Some things were left unsaid.
Even when Cao Cheng and Tang Xin were together, they always seemed inseparable.
Yet their relationship remained undefined.
And who was Second Sister?
A veteran of criminal investigations.
Her eyes were sharp.
Especially when she had a few drinks with Tang Xin—how could Tang Xin’s alcohol tolerance ever match hers?
After a few glasses, Tang Xin would get a little tipsy, her usual composure slipping.
So when Tang Xin talked about Cao Cheng, the warmth in her eyes… was enough to melt even Second Sister’s icy demeanor.
Anyone with eyes could see Tang Xin had feelings for Cao Cheng.
Did Second Sister miss it?
Not a chance.
Then, from Tang Xin’s own lips, Second Sister learned they were planning a trip to Hong Kong after New Year’s.
This felt like trouble!
……
Faced with Fifth Brother’s explanation, Second Sister couldn’t bring herself to fully believe him.
She hesitated for a couple of seconds.
Lowering her voice, she said, “The Tang family… is no small matter!”
Cao Cheng rolled his eyes. “Cut the nonsense. I’ve been to Tang Xin’s place—just a regular three-bedroom apartment. Tiny.”
Tang Xin might have looked elegant and refined, carrying herself like a queen in public.
Her background might have been the Tang family.
But her home wasn’t some mansion or villa—just an ordinary little three-bedroom, albeit well-decorated and in a nice area.
Compared to the Ren family’s lavish estate, it couldn’t even match the size of their kitchen.
Smack!
Second Sister smacked him in annoyance. “You know what I mean. I’m not talking about the house—I’m talking about the family behind her.”
Cao Cheng chuckled. “How many years has it been since the founding of this country? ‘Family’? If we’re talking families, ours counts too—the Ren family!! In a few years, when I get married, it’ll be the ‘Cao Cheng Family’ on the rich list!”
Damn, you really have a big mouth.
Second Sister gritted her teeth. “I’m not joking. I’m just warning you—if you two really get together, there might be obstacles. Be mentally prepared.”
Cao Cheng nodded. “I get that. But we’re not together.”
Second Sister’s expression shifted slightly—whether from relief or something else, it was hard to tell.
Cao Cheng smirked. “So, do you support us being together?”
Second Sister’s gaze flickered.
“I… of course I do.”
She quickly added, “She’s my best friend, and you’re Fifth Brother. Even if you’re not much of a person…”
“Hey hey hey, it’s New Year’s—can’t you say something nice? What do you mean ‘not much of a person’?”
Second Sister ignored him and continued, “But you do have some skills.”
Cao Cheng snorted. “Rare praise from you. Fine, what case are you stuck on? Since you’re buttering me up, I’ll help you crack it. Even though I know you’re just flattering me, I’ll take it!”
Second Sister laughed in exasperation.
She actually burst out laughing, shoving him. “Get lost.”
Cao Cheng stumbled into The Fourth.
The Fourth yelped, “Ahhh—help! Help me…”
“……”
“……”
Chaos ensued, and predictably, The Fourth got scolded.
With Ren's Mother and Second Sister teaming up, The Fourth shrank like a quail.
But The Fourth was wronged.
This little brat had definitely done it on purpose—not only bumping into her but also pinching her…
Infuriating.
Hiss.
It still hurt.
Cao Cheng had absolutely done it on purpose. When he was whispering with Second Sister earlier, The Fourth had probably gotten jealous and sneakily pinched his waist—not just a pinch, but a twist!
Since when did Cao Cheng ever take a loss?
At the first opportunity, he pinched her back.
Right on the butt.
So springy!
The Fourth shot him a glare, rubbing the spot surreptitiously and sucking in a sharp breath. Through gritted teeth, she muttered, “You little brat, just you wait.”
Cao Cheng ignored her completely, turning back to Second Sister. “You wanna come to Hong Kong with us? The three of us could go together. It’s for business, but afterward we can shop—isn’t that your favorite thing?”
“I have work,” Second Sister said gloomily.
Cao Cheng feigned sympathy. “Want me to bring you anything back?”
“Dresses. Limited editions. The kind no one else has. The more, the better,” Second Sister said without hesitation.
Cao Cheng raised a brow. “See? Just say it outright. All that beating around the bush—you just wanted me to buy you stuff.”
He held out a hand. “Money.”
“……”
Second Sister glared. “As if I’d stiff you. Pay me back when you return—just give me the receipts for reimbursement.”
Cao Cheng shrugged. “Besides dresses, anything else?”
“Nope.”
Second Sister had a girly side.
Even though she wore pants and long sleeves at work—mostly jeans—and rarely wore dresses at home (except for nightgowns), most of her shopping was dress-centric, often in soft pastels.
Cao Cheng had always wanted to see Second Sister in a dress.
But she only bought them, hardly ever wearing them.
Or maybe she wore them secretly in her room…
Kind of weird.
……
After the New Year’s Eve show, Ren's Mother and Old Cao left.
Cao Cheng lit incense and bathed.
New year, new luck.
Time to draw for immortality!
Abracadabra…
It had been a while since he’d drawn a Divine Treasure Chest. Since the system upgraded, he’d mostly gotten Gold and Diamond chests.
The rewards were decent—most of his skills had reached the “Basic Proficiency” level.
Lately, the most useful skill was probably his (Basic) Hacking Technique!
His inventory was stocked too—tea leaves, spiritual spring water, even emergency medicine and strength-boosting pills.
Only the [Longevity Tea] was scarce.
