C3

"Seal the Pretentious Experience Card?"

Su Hao came to a halt, examining the note on the experience card.

(Seal the Pretentious Experience Card: Objects within a meter of the user are immobilized, and any force applied to the sealed objects is doubled in strength. Effective for five seconds.)

Grasping the capabilities of the Seal the Pretentious Experience Card, a spark of excitement flickered in Su Hao's eyes.

This card was a gem; in a pinch, it could very well save his life.

Closing the character info panel, Su Hao scanned his surroundings, quickly identifying his location. Without hesitation, he headed right, towards the East City Region of Quanzhou.

The Moonlight Treasure Box had transported him back to this day, ten years prior—the third month since his expulsion from the Su family. Back then, powerless, he had no choice but to drift to his fiancée's company in the East City Region of Quanzhou, marking the start of his downward spiral.

His fiancée, Bai Wenling, was from the Bai family—a minor clan in Haibei City, dim in comparison to the Su family's grandeur, like a faint glow against the bright moon.

The Su family's alliance with the Bai family was rooted in a deep bond formed when Bai Wenling's grandfather took a bullet for the patriarch of the Su family.

However, Su Hao had always been averse to the notion of repaying ancestral debts.

The inability to control one's life was a sorrow shared by all.

Bai Wenling's company was a short distance away, and in no time, Su Hao reached his destination.

Just as he approached the entrance, a Porsche roared up to the curb.

The door swung open, and a woman emerged gracefully.

Her shiny, new high heels clicked against the pavement in a steady beat.

Her eyes, bright and captivating, seemed to draw one in, while her long lashes quivered gently. Her skin was fair and flawless, blushing with a soft rosiness, and her lips, delicate as rose petals, appeared irresistibly soft.

The sunlight bathed her face, casting a radiant glow on her striking features.

This woman was none other than his fiancee—Bai Wenling!

Reuniting with Bai Wenling after so many years, Su Hao was suddenly struck by a wave of melancholy. She was a woman whose destiny was beyond her control.

To the outside world, she seemed untouchable, yet her spirit was fragile. She had fought valiantly for her company, but ultimately, she couldn't outmaneuver her adversaries. On the day her company went bankrupt, she lost all her aspirations and direction. In a tragic end to her young life, she leapt from a building, succumbing to despair.

"Have you had your fill of gallivanting?" Bai Wenling's gaze turned icy as she eyed Su Hao's drenched clothes, her voice laced with a chilling edge.

For the past two months, her so-called fiance had been recklessly enjoying himself, rarely coming home—sometimes staying away for weeks at a stretch.

And she, the subject of endless gossip and ridicule, had grown numb to the whispers and sneers.

She had long resigned herself to the unfortunate fate of being born into the Bai family, where her life's path had been meticulously plotted from the moment of her birth.

In less than three years, once she reached the legal age for marriage, she was to wed the man before her—a privileged heir—and assume the roles of wife and mother, the epitome of domestic virtue.

Her future, as a pawn in her family's strategic marital alliances, was shrouded in darkness.

Gazing into Bai Wenling's frosty eyes, brimming with disappointment, Su Hao remained silent for a long while before finally uttering, "I'm sorry."

In his past life, his time with Bai Wenling had been brief, but he understood that she was more to be pitied than he. She had hoped for him to better himself, but he, unable to cope with being disowned by his family, had spiraled into self-destruction, clinging to her like a parasite.

If there was anyone he owed an apology to from his previous life, it was undoubtedly Bai Wenling.

His words of contrition sent a shiver through Bai Wenling, her delicate brows knitting together.

Could it be that her pleasure-seeking fiance was actually offering her an apology today?

She scrutinized Su Hao for a long while, sensing that something about him was different from before.

"Don't let there be a next time," Bai Wenling said, her gaze piercing Su Hao as she spoke with a stern voice, "Later, we're attending Wang Baiwan's birthday banquet. You're coming with me to pick out a piece of jewelry for a gift."

Such a request would have been unthinkable for her in the past, and the idea of Su Hao accompanying her to select a present was even more so.

But today, Su Hao's apology had shifted her perspective.

"Alright!" Su Hao nodded, following Bai Wenling into the Porsche.

Wang Baiwan was the most influential real estate tycoon in Quanzhou's East City Region, wielding control over a vast portion of the area's real estate market, with extensive connections and channels at his disposal.

Su Hao recalled that in his previous life, Bai Wenling had attended Wang Baiwan's banquet primarily to negotiate a contract. Regrettably, due to a rival's sabotage, she failed to secure the deal.

In that past life, he had inadvertently hindered Bai Wenling's future. Now, even though his affections lay elsewhere, he was determined to ensure a bright future for Bai Wenling.

The Porsche sped along, quickly arriving at the largest jewelry store in the East City Region, the Treasure Jewelry Store.

The store was a hive of activity, with customers perusing the glittering displays as attendants, slightly overwhelmed, provided information on the various pieces. The vibrant atmosphere buzzed with excitement.

Exiting the car, they were greeted by an eager attendant who ushered them into the store.

Following a brief exchange, Bai Wenling purchased the most exquisite and costly piece of jewelry the Treasure Jewelry Store had to offer.

