Lin Li furrowed his brows.
He didn’t know who had harmed him, but he was certain it couldn’t have been Lin Xuan.
The shock in Lin Xuan’s eyes when he saw him without that thing that day couldn’t have been faked.
Yet, since he couldn’t find the real culprit, perhaps he could pin it all on Lin Xuan.
The more malicious Lin Xuan appeared in the eyes of the Lin family, the more they would despise him, and the slimmer his chances of ever returning to the family would be.
“It was him.” Lin Li clenched his fists.
“Before I went abroad for the exchange program, Lin Xuan kidnapped and tortured me, even forcing me to drink the Root-Severing Water.”
“I didn’t dare tell you. What’s done is done. I was afraid you’d worry, and I was terrified you’d reject me because of it.”
“Dad, Mom, Sisters… I never imagined Lin Xuan not only wanted to turn me into a eunuch but also planned to expose this at my wedding.”
“What did I ever do to deserve such cruelty from him?”
Lin Li covered his face in despair and crouched on the floor.
“Does he hate me for taking his privileged life in the Lin family? Is this his revenge? It’s my fault, all my fault…”
Jiang Shuqin’s heart ached as she comforted him. “Li’er, don’t be afraid. No matter what happens, you’ll always be my son.”
“That’s right, Xiao Li. Don’t overthink it. You’ll always be the little brother of us three sisters,” Lin Qingwan added reassuringly.
Lin Chang, however, had no mind to console Lin Li.
His thoughts were a tangled mess.
Had Li’er really lost his fertility?
Lin Xuan clicked his tongue and shook his head.
Seemed like he was shouldering another undeserved blame.
He had no intention of explaining himself. He knew it would be useless—without evidence, the Lin family wouldn’t believe him, and frankly, he couldn’t care less about clearing his name in their eyes.
As for whoever had fed Lin Li the Root-Severing Water, they’d done a fine job. He didn’t mind taking the fall this once.
“Take your time comforting Lin Li as a family. I won’t intrude as an outsider.”
“Oh, and one more thing.” Lin Xuan’s gaze swept mockingly across the Lin family members.
“Cherish the good days you have left, because I’m about to start reeling in the net.”
Until now, he hadn’t gone all out against them, only occasionally stirring trouble—mainly because his capabilities had been limited.
But after a year of development, his company had risen to a position where it could rival Starlight Group.
Starlight Entertainment’s films and TV series had flopped one after another, crushed under the dominance of Celestial Screen Group’s productions. Several of Celestial Screen’s artists had also skyrocketed in fame and value thanks to those hits.
From now on, Starlight Group would no longer be able to hinder Celestial Screen’s expansion in the entertainment industry.
Entertainment was Starlight Group’s core business.
Losing ground here would deal them a devastating blow.
And the gaming industry would be the final straw that broke their back.
“Lin Xuan!” Lin Chang’s face darkened.
“Starlight Group has been thriving for twenty years. You think your little startup, barely a year old, can make waves?”
“President Lin, don’t be so sure.” Lin Xuan smirked. “Remember what you did when my films and series were about to release? You blocked their screenings, hired armies of trolls to smear us, and went all out promoting your own projects.”
“And how did that turn out?”
“Your works bombed spectacularly, while mine raked in profits. My streaming platform flourished, and the theaters I invested in are now thriving.”
Lin Xuan’s voice dripped with triumph.
Lin Chang’s expression grew uglier by the second.
But it didn’t matter.
Let Lin Xuan gloat while he could.
Once their company launched that King’s Glory game, all of Lin Xuan’s efforts would go down the drain.
And Starlight Group would ride that game to become the nation’s top gaming company.
The thought eased Lin Chang’s mind somewhat.
“Hah! Don’t get ahead of yourself, Lin Xuan. I’ve been holding back out of consideration for our father-son bond. But now, you’ve crossed the line,” Lin Chang sneered.
“President Lin, I know exactly where your confidence is coming from. Let’s wait and see.” Lin Xuan raised a brow.
Knows his confidence?
Lin Chang scoffed inwardly.
More of Lin Xuan’s scare tactics. There was no way he could know that Starlight had bribed members of his game development team and obtained all their data.
The game was in its final stages of development now.
Once it launched, Lin Xuan’s face would be priceless when he saw his own creation released under Starlight’s banner.
“Lin Xuan, worry about yourself first. My company doesn’t need your concern,” Lin Chang said coldly.
“Fine, I won’t bother then.” Lin Xuan nodded. “You’d better clean up your own mess. I’ll take my leave.”
