Hong Kong variety show: The mastermind behind the scenes is emerging.

Rome, Lupus Castle.

The moonlight outside the window shone like quicksilver, draping the centuries-old castle in a silvery veil.

The air seemed to freeze inside the master bedroom's guest room.

Faced with Ruan Mei's sudden question, "Do you like Lu Chen?", Sophia's originally cold and noble face instantly turned as red as a ripe tomato, her face turning bright red all the way to her ears.

"I... um... I..."

Sofia stammered, the domineering older sister from a moment ago now acting like a schoolchild caught red-handed, her eyes darting around in a panic, her fingers unconsciously fidgeting with the corner of the blanket.

Of course she liked him.

That man appeared out of nowhere when she was at her most desperate, paid off her debts, helped her redeem her house, gave her the biggest stage, and even helped her get back the property that belonged to her. With Lu Chen's damn charm, what woman could resist?

but……

Sophia glanced at Ruan Mei beside her. She knew that Ruan Mei had been with Lu Chen longer, and she could sense that Ruan Mei also liked that man. She didn't want to lose this good friend who was truly devoted to her because of a man.

"Amei, I..." Sophia gritted her teeth, just about to find an excuse to brush it off.

Actually, I don't mind.

Ruan Mei's voice was very soft, as soft as a sigh, yet it carried a heartbreaking tenderness.

Sofia was stunned and turned to look at Nguyen Mai.

"I know Chairman Lu is a good person. How could someone as outstanding as him only have one woman who likes him?"

Ruan Mei lowered her head, her voice becoming somewhat low, "You probably guessed it... I like him too. I like him very much, so much that I'd give up everything for him."

Sofia was stunned. Just as she was about to say something, Ruan Mei interrupted her.

"But, Sophia, I can't."

Ruan Mei raised her head, her eyes already brimming with tears, which shimmered like shattered diamonds in the moonlight.

"Because I'm sick."

"I have congenital heart disease. The doctor said it's hereditary, and that's how my mother passed away... I might not live past thirty."

"What?!" Sophia exclaimed in shock, sitting bolt upright and grabbing Ruan Mei's shoulders tightly. "What nonsense are you talking about?! You look so healthy..."

"It's true." Ruan Mei sniffed, tears finally streaming down her face. "My mother passed away when she was thirty, and so will I, maybe tomorrow, maybe the day after..."

She choked up, her voice trembling, "So I've been saving money, I want to leave my grandma enough for her retirement. I don't dare to fall in love, I don't dare to accept his kindness... I'm afraid that one day I'll suddenly pass away, leaving him alone to be heartbroken."

"But... this trip to Rome, I realized I really can't live without him."

Ruan Mei raised her tear-streaked face and looked at Sophia, her eyes full of pleading, "Sister Sophia, you are better than me. You are healthy, beautiful, and a count. You can help him soar higher in his career. I... I hope you can take good care of him."

"Don't worry, I won't compete with you for his position. I just want... just to be by his side, even if it's just a small place. When I'm gone someday, I'll be at peace knowing you're there to take care of him..."

By the end, Ruan Mei was sobbing uncontrollably.

She had kept these words bottled up inside for far too long. Every time she faced Lu Chen's gentleness, she was torn between reason and emotion. The fear of facing death at any moment, coupled with her longing for love, was tearing this strong girl apart.

"Snapped!"

Sofia suddenly reached out and hugged Ruan Mei tightly.

"Don't say such nonsense!"

Sofia's eyes reddened, her voice choked with emotion yet tinged with a domineering edge, "What? You won't live past thirty? I don't believe it! Even if God wants to take you away, I'll snatch you back!"

"Amei, listen to me. Since we're best friends... since we both like that jerk, why are we going to keep giving him up?"

Sofia, who had spent many years in Italy, was clearly much more open-minded about this kind of thing. She cupped Ruan Mei's face and looked at her earnestly: "I don't want you to back out, nor do I want to separate from you... so let's just let that big jerk have his way with us!"

"what?"

Ruan Mei's crying stopped abruptly. Tears still streaming down her face, she stared blankly at Sophia, her cheeks instantly turning bright red. "No, no, that won't do! How could such a thing happen..."

"Why not!" Sophia waved her hand, regaining some of her queenly air. "In European aristocratic circles, this kind of thing happens all the time! Instead of worrying about him being seduced by some little slut later, why don't we join forces and devour him completely! And are you really so willing to back out?"

Upon hearing this, Ruan Mei fell silent. Of course, she was unwilling; deep down, she also longed for love, for love with Lu Chen.

"It's settled then! But the important thing now is your illness..." Sofia's eyes were firm. "Tomorrow I'll take you to the best private hospital in Rome. The Lupus family has the best medical resources. Modern medicine is so advanced; they're sure they can cure you! Even if it costs me all my savings, I will cure you!"

