Segment 2
The chime of the System in his mind was a sweeter sound than any music this club could offer. Fifty points. A paltry sum, perhaps, but it was a start. It was proof of concept. He could manipulate this world's characters, and the System would reward him for it. This was a currency more valuable than any his family possessed.
Mu Wanyan, visibly unsettled by his uncharacteristic composure, turned sharply and was quickly surrounded by a coterie of sycophants and business associates, creating a buffer zone of her own icy aura. She was a fortress, and he had just fired the first, subtle shot across her bows.
"Hey, bro, you see that?" Wang Lei slurred, nudging Yi Lang with his elbow. "The Ice Queen herself. Man, she looked pissed. What did you do this time?"
Yi Lang turned his head slowly, the movement deliberate. His dual-colored eyes fixed on Wang Lei. There was no drunken camaraderie in that gaze, only a calm, assessing intensity that seemed to slice through the younger man's alcohol-induced haze.
Wang Lei flinched, the bottle in his hand freezing halfway to his lips. "Whoa, Lang-ge... you okay? You're looking at me all... intense."
This one is a liability, Yi Lang thought coldly. But even a blunt tool can be useful if applied to the right task. In his previous life, he had used men far more foolish than this. They were distractions for enemies, convenient scapegoats, and sources of unvarnished, if idiotic, information.
"Lei," Yi Lang's voice was low, cutting through the thumping bass with an effortless authority that made Wang Lei straighten up instinctively. "The cognac. It's mediocre. A display of wealth for those who have none. Tell me, what do you know about the 'Sky-Glance Corporation'?"
Wang Lei blinked, confused by the sudden shift. "Mu Wanyan's company? Uh... they're hot right now. Some new tech, I think. Bio-interface stuff. My dad says they're a good bet, but that Mu Wanyan is too cold to work with. Why?"
Bio-interface. A key piece of data. In the stories he recalled, such companies were always the targets of protagonist-led corporate raids or the sources of their first big technological breakthroughs.
"Interesting," Yi Lang murmured, more to himself than to Wang Lei. His mind was already weaving threads. Mu Wanyan's company was a fated point of conflict. A "Genius Entrepreneur" protagonist was destined to cross her path, win her trust—and her heart—and use her company as a stepping stone.
Not on my watch. The woman was his fiancée. Her assets were, by extension, his assets. Her destiny was his to command.
He needed more information. More power. His eyes flicked to the translucent system screen only he could see. The Lottery Center glowed enticingly. Cost: 100 DVV.
He had fifty. He needed another fifty. And he knew exactly where to get it.
He stood up, his movements fluid and powerful, a panther uncoiling from a rest it never truly needed. The simple act of rising commanded the attention of everyone in the immediate vicinity. His 98-point Charm wasn't just a number; it was a palpable force. Women nearby stopped their conversations, their eyes drawn to him. Men felt an inexplicable urge to step back.
"Lei, stay here. And sober up," Yi Lang commanded, not even looking back.
"Uh... yeah, sure, Lang-ge."
Yi Lang began to move through the crowd. It was like the parting of the Red Sea. Bodies instinctively shifted to make way for him. His target was not Mu Wanyan. Not yet. Confronting her directly now would be inefficient. He needed to farm more points, to understand the mechanics.
His gaze swept the room, analyzing, categorizing. The System had mentioned "Emotional Fluctuations" from protagonists or heroines. Mu Wanyan was one heroine. This world, a fusion of countless stories, would be teeming with them. There had to be another nearby. A story was always beginning.
And then he saw her.
Near the bar, a young woman was trying to fend off the aggressive advances of a man who was very clearly not the protagonist. She was dressed in a simple waitress's uniform, a stark contrast to the opulence around her. Her face was fresh, innocent, with large, doe-like eyes that were currently wide with anxiety and discomfort. She was beautiful in a pure, untainted way—a classic "Lotus" archetype.
— System Identification —
Name:Su Shixi
Age:19
Gender:Female
Appearance:94/99
Status:The Pure Waitress / Childhood Friend. Works here to pay for her university tuition. In the original destiny, she is the cherished childhood friend of the 'Returning Special Forces Soldier' protagonist. She is currently being harassed by a minor villain (Zhao Tian), setting the stage for the protagonist's dramatic rescue. She is a key 'Heroine' node.
Perfect. A two-for-one. A minor villain to crush, and a heroine to impress. This was a textbook opening scene.
The man harassing her, Zhao Tian, was the son of a local official. In his own little story, he was the antagonist. Here, he was nothing but fertilizer for Yi Lang's growth.
Yi Lang approached silently. He didn't shout or make a scene. He simply placed a hand on Zhao Tian's shoulder. The grip wasn't violent, but it was like a steel clamp.
