"Thump, thump, thump"—Lin Xuan's heart was pounding wildly in his chest. He was terrified that Hua might really lock him up in a dark room indefinitely. After all, no one liked being restrained like this.
Yet, deep down, he felt an inexplicable anticipation...
"Tap, tap, tap."
Footsteps.
Was Hua coming?
Lin Xuan had just turned his head when a cloth strip was tied over his eyes, blocking his vision.
Su Hua gently secured the blindfold.
With his sight taken away, Lin Xuan's other senses heightened infinitely.
His body tensed into a rigid line, nerves stretched thin.
What was Hua planning to do by blindfolding him?
"Master." The woman, beautiful as a seductress, leaned close to his ear and spoke slowly, "From now on, I’ll take good care of you. You don’t need to do a thing, Master."
As soon as the words left her lips, she kissed him.
After Lin Chang and Lin Li had recovered somewhat, they went to the police station with Lin Qingwan.
At the entrance, Lin Qingwan spoke up hesitantly, "Dad, Lin Xuan might not have done it on purpose. He’s only twenty-two. Maybe we should just let this go."
If her father dropped the charges, Lin Xuan might realize that the Lin family still cared for him. Perhaps he’d even let go of his resentment.
But if he ended up in prison...
She couldn’t bear the thought.
"You’re defending Lin Xuan again?" Lin Chang glared at her.
"Dad, he’s still my brother—your son. We’re family," Lin Qingwan pressed her lips together.
"If he still considered me his father, he wouldn’t have gone after Starlight Group or reduced me to this state."
Lin Chang’s face darkened.
His fingernails and toenails had been ripped out—the agony was something he’d never forget.
Even if Lin Xuan begged on his knees, he wouldn’t feel an ounce of pity.
Lin Qingwan’s heart grew heavy.
It seemed her father was determined to send Lin Xuan to prison. She couldn’t stand the thought of him suffering like this.
She had to find a way to get him out.
Lin Xuan was still so young. A prison sentence would ruin his life forever.
Wait—
That woman.
Maybe she could do something.
Didn’t she claim to love Lin Xuan? Didn’t she boast about giving him everything the Lin family couldn’t?
Well, now was her chance to prove it.
Lin Qingwan wanted to call Su Hua, but she didn’t have her number.
She didn’t even know her full name or where she worked.
Lin Qingwan bit her lip.
She’d have to ask Lin Xuan later.
"Dad," Lin Li frowned, "Are you sure you want to see him like this? Maybe we should wait a few days. He’s probably still angry with us."
"Go? Of course we’re going!"
Lin Chang sneered, "I want that ungrateful brat to know exactly what happens when you cross the Lin family!"
"Heh, isn’t he got some rich patron? Where’s she now? Why isn’t she helping him?"
Lin Chang’s voice dripped with mockery.
Soon, Lin Xuan would be groveling before him, begging for forgiveness.
That was the sight he’d come to the police station for—to watch Lin Xuan drown in regret and despair.
The thought alone filled him with satisfaction.
Jiang Shuqin arrived shortly after.
"Mom," Lin Qingwan greeted.
"Li’er."
Jiang Shuqin rushed to Lin Li’s side, her heart breaking at the sight of his injuries.
"Li’er, I’m so sorry. I’ve been... lost in my own pain these past few days. I didn’t know you were hurt this badly."
After catching Lin Chang cheating again, Jiang Shuqin had drowned herself in alcohol, shutting off her phone.
She’d told Lin Qingwan and her siblings she wouldn’t be home, so they hadn’t gone looking for her.
That was why she’d only learned about Lin Chang and Lin Li’s ordeal after returning to the Jiang Family, overhearing the servants’ gossip.
She’d called Lin Qingwan for details before rushing here.
Jiang Shuqin still didn’t know who had hurt Lin Li.
"Mom, I’m fine," Lin Li said softly.
"Li’er, tell me—who did this to you?" Jiang Shuqin demanded, fury burning in her eyes.
"Mom, it’s better if you don’t ask," Lin Li replied hesitantly.
"Wan’er, you tell me."
Jiang Shuqin turned to Lin Qingwan.
Lin Qingwan pressed her lips together before answering, "It was Lin Xuan."
"Lin Xuan?!" Jiang Shuqin’s face twisted in rage. "First, he targets Starlight Group, then he kills my son—and now he dares to hurt Li’er too?!"
"That little monster! I’ll make sure he pays!"
Lin Qingwan stayed silent.
She’d expected this reaction.
The rift between Lin Xuan and the Lin family only seemed to be widening.
Would he ever come back?
"Wan’er, Li’er—why are you at the police station? Was Lin Xuan arrested?" Jiang Shuqin asked suddenly.
"Yes," Lin Qingwan nodded.
Jiang Shuqin let out a cold laugh. "Good. A heartless wretch like him, who disrespects his parents and siblings, deserves to rot in prison. Maybe then he’ll learn his lesson."
If Lin Xuan ended up behind bars, at least it would give Lin Li some justice.
A ten-year sentence would be ideal.
Then he’d finally stop being a thorn in her side.
Lin Chang spoke up, "Let’s go in."
He strode ahead.
Lin Qingwan noticed the tension between her parents and whispered, "Mom, what’s going on between you and Dad?"
Jiang Shuqin clenched her fists, tears welling in her eyes.
"Mom?" Lin Qingwan pressed.
Jiang Shuqin wiped her tears away and shook her head. "It’s nothing. I just... caught your father kissing his secretary."
"What?!"
Lin Qingwan’s eyes widened.
Dad cheated again?
Lin Li comforted her, "Mom, it’s okay. You still have us."
"Yes... yes, at least I have you children," Jiang Shuqin forced a smile.
Lin Li smirked inwardly.
These people had sent his birth mother to prison. One day, he’d take control of Starlight Group and drive every last Lin out—just to avenge her.
"Enough. Let’s go see that ungrateful brat," Jiang Shuqin said coldly.
Lin Xuan had always been so arrogant in front of her. Now that he was locked up, she wouldn’t miss the chance to see him humiliated.
Inside the police station, Lin Chang approached the front desk.
"Hello, officer. I’m here to visit an inmate," he said.
"Who are you visiting?" the officer asked.
"A man named Lin Xuan. He was arrested yesterday. Could you bring him out? We have some things to discuss."

