Eldest Sister had already known about Young Master Cao's plan beforehand.
But now...
The plan kept evolving continuously.
Growing increasingly ruthless.
A chill ran down Eldest Sister's spine.
It was as if she was witnessing Fifth Brother's methods for the first time...
Back in the entertainment industry, Eldest Sister knew Fifth Brother was skilled at promotion, strategizing, and even scheming against others.
But back then, she was far removed from it all, untouched by the storm he stirred—unable to truly grasp its impact.
Now, however, she could clearly feel the potency of his calculations.
If this scheme were directed at her, even if she saw it coming, she probably couldn’t avoid it. Once such a lucrative product entered the company, even if she resisted, the board would force her hand.
Because everyone wanted profits.
Especially businessmen—many only cared about short-term gains. As for the company’s future?
What did that matter to them?
They were just shareholders.
If your company made money, they’d invest.
The moment it stopped being profitable, they’d pull out and move elsewhere.
A sinister, cutthroat scheme had turned into an open, unavoidable trap.
So now,
Eldest Sister finally understood how deep Cao Laowu’s plan truly was—with countless variations.
If deception didn’t work, they’d resort to open manipulation.
And if open manipulation failed, they’d play the game of pitting rivals against each other. Once the essence serum "leaked," someone would inevitably covet it, willingly helping Young Master Cao dominate various markets.
All Cao Cheng had to do was "leak" the serum and later "reclaim" it.
Nothing else was needed.
Brutal.
...
Just as Eldest Sister was reeling from the revelation, The Fourth returned home.
Kicking off her high heels,
She flung them aside with a careless swing of her leg.
Then, barefoot in stockings, she slipped into slippers and stomped over to Cao Laowu with a huff.
Plopping onto the sofa,
She draped her legs over his lap.
The Fourth commanded imperiously, "Massage my feet, you rascal!"
Eldest Sister couldn’t take it anymore. "Must you act like such a brat?"
"Huh? Eldest Sister’s here too?" The Fourth blinked in surprise.
"??" Eldest Sister was furious.
Was she invisible? Sitting right there with a book, and The Fourth hadn’t even noticed?
Were her eyes glued only to Fifth Brother?
The Fourth gave an awkward chuckle, retracting her legs before scuttling over to Eldest Sister’s side, massaging her shoulders ingratiatingly.
Ever since Cao Laowu arrived, the family’s way of currying favor had shifted to shoulder rubs.
As she fawned, The Fourth complained, "Eldest Sister, you have no idea how exhausted I am. The second season of The Voice is already in production, and I’m overseeing everything."
"Ads, copyrights, auditions, coordinating with the mentors, lighting, directors, camera crews, logistics..."
She whined pitifully, "It’s all on me. Thousands of people depend on me for their livelihoods. I barely have time to sit, let alone eat—just a few quick bites before rushing back to work."
"Eldest Sister, is this even humanly possible?"
"My legs are about to give out. Is it so wrong to ask him to help me relax?"
"..."
Eldest Sister sighed. "That doesn’t mean you can sprawl around like that. You’re wearing a skirt."
"It’s fine, Eldest Sister. I have safety shorts on."
"Is this about safety shorts?" Eldest Sister’s face darkened.
This was about propriety.
About upbringing.
Their mother had taught them since childhood—girls shouldn’t lean against walls or doors, nor should they flop onto beds or sofas when outsiders were present...
It was unbecoming.
After a long scolding,
Eldest Sister finally let up. She was growing fiercer by the day.
In the past, even when reprimanding her sisters, she’d been gentle and patient, at most raising her voice slightly.
But today, she was harsher than Second Sister.
The Fourth cowered.
Luckily, Eldest Sister wasn’t in the mood to lecture her further. She’d been on the verge of unraveling some grand conspiracy before The Fourth barged in and ruined her epiphany.
So,
This reprimand carried a hint of personal grudge—a resentment for interrupting her enlightenment.
Once done, Eldest Sister coldly ordered, "Get me a coffee."
Her tone now eerily resembled Second Sister’s. The Fourth obediently scurried to the kitchen.
On her way, she shot Cao Laowu a glare.
Unfazed, Cao Cheng lit a cigarette.
Smoking indoors used to be forbidden—restricted to bedrooms or the yard.
But after becoming the richest man, the house rules bent for Young Master Cao. He could smoke wherever he pleased.
As for secondhand smoke? Irrelevant.
Hadn’t they been drinking his tea all these years?
Had anyone in the family fallen sick even once? Not even a common cold.
And besides,
Did they think this was just any ordinary cigarette?
It was celestial herb.
Young Master Cao had won a stash of divine plants in a lottery, then paid a small local tobacco company to roll them for him.
Each stick cost at least a thousand dollars.
One puff, and your mind cleared instantly.
It was on par with ambergris—meant to be burned for its fragrance.
The brand name? Just one character: "Cao."
...
As The Fourth went to make coffee,
Eldest Sister glanced at the cigarette in Cao Cheng’s hand but said nothing.
Second Sister had tried interfering before.
Cao Cheng bombarded her with arguments and even made them take a whiff—indeed, it was invigorating.
Just herbal tobacco, he claimed.
So they dropped the matter.
Eldest Sister remarked, "You’re about to make enemies of the entire industry."
"If you want to be the leader, you can’t avoid stepping on toes," Cao Cheng chuckled. "Eldest Sister, like I’ve said before, stop overthinking. If you’re that worried, just sell the company. The real estate market’s still hot—you’d get a good price. Even the plots I bought earlier are worth a fortune now."
