After school in the evening.
The classroom instantly erupted into chaos—chairs scraping, desks colliding, papers rustling.
Everyone followed Su Mingzhao’s lead as they packed up their things.
Lin Mo paid no attention to the commotion.
He slung his backpack over one shoulder with a single hand and casually tossed the lone pen from his desk inside, his movements smooth and almost indifferent.
Homework?
That had ceased to exist halfway through the second class in the afternoon.
Carrying an empty bag home was just for show, to make himself look like a proper student.
Just as he zipped up his bag and prepared to leave, a faint rustle of fabric sounded behind him, followed by a hesitant voice.
"Um..."
It was Chu Miaomiao.
"My mom won’t be home tonight... so I’m staying at Xie Yuling’s place."
Lin Mo nearly jumped.
"Sure, no big deal," he said, turning to face the girl nervously twisting the hem of her shirt, her gaze flitting around.
Chu Lintian was still managing the Great River Group—a responsibility thrust upon her, leaving her swamped with work.
Lin Mo had once asked if she’d consider selling the company outright.
But Chu Lintian insisted that the Great River Group had been her brother’s life’s work. She wouldn’t let it collapse, at least not without a fight.
Because of this, her schedule grew increasingly packed.
Chu Miaomiao understood.
But the issue of transportation meant she’d likely end up staying at Xie Yuling’s more often.
Not a bad thing, really. Spending more time with Xie Yuling might help Chu Miaomiao come out of her shell.
And walking home together, the three of them, felt nice.
Nearby, Jiang Yunlu, having finished packing, couldn’t help but glance at Chu Miaomiao.
The girl’s excitement and anticipation pricked at her heart like a tiny thorn.
Chu Miaomiao going to Xie Yuling’s meant she could walk home with Lin Mo.
The thought sent a pang of bittersweet longing through her.
She wanted that too—to stroll side by side with him after school.
But the sight of the private car waiting faithfully at the school gates made her feel like the door was an insurmountable barrier.
Her gaze drifted across the classroom and accidentally locked with Xie Yuling’s at the door.
In that moment, Jiang Yunlu envied Xie Yuling intensely.
Meanwhile, Xie Yuling stood by Class 7’s back door, staring at Lin Mo from afar.
Her thoughts had already wandered to Jiang Yunlu’s seat—if only she could sit there, she’d have the perfect view of his profile, the chance to listen to lectures together, discuss problems, even just pass him a notebook now and then.
Their eyes met across the room, and in that silent exchange, they both recognized the same unspoken yearning.
"Let’s go."
Lin Mo and Chu Miaomiao walked out the front door, shattering the quiet moment.
Soon after, a boisterous crowd of boys from the back of the class surged into the hallway.
Su Mingzhao led the pack with resigned amusement, trailed by a swarm of Class 8 guys, all mimicking movie tough guys—eyes defiant, strides exaggerated, like they were heading out to claim turf.
This scene practically demanded a soundtrack.
I’ll sweep your streets clean, plant my flag, then talk to you!
Roaming freely through the storm...
Anyone watching might’ve thought Su Mingzhao was gearing up for a brawl.
But Class 8’s presence was undeniably strong.
Fang Jun passed by and raised a hand in greeting. "Hey, Lao Mo, coming with?"
Lin Mo eyed the massive entourage—at least a dozen guys—and smirked.
"Don’t need me. This lineup alone would scare Dai Wen off."
That Dai Wen might talk big, but he wouldn’t dare start anything near school. At most, he’d throw around empty threats.
Fang Jun didn’t press, just nodded and rejoined the group.
"Are they going to fight?" Xie Yuling couldn’t help asking.
Normally, she avoided speaking around others, saving her words for their walks home when it was just the two of them.
But lately, especially after the incident with Chu Ling’s dad, she’d grown more comfortable talking even in crowds.
"They’ve just watched too many gangster movies. Nothing’ll happen."
Lin Mo shrugged, then noticed the eager glint in Chu Miaomiao and Xie Yuling’s eyes.
Chu Miaomiao’s excitement was plain as day, while Xie Yuling’s curiosity was more restrained but unmistakable.
His brow arched. Suddenly, this seemed a lot more interesting.
"Wanna go see what happens?"
Before he finished, Chu Miaomiao was already clutching Xie Yuling’s arm, nodding vigorously.
Xie Yuling was more composed, offering only a soft "Mm," but the slight upturn of her lips and the way her gaze followed the group gave her away.
Students walking home in clusters wasn’t unusual.
Lin Mo and the two girls trailed behind the main group, with Jiang Yunlu following at a distance, never quite joining their trio.
Outside the gates, Su Mingzhao spotted Dai Wen immediately—along with the girl beside him.
