Reward, the Emperor’s Art of Observing Qi

"Old Ye, have you heard? A silver Lamborghini has been spotted on a highway in our Northern District," Lao Xiao said, his voice carrying a rare trace of excitement.

"A Lamborghini?"

"Lao Xiao, you know I've never been interested in flashy cars," Ye Zhenghai replied with a wry smile.

This old Xiao—he seemed to be growing younger with age.

A Lamborghini?

That's hardly a car someone like him could afford to ride in.

Wait—silver Lamborghini?

A sudden unease swept over Ye Zhenghai. His expression shifted, a flicker of excitement appearing on his face.

"Lao Xiao, the owner of that Lamborghini… could it be the young master of the Chu Corporation—Chu Yi?"

There was a quiver in his tone, his eyes tinged with hope as he looked toward Lao Xiao.

"Exactly. That's the one. Chu Yi, heir to the Chu Corporation."

"Splendid! I've been trying to meet that old fox Chu Jianguo for ages, but he always shuts his door in my face."

"But today, fortune smiles—I'll settle for his precious son!"

With his suspicions confirmed, Ye Zhenghai's spirits lifted. He began pacing the office, brimming with newfound energy. After a moment's contemplation, he turned sharply and issued an order.

"Lao Xiao, listen closely. I want you to keep a constant eye on Chu Yi's movements. Wherever he stops—even momentarily—my people must be there to greet him."

"Oh, and assign a few escorts to ensure his drive remains smooth and uninterrupted."

As he finished giving instructions, Ye Zhenghai added one more detail, not wanting to leave anything to chance.

"Understood, District Chief."

"Consider it done," Lao Xiao replied, genuinely pleased for Ye Zhenghai.

If this plan worked, it might just turn around his rather awkward position.

So, Lao Xiao became serious, knowing what was at stake.

"Heh, Lao Xiao, after all our years together, must you still play it so formally?"

"Enough chatter—go handle your business," Ye Zhenghai chuckled, half-scolding.

"Alright, Old Ye."

With a firm thud, the office door closed.

But Ye Zhenghai no longer felt like sitting still.

He resumed his pacing, muttering under his breath.

"Excellent… Chu Jianguo, with your son in my grasp, let's see if I can't pluck a feather from this iron rooster!"

On the road.

From the passenger seat, Lin Yunhan cried out in surprise.

"Chu Yi! Were you speeding? Otherwise, why would a golden car be tailing us?"

A wave of nervousness passed through her heart.

"Oh, probably someone trying to fleece the Chu family," Chu Yi said calmly, eyeing the patrol car nearby.

Instead of worry, a knowing smirk played on his lips.

"Fleece the Chu family?"

"Mmm. We must be near your home, right?"

As they left the highway, the roads grew increasingly narrow. Before long, they arrived beneath a modest apartment complex.

Just as Lin Yunhan had described, this was one of the city's most infamous slums.

"Chu Yi… this is where I live," Lin Yunhan said hesitantly.

Chu Yi was simply too dazzling.

So dazzling, she dared not draw close. Everything about today felt surreal—dreamlike, yet painfully real.

As she introduced her home, a faint sense of inferiority crept into her expression—born from shame at her humble origins.

"It's not so bad," Chu Yi replied, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

"At least there's a sense of warmth and humanity here—unlike where I live."

A soft, faraway look crossed his face.

In a previous life, he had lived in a place just like this.

Cramped, simple, but filled with laughter and love.

Those days, despite their hardships, had been truly joyful.

"Hm?"

Lin Yunhan blinked in surprise.

He truly was unlike the other rich heirs at school.

A dazed admiration surfaced in her eyes.

She could see it—Chu Yi's gaze held no pretense.

It wasn't perfunctory kindness—it was genuine.

Ding! Female lead Lin Yunhan's affection increased by 10%. Current affection: 25%.

Ding! You've altered the storyline significantly. Reward: 1000 Villain Points, 2 Free Attribute Points, 5 Destiny Points.

A voice echoed in Chu Yi's mind.

Just then, a deep, authoritative voice reached their ears.

"Young man, well said."

"This place might be dirty and run-down, but the neighborly affection is real and strong."

"Aah!"

Lin Yunhan flushed, embarrassed their conversation had been overheard.

Chu Yi, however, remained composed.

He turned toward the middle-aged man standing neatly dressed outside the car and smiled.

