes in his own strength. In the book, although his strength was limited and couldnt be as terrifying as that of ancient martial arts or magic practitioners, he was definitely not someone an ordinary person could deal with. The other source of Ye Tians confidence is knowing that someone would come to rescue him. "Heh, how could I let you get away so easily? "Now, let''s go meet your ''contact''..." Li Ze smiled faintly and slowly walked away from the second floor, descending to the first floor. He headed straight to exit number three, and as soon as he stepped out, he heard a commotion. Outside, the crowd was surging, but almost everyone was focused in the same direction. Some were so engrossed in what they were seeing that they accidentally walked into pillars. A red Ferrari was parked in the plaza outside the station, gleaming under the lights. What drew even more attention was the woman standing next to the car. She was tall, with skin like creamy jade and exquisitely beautiful features. Her captivating phoenix eyes were enough to steal anyone''s hearttruly a stunning beauty, causing many passersby to turn their heads. Particularly among the many young men, who were in their prime, their eyes were glued to her, utterly entranced. A beautiful woman with a luxury carshe was their perfect dream goddess. If they could win her over, they wouldn''t have to worry about anything for the rest of their lives! A few bold ones, or those confident in their looks and family background, mustered up the courage and approached her directly to strike up a conversation. "Hi, beautiful..." The woman gave them only a cold glance, as if she were looking at thin air. Immediately, several tall bodyguards beside her closed in with unfriendly expressions, snorting, "Hmm?" This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. The young men trying to flirt turned pale and quickly left, realizing that although this beautiful woman was stunning, she was also incredibly aloof. After several rejections, no one dared to approach her anymore. However, many people continued to steal glances from a distance. Just seeing such a high-caliber beauty was a delightful and relaxing sight. "These guys, don''t they look in the mirror and see what they are? Trying to hit on me? It''s laughable!" Liu Mengyu snorted coldly. She was in a bad mood at the moment. She couldn''t understand why her grandfather insisted on having her pick up this Ye Tian, who had supposedly been living in the mountains all this time. Her grandfather''s tone was full of admiration and praise, showering him with compliments, which made Liu Mengyu a bit jealous. As her grandfather''s most beloved granddaughter, she had never received such praise. Why should this unknown pauper? What annoyed her even more was that her grandfather wanted her to spend more time with him, as if trying to... set them up? What a joke! Even before meeting him, Liu Mengyu was already filled with loathing for this guy named Ye Tian, feeling utterly irritated. Liu Mengyu glanced impatiently at her watch. "Why isn''t he here yet?" If it weren''t for her grandfather''s order to pick up this Ye Tian, she would have driven away long ago. "Beep." At this moment, Liu Mengyu received a message on her phone. She opened it and saw that it was Ye Tian''s phone number. "Some trouble? I have to go to the inspection bureau to get him out?" Reading the message on her phone, Liu Mengyu became furious. This guy had only just arrived and already managed to get taken away by the inspectors? He was nothing but trouble! Just then, while she was looking down at her phone, she noticed a shadow appear in her peripheral vision, causing the light to dim. Someone was approaching her. Judging by the situation, this person intended to strike up a conversation. Although this person was dressed in expensive-looking clothes, she had seen wealthy heirs try to pester her before, only to almost get beaten up by her bodyguards. At that moment, Li Ze, unaware of the situation, approached Liu Mengyu. Many people around started to watch with schadenfreude. "Hey, buddy..." Someone tried to warn him, but a few others glared at him, making him shrink back and fall silent. These few had all been rejected by Liu Mengyu before, so they were eager to see Li Ze get scolded or even beaten. Seeing others go through the same rejection made them feel a bit better about their own experiences. Liu Mengyu assumed it was yet another person trying to flirt with her. She frowned, not even bothering to lift her head. The bodyguards quickly stepped forward, ready to perform their well-practiced routine of scolding, intimidating, and driving away the intruder. However, as they surrounded the person and were about to start their reprimand, they finally got a clear look at the figure under the streetlight. Their hearts suddenly skipped a beat, and they quickly swallowed back the words they were about to say. "Youn... Young Master Li?" Liu Mengyu paused her actions and looked up. At the same time, Li Ze''s teasing voice rang out. "Miss Liu, What an attitude you have. I arrive, and you don''t even lift your head. And these bodyguards of yours... are they planning to chase me away?" The bodyguards quickly responded, embarrassed, "Young Master Li, you must be joking. How could we dare to lay a hand on you..." The bodyguards quickly responded, embarrassed, "Young Master Li, you must be joking. How could we dare to lay a hand on you..." The bodyguards retreated awkwardly to the side. The few young men nearby, who had been eagerly waiting to see Li Ze embarrassed, froze in shock. What''s going on? "What are you doing here?" Liu Mengyu glared at Li Ze, her expression unfriendly. "Speaking of attitude, I think Young Master Li''s is even worse. You even boss around my bodyguards." She cast an angry glance at her bodyguards. "Useless." Part 21 Changing attitude Li Ze remained indifferent, unsurprised by their demeanor. "Liu Mengyu, the young lady of the Liu family." In Haiching City, the Li family had quietly risen to become the leading family, with the only other family capable of challenging them being the equally powerful Han family. The Han family had always been at odds with the Li family, and in recent years, their conflicts had become increasingly public. In such circumstances, smaller families had to make their choicesalign with the Li family or the Han family. The Liu family, a significant presence in Haiching City with assets nearing billions, couldn''t compare to the top-tier Li and Han families but was still perceived as a formidable force by the common folk. And the Liu family is a staunch supporter of the Han family. Under these circumstances, Liu Mengyu naturally wouldn''t show Li Ze any goodwill. Of course, she couldn''t afford to be too disrespectful eitherif she angered the Li family, the Han family might not be able to protect her. Moreover, the Liu family had a substantial role in the book. Liu Ruiyan, the patriarch of the Liu family, had been saved by Ye Tian''s master in his early years, owing his life to the master''s extraordinary medical skills. However, Liu Ruinian suffered from a rare and stubborn illness that couldn''t be cured overnight; it required intervention over long intervals to eradicate completely. Ye Tian''s master had also promised to handle this matter. Now, many years later, Ye Tian, his proud disciple, had completed his studies and descended from the mountains. Part of his motivation was to explore the world and make a name for himself. Another part was to fulfill his master''s commitment to completely cure Liu Ruinian''s illness. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Therefore, Liu Ruinian showed great respect and hospitality towards Ye Tian. After all, Ye Tian''s master had once saved his life, and curing his illness completely would require Ye Tian''s intervention once again. Liu Ruinian also intended to matchmake his granddaughter Liu Mengyu with Ye Tian, hoping to bring him into the Liu family''s fold. "Waiting for someone. It''s none of Young Master Li''s concern, right?" Liu Mengyu replied curtly, but just mentioning it made her feel increasingly irritated. That bastard, Ye Tian! "Oh, waiting for someone? Indeed, it has nothing to do with me. I was just curious..." Li Ze chuckled lightly. "By the way, I just witnessed quite a scene in the lobby. A pickpocket was caught red-handed by the police and taken away. Haha, quite entertaining..." "It''s a pity Miss Zhao didn''t see it herself." At these words, Liu Mengyu''s expression darkened, becoming even more unpleasant. Combining Li Ze''s words with the information she had just received, she immediately connected it to Ye Tian! Initially, she thought he might have inadvertently gotten involved in some incident and was taken away for questioning. But to be caught stealing? Is this the same Ye Tian her grandfather had always boasted about being so talented and outstanding? A supposed miracle doctor? Doing such a thing, stealing in public like this! "Grandfather must have been deceived. That scoundrel should just stay put in the inspection bureau!" Ding! Antagonist value +200! Protagonist''s luck value -200! Li Ze revealed a hint of satisfaction with a smile. Antagonist value successfully obtained! "This Liu Mengyu is one of Ye Tian''s ambiguous harem members in the plot," Li Ze glanced at the dark-faced Liu Mengyu. Although she initially disliked Ye Tian and held great animosity towards him, as Ye Tian rose and under the influence of the protagonist''s halo, Liu Mengyu gradually changed her attitude and was included in the harem. "But now, under my influence, Liu Mengyu''s attitude towards Ye Tian is even more hostile than before. Ye Tian may not have a chance anymore..." Once again, harvesting a wave of antagonist value. Li Ze felt great in his mood. At ease Part 22 Family guards "Oh, by the way, just a friendly reminder." Li Ze leaned forward, staring intently at Liu Mengyu. "The Liu family would be wise not to get too close to the Han family or else, you will regret it sooner or later." "And don''t pin your hopes on some benefactor because they might not bring fortune to your family but drag the Liu family into the abyss instead!" Her words were a taunt, implying that Li Ze was unqualified to speak on behalf of his family. Li Ze''s lips curved into a slight smile. "Oh, unqualified?" But he didn''t bother to explain himself further; it wasn''t necessary. "Ive said my piece. I hope the Liu family makes a wise decision." Li family villa. At this point, Li Ancheng extinguished his cigarette and spoke, "Alright, enough of that. I waited for you to return because I have something to discuss with you." I have formally transferred the command of the Iron Guard to you. They are currently on a mission outside but will return soon." The Iron Guard! Li Ze''s eyes suddenly sharpened. Familiar with the storyline, he was, of course, no stranger to this name. In the original story, Li Ze had once falsely used AnCheng''s authority to mobilize the Iron Guard to assassinate Ye Tian, officially becoming his mortal enemy. This act set the stage for Li Ze''s own tragic death and the downfall of Fang Group. But no matter what, it couldn''t dampen Li Ze''s excitement at this moment. Having the eight Iron Guards under his command meant he now had more reliable people to carry out tasks, making things much easier for him. Li Ze composed himself and said, "Dad, thank you." "It was always meant to be yours," Li Ancheng said with a wave of his hand. "When the news of you taking over the group gets out, some people might have their own ideas. With the Iron Guard by your side, you''ll be safer." If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. "I understand," Li Ze replied. Li Ze nodded. He was a person who valued his life greatly and took his safety very seriously. He had recently been planning to equip himself with an elite bodyguard team. Although his physical condition had improved significantly, he was still an ordinary person. While a few people might not be able to harm him up close, a single bullet could easily end his life. Now, with the Iron Guard, he could save himself the trouble. At this moment, Zhao Huifen, who had been silent, spoke up, "Ze, no matter what you do, always make sure to keep yourself safe." Her face was full of concern. "I know," Li Ze nodded, but inwardly he sighed. They could never imagine that the person standing before them was no longer the original eldest son of the Li family. However, this thought only flashed through his mind briefly. After all, he had only spent a few days with these newfound parents, so he didn''t feel any deep emotional attachment. If he truly developed a profound bond after just a few days, he might be considered crazy. The only thing Li Ze could do was to change their tragic fate from the original story. After chatting a bit more with Li Ancheng and Zhao Huifen in the living room, Li Ze returned to his room. Meanwhile, at the Liu family residence. Liu Mengyu had driven back from the station; the matter with Ye Tian was no longer something she could handle on her own. Liu Mengyu pushed the door open and entered. Two people were sitting on the sofa. One of them, a middle-aged man, was Liu Mengyus father, Zhao Ting. Despite his usual imposing presence, he was currently sitting respectfully, listening intently. Opposite him was an elderly man holding a cane, his hair completely white and his expression stern. Liu Ruinian! Seeing Liu Mengyu enter alone, Liu Ruinian asked in a deep voice, "Mengyu, whats going on? Didnt I send you to pick up Ye Tian? Why have you returned alone?" "This actually happened?" Zhao Ting looked incredulous. He didnt know the details of the past, so, like Liu Mengyu, he didnt understand why the old man valued Ye Tian so highly. After hearing Liu Mengyus account, he was even more puzzled. Unable to hold back, he said, "Dad, I think this Ye Tian is just a fraud. What abilities could someone like him have?" "Hmph, what do you know!" Liu Ruinian heavily tapped his cane on the ground, coldly saying, "Ye Tian is a favored disciple of that person. How could he be an ordinary man? With his abilities, why would he need to resort to petty theft? There must be some misunderstanding here!" "But..." Liu Mengyu said reluctantly. "Enough, stop talking!" Liu Ruinian said firmly, "Zhao Ting, quickly pull some strings and get Ye Tian out of there. Our Liu family must establish a good relationship with him and create a favorable connection!" "Yes, Father," Zhao Ting replied promptly, not daring to contradict. Once Liu Ruinian made a decision, no one in the Liu family could oppose it. Seeing this, Liu Mengyu remained silent but added, "There''s one more thing..." She then recounted her encounter with Li Ze. "That playboy from the Li family?" Zhao Ting''s expression turned cold. "He actually dared to threaten our Liu family? Ridiculous!" In terms of individual strength, the Liu family couldn''t compare to the Li family, but with the Han family backing them, they were natural adversaries of the Li family and spoke without fear. Liu Ruinian frowned slightly but quickly dismissed the matter. To him, it was a trivial issue. "Let''s put this matter aside for now. What waves can Li Ze, a pampered playboy, really make? It''s just empty bravado." "The immediate priority is to establish good relations with Ye Tian!" Liu Ruinian''s gaze was sharp. He believed that as the disciple of that person, Ye Tian was destined to become famous and achieve limitless success. What the Liu family needed to do was to leverage Ye Tian''s rise and ascend alongside him! Part 23 Starting with the Liu family The next day. Li Ze left the villa early and headed to the Supervision Bureau where Ye Tian was being held. He speculated that the Liu family would soon come to rescue Ye Tian! In the original story, the Liu family were Ye Tians staunch supporters, sticking by him even when the protagonist fell from grace, supporting him with the full strength of their clan. They were the ultimate... sycophants! After Ye Tian rose to power, he did not treat the Liu family badly and gave them many benefits. It must be said. Old Master Liu, Liu Ruinian, indeed had a keen eye to cling tightly to Ye Tians powerful leg and never let go. Of course. This was under the premise of the original storyline. As for now. Li Ze sneered, the Liu family would pay a heavy price for their decision! Although he had warned Liu Mengyu last night, he knew very well that the chances of the Liu family betraying Ye Tian and turning to him were almost zero. Li Ze had never thought of subduing the Liu family. He showed a somewhat cruel smile: Lets start with the Liu family. Wiping out the Liu family would be akin to cutting off one of Ye Tians arms, significantly affecting his original rise and trajectory. By then, lets see you rise again! "Rest assured, young master. Our people have already gone over and are waiting for you there." Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Li Ze sneered, "Very good..." When Li Ze arrived at the Supervision Bureau''s entrance, two men were already standing there. Both greeted him respectfully. The man in the black suit stepped forward first to introduce himself: "Young Master Li, I am Jin Du from Jin Du Law Firm." The other man, a bald man in a white coat, followed immediately: "I am Zhang Qiming, the director of Shuxin Mental Hospital." "Oh, Director Zhang." With Zhang Qiming looking flattered, Li Ze shook his hand: "You understand what you need to do today, right?" "Of course." "Achoo!" Behind the iron bars of the holding cell at the Supervision Bureau, Ye Tian suddenly felt a chill run through his body, causing him to sneeze involuntarily. "Whats going on? Am I catching a cold?" Ye Tian rubbed his nose, puzzled. With his physical condition, it should be almost impossible for him to catch a cold. Moreover, he possessed exceptional medical skills. And this is also the main weapon that allows Ye Tian to navigate effortlessly and impressively, face-slapping rivals and charming women, in the drama "Village Experts Enter the City." Although he also had various other unusual skills, most of them were just supplementary. His primary ability was still his medical expertise. "Really strange." After thoroughly checking his body and confirming there was nothing wrong, Ye Tian dismissed the incident from his mind. Looking at the dark and cramped surroundings, Ye Tian felt a surge of irritation. No one would feel comfortable being in the Supervision Bureau, and he was no exception. However, Ye Tian, being confident in his skills and knowing that someone would come to rescue him, was not worried. "Life on the mountain was really monotonous. Luckily, my talent is exceptional, and my medical skills have nearly reached perfection. Thats why my master allowed me to venture into the world and seek opportunities for further breakthroughs..." "Heh, heh. I must carve out my own place in this bustling and vast city!" Ye Tian clenched his fist, filled with ambition. "But why haven''t the Liu family come to rescue me yet? They''re really dragging their feet." Just then... "Creak." The door was pushed open, and several inspectors walked in, unlocking the cell door. "Ye Tian, interrogation time!" A look of helplessness appeared on Ye Tian''s face. "Guys, didn''t I already tell you? Those two were frauds, and I was just taking the opportunity... I mean, gathering evidence!" "You have to believe me, I''m truly a law-abiding citizen!" Ye Tian''s face was full of innocence and righteousness. Part 24 "Im a doctor, I get the final say." "Cut the crap. Who are you calling ''bro''? Behave yourself! Right now, you''re a suspect!" Ye Tian shrugged helplessly. He followed the inspectors to an interrogation room. After enduring a stern and tedious interrogation, Chief Inspector Chang Jian slammed the table hard, pointing at Ye Tian with a voice full of anger: "You still refuse to confess, huh? Let me tell you, cooperation brings leniency, resistance brings severity!" Ye Tian''s tone was lazy, "I already told you, those two were frauds. I took the wallet to gather evidence, but you just don''t want to believe me. And besides..." His gaze suddenly turned cold, "I hate it when people point fingers at me. Understand?" As the protagonist of a mindless TV drama, Ye Tian is certainly not a good-natured or easygoing character. Having just arrived in Haijing City without the chance to show his skills and already getting detained by the Supervision Bureau, Ye Tian was naturally furious. Under Ye Tian''s intense gaze, Chang Jian instinctively took a step back. In that moment, he felt an overwhelming sense of pressure, even getting the faint illusion that he was the one being interrogated! "You..." It took several seconds for Chang Jian to regain his composure, and he couldn''t help but get angry again. This was the first time he had encountered such an arrogant guy! Just then, an inspector hurried in and whispered something in Chang Jian''s ear. "What?" Chang Jian''s expression changed. After leaving a curt "Keep an eye on this guy," he quickly left the room. Ye Tian raised an eyebrow. "Heh, it looks like the Liu family has arrived. I can finally get out of this wretched place. If they had taken any longer, I might have had to break out myself." Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. After Chang Jian hurried out, he went to the far end of the corridor to a reception room. He pushed the door open and quickly scanned the room, his gaze immediately settling on a young man calmly sipping tea. He strode forward and tentatively asked, "Young Master Li?" Li Ze stood up from his seat, extended his hand towards Chang Jian, and smiled, "Are you the Chief Inspector here?" "Yes, I am Chang Jian." Chang Jian replied cautiously. He adopted a very deferential attitude. This world, unlike Earth, was heavily influenced by powerful conglomerates and large families. Dongxia was no exception. In Haiqing City, it was no exaggeration to say that if you excluded the Han family, the Li family was the ruling power! "Have a seat." Li Ze gestured to a nearby chair, indicating for Chang Jian to sit down and talk. Chang Jian, without a hint of displeasure at Li Ze''s presumptuous demeanor, obediently sat down. Li Ze spoke calmly, "Director Zhang, please explain the situation." "Yes." Director Zhang Qiming immediately began, "Chief Inspector Chang, did you detain a man named Ye Tian yesterday?" Ye Tian? Chang Jian''s heart skipped a beat. Wasn''t that the guy he had just been interrogating? Could it be that this guy had connections with the Li family? Recalling Ye Tian''s relaxed, fearless attitude during the interrogation, Chang Jian''s face started to look a bit grim. If Ye Tian had ties to the Li family, that would be someone he absolutely couldn''t afford to offend. Seeing that Chang Jian seemed to misunderstand, Zhang Qiming quickly explained, "Chief Inspector Chang, the situation is like this: Ye Tian is actually a patient from our Shuxin Mental Hospital." "What?" Chang Jian was taken aback. How had that guy Ye Tian suddenly become a mental patient? With a look of embarrassment, Zhang Qiming continued, "Ye Tian has always been a patient at our hospital and has a strong tendency towards violence. Due to the negligence of one of our nurses, he managed to escape." "We followed the clues and found that he had been caught by the Supervision Bureau and charged with theft." "It''s truly embarrassing." At this moment, lawyer Jin Du stood up and placed a thick file on Chang Jian''s desk. "Here is the relevant proof, with all the necessary documentation. We need to take Ye Tian away right now." Chang Jian was still trying to process everything. "Mental patient? Ye Tian seemed perfectly normal to me..." But then he caught Li Ze''s meaningful gaze. Li Ze responded calmly, "Chief Inspector Chang, often mental patients can appear perfectly normal on the surface. Don''t be deceived." Chang Jian''s mind raced, quickly piecing things together. If Ye Tian really was a mental patient who escaped, how could it have alarmed the young master of the Li family? Chang Jian wasn''t foolish; on the contrary, he was astute. Though he didn''t fully understand the hidden implications, he instantly grasped that Li Ze merely sought a pretext to take Ye Tian away. He slammed the table forcefully, his voice echoing, "No wonder! I could tell at a glance that guy wasn''t like a normal person! Since the paperwork is in order, Young Master Li, feel free to take him away!" "Very well." Li Ze smiled, his expression benign and pleasant as a spring breeze. Meanwhile, in the interrogation room, Ye Tian had been reclining arrogantly in his chair, legs crossed, waiting for someone from the Liu family to come and take him away. Yet inexplicably, he suddenly felt a chill run through his body. Part 25 Fierce Beast Inside the interrogation room, Ye Tian sat up suddenly from his chair, a sudden sense of unease gripping his heart. Something seemed off... At that moment, the door swung open from outside. Ye Tian saw Chang Jian leading in a man in a black suit and another man in a white coat. Chang Jian pointed at Ye Tian, asking, "Is this him?" Director Zhang Qiming squinted, carefully examining Ye Tian, his expression firm. "Yes, it''s him." He stepped forward, saying, "Mr. Ye Tian, I''ve been sent by Mr. Zhao to take you away. Please come with us." Finally feeling relieved, Ye Tian replied lazily, "You guys took your sweet time coming." "I apologize, Mr. Ye Tian." Zhang Qiming bowed repeatedly, clearly apologetic for their late arrival. "Alright, let''s go." Ye Tian reached out, allowing the inspectors to remove the shackles from his wrists, then leisurely strolled towards the exit. As he passed by Chang Jian, he taunted, "People with dog eyes see others as lowly." With that, he proudly left. Director Zhang Qiming and lawyer Jin Du followed closely behind, leaving the Supervision Bureau with Ye Tian. Meanwhile, Chang Jian watched them leave with an indifferent expression, his face betraying a strange mix of emotions... Outside the Supervision Bureau, Ye Tian and the others walked out. In sight, a spacious black sedan was parked. The driver opened the rear door, and eight burly bodyguards stood on either side, as if welcoming Ye Tian. Ye Tian''s eyes lit up, smiling, "Mr. Zhao is thoughtful..." If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Indeed, his master hadn''t deceived him. It seemed as long as he had the support of the Liu family, he had nothing to worry about in life. Ye Tian swaggered through the bodyguards, his face filled with pride. As Ye Tian hesitated and stopped advancing, the eight bodyguards, no longer hesitating themselves, suddenly showed hostility and lunged at him! "What''s going on?" Ye Tian was taken aback, his mind racing to understand. These... were not people from the Liu family! Facing the charging bodyguards, Ye Tian instinctively fought back. With a low shout, he threw a punch, sending one of the bodyguards flying like a kite with a broken string. The remaining seven men stiffened, growling lowly as they rushed forward to restrain Ye Tian. Get the hell out! Fury burning in his eyes, Ye Tian pushed his arms outward forcefully, sending the seven elite bodyguards staggering back. At that moment, they felt as though they weren''t grappling with a man but with a fierce and savage beast. Eight elite bodyguards couldn''t hold down Ye Tian for even a few seconds! Just as Ye Tian was about to break free, he suddenly felt a slight sting in his arm. He looked down and saw a small needle. A look of disbelief crossed his face, and then dizziness overwhelmed him. Before losing consciousness, he saw the middle-aged bald man in the white coat holding a tranquilizer gun, lamenting to Goldy next to him, "See, I told you earlier, this guy has serious violent tendencies..." Soon, unconscious Ye Tian was securely bound and carried into the sedan. "Clap, clap." From a nearby alley, Li Ze walked out and said to Zhang Qiming, "Well done. I''ll fulfill my promise of investment. You won''t miss out, and I''ll arrange for your hospital''s advanced operating license." "Thank you, Li Shao," Zhang Qiming said joyfully. Watching Ye Tian in the car, Li Ze''s eyes gleamed with killing intent. He suddenly had the urge to just kill Ye Tian now to prevent any future troubles! Part 26 Escape Before Ye Tian''s protagonist halo was completely stripped away, any attempt to directly kill him would almost certainly result in unexpected situations, putting him in jeopardy. It was easy to end up in a dangerous situation. For instance, if he pulled out a gun and aimed at Ye Tian''s head right now, a sudden appearance of a skilled person could rescue Ye Tian and even attack him. Even if he had extraordinary luck and managed to kill Ye Tian, it wouldn''t be the best option. After all, Ye Tian still had a significant amount of luck waiting to be plundered. If the protagonist dies, it means the end of the TV drama''s storyline, all those luck values will be gone, and I won''t be able to convert antagonist points to further enhance my strength. At this moment, if the next script started, he would undoubtedly lack many aces and confidence. Taking everything into account, it wasn''t a wise choice to act against Ye Tian now. "Tsk." Li Ze felt inexplicably displeased. "This is really tricky," he muttered to himself. However, upon further reflection, Li Ze felt relieved. After all, the other party was the destined protagonist of this world! He himself was more like a bug, an anomaly relying on the system, attempting to rebel against the protagonist and change his own fate! Having a system, knowing the plot, and holding absolute advantages in resources and influence, there are definitely limitations. Just like Ye Tian, before he even started to show his prowess, he had already plundered thousands of his own luck values. Taking a deep breath, Li Ze calmed himself. Then, a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes: "Let you live for a while first. I''m counting on getting some ''antagonist points'' from you." "However, not killing you is one thing. Since you''ve fallen into my hands, if I don''t take some interest, that would be too cheap for you." Li Ze ordered coldly, "When we get there, before confinement, break his hands and feet for me..." He didn''t want to give Ye Tian any chance to turn the tables. "Yes!" Several bodyguards answered with grim smiles. The recent events had left them brimming with pent-up anger. Li Ze then instructed Director Zhang Qiming again, "Make sure to keep a close eye on him. Absolutely no room for carelessness." "Li Ze, rest assured," Zhang Qiming chuckled nonchalantly. "I administered a dose of anesthesia several times higher than usual. This guy probably won''t wake up for days." "I''ve told you, don''t be careless!" Li Ze frowned, his voice turning cold. "If he escapes, you''ll answer to me!" Ye Tian possesses excellent medical skills in the book, and something like a tranquilizer needle won''t keep him subdued for long. This slightly intensified tone sent a chill down Zhang Qiming''s spine. