The Law of Causality

The Porsche Panamera streaked through the night in Jiangcheng like a flash of light, turning into a high-end luxury residential area by the Riverside Avenue—Yujiang Yipin.

This place represented the ceiling of Jiangcheng's housing prices. Right on the riverfront, every unit was a massive flat boasting a 270-degree river view.

As a former top journalist with a solid family background, Xu Xinran's personal wealth might not match the top-tier tycoons, but owning a river-view mansion in this city was no difficult feat for her.

After all, housing prices in Jiangcheng were only so high.

Ding.

The elevator went straight to the 28th floor.

With a soft beep from the fingerprint lock, the heavy armored door slowly opened.

The interior featured a highly modern black, white, and gray color scheme. Outside the massive floor-to-ceiling windows lay the dazzling nightscape of Jiangcheng and the quietly flowing Yangtze River. There was no clutter in the living room; every arrangement reflected the capable and aloof personality of this great journalist.

No need to change your shoes, just come straight in.

Xu Xinran casually tossed her Chanel bag onto the entryway cabinet, kicking off her exhausting Christian Louboutin heels while turning back to look at Su Bai.

At this moment, her eyes had completely changed.

Outside, she was the resolute and even slightly aggressive top journalist.

But back in this private domain, facing Su Bai—who had just helped her solve a massive burden while displaying astonishing wealth and charm—she dropped all her defenses and disguises.

Replacing them was an undisguised, naked desire.

Su Bai.

Xu Xinran walked up to him. She didn't rush into any action, but simply looked up, her captivating peach-blossom eyes gazing deeply into his.

What's wrong? Su Bai leaned against the entryway cabinet, looking at her with a half-smile. Is our great journalist trying to set the mood?

I was just thinking...

Xu Xinran reached out a finger, lightly tracing Su Bai's chest, feeling the solid contours of his muscles through his shirt. Just what kind of man are you?

You helped that stubborn Liu Chenyang deal with the old Taoist's trouble, making Liu Chenhu owe you a favor; just now at the dance troupe, you threw money around and tamed those arrogant little swans with just a few words.

You have money, means, looks, and your body is so...

She paused, her eyes turning misty. Perfect.

It's as if God meticulously sculpted you just to propagate the most excellent offspring.

Although the analogy was a bit crass, coming from Xu Xinran, it carried a highly rational kind of praise.

At that very moment, a crisp system notification chimed in Su Bai's mind.

[Ding!] [Detected that S-class goddess Xu Xinran's affection for the host has broken through the critical threshold, generating an extremely intense...] [Congratulations to the host for obtaining the special reward skill: Causality Birth Control.]

[Skill Description: Causality...] [Effect: The host possesses absolute control over his own reproductive cells. Under any circumstances, only when the host subjectively allows it... can the other party... This skill ignores any menstrual cycles, safety measures, or drug effects, and has no side effects on either party's body.] [Current Status: Activated (Default ON).]

Su Bai froze for a moment, then a meaningful smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.

This skill... couldn't have come at a better time.

It was practically tailor-made for tonight's setup.

With this skill, he was the absolute dealer in this game. Xu Xinran wanted a child? That depended entirely on Young Master Su's mood.

Furthermore, for a divine tycoon, this skill was incredibly broad and universally useful.

Su Bai snapped back to reality and pinched Xu Xinran's cheek, his eyes full of amusement. Journalist Xu, you're treating me a bit too much like a tool.

Aren't you?

Xu Xinran wasn't angry; instead, she leaned into his palm like a cunning cat. We had a deal. I work for you, and you... give me a child.

And...

She suddenly slipped out of his grasp and turned toward the bedroom, leaving behind a wildly enchanting silhouette.

And, I've prepared for tonight for a very long time. You go take a shower first, I'm going to change. Later... I'll show you something good.

...

Ten minutes later.

When Su Bai, wrapped in a bathrobe and feeling refreshed, walked out of the bathroom, the bedroom lights had already been dimmed to a warm, ambiguous orange.

Xu Xinran stood by the bed.

When he saw her outfit clearly, even Su Bai, who had seen countless beauties, couldn't help but light up.