"Your presence is disturbing the lady," Yi Lang said, his voice calm, almost conversational.
Zhao Tian spun around, his face contorted in anger. "Who the hell do you think you are?! Get your hand off—" His words died in his throat as he saw who it was. The color drained from his face. "Y-Yi Lang?... I mean, Young Master Yi..."
The fear was immediate and visceral. The name 'Yi' carried that weight.
Su Shixi looked up, her frightened eyes shifting from Zhao Tian to her unexpected savior. When her gaze met Yi Lang's, she gasped softly. His appearance, his aura, the sheer intensity of his presence was overwhelming. Her fear of Zhao Tian was instantly replaced by a fluttering, bewildering nervousness.
"You know me," Yi Lang stated, his dual-colored eyes boring into Zhao Tian's soul. "Then you know you have three seconds to apologize to the lady and remove yourself from my sight."
The command was absolute. There was no room for negotiation.
"I... I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Miss!" Zhao Tian stammered, bowing frantically to Su Shixi before practically scrambling away, disappearing into the crowd.
Su Shixi stood there, trembling slightly, her cheeks flushed. "Th-thank you, Young Master Yi," she whispered, her voice like a soft chime.
Yi Lang offered her a smile. This one was different from the one he gave Mu Wanyan. It was warmer, gentler, designed to put her at ease. It was the smile of a protector, not a predator.
"It was my pleasure. No one should be made to feel uncomfortable while doing their job," he said, his tone sincere. "What's your name?"
"Su... Su Shixi."
"A beautiful name for a beautiful girl." He reached into his pocket, pulling out a simple, black business card. It was sleek, bearing only a name and a number. "If anyone ever troubles you again, for any reason, call me. Consider it a standing offer."
He placed the card in her slightly trembling hand, his fingers brushing against hers for the briefest moment. A jolt, like a static shock, seemed to pass between them. Su Shixi's blush deepened, her eyes wide with a mixture of gratitude and awe.
[ Ding! Host has successfully caused an emotional fluctuation in Heroine 'Su Shixi' (Gratitude + Fascination + Shock). Favorability +25. Destiny Villain Value +150! ]
[ Ding! Host has successfully derailed a minor plot point ('The Harassment of Su Shixi'). Destiny Villain Value +100! ]
A total of 250 DVV. Plus the initial 50. He now had 300.
Efficient, Yi Lang thought, his inner voice satisfied. He gave Su Shixi a final, reassuring nod before turning away, leaving her staring after him, the black card feeling like a burning secret in her hand.
He found a slightly more secluded corner of the club, his back to a wall. He willed the System interface to appear.
Destiny Villain Value (DVV): 300
The Lottery Center glowed. It was time for his first draw.
Let's see what toys you have for me.
[ You have chosen to use the Lottery function. Cost: 100 DVV. Confirm? ]
Confirm.
The DVV counter dropped to 200. The interface swirled, colors flashing before resolving into a new prompt.
[ Congratulations, Host! You have obtained: Skill - Affinity (Primary - Level 1) ]
[ Affinity (Primary - Lv.1): A passive aura that subtly increases your likability and makes you appear more trustworthy. Effect is minor but constant.]
A foundational skill. Excellent. It would make his future manipulations smoother. But he needed more. He needed an edge.
Spin again.
[ You have chosen to use the Lottery function. Cost: 100 DVV. Confirm? ]
Confirm.
DVV: 100. The interface swirled once more.
[ Congratulations, Host! You have obtained: Skill - Proficient Driving (Primary - Level 1) ]
A useful, but mundane skill. He was about to dismiss it when another chime sounded, different from the others—deeper, more resonant.
[ Ding! Special Condition Met! Host has drawn two 'Primary' tier skills in succession. Triggering 'Beginner's Luck' bonus draw! ]
The interface flashed gold. The swirl this time was more intense.
[ Congratulations, Host! You have obtained: Unique Skill - Insight (Primary - Level 1) ]
[ Insight (Primary - Lv.1): Allows the user to briefly glimpse key information about a target's current emotional state, a primary desire, or a immediate threat. Limited uses per day. Cooldown: 1 hour.]
Yi Lang's calm facade nearly cracked into a full-blown grin. Now this… this is a golden finger.
This wasn't just a passive boost. This was active intelligence gathering. He could read his opponents. He could understand what a heroine truly wanted. He could see a threat before it materialized.
He now had 100 DVV left and three new skills humming within him. He felt the Affinity settle over him like a second skin, a barely perceptible warmth. The Driving knowledge uploaded into his mind instantly. And the Insight felt like a new lens behind his eyes, waiting to be focused.
He turned his gaze back towards the VIP section, where Mu Wanyan was still holding court. A slow, predatory smile returned to his lips.
Time for the main event.