Xu Qing was stunned.
Lingling was equally shocked.
Last year, this ad slot had only cost a little over 47 million, and this year it was expected to barely exceed 50 million. Yet Young Master Cao directly raised the bid to over 60 million?
Nearly 70 million!
This alone proved how deep Young Master Cao’s pockets were.
Let’s be honest.
Young Master Cao didn’t care about the money—what he wanted was prestige and buzz.
What’s the point of advertising?
It’s all about generating chatter.
And what could be catchier than the number “6666”?
Well, maybe “8888”…
But Young Master Cao wasn’t about to be a sucker.
When 60 million could easily secure the deal, why spend close to 90?
If it were “8888,” he might as well go all out and bid 100 million for even greater hype.
“Young Master, isn’t this… a bit too much?”
“Of course it is.”
Cao Cheng agreed. “But it’s worth it. The follow-up promotion will revolve around this buzz, turning ‘666’ into a household catchphrase.”
Xu Qing looked utterly confused.
What did that even mean?
What catchphrase?
In his dreams, “666” had appeared in a game, symbolizing admiration and praise for players.
And “666” also tied into the ancient tradition of the “Great Fortune Festival.”
So,
there was real potential here.
Even a decade later, young people would still be shouting “six!”
Total profit, no question.
Besides,
it was just six million per second, broadcast for half the nation—and even some overseas viewers—to witness.
What wasn’t worth that?
…
Young Master Cao didn’t explain much.
He simply said, “Just watch how I play this.”
With that,
he closed the bid documents, sealed them, and had his company submit them.
Soon,
all the interested companies had placed their bids.
Even some who hadn’t planned to bid joined in.
After all, it was a blind auction—why not take a shot? What if luck was on their side? What if they got lucky?
Admittedly, the odds were slim.
Otherwise, Midea wouldn’t have won it year after year.
There was definitely something shady going on behind the scenes.
But,
Young Master Cao believed that against overwhelming momentum, even backroom deals wouldn’t stand a chance.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t hesitate to flip the table right there at the broadcaster’s headquarters.
Damn it.
With his current untouchable status, who’d dare pull shady tricks on him?
He’d have the department head fired on the spot.
…
After a brief wait,
the final announcement came.
“The winning bidder for this year’s New Year countdown ad slot is…”
A pause.
The announcer’s gaze seemed to linger meaningfully on Young Master Cao.
Cao Cheng chuckled.
The announcer declared, “Miracle Group—Miracle Cosmetics!”
Gasps filled the room.
Even Midea Group was caught off guard, their executives turning to stare at Young Master Cao.
Midea’s winning streak had been broken.
The announcer revealed the bid: “Miracle Group’s offer: 66.66 million!”
Another wave of shock.
Everyone had expected a narrow margin—maybe a few hundred thousand, or even just tens of thousands.
But this…
Last year, Midea had paid 47.01 million. This year, the price skyrocketed to 66.66 million.
A difference of nearly 20 million.
Midea’s loss was justified.
With such a huge gap, no amount of underhanded tactics could’ve swung it—nor would anyone dare try.
If 60 million couldn’t secure it, everyone would know something fishy was going on.
Still,
wasn’t this basically price gouging?
If it’s 60 million this year, wouldn’t next year hit 70?
Either way, the broadcaster was the real winner.
And everyone got a firsthand look at Young Master Cao’s financial might.
Clap clap clap—
Soon,
applause broke out, led by Midea’s team, offering polite congratulations.
They were all businesspeople, after all. Even if they were seething inside, appearances had to be maintained in public.
Cao Cheng clasped his hands in a modest salute, exchanging pleasantries.
Part of him wanted to declare, “You’re all trash,” just to stir the pot.
But he held back.
No need.
No point slapping a smiling face.
…
With that, the bidding war came to an end.
Next came contract signings.
Young Master Cao also took the opportunity to discuss New Year’s gifts with the broadcaster—adding a “Miracle Cosmetics” gift set to the roster.
Each set, worth 3,800, would be given to every female audience member and staffer at the broadcaster.
A casual giveaway worth millions.
That’s just how he rolled.
…
Afterward,
Cao Cheng instructed, “Qing-jie, production and quality control must be flawless. This is our make-or-break moment.”
“Don’t worry, Young Master. I’ve been overseeing everything personally,” Xu Qing assured him.
This was her expertise.
Even though Ren’s Hall hadn’t succeeded before, her experience was solid.
The only thing missing had been the right product.
Creating a product was simple. First, define the goal: Is it a gift item, or something for repeat customers? That’s key.
Gift items focus on packaging—all effort goes into presentation and marketing.
Repeat customers demand top-tier product quality, with marketing as a secondary concern.
Besides,
Cao Cheng had grand plans for the cosmetics industry. This was just the opening move.
The real boom would take time.
…
Plain and simple.
Young Master Cao's personal fame now far surpasses that of "Miracle Cosmetics" by countless times.
Even though Miracle Cosmetics secured the midnight New Year's Eve countdown slot and became known nationwide,
in certain circles, it still can't compare to Young Master Cao's renown.
So,
for now, Miracle Cosmetics is just a small fry. Once it gains real prominence, it’ll likely face suppression and exclusion from both domestic and international competitors.
The market is only so big.
If Miracle takes a bigger slice, others will inevitably go hungry.
In business competition, it’s always a cutthroat battle.
