The next day, at Lin Ran's insistent request, Luo Yao stayed at the manor to recuperate.
The manor was bathed in bright sunlight, adding a touch of spring to the cold season, as if everything was celebrating Luo Yao's recovery.
Today was also the release day of the short drama. Lin Ran and Luo Yao lay on the villa's couch, ready to watch it together.
Lin Ran was full of anticipation, confident in the short drama he had helped produce. Luo Yao, on the other hand, looked indifferent. She had no interest in Lin Ran's project, thinking to herself, What could these people possibly come up with?
To her, this was just another way for her man to pass the time.
But since accompanying Lin Ran was something she loved doing, she went along with it.
At first, Luo Yao watched half-heartedly, but as the drama progressed, she realized something was off.
This… this is so cheesy, but I can’t stop watching!
The plot was somewhat clichéd, yet it had a unique charm. The actors' performances weren’t outstanding, but they were strangely addictive, pulling her in with every scene.
The more she watched, the more hooked she became. Even someone as aloof as Luo Yao was drawn into Lin Ran’s creation.
If even Luo Yao was captivated, one could only imagine how the rest of the internet would react.
In fact, from the moment it premiered, viewers had flooded in.
But not everyone was watching. Many had initially reserved spots simply because of the hype, without high expectations for the content.
After all, Lin Ran was wealthy, and in the public’s eyes, projects backed by the ultra-rich often fell short.
Nuanyao Group had no prior experience in film production. The short drama’s only selling points were A-list actress Chen Qingtian and the buzz around Nuanyao’s CEO.
Those drawn by the hype naturally didn’t expect much from the actual content.
[Dreaming of Lin Ran as My Simp]: Just watch casually, folks. I bet the content is trash.
[Whose Bull is Brave Enough]: Here to check out Lin Ran’s luxurious manor.
[Handsome Novelist]: Same, here for the manor and a glimpse of Queen Qingtian’s divine beauty.
[Soccer Son Making Progress]: Why does the male lead feel so unworthy of Qingtian?
[Rebirth of the Runaway Fourth Son]: I hate nothing more than garbage churned out by capitalists.
But as time passed, the comments took a dramatic turn.
People realized that this short drama, featuring no big names besides Chen Qingtian, exploded like an atomic bomb, leaving everyone who had underestimated it stunned.
The view count for the first three episodes skyrocketed from tens of thousands to millions within hours. By noon, it had surpassed ten million.
Online reactions poured in like a tidal wave.
[Tiger Slams the Door]: Holy crap, update faster! What’s Nuanyao Media doing? This is way too addictive.
[Howling Neighbor]: I admit I was too harsh earlier. Now all I can say is, I’m a trash panda and I love it—update now!
[Failed Again This Life]: Wait, this is a short drama? The production’s rough, but the content’s insane. I’m obsessed.
[Mad Dog Bites Your JJ]: Only three episodes a day? Even dogs can’t tolerate this.
[Mr. Cao’s Red Chamber Lit]: I have a suggestion—tie the producer to a chainsaw table. For every episode released, move them one meter away. If updates slow down… well, let’s just say things get messy.
[Stick Pokes the Sun]: If you’re not dropping a hundred episodes a day, are you even a producer? Trash.
Whether the comments were praise or rage, the hype was unprecedented.
Other media companies producing serious short dramas were shocked. They’d never imagined a short drama could be made this way. The unconventional style and bizarrely addictive content left them feeling immense pressure.
Just then, Lin Ran’s call went straight to Nuanyao Media’s office.
"Hello, this is Lin Ran. What’s Wu Zhishang doing? Why isn’t he answering his phone?"
The receptionist quickly whispered an explanation, "Chairman Lin, Director Wu’s number got leaked. His phone’s been blowing up all morning, so he put it on silent."
Her voice was weary—she was just as overwhelmed by the sudden chaos.
Lin Ran paused, instantly realizing the reason.
He knew the short drama was popular, but he hadn’t expected this level of frenzy.
"Fine. Go tell him to send me the full series. My wife wants to watch it. Three episodes a day? Who’s satisfied with that?"
Lin Ran just wanted to indulge his wife’s curiosity—was that so wrong?
The receptionist hesitated, then muttered,
"Chairman Lin… you’re not the one leading the hate mob online, are you?"
She was suspicious—his demands sounded eerily similar to the rabid fans.
Lin Ran’s face darkened.
"I’m not that bored. My wife just wants to watch. Hurry up and arrange it."
He was exasperated. The last thing he wanted was to be mistaken for one of those unreasonable viewers.
"Chairman Lin, that’s… not really appropriate."
"Should I fire you to make it appropriate?"
"Understood, Chairman Lin. But Director Wu said even the heavens don’t get special treatment."
Lin Ran was genuinely annoyed now. Wasn’t he, the boss, entitled to some privileges?
"Kid, you’re stubborn. Go tell Wu Zhishang I asked. Let’s see if he denies me."
"Right away, Chairman Lin."
The receptionist hurried off to relay the message.
Meanwhile, in his office, Wu Zhishang wasn’t the least bit bothered by his phone’s meltdown. On the contrary, he was thrilled.
Sitting at his desk, he wore a triumphant grin.
With this level of hype, even if ten of his phones exploded, it’d be worth it.
The drama’s popularity had surged beyond expectations, and the potential profits were staggering.
Though it was free to watch, the indirect revenue was immeasurable. A quick calculation showed they’d already raked in a fortune from ad revenue alone.
With this momentum, Nuanyao Group might even break into the second-tier media companies—a monumental achievement for him.
That morning, at least two major brands had already reached out for endorsement deals, a golden opportunity for the company’s growth.
As the short drama went viral, Wu Zhishang’s fame soared too. He was second only to Chen Qingtian in endorsement requests.
There were also offers for Zhang Xiaolong and others, but Wu Zhishang turned them all down—the products were just too bizarre.
Chen Qingtian’s offers were standard—women’s products.
But his? Skincare serums, flavored condoms, hemorrhoid cream, antifungal socks… and even a request to model women’s clothing.
The worst was a lip-twisting gadget endorsement.
These offers left him torn between laughter and frustration—they were downright absurd.
ap a wealthy young lady? Or else I'll be eliminated by the system? Ye Feng, who awakened the Kidnapper System, originally wanted to live a peaceful life but never imagined he would become a kidnapper of young women. However, after some time, he discovered that all the girls the system ordered him to kidnap were far from ordinary. "Big brother Ye Feng~ You've kidnapped my heart, and now you're not allowed to leave me ever again~" "Ye Feng~ You kidnapped me back then, now it's my turn to capture you♡" "Little Feng, you're mine! You can only be mine!" "Ye Feng, none of them deserve you. Only I love you the most♡" ... This is madness, they've all gone mad! Wait, what? Why are all the girls I kidnapped yanderes?!
end. Thus one must continue to cultivate, and become a saint or great emperor, in order to prolong one's life. Chen Xia, however, completely reversed this. Since his transmigration, he has gained immortality, and also a system that awards him with attribute points for every year he lives. Thus between the myriad worlds, the legend of an unparalleled senior appeared. "A gentleman takes revenge; it is never too late even after ten thousand years." "When you were at your peak I yielded, now in your old age I shall trample on you." - Chen Xia
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.
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."
