As he drove, Castle meticulously recalled his memories, confirming that this world didn't have a Tony Stark, a 'Big-faced Captain', a 'Flag-wielding Strategist', a 'Bald Sorcerer', or a 'Purple Alien'. Relieved, Castle dropped his mixed feelings about potentially dealing with a supernatural world and walked through his front door.
"Daddy, you're back?"
"Rick, you're back?"
Both a young and an older red-haired beauty in the living room spoke up in unison.
The younger redhead was his daughter, Alexis.
The older one, his mother, Martha Rogers.
"Daddy, how's godfather?" Alexis asked.
"Oh, nothing much, just that guy still drowning in his sorrow over Helen's departure. I went to keep him company," Castle said, not entirely truthfully.
Alexis cast a skeptical look at her dad, sensing something odd about his response. But then she shrugged it off, used to her father's eccentricities.
Seeing his daughter's doubtful gaze, Castle internally panicked, "Crap, is Alexis's intuition that sharp? I need to divert her attention."
A light bulb went off. "Oh right, Alexis, I've finished the final episode of Derek Storm. I plan to send it to Gina tomorrow morning. Can you help me check the spelling?"
"Really? You finished it? Didn't you say you were out of inspiration?" Alexis exclaimed.
Castle replied, "It's all thanks to that coffee you gave me this morning. After drinking it, my dried-up inspiration started bubbling up like a spring. Ha ha ha...
Dear, could you help Daddy with the check? I've got some other things to take care of, okay?"
"OK, Daddy, I'll go to my room now. Send me the manuscript, and I'll check it." After saying this, Alexis headed to her room.
"Oh, since you're back, I'll go to my room to rest too. I have an audition tomorrow!" Martha got up from the sofa after hearing the conversation between her son and granddaughter.
"Alright, Mom, you get some rest too. Goodnight, Alexis," Castle greeted his mother and daughter, then walked into his study.
"Phew..." Richard Castle poured himself a full glass of whiskey, took a big gulp, sighed contently, and relaxed into his chair.
"Now, I can finally figure out what this 'Plot Twist Assistance System' is all about."
From early morning until now, several hours had passed in a blur. First, he was engrossed in finishing his book, excited at the prospect of finally meeting his long-time crush, the leggy detective. Then he was busy calming down the 'greatest killer in movie history', followed by the surprise of his transmigration package finally arriving.
Despite not eating anything all day except for a cup of coffee and a few glasses of whiskey, Castle wasn't thinking about food.
"System, system..." Like a child with a new toy, Castle could hardly contain his excitement.
"You don't need to speak out loud, host. Just concentrate, close your eyes, or think internally, and the system will appear...
Since this is the first time the host is activating the system, we are now entering newbie guidance mode..."
A semi-transparent projection appeared before him, and a mechanical voice sounded in his mind without startling the well-prepared Castle.
"Due to the host's frequent wishes to become Richard Castle, which greatly annoyed the heavens, combined with the host's nearly forty years of bachelorhood, even the cosmic will felt pity. Thus, you have been granted a transmigration package.
Additionally, to ensure your future isn't too dull, you have been randomly granted the 'Plot Twist Assistance System' which merges different film and television plots.
Please note the following principles:
1. Regardless of how the host engages in the plot, you must ensure you maintain a 'Chaotic Neutral' alignment leaning towards lawfulness.
2. The host may timely and moderately spoil the plot but must ensure the system itself is not exposed.
3. After plot twists, rewards will be issued based on the host's active or passive participation level.
Furthermore, except during triggered missions, to ensure our risk-loving host doesn't easily lose his life, the only exception is when the host's life is in danger. The system will prioritize preserving the host's life, including but not limited to taking over the host's body. Control will be returned to the host after the crisis!!! Remember! Remember!!!"
Castle read the lengthy message that also echoed in his mind, the red 'Remember' making him slightly nervous.
It seemed that to ensure his safety and maintain control over his own body, he had to be extra careful in any potentially life-threatening situations.
"Nearly forty years single, annoyed the gods? Is that discriminating against single people?" Even with the excitement of fulfilling his transmigration dreams and the arrival of his golden finger, Castle couldn't help but rant
.
Subsequently, the screen displayed:
"First participation in the plot, 'John Wick' Part One.
Participation timing is right as the plot begins.
Objective: Help the original protagonist, John Wick, eliminate Iosef Tarasov and his father, and ensure the safety of John and his friend Marcus.
Plot twist progression currently at 15%."
"Wow, it really was right to stop John right away," Castle began to feel smug, and soon after, became greedy for more.
"Eh, where's my physical fitness information? Personal panel? Stats for strength, intelligence, agility? Attribute points? None of that?"
Looking at the empty semi-transparent screen after the prompts, Castle pondered for a moment, then unhesitatingly chose to accept, "So, the cosmic will gave me a portable grandpa system, and now I get to be a portable grandpa for others, heh heh heh, portable grandpa, eh!
No, besides Beckett, I don't want to be a 'portable' grandpa for anyone else, especially not someone handsomer than me like John…" As Castle drifted into fantasies about the charming, leggy Detective Beckett, another image of a sharply dressed man with a handsome beard and slicked-back hair flashed through his mind, sending a shiver down his spine.
"Alright, alright, the golden finger may be Zen, but it's better than nothing.
Things must be done step by step.
Let me think, the novel is written and Alexis is helping me check it. I'll send it to Gina first thing in the morning. Not only is this a guarantee for my career and financial foundation, but the completion of this book should also be the trigger for my meeting with Miss Beckett.
The next most urgent thing is dealing with John's situation. Hmm, I need to plan this carefully..."
Castle picked up his phone: "Chubby, Uncle Rick needs your help with something…"
The lights in the study stayed on all night!
"Daddy, did you stay up all night again?
Your new book is finished, why are you still up all night in your study?"
The familiar scene and voice made Castle, who was groggily rising from his desk, think he had transmigrated again.
Just like the previous morning, the red-haired little girl walked into the study with a cup of coffee.
"Daddy, how could you think of ending your bestselling book's protagonist with death? Does Gina know? Did she agree?"
Alexis, with a hint of doubt in her eyes, set down the coffee she was holding.
Taking a sip of the coffee, Castle said, "Mmm, my dear daughter's coffee is superb.
Don't worry, dear, I really don't plan on continuing the Derek Storm series any longer, what Gina agrees or disagrees with doesn't matter. Moreover, I already have new writing plans, trust me, you'll be surprised soon. You'll see.
Actually, Alexis, do me a favor and send the spell-checked manuscript to Gina, ask her to arrange the publishing as soon as possible.
Because in the next few days, I'll be handling some things with John, and I won't be home regularly. If you need anything, just call me."
"What's going on?" Alexis asked.
"Oh, nothing, didn't I just tell you I have new writing plans? John will continue to be my consultant, and I need to do some preliminary research and preparation for my new book."
To keep his most cherished daughter from worrying, and unaware of the potential dangers ahead, Castle reluctantly lied to her.
"Okay, Daddy, then you go.
I'll call you if I need anything.
Does Grandma know?" Alexis was still quite trusting of her unreliable dad.
"He might be like a 12-year-old, but with godfather, he should be safe, right?" Alexis thought to herself.
But she had no idea what her dad was about to embark on!
"I'll tell her at breakfast, let's go have something to eat."
Castle stood up, half-hugging Alexis's petite frame, and headed to the dining room.
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