Snow City, Northern Country.
The Zhang family's business banquet was in full swing at their grand villa estate, a glittering affair filled with prestigious guests and an endless flow of fine wine.
In a quiet corner, Hongwen Zhang shuddered awake.
Memories rushed into his mind, and he immediately felt like dying from sheer frustration.
For the seventh time.
He had been hit by a car while delivering food, only to wake up in a system-driven transmigration scenario as the villain in an over-the-top web novel.
According to the system, if he could survive until the end without being killed by the protagonist, he'd earn a reward to bring back to the real world.
With no choice—and a mother in urgent need of life-saving surgery—Hongwen Zhang had no option but to accept the challenge.
But in his previous six attempts, he had died increasingly miserable deaths.
These protagonists were absolute monsters!
Unreasonable, overpowered maniacs.
They excelled at everything: medicine, ancient martial arts, cultivation, gambling, x-ray vision—you name it, they could do it.
And their luck was absurd.
No matter how hard a villain like him tried, he'd inevitably get smacked down with a cool one-liner while the protagonist walked away arm-in-arm with yet another stunning beauty.
Speaking of beauties—every single one of them belonged to the protagonist. Without exception.
Once, Hongwen Zhang had dared to exchange a few extra words with Aotian Long's woman and was instantly reduced to ashes.
Was there no justice? No law?
Shaking off his exasperation, Hongwen Zhang dashed into the bathroom to gather his thoughts.
He had already been killed by Yan Xiao, Feng Ye, Feng Chu, Chen Ye, Aotian Long, and Ritian Zhao.
This time, the novel was titled The War God's Harem Chronicles.
What a disgustingly cliché name.
And the protagonist was Aotian Long—again.
A war god from the frontier, he had returned to unify the entire Northern Country and was currently undercover as a security guard, worming his way into Shuying Feng's life.
According to the plot, today was Chapter 9.
During Hongwen Zhang and Shuying Feng's engagement announcement, Aotian Long would heroically intervene, break Hongwen Zhang's leg, and exit the scene for a few chapters while recovering.
Meanwhile, Aotian Long would win Shuying Feng's heart, and the two would embark on their shameless love story…
Hongwen Zhang splashed cold water on his face and stared into the mirror with gritted teeth.
"This time, I'll survive until the end. I'll get that system reward and save my mom!"
After composing himself and resolving to lay low, Hongwen Zhang stepped out of the bathroom.
Only to see Shuying Feng waiting outside.
She stood there in an elegant evening gown, a true vision of perfection—graceful, ethereal, and breathtakingly beautiful.
Her figure was flawless, her expression cold and aloof.
There was no mistaking it: she was the female lead.
The eldest daughter of the Feng family.
The young CEO of Chifeng Group.
The goddess Hongwen Zhang had worshipped for three years.
Most importantly: Aotian Long's woman.
Hongwen Zhang forced a smile, but before he could speak, Shuying Feng coldly declared, "Hongwen Zhang, I will never marry you. Give up on that idea!"
Hongwen Zhang chuckled internally.
[Lady, please! Marry you? I'd like to live a few more years, thank you very much!]
[Sure, you've got the looks and the figure, but unfortunately, your IQ drops to zero the moment Aotian Long enters the scene.]
[Once Aotian Long wins Shuying Feng over, the Feng family's fortune will fall right into his lap. What a tragic fate.]
Out loud, Hongwen Zhang said, "I agree."
"You… agree?"
Shuying Feng was stunned.
Something felt off. She had only heard him say "I agree," but somehow, it felt like he had said a whole paragraph's worth of thoughts just now.
For three years, he had chased her relentlessly, clinging to her like gum on a shoe.
Their families had arranged this engagement to finally put an end to the chaos he had caused.
But now… he just agreed?
Hongwen Zhang smiled, "Shuying, I've realized we're not suitable for each other. Let's just be friends from now on."
[Hurry up and go be Aotian Long's arm candy! You and the other 999 women can line up to worship him and polish his boots.]
[My top priority right now is to sever ties with this silly woman as cleanly as possible.]
Shuying Feng's eyes widened, she thought:
(Wait… was she hearing his thoughts?)
(Did he just call me an arm candy? And suggestI'd be one of 999 other women?)
(What nonsense! I am Shuying Feng, would never lower herself like that.)
(But wait… Aotian Long? The security guard I had recently hired?)
Her expression darkened as she stared daggers at Hongwen Zhang.
Hongwen Zhang froze.
[What's her problem now? I'm not marrying you anymore, isn't that enough?]
[But hey, she's Aotian Long's future woman, so I better not offend her too much.]
He quickly added with a smile, "Let's go explain this to our elders. Take it slow, no rush…"
Shuying Feng stormed off toward the main hall, her chest heaving with anger, she thought:
(Three years! Three years of gifts and flattery, and now he's calling me names in his head?)
(What is this guy up to?)
Trailing behind her, Hongwen Zhang mused:
[Three years down the drain. Oh well, with my villain status, I can find plenty of beauties elsewhere.]
[This silly woman was destined to be someone else's trophy wife.]
Shuying Feng couldn't stand it anymore. She stopped abruptly, spun around, and glared at him.
Hongwen Zhang quickly smiled, "Don't worry, Shuying! I swear I'm not up to anything. Once we call off this engagement, I'll disappear from your life entirely!"
Shuying Feng was seething.
(What did he just say? He wants to disappear entirely? Am I trash to him now?)
At that moment, the hall doors opened, and both families' elders were staring at the two of them.
"Oh dear, are you two arguing again?"
"Come inside and talk it out!"
Hongwen Zhang greeted them warmly and spoke first, "Uncle, Auntie, Dad, Mom, Shuying and I have agreed—we're calling off the engagement."
With an expression of deep sincerity, he added, "Shuying deserves someone better—someone who truly loves her. I only want what's best for her."
His performance was Oscar-worthy.
Shuying Feng stood there, coldly watching his act, her chest tight with frustration.
Finally, her lips curled into a faint smile as she said, loud and clear:
"Uncle, Auntie, Dad, Mom—I agree to the engagement."
Hongwen Zhang's eyes nearly popped out of his head as he turned to stare at her in shock.
Shuying Feng smirked coldly, her gaze sharp and unyielding.