As Lin Xuan slid a hand into his pocket and turned to go—
“Xiao Xuan!” Lin Qingwan called out urgently.
Lin Qingyan and Lin Qingxiu hurried after him as well.
“Xiao Xuan…”
They could only utter his name, at a loss for anything else to say.
“Xiao Xuan, today…” Lin Qingwan began, but Lin Xuan cut her off.
“Save it. Whatever you have to say, keep it to yourself. I’ve no interest in your apologies—they’re nauseating.”
“And don’t forget, I’ve severed ties with the Lin family. I’m an outsider now. Stop pretending I’m your brother.”
Hua was waiting for him outside.
He needed to get back to her—no, apologize to her.
After the Feng Yaya incident, he had to smooth things over before her anger took root. Otherwise, his kidneys would pay the price.
“If you sisters truly regret what you’ve done, then stay out of my sight. Do you have any idea how obnoxious you are?”
His words struck like a barricade, choking Lin Qingwan’s voice in her throat.
Her lips parted, but nothing came out.
Lin Qingyan and Lin Qingxiu stared at him, their faces twisted in anguish.
They longed to make amends, but Xiao Xuan refused to give them the chance.
Jiang Shuqin snapped, “Why are you wasting time on Lin Xuan, the root of all this? Can’t you see your brother is suffering? Comfort Li’er now!”
But Lin Li didn’t need the Lin women’s comfort.
What mattered was Lin Chang!
The decision over the family’s wealth lay with him. Before, Lin Li had taken his status as the biological son for granted.
But now that Lin Chang knew he was… incapable, he might never consider passing the inheritance to him.
“Dad…” Lin Li looked at Lin Chang in torment.
Lin Chang didn’t say a word, just walked step by step toward Lin Li.
When he finally stood before Lin Li, he stared at him for a long time.
He took a deep breath and spoke: “Lin Xuan just mentioned ‘Root-Severing Water’?”
“He said if you drank that stuff, not only would that part of you wither away, but your essence would be cut off forever—no way to reverse it.”
agon king storylines. At the start, I obtained the "Ultimate Lackey System" - the more I act as a lackey, the stronger I become. What else could I do? I chose to become the personal henchman of the ultimate villain, Su Muwan. I provoke all sorts of chosen ones, snatch away their opportunities, and commit every evil deed imaginable. You ask who's behind me? Hmph! You're not worthy of knowing my lady's name! ...... ....... I am Su Muwan, the eldest daughter of the Su family. Since childhood, I've possessed extraordinary talent in martial arts, which led to my arrogant and domineering personality in my past life. I was even foolish enough to repeatedly challenge those favored by heaven, ultimately resulting in a tragic death. In this life, I must behave and absolutely cannot walk the same path again!! However... SLAP!! "So you're the Dragon King, huh?!" When I saw my little lackey swagger over and viciously slap the Dragon King who was hiding his identity, I felt my heart sink. Su Muwan's suspended heart finally died as she watched Qin Luo, her utterly loyal lackey, standing before her. She fainted on the spot from shock. Heaven is determined to destroy me!! (Pure love 1v1, light-hearted, no angst, single female lead, villain, reincarnation, lackey)
spital. Good news: I've bound a system. Bad news: I'm still a baby. "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, do not bully the middle-aged for being poor — Divorce Comeback System." "Your marriage may have failed, but your luck in love has never run dry. Your childhood sweetheart, out of contact for twenty years, reappears. Her beauty remains, yet her eyes are brimming with tears." [Listen to the childhood sweetheart's sorrowful story.] Chen Zhi looked down at the diaper he was wearing, then at the little childhood sweetheart crying her heart out beside him, and fell into deep thought. Can anyone relate? I'm having a midlife crisis at an age where even rolling over is a struggle.
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
for mindless slaughter, this isn't for you.] My name is Ye Shu, and I'm a transmigrator. It seems I'm supposed to be the protagonist, but that feels pretty unlikely. This world has been invaded by a system. The antagonists on the other side have suddenly become pure, flawless saints. The female leads have been force-fed the so-called "original plot," making them think they've been reborn. Now, everyone thinks I'm scum. Including the old lady in my ring. And here I am, in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, braising pork. To put my situation in perspective— It's as if, the moment Xiao Yan stepped into the Monster Beast Mountain Range, the Soul Emperor already knew he would become the Flame Emperor, and Yao Lao had been turned to the enemy's side. I have nothing right now. Oh wait, that's not true. I do have a white-haired loli child-bride who's the Heavenly Dao, and her only skill is acting cute. So, tell me guys... what are my chances of making it to the end?
