C2 Exclamation Point

Han Xun'er could no longer keep her composure when she realized she was still in Chiang Hao's embrace. Hastily pushing him away, she demanded with full suspicion, "What are you saying? Do you even understand the implications of the numbers you're spouting? Just who are you?"

Chiang Hao knew that to earn a kiss from Han Xun'er, he first needed to win her trust and admiration.

With this in mind, he knew exactly how to proceed.

Acting cool? Everyone can do that.

He transformed his demeanor, removed the round sunglasses before him, and settled at his stall. With a brush in hand, he boldly inscribed two lines on the rice paper, beginning his ruse to charm Han Xun'er.

"The golden shackles bind the fledgling phoenix; it's time to drink a big white!"

The ten characters he penned were robust and spirited.

After writing, he remained silent.

Upon seeing the words, Han Xun'er's face tensed instantly.

The golden shackles of wealth had imprisoned her, and the Bai family was to blame!

It was spot on!

Could the man before her be a fortune teller with genuine talent?

As the heir to a family empire worth over ten billion, she had encountered many esoteric concepts that were beyond the reach of the average person. Among them, destiny, luck, and Feng Shui were particularly significant.

What made Han Xun'er the primary successor of the Han family?

Beyond her parental lineage, it was also because Old Master Han had once sought a divination on Mount Qingcheng.

Though the elder never spoke of the divination's details, a phrase had since circulated within the Han family: they had birthed a resplendent Divine Phoenix!

Such a reference to the phoenix could only come from a true master of the mystical arts.

"Esteemed sir, I beseech you to grant Xun'er her freedom!" With no remaining doubts, Han Xun'er bowed deeply in respect.

Little did she know, her deep bow revealed her ample bosom through her neckline, right before Chiang Hao's eyes.

Chiang Hao was overwhelmed with excitement, struggling to catch his breath, nearly meeting his end at the mercy of her ample assets.

The thrill was undeniable!

"There's no need for such formality," Chiang Hao said with a modest smile.

His previous words were nothing more than a casual spiel, typical jargon of the Sky Bridge crowd and a fundamental skill. It seemed he had struck a chord.

The "Zen Master Preaches Logic" meme was proving to be quite handy online.

Just then, Chiang Hao's mind buzzed with another alert.

"Ding! Congratulations, host, on unlocking the Exclamation Point system! Exclamation Points can be spent in the system's shop to purchase barcode scans, system props, talent skills, and more."

"Goddess of Chest Attack, Exclamation Point +20."

"One finger bone break, Exclamation Point +10."

"Earning the Goddess' trust, +5."

"Shocking the Goddess with your status, +65."

As the notifications flooded in, Chiang Hao was bewildered, but then he envisioned a treasure trove of items.

"Feng Shui: Beginner's Guide — 500"

"Advanced Singing Mastery Guide — 500"

"Basic Culinary Skills Guide — 500"

"Language Mastery Package — 10 per language"

"Barcode Scans — 30 per scan"

Wow, the Exclamation Points I've earned can be used to enhance my abilities, and then I can keep impressing others... Chiang Hao felt like he'd found the gateway to success—promotions, raises, and a life of luxury were all within reach.

"What should I call you, sir?"

"Magical fortune-teller Chiang Hao!"

"Oh, Master Chiang, you're drooling... But back to business, you must help me. You're the only one I can count on." Han Xun'er suddenly turned on the charm, making Chiang Hao's knees weak.

This woman was adaptable, hailing from a prestigious family—truly impressive.

"He's a fraud, a complete fraud!"

Elsewhere, Zhou Tianlin clutched his hand in agony and bellowed, "You claim to tell fortunes, so tell mine! Xun'er, you must believe me, I can help you!"

Han Xun'er found herself in a bind. She wasn't fond of Zhou Tianlin, but she had sought his help today, and he had agreed.

She owed him a favor.

"Hmph!"

Chiang Hao was determined to gain Han Xun'er's trust and wouldn't let Zhou Tianlin get in his way.

"What are you up to!"

When Zhou Tianlin saw Chiang Hao approaching, he was suddenly seized by panic.

"Relax, I'm not going to hit you!" Chiang Hao feigned interest in Zhou Tianlin's other hand, pretending to read his palm. In truth, he was after the barcode on the back of that hand.

"Ding! Zhou Tianlin, third son of the second-tier Zhou family from B City. Engaged in dealings with the Bai family, he plans to reveal in three days that Han Xun'er has been pretending he's her boyfriend, leaving her no choice but to enter into a marriage alliance with the Bai family..."

This revelation was startling.

The Bai family was far from ordinary in their dominance and cunning, having concocted such a scheme.

What a stroke of genius!

The unfortunate heiress, preoccupied with her own goals, hadn't yet realized she'd been betrayed.

"Do you really want me to spell it out?" Chiang Hao asked with a sly smile.