The capable female journalist usually wrapped up in trench coats and suit pants was gone.

Right now, she was wearing a set of black lace lingerie.

The extensive cut-out design and delicate lace edges perfectly showcased her incredible figure, which was usually hidden by business attire. Her snow-white skin looked dazzlingly bright against the black fabric.

What was even more stunning was that she was wearing gold-rimmed glasses and holding a tablet.

This extreme contrast between intellectual and wild carried a powerful visual impact.

How is it? Young Master Su, are you satisfied?

Xu Xinran pushed her glasses up her nose. Though her cheeks were burning, she still tried hard to maintain her rigorous demeanor.

Is this... a work report?

Su Bai walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze wandering over her body without restraint.

You could say that.

Xu Xinran took a deep breath and handed the tablet to Su Bai. Look, this is my temperature record for the past month, along with... monitoring data.

On the screen was a dense line graph.

To prepare for this day, I quit drinking half a month ago and have been taking folic acid and vitamins every day. According to big data calculations, plus the color of the test strips...

Xu Xinran pointed at today's date, a nearly fanatical light flashing in her eyes.

Today, right now, is the golden moment with the highest success rate.

A success rate of up to 98%.

She looked at Su Bai like a rigorous scientist examining her most perfect experimental subject.

So, Su Bai, tonight, even if it's for the sake of science, you have to give it your all.

For science?

Su Bai casually tossed the tablet aside and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

This woman was seriously too cute for her own good.

Treating having a baby like a project to conquer, even preparing a presentation for it (even if it was just data charts)—only this workaholic top journalist could pull something like this off.

Since Journalist Xu has prepared so thoroughly, wouldn't I be unappreciative if I didn't cooperate?

Su Bai stood up and untied his bathrobe.

His perfect, Greek-statue-like muscle lines radiated a suffocating aura of testosterone under the warm orange light.

Xu Xinran's breath instantly caught in her throat.

Although she had vaguely sensed Su Bai's excellent figure at the bar that night, facing this body with its 150-point physique so closely and without any concealment still gave her a visual shock that made her legs weak.

Broad shoulders, sharply defined abdominal muscles, and that Adonis belt containing explosive power...

"Gulp."

This usually articulate top reporter swallowed hard, betraying her usual composure.

"Data is dead, but people are alive."

Su Bai took a step forward, forcing her back to the edge of the bed, his voice deep and husky. "Since it's the 'golden hour,' let's not waste any time."

...

Outside the window, the river wind howled, rolling up layers of waves that crashed against the banks.

Inside the window, there was an equally fierce storm.

Xu Xinran had originally thought that with her careful physical conditioning and psychological preparation over the past half month, plus the fact that she was on her home turf, she would be able to hold some initiative.

But she was wrong.

Dead wrong.

Facing Su Bai, who possessed a 150-point physique and was already a veteran of a hundred battles, her so-called "theoretical knowledge" and "preparation" were like a paper defense line, collapsing at the first touch.

Su Bai didn't hold back just because it was her first time.

On the contrary, to respond to the enthusiasm of this great reporter, he showed unprecedented patience and wildness.

An unknown amount of time passed.

The storm finally subsided.

The air in the bedroom was still scorching hot, but most of the river view lights outside the window had already gone out.

Xu Xinran lay limply on the bed, drained of all strength. Her expensive lace lingerie was long gone. Her originally fair skin was covered with a faint blush, and her messy hair clung to her cheeks. Her whole being exuded the languor and charm of someone who had been thoroughly nourished.

Su Bai leaned against the headboard and opened a can of ice-cold cola.

It seemed that Reporter Xu was very disciplined; she actually only had sugar-free cola at home.

However, for Su Bai, drinking sugar-free occasionally was fine, as long as it was ice-cold.

Often, an ice-cold sugar-free cola was even more refreshing than a regular one.

"How is it, Chief Reporter Xu?"

Su Bai turned his head, looking at the woman beside him who didn't even want to move a finger, and asked with a wicked smile, "Are you satisfied with this phase of the 'project inspection'?"

Xu Xinran struggled to open her eyes and glared at him.

