Strangely enough, right after noon, Long Aotian miraculously recovered on the dot.
Suddenly, his stomach stopped hurting. Although he still felt weak, at least the diarrhea had temporarily ceased.
As he walked out of the suburban villa, a brand-new Audi RS7 pulled up in front of him.
Huaxue Ning, his close guard, stood with her sword in hand and saluted with a fist-over-palm gesture: "Young Master, everything is arranged."
Long Aotian stood straight, glanced at the car, and said, "I am currently keeping a low profile after my retreat. To maximize the effect of my eventual reveal, I need to lower my status and disguise myself as an ordinary loser. Only then can the impact of my comeback be fully realized. Change the car to something more low-key."
Huaxue Ning was momentarily stunned but quickly replied, "Understood."
A few minutes later.
Long Aotian stared at the vehicle in front of him, rubbing his chin, deep in thought.
"Xue Ning."
"Young Master."
"Is this the car you found for me?"
"Yes."
Long Aotian felt like he was about to vomit blood.
Could this thing even be called a car? It was a tractor!
And not just any tractor—it was a rundown diesel-powered one.
"This thing…"
Huaxue Ning explained, "Young Master, this is a Fengshou brand tractor, diesel-powered, full of energy. It's low-key, simple, rustic, and tasteless, perfectly fitting your requirements."
Long Aotian looked at her: "You really have no brains. Change it."
"There are no other cars."
"None? Young Master, we're running out of time. Your schedule is packed today, and any further delay will make us late."
Long Aotian was furious: "Fine, let's go with this. After all… it's just a means of transportation."
"Please start the engine yourself, Young Master!"
"How… do I start it?"
"There's a crank here. Insert it into the ignition hole and vigorously turn the crank until the tractor sputters and jumps to life."
Long Aotian, with a dark expression, began to start the hand-cranked tractor.
Having never done this before, Long Aotian only knew to use brute force. Huaxue Ning stood by, offering guidance:
"Young Master, you need to keep applying force without stopping."
"Young Master, just a bit more, it's about to start!"
"Young Master, swing your arms with all your might. Give it everything you've got, no holding back."
"Young Master, you're truly a celestial being. Maybe I should take over."
Long Aotian sat on the tractor, feeling like his internal organs were about to shake loose from the intense vibrations.
"Where the hell did you find this piece of junk?"
The engine noise was so loud that they had to shout to hear each other.
Huaxue Ning shouted back, "I bought it from a farmer for ninety thousand yuan at a low price."
Long Aotian shouted, "This piece of crap cost ninety thousand!?"
Huaxue Ning shouted, "Young Master, please calm down. It's about to rain."
Long Aotian shouted, "Where's the switch for the soft top?"
Huaxue Ning shouted, "Young Master, you're overthinking it. This is a tractor. It has no top, soft or hard."
Long Aotian was livid: "Then what do we do if it starts raining?"
Huaxue Ning shouted, "Young Master, I have a plan."
"Speak!"
"Endure it."
Long Aotian was about to explode: "Damn it! Luckily, it's just a light drizzle. How far is it to the city? If it's just this light rain, it's not a big deal."
As soon as Long Aotian finished speaking, a thunderclap roared, and a torrential downpour began, instantly drenching both of them.
Long Aotian was now soaked to the bone, shivering from the cold rain.
The tractor's vibrations made his internal organs feel like they were being rearranged, and his already upset stomach was now even more uncomfortable.
Gripping the steering wheel, his whole body shaking like a leaf, Long Aotian cursed in despair:
"Damn it! I've been having bad luck since yesterday. I refuse to believe this streak of misfortune has no end!"
Huaxue Ning apologized, "Young Master, please don't jinx it!"
"What's there to be afraid of? What could possibly be worse than this?"
"Young Master, be careful! There's a manure pit ahead!"
"What!?"
"Young Master, I'll go first!"
"Wait… what the f—!"
Boom—!
Long Aotian fell into the manure pit, gagging from the stench.
