Chapter 270 I am a hero, and also the lover of my dreams

System:

"I'm here, dear! What can I do for you, Host?"

"What's up with Zhao Ritian? What's this 'seven engagement letters at the start' nonsense!?"

"Uh…"

"Don't 'uh' me! Explain it clearly! I'm already at my wit's end with Long Aotian, and now Zhao Ritian shows up? What the hell is going on here!?"

"Well, dear, regarding your concern, we can't provide exact or detailed information on that."

"You don't know!? You're telling me you don't know?"

"We can only monitor that Zhao Ritian, too, is a major protagonist, seemingly with plenty of plot armor. But don't worry, dear Host. Since the survival difficulty has increased, we'll be providing you with more comprehensive, sufficient support and actual rewards accordingly."

Lu Chengwen extended his hand. "Come on, then! Rewards, support! I want them now!"

"Alright, please wait a moment."

A few seconds later, background music began to play.

"Ask how high the sky is, my heart's ambition soars even higher, a mindset undefeatable till the end of days, oh oh oh, I have the story in my heart—"

"Hey, hey, hey…"

"Only resilience can guide tomorrow's wayward path. In fact, you and the me of yesterday, how much have we changed to survive today—"

"Okay, enough…"

"Let life break through it all! I want to embrace a new hope! Proudly declaring, reality is just a game—"

"Stop! STOP! Damn it, stop!"

Lu Chengwen was on the verge of losing it. "Is this a joke!? Are you trying to inspire me with motivational songs?"

"Dear Host, do you feel encouraged?"

"No!" Lu Chengwen snapped angrily. "Give me something practical, will you? Something real!"

What followed was a poetry recital:

"If life deceives you, do not despair, do not rush! On days of sorrow, keep calm; believe me, joyous days are ahead—"

"I swear to God…"

"I do not dwell on whether I can succeed, for having chosen the path forward, I forge ahead through wind and rain—"

Lu Chengwen glared at the system interface. "Can you be serious for once?"

Then came a passionate declaration:

"A voice cries out, crawl out of there, I grant you freedom! I long for freedom, yet I deeply know—how can a human crawl out of a dog's hole? I should find eternal life amidst fire and blood!"

"Shut up!" Lu Chengwen roared. "Damn it, shut up! So, regarding Zhao Ritian, you know nothing and can't help at all—is that it?"

"Exactly, dear! Thank you so much for understanding!"

"I don't understand!" Lu Chengwen fumed, flailing a hand. "I—you—ugh…"

Finally, utterly dejected, Lu Chengwen sighed. "Lady, I give up. I've read almost as many novels as the takeout I've delivered, and I've never encountered a system as trashy as this! Not one author would dare write like this!"

"I just have one question—does the author of this book even live? Hasn't he been beaten to death yet?"

"Well…you've hit the nail on the head. He's still alive."

"Good. The author's name is 'Anger Management,' right? Just don't let me meet him. I swear, if I ever see him, I'm going to—smash his brains straight into his chest cavity!"

"Thank you for supporting this book! Anger Management cherishes and respects all his readers. If you like this book, please don't forget to send tips, vote, and leave comments—"

Lu Chengwen furiously shut down the system interface.

Sitting on the bathroom floor, Lu Chengwen's tears were streaming down his face.

"There's no easy road left to walk…"

"I haven't even figured out Long Aotian yet, and now there's a Zhao Ritian waiting outside."

"At least Long Aotian is just 'arrogant to the heavens,' right? At worst, you could call him impolite toward the skies."

"Zhao Ritian…damn…what the hell has this kid done to the heavens!? I don't even dare to imagine!"

"Chen Fatty, it's not that I don't want to save you, it's just that the difficulty is way too damn high. Once you're gone, I'll take care of your sister for you. You can rest easy on your way out…"

The strategist entered the bathroom. "Boss Lu, are you alright? Huh? Are you crying?"

The strategist felt that Boss Lu truly wasn't an ordinary person.

He's even crying, hiding in the bathroom?

The strategist approached. "Boss Lu, are you okay?"

Lu Chengwen raised his head. "Do I look okay to you?"

"Oh, then you're fine."

Lu Chengwen stood up and washed his face. "What do you want?"

"We were worried since you've been gone a while."

Lu Chengwen splashed water on his face. "Strategist, tell me—what kind of person am I?"

"A rich man, a genius, an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, an investor, a developer, Mayor Zhao's good friend, the hope of tens of thousands in the shantytowns, a hero saving our stranded compatriots here… and, of course, the dream lover of many girls."

Lu Chengwen stared blankly at the strategist for a long moment.

"I'm—a genius? A hero? A philanthropist? And…"

"A dream lover."

"I'm this amazing? Why do I always feel like I'm just a delivery guy?"

"Ah?" The strategist laughed. "Haha, Boss Lu, you're such a joker. What kind of delivery guy could possibly be as incredible as you?"

Lu Chengwen nodded, slamming the damp towel onto the sink. "I feel inspired! Let's go!"

"Go where?"

"To meet Zhao Ritian!" Lu Chengwen gritted his teeth. "I refuse to believe it! Even if he's got three heads and six arms, I'll chop a few off for appetizers!"

"Boss Lu, you're the man!"

The strategist reminded him, "But Boss Lu, from my observations, Zhao Ritian's strength is at least 'Four Gates' level to start."

