Chapter 2

A top-tier handsome man with striking looks and an exceptional aura wore the standard waiter's uniform like a bespoke suit, playing the flashiest guitar solo before opening his mouth to deliver a brainwashing hit that could send people dancing in the plaza. The intense contrast made for a tremendous impact.

In an instant, the entire bar was stunned. These big-spending patrons had probably never imagined they could hear this style of music in a bar like this. But very quickly, Cheng Lang stirred up the atmosphere on the dance floor. Everyone swayed and danced to Cheng Lang's rhythm, and after he strung together one mind-melting viral hit after another, the entire venue exploded.

Cheng Lang retired after completing his mission.

The system questioned him, [Why did you do that?]

Cheng Lang played dumb. "What?"

[You deliberately helped another cannon-fodder substitute out of a bind. What you did does not match Cheng Lang's character setting. OOC warning.]

"Didn't you tell me to find a way to court death, so the true male lead would think I was vain, scheming, and unbearably tacky?"

Cheng Lang asked the system, "Were those songs I just sang tacky enough?"

...They certainly were.

Cheng Lang asked again, "I took advantage of Meng Tianye going on strike to take the stage and show myself off, forcing myself into the spotlight. Was that scheming enough?"

...That seemed fair too!

Cheng Lang asked once more, "Does the true male lead now think I'm unbearably tacky and deeply scheming?"

The system checked the true male lead's favorability toward Cheng Lang. It fell silent.

Cheng Lang concluded, "There you have it! I strictly followed the system's rules in how I acted, and I achieved the result you wanted. What right do you have to say I was OOC?"

The system was rendered speechless.

Author's note:

System: The logic makes sense, but I still feel like something is off!

Chapter 2

While Cheng Lang was singing onstage, in the VIP area on the second floor—

Inside the private VIP room, which was not open to the public, bar manager Han Mingchen looked awkwardly at the man seated on the sofa. The man wore a perfectly tailored black suit. His features were deep-set, his nose high, his thin lips pressed tightly together, and no emotion could be read from his dark, profound eyes.

A plump, fair-skinned man sat beside him, holding a glass of whiskey with goji berries in it. At that moment, he was watching the performance downstairs with great interest.

"So this is White Jade Capital's star performer? He's quite interesting."

Of course, Cheng Lang was not the bar's star performer. When he had gone onstage just now, he had said himself that he was performing in Meng Tianye's place.

Han Mingchen glanced at the impassive man and felt a chill run up his spine. He cursed Meng Tianye inwardly for being so thoughtless. Of all times to throw a tantrum, he had chosen today.

The atmosphere in the private room fell into a subtly awkward silence. After a long while, the man slowly spoke. "If Third Uncle says so, then so be it. It's a small matter, nothing important. Since Third Uncle is willing to favor him, give him a chance."

Han Mingchen inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

Upon hearing that, the plump man chuckled. "It couldn't be better if my dear nephew is willing to give me this face. I told you, you can't write two different Qins with one stroke. No matter how much you dislike the main family, we are still blood relatives, our bones connected even if broken. What your father did back then was indeed somewhat outrageous, but that was all the previous generation's business. Now that your mother is gone too, let dust return to dust and earth to earth. Let the grievances of the previous generation end here. The old master misses you very much as well. He hopes that when you have time, you can return to the main family and visit."

The man did not respond.

The plump man did not mind. Still smiling, he continued, "I know you grew up in the Lu Family and have some attachment to them. But don't indulge them too much. Letting the little lover raised by the Lu Family throw a tantrum in your own establishment... if this continues, I'm afraid the people in this establishment will all end up changing their surnames."

Han Mingchen's expression changed. He instinctively looked at the man. "Boss, I—"

The man casually poured himself a glass of wine and raised it toward the plump man.

The plump man beamed as he drained the goji berry whiskey in one gulp. "It's getting late. Third Uncle is old now and has been focusing on wellness lately, so I won't stay any longer. Drink this toast, and we'll find a day to return to the main family for a chat."

Han Mingchen escorted the honored guest out. When he returned to the private room, the man was still in the same position as before, without having moved at all.

Han Mingchen was somewhat worried. He frowned slightly. "Boss?"

After hesitating, Han Mingchen still said, "Those old geezers from the Qin Family definitely mean no good by coming to us at a time like this."

Qin Mu opened his half-lidded eyes. "Let them do as they please."

Han Mingchen nodded. Thinking of the provocation the old man had made before leaving, he proactively explained, "President Lu picked out another newly arrived waiter at the bar last night, and Little Meng found out. That kid was immature enough to bring his personal emotions into work. I'll teach him a proper lesson..."

Qin Mu said nothing.

Han Mingchen took the initiative to change the subject. "What about the Lincheng project?"

Qin Mu's jade-like fingers tapped lightly against his knee. "If they want it, give it to them."

Han Mingchen's brows nearly twisted into a knot. "Wouldn't that be letting the main family benefit for nothing?"

Qin Mu glanced at Secretary Lin, who had been standing quietly at the side. Secretary Lin pushed up his glasses and said with a smile, "We just received news. There seems to be a large ancient tomb beneath that plot of land."

Han Mingchen's eyes widened at once. After a long moment, he laughed with undisguised delight at their misfortune.

As they spoke, the performance onstage had ended as well. Han Mingchen watched the lively Cheng Lang below, frowning slightly. "Boss, are we really going to promote him as the star performer?" This kid's style was far too incompatible with White Jade Capital, wasn't it?

What exactly was that old bastard Qin San plotting?

Qin Mu said nothing.

Secretary Lin glanced at his boss and said with a smile, "It's only a small matter. Since he agreed to it, there's no need to break his word. Besides—"

Secretary Lin looked downstairs. "This kid is quite interesting too."

"Ah-choo!" Cheng Lang rubbed his nose, suspecting that someone was talking about him.