The two strolled leisurely through the fresh produce section of the supermarket.
Su Yang glanced at Zhao Mengrou with a smile and asked, "Why don’t you ask Xiaoman what she wants for dinner—home-cooked dishes or hotpot?"
"Sure," Zhao Mengrou replied, pulling out her phone to send Gu Xiaoman a message.
A moment later, she turned to Su Yang and said, "She says either is fine."
Su Yang chuckled helplessly. "You girls always say ‘either is fine’ or ‘whatever.’ Alright, let’s go with home-cooked dishes then. I’ll show off my cooking skills."
"Sounds good."
They picked up plenty of vegetables and meat, and half an hour later, Zhao Mengrou’s phone rang.
"Hey, Xiaoman, are you here?"
"Yeah, I’m at the supermarket entrance. Should I come in?"
"Come on in. Su Yang’s car is in the parking lot, so you might as well join us now so you don’t get lost."
"Got it. Where are you guys?"
"Fresh produce section."
"Okay."
A few minutes later, Su Yang spotted Gu Xiaoman walking toward them.
She was wearing a semi-transparent fitted blouse with a black bralette underneath, paired with a white denim bodycon skirt and black boots. An orange Hermès handbag dangled from her arm.
Su Yang’s eyes lit up. These two sisters are trying to kill me today—each one more stunning than the last.
He grinned and waved at Gu Xiaoman.
"Over here!"
Spotting them, Gu Xiaoman quickened her pace. She looked Su Yang up and down with an amused smile.
"You’ve gotten even more handsome in just a few days."
Su Yang smirked. "What kind of compliment is that? I’m always handsome. Besides, didn’t we just see each other yesterday?"
"Yeah, but I didn’t get a good look at you in the car."
"Well, you look gorgeous today too," Su Yang said sincerely.
Zhao Mengrou stepped in, rolling her eyes. "Can you two stop with the mutual admiration? Are we done shopping? If so, let’s go."
Su Yang checked the cart and nodded. "We’ve got enough. Let’s head out."
After paying at the checkout, the three pushed the cart to the parking lot.
Su Yang pressed the key fob, and the headlights of the Maybach ahead illuminated them like a meteor shower.
Gu Xiaoman’s eyes widened. "Wait, this is your car too?"
"Yep. What do you think? Pretty impressive, huh?"
She hurried over, running a hand over the hood in exaggerated awe. "Damn, this is insane. How many cars do you even own? Is this a Maybach?"
"Yep. S680."
"Wow. I’m seriously jealous. Just marry me already—I don’t want to work anymore," Gu Xiaoman joked, turning to Su Yang.
Su Yang grinned. "Sure, if you’re willing."
"Absolutely! In fact, why don’t you take both me and Mengrou? Consider it a bargain."
At that, Zhao Mengrou’s cheeks flushed slightly, while Su Yang blinked in surprise before laughing. "If we were in ancient times, I’d definitely recruit both of you into my harem."
Zhao Mengrou swatted his arm playfully. "In your dreams."
Still laughing, they loaded the groceries into the trunk and got into the car. This time, Zhao Mengrou didn’t take the front seat, joining Gu Xiaoman in the back instead.
"Okay, no exaggeration—this car is ridiculously comfortable. So much space, and the interior is pure luxury," Gu Xiaoman marveled, looking around.
Su Yang chuckled. "It’s great for comfort, but it’s probably not the easiest for women to drive. The wheelbase is way too long."
"True. I’d prefer something smaller if I were driving myself."
"Though it does have rear-wheel steering, so you’d get used to it eventually."
Gu Xiaoman snorted. "Yeah, right. A working-class girl like me could never afford this. Just riding in it is a privilege."
Su Yang smiled but didn’t respond, starting the car and pulling out of the parking lot.
About twenty minutes later, they arrived at the underground garage of Seaview Manor.
As they stepped out, Gu Xiaoman’s gaze lingered on the four luxury cars parked in Su Yang’s spots. She shook her head in disbelief.
"Your life is literally my dream."
Su Yang shrugged. "This is nothing compared to actual billionaires."
"To me, you are a billionaire."
"Hardly. I’ve barely crossed the threshold."
She sighed dramatically. "Alright, let’s go. If I stare any longer, I might actually propose."
Su Yang laughed. "Do you like the car or the person driving it?"
"Obviously you—the car’s just a bonus. If we got married, I’d just happen to drive it sometimes. No harm in that, right?" she teased.
Su Yang could only stare, speechless.
Zhao Mengrou tugged Gu Xiaoman away in mock disgust. "Enough already. Let’s go upstairs—you two talk too much."
......
Two minutes later, they reached Su Yang’s front door.
Click.
He unlocked it, and they stepped inside.
"Make yourselves at home," he said, handing them slippers. "Grab whatever you want from the fridge—no need to be polite."
Gu Xiaoman headed straight for the built-in double-door fridge by the kitchen. "Oh, don’t worry. I won’t be polite."
She pulled out two imported bottles of water and plopped onto the sofa.
Su Yang checked the time—just past three. Too early to start cooking.
He walked behind the kitchen island. "Want coffee?"
"Sure!"
"Americano or latte?"
"Americano."
"Iced?"
"Duh. Hot Americano is basically bitter medicine."
Su Yang smirked but didn’t argue. As long as they wanted it cold, he was fine.
A few minutes later, he brought three cups to the coffee table.
He glanced at the two women. "Hey, scoot apart a little."
Zhao Mengrou looked up, confused. "Why?"
"Because the middle seat is mine," he said, squeezing between them before they could react.
"Ugh, you’re so annoying. There’s plenty of space—why cram in with us?" Zhao Mengrou grumbled, shifting aside.
Su Yang grinned. "I like the center stage."
Gu Xiaoman rolled her eyes. "Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to."
"Just try the coffee," he said, nudging the cups toward them.
They lounged on the sofa, sipping coffee and chatting.
Despite their complaints, neither Gu Xiaoman nor Zhao Mengrou moved too far from Su Yang. At one point, the conversation turned risqué, and the three burst into laughter, their shoulders brushing occasionally—leaving the two women blushing.
By five o’clock, Su Yang stood up.
"Time to cook. You two relax—I’ll handle dinner."
"Need any help?" Zhao Mengrou asked.
"Can you two even cook?"
"Uh… we can eat."
Su Yang sighed in amusement. "Yeah, I’ll do it myself."
An hour later, his voice rang out from the kitchen.
"Ladies! Dinner’s ready—come and get it!"
"Coming, coming!"
The two responded and got up to help carry the dishes from the kitchen.
Soon, the dining table was filled with an array of delicious food.
Garlic spare ribs, fish-flavored shredded pork, braised pork with potatoes, steamed fish head with chopped chili, sweet and sour pork, stir-fried beef with yellow peppers, century egg salad, and a seafood soup.
Looking at the seven dishes and one soup, Gu Xiaoman swallowed hard. "You’re such a hidden gem. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I’d never believe you made all this."
Su Yang grinned. "Not only can I cook, but it tastes amazing too. Sit down—what would you like to drink?"
"I wasn’t planning to drink today, but for a feast like this, I’ll make an exception."
"Thanks for the honor, sis. What’ll it be? We’ve got red, white, or beer."
"Red wine, then."
"Got it. I’ll grab a bottle."