"..."
Eldest Sister rolled her eyes. This Cao Laowu always had a retort ready.
She was just looking out for him.
Ungrateful brat.
Hmph!
Annoyed, she snapped her book shut, uncrossed her slender legs, and stood. "I’m done talking to you."
"Think about it! Selling to me keeps it in the family," Cao Cheng called after her.
"Hmph." Eldest Sister tossed the syllable over her shoulder as she ascended the stairs.
The Fourth peeked out from the kitchen, watching her leave.
"Eldest Sister’s gone?"
"What about the coffee?" Cao Cheng asked.
"If she’s not here, why bother?"
The Fourth’s boldness returned.
She leaped onto the sofa,
Legs back on his lap.
"Massage my feet, you rascal!"
Cao Cheng puffed his cigarette but indulged her, kneading her soles.
The Fourth exhaled dramatically.
Bliss.
She grumbled, "Are you even going to manage the company? Dumping everything on me—trying to kill me with work?"
Cao Cheng dug his thumb into her arch.
"Ah—!!"
The Fourth writhed.
He smirked. "You can fool Eldest Sister, but not me. Busy? What busy? Sister Ali handles the artists and projects. The managers run the company. You’re just a mascot, keeping an eye on things. What exactly are you so busy with?"
"..."
The Fourth smirked, then immediately put on a stern face. "Don’t you know how to show me some sympathy? I... at least have to check the account books, right?"
"You check nothing. Do you even understand them?"
"I’m learning!"
"Stop learning. Just sit tight in your position and keep being the goddess you are."
"So you do think I’m a goddess?"
"Of course. Though you’re a bit wild and your feet smell a little sour—"
"What do you mean, sour?!" The Fourth kicked straight at his face.
Luckily, he dodged it.
A playful scuffle ensued.
Soon, The Third returned.
"Third Sister, she’s bullying me!" Cao Cheng whined, clinging to her while shooting a triumphant glance at The Fourth.
Third Sister doted on Cao Laowu the most.
She turned to her younger sister. "Are you picking on him again?"
"He’s the one bullying me!" The Fourth protested loudly.
Cao Cheng snorted, linking arms with Third Sister. "Come on, let’s ignore her. Third Sister, you must be tired—let me give you a massage. You’ve worked so hard managing the company."
[Ding~ Negative emotions +10002!]
The Third was furious.
They both managed companies, yet she was the one exhausted and unappreciated. Why?
What was so tiring about The Third’s job?
She just ran an investment firm—spotting promising businesses and throwing money at them. People treated her like a financial deity.
Tired?
Tired her foot!
That night, the house was in chaos.
But Second Sister didn’t come home.
Busy again.
However, Cao Cheng still had arrangements to make regarding The Fourth. The entertainment industry was a key focus for Young Master Cao.
It was a reflection of soft power.
The industry didn’t produce soft power itself but served as its conveyor—or perhaps the shadow of hard power.
It would become crucial in the future.
By around 2030, reforms would propel the entertainment industry to global heights.
So, Miracle Media wasn’t just about talent shows like The Voice. They’d also invested in Empresses in the Palace, having already secured the script rights for adaptation.
And movies—national-style animations, patriotic films, sci-fi, comedies!
Miracle Media lacked many things, but money wasn’t one of them. Nor was it short on visionary leadership.
Drawing from his knowledge, Cao Cheng guided the investments.
Worst-case scenario, even if Young Master Cao didn’t know which specific movies or shows would blow up, he only needed to foresee the trends and pour resources into the rising genres.
Stand at the forefront, ready to be the pig that flies when the wind comes.
Just remember to pack a parachute—lest you crash and burn.
Two days passed in a blink.
Suddenly, Cao Cheng was trending again.
This time, it wasn’t about a product or a variety show.
He’d caught the spotlight thanks to The Fourth.
With the rise of the internet era came all sorts of "brilliant" minds.
Anonymous insiders were everywhere.
Netizens dug up that Ren Yuege was the real powerhouse behind Miracle Media.
The moment her photos hit the web—chaos erupted.
Goddess.
An absolute goddess.
A throwaway Weibo account posted a shady remark under her pictures: "This is the woman running Cao Cheng’s media empire. Industry insiders say Ali, the so-called agent, is just a puppet. The real queen behind Miracle Media is Ren Yuege! What do you all think her relationship with Cao Cheng is?"
One comment read: "Side chick?"
Likes flooded in.
"Cao, you’ve stolen my wife! From this day forward, I’m no longer a fan—I’m your enemy!" More likes.
"Husband... sobs... have you abandoned me?" Countless hearts.
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."
] [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!"
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!
ine. During your journey, you save an abandoned baby girl and become her elder brother】 【You rely on each other, becoming each other's support】 【At the end of the simulation, you shield the now-grown girl with your life, sacrificing yourself to block numerous demonic cultivators. You die, and the light in the girl's eyes fades】 …… 【Second Simulation: You are transported to a world where steam and magic coexist】 【You immerse yourself in the study of magic, obsessed with its research. One day, while out, you encounter a half-blooded demon girl wandering the streets. You take her in as your student】 【You teach the demoness what it means to be human, show her the beauty of the world, and nurture her into a miracle that surpasses even the gods】 【At the end of the simulation, you die of old age in front of the nearly immortal demoness due to your mortal lifespan】 …… One simulation after another, one encounter after another. Xu Xi suddenly felt something was off: "Wait, you said you're coming to the real world to find me?"
