Chapter 24: A Completely Different Encounter

It was strange, but Long Aotian made a full recovery promptly at noon.

His stomach pain had suddenly vanished. Although he still felt weak, the constant diarrhea had finally ceased.

As he walked out of the suburban villa, a brand-new Audi RS7 was parked before him.

His bodyguard, Hua Xue-Ning, stood with her sword in hand and hands clasped in a salute. "Young Master, everything has been arranged."

Long Aotian stood straight and glanced at the car. "I am stepping out of seclusion to keep a low profile. To maximize the impact when I eventually reveal my true power and humiliate my enemies, I must lower my status and pose as an ordinary loser. That way, the effect of the face-slapping will be at its peak. Get me another car—the more low-profile, the better."

Hua Xue-Ning was taken aback. "Understood."

A few minutes later.

Long Aotian stared at the vehicle before him, rubbing his chin in deep thought.

"Xue-Ning."

"Yes, Young Master?"

"Is this the car you found for me?"

"Yes."

Long Aotian felt so frustrated he could vomit blood.

Could the thing in front of him even be called a car? It was a tractor! And a dilapidated, old diesel tractor at that.

"This thing..."

Hua Xue-Ning said, "Young Master, this is a Harvest-brand tractor. Diesel-powered, full of kinetic energy. Low-profile, crude, rustic, and lacking in taste—it fits your requirements perfectly."

Long Aotian glared at her. "You truly have no brain. Get me another one."

"There are no others."

"What do you mean, no others?"

"Young Master, time is running out. Your schedule for today is quite full; if we delay any longer, we won't make it."

Long Aotian was livid. "Fine, whatever. It’s just a mode of transportation, anyway."

"Please, Young Master, start the engine yourself!"

"This... how do I start it?"

"There is a hand-crank hanging here. Insert it into the ignition hole and crank it with all your might until the tractor starts popping and shaking as if it’s about to jump."

With a dark expression, Long Aotian began to crank the manual tractor. He had never done this before and only knew how to use brute force. Hua Xue-Ning stood by, providing live coaching:

"Young Master, you must apply continuous force; do not stop."

"Keep going, Young Master, it’s almost catching!"

"Young Master, use your shoulders to swing it with more power. Give it your all, don't hold back!"

"Young Master is truly a celestial being descended to earth... perhaps I should do it, Young Master."

Long Aotian sat on the tractor, bouncing so hard he felt as if his internal organs were about to jump out of his mouth.

"Where on earth did you find this piece of junk?"

The engine was too loud, so they had to shout to communicate.

Hua Xue-Ning yelled back, "I bought it from a farmer for a low price of ninety thousand yuan!"

Long Aotian shouted, "This piece of junk cost ninety thousand?"

Hua Xue-Ning yelled, "Calm down, Young Master, it’s about to rain!"

Long Aotian shouted, "Where is the switch for the retractable roof?"

Hua Xue-Ning yelled, "You're overthinking it, Young Master! This is a tractor—there is no roof, hard or soft!"

Long Aotian finally exploded. "Then what are we supposed to do when it rains?"

Hua Xue-Ning shouted, "Young Master, I have a plan!"

"Speak!"

"Just endure it."

Long Aotian was nearly driven to madness. "Damn it! Fortunately, it’s just a light drizzle. How much further to the city? If it’s just these scattered drops, it’ll be fine."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a thunderclap boomed, and a torrential downpour began, instantly turning them into drowned rats.

Long Aotian was soaked to the bone, shivering from the cold rain. The vibrations of the tractor were shifting his internal organs, and his already sensitive stomach felt even worse. Gripping the steering wheel, his whole body trembling like a sieve, Long Aotian looked tragic and indignant.

"Damn it! Ever since yesterday, everything has been going wrong. I refuse to believe there’s no end to this streak of bad luck!"

Hua Xue-Ning apologized, "Please, Young Master, don't jinx us!"

"Who cares! Could anything possibly be worse than this?"

"Young Master, watch out! There is a manure pit ahead!"

"What!?"

"Young Master, I shall go first!"

"What... oh, damn it!"

