Chapter 8

Chapter 8

The system looked around innocently, "But this is the fastest solution."

Shen Muyun shook his head helplessly, cursing it a thousand times in his head.

"System, have you ever noticed that it doesn't really matter whether you're here or not? You're just a task dispatcher. Can I swap you out for a different system?"

"Ding dong, Host Master, that service isn't available at the moment. Consider yourself fortunate."

"Some fortune. I'd rather not have it."

The system gazed at the blue box; the glittering gemstone inside was truly beautiful.

"How should I put it? I'm just worried about you. You have no money, so we need a solution. As for the method, sometimes you have to take an unconventional approach—zip, zap, zing—that's the fastest and most effective way."

"Effective, my foot!"

"How about this: use your special skills—boldly snatch and grab! If you can't get it, then grab it. If you can't grab it, then act cute and whine, 'Wah wah, big brother, I don't want it~'"

Hearing the system's whining voice was simply appalling.

He grabbed the system's little wings, "King of bad ideas? Didn't you say you can turn into anything? Why don't you transform into me and give it a try, wah wah~ Anyway, you're a system, just a program, much more capable than me."

"Host Master, absolutely not, no way! I—I am the rules!"

"What bullshit rules? If you're destroyed, you won't end up well either!"

The system swiftly broke free from Shen Muyun's grip, its little wings fluttering discontentedly.

"Host Master, you can't be so violent. My interface is delicate! If the program malfunctions and accidentally sends you to the Amazon rainforest for wilderness survival, what would we do then?"

Shen Muyun sighed, annoyed by the system again.

"Hey, it's getting late. Don't you need to maintain your health? Sleep before 9 PM, say goodnight to me, and don't disturb my peace."

The system, sensing it was unwelcome, swooped in a curve through the air, "Goodnight, dear Host Master. System No. 1314 is always at your service."

Shen Muyun's world instantly quieted down. Without the system's disturbance, it was truly peaceful.

Shen Muyun patted his cheeks. Ah, what should he do? This matter is even more troublesome than Zhou Shiqing!

In the banquet hall, the crowd was bustling, pointing and discussing the blue sapphire on stage. It was stifling and uncomfortable, so he decided to take a walk outside. Perhaps the cool breeze would bring him some opportunity.

Before leaving, he specifically snagged a bottle of ice-cold cola from the drinks cabinet. After all, YOLO, right? He couldn't drink too much alcohol, but surely beverages were fine.

Lu Huainan saw Shen Muyun leaving the banquet hall and instructed his men to follow him out.

It had to be said, the air outside was much fresher, carrying a faint scent of grapes mixed with the sweetness of osmanthus. From time to time, the sound of cicadas chirping reached his ears. It was pure bliss—this kind of life was something he had longed for in the past.

He was determined to make the most of it.

Shen Muyun found a spot he considered quiet, like a small garden. At the entrance were planted some champagne roses, shimmering like satin under the moonlight. Multicolored little lights adorned the porch, and in the center, there was a swing.

Shen Muyun, finding it amusing, directly sat on the swing and swayed a few times. "Aloha! Aloha! Halo-ha! Ahahaha..."

Shen Muyun's hearty laughter echoed in the air.

He casually picked up a bag of potato chips from a small table nearby—probably prepared for guests, or perhaps the Lu family had some children. Paired with the cola in his hand, it was absolutely refreshing. Easy pleasure, instant gratification.

Left hand holding ice-cold cola, right hand holding potato chips, living his best life. If it weren't for those inexplicable tasks, he would truly want to live like this forever.

After ten years as a corporate slave, he finally caught a break. It felt extremely comfortable.

But suddenly, someone grabbed his wrist. The voice was soft and deep, "You forgot—your health isn't good. You can't have anything cold."

Shen Muyun was startled, nearly falling off the swing. He turned to look at the person beside him and, for a moment, couldn't process it. He blurted out, "...Who are you?"

The person wore a black suit, with chestnut-brown hair slightly curled at the ends. A pair of captivating peach-blossom eyes that seemed to hold deep emotion. Handsome? There was also a hint of something bewitching about him.

The original host's memories flooded into Shen Muyun's mind like a tide. This person was none other than Lu Huainan. He had clearly met him before—how could his brain short-circuit and ask such an absurd question? He wondered how to smooth things over.

Ah, no—this was Lu Luozhi's brother. He had to get out of there fast. Could he be here to stand up for his sister?

Shen Muyun glanced at the side door and jumped down from the swing.

"Beep beep beep, transferring original host's memories. Host Master, please prepare for data reception."

The system's voice echoed in his mind. Detailed information about Lu Huainan was transmitted one by one. The original title of this book was "The Self-Salvation Guide for a Villain Cannon Fodder," but it was left unfinished after only a dozen or so chapters.

Seeing Shen Muyun about to run away, Lu Huainan sidestepped and blocked the doorway, smiling at him.

Shen Muyun looked at his smile and even felt a bit eerie. Indeed, retribution—who could escape it?

"Um..." they said in unison.

"You go first..." again in unison.

