The Tang Household.
A stern middle-aged man listened to the butler’s report. Beside him sat an elegant middle-aged woman, her features bearing a faint resemblance to Tang Xin.
The butler reported, "Master, Madam, this is all we’ve managed to uncover. After all, the young lady has purged her bodyguards three times. Anyone who could’ve leaked information has long been removed."
His meaning was clear—the information was hard to come by and not entirely reliable.
The middle-aged man was Tang Xin’s father.
Tang's Father spoke gravely, "So, it’s highly likely that Tang Xin is involved with this Cao Cheng? Dating him?"
"Yes," the butler replied with an awkward smile.
Beside him, Tang's Mother interjected, "Has this girl lost her mind? How could she make such a big decision without consulting the family? I need to bring her back immediately."
Tang's Father didn’t stop her but added, "The information isn’t 100% confirmed, so approach it carefully. If it’s true, then we’ll deal with it. And regardless of whether they’re just business partners or more, we need to assess Cao Cheng’s character. Even if it’s purely professional, he must meet our standards."
Under his breath, Tang's Father muttered, "I’d like to see just who this kid is, to make Tang Xin resign from a top-tier company and start some small, insignificant venture with him."
In his heart, Tang's Father had already accepted the news as fact.
Otherwise, there was no explaining why Tang Xin would abandon such a prestigious company, with its clear career trajectory and learning environment, to strike out on her own.
Starting her own business wasn’t inherently wrong.
But it clearly deviated from Tang Xin’s original plans.
Before this, she had never intended to branch out so soon.
At the very least, she was supposed to wait until after the family arranged her marriage, then establish a joint venture with her spouse, leveraging resources from both families to build the new company.
Now, she had clearly strayed from that path.
Tang's Father refused to believe there wasn’t an emotional factor at play here.
Moreover, he knew his daughter—she was a rational woman.
Yet now, it seemed she was either blinded by love, or this Cao Cheng had something extraordinary about him.
What worried Tang's Father most was the former.
After all, he’d just reviewed the kid’s profile. He was undeniably handsome, and young—four years younger than Tang Xin.
The thought of his daughter "robbing the cradle" made Tang's Father’s temples throb.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that this kid was a gold-digger.
And then there was the Ren family…
This kid wasn’t even a Ren, yet both father and son seemed to live off others!
As for the claims that Cao Cheng had made a fortune in the stock market, Tang's Father dismissed it outright. He suspected it was Tang Xin pulling the strings behind the scenes—perhaps even trading on insider information.
He couldn’t bear the thought of his daughter losing her rationality over a relationship, risking legal trouble for some young boyfriend.
So,
This had to be stopped before it went too far.
…
After giving her instructions, Tang's Mother left with her entourage.
The next morning.
She cornered the young couple in Tang Xin’s apartment.
"Mom?" Tang Xin gasped as she opened the door.
"Mom?" Cao Cheng echoed, momentarily stunned.
So this was Tang Xin’s mother.
And she was no ordinary woman…
From his memories, he recalled that in the future, she would hold a high-ranking position overseeing internet regulations.
The agency didn’t even exist yet!
Once it was established, she’d at least be a municipal-level director.
"Mom, what brings you here?" Tang Xin’s usual composed, domineering demeanor faltered, replaced by nervousness. Her eyes darted around, and she shot Cao Cheng a meaningful look.
Cao Cheng instantly understood—or so he thought. He stepped forward and greeted warmly, "Mom, what a surprise! Please, come in, come in…"
"……"
"……"
Both Tang Xin and Tang's Mother froze.
Tang Xin gritted her teeth. Damn you, Cao Cheng.
That look was supposed to tell him to slip away quietly, not to call her Mom and confirm their relationship!
Couldn’t he read the room?
Now they were screwed.
She had assumed Cao Cheng understood when he nodded confidently.
If they’d played dumb and denied everything, her parents might’ve turned a blind eye—everyone would pretend nothing was happening.
But now that it was out in the open, the consequences would be dire.
At the very least, they’d be forcibly separated.
Tang's Mother smirked. "What did you just call me?"
"Mom," Cao Cheng repeated innocently.
