As if to confirm Lin Li's thoughts, Li Dongfeng called him again. "So, are you satisfied?"
Lin Li nodded. "Yeah, it's acceptable."
Li Dongfeng proactively explained, "We took some photos of Lin Xuan being tortured, but I was afraid they might shock you, so we deleted them and didn’t send them over."
These words from Li Dongfeng completely dispelled Lin Li's lingering doubts.
He could already picture it in his mind—Lin Xuan lying on the ground, his legs crippled beyond walking, the gruesome sight of him castrated and bleeding.
Lin Li couldn’t suppress his grin.
Lin Xuan, oh Lin Xuan…
This time, you won’t be able to attend the Jiang Family’s recognition banquet, while I’ll surely become that old man’s grandson.
From now on, the powerful and wealthy Jiang Family will be my backing.
And you, Lin Xuan? With your legs disabled and your manhood gone, Su Hua will definitely abandon you.
Without her support, Skyline Group won’t go far.
Once I rise with the Jiang Family’s help, I’ll make sure to swallow Skyline Group whole.
I’ll crush you under my feet.
"Hahahaha!"
Lin Li laughed wildly.
"Lin Li." Li Dongfeng suddenly called his name.
Lin Li froze.
This man… actually knew his real name?
Li Dongfeng chuckled before continuing, "You’re Lin Li, the young master of the bankrupt Starlight Group from Yundu, aren’t you?"
Lin Li clenched his phone, his expression darkening. "How did you know?"
Li Dongfeng smirked. "Don’t worry about how I know. What matters is that I have evidence of you targeting Lin Xuan."
Thump, thump, thump.
Lin Li could hear his own heart pounding violently.
Li Dongfeng raised an eyebrow. "Tomorrow night is the Jiang Family’s recognition banquet for you. If I expose your schemes against Lin Xuan at the event, what kind of spectacle do you think that’ll be?"
Lin Li’s chest heaved.
His mind raced—how had his identity been exposed?
Wasn’t the dark web supposed to be secure?
Why?
Why was he still found out?
If his plot against Lin Xuan came to light, the Jiang Family would grow suspicious. Once they investigated, they’d discover he was an impostor.
And worse—they’d see his true character.
Lin Xuan would replace him, gaining the Jiang Family’s backing.
Even if Su Hua abandoned Lin Xuan, with the Jiangs behind him, he’d live a life of luxury forever.
Meanwhile, Lin Li would remain trampled underfoot.
"Young Master Lin, you know what’ll happen to you, don’t you?" Li Dongfeng taunted.
"What the hell do you want? Spit it out!" Lin Li roared, his patience snapping.
"Nothing much. Our gang’s just short on cash lately. We’d like you to spare some for us."
Lin Li gritted his teeth. "How much?"
"Aside from the final payment you owe us, we want another 13 million." Li Dongfeng grinned.
Lin Xuan had only asked for 10 million, plus the 5 million commission Lin Li had already paid.
But after all their hard work, wasn’t it fair to take a little extra?
"Thirteen million?!" Lin Li’s eyes bulged. "Why don’t you just rob me?"
Hiring people to deal with Lin Xuan had already drained him dry.
Where would he get another 13 million?
"Young Master Lin, don’t joke around. Of course, I am robbing you." Li Dongfeng laughed.
Then his voice turned icy. "I don’t have time to waste. You’ve got two minutes to choose—13 million or the Jiang Family."
Lin Li’s face darkened.
A choice?
He had no choice.
He had to pay.
But it didn’t matter. Once he secured the Jiang Family’s backing, a measly 13 million would be nothing.
The problem was gathering the money now.
With Starlight Group bankrupt, his parents had no extra income.
If he asked them directly for 13 million, they’d never agree—and they’d demand an explanation he couldn’t give.
There was only one way to get the money…
"Fine," Lin Li said coldly. "But you’ll need to help me stage a scene."
"Go on."
Lin Li laid out his plan.
Li Dongfeng agreed readily. "No problem. I’ll play my part well."
Hanging up, Lin Li headed out.
"Li’er, where are you going?" Jiang Shuqin called from the living room, concerned.
Lin Li forced a smile. "Mom, a friend invited me out. I’ll be back soon."
Jiang Shuqin glanced at the late hour. "It’s past 10 PM. Be careful."
"I will."
Lin Li left the villa.
Meanwhile, Lin Xuan had returned to Night Garden.
The bedroom lights were off—Su Hua must already be asleep.
Lin Xuan sighed in relief.
Considering Su Hua’s recent cycle had just ended, her pent-up desires would be intense.
He’d avoid her if he could.
Though their intimacy was thrilling, the thought of it always made him nervous beforehand.
Su Hua’s skills in bed were too overwhelming. Every time, he was drained dry—only sheer willpower and male pride kept him functional the next day.
Tiptoeing to avoid waking her, Lin Xuan didn’t go straight to the bedroom. Instead, he showered in the adjacent room.
Unbeknownst to him, Su Hua wasn’t asleep at all.
She’d been standing by the window, watching his car pull in. Worried he’d scold her for staying up, she’d turned off the lights and pretended to be asleep.
Lying in bed, eyes closed, she’d waited impatiently.
But Lin Xuan still hadn’t come.
Su Hua frowned.
What’s taking him so long?
Finally, the bedroom door creaked open.
Lin Xuan, now in a bathrobe, slipped inside.
Moving carefully, he lifted the covers and lay down.
Su Hua immediately wrapped her arms around his waist, feigning drowsiness. "A-Xuan, you’re back."
Lin Xuan: "!!!"
How had she woken up from his silent entry?
"H-Hua Bao," he stammered, swallowing hard. "Why are you awake?"

] [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!"

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?

and couldn't return to the real world. Finally, I gave up and decided to go with the flow, only to discover that writing a diary could make me stronger. Since no one could read it, Su Luo wrote freely, daring to pen anything and everything. Female Lead #1: "Not bad. This diary helped me steal all the protagonist's opportunities. I just want to get stronger." Female Lead #2: "I don’t care about reaching the peak of the cultivation world. Right now, I just want to enjoy the chaos." Female Lead #3: "What? Everyone around me is a spy? I’m the Joker Demon Lord?" ... It’s so strange. Why is the plot completely off track, yet the ending remains the same? Are you all just messing with me?!