"Sophia..." Ruan Mei was so moved she didn't know what to say, and could only hug her foreign sister tightly. "Thank you... thank you..."

"Fool, from now on we're family."

In the darkness of night, the two girls embraced tightly.

"That just let some bastard get away with it!"

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, Lu Chen, who was resting with his eyes closed, suddenly sneezed.

"Achoo—!"

Lu Chen rubbed his nose, somewhat puzzled: "Who's insulting me?"

……

Hong Kong Island, Central, Golden Harvest Building.

Lu Chen returned to Hong Kong on the third day.

The office was filled with smoke.

Lu Chen sat in the boss's chair, looking at the invitation card that had just been delivered, printed with gold lettering and a silhouette of a luxury cruise ship, and a satisfied smile appeared on his lips.

[VIP Invitation to the Maiden Voyage Charity Gala of the Fugui Maru]

Cheng Yiyan used a lot of connections to get this thin card, and even paid several times the premium to "snatch" it from a wealthy man who originally planned to board the ship.

"Boss, these boat tickets are really expensive."

Cheng Yiyan stood to the side, looking somewhat pained, and said, "Regular tickets are fine, but VIP tickets are already being sold for 500,000 HKD each on the black market, and there's no market for them. I heard that this time, in addition to Hong Kong's tycoons, there are also Datuks from Southeast Asia and even representatives of Japanese conglomerates boarding the ship."

"Five hundred thousand for a ticket to high society is a great deal," Lu Chen said, toying with the invitation. "Besides, what's about to happen on this ship is far more exciting than five hundred thousand."

"How are the other personnel arrangements going?"

Cheng Yiyan reported to the commander: "As you instructed, Tian Yangsheng and his five brothers have obtained economy class tickets through different channels. They will disguise themselves as tourists and board the ship in batches."

"Where are the weapons?"

"Don't worry, boss," Cheng Yiyan lowered his voice, "Although the security checks on the Fugui Maru are very strict, after all, it's full of rich people. However, I've bribed a few porters who are responsible for transporting supplies to the cruise ship. Tian Yangsheng and the others will work in their place. They'll disassemble the equipment and mix it with frozen food and drinks to transport it up."

Although Cheng Yiyan didn't know why Lu Chen needed so much firepower, he now blindly admired Lu Chen and believed that his boss must have his reasons for doing so.

"Very good." Lu Chen nodded.

In the storyline of *City Hunter*, the Fugui Maru is hijacked by the terrorist group McDonald. They are a group of highly trained and well-equipped international criminals. To protect himself, and even turn the tables, in that environment, hand-to-hand combat alone is insufficient; firearms are essential. Although his personal space can hold some small weapons, space is limited, and larger weapons still need to be transported up.

"And your personal bodyguards..."

"Don't worry, they're here."

"Boss!"

Just then, the office door was pushed open.

Wearing a trench coat and sunglasses, Little Ma strode in. Although his gait was still slightly unnatural, the fierce and courageous aura emanating from his bones had become even more composed.

Behind him was another person.

The man was wearing a somewhat worn gray suit. He wasn't tall, but his eyes were as deep as a stagnant pool, only showing a slight ripple when he saw Lu Chen.

He wasn't holding a gun; instead, he was carrying an ordinary canvas bag.

Xiao Zhuang.

"Boss," Little Ma grinned, taking off his sunglasses, "I heard we're going on a sea trip this time? Xiao Zhuang and I have been itching to go for a spin."

Xiao Zhuang bowed slightly, his tone sincere: "Mr. Lu, Jenny's surgery was very successful. The doctor said her vision is recovering, and she'll be able to remove the bandages next month. I'll remember this kindness. As we agreed before, I won't take any money for this mission. As long as it helps you, my life is yours."

Lu Chen stood up and walked to the two of them.

Looking at these two faces that were 70% similar in appearance (both played by Chow Yun-fat), but with completely different temperaments, Lu Chen felt an absurd yet exhilarating sense of accomplishment.

Xiao Zhuang, a character with two guns and the Bloodstained Duo.

What an amazing combination!

One is the ultimate expression of violent aesthetics, the other is the art of precise killing. It's like holding both a Gatling gun and a sniper rifle at the same time.

"Very good!" Lu Chen's eyes turned slightly cold. "I've received word that some unclean things might have gotten on the ship. Will we need to clean it up then?"

"Terrorists or international hijackers?" Little Ma raised an eyebrow, spitting out the match in his mouth. "That's great, shooting at living people is more interesting than shooting at targets."

"In short, safety comes first," Lu Chen instructed. "I will escort you onto the ship as bodyguards, so remember to be careful."

