Yun Li stood beside Lu Chen, her delicate hands clasped in front of her. The afternoon sun cast long shadows on the ground, the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a knife. Lu Chen's gaze was cold and indifferent as he looked at the trembling figure before him.
"Chu Ming," Lu Chen's voice was calm, yet laced with authority. "Before you take action, always think twice."
Chu Ming's lips quivered, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. His world was already crumbling, but Lu Chen's next words shattered it completely.
"Who you are and who I am... we both know the difference." Lu Chen stepped forward, his presence suffocating. "This evening, I will go to the Chu family and cancel the engagement. Be ready."
Yun Li lowered her eyes, saying nothing as she followed Lu Chen. The moment had already been decided, and there was nothing left to argue.
With a flick of his coat, Lu Chen turned and walked away, his every step carrying an air of finality. The black luxury car waited at the curb, and as he entered, Yun Li and the silent maid, Yun Mu, followed behind him. The doors closed, and the car drove off, taking them back to the Lu family estate
As Lu Chen settled into the plush leather seat of the car, a sudden chime echoed in his mind.
Ding!
> [System Notification]
Host has humiliated the Daughter of Luck.
+2000 Villain Points awarded.
Lu Chen's eyes flickered, but his expression remained composed. The system… It had been a part of his life ever since he awakened in this world. A world where fate revolved around so-called protagonists, their lives dictated by fortune and destiny. But Lu Chen? He was different.
He was a villain.
And in this world, villains didn't bow to fate. They rewrote it.
A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he gazed out the window, the city lights flickering like stars in the distance. His path was clear, and tonight would be the first step in unraveling a story that had long been written.
---
The Lu family mansion loomed in the evening light, its towering walls casting shadows over the grand courtyard. The moment Lu Chen stepped out of the car, a maid hurried toward him, bowing respectfully.
"Master, the Matriarch is calling for you."
Lu Chen gave a slight nod, his face unreadable as he strode toward the inner chambers. The halls of the Lu residence were silent, save for the soft tapping of his polished shoes against the marble floor.
His thoughts wandered. His mother—Madam Lu—was no ordinary woman. To the world, she was ruthless, a force to be reckoned with. A warrior of the 8th level, feared and respected alike. Yet, to him, she was simply his mother. A woman who had given him everything, who had always met his demands without question.
Yet, even with all her strength, she understood that power was not simply about brute force. It was about control. Influence. The ability to shape fate itself.
Pushing open the carved wooden doors, Lu Chen stepped into the warm glow of his mother's room. The scent of sandalwood lingered in the air, both calming and commanding respect.
Madam Lu sat gracefully on the embroidered chaise, her presence as striking as ever. She was a woman who had seen both the battlefield and the political arena, and emerged victorious in both. Her dark, sharp eyes settled on Lu Chen the moment he entered.
"You're back," she said softly, placing a porcelain teacup on the table beside her. "Sit."
Without hesitation, Lu Chen obeyed, lowering himself onto the chair opposite her.
"I heard you're going to the Chu family tonight." Her voice held no accusation, only quiet curiosity.
Lu Chen met her gaze. "Yes. I will cancel the engagement."
A silence stretched between them. Then, Madam Lu sighed, pouring him a cup of tea. Her elegant fingers moved with practiced grace, her expression unreadable.
"You've grown up," she murmured. "Stronger. Colder."
Lu Chen took the cup from her, the warmth of the porcelain grounding him.
"I've only learned to do what is necessary."
Madam Lu studied him for a moment before giving a small nod. "Good. Then remember—never hesitate."
Her gaze darkened slightly. "The world does not favor the weak, my son. If you want to stand at the top, you must be prepared to do what others cannot."
Lu Chen's grip on the teacup tightened slightly.
Outside, the sun had set. And in the darkness, a storm was brewing.
Tonight, the Chu family would face their reckoning.
And Lu Chen would take another step toward his fate—toward becoming the villain who rewrites destiny itself.