*Boom!*

***

Long Aotian tumbled into the manure pit, feeling sick enough to throw up.

Hua Xue-Ning shouted from the bank, "Young Master, please get out of the pit as quickly as possible!"

Long Aotian roared, "Help me! My leg is pinned under this piece of junk!"

"Young Master, the tractor is worthless, just abandon it. You are of noble blood; how can you remain in a manure pit? Please make a decision!"

"I told you my leg is pinned! Move it away!"

"Young Master, I humbly invite you to exit the pit!"

"The tractor! Damn it! It’s pinning my leg! Move it! Move it!"

Hua Xue-Ning said awkwardly, "Why didn't you say so earlier, Young Master?"

"Move it!"

"You should have said so sooner!"

"Move it away!"

"Why didn't you speak up?"

...

Lu Chengwen had enjoyed a comfortable sleep.

Waking up, he began to contemplate life. He couldn't just waste his life away. Since he couldn't escape his current situation, he had to stay and find a way to navigate the plot that was to follow.

To handle such a complex plot, he needed to maintain a good mental state, ample physical stamina, and a positive, sunny attitude.

Therefore, heh-heh, enjoying the riches and glory was an absolute necessity!

Jiang Shihan followed behind him.

Two attendants pushed open the double doors to the massive walk-in closet.

Damn these capitalists—you truly cannot imagine the happiness of the wealthy!

The closet was over ten meters deep. On both sides, all the way to the ceiling, were exquisite cabinets.

An attendant opened the left side, revealing a treasure trove of high-end clothing, neatly categorized and hung by season.

On the right, another row revealed a vast collection of flashy shoes: leather shoes, sneakers, casual loafers, beach sandals...

One cabinet held hundreds of high-end luxury watches, more opulent than any watch boutique.

Another contained various accessories: cufflinks, designer belts, pure gold rings, high-end sunglasses...

Lu Chengwen took one look and told Jiang Shihan, "Donate all the clothes and shoes."

"All of them?"

"All of them."

Lu Chengwen continued, "Tell my image consultant immediately that starting today, I am changing my style. No more flashy, gaudy nonsense."

"Mr. Lu, what kind of style are you looking for?"

"A proper aristocratic look. That business elite, British style—you know, have you seen 007? That kind of tailored suit, Italian leather shoes, high-end wristwatches, white shirts."

"Understood, I will communicate this to the design team."

"Help me pick out a few cars."

"What kind of sports cars would you like, Mr. Lu?"

"No sports cars. Just one sedan and one SUV will do. For the business vehicle, get a solid black, high-end one. The sedan and SUV should be low-profile and steady."

"Understood."

"Also, find me a new villa, closer to home, with artistic taste in the decor. Don't make it look like some nouveau riche place where you can see nothing but money."

"Yes."

Lu Chengwen felt triumphant. "Arrange it quickly and get it implemented as soon as possible."

"Yes."

Zhao Gang laughed on the side. "Young Master Lu, you are..."

"Zhao Gang, call me Mr. Lu from now on. 'Young Master' is a family title, and I don't like it. I am a man of business; address me as Mr. Lu from now on."

"Yes, Mr.... Lu."

Zhao Gang might be a bit reckless, but he was actually sharp-witted and quick-thinking. Of course, it depended on the situation; when it came to buttering up Lu Chengwen, he was a top-tier expert. His main shtick was the image of a fiercely loyal lackey, and his style was mindless flattery. Of course, if he were truly brainless, Lu Chengwen would have kicked him out long ago. Without some capability, could you really expect to be a lackey to a wealthy tycoon?

With the matters mostly settled, Lu Chengwen said, "Back to the group, we have a meeting today."

Sitting in the car, Lu Chengwen sipped champagne, feeling absolutely wonderful.

The two-million-plus business van was all about the comfort and ease of the boss's chair. Crossing his legs, sipping champagne, and watching the eye-pleasing Jiang Shihan opposite him, Lu Chengwen was satisfied.

Today, Jiang Shihan had followed his specific instructions to wear a very short skirt and nude stockings.

Jiang Shihan was truly beautiful!

The more he looked, the better she appeared!