] [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!"

nto another world, I bought a slave for the first time, never expecting the silver wolf girl to be so cute... Lin Feng: I know it's cold, but you don't have to sneak into my bed! Yuna: Just sharing body warmth, if you dare do anything naughty, I'll definitely...

young master of the Shen family—a figure of immense power and wealth beyond measure—and awakened the "Destined Ultimate Villain System"! His starting scenario? Running into his icy fiancée who shows up with a mountain-descending divine doctor to break off their engagement. The divine doctor arrogantly taunts: "What does your Shen family have besides a bit of stinking money? You're not even worthy of tying Qingxue's shoelaces!" Shen Fei just smiled. He completely defied the usual script: "Fine, I agree to break off the engagement. Also, notify the finance department to withdraw all investments from the Su family." Minutes later, with its capital chain severed, the Su Group teetered on the brink of bankruptcy! The once aloof and proud ice queen CEO was thrown into utter panic. That very night, she went to Shen Fei's villa, casting aside all dignity to beg and plead desperately... From then on, in this world teeming with Sons of Destiny, Shen Fei embarked on a path of extreme dimensional suppression! A mountain-descending divine doctor? Peerless medical skills? Shen Fei: "Reporting you for practicing medicine without a license! I'll gladly take your ancient medicinal cauldron and twin sister assassins." The Crooked-Smiling Dragon King? Commanding a hundred thousand soldiers with a single order? Shen Fei: "Illegal assembly and suspected treason! Let a fleet of attack helicopters sanitize the area and teach you what the state apparatus really means!" A reborn tycoon? Knows all the golden opportunities of the next decade? Shen Fei: "A trillion in capital to reverse and pump the stock market, making you blow your margin and jump on the very first day of your rebirth!" What Chosen Ones? What bearers of Heavenly Fortune? In Shen Fei's eyes, they're all just chives (i.e., suckers/marks) waiting to be harvested! Shen Fei: "Sorry, but as the Destined Ultimate Villain, I don't play by the rules of honor. I only play the game of dimensional suppression."

rowess are unmatched, commanding a million-strong army! Yet, the Emperor wants to depose him for the sake of a false prince? Hold on, are you throwing me into some female-oriented romance plot? How can I tolerate this? With a grand wave of his hand—the Nine Clan Extraction Technique! Slander the Emperor? Very well, all of you shall die! ... The False Prince: "Although I am not the biological son, Father and Mother love me more. The throne should be mine!" The Female Lead: "Qin Xiao, you are the Emperor, and I am a commoner. If you wish to marry me, you must abdicate. Otherwise, you will never have me!" The Empress: "After we divorce, you must give me half the empire!" The Transmigrator Consort: "You worthless Emperor, why should I kneel to you? All men are equal—I advise you to be kind!" The Great General: "The enemy general is my childhood sweetheart. For her sake, I willingly abandon the frontier defenses!" The Retired Emperor: "Although Yu'er was adopted, I prefer him. Qin Xiao, you should abdicate and let him become Emperor!" ... Very well! So this is how you want to play? Facing this twisted world of female-oriented tropes, Qin Xiao grins and raises his hand to unleash—the Nine Clan Extraction Technique! I am the Emperor. Why would I bother reasoning with you? Seal the gates! Leave none alive!