Shen Muyun felt as if the sky had fallen. How could he run into Lu Huainan in a place like this? This was even scarier than running into Lu Luozhi.

Lu Huainan looked at Shen Muyun and smiled. "You go first."

"Um, what I wanted to say is—no matter what, I should apologize to Luo Zhi. But it's not my fault. She was the one who called off the engagement; she just didn't like me."

"Luo Zhi cried all day, but she's taken it to heart. Since it's like this, are we enemies? Maybe we can sit down and chat sometime in the future."

Chat my foot—she's practically a nightmare.

"If there's nothing else, I think I should return to the banquet hall."

"If there's nothing else, I'd like to chat with you. Is that okay?"

Shen Muyun knew he couldn't escape this. He directly sat at a small table nearby, waiting to see what Lu Huainan wanted to say.

Lu Huainan smiled faintly. "The weather has turned cold lately. Your brother has been looking everywhere for you, saying he wants to bring you a coat. But he's not familiar with this area, so he asked me to find you. I heard you fell into the water a few days ago. Are you feeling better now?"

"Um, I think I'm completely fine now. Don't worry."

System, are you tricking me? Lu Huainan is really so gentle!

"Still, you should be careful. The wind is strong here, and the suburbs are colder than the city. Here's a coat—put it on."

As soon as Shen Muyun took the coat, the strong rose scent on it immediately made him suspicious. This wasn't Shen Liuyun's coat.

Shen Muyun smiled and, under Lu Huainan's gaze, directly put on the coat. A strange sense of familiarity washed over him.

"Thank you. But isn't the banquet about to end? You're the host—you should head back soon."

"It's still early. I noticed you seemed very interested in that Kashmir sapphire. Are you planning to bid for it?"

Shen Muyun smiled bitterly, sitting on a bamboo chair nearby and pursing his lips. "Well, to be honest, I do have my eye on it. Plus, it’s from a depleted mine—these kinds of things aren’t easy to come by. I’ve always had a natural fondness for gemstones, though there are some complicated reasons..."

Lu Huainan sat down beside Shen Muyun. "Actually, there’s a legend surrounding it—or perhaps it’s more of a story from the past."

Shen Muyun, having learned from his sources that this gem was anything but ordinary, and having heard rumors that it might carry a curse, grew even more curious.

"It’s a story about a white dove and a crow falling in love—unconventional, going against the grain. If you’d like to hear it, I can tell you."

Shen Muyun was naturally intrigued. "Sure, I’m all ears."

"In the history of world wars, there was a minor battle called the Battle of Shumshu—the war's final engagement. At that time, there was a couple, both officers, who had indeed faced countless life-and-death moments. Society couldn't keep them apart. The man said that once the war ended, he would bring his favorite Sunset Rose and spend his life with his beloved, even if their love wasn’t accepted by the world. Everyone said this battle would have no casualties because the outcome was already decided."

Shen Muyun listened quietly to Lu Huainan’s story, thinking it would end with the man’s sacrifice, leaving the other alone—love lost, or of affections that faded.

"No one expected that this battle would begin in their hometown. Countless shells suddenly pounded Cape Lopatka. No one could have foreseen that, in the end, the Sunset Rose would never again bloom on that devoted land."

Shen Muyun gently stroked the petals of the flowers on the table, an inexplicable emotion welling up in his heart.

"When the war ended and the final inventory was taken, people found a bouquet of Sunset Roses stained with blood in the man’s pocket—the crimson hue dyed most of the petals, some even curled and withered at the edges, much like love’s brilliance fading after its peak. His handwritten letter, placed near his heart, expressed his love for his beloved—the spark when they first met, and even dreams of their future. In the other’s pocket was a dazzling Kashmir sapphire, with a letter stating that he had searched for the world’s most precious gem to symbolize their love. 'It’s almost over,' the letter said. 'The battle will soon end, and we can finally be together. Even if the world doesn’t accept our love, we’ll find a secluded place to settle down.'"

Why does this story feel so familiar? An inexplicable emotion seized Shen Muyun’s heart—a sudden, inexplicable surge of emotion. Somehow, his heart began to ache faintly again.

Lu Huainan continued unhurriedly, "Well, how should I put it? By the time the Bai family acquired this gem, it was many years later, and many things had happened. For instance, the couple passed away due to an accident, leaving only the Bai family’s heir. Whether by coincidence or not, this gem also gained a reputation as a bearer of 'misfortune.'"

"You seem quite interested in this gem."

Shen Muyun smiled. "I am, a little. But I’ve made up my mind—if I can’t get it, I’ll just take it by force anyway."

"Oh? By force? The security here is quite tight. You probably wouldn’t make it out even if you managed to get it."

Shen Muyun paused. "How do you know I wouldn’t make it out? What if I have accomplices?"

"How about this—since this is my event, I’ll let you have it at the reserve price. What do you think?"

Shen Muyun wasn’t sure what Lu Huainan was plotting, but he was determined to get that stone. "Alright. If I get this gem at the reserve price, what’s the exchange condition? Businessmen always have their principles."