"……"
Tang's Mother chuckled. "Not bad. At least you’ve got nerve."
Cao Cheng shot Tang Xin a triumphant look, as if to say, See? Your mom approves.
Tang Xin clenched her fists.
This infuriating man was doing this on purpose.
Was that approval?
She knew her mother too well—she always spoke in sarcasm when she sounded pleasant.
"Mom, let’s talk inside," Tang Xin urged quickly.
Without protest, Tang's Mother instructed her assistants and bodyguards to wait outside, then strode in.
The sharp clicks of her high heels carried an air of authority.
Only then did Cao Cheng realize where Tang Xin’s natural domineering aura came from—it was inherited.
But in comparison,
Tang's Mother was the true queen, the epitome of a powerful woman.
Tang Xin still had some growing up to do, lacking that full maturity.
Normally, Tang Xin held her own just fine, exuding confidence.
But people were always judged in context.
No matter how clever a young fox was, next to an old fox, it would always seem naive.
…
Seated on the sofa,
Tang's Mother crossed her legs elegantly.
Then, with a swift motion, she reached under a cushion and pulled out a few scraps of fabric.
Tang Xin’s face burned red.
Unfazed, Tang's Mother tossed the lingerie at her daughter. "Impressive. I barely recognize you anymore, Tang Xin."
Tang Xin hastily stuffed the garments behind her back, standing meekly before her mother.
Cao Cheng returned with a glass of water. "Mom, have some water."
Tang's Mother didn’t correct his address, merely giving Cao Cheng a sidelong glance…
She had to admit, this kid had something.
At the very least, his skin was thick enough.
And under her pressure, he remained completely unfazed—genuinely so.
Even Tang Xin was wilting under her gaze.
From this alone, Tang's Mother knew this boy wasn’t as simple as Tang's Father assumed.
And,
He was ridiculously good-looking.
Up close, there wasn’t a single flaw in his appearance.
"Handsome" was a vague term, subject to personal taste—what one person found attractive, another might not.
But Cao Cheng’s appeal was something deeper, an innate charm.
His physique, face, and aura all harmonized into an undeniable handsomeness—the kind even rivals couldn’t dismiss.
Tang's Mother had seen her share of elite young men.
In her circles, the so-called "young masters" all behaved properly in her presence, but she could see through their facades.
She could distinguish their true natures with ease.
Yet this boy in front of her… she couldn’t quite pin down.
Still,
Her first impression wasn’t bad at all.
Perhaps it was because I had been overly worried beforehand and had mentally belittled the pretty boy too much.
So when we actually met, he turned out to be much better than I imagined.
...
Tang's Mother glanced at Cao Cheng, all sorts of emotions flashing through her in an instant.
Then she turned to Tang Xin: "You have a boyfriend now, and you didn’t even think to tell your family?"
"W-we just got together. I haven’t had the chance to say anything yet!" Tang Xin explained in a low voice. It was a rare sight to see the usually composed young woman acting so timid.
Cao Cheng found it quite amusing.
His mind buzzed with all sorts of scenarios and witty comebacks.
Tang's Mother nodded. "Fine, I’ll take your word for it that you just started dating. So now, tell me—what are your thoughts? Do you need me or your father to relay any messages?"
Tang Xin stammered, "I... I just like him."
Hearing this,
Tang's Mother shot a glance at Cao Cheng beside her. "And you?"
Cao Cheng replied earnestly, "I’m honored!"
"..."
Tang Xin nearly burst out laughing.
Are you serious?
Is that really what my mom meant by her question?
Oh, so you’re just sharing your feelings, huh?
This was the first time she’d seen someone dare to be this cheeky in front of her mother.
She glanced at her mother.
Tang's Mother also seemed momentarily stunned, trying to parse the meaning behind his words.
What is this?
Are you giving an acceptance speech here?
Tang's Mother chuckled. "Not bad, young man."
"Thank you for the praise, Mom. I still have many shortcomings—I’m not as perfect as you might think. But I’ll strive to be the best and give Xin’er the love she deserves!" Cao Cheng replied humbly, exuding an air of ancient refinement and modesty.
"..."
Xin’er?