"Uncle, should I call you District Chief Ye, or Uncle Ye?"

"You know me?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Ye Zhenghai's face.

He rarely showed himself in public.

"But of course. I saw you once at a banquet, Uncle Ye."

"You were so heroic that night, I was truly in awe.

At that moment, I vowed to become a man of honor like you one day."

Chu Yi spoke as he stepped out of the car.

"Enough, enough—you're even more cunning than your father!"

"Seems the rumors don't do you justice."

Ye Zhenghai couldn't help but smile bitterly at the flattery.

So much for his plan to exploit Chu Yi's youth and naivety to push Chu Jianguo into investing in the district.

This young man was sharper than his father—every word meticulously chosen.

Truly, a tiger raises no weak cubs.

One mountain always surpasses another.

Looks like today's little scheme would come to nothing.

Ah well—win some, lose some.

With that, Ye Zhenghai decided to make his exit, intending only a few more pleasantries before leaving.

After all, he had work to attend to.

But just as he turned away, Chu Yi's voice halted him.

"Uncle Ye, don't go. I understand your intent—and I never said I'm unwilling."

"Oh?"

Ye Zhenghai's eyes lit up with excitement.

Chu Yi, observing him closely, smiled faintly.

"Uncle Ye, as you know, because of my reputation as a spoiled rich kid, I don't hold any authority in the Chu Corporation."

"I understand…"

Ye Zhenghai had anticipated that.

His plan had always hinged on Chu Jianguo.

"What I can do, however, is donate two million yuan each to the District Office and Public Security Bureau to help improve local livelihoods."

"As for the investment part, I'll speak with my father.

Then the two of you can discuss specifics.

What do you think, Uncle Ye?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Zhenghai fell into deep thought.

It sounded like Chu Yi had said a lot—but promised little.

And truthfully, money wasn't what the Northern District lacked.

What they did lack, was powerful business investment.

His brow furrowed further.

But then, a spark of clarity dawned on him.

He finally understood what Chu Yi was really saying.

The boy was biding his time.

He wouldn't cast his net until he saw the rabbit.

Smiling, Ye Zhenghai finally relaxed.

"Very well. I'll gratefully accept my nephew's generosity."

Chu Yi beamed.

Don't be fooled—Ye Zhenghai might be the lowest-ranked of the four district chiefs in the city, but he was still a district chief, with real power.

In the original story, he had become Ye Fan's first major ally, won over by Ye Fan's cunning schemes.

But now, that ally belonged to Chu Yi.

Ding! Congratulations, host, for completing your second mission: Stealing the First Ally.

Ding! Major storyline change detected. Rewards: 3 Destiny Points, Emperor's Qi-Seeing Technique.

The Emperor's Qi-Seeing Technique allows you, by spending 100 Villain Points, to read the stats of the protagonist or a female lead—to better aid in defeating them.

"System, tell me—are your missions random?"

Ding! No. Each mission is hidden, and only activates when the host's actions meet the conditions.

"Is that so? Not bad."

Chu Yi smiled with satisfaction.

If completing missions could be done freely, at his own pace, it meant he could live unbound—unlike those other system novels where the protagonist is forced to run errands like a tool.

"Nephew, it's settled then."

"Of course, Uncle Ye."

As Ye Zhenghai walked away from the Lamborghini, he left his assistant Lao Xiao behind to accompany Chu Yi—especially after hearing Chu Yi planned to buy antiques.

Lao Xiao could only offer a helpless smile.

"Chu Yi, you're incredible," Lin Yunhan said, eyes shining.

Though she hadn't followed the whole conversation, she knew enough.

That middle-aged man—he was the district chief of Northern Shanghai.

A figure so high above her, she had never even dreamed of meeting someone like him.

Yet Chu Yi had spoken to him with ease, as though they were equals.

It made her eyes glow with admiration.

"Not really."

"Come on, let's head to your place."

Chu Yi's tone was as calm as the clouds, as if nothing had happened.

And truthfully, he felt the same inside.

What he cared about more right now were those ancient medicinal pills.

After all, with Ye Fan's protagonist halo, anything could happen.

He needed to act fast.

Urged by this thought, Chu Yi, Lin Yunhan, Lao Xiao, and Big Ox entered the stairwell to her apartment.

Several flights later, they finally arrived—inside Lin Yunhan's modest home.

It was, frankly, dilapidated.

The walls peeled in layers, and the floor was riddled with pockmarks.