Lu Chengwen froze, staring at the strategist. "Oh, really? Then check if there's a back door here. Let's head back first."

"Right away."

...

As they exited, Lu Chengwen whispered to the strategist, "The situation is too chaotic. Have Old Jin take out the tails around the hotel and protect Zhang Shen and those two girls on their way to the airport. We'll follow the twins' address and try to save Chen Fatty. Once we rescue him, we'll leave immediately. Fly out tonight."

"Yes."

Taking the strategist along, they stepped outside. One of Buddha's men was waiting at the door.

They had come here in Buddha's car, without bringing their own.

The man smiled and said, "Mr. Lu, this way, please."

"Where's Buddha?" Lu Chengwen asked.

"He's out handling some business."

Lu Chengwen nodded. "Alright."

Getting into the car with the strategist, Lu signaled with a glance. The car drove to a secluded area, where the strategist quickly took care of the driver and the passenger in the front seat.

They dumped the bodies on the roadside and drove straight to the address given by the sisters.

It was an old, dilapidated standalone building, but there were guards posted at the entrance.

As they approached the building, the strategist asked, "Mr. Lu, what's the plan?"

"Have the others left?"

"They should've left by now, right?"

"You and I will go in directly. Other than Buddha himself, the rest of them shouldn't be much trouble."

"Understood!"

When the car reached the gate, one of the guards glanced at it. The strategist floored the accelerator, and the car smashed right through.

The defense was tight, with some guards even carrying guns.

But for Lu Chengwen and the strategist, this was nothing more than a minor hassle. They made quick work of the guards, cutting through them like a hot knife through butter.

But as they subdued the last of the guards, they both froze in shock.

Inside the four-story building, every room was secured with iron bars.

Countless heads pressed against the barred doors, staring at Lu Chengwen and the strategist.

Their expressions were a mix of terror, doubt, and a faint glimmer of hope.

"Brothers, are you from China? Please save us! I beg you, get us out of here!"

"Brother, I have a sick mother at home and a child I haven't seen in three years. Please, save me!"

"Big brother! Big brother, we're begging you, save us!"

Lu Chengwen's scalp tingled, and he felt dizzy.

The world spun around him. He turned to see faces filled with desperation and hear voices pleading for salvation.

Ahead of him stretched a dark, filthy hallway that seemed to have no end.

The strategist urged him, "Mr. Lu, time is of the essence. If Buddha comes back, none of us will make it out alive. Chen Moqun should be in the basement at the very back."

Lu Chengwen nodded numbly, following the strategist with heavy steps.

He didn't dare meet the eyes of the captives. He couldn't bear to see the tears and desperation in their gaze.

Even hearing their cries began to grate on his nerves.

Ashamed, he followed the strategist to the basement, kicking the door open and taking out four men who were playing cards.

Finally, they found Chen Moqun, along with a young woman who was also being held there.

"Chengwen!?" Chen Moqun burst into tears.

Chen Moqun rarely cried. This was one of the few times Lu Chengwen had seen him so devastated.

"I thought I was going to die here… sob…"

"My brother, don't cry, don't cry!"

The strategist quickly slashed through the chains. "Mr. Lu, what about this woman?"

"Huh?" Lu Chengwen turned to see the girl shrinking back in fear.

"D-don't kill me…"

"Who is she?" Lu Chengwen asked Chen Moqun.

Chen Moqun shook his head. "I haven't been here long, and she barely talks."

Lu Chengwen knew that those held in the "VIP rooms" were important individuals.

"Let's take her. We'll figure it out later."

The strategist broke the bars and pulled the girl out.

She was so terrified that she started struggling wildly.

Lu Chengwen grabbed her firmly. "This is your only chance to escape. Shut up and follow me."

The four of them ran out, but the sight of Lu Chengwen genuinely rescuing people only made the remaining captives more desperate.

The entire building echoed with cries, screams, and pleas for help.

Lu Chengwen made it to the end of the hallway, just one step away from freedom, but he suddenly stopped.

The strategist was puzzled. "Mr. Lu, what are you doing? Let's go!"

Lu Chengwen raised his head, staring at the strategist.

The strategist was baffled. "We've got the people. Let's leave! If we delay any longer, we won't make it!"

Behind them, the cries for help continued unabated.

Chen Moqun urged, "Chengwen, we'll think of something later. We really can't stay here any longer."

Lu Chengwen turned to look back at the hellish scene behind him.

He stared straight into the chaos, his voice calm but resolute as he made his decision.

"Strategist, take them to the airport and meet up with Zhang Shen'er. As soon as you board the plane, take off immediately. Contact Jiang Shihan—she'll help you coordinate with local air traffic control. If there's trouble, land in another country. She'll ensure you get back to China."

"Mr. Lu! I know what you're planning, but this… this is impossible! There are too many people!"

Lu Chengwen turned to face him, his piercing gaze momentarily stunning the strategist.

"Go!"

The strategist had seen a lot in his time, but this was the first time he'd encountered someone like Lu Chengwen.

Do you even know your own limits?

You're just a beginner at the mid-tier fourth gate!

And… there are hundreds of captives here!

How can you possibly save them all?

The strategist protested, "Mr. Lu, one wrong move, and there'll be no turning back! You're the decision-maker—you shouldn't be taking this kind of risk…"

"Go!"

Lu Chengwen roared.

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sorry guys i had some personal stuff to deal with these past 2 days,but we're back