Fang Jun somehow slipped back from the crowd.
"Damn, she’s cute. Su Mingzhao actually played hard against her?"
Similar murmurs rippled through the guys.
Lin Mo studied the girl too.
Toned muscles marked her as athletic, her delicate features carrying a hint of sharpness.
No wonder the other team’s guys went easy on her.
Just a bit flat-chested, though.
Su Mingzhao frowned and stepped forward, addressing the girl directly.
"You’re the one who insisted on a serious match. Now you lose and send your brother after me?"
The girl flushed, smacking Dai Wen’s arm.
"This is all your fault!"
Dai Wen turned away, silent.
Facing Su Mingzhao, the girl bowed slightly.
"I’m sorry for the trouble. My brother misunderstood—he thought you bullied me."
Her cheeks burned with embarrassment.
Su Mingzhao blinked, glancing back at his classmates.
Their earlier outrage had melted into gossipy curiosity.
Fang Jun piped up, "Wait, your brother said you cried after the game."
The girl took a deep breath.
"That day, I bought sushi after the match. My friend loaded it with wasabi—I took one bite and teared up. My brother happened to be asking about the game..."
Ah. A misunderstanding. The crowd collectively facepalmed.
She kicked Dai Wen again.
"Dai Wu! Enough! I’m your brother!" Dai Wen roared.
"Apologize already! With this whole scene, people will think I’m some sore loser who needs her brother to fight her battles."
Dai Wu snorted arrogantly. With no other choice, Dai Wen walked over to Su Mingzhao, placed a hand on his shoulder, and steered him aside.
"Listen, kid—stay away from my sister! Got it?!"
Su Mingzhao rolled his eyes.
"You’re out of your mind."
uld barely embark on the path to immortality. Just as he was on the verge of death, his golden finger awakened. No matter whether it was poison, drained blood and vital energy, diminished lifespan, or any other physical debuff caused by paying a price—once midnight passed, everything would be refreshed. From then on, whenever someone asked what kind of person Chu Ran was, the answer was simple: Forbidden arts that other cultivators dared not learn? Chu Ran would learn them. Prices that even demonic cultivators dared not pay? Chu Ran would pay them. Lifespan that even righteous cultivators dared not burn? Chu Ran would burn it. All the blood essence in his body? Take it. Want both his hands and feet? He would cut them off and send them to you. You say he’s finished? He wasn’t built to sit idle. You think he’s gone mad? No—he was simply waiting for midnight. From that day onward, Chu Ran would respect neither Heaven nor Earth, bow to neither gods nor ghosts. He had only one wish: For midnight to arrive a little sooner.
ions, keeping it grounded and realistic】 After quitting his job, office worker Su Yang accidentally binds with the "Enjoy Life System." As the name suggests, simply by indulging in life's pleasures, he can earn random rewards from the system—no need to spend money on beautiful women or grovel before anyone. Just enjoy, and the money follows, making it all about effortless fun. The system comes with a scanning feature, allowing him to establish a favorability bond with women rated 85 points or above. Every 20-point increase in favorability unlocks additional rewards. After suffering through over twenty years of hardship, Su Yang trembles with excitement, his dull eyes suddenly gleaming with newfound hope. "Enjoy life? How hard could that be?"
lanned to earn money steadily and take life at a slower pace. But he never expected... his father's remarriage, and the stepmother bringing along a dependent, would completely disrupt his life's plans...
] [Lone Wolf, No Male Gaze] [Protagonist is pursued early on; extreme protagonist-stans, stay away!] The "Carnival Paradise" descends and slowly devours the real world in the form of a game. By chance, Zhu Yan awakens the talent [Roleplay], becoming one of the first beta players. He thought he could develop safely, but after clearing the first instance, he is branded by humanity as the chief culprit behind the game's spread—a traitorous villain. A villain? Who would ever... become one! He'll be the villain! From then on, Zhu Yan is not only a player but also a lackey for the Carnival Paradise. Between the straight path and the crooked path, he chooses the con. With his left hand, he dons the villain's mantle, staging scenes within instances, infuriating players who decry him as a despicable traitor, all while the game happily promotes him. With his right hand, he joins the non-human organization "Fangcun Mountain," which opposes the Carnival Paradise, transforming into a mysterious player who slaughters game bosses, earning cheers of "Long live the expert!" from fellow players. Gradually, Zhu Yan rises to become an S-rank human player in Fangcun Mountain's archives, while also being the Carnival Paradise's certified top game Boss. But when the final war erupts and both major factions place their hopes in him— Players tag his various aliases: "Experts, this offensive depends on you." The Carnival Paradise's supreme Boss throws an arm around his neck: "Bro, you're the iron, I'm the steel; you can't let me down again!"
