Back in the room, Lucifer sat on the bed, his gaze fixed intently on his hand. A dark aura seemed to emanate from him, as though he was wrestling with some inner turmoil.
System 4858 observed its host with a mix of trepidation, it had rarely seen its host with such a serious face and whenever it happened chaos would fall onto the world.
For System 4858, this was a red alert—a storm brewing on the horizon. It whispered to itself with rising determination, "No matter what, I can't let the host go rampant in this world!"
"Lord Host?" the System ventured, attempting to mask its fear with a voice it hoped was steady. It felt the weight of the moment but mustered its courage, daring to break the silence.
"Hm," Lucifer replied curtly, not lifting his gaze or acknowledging the System's worry.
The System exhaled in relief, grateful that Lucifer hadn't unleashed a worse reaction. "Lord Host, is there... a problem?"
Lucifer gave a simple nod, his eyes unreadable. "Hm."
The system's circuits buzzed with alarm; it could hardly contain its nervousness.
"W-what is it? Perhaps I can help?" It waited, anxiety pooling within its code, aware that Lucifer's problems often translated into global disasters.
Finally, Lucifer looked up, meeting the System's panicked gaze with a devilish grin. "It's been far too long since I fought with my fists. I'd nearly forgotten how satisfying it was."
The System's panda avatar visibly trembled, recalling the bloody chaos that had followed Lucifer's past encounters. Without hesitation, it dove under the pillow, refusing to emerge from its makeshift hiding spot.
The memory of Lucifer's wrath haunted it; an echo of the destruction he left in his wake whenever he acted upon these whims.
Lucifer chuckled softly, his eyes glinting with amusement as he glanced at the pillow and the shivering figure beneath it.
He reached for the files on the table, his fingers grazing the edges of the papers, each one holding secrets potent enough to unravel lives.
His grin widened as he sifted through them, savouring the implications of every document.
Time passed, and soon it was dinner. The Lu residence, normally filled with the warm clatter of cutlery and the smell of food, was enveloped in tense silence.
No one dared to come to the dining hall. Lu Jing and his mother were still in the hospital, while Mr. Lu had hurried out for reasons no one knew.
Other relatives remained hidden in their rooms, fearful of crossing paths with Lucifer, lest they fall victim to his volatile temper.
A knock broke the silence.
"Come in," Lucifer said, putting down the files and directing his piercing gaze toward the door.
The door opened, and Aunty Bai entered, carrying a tray laden with carefully prepared dishes. "Young Master, your dinner," she announced softly, her demeanour respectful yet cautious.
Lucifer nodded in acknowledgement. "Aunty Bai," he began, his voice carrying an unusual gentleness, "how long have you been working here?"
"Twenty-two years, Young Master," Aunty Bai replied, glancing down. She had long respected Lucifer's mother, which was the main reason she had stayed with the Lu family through the years.
Lucifer studied her. Without another word, he pulled out a bank card and extended it toward her. "Take this and enjoy your retirement. You've served faithfully for long enough."
Aunty Bai looked at the card in her hands, a mix of confusion and gratitude dawning on her face. "Young Master?" she whispered, taken aback.
"It's an order," Lucifer replied, his voice unyielding. "Leave this house and live a peaceful life." His pale blue eyes behind the glass bore into her with a finality that made refusal impossible. His tone, though calm, was absolute, leaving no room for argument.
Aunty Bai swallowed, and nodded, she is also not young anymore and she also heard what happened today so she can tell something going to happen to the Lu family.
Nodding, she bowed deeply. "Thank you, Young Master," she said, then left without looking back.
As she disappeared through the door, Lucifer returned his attention to the files, his smile turning sharp, almost cruel.
The documents in his hands contained everything he needed to shatter the Lu family from within.
He toyed with the papers, as though deliberating the exact manner in which he would dismantle the family that had once held such a grip on his life.
"Well," he muttered to himself, his voice tinged with a dark amusement, "this is going to be a rather dull game. How boring"
Ting!
Lucifer took his phone and grinned, young master Gu sent him the location, meeting place and time. "Hmm ~ I change my mind. Since this game is boring, I'll let someone else play."
The next day, Lucifer savoured his breakfast, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the scent of crispy bacon.
After finishing, he stepped outside into the morning sun, a hint of satisfaction playing on his lips. Those in the Lu residence who had been anxiously monitoring his movements breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Lucifer slid into his sleek black car, the engine purring to life as he pulled away. His spirits were high, and rather than heading directly to his appointment, he decided to indulge in a leisurely tour of the city.
The vibrant streets bustled with life, with shops opening their shutters, and street vendors calling out to passersby. For a few hours, he relished the sights and sounds, the city feeling alive and exhilarating beneath the warm sun.
Eventually, he made his way to the restaurant where his meeting was scheduled.
Of course, he was late for the appointment but Lucifer didn't care about any of that, but that did not apply to everyone.
Inside, Assistant Hong stood by the entrance, glancing at his watch with a sigh of exasperation. He moved through the restaurant, noting its emptiness. Only a few patrons occupied the elegant space, which was clearly reserved for the day.
The atmosphere was tinged with anticipation, but the delay weighed heavily on Assistant Hong's mind. Despite his irritation, he kept his thoughts to himself, especially upon seeing Gu Ming's composed demeanour.
Gu Ming was striking, his features perfectly chiselled. Sharp, piercing eyes held a penetrating gaze, and his thin red lips seemed to speak volumes even in silence.
There was an undeniable magnetism about him, a commanding presence that made it impossible for anyone to overlook him.
Despite sitting in a wheelchair, his charisma radiated strength, transforming what might have been a vulnerable position into an aura of sickly beauty, a poignant reminder of the fragility of life.
As time ticked by, Assistant Hong shook his head, contemplating how to persuade his employer to leave when, suddenly, the restaurant door swung open. Both he and the sparse patrons inside turned, their eyes widening in astonishment.
In walked a young man whose flaming red hair danced like fire in the soft light, framing a face that bore a serene expression.
His pale blue eyes were reminiscent of a frozen lake, reflecting calm yet holding a depth that intrigued him.
The white coat he wore contrasted beautifully against his porcelain skin, making him appear almost ethereal, like a delicate piece of jade brought to life.
He moved with an effortless grace, exuding an air of nobility that seemed to command the attention of everyone present.
The young man approached Gu Ming and took a seat directly opposite him, a grin spreading across his face that was both inviting and enigmatic. Despite the warmth of his smile, his blue eyes remained unflinching and calm.
Gu Ming was the first to break the spell of silence, staring intently at the newcomer.
Yesterday, he had sensed this person was different, but now, faced with the reality of the young man's presence, he found himself at a loss for words.
How could he possibly evaluate someone who embodied both confidence and mystery so effortlessly?