As Lin Chang had anticipated, the guests were full of praise for Lin Li.
"I never thought Lin Li would be even more impressive than I imagined."
"If I had a son like him, I'd wake up laughing in my dreams."
Some guests began to consider strengthening their cooperation with Starlight Group. Lin Li was a genius, and if Starlight Group were ever passed down to him, it would surely reach new heights.
Lin Li enjoyed the admiration in everyone's eyes and couldn't help but curl his lips into a slight smile.
He thrived on compliments. That was why he was so active online, even buying trending topics to build his image as a genius.
As Lin Chang continued his speech without noticing, the video on the big screen had already been switched.
"This next video," Lin Chang continued, "shows the 28th wedding anniversary celebration venue that Li and Shuqin set up together..."
The guests furrowed their brows.
"Who is that in the video? Didn't Lin Chang say it was the venue set up by Lin Li? What's going on now?"
"Looks like the wrong video was played."
"By the way, that man's back looks familiar."
"I feel like there's a big show happening today."
Excitement sparked in everyone's eyes.
They had a feeling that a major scandal was about to unfold!
Qin Ruoyao, focused on her phone, didn't immediately notice the content on the big screen.
Hearing the murmurs around her, she looked up in confusion and froze when she saw what was on the screen. Her face turned ashen.
That was the video she had taken with Lin Li at the hotel!
How could it be playing here?
Her hands and feet turned ice-cold.
This wasn't the right time to show this video. It was her bargaining chip.
She was planning to use it only if the Lin family forced her to break up with Lin Li or if he abandoned her.
If this were revealed in front of everyone now, not only would her leverage be gone, but it would also enrage the Lin family and Lin Li.
If Lin Chang, Jiang Shuqin, and Lin Li knew she was the one who leaked the video, would they hate her?
Qin Ruoyao's mind was in chaos. She had no idea what to do...
The Lin family, still facing the stage, had no idea what was playing on the screen.
Seeing the strange looks on the guests' faces, Lin Li frowned.
What's going on with them?
"Wait, that guy in the video looks familiar."
A guest exclaimed, "Look, isn't the woman in the video her?" He pointed toward Qin Ruoyao.
Everyone turned to look and saw that Qin Ruoyao's appearance was identical to the woman in the video.
Even the mole on her right arm matched exactly!
There was no doubt—it was her!
"I thought it was some random clip from the internet, but it's actually real!"
"I never expected someone who looks so innocent to be... well, let's just say she knows how to have fun in private."
The leading lady is here, but who's the leading man?
A guest stroked his chin, staring at the man in the video. Suddenly, he frowned. "Why do I feel like the man looks like Lin Li?"
"Lin Li?" another guest asked, puzzled. "That can't be. Lin Li already has a fiancée, and I thought their relationship was good."
Lin Chang, still holding the microphone, continued to speak with pride, his voice drowning out the guests' murmurs.
None of them turned around to see the screen, completely unaware that the video had been switched.
Suddenly, a soft, cooing female voice came from the video.
"I really love you. You're so amazing..."
Lin Li's eyes widened instantly.
That was Qin Ruoyao's voice!
The exact same words she had said to him that day in the hotel!
Then came the sounds of intimate murmurs from the video, comparable to those in a blockbuster film.
Lin Xuan sipped his red wine with a satisfied smile, enjoying the pale expression on Lin Li's face.
Lin Li turned stiffly to face the screen.
What he saw was a pair of entangled figures!
His mind went blank.
"Dad, why is there something like this in the video?" Lin Qingyan asked, frowning.
Lin Chang shook his head, "I don't know."
Jiang Shuqin's face twisted in disgust. "Who are these people? Engaging in such depravity, it's shameful!"
Lin Li remained frozen in place. His blank mind slowly began to process the situation.
If this was exposed, his carefully cultivated image among the elite would be destroyed...
Realizing this, Lin Li reacted vehemently. "Turn it off! Turn it off now!" he bellowed.
Everyone in the room looked at Lin Li curiously.
“Li, what's wrong?” Lin Chang asked, frowning.
