In the end,
Lingling still boarded the plane.
This confession had no resolution, and most of the sorrow was dissolved by a few words from Cao Cheng.
But the scene was still somewhat heartbreaking.
So,
every time he recalled the incident, a trace of helplessness flickered in Cao Cheng’s eyes.
It was just the way things had to be.
After all, as a man of honor, he couldn’t possibly play games like two-timing.
Young Master Cao’s upbringing would never allow such behavior.
Just look at Old Cao—even though he had his wild days, he never once stepped onto two boats…
That’s what you call legacy.
Besides, joking around was one thing, but when it came to confessions and defining relationships, some things had to be laid bare.
Otherwise,
it would only hurt everyone involved.
……
Of course,
a failed confession didn’t mean they became enemies.
Lingling still texted and called, fully embracing the role of a younger sister.
She buried her feelings deep, throwing herself entirely into her career.
Her return this time even shocked her grandmother, who never expected Lingling to make such progress.
Lingling had promised Young Master Cao to keep the matter of the elixirs a secret.
So she didn’t tell her grandmother, only saying it was all thanks to her brother.
The old lady even personally called to express her gratitude.
……
After the New Year,
Cao Cheng spent some more time with Tang Xin.
The financial ventures also yielded impressive returns.
Due to the lingering ripple effects of the global crisis from the previous year, the European debt crisis had now erupted…
Short-selling.
Pure bliss~~~
But these operations no longer required Young Master Cao’s direct involvement. He had an entire team under him, including Tang Xin’s own army of professionals, all executing orders flawlessly.
Cao Cheng simply pointed them in a ‘hypothetical’ direction, and they charged ahead without question.
On top of that,
there was no shortage of value investments—buying up a slew of growth stocks to hold for the next fifteen years without lifting a finger.
The annual dividends and management fees alone amounted to astronomical figures.
……
Late February.
Lantern Festival!
Finally, Miracle Cosmetics made its move.
On major e-commerce platforms, only the Bronze-tier products were available for sale, priced at 380 yuan.
Sales were actually decent—over 10,000 sets sold in just half a month on Alibaba alone.
Revenue surpassed four million.
For a new product, even a new brand—especially a domestic one—this was a promising start, full of potential.
The reviews were mostly positive too.
Almost everyone who tried it gave glowing feedback.
Except for a few who shamelessly trashed the ‘cultivation-inspired’ cosmetics and competitors deliberately leaving bad reviews.
But…
This money was still light-years away from Cao Cheng’s ambitions.
Young Master Cao’s goals were grand.
From the outset, he was benchmarking against the world’s top beauty brand, which averaged 1.6 billion euros in monthly revenue.
Converted to yuan, that was 13.5 billion a month.
Globally.
In the domestic market alone, their monthly revenue exceeded 700 million.
So,
Miracle Cosmetics wasn’t even close to matching a fraction of that.
How could Young Master Cao be satisfied?
Even if annual sales could potentially break 100 million at this rate, it was still far too little.
Thus,
by late February, Miracle Cosmetics launched a major campaign.
They invited powerful women from all walks of life—entrepreneurs, journalists, celebrities—to attend the Miracle Cosmetics · Spring Product Launch on March 6th!
Cao Cheng essentially transformed a futuristic tech-style product launch into a cosmetics showcase.
A first for the domestic industry.
……
Invitations were also extended to major competitors.
At the L'Oréal China headquarters in Zhonghai,
the president’s office received the event invitation.
President Paul absentmindedly stroked his smooth, balding head…
“Miracle Cosmetics?”
He spoke in Chinese.
Though his accent was thick, his fluency was impressive.
Paul glanced at his assistant for confirmation. “Spring… product launch? Inviting me and my wife??”
“Yes, sir. Though the company is newly established under the rebranded century-old enterprise Friendship, the owner is Cao Cheng—a 25-year-old billionaire, likely this year’s definitive richest man in China. So… I couldn’t disregard this invitation.” The secretary nodded.
Paul agreed. “Indeed, he’s a remarkable young man. At twenty-five, I was still like you.”
“……” The secretary’s face twitched. I’m freaking thirty and still stuck in this dead-end job?
Way to compliment someone, baldy!
“March 6th?”
Unaware of his secretary’s internal rant, Paul checked the date. “Does this day hold any special significance?”
Having spent years in China, he knew many locals favored auspicious dates.
The secretary explained, “March 6th is Jingzhe—the ‘Awakening of Insects.’”
“Ah, Jingzhe! A solar term, right? I’ve heard of it but don’t know much. Could you elaborate?” Paul brightened.
“Jingzhe signifies the return of warm weather,” the secretary said. “The first spring thunder rumbles, and all things begin to grow. It symbolizes nature’s reawakening and renewal.”