Huaxue Ning shouted from the shore, "Young Master, please get out of the pit quickly!"
Long Aotian roared, "Help me! My leg is pinned under this damn tractor!"
"Young Master, the tractor is worthless. Just abandon it. Your body is precious; you can't stay in a manure pit for long. Please make a decision quickly!"
"I said my leg is pinned! Move it!"
"Young Master, I respectfully urge you to get out of the pit!"
"The tractor! Damn it! It's pinning my leg! Move it! Move it!"
Huaxue Ning awkwardly said, "Young Master, why didn't you say so earlier?"
"Move it!"
"You should have said so sooner!"
"Move it!"
"Why didn't you say so earlier?"
…
Meanwhile, Lu Chengwen had been comfortably napping.
After waking up, he began to ponder life.
He couldn't just laze around and wait for death, could he?
Now that he couldn't escape, he had to stay and figure out how to deal with the upcoming plot.
To handle such a complex storyline, he needed to maintain a good mental state, ample physical energy, and a positive, sunny attitude.
So, he decided, it was time to enjoy the luxuries of life!
Jiang Shihan followed behind him.
Two attendants pushed open the double doors of the massive walk-in closet.
Damn these capitalists! The joys of being rich were truly beyond imagination!
The closet was over ten meters deep.
On both sides, reaching up to the ceiling, were exquisite cabinets filled with high-end clothing, neatly organized by season.
On the right side, rows of cabinets were filled with all sorts of flashy shoes: leather shoes, sneakers, casual shoes, sandals…
One cabinet held hundreds of high-end watches, more luxurious than those in a jewelry store.
Another cabinet displayed various accessories: cufflinks, designer belts, gold rings, premium sunglasses…
Lu Chengwen glanced at them and told Jiang Shihan, "Donate all the clothes and shoes."
"All of them?"
"All of them."
Lu Chengwen continued, "Inform my stylist immediately. Starting today, I'm changing my style. No more flashy looks."
"Mr. Lu, what style are you aiming for?"
"A proper aristocratic look, the kind of business elite with a British vibe. You know, like in 007? Tailored suits, Italian leather shoes, branded watches, white shirts—that kind of thing."
"Understood. I'll communicate this with the design team."
"Also, help me pick out a few cars."
"What kind of sports car would you like, Mr. Lu?"
"No sports cars. I want a sedan and an SUV. Replace the business car with a high-end, pure black one. The sedan and SUV should be low-key and dignified."
"Understood."
"Also, find me a new villa, closer to home, with an artistic touch in the decor. I don't want it to scream 'nouveau riche' with nothing but money on display."
"Yes, sir."
Lu Chengwen felt satisfied: "Get it done quickly."
"Yes, sir."
Zhao Gang, standing nearby, chuckled: "Young Master Lu, what's this about…"
"Zhao Gang, from now on, call me Mr. Lu. 'Young Master' is a family title. I don't like it. I'm a businessman now, so address me as Mr. Lu."
"Yes, Mr… Lu."
Zhao Gang might be rough around the edges, but he was actually quite sharp and quick-witted.
Of course, his strengths lay in specific areas. When it came to flattering Lu Chengwen, he was a master.
His style was all about being a loyal lackey, the kind who would blindly praise his master.
But if he were truly brainless, Lu Chengwen would have kicked him to the curb long ago.
You think just anyone can be a lackey for a tycoon? You'd have to be something special.
After settling the arrangements, Lu Chengwen said, "Let's head back to the group. We have a meeting today."
Sitting in the car, Lu Chengwen sipped champagne, feeling utterly content.
The two-million-yuan business car was all about comfort and luxury.
With his legs crossed, champagne in hand, and the lovely Jiang Shihan sitting across from him, Lu Chengwen was satisfied.
Today, Jiang Shihan was dressed according to his instructions, wearing a short pencil skirt and flesh-colored stockings.
Jiang Shihan was truly beautiful!
The more he looked at her, the more captivating she became.
She had striking features, yet she exuded an air of submissiveness, like someone who had been wronged.
