The system forced me to blow up the female lead's fishpond.

I'm telling you, old man!

Could Shen Qinshou's reputation as a master of time management be just a rumor? Busy from morning till night, how could she possibly have time to celebrate her birthday?

Moreover, Shen Qinshou wanted nothing more than to kill her whenever she saw her, so how could she possibly persuade her?

"Uh, Your Highness, I—"

Shen Zhizhi shifted her body slightly, about to reply, when she smelled a faint fragrance.

The fragrance was strangely pleasant, incredibly delicate, as if its tentacles were teasing her nose, inch by inch eroding her senses and orifices, making her unable to help but take a deep breath.

Shen Zhizhi felt a sudden dizziness around her, and asked with squinted eyes, "Third Prince, can you smell a fragrance? It smells so good."

"Does it smell good?" Chu Tu raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly.

"Hmm." Shen Zhizhi sniffed again. "Is this He Xiangxun? May I have some?"

Chu Tu's smile deepened. He leaned down slightly to meet Chu Tu's gaze and slowly spoke, word by word:

"It's nothing special, just some Seven Mile Fragrance Poison that I tinkered with when I had nothing better to do."

"Wha, what?!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhizhi reacted like a wild cat startled by a cat, her dazed eyes instantly clearing as she took several steps back.

She stared in astonishment, covering her mouth and nose. "You...you said that fragrance just now was...poison?!"

"What? Is there a problem?" Chu Tu asked.

Shen Zhizhi felt as if she had been struck by lightning!

Holy crap! How could there be no problem?! Ask your mother!

That bastard Chu Tu is indeed ruthless.

At the prime of their youth, can't they play with things suitable for teenagers? Why do they have to research these poisonous substances!

He watched her movements with amusement, a smirk playing on his lips as he squinted and chuckled, "No need to cover it up anymore. You've been smelling it for so long, you're already poisoned."

Shen Zhizhi forced back the blood that threatened to spill from her throat and looked up in despair, "Then, Your Highness, haven't you also been poisoned by this Seven Mile Fragrance?"

Chu Tu raised an eyebrow, his wicked peach blossom eyes filled with a smile, but his eyes were full of disdain. "Since this is a deadly poison made by me, I naturally have the antidote as well."

"..." Shen Zhizhi felt like dying.

Damn it! My patience is completely gone! Let's all just give up on life!

What's the big deal about dying! At most, she'll be reincarnated and reborn as a rich young lady from the Jiangnan region.

Shen Zhizhi glared angrily, then suddenly sat up straight and slammed her hand on the gambling table, scattering broken silver coins everywhere.

"?"

Chu Tu's gaze sharpened, and he looked at her with a puzzled expression.

[Host, host, don't be impulsive!]

Ya Dan was sitting with her legs crossed, watching the show in her mind, when she heard Shen Zhizhi's thoughts and saw her actions. She was so shocked that she almost fell off the void.

Shen Zhizhi scoffed coldly: "Why wouldn't I act impulsively? I'd rather not live that kind of corporate slave life."

"Host, you need to think about those three million." Ya Dan coaxed again in a gentle voice.

Shen Zhizhi had long since stopped listening to any advice; her agitated thoughts were almost completely eroding her reason.

She scoffed, "To hell with three million! I don't want it anymore! I'm going to fight him to the death!"

Taking a deep breath, she was preparing for a life-or-death duel when she heard Ya Dan sigh again: "[Given the host's proactive completion of the mission, the higher-ups are planning to increase the host's three million bonus.]"

Ha, just a ploy to lure you in, who cares?

Ya Dan casually remarked: "[The reward has been increased to 100 million yuan, plus a luxurious villa worth 10 million yuan. Since the host doesn't want it, there's nothing I can do. Please bravely face your death.]"

"..."

The raging flames behind Shen Zhizhi were instantly extinguished by these words.

She covered her mouth and chuckled: "Oh, what are you talking about dying for? Saving wayward youths is my duty, it's like Lei Feng doing good deeds."

Chu Tu raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on her hand as she slammed it on the table, a cold glint in his eyes. "What? Miss Shen is unwilling?"

"Oh dear, no, no, I just slipped my hand."

A smile flickered in Shen Zhizhi's eyes, her bright, doe-like eyes narrowed slightly, and she silently squatted down to pick up all the scattered silver pieces, carefully placing them back on the ground.

Staring at the girl with her upturned face full of ingratiation, Chu Tu curled his lips and sneered:

"If A-Shou does not appear at my residence tomorrow, you can expect this Seven Mile Fragrance Poison to drag you into a nightmare, where you will be unable to control yourself in your beautiful dream, unwilling to wake up, and starve to death in your dream."

Every word was harsh and merciless.

Shen Zhizhi rolled her eyes inwardly, but her face remained smiling as she nodded and bowed, saying, "Yes, yes, Your Highness is absolutely right. I will certainly live up to Your Highness's expectations."

It's alright. For that 100 million, for that villa, what's a little grievance?

Even if she didn't bring Shen Qinshou to the banquet, she still had Chu Chouchi, who must have the antidote for the Seven Mile Fragrance Poison on him.

Thinking of this, Shen Zhizhi lowered her head secretly, feeling a surge of joy.

Before she could even smile, Chu Tu glanced at her, seemingly sensing what she was thinking, and snorted coldly, "Miss Shen had better not try any tricks. After all, I haven't given anyone the antidote for this poison."

These words were like sharp blades piercing her heart, leaving Shen Zhizhi completely defenseless.

Chu Tu completely ignored her frozen body, flicked his sleeves, and walked away with a flourish, chuckling as he passed by her.

Laugh! Laugh your grandpa away! ╰（‵□′）╯

"Ugh."

Shen Zhizhi sighed, feeling utterly lost about her future.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

She left unwillingly, returning to the Prime Minister's residence in a daze. The moment she stepped into the courtyard, she was stunned by what she saw.

The already dilapidated house was now even more ruined. All the saplings had been cut down, and her hammock had collapsed. The entire courtyard looked like it had been ransacked.

Without a doubt, who else could be the one to harbor resentment towards her within the Prime Minister's residence and do something like this, but Shen Qinshou?

"Oh dear, what's wrong with Third Sister's courtyard? It's so messy!"

A charming and smug voice came from behind her. Shen Qinshou happened to be passing by, her beautiful eyes filled with astonishment.

Shen Zhizhi was furious and wanted to turn around and kick her again to vent her anger, but she still had a mission to complete today.

Never mind, there's plenty of time later. Let's get the antidote first. She has to endure it.

When she finishes all her tasks and leaves this damn world, she'll definitely put a sack over Shen Qinshou's head and give her five, six, seven, or eight punches!

Shen Zhizhi took a deep breath, turned around, raised her eyes and smiled, "Hehe, it's Second Sister. I just happen to have something to ask you."

Clearly not expecting this reaction, Shen Qinshou took a step back nervously. "Wh-what?"

"I heard that tomorrow is the Third Prince's birthday. Would you be willing to attend the banquet, sister?" Her eyes curved into a smile, her expression gentle.

Shen Qinshou stared in surprise, her beautiful eyes widening. Realizing the meaning behind Shen Zhizhi's words, she suddenly burst into laughter, followed by a persistent, cold laugh:

"Heh, Shen Zhizhi, what trick are you up to now?"