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. He quickly bowed, saying, "Yes." Li Ze departed in his car. Meanwhile, the black sedan swiftly left the inspectorate with Ye Tian aboard, heading towards Shuxin Mental Hospital located in the outskirts. Originally just an hour''s journey, they deliberately took a longer route, circling around to avoid suspicion, which took several hours. Finally, after spending hours on the road, they pinpointed the location of Shuxin Mental Hospital and headed straight there. Inside the car, Director Zhang Qiming sat in the front passenger seat, with his assistant driving. In the back, eight bodyguards, all trusted elites trained by the Fang Group''s security company, vigilantly watched over the unconscious Ye Tian. They were highly trained and extremely loyal. At this moment, they were keeping a close watch on Ye Tian without any relaxation. Zhang Qiming noticed the somber atmosphere inside the car and turned to smile at the guards. "Gentlemen, Ye Tian has been administered a dose of tranquilizer several times stronger than usual. He won''t be waking up anytime soon, so there''s no need to be so tense." The bodyguards furrowed their brows slightly but remained silent. Not receiving a response, Zhang Qiming awkwardly turned back around. Shortly after, he turned again and asked, "Gentlemen, what''s Li Ze''s grudge with this man? First breaking his limbs, now strict monitoring. With the status of the Li family, making someone disappear from the world shouldn''t be difficult. Why did Li Ze have to come personally?" No one seemed to notice. At this moment, Ye Tian, tightly bound, felt a slight tremor in his eyelids. If someone could examine him now, they would discover a special gentle energy slowly neutralizing the effects of the anesthesia. The dose strong enough to keep an ordinary person asleep for days had nearly dissipated! Ye Tian was now awake. "Careful what you say!" one of the bodyguards warned, his voice low. "Yes, yes!" Zhang Qiming startled, quickly turning away. "I misspoke. This has nothing to do with Li Ze, nothing at all..." Despite his words, he couldn''t help but mutter to himself, "There''s no one else here, and that guy is still out cold. Why so cautious? These guys are really rigid." At that moment, Zhang Qiming thought of Li Ze''s promises to him, feeling quite pleased with himself. Once those commitments were fulfilled, he stood to gain immensely! The black sedan continued its journey, now just a few kilometers away from the Shuxin Mental Hospital. Suddenly Ye Tian, who had been motionless, violently erupted! The shackles on his body, somehow freed without anyone noticing, Ye Tian disregarded the horrified guards beside him and landed a heavy punch on the driver''s seat in front of him! "Boom... Crack!" The base beneath the seat broke, causing the assistant who was driving to lurch forward uncontrollably, his head slamming hard against the steering wheel. The black sedan, now out of control, began to tip over to the side! Outside the inspection bureau where Ye Tian was previously held, a red Ferrari raced to a halt, and a tall, elegant woman stepped out. Liu Mengyu. According to the old man''s instructions, Zhao Ting dared not delay. She had already made arrangements, and now she was here to collect the person. After parking, Liu Mengyu quickly explained her purpose and soon met Chief Inspector Chang Jian, who had interrogated Ye Tian before. "What? He''s been taken away?" Liu Mengyu''s voice sharpened. "What''s going on?" "I''m sorry, Miss Zhao. Ye Tian was taken away before you arrived," Chang Jian said politely. Liu Mengyu was getting frustrated. "Who took him? And who are they?" Chang Jian glanced at her cautiously. "They claimed to be from the Liu family..." "What?" Liu Mengyu froze. Someone impersonating the Liu family took Ye Tian away ahead of schedule? Who would dare to do such a thing? She was getting angry. "Pull up the surveillance footage for me. I want to see who had the audacity to impersonate our Liu family!" Chang Jian wore a rueful smile. "I''m sorry, Miss Zhao. The surveillance system at our bureau has been down for the past few days and we''re in the process of fixing it." Liu Mengyu fell silent, her gaze now icy as she stared at Chang Jian. She wasn''t foolish. Chang Jian''s excuses had too many loopholes. "Chief Inspector Chang, are you covering for those who took Ye Tian away?" Chang Jian wore an expression of unfortunate truth. "Miss Zhao, I assure you, our bureau''s surveillance system really is malfunctioning." Chang Jian was very clear in his mind: the Liu family was indeed formidable, but they were far inferior to the power of the Li family. If the Liu family decided to act against him in anger, he could always seek help from Li Ze, considering he was doing things on his behalf. However, if he exposed Li Ze''s existence in front of Liu Mengyu, no one could ensure his safety! The outcome was bound to be sinking to the bottom of the river or disappearing from the world. Part 27 Generating hostility "You!" Liu Mengyu''s eyebrows furrowed as she coldly remarked, "Fine, very well..." She didn''t linger, turning away in indignation and storming out of the inspectorate. As soon as she stepped outside, her anger was replaced by a sense of annoyance. Unable to find Ye Tian, she couldn''t help but anticipate her grandfather''s scolding again, wondering why that guy was so troublesome. Liu Mengyu''s thoughts returned to the incident at the station, her disgust for Ye Tian growing stronger once more. On a distant highway, Li Ze was driving a McLaren P17, speeding along with the exhilarating rush of wind and the satisfying roar of the engine, symbolizing the burning of money. "Hmm, what''s this?" Li Ze pondered, puzzled by the sudden increase in antagonist value at this time, especially considering the magnitude. Li Ze chuckled quietly to himself, understanding. The only possibility is that Liu Mengyu went to fetch Ye Tian, only to find that he had already been taken away. As a result, the original harem''s fondness for the protagonist Ye Tian decreased once again! It seems the words casually spoken last night at the station were indeed effective. Because only plot changes caused directly by Li Ze, such as opportunistic seizures, will earn him antagonist points; indirect actions don''t count. Liu Mengyu provided 200 antagonist points last night, and Li Ze thought that was it, but unexpectedly another 100 came. Sure enough, as a certain literary master said, "Antagonist points are like water in a sponge, squeeze a little, and there''s always more." Thinking this, Li Ze wondered if he could fleece those small-time antagonists who had already been fleeced once. Just as Li Ze was eagerly contemplating this, he heard the system notification sound once again. However, this time, it wasn''t a reminder about antagonist points being credited. Li Ze''s face suddenly changed. "What?" Just as he had exited the highway, he slammed on the brakes, the tires screeching loudly as he came to a stop by the roadside. "Young Master, I''m sorry, we were incompetent. Ye Tian has escaped..." The bodyguard''s voice came weakly through the phone. "What happened? Explain yourself!" Li Ze demanded in a low voice. "Ye Tian, for some reason, despite receiving a large dose of anesthesia, woke up quickly. He managed to free himself from the restraints and attacked the driver, causing the car to overturn by the roadside. He escaped by breaking through the window ahead of schedule..." The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Li Ze''s expression darkened. "How are all of you?" "My brothers are all injured, but nothing life-threatening. Only Director Zhang Qiming is seriously injured. If he isn''t treated promptly, there could be danger." "Has anyone... leaked my information?" Li Ze''s voice turned icy this time. Ye Tian couldn''t have just developed hostility towards him for no reason. He must have heard something! These bodyguards were all elites from the Fangshi Group''s security company, loyal to the Li family, but if anyone had said something they shouldn''t have, Li Ze wouldn''t hesitate to take action. "Director Zhang Qiming mentioned your existence in the car, and then he was scolded by us. I don''t know if Ye Tian heard it..." The bodyguard started coughing violently, seeming badly injured. Li Ze laughed angrily, "Idiot! This useless, more trouble than they''re worth waste!" "We are incompetent," the bodyguard said shamefully. Li Ze gradually calmed down, "It''s not all your fault. I was a bit careless too." "You stay there. I''ll send an ambulance to pick you up right away. Take care of your injuries first. Consider this as compensation for getting injured on duty. Each of you go to the finance department and claim five hundred thousand. Tell them it''s from me." "Thank you, Young Master," the bodyguard said, deeply moved. Li Ze not only didn''t blame them for their poor execution of the mission, but also showed such care and consideration. He made up his mind silently. In the future, he would give his all to repay the Lishi Group! The call ended, and immediately Li Ze contacted Li Hospital, a subsidiary of Li Medical Company, which boasts numerous experts and advanced medical equipment. The pharmaceutical industry is one of Li Group''s two main pillars, encompassing hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and even a subsidiary high-tech laboratory. "Mr. Li, how come you have the time to call me?" respectfully inquired the hospital director, sounding tense. He had just been in the middle of an important meeting when Li Ze''s call was forwarded to him, prompting him to rush to his office. "Send an ambulance to this location to pick up a few individuals," Li Ze instructed. The hospital director hastened to respond, "Yes, yes, I''ll arrange it immediately!" "By the way, one of them is named Zhang Qiming; his injuries are likely severe..." "We''ll ensure we use the most advanced equipment and spare no effort in treatment!" "No," Li Ze replied calmly. "I don''t want to see this person in this world again, understand?" The director was momentarily stunned but quickly grasped the situation. "Mr. Li, rest assured. Doctors aren''t miracle workers; the hospital sees fatalities every day." Ye Tian, after all, was the protagonist with a halo, even though I knew the plot and had a system, I still had to be cautious at all times. Things had been going smoothly recently, and I had indeed become somewhat lax and careless. But then again, who could have imagined that he could escape like this? It''s a pity that although I had been given command of the Iron Guards, they were still on their mission and hadn''t returned. Otherwise, with those eight men, Ye Tian wouldn''t have escaped today. His escape this time would surely increase his vigilance. He would inevitably seek refuge with the Liu family, who had the support of the Han family, making it not so simple to deal with Ye Tian. Furthermore, my own existence has been exposed. "However, Ye Tian and I were destined opponents from the beginning. What harm is there in advancing this a bit?" Li Ze straightened up slowly. "Hostility, huh." His lips curled slightly, a sudden laugh escaping him, though his eyes held indifference. "So now, you are officially my enemy!" "I will snatch away your opportunities one by one, peel off your protagonist halo bit by bit, crush everyone around you, and then... I''ll send you to hell for free!" Li Ze restarted the McLaren P17. With a beast-like roar, the car turned towards the rear, then shot out like lightning. Destination: Xuri University! The situation had changed, requiring some adjustments to be made ahead of schedule. Part 28 The real target Xuri University. The entrance gate was bustling as usual, with students mostly coming from affluent families, evident from the luxury cars worth millions seen everywhere. Instantly, it caused a stir of exclamations. The McLaren P17, priced at nearly 50 million, belonged to McLaren''s limited edition collection, not something you could simply buy with money alone, representing profound background! Compared to it, other luxury cars paled in comparison. Li Ze naturally ignored these people and, under the respectful salute of the security guards, drove straight into the campus. Entering the building, he took the elevator and headed to the top floor, to the office of the university president. As the elevator ascended, Li Ze squinted his eyes, his mind organizing the plot. According to the original work, after contacting the Liu family, Ye Tian would become an honored guest of the Liu family. After that, he would be arranged to enter Xuri University first and spend some time picking up girls and showing off in the school. Of course, this period was short. After all, Ye Tian''s main goal was to gain fame and establish a career outside the ivory tower of academia. During his time at school, Ye Tian flirted around, engaged in ambiguous relationships, and lived a very indulgent life. In fact, in any plot involving a protagonist in a harem, the protagonist tends to exhibit a bit of scumbag behavior. It''s just that if one were to put oneself in the protagonist''s shoes, enjoying romantic encounters continuously, having multiple wives and concubines, the experience would be quite exhilarating. Li Ze''s purpose in coming today was primarily to resolve this matter. Although that approach was effective, it would be too troublesome. After all, Ye Tian had many members in his harem, most of whom were flat characters with little plot development, yielding minimal villain points. Given that, a change in strategy was necessary. Li Ze didn''t need to conquer these women of the harem; he just needed to prevent them from getting involved with the protagonist. For example, simply killing them would be straightforward and efficient, wouldn''t it? Li Ze''s eyes grew cold, revealing a hint of cruelty. Of course, he was a villain, not a murderer. Unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn''t go to such extremes. Even with his status, he had to exercise caution. "Ding!" As these thoughts flashed through his mind, the elevator had already reached the top floor and began to open slowly. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Li Ze strode out of the elevator. Directly entering the president''s office opposite, Li Ze was greeted energetically by a slim, bespectacled middle-aged man. Sun Xuewen, president of Xuri University. "Li Ze, you''ve finally arrived! I''ve been waiting for you for a while, and I even brought out my cherished Dragon Well tea." On the way, Li Ze had already exchanged greetings with Sun Xuewen, so he knew Li Ze was coming. Although Sun Xuewen was the president of Xuri University, he didn''t dare to assert any authority in front of Li Ze. Compared to the behemoth that was the Li family, he was insignificant. "Mr Li, please have a seat." Sun Xuewen courteously guided Li Ze to sit down and then poured him a cup of pre-prepared Dragon Well tea. "I''ve prepared this with care." Li Ze smiled faintly, settled into the sofa, and took a sip of the tea in front of him. After savoring it for a while with closed eyes, he complimented, "The tea is excellent." Sun Xuewen glanced at Li Ze and cautiously asked, "Mr Li, may I ask what brings you here today?" Setting down his tea cup, Li Ze replied, "Recently, has there been a person named Ye Tian arranged to enter Xuri University?" "Ye Tian?" Sun Xuewen looked puzzled upon hearing the name, unsure of its significance. Nevertheless, he immediately picked up the phone to inquire, "Director Zhang, please check the enrollment records for me. Has there been anyone named Ye Tian enrolled recently?" On the other end of the phone, Director Zhang hesitated briefly before responding, "There is indeed such a person, but..." "But what?" Director Zhang lowered his voice, "He was arranged by the Liu family. I reported this to you earlier, it''s that Ye Tian." Upon hearing this, Sun Xuewen''s expression changed slightly. The Liu family? Sun Xuewen was aware of the relationship between the Li and Liu families. Therefore, Li Ze specifically inquiring about someone arranged by the Liu family... Sun Xuewen suddenly felt a headache coming on. "President Li?" Li Ze''s voice interrupted Sun Xuewen''s contemplation. Coming back to attention, Sun hastily replied, "Li Ze, this Ye Tian indeed completed his enrollment procedures not long ago." "That makes things easier." A mischievous smile played on Li Ze''s lips. "Ye Tian was originally from the Department of Literature, right? Transfer him to the Mechanical Engineering department for me. Also... find someone to keep an eye on him and report his every move to me." In universities, the proportion of female students in the Department of Literature was notably high, especially at Xuri University, known as a gathering place for beauties. Half of the school''s top ten beauties hailed from there. According to the original text, two of them had their hearts set on Ye Tian, causing jealousy and conflict. "So, simply transferring his major will easily solve the problem." As he contemplated, Li Ze couldn''t help but feel a bit impressed. "The protagonist''s halo is truly formidable. Just how many women does this guy have?" "Well..." Sun Xuewen hesitated slightly, feeling conflicted. The Liu family was a shareholder in Xuri University, annually investing a considerable amount. Offending them over this matter would result in substantial losses. Moreover, behind the Liu family stood the Han family, a colossal force not much weaker than the Li family. Li Ze''s expression turned cold abruptly. "What? Can''t even handle such a small matter?" Sun Xuewen hesitated under the pressure but cautiously replied, "Li Ze, to be frank, Ye Tian was indeed arranged by the Liu family. This situation is a bit..." For Sun Xuewen, avoiding offense to either side would be the ideal outcome. Li Ze fell silent, his gaze fixed on the tea cup in his hand, casually toying with it. As time ticked away, Sun Xuewen felt an immense pressure bearing down on him, as if it could crush him. Cold sweat started to bead on his forehead uncontrollably. How could Li Ze exude such overwhelming oppression? Finally, Li Ze spoke up: "President Li, I understand that the Liu family is a shareholder in Xuri University, and the school relies on them for many investment matters." He suddenly shifted his tone, indifferent. "But if the president of Xuri University were to change, regardless of how impressive the school''s performance is, it would no longer concern you." In the end, he took a deep breath and said, "I understand." "Very well," Li Ze nodded in satisfaction. "Additionally, there is another matter." Sun Xuewen''s head spun at the thought of another issue. Another one? Seeing his reaction, Li Ze couldn''t help but smile. "Don''t worry, this matter has nothing to do with the Liu family. I just need a student''s file." "No problem," Sun Xuewen sighed with relief. Li Ze continued, "Xuri University should have a student named Yao Ziyu, right?" When he mentioned this name, his gaze turned serious. In reality, this was his true objective for coming to Xuri University today! Everything elsewhether it was changing Ye Tian''s major or having Sun Xuewen keep an eye on himwas just incidental. Part 29 Secondary Female Lead "Yao Ziyu?" Sun Xuewen furrowed his brow slightly, muttering to himself, "This name sounds familiar, oh, I remember now!" Sun Xuewen slapped his thigh suddenly, his face showing a moment of realization. "Isn''t she the girl honored at the school ceremony yesterday?" Li Ze raised an eyebrow. "You know her?" "Exactly." Sun Xuewen nodded, explaining to Li Ze, "Yesterday, the school held a recognition ceremony for new students, awarding some outstanding students. Yao Ziyu was one of them." "Because it just happened recently, I remember it. I still have the files of those honored students here." As he spoke, Sun Xuewen pulled out a file from a large stack beside him and handed it to Li Ze. Li Ze took the file. With just a glance, he confirmed that she was the person he was looking for! In his mind, some descriptions about her from the book immediately came to mind. Yao Ziyu, the second female lead after the antagonist, Wang Jingjing, and also the main character Ye Tian''s official wife. She is a highly significant female character in the book. Yao Ziyu''s family background was tragic. She was abandoned at a young age and grew up in an orphanage until she was adopted by her current foster father, which brought her a relatively peaceful life. However, fate played a cruel joke on Yao Ziyu. During her high school years, her foster father became paralyzed from a car accident and later suffered from kidney failure, an expensive and chronic condition. Yao Ziyu struggled to cover his medical expenses with her meager savings and part-time jobs, barely managing to sustain their livelihood. After entering university, the medical bills for her foster father continued to rise, causing financial strain and deepening Yao Ziyu''s sense of despair. It was during the darkest period of her life that Ye Tian, a destined figure exuding the aura of a protagonist, intervened miraculously. Without resorting to a kidney transplant, Ye Tian used his exceptional medical skills to cure Yao Ziyu''s foster father. Deeply grateful to Ye Tian, Yao Ziyu''s admiration for him grew, and their relationship naturally blossomed into a romantic one, officially establishing her as Ye Tian''s main girlfriend. Recognizing Yao Ziyu''s talent in singing, Ye Tian further supported her entry into the entertainment industry. With her voice and appearance, Yao Ziyu quickly became a renowned singer, earning the title of Song Queen across the country. Throughout the later stages of the protagonist''s career, Yao Ziyu provided significant support. Even Li Ze wanted to applaud, feeling inwardly impressed: "They are simply made for each other, like a match made in heaven. It''s tempting to want to break them apart!" His lips curled into a cold smile at the thought. Sun Xuewen asked, "Mr. Li, do you need me to bring Yao Ziyu here? If so, I can immediately send someone" If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. "No need." Li Ze waved dismissively, cutting off Sun Xuewen''s eagerness. "I''ll go myself." Regarding Yao Ziyu, the secondary female lead in the book, caution was necessary to avoid any complications. Sun Xuewen was momentarily taken aback, silently wondering if Li Ze had taken a liking to Yao Ziyu and intended to pursue her. After all, the girl was indeed very beautiful. But such private matters of wealthy young masters were not within his purview. With that, Li Ze stood up from the sofa. Seeing Li Ze about to leave, Sun Xuewen quickly got up to escort him to the door. "Mr. Li, please come by whenever you''re free!"Sun Xuewen called out. Turning back, Li Ze smiled cryptically. "Director Sun, don''t forget what I entrusted you with." Sun Xuewen assured him solemnly, "Mr. Li, rest assured, I will handle it." Leaving the office building, Li Ze walked along a secluded path lined with lush greenery and flowers. At the end of it was a side entrance to Sun University. Near the entrance was a street vendor''s cart, surrounded by a crowd of people, suggesting good business. "Found her." Li Ze''s expression shifted as he looked in that direction. Inside the cart, a girl in an apron was bustling around. She was tall, wearing tight jeans that accentuated her shapely thighs. Her hair, tied back with a headband, cascaded loosely behind her. Her skin was smooth and delicate, radiating an ethereal charm that seemed out of place in the earthly realm. Such a girl should have been adored and radiant, yet here she was, cramped in a narrow cart, her apron sticky with grease and dust, busily serving customers. Her face bore a heartbreaking weariness. Yao Ziyu, in order to earn money, set up her stall outside the school gate every morning and noon, selling scallion pancakes, sausages, and the like. Without hesitation, Li Ze headed towards the stall. At that moment, several students were queuing up. At the front of the line was a boy with bangs. "Here''s your scallion pancake," Yao Ziyu said, wrapping the freshly made scallion pancake in an oiled paper bag and handing it to the boy with bangs. As he took the bag, the boy with bangs took advantage of the opportunity to intentionally touch Yao Ziyu''s smooth and delicate hand. "Ah!" Yao Ziyu startled, stepping back a few steps, then glaring indignantly at him. "Sir, please behave yourself!" The boy with bangs, who had been playful moments ago, now felt embarrassed under everyone''s gaze focused on him. His face flushed with anger. "Damn it, is this how you treat customers? If you don''t apologize today, this isn''t over!" the boy with bangs shouted, his saliva flying. Someone behind couldn''t bear it and wanted to step forward to reprimand him. But the boy with bangs turned around fiercely, glaring at them menacingly. Seeing his intimidating stature, the others hesitated, not daring to approach further, standing awkwardly in place. "Pah! Bunch of cowards." The boy with bangs spat in disdain, then turned his head aggressively, continuing to press, "Apologize, or this isn''t over!" "It''s not my fault, why should I apologize?" Yao Ziyu stubbornly stared at him, lips pursed. However, her slightly trembling hand betrayed her inner turmoil despite her outward calm demeanor. Suddenly, Yao Ziyu looked up in surprise, glancing behind the boy with bangs. The boy with bangs jerked around, only to see a hand slowly enlarging in front of him. Eventually, under the shrinking of his pupils, it made intimate contact with his face. Soon after, a shadow loomed over him. Clutching his face, the boy with bangs looked up in terror at Li Ze, who was towering over him. Li Ze reached out and grabbed the boy with bangs'' somewhat stylish hair, lifting him up. Li Ze held the boy with bangs'' hair, suspending his head in mid-air and bringing it close to his own face. His pitch-black pupils stared into the boy''s distorted face, contorted with pain. "Is bullying girls all you''re capable of?" With that, Li Ze delivered a forceful kick, sending the boy with bangs flying several meters away. "Get lost!" Fear etched across his face, the boy with bangs seemed to forget the pain as he stumbled to his feet and fled, not daring to look back even once! Part 30 Signing the Contract Yao Ziyu breathed a sigh of relief and said sincerely to Li Ze, "Thank you." Her voice was melodious and clear, like a gentle breeze. Li Ze did not respond, but instead walked straight to the stall and picked up the pancake the previous customer had left behind. He took a bite, chewed for a few seconds, and then swallowed, his eyebrows furrowing. "It''s really quite bad." Yao Ziyu looked a bit at a loss. No customer had ever said her pancakes were bad before; on the contrary, they always praised their taste highly. Li Ze chuckled, glanced around, and said, "Don''t you get it? They come to buy your pancakes not because they taste good, but because you look good." Yao Ziyu bit her lip tightly. Without this income, how would she make money to pay for her father''s medical treatment? A shadow passed through her eyes. Clearly at an age where she should be carefree and full of youth, Yao Ziyu bore heavy burdens that made it hard for her to breathe. Lost and helpless, she felt her future was dark and chaotic. "Don''t set up the stall anymore; this isn''t suitable for you." Li Ze repeated, then continued, "I have a better option for you, a better place for you to go." Hearing this, Yao Ziyu looked up blankly. A better option? For her? She didn''t know what else she could do. But the young man standing in front of her was so confident. He chuckled softly, "Let me introduce myself again. I''m Li Ze, the only son of the chairman of the Li Group." "I can now offer you an opportunity to change your fate." At a High-End Caf Near Xuri University Li Ze and Yao Ziyu sat across from each other. Yao Ziyu looked somewhat uneasy, nervously glancing around. Such a place was entirely unfamiliar to her. Normally, she was very frugal, always carefully calculating her expenses. As a young woman, she rarely allowed herself to buy new clothes, let alone spend money at a high-end caf. Moreover... Yao Ziyu glanced at Li Ze sitting across from her, her nervousness intensifying. The eldest son of the Li Group? Someone of his status should have been as unattainable and dazzling as the sun high in the sky. Yet now, he sat nearby, with a relaxed expression, drinking coffee with her. Yao Ziyu''s mind was in a whirl. "Why is he helping me? What does he want from me?" Li Ze noticed Yao Ziyu''s unease. After taking a sip of his coffee, he smiled gently. "Miss Yao, there''s no need to be nervous. I have no ill intentions. I genuinely want to help you." "I can cover all the expenses for your adoptive father''s medical treatment. He will receive the best medical equipment, the finest specialist doctors, the most attentive care, and even the most compatible kidney donor." This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Yao Ziyu''s eyes lit up, her excitement making her body tremble slightly, but she tried to remain composed. "So, what''s the condition?" She knew there was no such thing as a free lunch. Li Ze had no reason to provide so much for her without something in return. "Think of it as mutually beneficial." Li Ze took out a contract from his bag and pushed it across the table to her. "All you need