“Ahhh~ Fascinating. I like this holiday.”
The secretary added, “It’s also a Saturday—a weekend.”
Paul raised an eyebrow. “A good date.”
“March 7th is Sunday, Girls’ Day. Right after the launch, sales might spike as women shop for the occasion.”
“An excellent timeline.” Paul mused. “Perhaps we should plan our own product launch next year.”
The secretary nodded. “As you wish. So, will you attend Miracle Cosmetics’ event?”
“Of course. I’ll inform my wife—she’ll be delighted. Remind me when the day comes.”
“Understood.”
……
Other companies, at the very least, sent vice presidents.
A gesture of respect for the richest man’s clout.
Surface-level courtesy was maintained, though their private disdain remained their own.
Young Master Cao couldn’t care less.
He coordinated with Tencent, streaming platforms, and TV networks
to broadcast the launch live.
Thus,
rehearsals were essential.
General Manager Xu Qing was nervous.
She was handling most of the logistics, including product presentations.
After decades as a cosmetics executive, she never imagined she’d be hosting a launch event.
Her confidence wavered.
If she messed up, it’d all be over.
The stress left her sleepless—memorizing scripts, rehearsing, practicing stage movements…
……
Finally, March 6th arrived.
The venue was the Bund Hotel, owned by the Ren Group.
Their flagship property.
The banquet hall had been renovated into a stage, spanning over 1,000 square meters with a seven-meter ceiling.
Enough to seat hundreds.
A mid-sized event, after all.
The highlight was the floor-to-ceiling glass walls framing the river and the Pearl Tower.
Once the Miracle Industrial Park was completed, that would be the venue for grand launches—a stage of their own.
……
At 8 PM.
The live broadcast on online platforms began.
Major platforms started promoting it, instantly drawing in a large audience.
"Welcome to the Miracle Group’s Spring Cosmetics New Product Launch. I’m Xu Qing…"
Cao Cheng didn’t take the stage.
Instead, he sat—
Paul smiled. "You’re truly a genius. Today’s product launch will undoubtedly set a new standard for future events. I plan to host one myself next year, and I hope you’ll honor us with your presence, Mr. Cao."
Cao Cheng nodded. "Reciprocity—you know what that means, right?"
"Of course. I give a gift, you return the favor, correct?"
Cao Cheng chuckled. "It’s not just about gifts. Think of it as warfare—you fire one shot, I fire a cannon. You fire a cannon, I unleash ten. Reciprocity!"
"…"
Paul froze for a moment, then laughed. "Well, luckily, we have no conflicts—at least not for now."
Paul had always been fond of Chinese culture.
His wife was even of Chinese descent.
He had lived in Zhonghai for ten years.
Cao Cheng said, "When your wife leaves later, I’ll give her a limited-edition gift—our Miracle Beauty Diamond Set. As an expert in this industry, you’ll recognize quality when you see it."
Paul thanked him. "That’s incredibly generous. I’ll make sure she puts it to good use."
"No."
Cao Cheng waved his hand. "What I mean is, after your wife tries it, I want you to personally experience the product’s effects. Then, you can decide your future. Miracle Beauty is looking for a European Regional President."
"!!!"
Paul was stunned.
What did that mean?
Poaching him?
Paul didn’t know how to respond.
This was completely unexpected.
It was like a newly opened diner trying to recruit the head chef of an eight-star hotel.
It sounded absurd.
If Cao Cheng weren’t the youngest billionaire in the country, Paul might have taken it as an insult and walked out on the spot.
Noticing Paul’s shock, Cao Cheng smiled. "No rush. Let’s watch the launch first. We’ll talk about the product afterward."
"Alright." Paul nodded, deciding not to press further.
……
Truthfully,
cosmetics launches weren’t much different from smartphone or laptop launches.
It was all about hype!
For example, boasting about new innovations, cutting-edge tech, or battery life improvements.
In cosmetics, it was about how many shades lighter your skin could get.
There were lab reports.
Before-and-after photos.
The difference was obvious at a glance.
Then came the endless presentations, followed by tiered versions—Basic, PS, Pro, and finally Pro+ or Pro Max!
For Miracle Beauty, it was Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond!
The packaging varied by tier, distinguished by color.
Then the prices were revealed.
And the crowd erupted.
Thirty-eight thousand for the top tier?!
Was that a typo?
The audience had seen the presentation, and admittedly, some of the tech was unheard of in the industry.
Ingredients like 'glabridin,' 'nicotinamide mononucleotide,' and 'phenylethyl resorcinol'—
these were being used in cosmetics for the first time.
Then there was the ultra-fine pearl powder technology.
