Nightfall.
In an upscale hotel in Hangcheng.
"Tsk tsk... Wait until this stock market crash, and it's another several million bucks," a slightly handsome young man said with a confident smile hanging from the corner of his mouth. Clearly, this was the new protagonist of luck, Qin Tian.
"Gu Lingfei... Heh, one day, I'll make you fall for me."
Qin Tian's mind wandered to Gu Lingfei's cold and aloof demeanor, which left him itching with desire. Ever since he acquired the investment system, he had risen from being a nobody to a force to be reckoned with in just two months. By selling his family's house to invest in the stock market, he had accumulated over a billion yuan in just a few months!
With the capital he now possessed, his future was only going to get brighter.
"Hmmm... I should probably start playing it a little safer, or else someone might start suspecting something."
Qin Tian was a bit cautious, but not overly so. Freshly equipped with the investment system, he had been indulging in nothing but stock trading and investments, confident that the system would ensure he always made a profit. It was only now, after amassing a fortune, that he thought about discretion.
But alas... he was unaware that a formidable adversary had already set their sights on him.
"System, how's the stock market looking lately? What's the best place to invest? Let's make a quick buck first."
[Ding! Weekly Investment Opportunity -1]
[The system recommends investing in Hangcheng Qiangsheng Group, which is expected to see continuous limit-ups over the next week...]
Qin Tian's lips curled into a smile. The system never failed him; he was practically making money while asleep! The investment system released a new investment opportunity every week, not limited to just stocks, but also included ventures in other companies.
In short, if you had money, within a few months, you could amass a fortune without even needing to think. All you had to do was keep buying, and keep profiting!
"Qiangsheng Group, huh? I'll buy some of their stock tomorrow. Let's start with a modest 10 million."
Qin Tian hummed a tune, feeling the bright prospects of the future. With the system, money and women were within his grasp... what more could he ask for? However, he still couldn't get Gu Lingfei, the unattainable beauty, out of his mind.
"With my system, I can definitely make your company take off in no time, and soon, you'll be under my thumb..."
Like many protagonists of luck, Qin Tian was once again lost in a daydream.
...
Meanwhile, Chen Hao had been summoned back to the ancient martial arts clan, Chen Family Village.
"Father! Shuang'er wasn't willing! We can't just stand by and watch her fall into that demon's clutches!"
"Jiang Che is a damn scoundrel, surrounded by countless women... I once saw him make Shuang'er cry right outside his company when I was working as a security guard there!"
Chen Hao poured out his heart, his face twisted with pain.
However, the elders of the Chen clan, including his father Chen Tiansheng, had undergone a dramatic change in mindset over the past month.
Chen Tiansheng cleared his throat. "Hao'er, you should know Jiang Che's identity by now. He's not someone we, the Chen clan, can offend."
"So what? Are we just going to watch as Shuang'er is mistreated? She's only 19!"
"What's wrong with being 19? Jiang Che is also 19, and besides, Shuang'er is a breathtaking beauty... it's not a bad deal to be with young master Jiang!"
Chen Tiansheng looked at Chen Hao with a sigh, seeing his son's furious, powerless state.
They had called Chen Hao back precisely because they feared his outbursts. If he enraged Jiang Che and dragged the entire Chen clan into trouble, it would be disastrous.
"Hao'er, you don't understand... ever since Shuang'er got close to Jiang Che, our status in the ancient martial arts world has skyrocketed."
Look at me, I'm only at the early stage of the Grandmaster level, but even those who are at the Great Perfection of the Grandmaster level call me Chen Zongshi with respect.
Chen Hao: "..."
His worldview was being shattered.
"You're selling your daughter! You have no idea how miserable Shuang'er's life is with Jiang Che! She called me crying the other day!"
"That scoundrel Jiang Che makes her wash his underwear every day, humiliates her... if it weren't for Chen Family Village... she would have already taken him down with her!"
But it was clear that Chen Tiansheng and the others weren't focused on those details.
"Oh? Has Shuang'er and Jiang Che turned their relationship into something more serious?"
Chen Daoguan rubbed his hands together with a grin. "If Shuang'er could bear Jiang Che a child or two... that would be an honor for our Chen family!"
They had high hopes for Chen Ningshuang now. Chen Daoguan and Chen Shouchong were merely at the level of Dacheng yuanman, usually having to bow and scrape before zongshi-level experts.
But now? Even ordinary Grandmasters would respectfully address them as 'Daoguan Di' or 'Shouchong Di'.
"You—"
Chen Hao was shaking with rage.
Chen Tiansheng's hand gently landed on his shoulder. "Son, if you ever find yourself in danger or someone looks down on you, just invoke Jiang Che's name. It will come in handy!"
But Chen Hao, being young and headstrong, couldn't be swayed.
"I am Shuang'er's brother! I will never stoop to such shameless acts!"
Argh! I have already reached the Hualing realm, and one day I will break into the Grandmaster and even Supreme Grandmaster realms! Then I will save Shuang'er at any cost!
Chen Tiansheng and the others looked on helplessly at the raging Chen Hao.
Son, you're still young and naive. You don't realize just how powerful the name 'Jiang Che' is. Those of us experienced in its use... know it’s the ultimate trump card!
...
"Shuang'er, go wash the sheets. They're soaked through, and then change the bedding."
Jiang Che started to boss around Chen Ningshuang again.
Chen Ningshuang was already numb to it. As long as Jiang Che didn't humiliate her too much... she would endure it.
Chen Ningshuang glanced at the messy bed and muttered a curse under her breath.
"Chen Ningshuang, what did you just say?"
Jiang Che's voice, like a haunting shadow, echoed again.
"N...Nothing," Chen Ningshuang lowered her head, silently gathering the sheets.
"You know, Shuang'er, if you just bend the knee to me, this miserable life of servitude could end. You wouldn't have to do these menial tasks every day."
Chen Ningshuang, however, still had her own pride. She spoke in a low, cold voice.
"Not a chance. I will never bow to you! Even if you've taken my innocence... I will never submit."
Jiang Che chuckled. This girl... sure had a tough exterior, but it was all just bluster.
After teasing Chen Ningshuang for a while, Jiang Che picked up his phone and contacted Monkey.
After all, the mention of Qin Tian in last night's conversation with Gu Lingfei... might indicate that he was another protagonist of luck.