to do is withdraw from Xuri University and join the entertainment company under the Li Group. You''ll begin training in singing and stage performance. Given your potential, we are confident we can make you a star." "As for the earnings, we will split them according to the terms in the contract. However, you must agree not to leave the company for any reason for the next ten years. How does that sound?" Li Ze crossed his hands and smiled, "I can cure your father, and all you need to give is ten years of your time." Just that? Yao Ziyu was taken aback, feeling a bit surprised. She had expected Li Ze to propose something excessive, but this condition seemed surprisingly reasonable. She carefully examined the contract. Not only was there no hidden trap, but the terms were also exceedingly generous! Her profit share was an impressive 30%! Considering she currently had nothing and knew nothing about the industry, the Li Group would have to invest a lot of resources to teach, promote, and package her into a star. And she wouldn''t have to contribute anything upfront, simply waiting to reap the benefits from the Li Group. Wasn''t Li Ze afraid of losing money? Yao Ziyu doubted herself. Was she really worth this much? She pinched the hem of her skirt and hesitated, "Mr. Li, aren''t the terms in the contract a bit too favorable for me?" Li Ze couldn''t help but laugh. If it were anyone else, they would have signed immediately, fearing that this golden opportunity might slip away. But Yao Ziyu was actually worried she was taking too much, feeling guilty? Given her background and her need for money, it was remarkable that she could say such a thing. Li Ze said, "Miss Yao, are you doubting my judgment?" Yao Ziyu was taken aback. She sensed a change in Li Ze''s demeanor. The warmth from earlier was now replaced by a sharp and arrogant edge. "When I say you''re worth this price, you are worth this price. I never make unprofitable deals," Li Ze stated calmly. "Miss Yao, take your time to consider. There''s no rush to decide now." After a few seconds of silence, Yao Ziyu took a deep breath and said, "No need to think it over. I agree." The terms Li Ze offered were already generous, and she was in no position to negotiate. Initially, Yao Ziyu had worried that Li Ze might have ulterior motives, but she quickly realized that someone of his status could have any woman he wanted. A mere rumor would have many celebrities eager to be with him. Why would he go through such trouble to find her? "Besides..." Yao Ziyu bit her lip. Her adoptive father''s condition had recently worsened, and the doctors proposed several new treatment plans that she simply couldn''t afford. She desperately needed the money. Without hesitation, Yao Ziyu signed her name on the contract. A flicker of joy crossed Li Ze''s face. It was a done deal! Yao Ziyu pushed the signed contract back to Li Ze. "Mr. Li, the contract is signed." Li Ze picked up the contract and glanced over it casually, a slight smile curling at the corners of his mouth. Securing a 30% profit share from Yao Ziyu, who would become the youngest and most celebrated "Queen of Song" across the country, was a shrewd move on his part. He had indeed been quite calculating. Promising to cure her adoptive father''s illness and binding her with a ten-year contract effectively severed any potential ties between Yao Ziyu and Ye Tian. Beep. Ye Tian''s harem -1! Part 31 Thank you, Li Ze. "Furthermore, Yao Ziyu in the book is not just Ye Tian''s main wife and a future superstar singer. She will be very useful to me later on..." As for why he didnt seek out Yao Ziyu, a character of significant importance, right from the start, the reason was simple: the timing wasn''t right. According to the book''s description, in the next few days, Yao Ziyu''s foster fathers illness would worsen, requiring a large amount of treatment expenses. This was when Yao Ziyu would be at her most vulnerable and helpless. Proposing conditions at this time would be the easiest way to reach her heart. After signing the contract, Yao Ziyu glanced secretly at Li Ze. Her mind suddenly flashed back to when he stepped in to help her when she was being harassed, and stood up for her during her most desperate and darkest moments, saying, I can give you a chance to change your fate... And he truly made it happen. At the peak of his charm, Li Ze, with his chiseled features, handsome face, and bright, confident, and sharp eyes, exuded an indescribable sense of reassurance. "Ah!" At that moment, Yao Ziyu realized she had been staring at Li Ze in a daze. Coming back to her senses, she couldn''t help but mock herself inwardly. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! What was she thinking? Li Ze was the eldest young master of the Li Group. Compared to her, he was like heaven and earth. If it werent for him accidentally meeting her and recognizing her potential, their fates would never have intersected. Li Ze observed the somewhat unsettled Yao Ziyu in front of him. How could her slight emotional changes escape his eyes? Moreover, his system could detect her favorability level. In no time, Yao Ziyu''s favorability had risen to 65%, and stayed there. At this moment, Yao Ziyu''s cherry-like lips parted slightly, and her hand clenched as if she wanted to say something. Li Ze noticed Yao Ziyu''s unusual behavior and instantly understood what she wanted to say. "Don''t worry, Miss Yao," Li Ze said. "Since the contract is signed, I will fulfill my promise. First, take care of your school matters and complete the withdrawal procedures. Tomorrow, I''ll arrange to transfer your father to Li Group Hospital and provide him with the best treatment." Yao Ziyu said somewhat hastily, "Thank you, Young Master Li." "Calling me Young Master Li is a bit too formal," Li Ze replied with a faint smile. "We''re both freshmen at Rising Sun University, so we''re classmates. Just call me Li Ze." This request made Yao Ziyu feel a bit uneasy, but under Li Ze''s gaze, she still murmured softly, "Thank you, Li Ze." Li Ze smiled gently. "Let''s go. You should go back to school and handle the withdrawal procedures. I''ll make the necessary arrangements." He went outside and hailed a taxi for Yao Ziyu, sending her to the school. Then, he returned to the caf and sat in his original seat. Soon, the system notification sounded in his ear. "Ding!" "Host''s villain points +1000! Protagonist''s luck points -1000!" "Friendly reminder: Host''s current villain points: 2900, Protagonist''s current luck points: 8900." Part 32 New Skill Li Ze didn''t hurry to check the system. Instead, he continued to sip his unfinished coffee, gazing at the scenery outside the window. "Beep." The young man with bangs saw the payment notification on his phone and smiled, "Thank you, Young Master Li!" After a long while, he withdrew his gaze and summoned the system. Part 33 Ye Tian Appears You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Part 34 Whats Going On? "This is Rising Sun University?" Ye Tian looked at the grand and spacious entrance before him, clicking his tongue in admiration. "Buzz~" At that moment, the Ferrari''s window rolled down, revealing Liu Mengyu''s displeased and hostile face. She impatiently reminded him: "Don''t cause any trouble, got it?" Without waiting for Ye Tian''s response, she stepped on the gas and sped off, turning into a red streak of lightning. Ye Tian sighed helplessly. "It seems Liu Mengyu has a strong opinion of me. What did I ever do to offend her?" Shaking his head, he started walking into the school. As he walked, he thought about the time he was nearly kidnapped and taken to a psychiatric hospital, his expression gradually darkening. From Liu Ruinian, he learned what the name Li Ze truly represented: the eldest son of the Li family, a top-tier noble family in Haicheng City. A true scion of the elite. But no matter how hard he thought, Ye Tian couldn''t understand why Li Ze would target him, given they had no past grievances. However, that didn''t matter anymore. "If he made a move against me, I won''t swallow this insult without retaliation!" Ye Tian''s eyes flashed with determination. As the protagonist, how could he endure being bullied without fighting back? Most protagonists are vengeful by nature: you harm me, and I''ll destroy your entire family! Of course, Ye Tian wasn''t foolish. He had just arrived in Haicheng City with no foundation. He couldn''t just charge at Li Ze head-on right now. The Li family was powerful, and even the Liu family, who supported him, couldn''t compete with them. They still needed to rely on the influence of the Han family. "I''ll use my medical skills to build a reputation, make connections with influential people, and establish my own power. What can the Li family do then? I''ll be able to crush them single-handedly!" Ye Tian''s eyes were cold. "Just wait. I''ll make sure to settle the score for that day." However, very quickly. Ye Tian''s attention was drawn to the beautiful girls passing by in the campus, and he began to feel increasingly restless. Having spent so many years in the mountains living a tranquil, desireless life, now that he was back in the city, he naturally wanted to let loose. In the plot, the protagonist Ye Tian is depicted as being surrounded by flowers, constantly having romantic encounters with school beauties, teachers, young mothers, and more. No woman was beyond his charm. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Ye Tian wandered aimlessly around the campus, admiring the beautiful girls'' legs, feeling relaxed and carefree. As he walked, he found himself at the side gate of Rising Sun University. At this moment, Ye Tian saw someone walking ahead of him. When he looked up, his heart skipped a beat, and his eyes widened. "She''s stunning!" If a perfect score was 100, Ye Tian thought the beauty in front of him could easily score at least 98! The girl who left Ye Tian in awe was none other than Yao Ziyu, who had just completed her withdrawal procedures from the university. Having left in a hurry with Li Ze earlier, she had left her stall at the gate and had come back to collect it. As Yao Ziyu packed up her things, she felt a mix of emotions. From now on, she wouldn''t have to endure the pitying or strange looks from her classmates while doing this job. She could hardly wait to rush to the hospital to share the good news with her father about everything that had happened today. "Hi, beautiful." A magnetic voice sounded from beside her. Yao Ziyu looked up to find a handsome boy standing in front of her, a gentle smile on his face. "Hi, beautiful, I''d like... um, ten Hand-pulled pancake," Ye Tian said, finally managing to tear his gaze away from Yao Ziyu. In his mind, supporting her business would be a good icebreaker, leading to a deeper conversation. The approach had begun! Yao Ziyu shook her head and said, "I''m already closing up." The approach ended! "Oh, I see. When will you be setting up your stall next time? I''ll come by then," Ye Tian said, feeling a bit embarrassed. Yao Ziyu smiled slightly, "I won''t be coming back. I found a new job." Ye Tian''s expression froze. This opening wasnt going well at all. But as the protagonist of a harem novel, Ye Tian wouldnt give up so easily, especially since Yao Ziyu was just his type. Thinking quickly, Ye Tian smiled and said, "Beautiful, you must be a student at Rising Sun University, right? I just enrolled and I''m not familiar with the campus. Could you show me around?" Ye Tian admired his own quick thinking. Perfect! Yao Ziyu politely replied, "But Ive already withdrawn from school, so you should ask someone else. I have an urgent matter to attend to." With that, she hurriedly pushed her cart and left. "...Withdrawn?" Ye Tian''s lips twitched. "Ah!" Seeing Yao Ziyu leave, he reached out as if to say something but eventually let his hand drop in resignation. In this situation, no matter how thick-skinned he was, he felt awkward about continuing to hit on her. "Forget it, Where in the world are there not beautiful things? Why cling to just one flower?" "There are many beautiful girls in school. Why hang oneself on just one tree?" Ye Tian muttered to himself, trying to comfort himself, but he couldn''t help turning to look at Yao Ziyu''s departing figure. Reluctantly, he turned away, feeling a strange sense of having missed something important... "Whats going on?" Ye Tian shook his head, then pulled out his phone and called, "Director Li, where''s my classroom? Can you send me the class schedule?" Soon, the schedule and classroom information were sent to Ye Tian''s phone. Eagerly, he rushed off. Of course, he wasn''t heading to classhe was eager to meet girls. "I''m here, enjoying the bliss of university life!" Not long after, Ye Tian entered a teaching building on the southwest side of the campus. He stopped in front of a spacious lecture hall. Checking the information on his phone, he said to himself, "This should be the right place." Ye Tian straightened his clothes, put on what he thought was a charming smile, and walked in. The next second, his smile froze on his face. The entire classroom was filled with the scent of male hormones, the masculine energy so intense it felt almost enough to ward off evil! Everyone in the room simultaneously looked up, and Ye Tian''s face was filled with the gaze of men. ? Ye Tian was bewildered. What the hell was going on here? Part 35 Yundian Villa, Intruder! Evening. After taking care of the matters with Tianyu Media and Li''s Hospital, Li Ze drove home. This time, however, he wasn''t heading back to the Li family villa but to a new villa he had recently purchased. Built in the Yushan neighborhood in the suburbs, Li Ze had bought Villa No. 1 at the peak of the Yushan neighborhood, aptly named "Yundian Villa." The price? A staggering two billion. Of course, where one lives signifies their status and face. Li Ze didn''t care about this small amount of money; after all, he was about to inherit the Li Group! Suddenly--- "Ding! Host villain value +100, protagonist luck value -100!" "Ding! Host villain value +200, protagonist luck value -200!" Hearing the mechanical voice of the system in his ear, Li Ze immediately smiled, "Heh, it seems the setup at the school worked. That guy has indeed shown up at Rising Sun University." At this moment, a call came in from Sun Xuewen''s side, reporting information about Ye Tian. None of the news surprised Li Ze. However, when he heard that Ye Tian had a chance encounter with Yao Ziyu, his brows furrowed involuntarily. How did these two still manage to meet? Li Ze asked in a deep voice, "What happened between them?" "Here''s what happened..." The person on the other end recounted how Ye Tian tried to chat up Yao Ziyu but ended up leaving awkwardly after failing. Only then did Li Ze breathe a sigh of relief, sneering, "This damn protagonist halo is really troublesome, trying every possible way to pair Ye Tian with Yao Ziyu... Luckily, I got ahead of him." "Once I cure Yao Ziyu''s father''s illness and raise her goodwill a bit more, Ye Tian won''t stand a chance anymore." Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.This is just the beginning. He would slowly take away the rest of Ye Tian''s luck, then send him on his way in peace! In his next life, he should think twice before being the protagonist. "Keep an eye on Ye Tian, don''t slack off." Li Ze ordered before hanging up the phone. Li Ze was driving into the Yushan neighborhood. The security guards he encountered along the way all greeted him respectfully. They had been specially instructed in a meeting, knowing that Li Ze was the mysterious tycoon who bought "Yundian Villa"! Their attitudes were exceptionally courteous, not daring to show the slightest neglect. The final stretch of the road to the mountain peak was inaccessible by car, so Li Ze walked up the path. Before long, the vast villa came into view. Yundian Villa covered nearly ten acres, with exquisite decorations and a classic, grand style that exuded an aura of elegance. As Li Ze swiped his card to enter the spacious and extravagant courtyard, he suddenly frowned. With a physique rating of 46, his mental acuity had also skyrocketed, making his perception of his surroundings extremely sharp. The moment he entered, he realizedsomeone was inside the villa! Li Ze''s expression remained calm. He had just bought Yundian Villa and hadn''t yet arranged for bodyguards or servants. There should be no one inside. A thief? "No, that''s not right." Li Ze remained expressionless, focusing his senses on his surroundings. "This place is equipped with infrared and gravity sensing alarm systems. If it were an ordinary thief, the security would have caught them long ago. Besides, it seems like there''s more than one person..." As if he had figured something out, Li Ze paused and then smiled slightly. He took a step forward and said loudly, "Come out, there''s no need to hide... Iron Guards!" The surroundings were utterly silent, shrouded in stillness. Suddenly, a deep voice emerged from the darkness, "How did Young Master Li discover us?" In the blink of an eye, several figures stepped out from the shadows and stood before Li Ze. There were eight in total: seven men and one woman, the oldest being no more than thirty, and the youngest just over twenty. The Iron Guards! They had forsaken their names, each known only by a code from Iron One to Iron Eight, swearing lifelong loyalty to the Li family with an unparalleled level of devotion. They were the Li family''s most formidable secret weapon, a dagger that would pierce the enemy''s heart at critical moments. Individual strength was a common trait among the Iron Guards, but they were far from being mere brutes with power alone. Assassination, disguise, reconnaissance... each possessed various specialized skills. When the eight of them worked together, their destructive power multiplied exponentially! Part 36 Testing Strength "Young Master Li!" The eight of them spoke in unison, their expressions cold and emanating a faint aura of killing intent. When the Iron Guards stood together, their auras resonated and fused into one. Without careful perception, one might even mistake them for a single entity. The intertwined aura created an implicit sense of oppression, which even made Li Ze feel slightly suffocated and oppressed. Li Ze was secretly startled: "No wonder this Iron Guard almost drove the protagonist into a corner in the plot." In the plot, before the time travel, the eldest young master of the Li family deployed the Iron Guard to assassinate Ye Tian. Although Ye Tian ultimately survived, he was severely injured and fell into a coma, ending up in the hospital. At that time, the protagonist Ye Tian had already encountered a significant opportunity, greatly improving his strength and medical skills, yet he still couldn''t defeat the combined forces of the Iron Guards! Of course, Ye Tian''s specialty was medicine, not combat. Later, he gathered a group of experts around him, making it unnecessary for him to fight personally. "Too bad the Iron Guards weren''t available during the previous action, otherwise..." Li Ze couldn''t help but think this way but quickly shook his head, "Thinking about it now is useless. Besides, even if the Iron Guards were dispatched back then, success wouldn''t have been guaranteed." His gaze was deep and composed. Afterwards, Li Ze had carefully reviewed that operation, concluding that: It was too coincidental! Although Li Ze was unaware of Ye Tian''s dangerous nature, he wasn''t foolish. Why did the doctor suddenly mention him in the car? Ye Tian attacked the driver, causing the vehicle to flip towards an empty roadside, and Ye Tian managed to escape through the window almost unscathed. Upon examining the shackles that had bound Ye Tian, it was discovered that there was a defect. Otherwise, Ye Tian wouldn''t have been able to break free so quickly... Protagonist halo! That was the only explanation. Before the protagonist''s halo was removed, attempting to forcibly kill them would provoke interference from the world''s will, resulting in various accidents and failure. This was clearly conveyed by the system. So, upon reflection, wanting to imprison the protagonist indefinitely operates on the same principle: the world''s will would not allow such a thing to happen. Thus, even if the Iron Guards had been deployed at that time, there was a high probability of failure! The only solution was to seize opportunities and alter the plot. Once the protagonist''s halo was removed, Ye Tian would become nothing more than a lamb waiting to be slaughtered, at the mercy of others. Li Ze withdrew his thoughts and scanned the eight Iron Guards. When his gaze reached Iron Eight, his eyes paused slightly. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Iron Eight, the only female among the Iron Guards. In her twenties, she was not much older than Li Ze. Her area of expertise was assassination. Although her expression was cold and indifferent, her figure was curvaceous, and her appearance could easily score above ninety-five. Li Ze''s gaze was somewhat peculiar. In the original plot, this Iron Guard was actually secretly in love with that Young Master Li! However, due to the disparity in their statuses, she had never revealed her feelings. Instead, she secretly observed Li Ze whenever she had the chance, apart from her tasks. After Li Ze''s death at Ye Tian''s hands, Iron Eight was enraged and attempted to assassinate Ye Tian alone, ultimately dying in the process. She was indeed a tragic character. At this moment, Iron Seven suddenly spoke, breaking the silence, "Young Master Li, how did you discover us?" With these words, not only Iron Seven but also the other Iron Guards turned their gaze towards Li Ze, equally puzzled by the situation. Given their skills, even experts might not detect their presence! Li Ze didnt answer. Instead, he smiled with a hint of anticipation. Since his physical attributes had increased, he hadnt had the chance to test his current strength. After all, ordinary people were no match for him. And the Iron Guards before him... were the perfect test subjects, werent they? So, Li Ze grinned. He felt a surge of battle intent rising within him. He beckoned to Iron Seven and said, "You want to know how I discovered you? Its simple. Fight me. If you win, I''ll tell you." Iron Seven frowned, "Young Master Li, are you joking? How could I possibly fight you..." Li Ze''s expression turned serious, "What, are you afraid?" The atmosphere seemed to solidify with tension. In the end, Iron Seven sighed deeply, took another step forward, and released a menacing aura. "Since that''s the case, Ill take the liberty. Ill make sure to hold back and wont hurt Young Master Li." His tone clearly conveyed a casual attitude, as if an adult was playfully engaging with a child. "No problem." Li Ze smiled, twisted his wrist, and said, "Then be careful." Iron Seven chuckled, "Young Master Li, please go ahead." He had never heard of Li Ze practicing any martial arts, and judging by his posture and subtle body movements, it was obvious that Li Ze was an amateur. "Probably just learned some online martial arts for a few days and thinks hes invincible? Heh, really." Iron Seven shook his head. "Then, here I come." Li Ze slightly bent his body, stepped forward with his right foot, and charged like a wall, crashing forward with a thunderous impact! Iron Sevens expression changed abruptly. He instinctively raised his arms to block, but the next moment, he was sent flying, crashing into a nearby wall with a resounding thud. "Cough, cough." Iron Seven coughed violently, as if his body might fall apart, sliding slowly down the wall with a look of shock on his face. What... is going on? Li Ze straightened up and said calmly, "From now on, I wont hold back." Iron Sevens expression became extremely serious, no longer daring to underestimate Li Ze. The power Li Ze had just displayed was definitely beyond that of an ordinary person! "Boom!" Both of their feet slammed down on the ground, and their figures almost simultaneously shot out, quickly converging! The sound of heavy collisions echoed. The two exchanged blows with fists and feet, continuously engaging in combat. The more they fought, the more Iron Seven felt frustrated. Li Ze clearly lacked any technique or skill but relied solely on his formidable physical prowess, delivering a relentless barrage of punches that overwhelmed him. Each of Li Ze''s strikes shook Iron Seven''s body, as if he were battling not a person but the fiercest of beasts! If it werent for his special training and equally strong physique, Iron Seven might have already been unable to endure. Boom! Li Zes right arm came crashing down. Iron Seven raised his arm to block, but the terrifying force bent his knee and caused the ground beneath him to crack slightly. "Roar!" Iron Seven, fighting against the urge to vomit blood, seized a fleeting opportunity and moved forward, letting out a low growl. His muscles tensed as he thrust his fists forward. A thrust punch! At that moment, however, Li Ze''s eyes suddenly brightened. Intimidation [Intermediate]! Iron Seven''s expression became dazed, and his body fell into a state of paralysis. By the time he snapped back to his senses, Li Zes hand was already hovering at his throat, with a grin that was neither a smile nor a sneer. Iron Sevens eyes were filled with shock, but he finally sighed and admitted: "I lost." Part 37 Martial Arts In the final moment, although Iron Seven didnt fully understand what had happened, it was clear that it was Li Zes doing. The Iron Guards who were watching the fight were stunned. Iron Seven had actually lost? Each of the Iron Guards was an elite among elites, their strength far surpassing that of ordinary people. Iron Seven wasnt the strongest among them, but he was certainly not the weakest! Li Ze said to Iron Seven indifferently, "Return to your team." "Yes." Iron Seven replied respectfully and swiftly rejoined the ranks. The Iron Guards looked at Li Ze with a hint of awe and less arrogance. For them, great strength was the simplest way to earn respect! "Buzz buzz~" At this moment, Li Zes phone rangit was a call from Li Ancheng. "Ze, have you met the Iron Guards?" Li Ancheng said with a smile, "I had them infiltrate your villa ahead of time so you could see their abilities... How was it?" "Yes, Ive seen their skills." Li Ze glanced at Iron Seven with a meaningful look. Iron Seven felt his face flush with embarrassment. With Li Zes strength, there was no need for them to show off their skills. Li Ze remained noncommittal. After all, he was an "extraordinary" player with the system''s help, and the value of the Iron Guards extended far beyond their individual strength. They werent just street thugs with knives; they were experts operating in the shadows, responsible for protection and various tasks! Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Li Ancheng gave a few more instructions and reminded Li Ze not to forget the board meeting before ending the call. Li Ze waved his hand at the Iron Guards, "Maintain vigilance around the villa. I will call on you whenever there is a task!" "Yes!" The Iron Guards responded respectfully. After what just happened, the few Iron Guards were completely convinced by Li Ze. Li Ze walked into the villa alone and sat on the sofa in the hall, reflecting on the recent battle. Using the Iron Guard as a reference, with the help of the system, his physical condition has undoubtedly started to surpass that of ordinary people. In the TV drama "Martial Arts Expert from the Countryside Enters the City," which focuses on divine doctors and romance, while the Iron Guard''s strength may not be the very best, it is still considered top-tier. "However, despite having such powerful physical attributes, I lack corresponding combat skills. If I hadn''t used Intimidation just now, Iron Seven might have found a flaw and turned the tables." Li Ze pondered. In the recent fight, he had only relied on his physical strength to indiscriminately attack. Iron Seven''s attacks were not very threatening to him, yet he could still cause Iron Seven to lose his composure with a single punch. If it were the same body but without the enhancements, he would have lost long ago. Moreover, the Iron Guards hadnt used weapons! If they had used cold weapons or even more familiar firearms, Li Ze would definitely not have been able to match them. Li Ze summoned the system. He needed to address this gap in his abilities, and the method was to specifically extract combat skills! System, I want to extract skills related to combat techniques! Ding! Searching... Skill "Martial Arts" matched. Do you want to extract it? Extract! Li Ze said without hesitation. Ding! Villain Points -1000. Host has acquired Martial Arts [Advanced]! Li Ze felt a surge of joy. Advanced! Skills obtained through targeted extraction are randomly selected from the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. This time, Li Ze was fortunate enough to receive the highest initial skill level! Advanced is already the pinnacle that ordinary people might reach. A vast amount of information instantly filled his mind, becoming second nature to him. Combat techniques, stealth techniques, power application techniques, firearms techniques... In short, all combat-related skills were unlocked! Muscle memory also emerged seamlessly, integrating perfectly into his muscle structure. There was no longer the previous sensation of an explosive increase in strength; it felt as though it had been honed through countless repetitions. Li Ze lightly clenched his fist and remarked with emotion, "The system is truly powerful... It''s a pity that my villain points are almost depleted now." "However, villain points are meant to be used. If not converted into strength, what use are they? Moreover..." He smiled faintly, "Without villain points, isnt it just fine to extract them from Ye Tian?" Part 38 I’ve Arrived The next day, morning. At Jing''an Hospital in Haiping City, a low-tier hospital with the only advantage being its relatively low costs. Many impoverished families who cant afford treatment at larger hospitals choose to come here. In a patient room on the fifth floor of the hospital, Yao Ziyu was sitting in the room, peeling an apple, while on the bed lay a man in his fifties, wearing an oxygen mask, with a slightly pale and sickly complexion. This was Yao Ziyu''s father, Yao Yanqing. Looking at Yao Yanqing, a trace of worry flashed across Yao Ziyus face. Yao Yanqing''s condition had suddenly worsened earlier, and he was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment. It had been a hard struggle to pull him back from the brink of death. He was still unconscious. But thinking of Li Zes promise, Yao Ziyus face broke into a smile. Lis Hospital was the best in Haiping City, even the top in the entire Linzhou region! At that moment, a doctor in a white coat, around thirty years old, walked in and smiled, "Miss Yao, lets talk outside about your fathers condition." Upon seeing this doctor, Yao Ziyus eyes filled with anger. Xu Zhiwen, Yao Yanqings attending physician, had an uncle who was a department head. He was infatuated with Yao Ziyus appearance and had made a proposition: if she agreed to be with him, he would reduce Yao Yanqings medical expenses. How could Yao Ziyu agree to such a thing? This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. Naturally, she angrily rejected his offer. Xu Zhiwen became infuriated, feeling that Yao Ziyu was ungrateful, and began to deliberately make things difficult for her in various ways, even resorting to threats! Yao Ziyu reported the situation to the hospital, but Xus uncle suppressed the matter each time, leaving it unresolved. Moreover, she couldnt afford to escalate the situation. After all, Yao Yanqing still needed treatment here! This time, Yao Ziyu showed no fear. Alright, lets talk. The two walked downstairs and went outside. As they walked, Xu Zhiwen laughed and said, Miss Yao, have you thought about my offer? Have you considered my conditions? Ive already made my decision. Xu Zhiwen''s smile grew even wider. Oh, I wonder what Miss Yaos choice is I refuse! Yao Ziyu said coldly. Xu Zhiwen''s expression darkened immediately. Miss Yao, your fathers condition is quite serious right now. You should think this through. In his view, she was being incredibly ungrateful! Yao Ziyu said, You dont need to worry about that. Ill arrange for my father to be transferred to another hospital right away. Xu Zhiwen sneered repeatedly. Transfer? Where do you think you can transfer him to? To Lis Hospital! Xu Zhiwen was momentarily stunned, then he stopped in his tracks and burst into laughter, almost in tears from laughing so hard. Haha, Lis Hospital? Miss Yao, are you trying to make me laugh? Do you know what level Lis Hospital is at? Thats a subsidiary hospital of Lis Group! You cant even afford to stay at our Jingan Hospital, and youre thinking of going somewhere else? Buzz~ Yao Ziyus phone rang. She answered it, and Li Zes voice came through: Ive arrived. Arrived? Yao Ziyu looked around in surprise but couldn''t spot Li Ze''s figure. Im already seeing you, Li Ze said with a light laugh. Look up and step aside a bit. Xu Zhiwen, still sneering beside her, said, Miss Yao, I suggest you think again His voice cut off abruptly. He heard a deafening roar coming from above. Xu Zhiwen looked up and was instantly stunned. In the sky above, a massive object, dozens of meters long, hovered in the air, blocking out the sunlight and casting a menacing, cold shadow on the ground. The helicopters propellers churned, whipping up a fierce wind. What shocked Xu Zhiwen even more was the emblem on the helicopters body, a symbol known to everyone in Haijing City. It represented... Lis Group! part 39 “You still have a chance to rescue him.” ~ ֱھҽԺIJƺϣļ ô£ ־ľԼ۾ڿʱһȫ׶ưװ˴ֱ˳ Ƥ𪣬ݼ㣬һ˫䡢ƽĺ۾·ûʲôע⡣ ־ϸʱһ ⲻ...󣿣 ϼŵү ںһμӵһѧУһѵõĻԶһ۾ϳ ־һѣηǰȥк ܸһĺӡǻΪδԾΪĻᣡ Ҧȴˡ ...... ־ijסˡ еIJԤԽԽǿҡҦ˵ѸתҽԺȴģ׵ǣˣȻ ......Ƿֹܾϵ ־ĻȻвŮˣ ʵѾһע⵽־ּȿ־ֽǵ̬ȻϿȤеһС УҶڰҦĸ׵ʱƺҲԸ˼......һһ־ġ ǣ֪ʣ˭ Ҧҧ촽ſ죬˵ ûʲô ϾκܿҪ뿪ҽԺǰҽԺԶ־ġ Ѿæˡٸ鷳ҲԼĵλˡ ̾˿ Ҧ۾һһ˵ If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Ȼǩ˺ͬҵԱˡΪ鸺㲻Ҫκ κ⣬ҡ Ҧ˵ĺøжѾ70%ˣ Ҧ˵ĺøжѾ75%ˣ ⻰Ҧӿһůůĸоһ־ΥİȫкͰĸУЩӡ ܸԸ⻨ʱϡȻζǵĹϵеһ˿ʧ ǶĹ ᶨı飬Ҧ־ĵһжڳ ȷķ Ȼô׬ɻأ Ц˵ȥɣְתֱǺܿͻ뿪 Ҧ˵ͷԼæŲȥ һ̧̣ͷ Ŀ⿴Զ־ġ ע⵽־ļŵʧȥǡȱ̱ڵϡ ־ĵϳ˾֡үԲǰʲô֪֪ʹʮҲκ飡 󻺻־ġ ÿһ־ĵĿ־ҡ֪ԼҪʲô δ֪µġ Ѿߵ־ǰĬĬض԰׵ ......ү......־Ļ ˵ҦţȻ˵ţһԼװ·־ֵע⡣ ־Ĵ졣......ֻһ˲е һʱͿðɣҾͰôһ㡣 ˸ָ ߺŲ֪ӺζүʲôԸ Currently, the Iron Guards were using their skills to stay hidden around Li Ze, maintaining a strict vigil. Come, cut off his third leg for me. After all, this is a hospital, so treatment will be convenient. Understood. Iron Sevens expression did not change in the slightest, as if this were the most routine task. He walked straight towards Xu Zhiwen. No, no! Xu Zhiwen struggled wildly, overwhelmed with boundless regret and fear, tears streaming down his face. Nevertheless, he was picked up by Iron Seven as if he were a chicken and carried to a corner. Moments later, a blood-curdling scream echoed through the area. Then, there was silence. So quiet. Li Ze cleaned out his ears and then took out his phone to make a call. The line connected instantly. Is this the director of Jingyang Hospital? This is Li Ze. There was a sound of running on the other end, followed by a slightly breathless voice: Li Shao, why didnt you give us a heads-up before coming to our hospital? I would have prepared in advance. Im on my way over right now! Theres no need for a reception. Li Ze said calmly, "But there is a small matter that needs your attention. Doesnt your hospital have a chief physician named Xu Zhiwen? And he has an uncle who is a director, right? I want both of them dismissed." Yes. The director of Jingyang Hospital did not dare to protest and immediately agreed. He knew that Xu Zhiwen must have offended Li Ze for some reason! He was almost downstairs and had already heard the faint, piercing scream earlier, but he didnt dare to ask any further. Instead, he was filled with resentment towards Xu Zhiwen. That idiot, usually he would turn a blind eye because of his uncle, but now he actually offended Li Shao! What if this affects me too! Li Shao, actually, Xu Zhiwen has a sister who also works at the hospital... the director of Jingyang Hospital added cautiously. Li Ze found it somewhat amusing. This guys will to survive is really strong... so eager to distance himself from Xu Zhiwen? But thats just a minor issue, so Li Ze casually said, "Then lets dismiss them both as well. Oh, and send someone to bring a stretcher. Xu Zhiwen had an accident and accidentally cut himself down there while walking. If you act quickly, you might still be able to save him." Sometimes, living can be the real hell. The director of Jingyang Hospital twitched his mouth. Accidentally cutting himself while walkingwhos he kidding? His heart kept trembling. From now on, he definitely cannot provoke Li Ze! Part 40 Doctor??? Ding! Host''s villain points +100! Protagonist''s luck value -100! Since the protagonist lost the chance to show off and embarrass himself after Li Ze took care of Xu Zhiwen and his uncle, he received villain points. Of course, since Xu Zhiwen was just a minor character, the villain points were minimalbetter than nothing. Li Ze waited downstairs for a while but did not see Yao Ziyu come out. His brow furrowed. Why is it taking so long? At this moment, Yao Ziyu called. After Li Ze answered, he immediately asked, Whats going on? Havent you taken care of it yet? Yao Ziyu hesitated before saying, Li Shao, theres someone here claiming to be a doctor. He insists on examining my father and says he can easily cure his illness A doctor? Li Ze was puzzled. What kind of doctor with that level of skill could be found at Jingyang Hospital? Wait. His expression suddenly changed, and he asked, What does this person look like? A young man in his early twenties Li Ze no longer listened and his expression instantly turned icy cold: "Delay them, I''ll be there soon." That so-called doctor was Ye Tian! Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "Miss Yao, your fathers illness is..." Ye Tian continued to examine Yao Yanqings body while talking confidently. His heart was filled with excitement. He hadnt expected that his visit to Jingyang Hospital today would lead to a chance encounter with the beautiful woman he had been dreaming about from school! More importantly, she had a critically ill father! So, he casually pointed out a few minor issues with Yao Ziyu, gaining her trust, and then took the opportunity to request a diagnosis for Yao Yanqing. This was like a gift from heavena chance to show off and flirt! Though Yao Yanqings illness was serious, to him, it was not a major problem at all! He had already started imagining the outcome of curing her father and winning the beautys heart. Ye Tian rambled on, leaving Yao Ziyu confused. Noticing her bewilderment, Ye Tian smiled and said, Its okay if you dont understand everything. Just know that I can cure your fathers illness. With just a few prescriptions and some treatment methods, hell recover quickly! Really? Yao Ziyu was somewhat skeptical. After all, the doctors at Jingyang Hospital had all said that her fathers condition was very difficult. Yet, this person spoke so casually about it. By all logic, medicine is a field that requires practice and experience. Experts and professors who have achieved mastery in medicine are typically elderly individuals with gray hair. Ye Tian looked to be around the same age as Yao Ziyu. How could he possibly be the so-called miraculous doctor he claimed to be? Seeing Yao Ziyus skepticism, Ye Tian smiledly and said, Miss Yao, were there any errors in the minor ailments I pointed out to you earlier? None at all... Yao Ziyu nodded hesitantly. If there had been any mistakes, she would have expelled Ye Tian long ago and would never have allowed him to examine Yao Yanqing. To her, even the slightest chance or possibility was worth holding on to. "So, Miss Yao," Ye Tian said proudly, "You can certainly believe that..." Bang! At that moment, the door to the ward was suddenly kicked open. Ye Tian was startled and nearly fell off his chair. When he looked up and saw the newcomer, his pupils instinctively contracted. It was Li Ze! ...... Part 41 Jealousy Ever since the last kidnapping incident, Ye Tian had investigated a lot of information about Li Ze, so now he naturally recognized him! Hm? Li Ze cast his gaze toward Ye Tian and then deliberately put on a shocked expression: Arent you the thief who was caught by the inspector at the station that day? Wow, now you''ve switched careers to become a doctor? You really have a broad range of skills. Thief? Yao Ziyu looked surprised. Yes, Li Ze said with a mocking smile, I happened to be at the station that day. Tsk tsk, you were taken away by the inspector on the spot. Ye Tian''s face slightly changed. He remembered, Li Ze was the person on the second floor of the station that day! Could it be... that he was taken away by the inspector because of him? And now, he''s here to ruin his good fortune again! Damn it! Ye Tian''s chest filled with rage, and he said coldly, I have no grievances or enmity with you, why do you slander me? Slander? Li Ze sneered contemptuously and said, Do you dare to say you weren''t taken to the inspector''s office because you were caught stealing a wallet? Of course, I wasnt! Feeling the doubtful look from Yao Ziyu, Ye Tian instinctively retorted and then loudly said, Besides, what does this have to do with you? Why are you meddling so much? Relationship? Li Ze sneered and suddenly pulled Yao Ziyu into his arms: You tell me if it has anything to do with me? Thump, thump, thump. Yao Ziyu''s heart pounded violently, her mind went blank. She was held in Li Ze''s embrace, feeling his broad and solid chest, the masculine scent overwhelming her senses, and her face instantly turned red. She had never been so close to a boy before! Yao Ziyu instinctively wanted to struggle, but eventually, she inexplicably stopped her actions and let Li Ze hold her like this. Ding! Yao Ziyus favorability toward the host has risen to 80%! Ye Tian''s expression froze. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Yao Ziyu was Li Ze''s woman? Instinctively, he didn''t believe it. After all, the arranged marriage between the Fang and Song families was already well-known in the upper circles of Haiqing City! But when Ye Tian saw Yao Ziyu''s expression and noticed that she didn''t resist, his heart immediately sank. Ye Tian''s face subtly twisted. So, the woman he had been pursuing all this time was second-hand? His heart was filled with resentment. The Yao Ziyu who had captivated his thoughts was now throwing herself into someone else''s arms right in front of him. And simultaneously, deep jealousy arose! Jealousy that Li Ze could have so many women! Whether it was Wang Jingjing or Yao Ziyu, they were both rare beauties, yet they were all in his grasp. And he, on the other hand, was repeatedly thwarted in his attempts to woo a girl! "Fine, very well. I''ll remember what happened today. Just you wait..." Ye Tian couldn''t bear to stay any longer and left with a livid face. At this moment, Li Ze finally released Yao Ziyu from his embrace. Yao Ziyu seemed to snap back to reality, letting out a small cry of surprise before quickly running to the side. Her heart was beating even more violently. What was she doing just now? She didn''t resist at all, almost as if she liked being in Li Ze''s arms! Yao Ziyu felt a bit nervous. Would Li Ze think she was a very frivolous woman? Li Ze sighed, You believed such a fraudster? Seeing that Li Ze seemed to have forgotten about the incident just now, Yao Ziyu''s nervousness eased a bit, and she said, But he pointed out some of my small problems correctly, even, even knowing when I had menstrual cramps... Naive! Such things can easily be found out if one is determined, Li Ze said calmly. Let me guess, this guy must have seen you before. How did you know? Yao Ziyu asked instinctively, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she felt a bit foolish and immediately looked furious, That bastard! With Li Ze''s guidance, she naturally linked it together and realized that Ye Tian must have investigated her information after meeting her and then posed as a doctor to get close to her! Yao Ziyu felt an extraordinary anger. More than for herself, she couldn''t bear someone using her father''s illness to deceive her! Her impression of Ye Tian plummeted to the lowest point. Host villain points +500! Protagonist luck points -500! Li Ze smiled slightly. These 500 villain points came from Yao Ziyu''s change in attitude toward Ye Tian, and when Yao Ziyu''s favorability reaches 100%, he should be able to harvest another wave of points. Li Ze reminded, "There are a lot of bad people in this world. You must be careful to distinguish them." Mm, Yao Ziyu replied, still somewhat shaken. If it weren''t for Li Ze, she almost would have been deceived by that Ye Tian. "Be more cautious in the future... Go find a doctor now. Transfer your dad to the helicopter, and we''ll go to Li''s Hospital." Yao Ziyu obediently nodded and ran outside. A few seconds later, the smile on Li Ze''s face slowly disappeared, and a cold gleam flashed in his eyes. Dealing with the protagonist truly leaves no room for carelessness. "For the final villain points, it seems I''ll need someone to keep a close eye on Yao Ziyu... I can''t afford any more accidents." A cruel smile suddenly curled up on Li Ze''s lips. "It should almost be time for them to act, right? Ye Tian, what made you think that after threatening me... you could leave unscathed?" Part 42 Confidence Ye Tian walked out of the hospital with a sullen face. "Li Ze!" His teeth were clenched, his expression dark. "I''ve never offended this guy, but he keeps giving me trouble, biting at me and not letting go. Does he really think I''m easy to bully?" Whether it was because he was implicated by the Liu family or for some other reason, Li Ze was undoubtedly his enemy now! A plan gradually took shape in Ye Tian''s mind. He couldn''t swallow this indignation! Ye Tian sneered. His medical skills could save people, and naturally, they could harm people too. A divine doctor could harm or kill people invisibly! He planned to disguise himself and wait for Li Ze to come out later, then quietly get close and do something to him! He believed that the methods he employed could not be solved by anyone but himself. "So what if you have money and power? No matter how strong your background is, you can''t escape birth, aging, illness, and death!" A slightly arrogant smile appeared on Ye Tian''s lips. This was the true divine doctor, this was the confidence he had to roam the city freely! Even those with overwhelming power and immense wealth had to seek him out and treat him as an honored guest! Take Liu Ruilian from the Liu family, for instance. He was famously authoritative and unquestionable within the Liu family, extremely domineering, to the point where even the clan leader Zhao Ting dared not be disrespectful. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Yet, even he had to be polite to Ye Tian! Why? Simply because they valued my potential, and more importantly they were afraid of death! Only I could cure Liu Ruilian''s illness. The Liu family was the first to curry favor with me, but they wouldn''t be the last. The Han family, the Li family, Haiqing City, and even the broader Linzhou region would eventually be trampled under my feet, step by step. Ye Tian imagined his vast future, feeling much more at ease. By then, what would the Li family be? Just ants! "As for now, I''ll start collecting some interest" Ye Tian sneered and planned to disguise himself and wait for Li Ze. Suddenly, he felt a jolt in his heart. A bad premonition arose, his intuition sending out warnings! Ye Tian abruptly stopped and looked around, his face darkening. He had been so engrossed in his thoughts that he had unwittingly walked near an abandoned warehouse, a rarely traversed area. Tap, tap, tap. Footsteps broke the silence, and before he knew it, eight Iron Guards had surrounded Ye Tian. Iron Six approached step by step, sneering, "This guy really made it convenient for us, running to such a deserted place..." Ye Tian said in a deep voice, "Who are you?" Are you an idiot? Why would we tell you? Iron Eight laughed lightly. Ye Tian was on high alert, cold sweat even breaking out on his forehead. If they were ordinary people, he wouldn''t be afraid of a few of them, but these eight, their intertwined and resonating auras, even faintly pricked his skin. Absolute experts! Old Eight, Old Six, stop wasting time with him. Iron One touched his crew cut, looking indifferently at the somewhat panic-stricken Ye Tian, then grinned, Dont worry. Although we dont know why, our orders arent to kill you Just to break your legs! ...... Ten minutes later. Yao Ziyus father had already been transferred onto the helicopter, with the prepared doctors inside taking care of him. Li Ze also stepped onto the helicopter. Beep. At this moment, his phone received a message. It contained only four short words: Mission accomplished. Very good. Li Ze smiled, his eyes deep and profound. Ding! Host villain points +500! Protagonist luck points -500! Friendly reminder: Host''s current villain points: 1400, protagonist''s current luck points: 7500. Ding, congratulations to the host! The protagonist''s luck points have dropped to 7500, and the protagonist''s halo detachment has exceeded 50%! Please keep up the good work! Part 43 Clown "Hmm? I''ve already plundered half of the luck points?" Li Ze raised an eyebrow. "But that''s it? No rewards at all?" "" The response he received was a series of silences. "Forget it, stingy." Li Ze shrugged, closing his eyes slightly. "With only half of his luck points left... Ye Tian can start his countdown to death!" "I have quite a few villain points to use." Looking at his 1400 villain points, Li Ze first added 4 points to his constitution. After all, the system mentioned that once the constitution reaches 50, the exchange rate changes. "Ding!" "Host villain points -400! Constitution +4!" Energy emerged from the void, coursing through Li Ze''s body, shaping his physique. It was evident that his strength had increased slightly. "Ding! Host''s constitution has reached 50 points. The exchange rate for villain points to constitution points is now 200 villain points per 1 constitution point." "Hiss..." Li Ze took a deep breath. "Doubling the cost, huh? That''s harsh." But he had no choice. No matter how unfair it was, he had to keep adding constitution points. With 1000 villain points left, he could raise his constitution to 55. Then, Intimidation [Intermediate] would upgrade to Hypnosis [Advanced]! Li Ze was quite interested in this skill. As a system-recognized skill, it couldn''t be some charlatan trick. "Ding!" "Host villain points -1000! Constitution +5!" System energy washed over and reshaped Li Ze''s body, bringing a cool sensation to his brain, leaving him refreshed. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. In the system''s skill tab, Intimidation [Intermediate] had silently transformed into Hypnosis [Advanced]. Li Ze suddenly looked up. He gazed at Yao Ziyu, who was sitting across from him. "Hmm?" Noticing his movement, Yao Ziyu also raised her head to look at Li Ze. Then she saw that the light in Li Ze''s eyes had completely disappeared, as if they had turned into two dark whirlpools! Yao Ziyu''s body instantly froze, remaining completely still, her pupils dull and lifeless. There was no one else around them, so they weren''t worried about being noticed. With an unchanged expression, Li Ze asked, "What is your name?" "Yao Ziyu." "Who is your father?" "My father is Yao Yanqing." "" Li Ze asked a series of questions, and Yao Ziyu answered them all in a daze. Then, he suddenly asked, "Who do you like?" "The person I like is" Yao Ziyu began to answer, but then a hint of struggle appeared on her face. "Who is it?" The darkness in Li Ze''s eyes deepened. Yao Ziyu''s expression once again became dull and lifeless. "The person I like is Li Ze." "Phew~" Li Ze exhaled deeply, withdrawing his mental power. The confusion in Yao Ziyu''s eyes faded, and she gradually regained clarity. "What''s wrong?" Yao Ziyu asked nervously and hastily, "Why were you staring at me" "It''s nothing." Li Ze smiled slightly, but in his mind, he quickly began analyzing. "Hmm, after being hypnotized, she completely loses consciousness and has no memory of what happened afterward. When asked sensitive questions, her mind shows resistance, requiring more mental energy to maintain the state." Li Ze felt slightly tired. Using the hypnosis skill just now had consumed nearly a third of his mental energy. "Since it''s the first time using it, I''m not skilled enough, and some mental energy was wasted With practice, the consumption should be reduced" Not long after. The helicopter arrived at Li''s Hospital. During the flight, Li Ze had gained a deeper understanding of the hypnosis skill, significantly improving his proficiency. His test subject was naturally Yao Ziyu. By the time they reached the hospital, Yao Ziyu furrowed her brows in thought, feeling as if she had forgotten something. Moreover, the time spent on the helicopter seemed to pass unusually quickly... Li''s Hospital had already prepared a VIP ward according to Li Ze''s instructions and assembled a luxurious team of specialists to take care of Yao Yanqing. Initially, Li Ze planned to stay a bit longer, but Li Ancheng called, his tone somewhat hurried and grim. "The board meeting has been moved up; its happening this afternoon. You need to come to Li Group immediately." Li Ze frowned. "What happened?" "I''ve been gradually transferring group affairs to you, which might have caught the attention of certain people. They couldn''t wait to make a move." Li Ancheng''s voice was cold. "I understand." Li Ze said, "I''ll head over right away." As a conglomerate worth billions, Li Group naturally had many entangled interests. Although Li Ancheng held significant power, there were still other factions within the group. Especially since the previous Li Ze was notorious for being a wastrel, someone beyond help, there were certainly many people itching to act in such a scenario. Now, with Li Ancheng intending to hand over the group to Li Ze, it was inevitable that some would become restless. "Heh, I originally wanted to let these clowns jump around for a while," Li Ze''s smile was icy. "But since theyre seeking death themselves, lets deal with them first!" Part 44 Reporter Before setting off, Li Ze seemed to remember something and dialed Guo Han''s number. A few seconds later, the call connected. Young Master! How''s the investigation I asked you to conduct? When the Li Group was auditing the Gaosheng Group, how did they not discover such significant loopholes? Guo Han chuckled bitterly. I followed your instructions and found the person in charge and several employees who went to audit Jiancheng Group at that time, but... Speak! They all committed suicide recently. The investigation concluded it was due to excessive family pressure and depression. Li Ze''s eyes turned icy cold. Now, he could be almost 100% certain that Wang Jianmin''s incident was definitely related to Wang Jingjing! Ruthless and thorough, leaving no traces. This was exactly Wang Jingjing''s style. Li Ze continued to ask, What about Wang Jianmin? Guo Han immediately replied, Wang Jianmin was captured by a group of loan sharks. He''s been tortured these past few days and is on the verge of collapse. Hm? Li Ze frowned, Keep watching him, dont slack off! If Wang Jingjing wanted to eliminate evidence, she should have killed Wang Jianmin first! Why hasn''t she acted? If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Given this, it indicates theres something wrong! Yes, Guo Han said hurriedly. Ending the call, the helicopter soon rose with a roar, heading into the distance, destination... the Li Group! Li Group Headquarters Located in the most luxurious district of Haiqing City, where every inch of land is worth its weight in gold, the wealthy and powerful Li Group occupies an entire campus here! Li Group Headquarters Building, west side helipad. The spacious area had already gathered quite a crowd, most of whom were journalists carrying equipment and holding microphones, their faces filled with excitement. Dragon News, POI News, World Affairs... various well-known media outlets were all present, and the number of smaller media was countless, even including Dongxia Daily! The lineup was both luxurious and exaggerated! All because, half an hour ago, the current head of the Li family and Chairman of Li Group, Li Ancheng, released an official announcement. He stated that at the board meeting held today afternoon at the Li Group Headquarters Building, he would formally step down as chairman and hand over the position to his son, Li Ze! The news caused a sensation throughout Haiqing City, and even the major families within the entire Linzhou region received the message. The Li Group is a giant that ranks among the top in all of Dongxia, and its every move is naturally under close scrutiny. So, the media rushed to get here as soon as they heard the news! They aimed to be the first to get the latest scoop and capitalize on the buzz! Boom~ The rumble came from afar. The helicopter carrying Li Ze descended from the sky, landing on the lawn. He''s here! All the journalists perked up. Click. The helicopter door opened, and a pair of brand-new Loeb carved leather shoes stepped onto the ground. To attend the board meeting, Li Ze had specially changed into a gray suit, tailor-made to fit his physique, paired with an elegant tie, exuding a commanding presence. It made peoples hearts tremble involuntarily. The reporters immediately swarmed forward. Mr. Li, is it true that you will take over as chairman of Li Group today? Why was the announcement made so hastily? Under your leadership, will there be significant personnel changes or industrial policy adjustments in the groups future? Mr. Li... The reporters asked questions one after another. Suddenly, a somewhat sharp voice appeared: Mr. Li, do you think you have the capability to lead such a large corporation like Li Group? After all, there are rumors that you dont understand business management at all! Part 45 I Am a Reporter The noisy scene suddenly fell silent for a moment. The reporters were astonished. Who had the nerve to ask such an impolite and bold question? The crowd slightly parted, revealing the previous questioner. It was a male reporter with an arrogant and smug expression. Li Zes steps paused. He glanced sideways at him. After seeing the emblem on the reporters badge, he immediately understood. Shenghong Media, a company acquired by the Han family. Their primary job was to smear the Li family and Li Group. Li Ze looked at him with a smile, If I can''t lead, should it be you, a dog that only barks on command? The reporter''s expression froze. He had expected Li Ze to become angry and ashamed, giving him an opportunity to exploit the situation, but Li Ze didnt follow the expected script. Li Ze abruptly asked, Does the Li Group Headquarters allow dogs to wander in freely? A nearby bodyguard cleverly responded, The Li Group Headquarters has a strict rule: no wild animals are allowed inside. Li Ze coldly said, Then throw this dog out for me! How dare the Han familys subordinate come to the Li familys territory to cause trouble? Utterly insolent. Yes! Two bodyguards immediately walked forward with sinister smiles, roughly grabbing the male reporter and dragging him outside. "I am a reporter! You can''t do this, you bastard, I am a reporter!" The enraged voice of the male reporter gradually faded into the distance, followed by a "bang" and a scream. The reporters present were frozen in fear, and a few who had been more daring earlier suddenly became much more subdued. Mr. Li... A few reporters still wanted to ask questions. Waving his hand, Li Ze said coldly, Im very busy. If you have questions, save them for the upcoming company press conference! This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it The reporters were instantly disappointed. But Li Ze suddenly turned around, revealing a somewhat eerie smile: But dont worry, everyone. Later... Ill give you all a big news story! These words immediately rekindled the journalists excitement! Big news? But Li Ze had already turned his head and said no more, while his bodyguards had already surrounded him, leading him into the building. Having shaken off the annoying reporters, Li Ze let out a long breath, but he still felt admiration for Li Anchengs wisdom and decisiveness. Experience truly brings wisdom! Those clowns wanted to disrupt Li Anchengs original plan to step down, so they organized an early board meeting to cause trouble. However, Li Ancheng made a swift decision, using the opportunity to issue an announcement and invite the media, setting the tone in advance! Those guys must be feeling utterly disgusted now. Just entering the company''s main hall, a pair of female receptionists in uniforms, with outstanding figures and appearances, quickly bowed and said: "Young Master Li!" Guo Han, who had been waiting nearby, hurried over: "Young Master, would you like to rest for a while, or..." Li Ze glanced at his Patek Philippe watch; it was about time. "Let''s go straight to the meeting room!" Beep! Taking the elevator to the twentieth floor of the headquarters, Guo Han stepped forward and opened the door to a meeting room at the far end. Li Ze strode in. The meeting room was dead silent, the atmosphere tense. All the board members looked up, watching Li Ze as he entered. Some were expressionless, some were uneasy, some were mocking, and some were indifferent. In short, their expressions varied. "Ze, come in and sit," Li Ancheng gestured, placing an additional chair beside his own, inviting Li Ze to sit at the head of the table with him. The intent and significance were clear. Li Ze didnt hesitate; he pulled up the chair and sat down, eyes slightly narrowed, scanning everyone present. He wasn''t just looking randomly. He was using the system to check the favorability of these board members towards him! After scanning the group, aside from a few of Li Ancheng''s close allies, many had favorability levels hovering around 0%. Of course. Li Ze wasnt surprised by this situation. After all, these board members didnt know him well, and being so young, he was bound to be underestimated. Few people would like a young upstart to be above them. Li Ze wasnt arrogant enough to think that just by showing up, he could intimidate everyone. If their favorability had skyrocketed the first time they met, he would have questioned their intentions. However, a few people did catch his attention. For example, a man in his fifties with a head full of gray hair, who was currently examining the teacup in front of him with an indifferent demeanor. His favorability was in the negative! Having low favorability didnt necessarily mean disloyalty to the company, but a negative favorability certainly indicated hostility towards him! Li Ze sneered, Favorability -60%, very good... Liu Zhiyong, a director of Li Group, had been a founding member alongside Li Ancheng, possessing deep qualifications and prestige. Aside from Li Ancheng, few could hold him in check. He appeared calm and composed, with a seemingly Buddhist-like demeanor, but in reality, as he aged, his greed had only grown. He had embezzled significant amounts of company assets! Li Zes gaze turned cold. Liu Zhiyong had played a major role when Wang Jingjing and Ye Tian conspired to bring down the Li family, working from within to betray the company for his own gain. A true traitor. Moreover, the few people around Liu Zhiyong were his staunch supporters, and their favorability was also in the negatives! Part 46 Mistaken Opponent "Ahem." At this moment, Li Ancheng coughed and spoke: "Is everyone here? If so, let''s get straight to the agenda." "I have decided to step down from the position of Chairman of the Group, transferring this position and all my shares to Li Ze. Does anyone have any objections? Very well, if there are no objections, we will now proceed directly to the signing ceremony..." "Wait a minute!" A voice interrupted, the tone becoming sharp due to urgency. It was Ruan Wenchang. Liu Zhiyong''s right-hand man. This dark-skinned middle-aged man stood up, slamming the table, his face filled with frustration. "Chairman, this is against protocol, isn''t it? Everyone should have a chance to express their opinions!" "Oh, didnt I ask for your opinions?" Li Ancheng replied leisurely. Bullshit! Ruan Wenchang cursed internally, barely holding back from swearing out loud. You said it so quickly, where was our chance to express opinions? This was definitely intentional! Suppressing his dissatisfaction, Ruan Wenchang shouted: "I don''t agree with this!" Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Liu Zhiyong took a sip of tea, remaining silent, as if none of this concerned him. Li Ze narrowed his eyes: "Oh, Director Ruan, do you have any objections to me?" Ruan Wenchang snorted coldly: "Chairman Fang founded this group and led it to where it is today. We all naturally respect him. But, Li Shao, why should you lead us?" "When we were following Chairman Fang to build this empire, you probably weren''t even born yet!" His tone was aggressive. Li Ze chuckled: "Why?" "Because when it came to being born into the right family, I worked a thousand times harder than you. And you, unfortunately, are just a son of a bitch." "You!" Ruan Wenchang jumped up in rage, but couldn''t think of a retort. When it came to insults, how could he possibly outmatch Li Ze? "Everyone, calm down." At this moment, Liu Zhiyong put down his teacup and spoke slowly: "Chairman, Li Group was established by you, and it''s natural for Li Shao to take over. We actually have no objections." "It''s just that, isn''t it a bit early? You are still in your prime, sharp and capable. Leading the group for another ten or twenty years wouldn''t be a problem." "And while Li Shao has great talent, he does lack experience. Why not let him start from the middle management of the group to gain some experience? Young people need to broaden their horizons." One played the bad cop, the other played the good cop. Liu Zhiyong and Ruan Wenchang coordinated seamlessly. Especially Liu Zhiyong, whose words were flawless. He flattered both Li Ze and Li Ancheng while subtly expressing his opposition. Look, I''m not against Li Ze taking over, it''s just not the right time. Give it another ten or twenty years, and I will fully support it with both hands and feet. "Yes, Director Liu makes a good point!" "Li Shao is indeed too young. He should gain more experience. Once he has enough qualifications and experience, we certainly won''t oppose him." "That''s right!" Many directors voiced their agreement. After speaking, Liu Zhiyong resumed his leisurely demeanor, looking as though he was certain of victory. "What an old fox." Li Ze''s expression remained unchanged: "But unfortunately, you''ve picked the wrong opponent." "I don''t have time to engage in these petty power struggles and test each other''s limits. I prefer to flip the table directly!" He was not Li Ancheng and didn''t need to consider the so-called senior members'' face. What Li Ancheng couldn''t do, Li Ze could do without hesitation! Part 47 Who approves and who opposes? Li Ze smiled as he stood up. "In that case, let''s vote. Majority rules! What do you all think?" "This way, no one will have any complaints." Upon hearing this, Ruan Wenchang''s eyes lit up. "Li Shao is right. I have no objections to a vote!" Liu Zhiyong calmly said, "I have no objections either." It seemed they were confident of their victory. Li Ancheng frowned slightly, signaling Li Ze with his eyes. However, Li Ze subtly gestured, indicating that he had a different plan. "Snap." Li Ze snapped his fingers. The next second, Guo Han entered from outside, approached Li Ze with a laptop in his hands. Li Ze asked, "Is everything ready?" "Yes, its all set." "Good." Li Ze''s lips curved into a smile. "Let''s begin!" "Yes." Guo Han walked over to the large screen on the side of the meeting room, took a USB drive from his pocket, inserted it into the laptop, and connected it to the screen. Then, he respectfully placed the laptop in front of Li Ze. The board members present were puzzled. They didn''t know what Li Ze was up to. Liu Zhiyong narrowed his eyes slightly, wondering what he was planning. But soon, he dismissed it. At this point, even if Demosthenes himself were here to give a rousing speech, it wouldn''t change the outcome! Li Ze stroked his chin and looked up. With a warm smile, he said, "Let''s start the vote now. Hmm, who should begin? Director Liu, Ruan Wenchang, and these gentlemen herewhy dont you all make your decisions first?" Li Ze smiled brightly. Everyone he named was from Liu Zhiyong''s faction! Ruan Wenchang stood up directly, staring fearlessly at Li Ze with a sneer, "I oppose!" In his view, Li Zes actions were ridiculous. Did he think this would pressure them? Naive! Liu Zhiyong also said slowly, "Apologies, Chairman, Li Shao, I oppose as well. This is for the future of the company." Even at this moment, he couldn''t resist saying something nice. Stolen story; please report. Utterly hypocritical. "I oppose!" "I oppose as well!" Those named by Li Ze all followed suit. However, when it came to the last person, there was a slight surprise. The director actually voted in favor! This caught everyone off guard, especially Ruan Wenchang, who glared viciously at the traitor who had suddenly changed sides. The director''s face turned pale, and he continuously wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, unable to meet Ruan Wenchang''s gaze. As a member of Liu Zhiyong''s faction, he should have voted against, but at the last moment, he had a bad premonition and decided to change his vote. Silently, the director prayed. If he made the wrong bet, he was doomed. Liu Zhiyong appeared gentle and elegant, but his methods were ruthless, and he would surely settle scores later. Li Ze smiled and said, "Very good..." He typed a few commands on the laptop and then pressed the enter key. Ruan Wenchang''s face was full of contempt. But when the content appeared on the screen, his expression turned into one of shock. His eyes widened, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead. "Clang." Liu Zhiyong''s teacup slipped from his hand, shattering on the floor. The directors who had voted against were also pale, feeling dizzy and disoriented. The screen displayed various accounting records and company documents, all detailing evidence of their embezzlement, falsified accounts, misappropriation of company funds, and bribery! Except for the director who had changed his vote to support, all the evidence of the crimes of the others was displayed, leaving none out! For Li Ze, who knew the plot, finding these things was incredibly easy. They were all depicted in the TV series. "Did you really think no one knew about the things you did? Fools!" Li Ze''s voice was icy: "In the past, we overlooked your actions because of your contributions to the company. But unfortunately, it seems you''ve forgotten your place!" "You dare to interfere with my succession of the company? You have some nerve! Perhaps you''ve forgotten that everything you have now was given to you by the Li family!" The directors looked terrified. Liu Zhiyong''s lips trembled; his previous calm demeanor vanished as he shouted, "This is all slander! Slander!" "You fabricated these things just to take over as chairman!" Li Ze responded coldly, "Slander you? Liu Zhiyong, you overestimate yourself... In my eyes, you''re just a petty clown." "As for whether this is slander, don''t worry, someone will help you verify it." He clapped his hands. The conference room door opened, and several inspectors in uniforms walked in with stern expressions. "Come with us." "No, how can this be?" Liu Zhiyong was stunned. He thought Li Ze had produced this evidence merely to threaten them and use it as leverage. But Li Ze was more ruthless than they had imagined. He intended to send them all to prison, destroying everything they had! Liu Zhiyong trembled with anger, pointing at Li Ze and shouting hysterically, "I am a founding member of the Li Group! Without me, there wouldn''t be the Li Group of today! How dare you do this, you bastard! How dare you! Let go of me, let go of me..." The group was filled with anger, fear, and pleas for mercy, but one by one, they were handcuffed by the inspectors. Anyone attempting to escape was immediately subdued and controlled! Many pleaded with Li Ancheng. "Chairman Li, give us one more chance!" But Li Ancheng merely watched coldly. These people had brought this upon themselves. Out of respect for their past contributions, he had turned a blind eye for a long time, but their behavior had grown increasingly rampant with each passing day! "Bang!" The conference room door slammed shut. Outside, the sounds of their shouting and cursing could still be faintly heard. Inside the conference room, everyone was silent with fear. They all looked at Li Ze with extreme apprehension! They realized that the ones Li Ze had presented evidence against, and who were then taken away by the inspectors, were all those who had voted against him! Only the one who had switched sides at the last moment had escaped unscathed. Could it be that only he was clean? Clearly not! Or rather, at their level, how many could claim to have clean hands? Very few indeed! Li Ze''s gaze swept across their faces again, and he smiled: "Don''t worry, let''s continue with the vote." "So." With a smile, he asked, "Who approves and who opposes?" Part 48 Liu Shun The conference room fell silent. All the directors couldnt help but swallow nervously. They exchanged glances, then, without hesitation, raised their hands! I approve! I approve! I also approve! The resolution to appoint Li Ze as the new chairman of the Li Group passed unanimously! If you deal with the dissenters, the vote will always be unanimous. The worlds logic is simple and straightforward. No frills. In that case, let''s proceed with the signing. Li Ancheng coughed and waved his hand. Guo Han immediately stepped forward, placing a share transfer agreement and an appointment letter in front of Li Ze. Li Ze picked up a pen and signed his name with a flourish. From this moment on, the Li Group had a new master! Li Ancheng looked at Li Ze with satisfaction and joy. Todays performance in the board meeting had exceeded his expectations. First, he dealt with Liu Zhiyong and the key figures supporting him, using this to intimidate the others. After all, it wasnt realistic to remove every director associated with Liu Zhiyong. That wouldnt be practical! By sparing the one director who switched sides, he sent a clear signal: if you dont want to end up like Liu Zhiyong and his group, submit to me! Li Zes approach was both sharp, reflecting his youth, and seasoned. A combination of carrot and stick. Li Ancheng nodded, feeling reassured about his retirement. Before leaving the meeting, the director who had changed his vote approached nervously and said: The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. Chairman Li Li Ze smiled faintly, Dont worry, once you leave this room, everything from the past is written off. The directors face lit up with joy, and he bowed repeatedly. Thank you, Young Master Li, thank you! Other directors who were watching also felt relieved and smiled as they quietly discussed and left the room. A few minutes later. The large room was left with only Li Ze. Li Ze leaned back in the chair at the head of the table, his fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop. The sound echoed in the empty conference room. Suddenly, a voice spoke up behind him. Tie Yi, with a cold expression, asked, Young Master, you called for me? Hmm. Li Ze stopped tapping and tossed a USB drive behind him. Tie Yi caught it. The people on the list in this evidence, arrange for some accidents to happen to them over the next period. Be discreet. Li Zes tone was icy. Li Ancheng still didnt understand him. For Li Ze, the Li Group didnt need these ingrates! There were plenty of capable, loyal, and ambitious people. Without these directors, would the Li Group stop functioning? Li Ze needed not stability, but absolute control! He didnt want to be stabbed in the back by his own people. For this, he wouldnt hesitate to take ruthless action! As for the promise of writing off the past? Li Zes smile was cold and cruel. After all, I am a villain... Even children know, can you trust a villains words? Outside the Li Group building. The reporters were in an uproar. As they eagerly awaited the end of the board meeting, they suddenly noticed several men in high-end suits, looking ashen-faced and handcuffed, being escorted out by inspectors! Someone quickly recognized who these men were. Faces were filled with shock. These men were directors of the Li Group! They immediately recalled what Li Ze had said earlier about giving them big news. The reporters exchanged excited and thrilled glances. The big news was here! The news of Li Ze taking over the Li Group spread throughout Haichengs upper echelons within days, with the story continually gaining traction. The fact that Li Ze had ousted several directors during the board meeting sparked widespread speculation! For the first time, Li Ze unabashedly revealed his fangs! The Liu Family In a luxurious room, Ye Tian lay on the bed, his legs bandaged, his face dark with anger! Suddenly, Ye Tian grabbed a teacup and hurled it to the floor, venting his rage. Ah The sudden movement irritated his wound, causing him to wince in pain. Iron Guard had brutally broken his legs, striking with such force that Ye Tian had passed out from the pain. However, Ye Tians medical skills were indeed remarkable. He had followed his master in learning unique medical techniques, possessing a special energy within his body that could heal wounds, detoxify, and strengthen his body. So, just a few days later, Ye Tian''s legs, which had been shattered, were already beginning to recover to the point where he could almost walk again, albeit with crutches. Damn bastard! Ye Tian''s face twisted with fury. That damned Li Ze! Because of his broken legs, the Liu familys attitude toward him had subtly changed. Liu Ruinian remained as respectful and polite as ever, but Zhao Ting and Liu Mengyu began to look at him with disdain. After all, a divine doctor who gets his legs broken doesn''t exactly sound impressive! "..." Part 49 Nightmares Eye Just as Ye Tian was contemplating the perfect time to bring Liu Shun to Haicheng City and permanently deal with the troublesome Li Ze, something unnoticed occurred in a corner. A faint, eerie red light flashed through the TV set-top box. Yunding Villa. In a room along the first-floor side corridor. The spacious room was filled with computers and various other equipment. Around ten people sat at their respective stations, looking extremely busy. Most of them were between the ages of twenty and thirty. Nightmare''s Eye. This was their collective name. A highly skilled team of elite professionals Li Ze had hired from an international hacker organization at great expense. Just like their name suggests, the targets of Nightmare''s Eye seemed to be watched by an invisible eye, their nightmares following them closely. This team had a high task completion rate and never leaked their employers information. Their reputation was excellent. The only drawback was their exorbitant fees, but to Li Ze, this was not a drawback at all. Problems that could be solved with money were not real problems. He had already accumulated too much wealth and needed to lighten it appropriately. The primary task of Nightmare''s Eye was to monitor Ye Tian! Li Ze did not want Ye Tian to cause any more unexpected "surprises" for him. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. Suddenly, a member of Nightmare''s Eye wearing headphones frowned and said, "Captain, there''s a situation." "The target''s recent phone call seems to involve our employer." "What?" Upon hearing this, Captain Dyson immediately ordered, "Kathryn, hack into the target''s phone and retrieve the recent call log for content analysis." "Got it." A blonde woman quickly began typing on her keyboard, her fingers dancing like elves. In no time, she had hacked into Ye Tian''s phone. Ten minutes later. Kathryn called out, "Done!" Dyson stepped forward and took a look, his expression immediately becoming serious. He quickly moved aside and made a phone call... Li Group Headquarters. Li Ze rubbed his forehead and handed the processed documents to the waiting secretary, saying, "Notify all the department-level executives to come to the conference room for a meeting later." "Yes." The secretary respectfully took the documents and turned to leave. Li Ze let out a long breath. Having just taken over the group, there were indeed many miscellaneous issues to deal with. Fortunately, with his Master-level management skills, handling them was still manageable. These tasks were also essential for him to establish a solid control over the group, which would better support and assist him in the future. Just as Li Ze was resting his eyes, a phone call came in. Seeing the caller ID, Li Ze''s expression changed. It was Dyson, the captain of Nightmare''s Eye. He answered the call. "Hello?" "Young Master Li, there''s a situation with the target. He made a call, and the content was..." Li Ze''s expression suddenly turned icy. Liu Shun. A character in the TV series whose screen time isn''t extensive but is extremely important. This person can be said to represent the pinnacle of individual combat power in the show "Martial Arts Expert from the Countryside Enters the City"! Due to accidentally ingesting a special insect, he possesses immense strength, is impervious to blades and bullets, and even a handgun cannot penetrate his defense! Although not very bright, he is exceptionally loyal to Ye Tian, obeying his every word. He has saved Ye Tian''s life multiple times. When the Li family was annihilated, it was ultimately Iron Guard who was wiped out by this monster, almost without any ability to fight back! After transmigrating into this world, Li Ze naturally wanted to find out Liu Shun''s whereabouts to eliminate future threats. However, the TV series didn''t provide specific details about his current location, only mentioning that he was in a remote small village. With Dongxia being so vast, such vague information made it impossible for even the Li family''s resources to locate him. Helpless, Li Ze had to give up and instead focus his attention on Ye Tian. After all, these plot characters revolve around the protagonist. As long as he kept a close watch on Ye Tian, the others wouldn''t be able to escape either! And now, there were indeed clues. Part 50 Favorability "Heh heh," Li Ze chuckled, "I didn''t expect Ye Tian to actually plan to have him assassinate me... It seems he''s really determined to see me dead, coming up with such a foolish plan. It looks like he''s already lost his cool." In the plot, these so-called protagonists can remain calm and righteous no matter the situation, but that''s all based on one premise: They are always the final winners and will never die. But when the protagonist starts losing repeatedly and facing constant setbacks, can they still maintain their original composure and rationality? Not necessarily! Ye Tian is already starting to lose his rationality. Li Ze''s eyes were deep. "Ye Tian thinks his plan is flawless and very secretive, but little does he know that every move he makes is under my watchful eye." Several action teams, in coordination with Nightmare''s Eye, were using various methods to monitor him, with high-tech devices constantly emerging. Ye Tian was quite cautious, but after being on the mountain for so many years, he lacked a real understanding of these matters! Li Ze thought for a moment and then said to Dyson, who was waiting for instructions on the other end, "Good job. Keep an eye on him. If he contacts that ''Liu Shun'' again, report to me immediately!" "No problem," Dyson replied. Hanging up the phone, the secretary walked in again. "President Fang, all the department heads and managers have arrived in the conference room and are waiting for you." "Okay, I understand." Li Ze nodded, got up from his seat, and left the chairman''s office. He walked to the conference room at the end of the corridor. Before he entered, there was a murmur of discussions inside, but as soon as Li Ze pushed the door open, all the sounds instantly ceased. Everyone stood up in unison and said, "President Fang!" Li Ze walked to the head of the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down. His gaze swept across everyone''s faces. Each person lowered their head respectfully, with submissive expressions, not daring to meet Li Ze''s eyes. Li Ze smiled playfully, "Your words are well-rehearsed, but how many of you truly mean it when you call me ''President Fang''? And how many of you were once remnants of Liu Zhiyong''s faction?" The purpose of today''s meeting was very simple. It was to eliminate the hidden threats among these high-level executives. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Li Shi Group did not need those who were disloyal and treacherous! "Check favorability!" Li Ze remained silent, thinking to himself. At one point, he suddenly pointed to the head of the finance department, "You can leave now and bring in your deputy head." "Huh? Yes, sir!" The head of the finance department was puzzled but still ran out to fetch the deputy head from his department. The deputy head was even more baffled. Why does President Fang want to see me? Did I do something wrong? When the deputy head of the finance department arrived at the conference room, he immediately noticed that he was not the only one summoned; several other department deputy heads were also called in. At this moment, Li Ze glanced at him and said, "Bring your next level of team leaders here." The deputy head of the finance department was completely confused. What is going on? I haven''t done anything yet! When he returned to the finance department, the head approached him and whispered, "What''s going on?" "President Li didn''t say anything, just asked me to call the team leaders over," the deputy head whispered back. The head breathed a sigh of relief, "It seems he just wants to get to know the management of each department." "I suppose so, but why go to all this trouble? Wouldn''t it be easier to call everyone over directly?" the deputy head questioned. "New officials often like to make their presence known. He probably wants to use this method to show who is in charge of Li Shi Group..." The head sneered, "Hmph, what a show of authority!" On the other side. In the conference room, people kept going out and coming in. Eventually, even team leaders from some departments were called in. These people all looked extremely anxious. Given their positions, when had they ever appeared in a meeting of this level? Naturally, they were incredibly nervous. At this moment, Li Ze crossed his hands and said calmly, "The heads of departments who didn''t leave to call others will retain their positions. For the rest, the people who are still here will become the new heads of their departments. Those who left are all dismissed." "That''s it, meeting adjourned!" The basis for this position adjustment was very simple. Anyone whose favorability towards him was negative, meaning they harbored hostility, was all dismissed! Is he supposed to spend money keeping a group of ingrates? Most of these people were connected to Ruan Wenchang and Liu Zhiyong''s faction. Now that they were in prison and Li Ze was in power, their interests were being infringed upon, naturally leading to dissatisfaction with Li Ze! Of course, there were probably a few unrelated ones among them. But better to err on the side of caution. Even if some were innocent, it wasn''t unfair to dismiss them since they harbored hostility! The conference room fell silent for a moment. Then, the room erupted in chaos! A team leader from the project development department was completely stunned. How did he suddenly become the head of the department? The leap was too large; it wasn''t just about overstepping, it was about breaking the boundaries entirely! Li Ze was walking back to the chairman''s office. The former finance director, or more accurately, the ex-finance director, rushed up from behind. "Chairman Li!" Li Ze turned his head to look. Having just received the news of his dismissal, the man''s face was flushed as he loudly demanded, "Chairman Li, on what basis did you decide to dismiss me? I don''t accept this!" "Don''t accept it? Then keep it to yourself!" Li Ze''s eyes were cold. "You''re just fired right now, but if you say one more word, believe me... I''ll make sure no company will ever want to hire you again." The ex-finance director instantly fell silent. He knew very well that Li Ze wasn''t just making threats; he had the power to carry them out! In front of Li Ze, the idea of cursing out the boss, then leaving with the belief that the world is vast and he could go anywhere, simply didn''t exist. If Li Ze wished it, this insignificant speck of dust would find no place to settle in all of Dongxia! Li Ze couldn''t be bothered with him any longer and was about to continue on his way. Just then, he received a call from Yao Ziyu. The moment he answered, her slightly tearful voice came through: "Li Ze, my dad''s condition suddenly worsened, he''s not going to make it..." "What?" Li Ze was taken aback. If Yao Yanqing really died, getting the remaining villain points from Yao Ziyu would be much harder! He quickly comforted her and said: "Wait for me, I''ll be right there." After giving instructions for his current tasks, Li Ze rushed to Li''s Hospital. Part 51 Reasonably Speaking At this moment, Wei Yanxing had already been sent to the emergency room for urgent treatment. When Yao Ziyu saw Li Ze, her eyes turned red. Li Ze, my dad... Li Ze frowned and glanced at the side. There were several specialist doctors there, the ones who had been in charge of treating Wei Yanxing recently. Whats the situation? He said coldly, What a bunch of useless idiots! With so many of you, you can''t even take care of a single patient? Did you all buy your diplomas and titles? By the end of his statement, Li Zes voice was filled with barely suppressed anger. A group of incompetent fools! The specialist doctors were sweating profusely and didnt dare to retort. After Li Ze finished speaking, one of the specialists cautiously said, Young Master Li, the patient has been paralyzed for a long time, his constitution was already weak, and kidney failure has led to numerous complications. The various symptoms are intertwined, making the situation quite complex... Li Ze gradually calmed down. Yao Yanqing was originally an experience package specially prepared for Ye Tian by the author. It not only allowed Ye Tian to show off his medical skills and impress others but also helped him win over Yao Ziyu, the main girlfriend! If Wei Yanxings illness were easily treatable, how would it highlight Ye Tians exceptional medical skills? Li Ze took a deep breath. Directly tell me the current condition of Yao Yanqing. Be honestare there still chances for a cure? There is still a chance. The specialist doctor quickly said, We have just found a compatible kidney source. If we can successfully perform the transplant, there is a possibility for the patient to recover! Then what are you waiting for? Li Zes eyes widened. Hurry up! Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. The specialist doctor looked awkward. The difficulty of this surgery is extremely high. Lis Hospital doesnt have experts in this field. If we proceed with the surgery recklessly, the success rate would be very low. However Speak! The specialist doctor lowered his voice. Professor Light from Alan Country is the leading expert in this field. He happened to arrive in Haiqing City yesterday by plane to handle some matters. If we can get him to perform the surgery, the chances of success would be much higher. But he has a rather peculiar personality. He only treats patients from his own country and ignores those from other countries who come to him. Li Ze asked, Where is he now? The specialist doctor thought for a moment. He should be staying at the Golden Jade Hotel. Many people have gone to consult with him before. Li Ze said decisively: Prepare for the surgery immediately. Ill take care of finding him! Yes! The doctors present responded respectfully and hurried to make preparations. They dared not disobey Li Ze''s orders; otherwise, a single word from him could get them fired! The preparations for the surgery began. Meanwhile, Li Ze also got in touch with Iron Guard. Iron Guard was almost constantly by Li Zes side, both to ensure his safety and to be readily available for any orders. Theres a doctor from Alan Country named Light. He should be staying at the Golden Jade Hotel. Bring him to me within an hour. I only care about the result! Yes! Iron Guard received the order and immediately took action. Within less than an hour, a helicopter bearing the Li Groups emblem descended from the sky. A man in his fifties, with golden hair and a tall frame, was brought off the helicopter, his face bruised and swollen. Since Li Ze said he only cared about the results, Iron Guard''s methods were a bit rough. Light was escorted by Iron Guard to the surgery preparation room. The moment he saw Li Ze, he began to rage, shouting in broken Dongxia language, Youre kidnapping me, kidnapping! I will file a complaint against you! Please remain calm, Mr. Light. Li Ze said coolly, We only asked you to come here to perform a surgery on a patient. You barbaric Dongxia people, this is kidnapping! Light continued to yell. Li Zes gaze turned icy. Make him quiet. He absolutely detested interruptions while he was speaking. Bang! Iron Guard stepped forward and punched Light in the stomach. Ugh Lights shouting instantly stopped, his face turned pale, and his eyes widened in pain. Now, lets continue, Dr. Light. Li Ze said calmly, I need you to save someone. Isnt saving lives and healing the sick your duty as a doctor? Over my dead body! Light''s voice was hoarse. I never treat patients from outside Alan Country. That is my principle, and I will never break it! Pfft! He spat on the floor. Even if youve kidnapped me, dont expect me to do it! Li Ze''s expression remained blank, clearly losing patience. He waved his hand. Take him to the operating room. Remember, the ones who come out in front of me must be either two living people or two corpses! You Light looked incredulous. Did they really dare to kill him? He couldnt believe it! But seeing Li Zes indifferent expression, Light couldnt help but shiver. Iron Guard had already stepped forward. He grabbed Light by the shoulders and forcefully dragged him into the operating room. Bang! The door slammed shut. Li Ze''s face remained expressionless. Arguing with a villain about principleshad they made a mistake somewhere? Part 52 Skill Plunder Card Li Ze walked out of the surgery preparation room. Yao Ziyu, who had been crouching in the corner, immediately sprang up and threw herself into Li Zes arms, looking somewhat lost. She was crying uncontrollably. Yao Yanqing was her only remaining family. If anything were to happen to him... She bit her lip tightly. Dont worry, everything will be fine. The surgery has already begun. Li Ze reassured her. But in reality, he had no confidence in whether Wright would successfully complete the surgery. Time passed minute by minute, and the emergency lights in the operating room flashed with a red glow. An hour later. Clack. The door to the operating room opened. Wright walked out with a dark expression, looking as if he had just received terrible news. Seeing this, Yao Ziyus legs went weak, and she nearly fainted. Li Ze reached out to steady her and looked at Wright, coldly demanding, Tell me, how is he? Wright''s anger surged within him, and he desperately wanted to shout, Hes dead! Completely dead! But seeing Li Zes gaze, he immediately shrank back. He had no doubt that if he spoke like that, he might not leave the hospital alive! In the end, Wright had no choice but to suppress his anger and honestly say: Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. The surgery was very successful. With some time to recuperate, he should recover fully. Yao Ziyu was momentarily stunned, then overwhelmed with joy and tears! See? I told you so! Li Ze also let out a sigh of relief and smiled, saying, I promised to cure your father, and I will make sure to keep that promise! Soon. Yao Yanqing was wheeled out of the operating room and taken to the observation room. Yao Ziyu looked at Li Ze with deep gratitude and said, Li Ze, thank you. I really didnt know what I would have done without you. Ding! Yao Ziyus affection for the host has increased to 90%! Ding! Yao Ziyus affection for the host has increased to 95%! Ding! Yao Ziyus affection for the host has reached 100%! A series of system prompts sounded, and Yao Ziyus affection for Li Ze had finally maxed out! Li Zes lips curved into a smile; it had finally arrived. All the effort he had put into Yao Ziyu was just to harvest more villain points, after all. But this storyline... It seemed to be fully squeezed out now. Ding! Hosts villain points +1000! Protagonists fortune points -1000! Friendly reminder: Current villain points 1000, protagonists fortune points 6500. Yao Ziyus connection with the protagonist has been completely severed, successfully altering the plot. Due to the hosts excellent performance, the system is triggering a random lottery! Would you like to start the lottery? Li Ze was overjoyed; such good fortune? Without hesitation, he said, Start! Ding! Reward drawing in progress... Congratulations to the host for an incredible stroke of luck, and receiving the reward Skill Plunder Card! Li Ze raised his eyebrows, somewhat confused. But then a line of small text appeared before his eyes, explaining: [Skill Plunder Card: Plunder any one skill from the target and convert it into your own ability. Note: Perfect-grade skills cannot be plundered.] Li Ze''s heart skipped a beat. He could plunder any one skill from the target and turn it into his own ability! The only limitation was that perfect-grade skills couldn''t be plundered. In that case... Li Ze asked, System, what is Ye Tian''s medical skill level? The system quickly responded with a somewhat mechanical tone. Protagonist Ye Tians medical skill level is [Mastery], and he is at the peak of Mastery, nearly reaching the Perfect level. Li Ze understood. Ye Tian''s medical skills had indeed not yet reached the Perfect level. One of his reasons for leaving the mountain was that he had hit a bottleneck in his medical skills and needed to find an opportunity for breakthrough! In the drama, Ye Tian had received a great opportunity that led to a complete mastery of his skills; he must have broken through to the Perfect level then. Currently, Ye Tian had not yet obtained that opportunity. Li Zes thoughts delved into his storage space. Inside lay a Skill Plunder Card and a Skill Upgrade Card that had been obtained earlier but not yet used. A plan began to form in Li Zes mind, gradually taking shape, with the ultimate goal being Ye Tians demise! Part 53 Contact! Monsoon Caf. Wang Jingjing wore a long beige dress, with a black necklace accentuating her smooth, snow-white neck, highlighting her nobility and elegance. She ordered a cup of coffee and waited quietly. Not long after. A man dressed in white clothes and pants, wearing a sun hat, strode into the caf and sat across from Wang Jingjing. He took off his hat with a swift motion and said with a smile, "Miss Wang, youre quite early." At the same time, a subtle glimmer of admiration flashed in his eyes. What a rare beauty... The visitor was, in fact, Ye Tian! With his exceptional medical skills and remarkable recovery abilities, Ye Tian''s legs, previously injured by the Iron Guards, had miraculously healed. Wang Jingjing scrutinized Ye Tian and asked calmly, Who exactly are you? Why did you invite me here? My name is Ye Tian, and Im currently staying with the Liu family, Ye Tian said with a slight smile, speaking calmly. I have some information about Li Ze Oh? A hint of intrigue appeared in Wang Jingjing''s eyes. The mention of Li Ze had indeed piqued her interest. After all, Li Ze''s recent changes had been so drastic it was almost unbelievable, as if he had become a different person. The contrast with the former wastrel was like heaven and earth! Can the same person really undergo such a dramatic transformation in such a short time? Wang Jingjing found it hard to believe. That leaves only one explanation: Li Ze had been disguising himself before, and now, this is his true self! Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. If thats the case, his level of scheming and cunning is truly frightening. And Li Ze''s remarks about himself it seems like he knows something, Wang Jingjing said, her eyes calm and deep. The uncertainty and unease brought by Li Ze had forced her to accelerate her plans significantly. Wang Jingjing refocused and asked, What do you know? Ye Tian smiled with a hint of satisfaction, That guy Li Ze has other lovers outside! He then pulled out a photo of Yao Ziyu from his pocket. Look, its this woman! Shes a student at Xuri University Wang Jingjing was taken aback, Is this what you wanted to tell me? Exactly! Ye Tian asserted confidently, I swear on my credibility that this is true. Li Ze indeed has an undisclosed relationship with Yao Ziyu; I witnessed it myself. Wang Jingjing found it somewhat absurd. Anger even began to rise within her. Calling her out in such a mysterious way just to talk about Li Zes gossip? What nonsense! She shot a cold glance at Ye Tian and said, Sir, if theres nothing else, Ill be leaving. With that, she stood up to leave. Ye Tian was stunned. Whats going on? The situation was completely different from what he had expected! According to his original plan, Wang Jingjing would surely be furious upon learning this, which would allow him to successfully stir up conflict between the two parties. Then, he could find the right moment to spread this information, aiming to ruin the alliance between the Fang and Song families! This would not only satisfy his own grudge but also benefit the Liu family, which opposed the Li family. A win-win! But now, it seemed Wang Jingjing didnt care at all? This was completely unexpected. Seeing Wang Jingjing turning to leave, Ye Tian panicked and got up to block her. Wait, Miss Wang, I have more to say! Wang Jingjing, however, did not sit back down. She remained standing, towering over Ye Tian with an air of regal authority, her gaze calm and unruffled. Speak. Ye Tian felt a surge of anger but ultimately forced himself to remain calm, feeling quite helpless. The situation was stronger than he was! At present, he indeed had no standing to engage in equal conversation with Wang Jingjing. In fact, in the original drama, Ye Tian and Wang Jingjings first meeting was later than this. By that time, Wang Jingjing had fully taken control of the Song family following Wang Fuqis sudden death, while Ye Tian, unimpeded by Li Ze, had gained considerable fame and influence. Thus, he was formidable, confident, and domineering. Wang Jingjing saw his potential, so she used her beauty to seduce him, employing deceit and cunning to use Ye Tian to help her achieve her goal of destroying the Li family and unifying Haiqing! But now, Ye Tian, having been repeatedly deceived by Li Ze, was in a pitiful state, and his luck had long since dwindled. Though luck is intangible and abstract, it is indeed real! Ye Tian took a deep breath. He was confident that what he was about to say would surely move Wang Jingjing, with no surprises. With a proud expression and full of confidence, Ye Tian said, Miss Wang, actually, Im a divine doctor. I can cure your fathers illness! Part 54 Parting on Bad Terms Ye Tian wore a smug expression. He was filled with pride and confidence in his medical skills. In his view, aside from his master, who was still temporarily superior in medicine, no one else could compare to him! The issues with Li Ze and Yao Ziyu could be set aside. This, however, should definitely capture Wang Jingjings attention, right? Ye Tian planned to leverage his medical skills and use the Wang family''s influence! On his own, the Liu family was not yet strong enough to help him combat the Li family. Despite having already planned for Liu Shun to take out Li Ze, Ye Tian is by no means a saintly protagonist. His character is one of vindictive retribution and thorough elimination of future threats. He not only wants Li Ze dead but also plans to bring about the downfall of the Li family! Only then could he rid himself of his resentment and find peace. Ye Tian waited for Wang Jingjings response. Wang Jingjing remained in her original posture, looking at Ye Tian with a calm expression, as if contemplating something. Ye Tian suddenly shivered. He felt an eerie sensation, as if the temperature around him was dropping! Wang Jingjing''s expression showed no change, but deep in her eyes, there was a hint of indifference and killing intent. It wasnt that she thought Ye Tian was lying; after all, such a lie would be too easily exposed, and she didnt think he had the courage to make such a claim. On the contrary. If what he said was true that was what truly stirred her murderous intent! Ye Tian forced a strained smile. Miss Wang? Wang Jingjing suppressed her emotions. Given her position, such a reaction was not what she should exhibit, so she merely gave him a faint, mocking smile and said: A divine doctor? Then, she turned and walked away. It was clear she was filled with disdain and disbelief toward what Ye Tian had just said. Ye Tian stood there, stunned. After a long time, his gaze was dark and filled with resentment. Damn it! His face was extremely grim, his fists clenched tightly, but he soon relaxed them again. After all, as the protagonist, Ye Tian quickly regained his composure. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Very well, you think you can look down on me? One day, Ill make you bow down to me! Just wait! That Wang Fuqi can just wait to die! Even if you beg me later, I wont lift a finger! However, Ye Tian did not realize that this very abandonment of hope would actually spare him from a deadly disaster. If he had tried to bypass Wang Jingjing and insisted on treating Wang Fuqi, Wang Jingjing would have definitely taken action against him! After all, he was not Li Ze, and Wang Jingjing would have no reservations. The Wang family is not to be relied upon for now. Ye Tian shook his head, his eyes clouded with gloom. Coming with high hopes, only to face a result so contrary to his expectations, undoubtedly left him in a very bad mood. I need to find another way to deal with the Li family. Its time to start preparing for Liu Shun to assassinate Li Ze. With this thought, Ye Tian put his hat back on, glanced around, and then pushed open the caf door to leave. After Ye Tian departed. In a corner of the caf, a man in a suit, who appeared to be busy with work, stopped his actions and calmly said into his earpiece, Location: Monsoon Caf. Target has met with Miss Song Li Corporation Headquarters Li Ze pondered the recent updates he received about Ye Tians activities. The most notable development was that Ye Tian had secretly met with Wang Jingjing! Just as expected, they did meet, but the timing was much earlier than anticipated, and the circumstances were off. It seems the butterfly effect from changes in the plot is at work. Its a pity that their meeting didnt go as smoothly as it did in the original drama. Li Ze''s lips curled into a knowing smile. In the original story, when these two first met, it was a perfect matchwell, to be precise, Ye Tian was lusting after Wang Jingjing, and Wang Jingjing saw him as a useful tool. So, they hit it off right away. Of course, Ye Tians protagonist halo also played a part. But this time, due to Li Zes interference, many plot points had changed, and Ye Tians protagonist halo had been significantly diminished! As a result, their first meeting ended in discord. Li Ze smiled faintly. Im curious to see what tricks this son of fortune can come up with. Heh, keep struggling. After dealing with documents for a while, until the sun had set outside the window, Li Ze finally left his office, took the private elevator, and went straight to the underground parking lot. The underground garage had a gravity-sensing system. The moment Li Ze entered, the lights overhead instantly illuminated the area, revealing dozens of luxury cars. Ultimately, he chose a Koenigsegg CC, opened the door, got in, and roared out of the garage. As he drove, he thought to himself. As the protagonist, Ye Tian not only possessed personal strength but was also surrounded by various subordinates and forces. Among them, two were particularly significant, serving as Ye Tians right and left arms. Liu Shun is one of them. After Ye Tian called him to Haiqing City, Liu Shun was mainly responsible for providing cutting-edge military power and security. And the other one is crucial for coordinating the forces and providing significant strategic assistance to Ye Tian. Eliminating these right and left arms will make it difficult for Ye Tian to make any significant impact. Li Ze calmly thought, Since Liu Shun hasnt shown up yet, Ill handle the other one first. And for that, I need to find someone The Koenigsegg CC roared down the road, attracting astonished gasps from passersby. It finally came to a graceful stop with a beautiful drift. Smack! Li Ze got out of the car. He looked up at the resplendent building before him. The Royal City Entertainment Center! Standing tall in Haiqing City''s luxurious district, it soared into the night sky. With the neon lights glowing, it cast a brilliant illumination in all directions, resembling a lighthouse standing in the darkness. People dressed in exquisite attire, looking glamorous and radiant, walked in with elegance and cheer, chatting merrily. Li Ze entered the lobby and went straight to the front desk. While many were queuing for registration, Li Ze ignored them and approached the manager at the front, tapping on the desk. The manager, looking frazzled and impatient, said, Dont you know the rules? You need to queue Oh, even I have to queue? A voice without the slightest hint of emotion rang out. The manager looked up and saw a familiar face, with the person watching him with a half-smile. The manager was immediately startled. A fawning smile appeared on his face. Young Master Li Ah, no, President Li! What brings you here? Of course, you dont need to queue! Please come in! The boss is already waiting for you inside. Part 55 Message "At least you know your place." Li Ze walked straight towards the elevator. He pressed the button for the top floor, and the elevator began its slow ascent. "Ding!" The elevator doors opened with a thunderous sound. In front of him was a grand luxurious room. The door was ajar, so Li Ze walked right in. Suddenly, an atmosphere of extravagant revelry and material indulgence enveloped the surroundings. In the spacious room, a middle-aged man was sitting on the sofa. His figure was slightly overweight, and most notably, a scar extended down his forehead, giving him a fierce appearance. Zhou Wenlong. The boss of the Royal City Entertainment, Zhou had started as a lowly thug. Through his ruthlessness and sharp instincts, he had acquired everything he had now, including numerous bars, shopping malls, and countless subordinates. Among the underground forces in Haicheng, his power was the strongest. At this moment, Zhou Wenlong was surrounded by several heavily made-up women. He was hugging them on either side, laughing heartily, while the table in front of him was covered with bottles of expensive liquor. The air was thick with an aura of decadence. "Oh, Mr. Fang is here. Please, have a seat!" Zhou Wenlong laughed heartily without rising, casually greeting him. "Sit?" Li Ze narrowed his eyes, walked straight to the table, picked up an unopened bottle of liquor, and then... slammed it down onto the table! "Bang!" The glass shattered into pieces, the loud noise startling Zhou Wenlong and the women. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. The women couldn''t help but scream. Li Zes gaze swept over them, his expression impassive: "Get out!" The women were startled and panicked, scrambling to get out of Zhou Wenlong''s embrace and rushing towards the exit. Zhou Wenlong''s face darkened: "Mr. Fang, what do you mean by this?" Li Ze looked down at Zhou Wenlong: "Zhou Wenlong, has the stable life youve had in recent years made you a bit arrogant? Is this how you should act when discussing matters with me?" "A dog should know its place!" "A dog?" A flicker of hidden anger crossed Zhou Wenlongs eyes. Once, he was as humble as dust, but now, he was the leader of the underground forces in Haicheng! So many people feared him and greeted him with respect. A single command from him could ruin lives! And Li Ze dared to call him a dog? Zhou Wenlong forced a smile, though it didnt reach his eyes: "Mr. Fang, isnt that a bit excessive?" "Excessive?" Li Ze''s eyes were cold and stern: "Zhou Wenlong, remember, understand your place! Something that can''t make it to the table will never make it to the table. Do you really think you could have taken this seat without the Li family''s tacit approval?" Where there is light, there will naturally be darkness. Just as there are top-tier families like the Li and Wang families, there are also shadows like Zhou Wenlong lurking in the background. Big families sometimes have matters they prefer not to handle directly, and that''s where someone like Zhou Wenlong comes in. "And, you havent forgotten how many incriminating pieces of evidence I have on you, have you?" Zhou Wenlong''s expression shifted dramatically. Suddenly, he burst into laughter, his face showing a humble demeanor: "Haha, Mr. Fang, I was just joking. Please dont take it to heart!" Zhou Wenlong personally retrieved a bottle of his prized red wine from a small cabinet in the corner of the room, poured it into the most exquisite goblets, and served a glass to both Li Ze and himself. "Here, Mr. Fang, have a seat. I toast to you, hPlease don''t mind my rudeness just now!" Zhou Wenlong raised his glass to Li Ze with a respectful attitude. Li Ze sat on the sofa, extended his right hand, and took a sip of the red wine, but he drank it alone, completely ignoring Zhou Wenlong''s toast. Zhou Wenlong''s smile froze, leaving him awkwardly holding out his hand with no clear direction on what to do next. Li Zes eyes narrowed slightly. As the wine touched his lips, the initial taste was subtle, but within half a second, a rich aroma began to unfold, with a textured and layered aftertaste that lingered impressively. He savored the wine quietly, not uttering a word. Eventually, Zhou Wenlong sighed deeply and said, "Young Master Li, if you have any instructions today, please let me know! As long as it''s within my capability, I will certainly do my utmost!" Li Ze gave him a meaningful glance and said, "I''m here today to tell you one thing." "What is it?" Zhou Wenlong asked, puzzled. Li Ze remained silent, walked to the window, and looked down at the bustling street below. "Ive found a lead on Liu Gang." As soon as these words were spoken, the effect was like a thunderclap! Part 56 Once the underground emperor! Steve''s pupils involuntarily contracted, and he couldn''t help but stand up in shock. "Liu Gang?" This name was certainly not unfamiliar to Steve; in fact, eight years ago, this name was known to everyone! Liu Gang. He was the true underground emperor of Haicheng City. Unlike Steve, who claimed to be the leader of Haichengs underground forces, Zhous position was still threatened by various rival factions ready to challenge him at any moment. Liu Gang, on the other hand, had achieved absolute dominance over all the factions! His influence even extended to other regions of Linzhou, placing him on equal footing with many major families, and he was at the height of his power. Anyone who dared to cross him faced inevitable destruction. But eight years ago, at the peak of his power, Liu Gang suddenly vanished without a trace. Rumors circulated that he had died, while others speculated that he had gone abroad... But one thing was certain: the once-dominant shadow looming over all underground forces in Haicheng had disappeared! With Liu Gangs departure, the power and assets under his control fragmented. His assets were divided among various major families, and the remaining forces were either absorbed or supported by others. Steve, who was supported by the Li family, used his abilities to become the most powerful force among the numerous factions in Haicheng. Although Liu Gang was gone, the search for him had never ceased. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Too many people wanted him dead! The prominent families didnt like having a shadowy figure on equal footing with them, and they were also concerned that if Liu Gang were to return and rise again, he might seek revenge for their division of his assets and power. Likewise, the underground forces disliked having someone overshadowing them, blocking any opportunity for advancement. As the current leader of Haichengs underground forces, Steve was naturally one of the people who least wanted to see Liu Gang make a comeback. Steves eyes flickered with uncertainty as he tried to gauge Li Zes intentions. So, Mr. Fang means... Li Ze stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing out the window. He smiled lightly and said, Dont overthink it. The Li family has worked hard to support your rise to this point. Do you really think they would give up on you? Since Ive informed you about Liu Gang, its obviously so that you He didnt finish his sentence. However, the astute Steve understood Li Zes implication and breathed a slight sigh of relief. Rest assured, I will send people to eliminate him! Li Ze turned back to him. Dont be careless. Liu Gang was a skilled killer when he retired; I can give you one more piece of information... about the reason for his retreat. Young Master Li, please go ahead, Steve said respectfully. He was genuinely curious. What could make Liu Gang, who had been so formidable at the age of thirty, ruling the underground forces of Haicheng with no equal, abandon everything and leave? Li Ze smiled and said, It was because of a woman. A woman? Steve looked puzzled. Li Ze explained, Thats right. Liu Gang met a woman he deeply loved. She wanted a peaceful life, so he gave up his status and power to be with her. She is now his wife, and they chose to live a quiet life away from the limelight. Steve felt a sense of absurdity. To give up everything he had for a woman? Then Li Ze added, This is actually a key point for you to exploit, understand? Steve immediately grasped the implication and a cruel smile appeared on his lips. Got it. He promptly began contacting his subordinates to devise a plan. Li Ze watched Steve busy with his arrangements, a trace of mockery and disdain in his eyes. Over the years, with increasing power, Steves ambition had swollen, even daring to show his fangs to his master. The Li family needs a loyal and capable watchdog, not a vicious dog that might turn on its master. So, Steve can no longer be retained. I havent lied. The Li family wont abandon the power weve painstakingly cultivated, but we can replace the controller to ensure the force remains under our control. Steve, excitedly planning, remained oblivious. He had no idea who the true target of this hunt was! Part 57 The Mysterious Phone Call In a certain urban village in Haiping City. Even in the bustling and prosperous Haiping City, with its towering skyscrapers, there are always impoverished areas crowded with poor residents. Here, the streets are narrow and the houses are dilapidated, but the area is densely populated. Vroom. A battered van drove through the dim, narrow alley and came to a slow stop in front of a rundown house with a courtyard. A man got out of the van. He appeared to be in his late thirties, scruffy, and was wearing a faded shirt and pants. The sign on the van indicated that he was a taxi driver. Snap. Liu Gang took out a cigarette, lit it, and exhaled a puff of smoke, looking relaxed and at ease. Hmm~ Humming a simple, old-fashioned song, he pushed open the door and walked inside. Wenni should have dinner ready by now. Liu Gang thought to himself, feeling a bit hungry and eager to eat. But the moment he pushed open the door and entered. His expression suddenly changed, becoming sharp and vigilant. A habit that had become ingrained in his soul suddenly made him realize... Something wasnt right! His face changed as he rushed into the house. The dinner table was not set with the delicious food he expected, but only a note. The note read: Your wife Wenni is in our hands. If you want her to live, come to the address on this note. Liu Gang stared at the note in his hand, reading it over and over. When he looked up, his eyes were filled with a chilling... murderous intent! Boom! Liu Gang started his old van and sped off recklessly. The nearby neighbors, who had intended to greet him, were taken aback by his frantic speed. They exchanged confused glances, unsure of what was happening. Liu Gang pressed the accelerator to the floor, ignoring even the red lights, driving recklessly all the way. About half an hour later. He arrived at an abandoned factory on the outskirts, as per the address on the note. The area was deserted and silent. Bang! Liu Gang pushed open the factory''s heavy door and dashed inside. A deep voice immediately sounded. Oh, look who finally showed up? The burly man swaggered up, casting a disdainful glance around at Liu Gang, a mocking smile playing on his face: "The Liu Gang of old, now a mere taxi driverhow pitiful and lamentable." Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Liu Gang''s pupils contracted sharply. How did they know who he was? Surprised? Did you really think you could hide forever? The burly man laughed heartily. He waved his hand, and a few men emerged from the shadows, each holding a gun, their barrels aimed at Liu Gang. The burly man walked towards Liu Gang. If you want your wife to live, dont make any sudden moves. The next moment. He swung a powerful punch into Liu Gangs abdomen. Liu Gang''s eyes flared with rage, but he dared not fight back because Wenni was still in their hands! Seeing Liu Gangs unwillingness to retaliate, the burly man laughed even more wildly. He kicked Liu Gang to the ground and began beating him relentlessly, pummeling him until his face was bruised and bloodied. Liu Gang lay on the ground, his body limp. As if not satisfied, the burly man brutally stamped on Liu Gang''s head with his foot. His heart was filled with a twisted pleasure. The former emperor of Haiping City''s underground world, now under his foot? How satisfying! The burly man had only recently joined Steve''s crew, so his knowledge of Liu Gang was mostly hearsay. Yet, he showed no fear as he fought. Pah! Is that all there is to it? The burly man spat on Liu Gang. To give up all your power for a woman and end up like this, what a fool. Liu Gang trembled, his voice hoarse. Do whatever you want to me. Just let Wenni go; this has nothing to do with her. Your wife? The burly man seemed to find it amusing. He said coldly, Shes dead! Liu Gang roared in fury, Impossible! The burly man stamped down hard again. Impossible? Are we keeping her alive for the New Year? Her only value was luring you here to die, so shes no longer of any use. Didnt see that coming, did you? Hahaha. The burly man couldnt help but burst into laughter. Then he turned and coldly ordered, Bind him up and take him back. The boss wants to handle this personally. Liu Gang had long been a shadow in Steve''s heart, given the tremendous impact he had had on him back then. So Steve planned to kill Liu Gang himself. To truly put the past behind him. The burly man lit a cigarette and walked away. Mission accomplished! Afterward, Steve would surely reward himself. Meanwhile, Liu Gang stood there, stunned. Wenni is dead? No, this is impossible! If shes dead... everyone else must die! A brutal murderous intent surged from him. The burly man had barely taken a few steps when he heard screams and gunfire behind him! His hand trembled violently, and the cigarette fell to the ground. When he turned around, he was immediately petrified. All his subordinates were lying on the ground, and Liu Gang, whom he thought was incapable of resistance, was walking towards him, step by step! What kind of monster is this? The burly man was horrified and frantically tried to escape, but in his panic, he tripped over a chair. Damn it! When he got up, his body suddenly stiffened. Liu Gang was already standing in front of him, expressionless. The burly mans face turned ashen as he tried to beg for mercy, I Crunch. Liu Gang decisively snapped his neck. Thud. After doing this, Liu Gang collapsed to the ground with a dull thud, blood flowing down his abdomen and thighs. He was no superhero; facing so many armed men unarmed, it was impossible not to get hurt. After resting for a while, Liu Gang dragged his aching body through the abandoned factory, finally finding his wife Wennis corpse in one of the rooms. He stared at her, motionless, like a statue. Liu Gang eventually went forward and picked up Wennis lifeless body. Meanwhile, The emotion in his eyes slowly faded, replaced by a cold, iron-like demeanor, as if he had become the underground emperor who once ruled Haijing City again! Liu Gang drove back to the narrow alley with Wenni''s body, preparing to bury her the next day. Covered in blood, he sat in silence, lost in his thoughts. Ring, ring~ The landline phone at home suddenly rang, its sound piercing and jarring. Liu Gangs gaze sharpened, and he instinctively walked over to answer, Hello, who is this? Liu Gang? A questioning voice came from the other end of the line. Liu Gang immediately erupted in fury, Who are you? Did you have something to do with what happened tonight? Dont misunderstand. Im not involved. The voice on the other end said, My identity is not important. What matters is that I know who orchestrated the kidnapping of your wife. Dont you want to get revenge? Though Liu Gangs heart was filled with intense killing intent and anger, he was not foolish. He asked calmly, Why are you helping me? Because youre valuable. The voice replied coolly. I need you to do something for me. What is it? The voice on the other end chuckled lightly, Its simple: help me... kill someone! So, whats your decision? After a long silence. Liu Gang finally replied, I agree. Very good. The voice on the other end was relaxed and pleased. Thats a wise decision. Liu Gangs voice was hoarse as he asked, Tell me, who did it? The one who kidnapped your wife is Steve, the current head of the underground forces in Haijing City. In the Yundian Villa, Li Ze wore an enigmatic smile and said, And the person you need to kill is named... Ye Tian! Part 58 Smooth Progress XX Entertainment Center. In the luxurious suite on the top floor. Steve paced back and forth anxiously. A bad premonition filled his mind because he had lost contact with everyone he sent to deal with Liu Gang! He had urgently dispatched someone to check the situation at the scene. Bang! The door was flung open, and a subordinate rushed in urgently. Whats the situation? Steve asked hurriedly. Boss, the men we sent... theyre all dead! The subordinates face was pale. Steve was visibly shaken. He couldnt help but curse, Damn it! He had been extremely cautious and alert for this operation, sending out armed subordinates, but they still failed to kill Liu Gang! Is that guy even human? Now that we''ve already alerted the enemy, it will be difficult to deal with Liu Gang again. The thought of Liu Gang still being alive made Steve shiver with dread. He knew Liu Gang well. The man would surely not let this go easily! Despite reminding himself that Liu Gang didnt know he was behind it and that he was no longer the powerful underground emperor he once was, Steve couldnt help but feel uneasy. Even the bodyguards around him couldnt provide any sense of security. Steve stood in place, his expression changing, and finally couldnt help but dial Li Zes number. A moment later, the call was answered. Young Master Li, weve encountered some problems. Liu Gang is still alive, and all my men have been killed by him... You cant even handle this? Useless! Li Zes scolding came through the phone, causing Steves face to flush with anger and embarrassment, but he had no way to refute. The responsibility for this matter indeed lay with him! Li Ze was silent for a moment before speaking in a deep voice, Come to the Cloud Peak Villa tomorrow morning. Well discuss the details in person. Yes. Steve responded, feeling a sense of relief. With the Li family''s support, things would be much easier, and he wouldnt have to be so anxious. Cloud Peak Villa. After hanging up the phone, Li Ze smirked slightly and contacted Liu Gang again. Tomorrow morning, Steve will be taking the Bright Road and crossing the Hengduan Bridge. As for what to do, thats up to you. Stolen story; please report. To reach Cloud Peak Villa, those were unavoidable routes. Thank you. Liu Gangs deep voice came through. I will do what I promised. The call was then ended. Li Zes expression turned indifferent. This operation served multiple purposes. First, eliminating Steve would be a bonus. The man was too ambitious; even though he currently dared not act against the Li family due to their power, it was only a matter of time before he would rebel! Moreover, having Liu Gang, a formidable subordinate from the old television series Ye Tians side, carry out the assassination would lead to a complete and irreparable rupture between Liu Gang and Ye Tian, plunging them into an unavoidable confrontation. Whether it succeeded or not, it was beneficial for Li Ze! Of course, due to the protagonist''s halo, Liu Gangs assassination is highly unlikely to succeed and will probably fail due to various unforeseen circumstances! But it will still provide Ye Tian with a "little surprise." Li Ze sneered. And thats not all. There was another reason he chose Liu Gang for the assassination of Ye Tian! According to the system, before the protagonist''s halo is removed, if Ye Tian faces a life-threatening crisis, he will escape death due to various unforeseen events. However, these "accidents" must still follow the rules and principles of reality. For example, if a car were to crash into Ye Tian, another vehicle might hit it first, reducing the impact. If a sniper rifle were used, a sudden gust of wind might cause the bullet to deviate, hitting only Ye Tians leg. The world''s will would push all favorable factors together to ensure Ye Tians survival. But all coincidences must be within the bounds of physical rules and adhere to the principle of optimization. At this time, sending Liu Gang to assassinate Ye Tian with his current strength would be completely outmatched, making the most logical way for Ye Tian to survive the assassination... Liu Shun! The world''s will would drive Liu Shun to arrive before Liu Gang could strike, allowing him to block the assassination for Ye Tian! This is Li Zes guess, but he is quite confident about it. Li Ze fell into deep thought. He didnt want to hand the initiative over to Ye Tian. He needed to force Liu Shun out and deal with him himself! Furthermore, Li Ze didnt want to delay any longer. His plan for the final blow against Ye Tian was gradually taking shape in his mind, and before that, he intended to eliminate all possible chances for Ye Tian to turn the tables! The next morning. On the Hengduan Bridge, countless vehicles streamed across. Boom~ A black sedan drove onto the bridge. Steve, seated inside the car, appeared somewhat anxious. He asked the driver, How much further to the destination? Boss, well arrive in about twenty minutes, the driver replied. Steve nodded and then took out his phone to call Li Ze. Hello, Mr. Li, Im almost there. Im on the Hengduan Bridge right now. Oh? Li Ze replied with a slight smile. Well, good luck... Goodbye. Steves heart skipped a beat. He couldnt shake the feeling that something was off but couldnt quite figure it out. Feeling slightly irritated, he turned his head to enjoy the view outside the window. At that very moment. From a high-rise room in a building not far from the bridge, a black gun barrel protruded. Following the barrel, the steel gun body and the large, imposing silhouette hidden in the room became visible. A sniper rifle! Liu Gang positioned the sniper rifle in front of him, his right wrist angled inward, with his palm facing the rear of the grip. His expression was impassive. This was the same equipment he had used during his time as a hitman, which he had kept as a memento all these years. Now in his middle age, his physical condition was naturally not what it once was, and eight years of peaceful life had dulled his edge. But holding the familiar sniper rifle, he felt as if he had regained his power and control over life and death! Soon. The target vehicle, confirmed countless times, appeared within his sights. Liu Gang calmly focused, aimed, and tensed his body. Finally, he squeezed the trigger! Die! The bullet spun, sparking as it shot forward over a long distance. With tremendous force, the bullet penetrated the glass and pierced through Steves chest! The blood hole burst open. Bright red blood splattered inside the car. At the Cloud Summit Villa. Li Ze dialed Steves number. Hearing the call cannot be connected tone on the other end, he sighed deeply, a sorrowful smile appearing on his lips. Such a pity. May you rest in peace in heaven. Mr. Li, we have a situation! At this moment, a voice from the side drew Li Zes attention. He was currently inspecting the Nightmare Eye operations room on the villas first floor, as he needed to ensure the quality of their work, given that he paid for it daily. Li Ze asked, Whats the situation? The blonde beauty, Catherine, replied, The target has called the previous number again! Since the last incident, Ye Tians phone had been under surveillance, so as soon as Ye Tian called Liu Shun, Catherine immediately detected it. Li Zes eyes narrowed. Just as expected! Part 59 Arrangement Li Ze gave the order, Play the audio! Understood! Catherine responded promptly. Immediately, Ye Tians voice echoed from the loudspeaker. ...You can head to Haijing City now. After we deal with Li Ze, I''ll arrange a place for you to lay low for a while to avoid being detected! Don''t worry, Brother Ye Tian. When I make a move, it will be flawless. Great, Ill be waiting for your good news! Beep beep beep... Li Ze asked, Did they mention any times or train numbers? No, Catherine replied, adjusting her glasses. But we can find this information by checking Ye Tians ticket booking details. Li Ze nodded, Check it now! Understood. Catherine focused on her task and soon retrieved the information Li Ze needed. Tomorrows train, number K1789. Very good. Li Zes face showed a sinister smile, Ill give him a good news. The hackers in the Nightmare Eye operation room displayed sympathetic expressions. Although they didn''t know who Ye Tian was, they felt genuinely sorry for him. Is there anything more awkward than discussing an assassination plot over the phone while the target is listening in? Li Ze left the room. Stepping into the courtyard outside the villa, he snapped his fingers. Instantly. Eight iron-clad guards appeared before him, silent and cold. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Scanning them, Li Ze spoke in a deep voice, I have a task for you. Tomorrow, the train K1789 arriving in Haijing City requires some advance preparations... Liu''s Residence Ye Tian hung up the phone, unable to suppress a satisfied smile. Li Ze is finally finished! With Liu Shun taking action personally, Ye Tian didnt think Li Ze had any chance of escaping. Even if the terrifyingly strong guys who broke his legs last time were involved, they wouldnt be able to compete! Li Zes repeated failures had stoked Ye Tians fury, leaving him feeling extremely frustrated. Why did this bastard have to target him? Was it really because the Liu family allied with the Han family? But Li Ze hadnt targeted Liu Mengyu either! Was he just addicted to harassing him? But now, this situation was finally coming to an end. A cold light flashed in Ye Tians eyes. Knock, knock, knock. At that moment, the door to the room was knocked on. A servant entered and respectfully said to Ye Tian, Mr. Ye, Master Zhao wants to see you. Got it. Ye Tian nodded, put on a coat, and walked out. In the living room, Liu Ruinian was already seated on the sofa, leaning on his cane and looking stern. Upon seeing Ye Tian, Liu Ruinian immediately broke into a warm smile: Oh, Mr. Ye, youve arrived. Please, have a seat. Ye Tian didnt hesitate and sat down directly across from Liu Ruinian. He first asked, How has Master Zhao been feeling lately? Very well, very well indeed! Liu Ruinian responded with hearty laughter. Since you treated me, Ive felt better each day. It wont be long before Im completely healed! A self-satisfied expression appeared on Ye Tians face. Master Zhaos condition was indeed rare and peculiar, which is why it took such a long time. If it were any other ailment, I could have resolved it easily! Ha ha. Liu Ruinian chuckled. Mr. Ye, your medical skills are perhaps even better than those of your master, deserving of the title of divine doctor. Unintentionally, he flattered Ye Tian once again. Master Zhao, you flatter me. How could I dare to compare myself to my teacher... Ye Tian instinctively downplayed his own skills, but internally, the praise was making him feel quite elated. A divine doctor. I should also become a renowned master healer like my teacher once was, with a reputation that spreads far and wide, and be treated as an esteemed guest by important figures everywhere. Or even surpass his masters achievements! Ye Tians ambition burned brightly within him. But... It seemed that Ye Tian had thought of something, and a dark cloud passed over his heart. Ever since he arrived in Haijing City, he had faced repeated setbacks while trying to showcase his medical skills. Yao Ziyu, Wang Jingjing... all of them! Thinking of these failures stirred a surge of resentment within him. Ahem. At this moment, Liu Ruinians expression grew serious as he finally got to the point. Mr. Ye, Ive asked you to come today because I have something very important to discuss with you. Ye Tian replied, Master Zhao, please go ahead. Liu Ruinian continued, Soon, there will be a grand medical exchange conference held within Linzhou, and it will take place right here in Haijing City! Experts, scholars, and renowned figures from all fields of medicine in Linzhou will be in attendance. I hope that Mr. Ye will also participate! Part 60 Enthusiastic Acceptance A medical exchange conference? Medical experts? Ye Tian listened but seemed somewhat uninterested. With his medical skills, he could easily outshine those ordinary people. What could he possibly learn from them? It seemed pointless! Seeing Ye Tian''s reaction, Liu Ruinian smiled and said, Mr. Ye, dont be hasty. Let me finish. This medical exchange conference will not only feature experts and scholars but also numerous large pharmaceutical companies and prominent families. Some of these individuals suffer from stubborn illnesses and will be seeking treatment methods from the doctors present at the conference! Oh? Ye Tians eyes lit up. His disinterest vanished. The presence of influential families seeking treatment at the event? His heart was immediately filled with an uncontrollable excitement and thrill. What does this mean? It means there are many opportunities to interact with influential figures! This is his chance to showcase his abilities! Now, are you interested? Liu Ruinian picked up his teacup and took a sip. Ive secured an invitation for Mr. Chen. You can attend directly. Additionally Liu Ruinian paused slightly, his expression suddenly growing serious. Ive received some insider information that the real purpose of this medical exchange conference might be for just one person. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. One person? Ye Tians heart pounded. From Liu Ruinian''s description, it was clear that this medical exchange conference was of a very high level, a grand event with many prominent figures! Many people from the entire Linzhou region would be attending. And Liu Ruinian actually said that the real purpose of this medical exchange conference was for a specific person? Who could have such prestige? Liu Ruinians lips moved, and he said something. Now you should understand what kind of opportunity this is, right? Ye Tians eyes grew increasingly bright. It was as if he could see his own rise to prominence! If he could truly seize this opportunity, hehe, the Li family and the Wang family? They would all pay for their foolishness! Ye Tian was in high spirits: Thank you, Mr. Zhao. If I am able to achieve great success in the future, I will never forget the favor Liu family has shown me today! Of course. Liu Ruinian laughed heartily: If it werent for you and your master, I probably wouldnt have made it this far. Liu Rui-nian was very pleased with Ye Tian''s reaction. His strong support for Ye Tian and his efforts to assist him were all because he valued Ye Tian''s potential and hoped that Ye Tian would help the Liu family in the future. Liu Ruinian decided to seize the moment, so he gestured to the side. A middle-aged butler stepped forward, bowing and asking, Master, do you have any instructions? The butlers name was Zhang Fu, and he was highly trusted by Liu Ruinian. Liu Ruinian looked at Ye Tian and said, Mr. Ye, youve been in Haijing City for a while now and still dont have your own house or car. Therefore, Ill have the butler accompany you to purchase a villa and luxury car. No matter the cost, it will be covered by the Liu family! Ye Tian smiled and said, Mr. Liu, youre too kind. He didnt decline but accepted the offer with a clear conscience, feeling that the price was well worth it just for the treatment he had provided to Liu Ruinian! As Ye Tian sipped his tea, his mood was greatly lifted. The news Liu Ruinian had brought had cleared away the frustration he had been feeling these past few days. Once their conversation concluded, Zhang Fu, at Liu Ruinians signal, prepared to take Ye Tian out to purchase a house and a car. Since it was a gesture of goodwill, Ye Tian gladly accepted it, treating it as a chance to relax and clear his mind. Soon, the two of them drove to a newly opened high-end villa community. By the Bi Shui River. The villa area boasted numerous lakes, forests, meadows, and artificial canyons, with beautiful and picturesque scenery, resembling a natural paradise. Part 61 Auction Hmm, very good. Guided by the sales representative, Ye Tian walked through the Bi Shui community and was very satisfied with what he saw. When he saw the most luxurious villa in the community, Villa No. 1 by the Bi Shui River, which had been turned into a landmark, his eyes lit up. The villa was exquisitely decorated, nestled by the mountains and rivertruly a great location! Ill take this one, Ye Tian said. Although the price looked steep, he wasnt worried at all with the Liu family backing him. The sales representatives face showed hesitation. Sir, you cant purchase this villa... Ye Tian frowned. Why not? Was it because they thought he couldnt afford it? He felt a bit annoyed. Its not that, the sales representative explained. Villa No. 1 by the Bi Shui River isnt sold directly; its being auctioned. The auction is scheduled for today at 3 PM. The first item up for bid is Villa No. 1. If you wish to participate, I can provide you with an admission ticket. Theres still time to get one now... An auction? Sure, then lets go check it out. Ye Tian nodded decisively. The sales representative promptly provided Ye Tian with an admission ticket and led him to the auction venue located underground. The auction hall was quite spacious. It was elegantly decorated and already had a number of people present. Surrounding the auction stage were not only regular seats but also several small private boxes for individuals of certain status. After the butler Zhang Fu identified himself as a representative of the Liu family, Ye Tian was quickly assigned to an empty private box on the left side by a staff member. At that moment, in a private box in the center on the right side, Hmm? A young man with a resolute and handsome face, tall and upright, let out a surprised exclamation. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. This young man was Li Ze! Li Ze raised an eyebrow. "What is this guy doing here?" He was here for Villa No. 1 by the Bi Shui River as well. It wasn''t out of boredom; it was because this villa was linked to an opportunity for Ye Tian. This opportunity had greatly enhanced Ye Tians medical skills and overall strength, elevating his medical abilities to a perfect level. It had paved the way for his future rise! Is this another damned plot correction... Li Ze frowned slightly and quickly understood the situation. In the original TV series, Ye Tian attended todays auction because of Feng Yangs daughter, Feng Xiaoxiao, the boss of Haoying Entertainment. Since Feng Yang had been driven out of Haijing City by Li Ze, Ye Tian shouldnt have been here according to Li Zes original plans! But the reality was different from what he expected. Although the Nightmare Eye had been monitoring Ye Tian, it only reported to Li Ze when Ye Tian did something suspicious. So Li Ze hadnt known that Ye Tian was here. Regaining his composure, Li Zes lips curled into a faint smile. However, since Im here now, this opportunity for Villa No. 1 by the Bi Shui River is no longer related to Ye Tian. Other matters are uncertain, but who has more money? Heh The auction attendees took their seats. The host, dressed in formal attire, stepped onto the stage, exchanged a few pleasantries, and expressed his thanks. The auction officially began! Our first item for auction is Villa No. 1 in the Bi Shui River community, with a starting bid of 20 million. Bidding begins now! 22 million! 23 million! I bid 25 million! The bidding voices echoed. Ye Tian inwardly clicked his tongue at how these rich people treated money so casually. But then he remembered that with the Liu family backing him, he was also considered wealthy now. A surge of confidence filled him. Ye Tian called out, 30 million! This large bid attracted everyones attention. The bidders all looked towards Ye Tians private box. The box wasnt curtained off, so the scene inside was fully visible. Ye Tian was an unfamiliar face to them, and they didnt recognize him. But they all recognized Zhang Fu standing beside Ye Tian. His gaze instantly turned serious. Zhang Fu was the chief steward of the Liu family, highly trusted by Liu Rui Nian. Often, Zhang Fu''s presence symbolized the Liu family! Peoples eyes flickered as they speculated about Ye Tians identity. At the same time, they almost all abandoned the idea of continuing to bid. Although Villa No. 1 by the Bi Shui River was attractive, it wasnt worth offending the Liu family over. The Bi Shui River area wasnt considered top-tier among high-end neighborhoods, certainly not comparable to the Yunshan community where Li Ze lived. Residences often symbolize a persons wealth and status. Thus, the auction attendees, mostly ordinary wealthy individuals, saw the Liu family as an untouchable giant. Success! Ye Tian felt a surge of satisfaction. Seeing the auction hall fall silent due to his bid, he felt a sense of relief. Ye Tian knew this was the result of the Liu familys influence. But it also allowed him to savor the delightful taste of power and status! Just wait. Ye Tian thought to himself. After the medical exchange conference, he would make everyone bow down to him with his own abilities! The auctioneer struck the gavel. 30 million once! 30 million twice! Ye Tian smiled, thinking the villa was now his! 30 million 100 million! A calm voice came from the central box on the right side. The entire venue fell into utter silence! Ye Tians body froze instantly, not only because his bid was suddenly raised by 70 million but also because he recognized the voice! The curtain of Li Zes box had been drawn open at some point. Li Ze looked down at Ye Tian with a gaze full of contempt. Shall we keep bidding? Part 62 Checkout 󣡡 ҶŶ¶Ȳı顣 һôˣ ݼҪɥĥˡʱҲļƻ еŭ˸Ǽ߳ۡ ñǰһԲرߡӦûн ʱߵŸˣ Ȼʦ˵зöɼе̫һҪﱨ档 Ҷ侲 һһˮӱȷʵ̫ˣ۲Ķ֡ Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ŭͲԸڣòò ЦôҶ죬ٳˣûУҾס ҶһһⶰֻɵӲŻɡ ҡҡͷ̾˿ Dzף˵ķաôǮ㲻ȫֻÿʾ֭취ӻ...... ᳡˶ˡ ǶôĽ ϣԼܾķգ Ҷɫһŭתȥ߰ɣ Ȼֱ߳ᡣ ķɵ +1000ǵֵ -1000 dzˡ ԼȴΪֻεķŭӦ̫ˣ ⣬ھͷ һߣһεĽҶЦã;һˣûлٿԴˡ Ÿʵ ҶҪҪȥı Ǹ̸ھͻȥɡ Ҷŭػش;ȫû顣  ȻһűѾ£ڼŶƷۡ Ȼ׬ȡɹ۵ ȻûٹעЩƷ 죬עȫ˱ˮӵһűϣǵĻйء á һͻӳİᣬһŸļ ֯ߣҲDZˮӵߡ Գϯᡣ ˿Ȼ󹧾˵Ѿ˱ļҪʲôҡ һڣ ˮһűһڵļ۸۳ ѾԶԶԤڣޱϲЩеĺ׶Ը;˵Ǯ˵⡣ ϣȴŹķȡ š 㿴һļȻ˵˰ɡ ˻֣ʼתơ ܿյ֪ͨпѾ......ǧ ˡ æѵ۸һڡ ؿһۡ Ŀʱеһ⡣ ⶰֵֻôǮľǸɵҸһڣ......Ȼҽ Part 63 Opportunity Zhang Liang was visibly shaken and immediately said in panic: Mr. Li, it was my mistake. Thirty-five million is fine, just thirty millionwhatever price that person quoted, Mr. Li, you can have it! At that moment, he was filled with regret, wondering what had gotten into him! How could he have been so foolish? How many of these wealthy young men are actually fools? It was clearly him who was the fool! The situation earlier clearly showed that Li Ze and Zhang Fu, the chief steward of the Liu family, were at odds, and the price had been deliberately inflated to one hundred million to mess with the other party. And he... Actually rushed to demand that one hundred million from Li Ze? He had even been pleased with himself, thinking he had struck a great deal. What a complete idiot! Zhang Liang felt his back drenched in cold sweat. If he insisted on that one hundred million, he was sure Li Ze would give it to him. But after getting that one hundred million, hed probably not live long enough to spend it. He might even end up dead on the street tonight! Thinking about it made Zhang Liang even more anxious. Seeing his assistant still standing there, stunned and motionless, he angrily roared, Are you deaf? Hurry up and transfer five million back to Mr. Li! Ah, yes. Under Zhang Liangs murderous gaze, the assistant finally reacted, hurriedly transferring five million back to Li Ze. Li Ze gave Zhang Liang a deep, penetrating look. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Though the guy had seemed a bit foolish earlier, he was now showing some sense. Did Ye Tian think he would spend seventy million just to put him in his place? That was clearly overestimating things. Alright. Li Ze waved his hand. You can go now. Since the other party was showing some understanding, Li Ze didnt bother with him further. Zhang Liang, feeling as if he had been granted a reprieve, left with his assistant, relieved to have escaped. Li Ze stood up and said calmly, "Let''s go." Guo Han quickly followed, and the two of them exited the auction houses private box. Li Ze planned to visit the recently acquired Villa No. 1 at Bishi Riverside to inspect the opportunity that was originally meant for the protagonist, Ye Tian! Strolling leisurely, Li Ze arrived at Villa No. 1 at Bishi Riverside. He walked straight in, surveyed the surroundings, and, based on his memory, went to the study on the second floor, stopping in front of a bookshelf on the right side. For aesthetic reasons, the bookshelf was already filled with various books, which could be replaced according to the owners preferences after moving in. Found it! Li Zes gaze swept over the collection of books until his eyes lit up, and he pulled out one of the books. With a rustling sound, he flipped through the book, quickly finding a yellowed parchment in the middle. Hehe, this is itthe opportunity that Ye Tian was supposed to obtain after buying this villa. Li Zes eyes were deep and contemplative. The parchment was covered with a chaotic jumble of text, but it contained hidden patterns. Successfully deciphering it would reveal a location. In the original show, Ye Tian found a hidden stone house there, where he discovered a jade disc. This disc contained a unique energy, similar to the special inner energy refined by Ye Tians unique medical techniques. Ye Tians medical skills were already at the pinnacle of mastery, just a step away from perfection. The absorption of this unique energy allowed him to break through a long-standing barrier. This energy also had the effect of enhancing his strength. Li Ze had been coveting this opportunity for a long time and was finally able to get his hands on it at todays auction! After all, if he had investigated the book in advance, it could have led to changes in certain small details, and the parchment might not have appeared in this villa or in the show. However, the show didnt provide a specific description of the location revealed by the decoding, only showing Ye Tian finding the stone chamber as the scene shifted. The show did describe the method for decoding the parchment, though. Recalling from memory, Li Ze quickly deciphered the location of the opportunity and breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the location is within Linzhou, in a valley near Bian City. Its not too far from Haicheng, so a round trip wont cause much delay. He said, then hurried downstairs and instructed Guo Han, who was waiting in the lobby, Prepare a helicopter. I need to head to Bian City immediately! Understood. Guo Han received the order and quickly made the arrangements. Soon, a helicopter landed with a roar at the Bishi Riverside community, and Li Ze boarded it, speeding off toward Bian City. Part 64 Powerful At dusk. Li Ze arrived at the location depicted on the parchment and soon found a cave constructed from hard stone. Inside, he discovered the jade disc! Li Ze caressed the jade disc, feeling its unique texture. It was not only smooth and rounded but also carried a faintly cool sensation. How do I activate this thing? he pondered, scrutinizing the jade disc in his hands. At that moment The surface of the jade disc suddenly shimmered with a faint glow! Immediately, a cold, invisible energy began to crawl up his arm from his palm, spreading throughout his body. It did not cause any discomfort but instead felt exceptionally pleasant. It was as if the systems energy was continuously forging Li Zes body. His physical attributes began to rise! 56, 57, 58, 59 all the way up to 75! Unlike the system energy that vanished after enhancing the body, this cold, invisible energy remained in Li Zes dantian and did not disappear! Ding, congratulations, host, for obtaining a special inheritance. Li Zes expression shifted: The effect is impressive! He had gained 20 points in physical attributes. If it were through the system, it would require a whopping 4,000 villain pointsa substantial amount. Moreover, as the base physical attribute increased, the power gained per point also grew incrementally. The difference between a physical attribute of 40 and 20 is not the same as the difference between 80 and 60. Additionally This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Li Ze closed his eyes. He carefully felt the special energy residing in his dantian. He could sense that, due to this energy, his injury recovery rate had significantly improved compared to before! Suppressing his excitement, Li Ze summoned the system panel. Villain Cultivation System: Host: Li Ze Personal Wealth: 238.9 billion Charm Value: 30 Physical Attributes: 75 Skills: Management [Expert], Intimidation [Advanced], Martial Arts [Advanced], Cello [Advanced]... Villain Points: 2000 Current Triggered Book: Martial Arts Expert from the Countryside Enters the City "Friendly Reminder: The host currently has 2000 villain points, and the protagonist has 5500 fortune points." Li Ze pondered for a moment and asked, "System, how many villain points are needed to upgrade Martial Arts to Expert level?" Simply increasing physical attributes wasnt enough; the body also needed to adapt, and without skills, even the strongest body was just brute force. For instance, in his previous battle with Iron Seven. Although Li Ze''s physical attributes surpassed Iron Sevens, the outcome might have been uncertain if it weren''t for his "Intimidation" skill! The system quickly replied: "Upgrading Martial Arts to [Expert] requires 1000 villain points, while upgrading to [Perfect] requires 3000 villain points." "Ugh, the villain points required for Perfect level increase so much," Li Ze thought to himself, clicking his tongue. He decided to spend 1000 points to upgrade Martial Arts to Expert level first. He then allocated the remaining 1000 points to his physical attributes. With the system energy flowing and cleansing, Li Ze''s strength increased once more. Physical Attributes: 80! Feeling the energy slowly dissipate within him, Li Ze suddenly opened his eyes. He lifted his right foot and stomped it down onto the ground! Boom! His right foot sank deeply into the ground. The entire stone chamber shook violently, reverberating with a thunderous impact! From the moment he entered the stone chamber until now, which had been less than half an hour, Li Ze''s strength had already increased dramatically! Very good. Li Ze grinned, feeling the surge of power within him, and he was eager to test it out. Finding a worthy opponent was now a challenge; even Iron Guard would not stand a chance against him. But isnt there someone perfect for this... Li Zes eyes seemed to blaze with fire, his fighting spirit rising. Now, he was confident enough to challenge Liu Shun, who was considered the peak of combat strength in Martial Arts Expert from the Countryside Enters the City! Li Ze decided to use Liu Shun as his sharpening stone, to test his own strength. Of course, he was fully prepared; whether he won or lost, death would... befall his opponent. Li Zes expression was cold. To him, Liu Shun was merely a caged beast awaiting death. The moment Liu Shun took on the mission to assassinate him, the outcome had already been sealed and was irreversible. Part 65 Liu Shun Li Ze stepped out of the stone chamber. The Iron Guards waiting outside approached him, their faces showing some surprise. In their perception, Li Ze was different from before. His aura was more imposing and oppressive, even causing them some apprehension. What had happened to Li Ze inside? As the eight Iron Guards exchanged uncertain glances, Li Ze saidLets go. He thought to himself, Its time to deal with Liu Shun! The next morning, at dawn. Boom~ Amid the roaring sound, the K1789 train rolled down the tracks. In the last compartment of the train, sat a young man dressed in ragged clothes, looking like a migrant worker. He appeared to be around twenty years old, with a scruffy appearance and unkempt hair that hadnt been washed in ages. His demeanor was careless and disheveled. Due to his appearance and the unpleasant odor, everyone avoided him, and no one was willing to sit next to him. Yawn~ Liu Shun yawned and was feeling somewhat drowsy. After some time, he slowly awoke, his eyes widening in shock. The compartment he was in was now completely empty! Whats going on? Liu Shun jumped up from his seat. Although he wasnt very bright, he wasnt completely foolish either. The situation was clearly off! Crash... Snap! A loud noise erupted, accompanied by a painful cracking sound. The last compartment had detached from the rest of the train! Caught off guard by the sudden inertia, Liu Shun nearly fell to the ground. The last compartment, now without the leading trains momentum, gradually came to a stop, hovering precariously between two cliffs. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Suspended in mid-air. No way up, no way down. Liu Shun''s eyelids twitched uncontrollably. At this moment, even a fool would sense that something was wrong! Clack, clack, clack. Footsteps could be heard from the top of the compartment, leisurely and as if someone was taking a stroll. Footsteps? Liu Shun looked up in astonishment. Just as he was puzzled, the next second Boom! A deafening noise erupted. The compartment above him shattered, and a figure descended from the sky, accompanied by a fierce gleam of cold light! Instinctively, Liu Shun raised his arm to block, but was thrown violently backward, crashing through several seats in succession. Amidst his pained screams, he fell heavily to the ground. Li Ze slowly rotated his elbow, holding a short knife that gleamed with a cold light. In close-range confrontations of this level, cold weapons are far more effective than firearms. Of course, at long distances and with overwhelming numbers, unless you can endure bullets, you''ll be turned into a sieve before you can even draw your knife. Liu Shun sprang up from the floor. The deep wound on his arm immediately stopped bleeding and began to visibly heal at an astonishing rate! Li Zes eyes narrowed. As expected from the show, he''s a monster... Can a human even heal this fast? Liu Shun''s face contorted in fury as he roared, Who are you? Li Ze. Li Ze saidأDoes this name sound familiar? Liu Shuns pupils constricted, then he sneered, So youre Li Ze? Perfect, saves me the trouble of looking for you. Ill just kill you right here! For Liu Shuns simple-minded brain, there was no need to think too much. Since Ye Tian had ordered him to kill Li Ze, and Li Ze was now right in front of him, his only task was to eliminate the opponent! Roar! Liu Shun roared in fury. He charged forward like a wild beast. Li Ze didnt evade. Instead, he sidestepped and charged as well. The two collided like two cars revved to their maximum power, crashing into each other! Boom! With a deafening sound, Liu Shun remained unmoved, while Li Ze was hurled backward, crashing violently into the end of the carriage. Hahaha. Liu Shun laughed maniacally, confident in his own strength. In his view, he was invincible! You fool, you actually tried to go head-to-head with me? Youre still alive after a full-force collision? Youre indeed the strongest person Ive ever seen, but unfortunately, youre up against me! Liu Shun looked smug. In front of me, youre nothing more than an ant that I can crush at will! Cough, cough. Li Ze coughed lightly, straightened his body slowly, and grinned, Sorry, that was just a test, but now Im clear... Youre actually very weak, even weaker than I imagined! Weak? Liu Shuns expression froze, then his anger flared. Weak? Boom! Liu Shun stomped and leaped into the air, his fists aimed at Li Ze. But in mid-air, he suddenly froze. Where did he go? In his line of sight, Li Ze had vanished in an instant. Stunned, he landed back down, unable to believe what he was seeing. As he looked around in confusion, he saw that familiar smiling face. Clear and cold. Li Ze was still standing there, scrutinizing him: Hey, where are you looking? Then, with a simple clenched fist, Li Ze swung a punch! It landed squarely on Liu Shuns astonished face, breaking his nose and sending his body flying out. Part 66 Catch! Bastard! Ignoring the blood streaming down his face, Liu Shun roared again and charged forward, his fists as hard as steel. But then he suddenly felt a momentary daze. In that instant, Li Ze effortlessly caught his fist. Using the force, he lifted Liu Shun into the air... and slammed him down hard! The entire carriage shook violently, and the airflow howled in the confined space. Liu Shun went mad, roaring once more as he got back on his feet. But in less than three seconds, as if struck by a high-speed moving car, he was thrown backward, a deep knife wound across his chest that exposed the bone! Blood was gushing out. "Aren''t you very powerful?" Li Ze''s face was expressionless, the short knife in his hand flashed with a cold light: "Ants easily crushed?" Liu Shun looked at Li Ze. His eyes were filled with terror and bewilderment! Is he really weak? No, very strong! Whether it''s attack power, defense power, or recovery power, it''s all monstrous. Unfortunately... there is no skill to speak of. He has nothing but brute force. In front of others, he could crush them with his terrifying physical advantage, but in front of Li Ze''s constitution of up to 80, as well as his master-level martial arts skills, Liu Shun is indeed... too weak! The arrogance on Liu Shun''s face was no longer there. He didn''t understand why he had no power to fight back in front of Li Ze! Liu Shun was about to say something. But looking at his wounds that had healed again, he felt confident. With his recovery speed, even if he couldn''t beat Li Ze, the other party couldn''t kill him. Even if his internal organs were stabbed and his throat was cut, he could recover! At this moment. Li Ze smiled and said, "Haha, do you think I can''t kill you?" Liu Shun''s heart suddenly skipped a beat. "Your recovery ability is indeed beyond my expectation, but..." Suddenly, Li Ze punched and shattered the train window glass, standing on the window ledge. Then, with a strange smile, he turned his head and said, "Goodbye..." Liu Shun''s face changed, and he instinctively rushed forward, not wanting to let Li Ze leave. But Li Ze''s pupils had already turned into two pitch-black whirlpools. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. His mental strength plummeted rapidly. Yet Liu Shun''s gaze also quickly became dull, and he stood there stupefied. Li Ze leaped out of the car window, falling towards the cliff below. A few seconds later. Liu Shun suddenly awoke from his stupor. But the next second, a dazzling light burst forth, as if the sun had fallen. "Boom!!" Flames erupted, and the air currents swept through. In the pungent smell of gunpowder, the entire carriage was blown to smithereens! Only fragments of limbs and debris rained down from the sky. At this moment, Li Ze had already activated the special compressed parachute hidden in his clothing, slowly falling downward. Hearing the thunderous roar from above. Li Ze withdrew his gaze, his expression indifferent. He took out a walkie-talkie from his pocket and said, "Collect the debris at the bottom of the cliff..." He planned to study the remaining body tissues of Liu Shun! After all, the other party''s condition was just too incredible. If he could study something out of it, it would definitely have extremely important value. "Unfortunately, it''s difficult to capture Liu Shun alive; otherwise, a living subject would be more valuable for research," Soon, Li Ze landed. He took out his phone again to contact: "How is the collection going?" A deep voice came through, revealing a hint of gravity: "Young Master Li, that guy is still alive..." "What?" Li Ze was greatly shocked. Even a bomb couldn''t kill this person? That''s just too exaggerated, right? Tie Yi added, "However, the other party has lost the ability to move." Li Ze said in a deep voice, "Wait for me to come..." Soon, Li Ze arrived at the scene. At the bottom of the cliff, in a desolate area, the debris from the falling explosion was scattered everywhere, and what attracted Li Ze''s attention was Liu Shun lying beside it. It was barely recognizable as a human figure, with both legs completely blown off, the whole body charred and carbonized, and not a single intact piece of skin on the body. Even so, Liu Shun was still not dead! But with such a degree of injury, that terrifying recovery ability seemed to be able to only keep him alive, unable to recover. Liu Shun even retained a relatively clear consciousness, with his eyelids burned, glaring fiercely at Li Ze! His eyes were full of ferocity, cursing, venom, and madness. His image was like a fierce ghost. Facing the scene that would make an ordinary person shudder, Li Ze not only showed no fear, but instead revealed a look of keen interest. That gaze. Even made Liu Shun feel a chill in his heart. Li Ze marveled in his heart: "Incredible tenacity of life, what on earth has this guy eaten? I originally wanted to study the debris, now it''s great, what I thought of comes to me, there is actually a living research material..." The thought flashed through his mind. He immediately took out his mobile phone and dialed the number of the Li''s Biopharmaceutical Company, a subsidiary of the group. Biopharmaceuticals is one of the two pillar industries of the entire Li Group, with Li Hospital as its affiliated institution, and at the same time, there are many high-tech laboratories conducting various research. A few seconds later, the phone connected. The voice of the president of Li''s Biopharmaceutical Company came from the other end: "President Li! Why do you have time to call me, what are your orders?" Li Ze said lightly: "There is a high-tech laboratory under your company that specializes in human body research, right?" The other party immediately replied: "Yes..." "Help me contact them, there is a task." "Okay, Young Master Li." The other side hurriedly agreed. In a short while, another phone call came in, and a slightly old voice came through. "Young Master Li, are you looking for me?" Lu Gang, the person in charge of the human body research laboratory. "There is an experimental specimen for you here." Li Ze''s face wore a cruel smile as he looked at Liu Shun, who was no longer glaring at him but was filled with terror, and said, "But this research material might be a bit disobedient and may require some measures to make him behave..." Lu Gang chuckled hoarsely, "Haha, Young Master Li, we are professionals in this kind of thing." "Very well, then I leave it to you." Li Ze said lightly, "I will send you a document on this guy''s specific situation later, and if there are any developments in the research, notify me in time." "Understood, Young Master Li." After hanging up the phone, Li Ze stepped forward and stomped on one of Liu Shun''s arms that was trying to crawl away secretly. "Snap." The arm, already extremely fragile from the explosion, broke instantly. A shrill scream faintly came out from Liu Shun''s throat. Li Ze said coldly, "Isn''t it better to behave? If you don''t behave, don''t blame me for killing you!" Liu Shun immediately dared not move. After pondering for a moment on the spot, Li Ze said to Tie Wei, "Spread the ''death news'' of this guy to Ye Tian as soon as possible." He suddenly grinned: "I really want to see what kind of reaction that guy will have?" Part 67: Unease The train station. Ye Tian sat in a corner, pulling his hat low over his brow. He was here to meet Liu Shun, who was planning to assassinate Li Ze. To avoid drawing suspicion, caution was essential. He glanced at his watch. "Time''s up," he thought. A deafening roar filled the air. The train slowly rolled into the station. Ye Tian stood up, his gaze scanning the crowd for Liu Shuns figure. Just then, a clamor of footsteps echoed through the terminal. A large group of inspectors suddenly rushed into the station, sealing off the exits. They shouted through their megaphones, "Attention all passengers! Please do not leave the area. Due to an incident during the journey, we need to conduct an investigation!" Ye Tian''s brow furrowed. He quickly approached one of the inspectors and asked quietly, "Excuse me, what happened?" "Well, something did happen," the inspector replied, annoyance creeping into his voice. "One of the rear carriages derailed for some unknown reason, and there was an explosion. Were currently investigating. I heard theres still someone trapped inside... Truly tragic..." Upon hearing this, a sudden jolt of unease shot through Ye Tian. He quickly pulled out his phone to call Liu Shun, but the line kept showing "unreachable." Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. His sense of dread deepened. Yet, he tried to reassure himself: "It can''t be that coincidental; maybe his phone is off or he just didnt notice." Ye Tian stepped aside, waiting impatiently. Bang! The train doors swung open. Passengers, guided by the inspectors, lined up for checks and registration before being allowed to leave. As more and more people exited, the station grew increasingly empty. Anxiousness clouded Ye Tian''s face. He kept praying for Liu Shun to emerge soon. Meanwhile, the inspectors were conducting final verifications. One of them asked the train conductor, Do we know the identity of the victim in the last carriage? The conductor nodded. Its someone with a rather unusual nameLiu Shun The words hit Ye Tian like a thunderclap, sending his mind into a whirl. Liu Shun was dead? No, this can''t be happening! At that moment, Ye Tian''s overwhelming emotion wasn''t anger or sorrow, but sheer, intense fear! How could it be such a coincidence that an accident occurred? And Liu Shun was the only one to diethis was no accident; it was murder! Ye Tian''s face went pale. A name surged uncontrollably in his mind. Li Ze! It had to be that guy. The assassination plan he thought was secret and foolproof might have been compromised long ago. As this realization hit him, a cold sweat trickled down his forehead. Ye Tian? a voice called from nearby. Ye Tians pupils constricted, his muscles tensing instinctively. He turned sharply to find the inspector he had spoken to earlier standing beside him! He fixed his gaze on the inspector, voice low and sharp: How do you know my name?! The inspector hesitated for a moment before smiling. You must have misheard. I called you ''sir.'' Is your name similar to ''sir''? Everyone else has left, and I noticed you were still here. Were you waiting for someone? According to our reports, the victim''s name is Liu Shun, but we havent been able to contact his family Are you a friend of his? No, I dont know him! Ye Tian responded like a cat with its tail stepped on, hastily denying it. I have to go now! Without another word, Ye Tian hurriedly left the station. Panic surged within him; he felt dangerously exposed. He needed to return to Liu''s house for a semblance of safety. He had made up his mind: he wouldnt step outside until the medical exchange conference. As long as he could seize an opportunity there and connect with influential figures, he wouldnt have to fear Li Ze anymore! Frustration boiled inside him. Just waitif he made a name for himself, he would make the Li family pay! Part 68: Comprehensive Suppression At the train station, the inspector gazed at Ye Tians retreating figure, then suddenly ran her hand across her face. In an instant, a brand new female visage emerged. It was none other than Iron Eight from the Iron Guards! Among the Iron Guards, Iron Eight excelled at disguise, infiltration, and assassination. For her, changing appearances was merely childs play. A strange expression crossed her face. I let something slip earlier... but it doesn''t matter. My only mission was to ensure this guy hears about Liu Shun''s death as soon as possible. Turning away, she strode out of the station, pulled out her phone, and dialed Li Zes number. Young Master, the task has been completed. Meanwhile... Li Ze had returned to the headquarters of the Li Corporation. Listening to Iron Eights report on the other end of the line, a playful smile crept onto his face. Ye Tian seems to be quite shaken; truly pathetic. With that thought, his lips couldn''t help but curl into a pleased grin. The villain points obtained from those minor characters are almost sufficient, but in the end, itll still have to come from Ye Tian, the main character. He should be hiding in the Liu familys estate, too scared to come out right now. Having been busy with other matters, I almost forgot about the Liu family. Its about time... to take action against them! Thinking of this, Li Ze called for his secretary. Gather the board members for an emergency meeting! Understood. The secretary hurried off to make the arrangements. Soon enough, in the top-floor conference room, all the board members had arrived. As the meeting began, Li Ze directly addressed them. If I remember correctly, many of Lius partners are also collaborating with us, right? One board member quickly replied, Yes. The Liu family aligned themselves with the Han family, positioning themselves as adversaries to the Li family. However, most ordinary businesses stayed out of such high-stakes conflicts, adhering instead to a principle of profit above all. As long as there was money to be made, collaboration was fair game! Excellent. Li Ze waved his hand coldly. Inform them that they must choose: either halt their collaboration with the Liu family or cease their partnership with the Li family. They can pick whichever option they prefer. In normal times, he could allow them to play both sides. But with the decision to take action against the Liu family now at hand, a choice had to be made. He believed they would make the right call between the Li and Liu families. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. And that wasnt all. Li Ze continued, Additionally, place the Liu family on the Li Corporations list of enemies and launch a full-scale commercial offensive! The goal... until every one of Lius enterprises has vanished without a trace. He aimed to ensure this family was completely erased from the historical stage of Haiqing City! Yes, the board members replied in unison. No one dared to voice any objections to Li Zes proposal. The board had quietly been filled with a new set of faces, ones that had never been seen before! As for the previous members, who even remembered them? This world was starkly realistic. A few astute individuals within the group sensed an unusual atmosphere, but they remained silent. The more they knew, the clearer it was that silence was the best policy! In the end, Li Zes proposal passed unanimously. The Li Corporation, this towering behemoth, raised its head for the first time, exposing its menacing fangs toward the Liu family! ... In the Liu family villa. In a spacious room, a family meeting was underway. Present were Liu Ruinian and the current clan leader, Zhao Ting, along with Liu Ruinians other children and some distant relatives. The atmosphere in the room was exceptionally heavy. Liu Ruinian''s second daughter, Zhao Yawen, broke the silence with an angry outburst. That bastard, Li Ze! What does he think hes doing?! Almost all my partners have suddenly demanded to withdraw their investments! Same here! Suppliers are refusing to continue deliveries simply because the Li family has hinted that anyone collaborating with the Liu family is declaring war against the Li Corporation, chimed in Zhao Ren, Liu Ruinians third son. With these two voices leading the charge, others soon joined in, lamenting their misfortunes. The situation was almost universally dire, with significant losses all attributed to the actions of the Li Corporation. For the Liu family, it felt as if the sky had fallen! The Liu family''s enterprises suffered a devastating blow. In addition to the overt attacks, underground forces continuously harassed and vandalized Liu''s shops, severely impacting both their reputation and market presence. The Liu family had thought they could withstand the onslaught for a while. However, when it came to confronting the Li Corporation, they truly realized the immense chasm between themthis was a completely different level! For the Li family, crushing the Liu family was no more challenging than squashing an ant! Amid the chaotic cries and the news of the Liu family''s total collapse, Zhao Ting''s face darkened. Liu Ruinian looked as if he had aged ten years in an instant. Revitalizing and flourishing the Liu family had been Liu Ruinian''s lifelong ambition, yet at this moment, the family was plunging into a low point, even facing the risk of annihilation! Why is Li Ze doing this? How dare he? Zhao Ting fumed. The Han family stands behind us! Doesnt he fear provoking their wrath and igniting a full-scale war? Hmph, does the Li family fear the Han family? Moreover, Li Ze is no Li Ancheng; that guy is nothing short of a madman! Liu Xingya couldn''t help but scoff. As if remembering something, a chill ran through her heart. Doesnt Li Ze have anything to say? someone shouted. When have we ever provoked him? At that moment, Liu Zijian spoke up. I have some news... His words caught everyones attention, and all eyes turned to him. Liu Mingsheng urged anxiously, Why didnt you mention this sooner? Hurry up! Liu Zijian hesitated, stealing a glance at Liu Ruinian before finally saying, Theres been word from Li Ze that if we dont expel Ye Tian from the Liu family and sever all ties with him, the Li family will annihilate us! As soon as the words left his mouth, it was as if thunder had struck. Ye Tian! This name was not unfamiliar to them; wasnt he the revered divine doctor who was treated as a guest of honor by the old master? The room erupted into a flurry of chatter. Their words were laced with hostility toward Ye Tian. After all, it seemed that because of him, the Liu family had fallen to this dire state! Liu Ruinian heard every word. Though he maintained a fa?ade of calm, inside, he was already filled with shadows and turmoil. He never imagined that the Liu family''s calamity stemmed from Ye Tian! Although Liu Ruinian had previously heard from the butler, Zhang Fu, that there seemed to be some conflict between Li Ze and Ye Tian, he never imagined it would escalate to this extent. Just because the Liu family had ties to Ye Tian, Li Ze wanted to annihilate them!