In short…
everything seemed groundbreaking.
It felt more like a science seminar, leaving competitors wide-eyed. Who knew you could do this?
Some were still researching these concepts, yet Miracle Beauty had already incorporated them into products.
It was a wake-up call for many.
But…
weren’t the prices outrageous?
The lowest tier started at 380.
Silver was 3,800.
Gold was 38,000.
And Diamond—38,000!!!!
Who could afford that?
Cosmetics might claim to fight aging and tighten skin, but they weren’t miracle pills.
What justified the price?
Especially for a brand-new label…
Watching the crowd’s reactions, Cao Cheng smirked.
Did they really think this launch was about selling products?
Think again.
Some things aren’t for sale—they’re for show.
pression Bureau] Transported to a fantasy world overrun by demons and monsters, Gu Qingfeng becomes a jailer in the Demon Suppression Prison of the Great Yan Dynasty's Demon Suppression Bureau. From this point on, bizarre cases frequently occur in the Demon Suppression Prison, once known as hell on earth and infamous for its gloomy, terrifying atmosphere! Why do the demons and monsters in the prison wail miserably every night? Why has the corpse demon, capable of transforming into various beauties, donned black stockings and switched careers to become a foot massage therapist? Why has the eye demon, expert in soul-snatching and illusions, turned into a VR headset? Why is the fox spirit performing otaku dances? Are all these occurrences a twisted expression of demonic nature, or a descent into moral depravity? After peeling away layer upon layer of mystery, all clues ultimately point to a jailer named Gu Qingfeng. Gu Qingfeng: "Hehehe... My dear demons and monsters, whose card shall we flip today?"
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."
e, Immortal Body, Transmigration, System, Progression Fantasy, Academy Setting, Third-Person Perspective. Alternate Title: Transmigrating into a High Martial World and Reading Live Comments. Bad news: I transmigrated. This is a terrifying high-martial world, and my original, pathetically weak body fell into a coma and never woke up. Good news: I got a Popularity Points system upon arrival. I can see live comments and even create an unkillable alternate identity. Starting out, the alternate identity has all stats at 1. The system tells me that to grow stronger, I must participate in the plot, gain popularity points to allocate stats and grow stronger, and ultimately awaken my original body. And so, carrying my original body on my back, I officially entered Huaqing Academy, where the story's protagonist resides. From that moment on, Chen Guan kicked the original plot to pieces. Live Comments: [Doesn't anyone find this mysterious coffin guy creepy? He can summon indescribable grey misty hands.] [Is this guy a hero or a villain? What kind of onion became a spirit?] [By the way, does anyone know who's in the coffin? Shouldn't the debt for saving his life be repaid by now?] [According to unofficial histories, the person in the coffin was Chen Guan's first love. Their love was once passionate and earth-shattering, but they were separated by life and death due to worldly circumstances. What a star-crossed pair.] ... Years later, the world knew of a demon god born from a coffin, shrouded in grey mist, impossible to gaze upon directly. His foremost divine emissary often wielded a scythe, reaping lives like the god of death. As war approached, facing former friends and a boundless sea of enemies, Chen Guan merely raised his scythe. "Would you like to dance as well?"
transmigrates into the world as the sect master of the Heavenly Yan Sect, which is on the verge of being wiped out. He binds a system that grants him cultivation power based on the number of disciples he has: for each disciple, he automatically gains a year's worth of cultivation every single day! Take one disciple: every day he gains 1 year of cultivation power. While others struggle through a year of bitter training, he gets the same just by sleeping through a single night. Take ten disciples: every day he gains 10 years of cultivation power. Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul—he breezes through all bottlenecks without lifting a finger. Take one hundred disciples: every day he gains 100 years of cultivation power. Even a Soul Transformation Venerable before him can’t survive a single blow. Take ten thousand disciples: every day he gains 10,000 years of cultivation power! With a wave of his hand, he topples empires. With a single step, he crushes the sacred grounds of the universe. ... While others fight tooth and nail for secret techniques, Lin Yan casually hands out Nascent Soul-level cultivation manuals as beginner textbooks. While others strain to find talented recruits, Lin Yan opens his doors to anyone—so long as they’re human. In just three short years, the Heavenly Yan Sect went from a backwater sect made up of three crumbling huts to a sacred land that every cultivator under heaven would kill to enter. ... One day, otherworldly demon gods invade, with a million demon soldiers pressing down upon the realm. Lin Yan, yawning, rises from his lounge chair and glances at the system panel: [Current Disciples: 1.28 million] [Daily Cultivation Increase: 1.28 million years] He waves his hand casually, and the countless demon soldiers are reduced to ashes in an instant. “So noisy… interrupting my fishing.”