d intelligence to keep the plot moving, and sometimes even the protagonists are forced into absurdly dumb decisions. Why does the A-list celebrity heroine in urban romance novels ditch the top-tier movie star and become a lovestruck fool for a pockmarked male lead? Why do the leads in historical tragedy novels keep dancing between love and death, only for the blind healer to end up suffering the most? And Gu Wei never expected that after finally landing a villain role to stir up trouble, she’d pick the wrong gender! No choice now—she’ll just have to crush the protagonists as a girl!

u Chenyuan transmigrated into a female-oriented novel about a real and fake heiress, becoming the CEO elder brother of both. Unfortunately, the entire Lu family—including himself, the CEO—were mere cannon fodder in the story. Determined to save himself, Lu Chenyuan took action. The spoiled, attention-seeking fake heiress? Thrown into the harsh realities of the working class to learn humility. The love-struck real heiress? Pushed toward academic excellence, so lofty goals would blind her to trivial romances. As for the betrayed, vengeful arranged marriage wife… the plot hadn’t even begun yet. There was still time—if he couldn’t handle her, he could at least avoid her. "CEO Lu, are you avoiding me?" Mo Qingli fixed her gaze on Lu Chenyuan. For the first time, the shrewd and calculating Lu Chenyuan felt a flicker of unease.

【Prologue: The Beginning of It All – Use holy water to heal the saintess tainted by demonic energy, then converse with her.】 Shen Nian stared at his older sister sipping yogurt, lost in thought. So you’re telling me my sister is the saintess, and yogurt is the holy water? 【Main Quest 1: Brave Youth, Become an Adventurer! Reward: Rookie Adventurer Title.】 【Side Quest 1: Find the Adorable Kitty! Reward: 1000 Gold Coins.】 Shen Nian: "Wait, I’m a high school senior here—did some guy who got isekai’d accidentally bind his system to me?" Hold on, completing quests gives gold rewards? Titles even boost stats? Is this for real? (A lighthearted, absurd campus comedy—not a revenge power fantasy.)

'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.