But just as she completed the transaction and tucked the jewelry into her purse, five masked figures clad in black burst into the store with a menacing air.

"Bang!"

A gunshot echoed, causing an involuntary shudder and a chorus of screams among the patrons.

The burly leader brandished a gleaming black pistol and bellowed, "This is a robbery! Hands on your heads and back against the wall. Make one false move, and I'll shoot!"

With another shot fired into the ceiling, a hush fell over the store. The customers, their faces etched with terror, huddled against the walls, shaking and silent, too afraid to utter a word.

Those bold enough to rob in broad daylight have invariably spilled blood before. In such a scenario, survival meant compliance.

Su Hao glanced at the panic in Bai Wenling's eyes and gave her shoulder a reassuring pat. "Don't be scared," he whispered. "They're after the money. If we don't cause trouble, we'll be okay."

An incredulous expression crossed Bai Wenling's ashen face. She never imagined Su Hao could remain so composed under these circumstances. He was truly different today.

Her mind raced as the robbers shattered the jewelry display cases, greedily scooping up the contents and brandishing guns at the staff, demanding they fill specified bags with cash.

A male employee, paralyzed by fear, repeatedly failed to place the money correctly. The ringleader's gaze turned icy, and with no hesitation, he shot the man in the head.

Blood sprayed across the store, the metallic scent overwhelming. Terror gripped everyone as they clutched their mouths, dread welling up inside them. These robbers were killers.

The ringleader scoffed at the sight of the cowering, blood-drained faces huddled in the corner, seemingly amused by their timidity.

As the minutes ticked by, the robbers swiftly cleared out all the jewelry and cash. When it seemed they were about to exit, everyone breathed easier; life was more precious than any material wealth.

But just then, police sirens blared outside the shop.

"Attention inside, you are surrounded. Drop your weapons and surrender now!"

The robbers inside exchanged glances, their brows furrowing as they turned to their leader.

"No need to panic, brothers. We've got hostages; the cops won't risk it," the burly leader said, his eyes scanning the hostages. "Asan, tell the cops we need a car and enough gas. If they refuse, we start shooting hostages."

"Right away, boss!" Asan nodded and relayed the demands to his comrades outside.

As the scene unfolded before them, a collective dread settled in the pit of everyone's stomach.

Once the robbers had made off with the jewels and cash, the hostages' immediate safety was no longer at risk. However, with tensions running high, the sound of a police siren could easily provoke the robbers into a drastic reaction.

As time ticked by, the absence of any police action outside only served to heighten the robbers' impatience within the confines of the jewelry store.

Hearts were lodged in throats, and the more faint-hearted had already begun to whimper softly.

Throughout this ordeal, Su Hao had been discreetly sizing up the robbers, contemplating using his Pretentious Experience Card to overpower them.

The card, however, required him to be within one meter of his targets. These were no fools; their wary demeanor made it clear they were seasoned criminals who wouldn't allow anyone to easily breach their defenses.

Moreover, any hasty move on his part could plunge Bai Wenling and the others into even deeper peril.

Not to mention, the robbers were armed.

Subduing them would require a foolproof strategy.

The tension in the air grew thicker, suffocating; no one dared to breathe too loudly for fear of inciting a deadly response from their captors.

"Ding ling ling!"

Suddenly, a cellphone ringtone shattered the silence like a clap of thunder, capturing the attention of all present.

Bai Wenling's complexion turned ashen as she fumbled to silence her phone.

But it was too late—the robbers had taken notice of her.

"That woman, come out here!" The burly leader's eyes gleamed with vile intent as he barked the command.

He had never encountered such beauty; to indulge himself with her would make this whole venture worthwhile.

Bai Wenling's lips blanched, terror rendering her immobile.

These robbers had already taken a life; it wouldn't be a stretch to imagine they'd take hers too.

As the shadow of death loomed, calm was a luxury no one could afford.

"Damn it, when the boss tells you to come out, you come out! What are you waiting for? Got a death wish?!" Asan's face turned stormy as Bai Wenling remained frozen. He aimed his gun at the ceiling and fired a shot.

A collective scream erupted as all eyes turned to Bai Wenling.

"Go on, he's calling for you!"

"Yeah, move it! Get out of here and don't get us killed!"

"Look at you, so pretty. At worst, they'll just have their way with you, but you won't die."

Urgent voices rose in the crowd, everyone eager for Bai Wenling to leave, to spare themselves from danger.

The crowd's callous indifference shook Bai Wenling with rage, her face quivering with anger.

To prioritize their own safety, they regarded another's life as worthless—human nature could be so horrifying.

Heart heavy with despair, Bai Wenling was ready to rise and face the bandits' cruelty.

But before she could act, a hand suddenly pressed against her, preventing her from standing.

Startled, Bai Wenling turned to see Su Hao beside her.

"Stay put, I'll handle this," he said, his voice steady as he met her astonished gaze and stood up.

His slender frame appeared fragile, as if it could barely take a hit.

Yet his stand brought a lump to Bai Wenling's throat, tears spilling from her eyes.

When everyone else had forsaken her, this man had chosen to step forward and shield her.

A mix of astonishment, deep gratitude, and guilt swelled within Bai Wenling's heart.