Zhou Tianlin froze, his mind racing. Could this man have uncovered the truth?

No way!

No one could be that omniscient!

Meanwhile, Han Xun'er awaited Chiang Hao's verdict. She was no fool. She trusted Chiang Hao, but she wasn't about to be easily deceived.

"Zhou Tianlin, you were given a chance and you failed to seize it," Chiang Hao said, turning to Han Xun'er. "Check his bank transfers. You can handle that, right?"

"Two days ago, he received two million from a secret account. In three days, he's set to receive a final payment of three million. You've been sold out by him. On your engagement day, he'll bow out, leaving you with no way out."

"The Bai family has you cornered!"

Boom!

Zhou Tianlin felt as if struck by a thunderbolt.

Han Xun'er was equally shaken.

Zhou Tianlin had been plotting against her? But he was introduced by her second uncle, who had always been supportive. Why... Could it be!

Her thoughts turned to her young cousin, the son of her second uncle, and a chill ran through her.

Her cousin was so young, yet her second uncle was already plotting such things? She had always been kind to her little cousin. Could her second uncle truly be so ruthless?

As soon as one delves into the world of the wealthy, it's as deep as the ocean, and Han Xun'er's spirits took a nosedive!

Witnessing Han Xun'er's forlorn figure, Chiang Hao approached and offered his support, reassuring her, "Let's go, you still have me! I'll take care of everything for you."

You still have me?

Those words resonated deeply within Han Xun'er. Gazing at Master Chiang, a stranger until now, she suddenly lost all composure. Tears streamed down her face like pearls slipping off a broken string.

Eventually, she just collapsed onto Chiang Hao's shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably.

In this vast family, it was an outsider who showed her genuine concern!

Chiang Hao shook his head sympathetically. Every family has its own set of challenges, and clearly, the little heiress was under tremendous pressure.

"Ding! Gained 20 Exclamation Points for close interaction with the goddess."

Zhou Tianlin watched the pair, his heart seething with envy, yet also troubled by the botched task Young Master Bai had entrusted to him. What a mess!

He couldn't let that soothsayer get away with this!

Spotting a brick nearby, Zhou Tianlin acted without thinking, hurling it at Chiang Hao with all his might.

However, due to his injured hand, the brick veered off course, heading straight for Han Xun'er instead.

Onlookers gasped in horror.

The young man's throw was powerful, the brick cutting through the air with a menacing whistle.

Han Xun'er turned just in time to see the brick flying towards her, petrified.

A brick to the head could mean death or, at the very least, disfigurement!

A woman might part with her fortune, her status, her reputation, but never her stunning beauty!

Han Xun'er felt a surge of defiance but could only watch helplessly as the brick drew nearer.

Then, in a flash, a figure stepped in front of her.

With a cool, collected expression, the person raised a hand and pointed. A piercing sword-like whistle cut through the air. The brick split in two, falling harmlessly to the ground.

Han Xun'er's heart skipped a beat. This man... was breathtakingly handsome!

In that moment, unbeknownst to Chiang Hao, his silhouette was etched into a woman's heart, while he remained lost in the awe of the Telepathic Finger's power.

"Ding! One Finger Splitting Brick, Exclamation Points gained: +40!"

Telepathic Finger!

That was seriously impressive!

The bricks shattered into pieces, scattering at Chiang Hao's feet.

Chiang Hao's left hand tingled with numbness. This was merely an Elementary Level skill, and breaking bricks was pushing its limits. Upon closer inspection, one could even notice a slight swelling in his fingertips.

The system had a rule that Elementary Level talents could be used only three times a day, likely due to the body's capacity to endure.

No helping it. The force of the high-speed brick, combined with its enhanced hardness, was on par with the punch of a 75-kilogram professional boxer.

Such a punch could potentially shatter a normal person's skull.

That Chiang Hao blocked it with a single finger was nothing short of miraculous.

He shook his hand, trying to ease the throbbing pain in his fingertips.

But this gesture startled Han Xun'er.

She clutched Chiang Hao's arm tightly and pleaded, "Master Chiang, please don't kill him. It's not worth it!"

Kill... kill?

Chiang Hao was bewildered.

Dude, my hand's just numb.

Seeing Chiang Hao's expression remain icy, Han Xun'er pressed on, "Let me handle him. I'll strip him of everything. And if that's not enough, I can find a way to take care of the Zhou family too..."

"Enough, enough already."

He had once commended Han Xun'er for her kindness, but she had a vicious streak, it seemed.

Yet... Chiang Hao glanced at the smooth arms pressed against his and couldn't deny the pleasant feeling.

He allowed himself a subtle caress.

"Master!"

Realizing her own lapse in decorum, Han Xun'er scolded him with a pout. She released his arm and stamped her foot, throwing Chiang Hao a flirtatious look.

Chiang Hao nearly lost his composure.

This was bad. If things kept going this way, it looked like there might just be a chance to complete the mission.