Snow Capital, Northern Kingdom
The Lu family's lavish business gala unfolded within the sprawling grounds of their villa estate. The elite mingled under a cascade of glittering chandeliers, the air alive with the clink of wine glasses and the hum of high society.
In a shadowed corner, Lu Chengwen's body shuddered as he snapped awake.
His mind surged with a torrent of memories, and a wave of despair crashed over him, so heavy he could've collapsed then and there.
This is the seventh time.
It began with a delivery gone wrong—a car accident that dragged him into a mysterious system, hurling him into the pages of a web novel as its villain. The system's deal was straightforward: survive until the story's end without falling to the protagonist's fists, and he'd walk away with rewards to carry back to reality.
He had no choice. His mother's illness was a ticking clock, her surgery costs looming like a guillotine. Lu Chengwen had to play the game.
But the last six attempts? Each death was more brutal than the one before.
Web novel protagonists were freaks. Utterly irrational monsters. Blessed with godlike talents, unmatched strength, and a resume that read like a cheat code: master of medicine, ancient martial arts, cultivation, gambling, even supernatural sight. If you could dream it, they could do it.
And their luck? Obscenely unfair.
No matter how cunningly a villain schemed, they'd be crushed with a single strike, the protagonist tossing out a smug, world-shaking quip before strutting off with a stunning beauty on his arm.
The women were the worst part. Every single one with a hint of charm was fated to join the protagonist's harem—no exceptions, no debate. Lu Chengwen had once made the fatal error of chatting too long with one of Long Aotian's women. Result? Smashed to death.
Is there no justice? No law?
He bolted to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face as he scrambled to strategize.
He'd already perished at the hands of Xiao Yan, Ye Feng, Chu Feng, Ye Chen, Long Aotian, and Zhao Ritian.
This time, the novel was War God's Harem in the Flower City. What a nauseating title.
The protagonist? Long Aotian, again. A war god fresh from the borderlands, here to seize control of the Northern Kingdom's power structure. Currently posing as a security guard, he was worming his way into Leng Qingqiu's orbit.
Today's scene was ripped from chapter nine. Long Aotian would storm Lu Chengwen's engagement announcement to Leng Qingqiu, swooping in to "save" her. Lu Chengwen would taunt him, get a leg broken for his trouble, and vanish for a few chapters to lick his wounds. Meanwhile, Long Aotian would charm Leng Qingqiu, and the two would tumble into a shameless, lovestruck whirlwind.
Lu Chengwen splashed his face again, glaring into the mirror, teeth clenched. This time, I'll outlast them all. I'll get the system's rewards and save Mom.
Steeling himself to play it cautious and bide his time, he stepped out of the bathroom—and froze.
Leng Qingqiu was waiting for him.
Draped in a regal evening gown, she was breathtaking—beauty that could topple empires, flawless and radiant. Her figure was perfection, her expression a mask of icy pride.
No doubt about it: she was the story's leading lady.
Eldest daughter of the Leng family.
Young CEO of Thousand Peaks Group.
The goddess Lu Chengwen had chased for three years.
And, most critically, Long Aotian's woman.
Lu Chengwen forced a smile, but before he could speak, Leng Qingqiu's voice sliced through. "Lu Chengwen, I will never marry you. Get that through your head."
He chuckled, his thoughts racing:
Please, spare me! Marry you? I'd rather live a few more years!
Sure, your figure's flawless, your face is divine, but you're a brainless heroine. Long Aotian's got you eating out of his hand, ready to join his harem.
Once he claims you, the Leng family's done for. Generations of wealth, handed to him on a silver platter.
Out loud, he said, "I agree."
"You agree?" Leng Qingqiu's eyes widened, stunned.
Something was wrong. Lu Chengwen hadn't moved his lips, yet she'd heard a flood of words. Only "I agree" came from his mouth. What were those other thoughts?
This was the man who'd hounded her for three years! She'd tried everything to shake him—insults, rejection, public humiliation—but he'd clung to her like a stray dog. He'd even ruined her reputation, pulling family strings to force this engagement. And now he was just… agreeing?