Including what he’d used, he had fewer than a hundred packets left.
Clearly, this stuff was precious.
Better stock up.
For himself.
He could spare a packet or two for Old Cao and Ren's Mother.
One packet was enough to outlive every old man playing chess in the park—that was plenty.
Besides,
Old Cao and Ren's Mother weren’t that old yet. No need to rush.
Cao Cheng himself had only had a few sips!
Best to save it.
If he never got anything better for immortality, he’d have to rely on [Longevity Tea]. No point wasting it.
……
Ding~
Congratulations, Host, for witnessing a miracle! You’ve drawn a Divine Treasure Chest and obtained a Blessed Paradise!
“Nice, nice.”
“New year, new luck indeed. Taking a break really changes your fortune—finally, not another escape item.”
Cao Cheng was thrilled.
He didn’t know what this “Blessed Paradise” was yet.
But the name alone sounded epic.
Was it some immortal cultivation thing?
His first three Divine Chests had given him revival, teleportation, and movement techniques—this fourth one might finally change his fate.
2008, I love you~~~
A moment later.
“What the hell?!”
Cao Cheng cursed.
What kind of garbage was this?
The “Blessed Paradise” was literally just a cave?
A space barely big enough for ten people… a hole!
Sure, the air inside felt refreshing, like it might help with cultivation.
But…
According to the description, this “Blessed Paradise” was a pocket dimension created by some ancient immortal sage—a hiding place where not even a Celestial Emperor could find you if danger arose.
This thing can save lives.
Dodge at the critical moment, and even if the world explodes, you'll be fine.
"So it's still an escape-type item, huh?"
Cao Cheng was speechless.
Not that the item was bad, but it just felt a bit... insulting.
As if the great hero, Young Master Cao, was utterly useless except for running away.
This isn't an Emotional Energy Accumulator System.
It's a damn rat system, isn't it?
One revival card, one teleportation skill, one movement technique, and now there's an additional...
Hole!
A damn rat's hole!
I might as well have just drawn from the regular gold or diamond treasure chests.
Damn it.
Never pulling from the god-tier ones again...
his freshman year, Su Bai accidentally bound the "Indulgence Tycoon System." 【Sleeping in? Reward: +$1,000】 【Spent $288 at a street barbecue stall? Cashback: +$2,880】 【Dropped $14,396 on in-game skins? Special reward unlocked: A brand-new Porsche Panamera!】 Luxury cars, penthouses, corporate shares, financial empires… College life was all about living freely and doing whatever he pleased! … When the adorably naive academic genius faced family medical bills and financial struggles, Su Bai waved his hand dismissively: "Your future is on me." "Wuwu~ Big Brother is so good to me! I’ll become a scientist to repay you!" When the genius girl got bullied by a shady professor? Su Bai casually dropped a billion-dollar investment, forcing the university to grovel and beg for her return. A company’s funding chain collapsing? Su Bai smirked—cash was the one thing he’d never run out of. Years later, when people traced the rise of the AI prodigy beauty, who was the man behind her success? Not just that—Su Bai also became the tsundere campus belle’s unattainable dream, the contrast senior’s daily necessity, and the beautiful counselor’s emotional anchor…
orn and Humiliation】【Forced Love】 In his past life, Lin Ran was betrayed and murdered by his girlfriend and family, while the yandere female aristocrat, who had treated him as a mere plaything, avenged him by doing in his enemies. Upon seeing the yandere female aristocrat lying in the same coffin, ready to die with him, Lin Ran realized how profoundly mistaken he had been. Reborn, he abandoned the fickle campus beauty and wholeheartedly embraced the yandere female aristocrat's arms. "Ran! If I dig out your eyes and turn them into a specimen, you'll only be able to look at me!" Lin Ran: "Darling, kiss me!" "Ran! If I break your legs, you won't run away anymore, right?" Lin Ran: "Love, hold me tight!" "Ran! If..." Lin Ran: "Hush now! Love me more!" Luo Yao: ... Seeing his scumbag dad: "Take him out!" Seeing his stepmother: "Get rid of her!" Seeing his brother: "Eliminate him!" Seeing his white moonlight: "Send that to Southeast Asia!"
he colors of other people’s emotions. Light red meant anxiety. Gray meant exhaustion. Orange meant excitement. Yellow... meant repression. At the same time, he could gain unlimited control over one of those colors. Pale cyan: relaxation. Using this ability, he started offering “two-yuan hugs,” spending an afternoon exchanging emotional-color experiences with others. Then came his final female customer of the day— a girl whose emotional color was pure black... —— A week later, Xu Chuan had become skilled at using pale cyan—Relaxation—treating it like a bottle of menthol balm whenever he needed it. That was when he discovered he had unlocked another unlimited emotional color: Purple, the color of fear. So these emotional colors refresh every week? Fine, I take it back—I’ll never call you useless again... —— Much later, after Xu Chuan had accumulated countless emotional abilities, one night, he suddenly found himself inside someone else’s dream. There, he could use the emotional colors he possessed to paint. And in her dream, he painted her a shower of pink shooting stars, spreading across the depths of the night sky...
to panic—he has a system. As long as an investment target dies, he can claim a reward. And since he is immortal, the one thing he has plenty of is time. ... Countless years later. “Immortal Emperor of Longevity? I invested in him.” “Supreme Celestial Venerable? I invested in him.” “Undying Empress? I invested in her.” “...” “Heh. Once they’ve all died, even the Heavenly Dao will have to kneel and call me Dad.”