Thus,
before Miracle rises to fame, Young Master Cao must make preparations—setting up a grand scheme to drag all competitors into the fray.
First, for the market.
Second… and more crucially, for emotional capital.
Right now, no one knows what Cao Cheng is plotting. Some don’t even realize he’s plotting at all.
But when the dust settles in the future, Young Master Cao’s moves will be legendary.
...
That same night.
Within industrial circles, Miracle Group and Miracle Cosmetics were already making waves.
Spending a staggering 66.66 million to secure the midnight countdown slot, breaking Amei Group’s winning streak?
Unbelievable!
Some praised the move, while others scoffed.
They dismissed Young Master Cao as nothing more than a nouveau riche tycoon, throwing money around to disrupt market norms.
Why spend 60 million when 50 million could’ve done the job?
What kind of fool does that?
Honestly,
many entrepreneurs shared this sentiment.
Only a handful of sharp minds sensed something deeper at play.
Was Young Master Cao a fool?
Obviously not.
Calling him a nouveau riche? Fair enough—he’d only made his fortune in recent years.
But calling him stupid? The truly shrewd didn’t buy it.
Still,
what was Young Master Cao’s game? Just to secure the countdown slot with absolute certainty? That didn’t seem worth it.
Unfathomable.
Baffling.
All they could do was keep a close watch and see what Young Master Cao did next.
...
Meanwhile, Young Master Cao himself
dropped Lingling off at school before driving to his father-in-law’s home.
A heavily guarded quadrangle courtyard.
Tang’s Mother, the elegant matriarch, was delighted by Young Master Cao’s visit.
A mother-in-law’s fondness for her son-in-law only grows with time.
But Tang’s Father? Same stern face as ever.
His first words: "Heard you made a spectacle of yourself today? Playing the big spender?"
Young Master Cao didn’t stand on ceremony. He poured himself some tea, chuckled, and deflected: "Weren’t you swamped with work before the New Year? Surprised you have time to lounge around with tea."
Tang’s Father glared. "Busy doesn’t mean I can’t take a day off. Today’s my break."
Young Master Cao nodded. "Good to hear. How about a drink tonight, just us men?"
"Hah—"
Tang’s Father didn’t know whether to laugh or fume. He snorted and pointed at Cao Cheng. "You’ve got no shame. Other kids your age wouldn’t dare sit so casually in front of me."
Young Master Cao shrugged. "Of course not. You think just anyone can compare to me? They’re nobodies."
"..."
Then he added, "If not for Young Master Cao, the capital would’ve languished in eternal darkness!"
"..."
Tang’s Father laughed in exasperation. "Fine, fine. Well said."
Boasts aside,
tea finished,
it was time for serious talk—
Mostly drinking.
Father-in-law, son-in-law, and the elegant matriarch clinked glasses.
With liquor loosening tongues, the conversation turned grand.
They touched on the three-step strategy laid out by elder statesmen,
from the era of reform to WTO accession, and even future tech—AI, finance, and more...
Young Master Cao’s takes on the future were razor-sharp.
At times, a single remark left Tang’s Father stunned.
Some visions were things he’d barely dared imagine, yet were striving toward.
In short,
a few drinks in, Cao Cheng revealed thoughts he usually kept hidden.
Luckily, he wasn’t drunk—just pleasantly buzzed.
So he kept control, careful not to spill everything.
Even his own father couldn’t be fully trusted, let alone a father-in-law—only half a dad.
Tang’s Mother, though? No need for caution.
Young Master Cao said, "Mom, once the first batch of premium skincare sets drops, I’ll send you a diamond-tier luxury edition."
Before the matriarch could reply,
Tang’s Father cut in: "Is the product even safe? Don’t risk it—might ruin your skin."
Young Master Cao realized:
These dads and half-dads were all cast as villains, huh?
Equipped with sarcasm skills?
Tang’s Mother, ever gracious, smiled. "I’d love to try it. With all the money you’ve poured into marketing, the product can’t be bad."
"See?"
Young Master Cao turned and pointed at his father-in-law. "Mom gets it. You? Let’s stick to drinking."
"..."
Tang’s Father noted how this kid grew bolder by the day.
Too familiar now, was he?
A glare.
When Tang’s Father glared, most would shrink in fear.
But Young Master Cao acted oblivious, pouring him another drink. "Your eyes must be dry. Have some liquor—it’ll hydrate you."
"..."
I glare, and you ask if my eyes are dry?!
The elegant matriarch burst out laughing.
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."
close your eyes and open them again, only to find yourself transmigrated into the role of a villainous male supporting character. Readers familiar with urban wish-fulfillment novels know that it is only through the relentless antics of the villainous male supporting character that the plot between the male and female leads can progress. As the villainous male supporting character, Long Aotian not only has to bully the female lead, harass the second female lead, and flirt with the third female lead, but he also has to go all out to antagonize the male lead. In the end, when his body is discovered, he is still clutching half a moldy fried dough stick in his hand. Fully aware of the plot, Long Aotian is determined to change his fate, starting with the female lead! In the beginning, the female lead lacks confidence: "Big brother, I hope I didn't scare you?" In the middle, the female lead treads carefully: "Brother Long, please don't hit me, okay?" Later on, the female lead becomes coquettishly clingy: "Aotian, it's time to pay the 'public grain' tonight." Long Aotian's legs go weak, and he feels like crying: "I taught you to be thick-skinned, not shameless!"
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.
