Chapter 1: Coincidence or Foresight?
Seated by the aisle on the plane, Li Sicheng kept rising from his seat, glancing anxiously around, his demeanor uneasy and troubled. He muttered under his breath, “This place isn’t safe, it’s not safe at all… I need to find somewhere else fast…”
His peculiar behavior drew the attention of a young couple seated nearby.
“Not safe? What a joke. This plane is the most advanced model in the world—how could it not be safe? Hmph, what a clueless country bumpkin!” The man sneered, curling his lips in disdain.
He was dressed head to toe in luxury brands—a stark contrast to Li Sicheng’s simple attire. After mocking Li Sicheng, he turned to complain to his girlfriend, “I told you to book our tickets early, but you forgot. Now I’m stuck in economy with these ignorant paupers. How embarrassing! At least no one I know is on this flight, or where would I put my face?”
His girlfriend didn’t seem upset by the scolding. Instead, she smiled sweetly, playfully coaxing him, “Ray, it was my fault this time. Once we land, I’ll make it up to you properly… Or maybe, after we take off, I’ll make it up to you in the plane’s restroom?”
Though she whispered seductively to Ray, her gaze lingered on Li Sicheng.
Li Sicheng’s appearance was simply too captivating—adorable, handsome, and irresistibly charming. At fifteen, he was delicate yet elegant, his posture upright like a pine; he seemed almost carved from jade. Though his complexion was a bit pale, the hint of frailty only added to his allure, evoking a unique sense of sympathy.
It wasn’t just women—men too, upon seeing Li Sicheng, would find themselves unconsciously entranced.
Ray noticed his girlfriend’s furtive glances and erupted in anger. He suddenly stood up and, with a swift motion, swung a slap toward Li Sicheng: “Daring to seduce my woman? Are you looking for trouble?”
Though Ray’s strike was quick and sudden, his hand never made contact. Just as he raised it, Li Sicheng reached out lightning-fast and seized Ray’s wrist in an iron grip, leaving him immobilized.
Ray felt as though his wrist were trapped in a vise, the pain so intense he grimaced and cried out, “Ah—let go! Let go, or I’ll kill you!”
No sooner had he finished speaking than a sharp crack echoed through the cabin, followed by a burning sting as his cheek began to swell.
Li Sicheng had slapped him.
“You… You actually dared to hit me?”
Ray was stunned. He had always bullied others, never been bullied himself.
“Do you know who I am? I’m the son of Tiger Ray! How dare you hit me?”
Tiger Ray…
The name sent a ripple of unease through the onlookers. Tiger Ray was a prominent figure in Yongcheng. He’d started with river sand trading, then founded Ray Group, becoming a real estate tycoon in less than ten years. It was said he wielded power in both legitimate and underground circles. Not even the wealthy and influential dared cross him—those who did faced dire consequences.
Seeing the fearful faces around him, Ray grinned smugly, puffing himself up as he addressed Li Sicheng, “Kid, scared now? If you kneel and beg for mercy, there’s still time…”
But before he could finish, another crisp slap landed, swelling the other side of his face.
“Even if you were the king himself, if you provoke me, I’ll slap you all the same,” Li Sicheng replied calmly, as if striking Ray were nothing of consequence. He clearly didn’t care about Tiger Ray.
Ray’s mouth hung open, ready to spew threats, but the words wouldn’t come. His courage had been thoroughly crushed by the two consecutive slaps.
Just then, a flight attendant of striking appearance and refined demeanor hurried over, her expression anxious. Ray, as if grabbing a lifeline, shouted, “Stewardess, you’re just in time! This bumpkin assaulted me—get him off the plane! Having someone like him on board is a threat to our safety!”
The attendant didn’t spare him a glance. She went straight to Li Sicheng and addressed him nervously yet respectfully, “Mr. Li, hello. I am the chief attendant of this flight. We were unaware you were on board and mistakenly seated you in economy. That was our oversight. We’ve now prepared a seat for you in first class and hope you’ll grace us by moving.”
This sudden turn left Ray completely dumbfounded. He forgot all about his complaint and demanded, “Wait, I just asked about upgrading and you said first class was full!”
The chief attendant explained, “Sir, first class is indeed full. But Mr. Li is a VIP with our airline, so we requested a passenger give up their seat, and compensated them generously.”
Her words stunned everyone.
Upgrading from economy to first class was nothing unusual, but the airline paying to move someone so a VIP could have a seat? Unheard of!
Who was this handsome, adorable young man?
Curiosity simmered in many hearts.
Relieved at the offer, Li Sicheng visibly relaxed, his earlier anxiety vanishing instantly. Yet he declined, saying, “No need for first class—it’s not a good place. Please just change my seat in economy.”
To forgo a free first-class seat and stay in economy? Was he crazy?
Li Sicheng’s choice baffled everyone.
“This…” The chief attendant hadn’t expected such a request. After a moment’s hesitation, realizing Li Sicheng was serious, she arranged a new seat for him in economy. At the same time, she added, “Mr. Li, your first-class seat will remain reserved. Whenever you wish to use it, just let us know.”
“Thank you.” Li Sicheng nodded.
Settled in his new seat, he was now utterly at ease, a stark change from his earlier agitation. He even took out a book and began reading, though its obscure text was indecipherable to others.
The chief attendant stole a glance and glimpsed its curious title: “The Turtle of Divination.”
After Li Sicheng left, Ray stood stunned for a while and ultimately didn’t dare pursue revenge. He awkwardly sat down—not in his own seat, but in Li Sicheng’s previous spot.
Unexpectedly, Li Sicheng, seated several rows ahead, suddenly turned and shouted, “Don’t sit there!”
Ray’s face flushed scarlet. He stiffened his neck and retorted, “You’re gone, so why care where I sit? I’ll take this seat today—what are you gonna do about it?”
“Then prepare yourself for misfortune,” Li Sicheng replied, offering no further explanation before returning to his book.
“Misfortune? Damn your misfortune. Does he think I’m scared?” Ray muttered, clearly unconvinced, though not loudly—he feared provoking Li Sicheng into slapping him again.
Soon, the plane began to taxi toward the runway. As it rounded a corner, it suddenly jolted twice. For reasons unclear, the overhead luggage compartment above Ray sprang open. A heavy bag tumbled out, striking Ray’s head with a resounding thud.
“Ah—”
Ray’s scream was chilling; a long gash opened on his scalp, blood streaming and soaking his head.
Misfortune had truly struck!
Was this mere coincidence? Or had Li Sicheng foreseen it?
“Fool,” Li Sicheng murmured, not even turning.
“Well, it’s just as well. With your misfortune, my journey can proceed in peace.”
He closed his book and settled in for a nap.
(The new novel has launched, and I’m nervous! I hope everyone will continue to support my new work—please vote and add it to your collections, thank you! Also, today is Xiao Wu’s birthday. Launching a new book on my birthday—I hope for good luck!)