She had thick eyebrows and big eyes, yet she always gave off the feeling of a submissive pushover. The contrast between her looks and that demeanor was simply seductive.

It was as if... as if she were some kind of actress.

She had height, long legs, and a look that was sexy, elegant, and grand. Yet, she always maintained the air of a wounded little bird, as if she were actively inviting you to bully her, control her, manipulate her, and violate her.

Leng Qingqiu was elegant and dignified, Xu Xuejiao was lively and cute, Chen Mengyun was steady and graceful...

But only Jiang Shihan seemed capable of stirring the primal urge for conquest in a man. She was the kind of woman who made you want to bully her at any moment, or else the fire in your heart wouldn't be extinguished.

Her appearance wasn't just alluring; her temperament was too unique, too rare.

One in a million!

It was an inherent charm, a primitive, pure, and soul-snatching attraction on a physical level.

Lu Chengwen made up his mind!

[No, I need to get rid of this woman soon.]

[This can't go on. An average person really couldn't resist. And I’m not an average person—I’m her boss. She’s used to being submissive to me. If I really wanted to bully her, I suspect she wouldn't resist for her mother's sake.]

That was the terrifying part.

Most people don't do bad things because they lack the ability, the opportunity, or the courage.

Lu Chengwen currently had both the ability and the opportunity, and he was truly afraid that one day, he would grow the guts to cross the line.

At that point, he wouldn't be far from being smashed to death by the protagonist.

Jiang Shihan was terrified.

What? I've been working so hard, why does Mr. Lu want to send me away?

If you can't resist... then don't!

I already know you're a good person, that you care about me in your heart. Anyway, I'm your secretary—a boss and his secretary... isn't that quite normal?

Oh heavens, what am I thinking? I wasn't like this before!

I used to be a girl who kept to herself. If I had wanted to take this path, I would have done it long ago.

What has happened to me today? I'm actually wanting to seduce my own boss!?

Both of them were lost in their own thoughts.

Suddenly, the car braked hard.

Lu Chengwen was distracted, and the sudden stop caused the champagne in his hand to spill all over Jiang Shihan’s chest.

Lu Chengwen was shocked and reached out to wipe it off. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! How is this driver driving..."

Jiang Shihan was too scared to move. "Boss, it's okay... I... I don't want to... Boss, please don't... Boss, you're annoying... no need to rub, it's not like I have water in my chest..."

Lu Chengwen realized he shouldn't have reached out. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I really didn't mean it... neither the wine nor my hand."

To divert the awkwardness, Lu Chengwen roared, "Zhao Gang, how the hell are you driving?"

Zhao Gang said, "Mr. Lu, a tractor is blocking the road. I'll go give him a piece of my mind."

Lu Chengwen and Jiang Shihan were busy adjusting their clothes and apologizing in the car.

Zhao Gang stepped out, took one look, and—hey, it wasn't a stranger!

It was Long Aotian!

Zhao Gang walked up to Long Aotian. "Damn! Who the hell did I think it was? You, kid? Are you blind? Can't you see the car? Do you have any idea how much this car is worth? If you scratch the paint, you couldn't pay for it even if you sold yourself!"

Long Aotian looked at Zhao Gang coldly, a sneer appearing on his face. "Oh? Lu Chengwen's lackey?"

Zhao Gang laughed. "That's right, at least you're smart enough to know that!"

Long Aotian was stunned. "I was mocking you, you idiot. Do you have any shame?"

Zhao Gang was about to reply when he realized the smell was wrong!

"Holy crap, what did you do? Why do you smell so bad? Did you fall into a manure pit?"

Long Aotian's mouth twitched, thinking that this guy must be a part-time fortune teller.

In the car, Lu Chengwen was wiping the champagne stains off Jiang Shihan's chest... he looked up and saw the man opposite him... holy crap!

Long Aotian!? The main protagonist!?

He's out!?

And Zhao Gang was courting death, continuously insulting Long Aotian.

Lu Chengwen dropped the tissues for Jiang Shihan. "Wipe it yourself."

"Mr. Lu, please help me, I..."

Lu Chengwen pushed the door open and stepped out, shouting, "Stop! Please spare my life!"