How nauseating.
Even Tang Xin found it cringeworthy.
He was definitely doing this on purpose—he never called her that normally.
And his audacity was truly something else.
Tang Xin started to worry.
She was afraid her mother and her cheeky boyfriend would end up arguing, leaving her stuck in the middle.
After all, one was family, and the other was love.
Tang's Mother saw right through him—this kid was slick.
Not only was he unafraid of her, but he seemed to be deliberately trying to provoke her.
Though,
she couldn’t quite figure out his angle, but strangely, she wasn’t angry.
Instead, she found it... kind of amusing.
No wonder her daughter had taken a liking to him—he was definitely different from those flashy, superficial types out there.
These absurd exchanges gave Tang's Mother a peculiar sense of "closeness" to him.
Maybe it was that old saying: the more a mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law, the more she likes him.
Tang's Mother asked, "I’ve heard you’ve been doing well in the market—making decisions with foresight beyond most, earning quite a bit?"
"Just enough to get by," Cao Cheng replied, still playing modest.
"Excessive humility is just pride in disguise."
Tang's Mother snorted. "But no matter how much you’ve made, do you know what kind of standing Tang Xin’s former company had in the industry?"
Cao Cheng shook his head. "No matter how prestigious, it wasn’t the Tang family’s. She was still just working for a salary—and not even a high one. Meanwhile, even the smallest fund under her own name is still hers. So, Mom, what exactly are you trying to say?"
"..."
Tang's Mother’s breath hitched.
You’ve already countered me, and now you’re asking what I mean?
This kid... he’s downright cunning.
"How do you know it wasn’t the Tang family’s? Maybe the Tangs held shares?" Tang's Mother shot back.
"Even if they did, those would belong to the Tang sons, right? Daughters don’t usually get inheritance rights. At the end of the day, she’d still just be working for the family—probably for even less pay!" Cao Cheng retorted.
"..."
[Ding~ Negative emotions +1002]
Well, well.
Thought you wouldn’t snap.
Tang's Mother scoffed. "You sound resentful."
"Why would I be resentful?"
Cao Cheng chuckled and shook his head. "I don’t have inheritance rights either. I’m just speaking up for my girlfriend. If you think that’s wrong, then I’ve got nothing more to say."
"Silver-tongued devil," Tang's Mother said, her tone edged with displeasure. "If you’re so concerned about your girlfriend, then why did you co-found Miracle Capital with the Ren Family's Third Son?"
"No particular reason. Tang Xin’s Skyward Fund is public, while Miracle Capital is private. Different baskets—no conflict there!"
"Besides..."
"Finance is just a tertiary industry. Even if I started two more companies, what’s the issue? As long as they make money, it’s not like my girlfriend will go hungry, right?"
Tang's Mother narrowed her eyes. "If you care so much, why not just gift all your shares in Skyward Fund to Tang Xin?"
"No," Cao Cheng refused outright.
Tang's Mother smirked coldly. "All that grand talk, and I thought you’d give up anything for her."
Cao Cheng grinned. "What I mean is, right now, Tang Xin is still part of the Tang family. Once she marries me, I’ll gladly give them to her—but not before."
Tang's Mother paused, then laughed in irritation. "Are you implying the Tang family would covet your pocket change?"
"I never said that. But it doesn’t hurt to be cautious," Cao Cheng replied with a smile.
"..."
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
] [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!"
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.
or! A blessing for those who struggle with love, a guidebook for dating novices. Quickly match with your dream goddess! Complete walkthroughs earn rewards, and perfect walkthroughs unlock limited achievements!】 Shen Yi, an ordinary office worker, accidentally downloads a mini-game called Dating Simulator. The mini-game is simple: randomly search for dating targets, simulate dates, and receive rewards upon successful confession. Rewards include but are not limited to money, attributes, and skills. The higher the evaluation, the better the rewards, with perfect ratings unlocking mysterious achievements. Shen Yi plans to use this mysterious mini-game to continuously pursue targets and improve himself, making his life better and better. ...... However, after several successful walkthroughs, Shen Yi suddenly notices something strange - the targets he previously simulated dating seem to be searching for him in real life?
