Another month passed.
It was late April!
The preliminary rounds of various music shows were almost done.
In previous years, everyone would just be starting to prepare for the auditions around this time.
But now, a new powerhouse had entered the scene, creating a "catfish effect," and everyone was stirred up.
Day after day, negative emotions skyrocketed.
Mainly because it disrupted many people's plans, throwing them into chaos from the very beginning.
Those who had worked hard for two months looked back and realized...
Holy shit!
What the hell is wrong with you, Miracle Media?
Two months in, and you haven’t even started the project? The auditions haven’t begun?
What kind of talent show are you even running?
Upon further inquiry…
Not only were there no auditions, but they hadn’t even finalized the risk-sharing deal with the TV network.
What the hell have you been doing these two months?
Just creating a new folder and pulling an American-style PowerPoint scam, huh?
If we’d known you were this incompetent, would we have even bothered working so hard?
Some people finally caught on.
It suddenly dawned on them.
Sure, the rich kid was arrogant—but only because he had money.
But when it came to the entertainment industry, he was completely clueless.
And precisely because he didn’t know anything, he had that "ignorance is bliss" attitude, daring to butt heads with everyone.
Now, everyone saw the truth.
He was just a small-time loser.
Even with all his money… he wasn’t much of a threat.
Heh.
For all they knew, Ali was still busy eating the "last scraps" from the rich.
Scamming the big spender.
Conning the sucker.
No wonder Ali, who could’ve easily gone solo, suddenly decided to work for someone else—now it was clear she had her eyes on the rich kid’s money.
Slacking off every day, yet collecting her full salary.
Even skimming funds from various projects.
Being part of the same circle, they all knew exactly how to fool investors and manipulate project accounts.
Outsiders, even big-money players, would be completely lost.
People suddenly realized Ali was pretty sharp—she had foresight.
And with that realization, her reputation grew, while also opening everyone’s eyes to new possibilities.
Later, when the coal tycoons entered the scene and got swindled badly… everyone said they were just following Ali’s playbook.
But that’s a story for another time.
……
At the moment, Young Master Cao had no time to bother with the entertainment industry.
The market was crashing.
Today, it had just dipped below 3000, hitting a low of 2990!
Once the support level broke, all the small investors panicked.
From 6000 down to 3000… was there even a chance of recovery?
Time to bail.
No stopping it now!
Please, bring back the Stock God!!!
Pain, anxiety, worry, despair, pressure—these were all major negative emotions.
Even though this market drop had no direct connection to Cao Cheng.
But his "green post" and "movie post" were still pinned at the top.
Months later.
Even though they were no longer stickied, any reply would bump them back to the first page.
Again and again, cycling endlessly, keeping those two posts bouncing around the front page.
As long as the market kept falling, those posts would never sink.
This stock forum was the biggest in the country, with massive daily traffic and new users registering constantly.
Many were just discovering the existence of "Stock God Aotian" for the first time.
After digging into his history, their negativity skyrocketed, cursing themselves for not finding him sooner.
If only they’d known about this stock god, they could’ve followed his lead—instead of being trapped in heavy losses now.
Not only would they have avoided losses, they might’ve even made a fortune.
"Just joined the forum yesterday, first time hearing about Stock God Aotian… I regret it so much~~~~ I spent all night researching, and this guy is legit. If I’d followed him, I’d be rich by now. But… I’m stuck at 5800, my stocks are down over 40%... Will I ever break even in this lifetime? Waaaaah…" a newbie posted.
"Give me my money back. I quit."
"I was wrong, I don’t want to play anymore, just give me my money back… wuuuuu!!"
"……"
Instantly, it resonated with many.
Replies poured in, sharing their own stories of regret over the past few months, wishing they’d known about the Stock God sooner.
Some had it even worse.
They’d heard of the "Stock God" elsewhere but never believed it. Now, they woke up from nightmares, slapping themselves in frustration.
Reading through the comments, it was clear most of these people only discovered the Stock God after he quit. So their emotions were dominated by regret and frustration.
Until someone posted:
"Not to disrespect you regretful folks, but even if you’d known about Stock God Aotian from the start, even if you’d seen all his posts, 99% of you still wouldn’t have believed him. You’d still be trapped. You’d still be losing."
"This isn’t about timing—it’s about mindset."
"Think about it. Back then, how many people argued with the Stock God daily?"
"And now? What are those same people doing?"
"So stop regretting. Focus on getting out. Otherwise, things might keep dropping."
Reading this post,
Young Master Cao, with Tang Xin nestled beside him, nodded in agreement.
The guy wasn’t wrong.
Most of these regretful types were just Monday-morning quarterbacks.
Given the same choices, they’d still refuse to believe.
Even now,
just look at the experts’ posts—people still blindly trust them, insisting the market will rebound, buying the dip halfway down.
And Stock God Aotian’s posts? Still had people cursing him out.
……
"So many people are begging for you to come back. Not planning to post anything?" Tang Xin leaned against him, scrolling through the forum with amusement.
She’d been busy lately too.
Shuttling between the mainland and Hong Kong, she and Young Master Cao rarely saw each other.
Every reunion felt like a honeymoon.
They’d cling to each other, inseparable.
She’d just returned yesterday, and the small three-bedroom apartment bore traces of their… activities.
She was like spilled water—impossible to take back.
Young Master Cao, meanwhile, was…
Rowing against the current!