"What about Ah Sheng and the others?" Little Ma asked.

"They have other tasks."

Lu Chen walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked in the direction of Victoria Harbour.

"Security checks on the Fugui Maru are very strict. I can find a way to bring your guns on board, but heavy weapons are not allowed. Tian Yangsheng and his six brothers will disguise themselves as porters and be responsible for transporting those 'big guys' up the ship through special supply channels and then hiding them in various corners of the ship."

"If something goes wrong, we must ensure that we have enough firepower to control the situation."

"clear!"

……

After arranging everything, Lu Chen told the two of them to go and prepare.

The office returned to silence.

Lu Chen sat back in his chair and activated the system.

[Host: Lu Chen]

Current free attribute points: 2 points

These are the rewards I received from checking in with Thomas's trio and Sofia in Rome. Although it's not much, every bit of improvement in strength is crucial before the upcoming "Wealthy Pill" trip.

He was very familiar with the plot of City Hunter.

The ship not only had the robber McDonald, but also a skilled fighter who could go toe-to-toe with Meng Bo, and they even used explosives in the end.

More importantly, it was an isolated island at sea. Once war broke out, there would be no support, and they would have to rely entirely on themselves.

Although he has undergone special training with Tian Yangsheng recently, he can only be considered good among ordinary people.

"System, add points."

Lu Chen took a deep breath.

"Add a little to [strength], and a little to [perception]."

[Command confirmed. Enhancing...]

There was no excruciating pain like the marrow-cleansing process described in fantasy novels; instead, a warm current flowed through my limbs and bones in an instant.

Lu Chen clenched his fist.

If his previous strength only made him stronger than an ordinary person, now he felt as if the muscle fibers in his body had been reorganized, filled with explosive power.

[Strength: Lv4 -> Lv5 (Military Elite)]

[Evaluation: Your physical abilities have reached the level of the elite troops. Whether it's strength, speed, or explosiveness, you are comparable to top-tier special forces soldiers. Your punch can pierce a wooden board, and your reaction speed can dodge throwing knives. You are already a human weapon.]

Immediately afterwards, a cool sensation flooded my mind, as if the whole world had become clearer.

The sound of birds flapping their wings outside the window, the sound of Cheng Yiyan flipping through documents in the next office, and even the vibration of car engines on the street below could all be clearly heard by him.

[Perception: Lv4 -> Lv5 (Danger Intuition)]

[Evaluation: Your five senses have been greatly enhanced. More importantly, you have awakened a kind of "sixth sense"—a dangerous intuition. When someone harbors murderous intent towards you, or when danger is imminent, your body will react before your brain. You are a natural hunter, and also the most difficult prey to ambush.]

Lu Chen opened his eyes, a glint of shrewdness flashing within them.

"McDonald, I hope you eat and drink well these next few days."

"Because this might be your last supper."

……

three days later.

Victoria Harbour was bathed in clear skies and gentle sea breeze.

The Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, was already packed with people.

Countless luxury cars lined up in a long queue, completely blocking the pier. Socialites and wealthy tycoons in evening gowns and suits walked the red carpet amidst flashing lights.

At the end of the red carpet, a huge white cruise ship was moored.

Fugui Pill No.

It was like a floating palace on the sea, gleaming with extravagant light in the sunlight. Colorful flags hung all over the hull, and a band played lively jazz music on the deck.

Wow! What a huge ship!

Several young girls in the crowd exclaimed in surprise.

At the VIP entrance.

A black Rolls-Royce slowly came to a stop.

The car door opened.

A shiny leather shoe stepped onto the red carpet.

Lu Chen was dressed in a well-tailored white casual suit and wore sunglasses, making him look handsome, dashing, and extraordinary.

To his left was Little Ma, wearing a black trench coat and chewing on a matchstick; to his right was Little Zhuang, carrying a briefcase and with a stern expression.

The moment the three of them appeared, they immediately attracted the attention of the surrounding reporters.

"Look! It's Lu Chen from Golden Harvest!"

"This is the designer who received the Golden Needle Award!"

"My God, he's even more handsome in person than in the newspapers!"

Ignoring the surrounding noise, Lu Chen took off his sunglasses, glanced up at the huge cruise ship, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes, and stepped onto the gangway leading to the Fugui Maru.

The sea breeze lifted the hem of his clothes, thus beginning the grand spectacle that was about to shock the entire city.

In the ordinary passageway not far from him.

A private detective (Meng Bo) with a big nose and a gloomy face is secretly admiring a beautiful woman's thighs while racking his brains to evade paying for a ticket.

A stunningly beautiful woman (Yako) wearing a red, slit dress is leading a daring girl onto the deck to enjoy the sea breeze.

All the pieces are now in play.