Lin Xuan, holding his wineglass, walked over slowly, raising an eyebrow. "Brother, are you so nervous because the man in the video is you?"
When Lin Xuan mentioned it might be Lin Li, everyone began to suspect.
"Come to think of it, the man's physique does resemble Lin Li's."
"Could it really be him? If the female lead is here at his birthday party, maybe their relationship isn't so simple."
"If it is Lin Li, there's definitely going to be a show."
Jiang Shuqin, hearing the guests' speculation, became emotional, completely disregarding her usual elegance. She lashed out protectively, "What are you talking about? My son couldn't possibly be the one in that shameful video!"
"Besides, Li is already engaged to Qianqian. He has always been a man of decent character. How could he be involved with another woman?"
The guests' expressions turned even more peculiar.
If Jiang Shuqin hadn't brought it up, they might have forgotten that Lin Li had recently become engaged to Shen Qianqian.
The Lin and Shen families have been close for generations. If the man in the video turned out to be Lin Li, it could lead to quite a rift.
Lin Li snapped back to reality and instinctively looked toward Lin Xuan, who was standing below the stage, holding his wineglass, his lips curved in a mocking smile.
It was Lin Xuan!
All of this today must have been orchestrated by Lin Xuan!
Qin Ruoyao wouldn't have dared to reveal their affair in front of so many people!
Lin Li clenched his sweaty palms.
He couldn't panic. As long as he kept his back to the camera, no one would know it was him yet.
There was still room for a turnaround.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Li forced himself to remain calm. "Brother, you're just joking," he said, trying to sound composed. "I just thought the video might be disturbing to everyone's eyes, so I thought it would be better to switch it off quickly, to avoid ruining everyone's mood."
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow. "I don't think it would ruin our mood at all. On the contrary, if the video is cut now, it would only leave us all eager for more, which would truly ruin our mood. Wouldn't you agree?"
Shen Qianqian chimed in, "That's right, Lin Li, Lin Xuan is correct. Let the video continue. Even if we can't watch the whole thing, at least let everyone see the man's face. It would satisfy everyone's curiosity."
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?"
th】 【No prior gaming knowledge required】【The First Cultivation + Game Design Novel on the Platform】 In a world where the righteous path dominates and crushes the demonic sects, Lu Ze unlocks the "Son of the Demon Path" system. Killing righteous cultivators now grants him power-ups. Wait—deaths in illusions count too? As a former game designer, Lu Ze decides to give the cultivators of this world a little—no, a massive—shock... Sect Elders: "What is this 'Escape from the Demon Sect' game? Why have all our disciples abandoned cultivation to play it??" Elite Disciples: "You're saying... mastering 'Demon Slayer' can help us counter demonic schemes?" Reclusive Masters: "Why did I leave seclusion? Ask that backstabbing rat who ambushed me in 'Eternal Strife' yesterday!" Rogue Cultivators & Civilians: "'Immortal Abyss Action' is addictive! You can even earn spirit stones by loot-running..." Sect Prodigy: "My Dao heart is unshakable... except for that cursed black hammer." Royal Scions: "Can skins have stat boosts? I’ll pay 10,000 spirit stones for one!!" Sect Leader: "WHO IS CORRUPTING MY DISCIPLES?!!!"
Cheng's father told him he was getting remarried—to a wealthy woman. Cao Cheng realized his time had finally come: he was about to become a second-generation rich kid. Sure, it might be a watered-down version, but hey, at least he'd have status now, right? The wealthy woman also had four daughters!! Which meant, starting today, Cao Cheng gained four stunning older sisters?? But that wasn't even the whole story... "My name is Cao Cheng—'Cheng' as in 'honest, smooth-talking gentleman'!"
't think I'm that capable, I'm just trying my best to stay alive. I've been kind all my life, never did anything bad, yet worldly suffering spared me not one bit. The human world is a nice place, but I won't come back in my next life. A kind young man, who wanted to just get by singing, but through repeated deceits and betrayals, has gone down an irredeemable path.