Although her eyes were full of exhaustion, there was mostly an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

"Hmph... barely a passing grade,"

she said stubbornly, though her voice was terribly hoarse.

However, her next action almost made Su Bai laugh out loud.

Xu Xinran forced her sore and weak body to painstakingly shuffle to the foot of the bed. Then, she raised her two long legs high and leaned them against the wall, positioning her whole body into an inverted "L" shape.

"What are you doing? Practicing yoga?" Su Bai asked, already knowing the answer.

"What do you know!"

Xu Xinran said seriously while maintaining this somewhat comical posture. "This is science! I read expert advice that maintaining this position for half an hour afterward can utilize gravity to increase... the success rate of that thing."

"I finally calculated the right days and caught a busy man like you; I can't waste this shot."

Saying that, she reached out and touched her flat lower abdomen, a hopeful smile appearing on her face.

"With such good genes... I can definitely have a beautiful baby."

Looking at her pious and cute appearance, Su Bai really found it hard to hold back his amusement.

To think that Reporter Xu actually had such a naturally ditzy side.

Should he call it cute or hilarious?

Perhaps every seemingly mature and reliable person has a ridiculous side in their heart, and Xu Xinran had unreservedly displayed her ridiculous side in front of Su Bai.

Silly woman.

You think you're using gravity?

In reality, you're fighting against the Law of Causality.

Su Bai summoned the system panel in his mind and glanced at the status of the [Law of Causality] skill.

[Status: Activated (Absolute Contraception)]

Yes.

Although Su Bai really enjoyed Xu Xinran's services and appreciated her genes, he had no intention of becoming a father right now.

Whether it was out of enjoyment of his current ultra-rich lifestyle or considering his future plans, having a child now would only bring endless trouble.

Therefore, everything tonight was destined to bear no fruit for Xu Xinran's grand plan of "borrowing seed."

But looking at her hopeful eyes, Su Bai didn't point it out.

After all, this process of having hope, then being disappointed, and then continuing to work hard for hope... is also a different kind of romance, isn't it?

"Alright, then take your time doing your handstand."

Su Bai reached out and playfully patted her smooth thigh. "I hope your 'little tadpoles' can all learn rock climbing."

"So annoying! Don't bother me!"

Xu Xinran coquettishly swatted his hand away and continued to meticulously maintain that posture, muttering words under her breath as if conducting some sacred ritual.

Su Bai smiled, lay back down on the bed, and rested his hands behind his head.

On this trip back, not only did he acquire the dance troupe, but he also obtained this god-tier skill, [Law of Causality].

Now, whether facing Li Xingya, Zhou Jialu, Xia Lin, or Chief Reporter Xu right in front of him...

he could truly achieve "passing through a field of a myriad of flowers without a single leaf touching his body."

And that was literally "not touching his body."

"Su Bai,"

Xu Xinran, who was still doing her inverted pose, suddenly spoke, her voice becoming somewhat soft.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

"Thank me for what?"

"Thank you for helping with the dance troupe. Although I know you did it for that Lin Qingyu, but... seeing those girls get a good home makes me quite happy too."

"Actually, even though you are a bit of a playboy and a bit bossy... you still have a pretty soft heart."

Soft heart?

Su Bai looked at the ceiling, a cold smirk curling at the corner of his mouth.

Perhaps.

But he knew better that a so-called soft heart was merely the pity of the strong.

Only those standing at the top of the pyramid had the qualifications to dispense that so-called "soft heart."

And he was stepping toward that highest position, step by step.

Only with the blessing of wealth could he decide the fate of the many people around him.

"Alright, stop giving me the good guy card."

Su Bai turned on his side, looking at the woman who was still persisting with her inversion. "Hurry up, get down, and go to sleep. If you keep this up, the blood will rush to your head and you won't be able to write your articles."

"Let me hold it for another five minutes! Just five minutes!"

Xu Xinran gritted her teeth, her face full of stubbornness.

Su Bai shook his head and reached out to turn off the warm bedside lamp.

In the darkness, listening to the slightly rapid breathing of the woman beside him, his heart felt completely at peace.

Not bad at all.