Lu Chengwen smiled. "Qingqiu, I've realized we're not a match. Let's just be friends moving forward."
Hurry up and join Long Aotian's harem! You and his nine hundred ninety-nine other women can worship him, shine his boots, and sing his praises. Hah!
Priority one: handle this naïve woman. She thinks she's a genius, but she's just Long Aotian's next conquest—ninety percent cooked. I'm the final step.
Leng Qingqiu froze. She could hear his thoughts. Shine boots? Me? Sharing a man with nine hundred ninety-nine others?
Me, Leng Qingqiu, stooping so low? What's in this fool's head?
Wait—Long Aotian? That security guard I hired days ago? Me, fawning over him?
Her face darkened, rage simmering. She glared at Lu Chengwen, itching to tear him apart.
Lu Chengwen blinked, puzzled. What's her deal? I'm backing off, and she's still furious?
But she's Long Aotian's woman—can't risk angering her. Good thing heroines are usually easy to fool.
He flashed a grin. "Let's go tell the elders and sort this out. Come on, take your time…"
Leng Qingqiu stormed toward the main hall, her chest heaving with fury.
Lu Chengwen, you've got guts!
Three years of gifts, flattery, groveling—was it all a lie?
Now you're calling me a "naïve woman" in your head, acting like you can't wait to ditch me?
What am I to you?
I'll uncover your scheme!
Lu Chengwen followed, thinking:
Three years wasted on this fool. Once I'm free of this engagement, with my villain status, I can charm a dozen beauties to keep me happy.
She's destined to be someone's trophy wife. Nothing I can do about it.
I need to cut ties with this idiot cleanly—no loose ends.
Leng Qingqiu halted abruptly, spinning to glare at him.
Lu Chengwen froze, then grinned. "Worried I'm playing you? I, Lu Chengwen, swear on my life—no tricks. The engagement's off. I won't bother you again. You'll barely see me. From now on, we're strangers. Happy?"
Leng Qingqiu was seething. What? I was your goddess, and now I'm garbage?
You're that desperate to be rid of me?
This jerk! I'm beyond furious!
The doors swung open, revealing the Leng and Lu families. They saw the two locked in a tense standoff at the entrance.
"Oh, are you two at it again?"
"Come inside and talk—don't block the door!"
Lu Chengwen stepped in, shaking hands with Leng Qingqiu's parents. "Uncle, Auntie, good to see you."
Before anyone could speak, he pressed on. "Uncle, Auntie, Mom, Dad—Qingqiu and I have discussed it. We're canceling the engagement."
His face was sincerity itself. "Qingqiu is strong, independent, brilliant, and bold. She deserves someone who truly complements her, someone she loves with her whole heart. We should support her, wish her happiness!"
He clutched his chest, feigning anguish. "I love her, cherish her, more than I cherish myself. But true love means letting go, setting her free!"
God, I'm good. Cue the cheesy song: "There's a love called letting go, giving up forever for her sake…"
The room fell silent.
Lu Guanghong, his father, wasn't buying it. I know my son. He's plotting something shady.
Lu Chengwen was thrilled with his act. Poor Leng family. Generations of wealth, all gifted to Long Aotian.
These tycoons are fools—letting their daughters join harems and handing over billions. Total idiots.
Leng Qingqiu didn't understand why she could hear his thoughts, but he clearly knew something outrageous. Me, in a harem? With that security guard? This is insane.
Lu Chengwen's hiding something. I won't let him slip away.
He continued his performance, passionately declaring his noble sacrifice for Leng Qingqiu's happiness, for the Leng family's good.
Leng Qingqiu stood beside him, watching with icy contempt, her anger ready to erupt.
The room was stunned.
Lu Guanghong turned to Leng Qingqiu. "Qingqiu, what's your take?"
She offered a faint smile, her words stunning everyone. "Uncle, Auntie, Mom, Dad—I agree to the engagement with Brother Chengwen."
Lu Chengwen spun around, eyes wider than ever, staring at her like she'd sprouted horns.
Leng Qingqiu's gaze was cold, edged with a provocative smirk.