18 - It’s a pity you’re going to die.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Hao was a bit stunned.

The system, realizing its explanation wasn't detailed enough, quickly said:

"The cost of upgrading attributes varies depending on the points. Upgrading from 1 to 2 costs 100 Counterattack Points, from 2 to 3 costs 200, and so on. Your charm is currently at 4 points, and upgrading to 5 will require 400 Counterattack Points."

"..." Jiang Hao was speechless.

Such an important detail, and the system didn't mention it earlier?

But thinking about it, he quickly came to terms with it.

After all, attribute values determine whether someone can break the limits of ordinary humans. The increasing cost of Counterattack Points made sense.

Deciding to save his remaining points, Jiang Hao recalled the original plot in his mind and soon left the villa.

---

Nighttime, Red Rose Bar.

This bar, owned by the matchmaker, had an outdated name, but it still attracted many patrons.

When Jiang Hao arrived, the night was at its peak.

Inside the bar, the dim lights and pulsating music created a rhythm as intense as a heartbeat. The dance floor was filled with men and women showing various states of intoxication. Behind the bar, a bartender performed flashy tricks while mixing drinks.

In one of the booth seats deep inside the bar, a slender young man dressed in casual Armani attire was surrounded by a group of flirtatious women.

This man was Kang Youde, a member of the upper class in Liu City.

Although the Kang family was wealthy, their status was lower compared to the Xia and Jiang families.

As the eldest son of the Kang family, Kang Youde perfectly embodied the term "playboy," indulging daily in alcohol and women.

Seeing someone walking directly toward him, Kang Youde squinted, his drunken gaze scanning the figure.

When he recognized the visitor, he was first startled but then laughed out loud, "Isn't this Young Master Jiang? What brings you here?"

As soon as he spoke, the surrounding guests turned their heads in unison.

"It really is Young Master Jiang!"

"Young Master Jiang? You mean the eldest son of the Jiang family?"

"Young Master Jiang doesn't usually frequent places like this. What's going on tonight?"

"Could he be here to confront Young Master Kang?"

The buzz of discussions made Kang Youde frown.

He, too, was worried. But no matter how he thought about it, he couldn't figure out how he might have offended Jiang Hao.

After all, he hadn't even seen Xia Siyu recently!

In Liushi's upper-class circles, 90% of people knew Jiang Hao, and they all understood one thing: unless it involved Xia Siyu, Jiang Hao wouldn't show up in places like this.

"Kang Youde, you seem to be living quite comfortably," Jiang Hao said casually as he sat in the booth, glancing around.

His presence sobered Kang Youde instantly.

Waving to dismiss the others in the booth, Kang Youde ordered the best wine from the bar and personally poured a glass for Jiang Hao before replying:

"Young Master Jiang, please don't joke! You know my limits. Compared to you, my life isn't even worth mentioning."

"You shouldn't say that."

Jiang Hao shook his head, swirling the wine in his glass. "Without your patronage, this Red Rose Bar wouldn't be doing so well."

Hearing this, a flash of surprise crossed Kang Youde's eyes.

Only a handful of people knew about his connection with the owner of the Red Rose Bar—the matchmaker. To keep the bar running smoothly, Kang Youde had spent a fortune dealing with the surrounding forces and relationships.

But from Jiang Hao's words, it seemed he knew something?

"Young Master Jiang, you must be joking! I'm just a customer here. The bar's business has nothing to do with me," Kang Youde said, feigning ignorance.

Jiang Hao had no patience for this pointless banter.

After taking a sip of wine, he got straight to the point: "Kang Youde, I need your help with something."

Help? From me?

Kang Youde felt like he had just heard something straight out of a fantasy.

The eldest son of the Jiang family, who had everything he could possibly want, needed his help?

Curiosity aside, he quickly put on a serious face and patted his chest in assurance: "Young Master Jiang, whatever you need, just say the word! If it's within my ability, I won't hesitate."

"I want you to keep an eye on someone."

"Who?"

"Ye Feng—a retired special forces soldier. He's likely with the matchmaker right now."

"…"

Crash!

Hearing this, Kang Youde's eyes widened, and the glass in his hand fell to the floor, shattering.

"Young Master Jiang, what are you talking about? I don't quite understand," he stammered after regaining his composure.

Jiang Hao said nothing, only staring at him with a playful gaze.

Under this scrutiny, Kang Youde grew increasingly uncomfortable.

Realizing Jiang Hao must know something, denial was useless. After a moment of hesitation, he firmly shook his head:

"Sorry, I can't help you with this."

"Oh? Why not?"

"If the matchmaker finds out, I'll be dead!" Kang Youde's voice trembled with fear, mixed with a hint of reverence.

Hearing this, a glint flashed in Jiang Hao's eyes.

Kang Youde's reasoning was fear of the matchmaker, not ignorance of who Ye Feng was.

What did this prove?

It proved that Ye Feng had indeed been in contact with the matchmaker—and Kang Youde had met him!

Finally, I've found you!

Jiang Hao exhaled deeply, feeling a sense of relief.

"Young Master Jiang, listen to me. The matchmaker isn't someone you can mess with. Even as the eldest son of the Jiang family, she's not afraid of any power," Kang Youde said again, his tone filled with both terror and admiration.

Jiang Hao was well aware of this.

For an assassin, their greatest weapon was themselves.

In terms of family wealth and influence, a hundred matchmakers couldn't match the Jiang family. But when it came to killing, the matchmaker was a seasoned expert.

Though she couldn't openly challenge the Jiang family, if she decided to go all out, the lives of everyone in the Jiang family would be at risk!

"Do you know a woman named Fang Pei?" Jiang Hao asked meaningfully.

The mention of Fang Pei caused Kang Youde's pupils to contract.

"Sigh, what a pity," Jiang Hao said.

"What's a pity?" Kang Youde asked instinctively, his nerves on edge.

"It's a pity you're going to die."

"You!!" Kang Youde was furious but dared not lash out because of Jiang Hao's status.

"The matchmaker is mentally twisted. She plays the bride every night but doesn't allow her men to touch other women. If she finds out that you not only had an affair with Fang Pei but even had a son with her, then…"

Jiang Hao paused.

Watching as cold sweat drenched Kang Youde's forehead and his shoulders trembled, Jiang Hao continued, "What do you think the matchmaker will do to you, to Fang Pei, and… to your son?"

Kang Youde was terrified.

Recalling the matchmaker's cruelty, he could almost see his own bloodied and battered future.

If anyone else had said these words, Kang Youde would've done whatever it took to silence them.

But Jiang Hao was untouchable.

The Jiang family's immense power left Kang Youde no room for wishful thinking.