This contrast only made her more alluring.
It was as if… she was like a certain adult film star.
Tall, with long legs, sexy, elegant, and dignified, yet she always had the demeanor of a wounded bird, as if inviting you to bully her, control her, manipulate her, and take advantage of her.
Leng Qingqiu was dignified and elegant, Xu Xuejiao was lively and cute, Chen Mengyun was steady and graceful…
But only Jiang Shihan seemed to stir the primal desire in men to conquer. She was the kind of woman who made you want to bully her at any moment, as if not doing so would leave a fire burning inside you.
It wasn't just her looks that were captivating; her aura was unique and special.
One in a million!
It was a kind of inner charm, raw and pure, a physical allure that was utterly mesmerizing.
Lu Chengwen made up his mind.
[No, I need to get rid of this woman as soon as possible.]
[This can't go on. Most people wouldn't be able to resist. And I'm not just anyone—I'm her boss. She's used to obeying me. If I wanted to take advantage of her, she probably wouldn't resist, especially since she's doing this for her mother.]
That was the scary part.
Many people don't do bad things because they lack the ability, opportunity, or courage.
But Lu Chengwen now had both the ability and the opportunity. He was afraid that one day he might muster the courage to cross the line.
If that happened, he'd be one step closer to being killed by the protagonist.
Jiang Shihan was terrified.
What? After all my hard work, why does Mr. Lu want to get rid of me?
If you can't resist… then don't resist!
I already know you're a good person, and I know you care about me. After all, I'm your secretary. Isn't it normal for a boss and his secretary to…?
Oh my God, what am I thinking? I wasn't like this before!
I used to be a good girl who valued my integrity. If I had wanted to take this step, I would have done it long ago.
Why am I like this now? Actually considering seducing my boss!?
Both of them were lost in their own thoughts.
Suddenly, the car came to an abrupt stop.
Lu Chengwen, lost in thought, spilled his champagne all over Jiang Shihan's chest.
Startled, Lu Chengwen quickly reached out to wipe it off: "Sorry, sorry! How are they driving this thing…"
Jiang Shihan froze, not daring to move: "Boss, it's okay… I… I don't need… Boss, stop… You're so annoying… No need to squeeze, it's not like my chest is filled with water…"
Only then did Lu Chengwen realize he shouldn't have reached out: "Sorry, sorry, I really didn't mean to… Neither the wine nor my hand was intentional."
To divert the awkwardness, Lu Chengwen yelled, "Zhao Gang, what the hell are you doing!?"
Zhao Gang replied, "Mr. Lu, a tractor is blocking the road. I'll go yell at them."
Lu Chengwen and Jiang Shihan stayed in the car, tidying up and apologizing.
Zhao Gang stepped out of the car and saw—hey, it's someone he knew!
Long Aotian!
Zhao Gang walked up to Long Aotian: "Damn! I was wondering who it was. It's you! Are you blind? Can't you see the car? Do you know how much this car costs? You couldn't afford to pay for a scratch even if you sold yourself!"
Long Aotian coldly stared at Zhao Gang, a smirk on his face: "Oh? Lu Chengwen's lackey?"
Zhao Gang laughed: "That's right! You're pretty sharp!"
Long Aotian was stunned: "Do you think I'm complimenting you? Have you no shame?"
Zhao Gang was about to retort when he noticed something off.
"Damn, what's that smell? Did you fall into a manure pit?"
Long Aotian's eye twitched. Was this guy a fortune teller?
Lu Chengwen, still in the car, was wiping champagne off Jiang Shihan's chest when he looked up and saw the man outside—holy crap!
Long Aotian!? The protagonist!?
He's out!?
And Zhao Gang was busy digging his own grave, hurling insults at Long Aotian.
Lu Chengwen tossed the tissue to Jiang Shihan: "You clean it up yourself."
"Mr. Lu, help me… Hey?"
Lu Chengwen pushed the car door open and shouted, "Stop! Please spare my life!"