A single day, and four diamond treasure chests appeared.
Tang Xin was truly a treasure trove.
"What’s the point? Now that we’re running a public fund, I can’t just say whatever online…" Cao Cheng shook his head, not planning to post anything for show.
His old posts still hadn’t sunk, constantly generating reactions.
Posting now wouldn’t add much impact.
Better to let these people stew in regret and anxiety—more negative emotions that way.
The sweet, understanding older girlfriend chuckled but didn’t press further. Curled up together, they browsed the forum’s debates and posts, finding it all quite entertaining.
Eventually, hunger got the better of them, and they got up to eat.
Young Master Cao whipped up a simple bowl of noodles for her—just eggs and greens, seemingly plain, but surprisingly delicious.
A little culinary skill could turn the ordinary into something magical.
The little older girlfriend ate happily.
But after finishing, she immediately started giving the chef a hard time.
Tsk.
Women!
The young lady seemed to have thought of something. She put down her chopsticks and asked in a faintly accusatory tone, "Why do you suddenly want to enter the entertainment industry? Did you take a liking to some actress? Do you need me to vet her for you?"
"..."
As soon as the chopsticks were set down, she started picking a fight.
Would Young Master Cao indulge her? He yanked her up, gave her a firm smack on the backside, and retorted irritably, "Do I seem like that kind of person?"
"Ah—!"
Tang Xin let out a soft cry, then pouted. "Then why the sudden shift to the entertainment industry? How much money can you even make there? It's nothing but trouble! The floating profits in your accounts right now could surpass the annual net earnings of an entertainment giant in just a month—probably even more!"
It wasn’t unreasonable for Tang Xin to overthink things.
If profit alone was the goal, no industry could compete with finance—the tertiary sector.
The entertainment industry nowadays couldn’t even hold a candle to it.
But for Cao Cheng, it wasn’t just about money. It was about emotions—and fame.
With fame, many things would become easier to maneuver.
To Cao Cheng, the collective emotions of the masses were an untapped blue ocean.
An uncharted territory.
Even Young Master Cao couldn’t fathom just how much his emotional value would skyrocket once he began harvesting the sentiments of the entire population.
Then he could farm divine-tier loot boxes every single day. He refused to believe he wouldn’t eventually pull something he truly desired.
Cao Cheng’s gaze darkened with intensity.
Though their posture was far from dignified,
his emotions were brimming with fervor.
Those profound eyes seemed to pierce through the ceiling, gazing straight into the vast cosmos beyond.
His voice dropped low, carrying a husky, magnetic resonance as he uttered:
"You don’t understand!"
"If you don’t explain, how could I?" Tang Xin loved watching this little man put on his act, so she played along, pressing him further.
Cao Cheng sighed. "The reason I’m diving into entertainment isn’t just for money. Money, to me, is nothing but a dull number. You know this—I don’t spend much. I’ve hardly ever touched my wealth."
"My real purpose is because our industry is lagging behind. Turn on the computer—er, go to the cinema, and all you see are those 'Oh my god,' 'Yamete'..."
"Our great nation has thousands of years of history, the most enduring legacy in the world, unparalleled by any other."
"I refuse to accept that we’re so easily brainwashed by foreign cultures, reveling in it without a second thought."
"On a small scale, this is a battle in the entertainment commerce."
"On a grand scale, this is about strategic heritage."
"So,"
"I’m stepping onto this battlefield—one without gunpowder. I will become the pioneer of Chinese entertainment, promoting traditional culture, building cultural confidence, and ensuring the heritage left by our ancestors stands tall at the pinnacle of the world once more."
"..."
If Tang Xin didn’t know Cao Cheng so well, she might’ve actually believed him.
But as his girlfriend, she still supported him wholeheartedly, flashing him a look of admiration and approval.
Hiss—
Cao Cheng loved that little glint in her eyes.
"Did you eat enough just now?" he asked casually.
The young lady caught his drift instantly. "Mhm, I’m full."
What were they waiting for, then?
Soon, they were tangled in battle.
The laptop nearby tumbled onto the carpet, snapping shut on its own.
Stock forums?
Online debates?
None of it mattered as much as a diamond-tier loot box.
] This is a dark fantasy-themed dating simulation game. The main gameplay involves containing various monster girls and investigating the truth of a world shrouded in mist alongside your companions. However, due to his love for the dark and bizarre atmosphere, Luo Wei ended up turning a dating game into a detective mystery game. Women? Women only slow down his quickdraw! To Luo Wei, the female leads in the game are more like tools to perfectly clear levels and squeeze out rewards. For Luo Wei, flirting with every girl he meets and then discarding them is standard procedure. Worried about characters losing affection points? No need. With his maxed-out charm stat, Luo Wei is practically a "human incubus." A little psychological manipulation and those points come right back. It's a bit scummy, but the paper cutout heroines in the game won't actually come at him with real cleavers. However... Luo Wei has transmigrated. He's accidentally entered the second playthrough of this game. His past actions have caused all the girls to transform into terrifying yanderes. Due to the game's setting, most of the heroines he once contained are "troubled girls." Obsessive, twisted, mentally unstable, all aggressive yanderes... The type who will kill you if they can't have you... Luo Wei wants to cry but has no tears left. "I really just want to survive..." In short, this is a story of battling wits and engaging in a love-hate relationship with yanderes.
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!
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
