"Liangchen, are you okay?"
Xue Shaohua couldn't help but ask as he watched Ye Liangchen standing motionless.
Ye Liangchen slowly shook his head. "I truly never expected Li Qingxue would raise a hand against me because of Long Aotian."
"Ten years... Do you know how many ten-year spans a person gets in their lifetime?"
His voice grew heavy as he continued, "A decade of friendship—shattered today by that slap."
"When her hand struck my face, my heart shattered along with it."
Though Xue Shaohua couldn't fully empathize, he could clearly sense the weight of Ye Liangchen's emotions.
No one would feel good after being betrayed by a friend they'd known for ten years.
The fact that Ye Liangchen held back his tears was proof enough of his strength.
"Twelve more days," Xue Shaohua murmured reassuringly. "In twelve days, I’m sure you’ll have countless ways to make Long Aotian kneel and beg for mercy."
After all, in twelve days, Long Aotian’s school would hold its sports festival.
"You were already a real man today. You used words like an artist—left Long Aotian humiliated, hiding behind a woman while he roared helplessly. In my eyes, you’ve already won."
Ye Liangchen turned to him. "You really think so?"
Xue Shaohua nodded firmly. "Absolutely. To me, you’re a hundred times better than Long Aotian."
Ye Liangchen nearly laughed. "Hah, you’re right. I am a hundred times better than that spineless fool."
"I don’t put on an act like Long Aotian. I’m genuine. If something’s right, I do it. If it’s wrong, I stand with justice."
"Before, no one understood me. They saw me as some reckless wanderer. But those who truly know me see who I really am."
"Thank you, Xue Shaohua. You saw through the surface—you recognized the real me."
Xue Shaohua smiled sheepishly, flicking his hair lightly. "I’m not as great as you say. I just spoke my mind."
"If they couldn’t appreciate you, couldn’t see your worth—that’s their loss."
Hearing this, Ye Liangchen felt his eyes sting. He’d sacrificed so much for them, given everything to save them... yet they never acknowledged it.
Even an outsider like Xue Shaohua could see his efforts. Wasn’t that laughable?
"In twelve days, I’ll show Long Aotian what cruelty really means."
"Count me in," Xue Shaohua added. "I’ll make sure he regrets crossing me too."
Their eyes met, a silent understanding passing between them.
Ye Liangchen flicked his hair again. "That thing you promised me earlier... does it still stand?"
At the mention, Xue Shaohua glanced around—they were still in the mall! Talking about this here was downright embarrassing.
"I won’t go back on my word. But I have one condition—I hope you’ll agree."
"What is it? As long as it doesn’t go against my morals, I’m in."
"Let me go first when we deal with Long Aotian." Xue Shaohua’s skin prickled at the memory of Long Aotian’s... assets in the public restroom earlier.
Ye Liangchen hesitated. He also wanted to be the first to claim Long Aotian.
Only then could he carve an indelible mark in Long Aotian’s mind.
Every time Long Aotian saw him in the future, he’d relive the terror of being under his control.
But faced with Xue Shaohua’s pleading gaze, Ye Liangchen took a deep breath.
"You know I have principles. What you’re asking... it tests them."
"But—you’re the first who truly saw me for who I am. So fine. We’ll do it together."
Xue Shaohua frowned, confused.
Ye Liangchen tapped his forehead lightly. "Dummy, still don’t get it?"
"Ever had an Oreo?"
"I’ll be the front, Long Aotian’s the filling, and you’re the back. Clear enough now?"
Xue Shaohua’s eyes widened in realization. "Ye Liangchen... has anyone ever told you you’re a genius?"
Ye Liangchen shrugged. "You know I don’t care about titles. Maybe someone did..."
Just then, his phone rang.
Glancing at the caller ID, his lips curled. He signaled Xue Shaohua to stay quiet before answering.
"Quan! What’s up? It’s been ages. How about coming to the capital for New Year’s? I’ll show you around—let you experience the city’s glory."
Gao Quan’s voice buzzed through the receiver. "Of course! If you’re inviting, I’m there. Never been to the capital before."
Ye Liangchen chuckled. "Good. When you arrive, we’ll paint the town red."
"Liangchen, it’s been too long. Remember in senior year? You promised we’d rise together. Now just meeting takes hours of travel."
"When break comes, let’s share a drink. I’ve learned to hold my liquor now."
Listening, Ye Liangchen drifted into memories.
Looking back at his younger self... he’d been so naive.
If not for Long Aotian’s interference, he and Gao Quan would’ve soared long ago.
For a fleeting moment, regret gnawed at him.
Should I have invited him?
If Long Aotian woke up the next day, broken and defiled... would he come for revenge?
In their past life, Gao Quan had died saving him—because of Long Aotian.
His gaze lifted to the mall’s ceiling as Gao Quan’s voice continued in his ear.
Is this fate?
"What fate, Liangchen?"
"Nothing. Drinks are on me when you get here."
He quickly made an excuse to hang up, afraid he’d retract the invitation if he spoke longer.
If this was fate, even his best efforts might not change it.
A pang of sorrow struck him.
Did my rebirth change nothing?
He inhaled deeply, turning back to Xue Shaohua.
"My heart’s heavy right now. Let me forget for a while... let me just feel something good."
tions: attribute allocation, analysis, proficiency, and simulation. Specializing in mechanical alchemy, from crafting sorcerous battle armor to handcrafting mechanical maidens, his mechanical legion conquers endless realms... Relying on his wits, he begins with a student-teacher romance, wins over a female director, enslaves a female assassin and a underworld queen, becoming the husband of a Grand Duchess... He enslaves the Goddess of Magic from the divine realm, developing his power simultaneously in both the Wizard World and the Realm of Gods...
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)
orn and Humiliation】【Forced Love】 In his past life, Lin Ran was betrayed and murdered by his girlfriend and family, while the yandere female aristocrat, who had treated him as a mere plaything, avenged him by doing in his enemies. Upon seeing the yandere female aristocrat lying in the same coffin, ready to die with him, Lin Ran realized how profoundly mistaken he had been. Reborn, he abandoned the fickle campus beauty and wholeheartedly embraced the yandere female aristocrat's arms. "Ran! If I dig out your eyes and turn them into a specimen, you'll only be able to look at me!" Lin Ran: "Darling, kiss me!" "Ran! If I break your legs, you won't run away anymore, right?" Lin Ran: "Love, hold me tight!" "Ran! If..." Lin Ran: "Hush now! Love me more!" Luo Yao: ... Seeing his scumbag dad: "Take him out!" Seeing his stepmother: "Get rid of her!" Seeing his brother: "Eliminate him!" Seeing his white moonlight: "Send that to Southeast Asia!"
rowess are unmatched, commanding a million-strong army! Yet, the Emperor wants to depose him for the sake of a false prince? Hold on, are you throwing me into some female-oriented romance plot? How can I tolerate this? With a grand wave of his hand—the Nine Clan Extraction Technique! Slander the Emperor? Very well, all of you shall die! ... The False Prince: "Although I am not the biological son, Father and Mother love me more. The throne should be mine!" The Female Lead: "Qin Xiao, you are the Emperor, and I am a commoner. If you wish to marry me, you must abdicate. Otherwise, you will never have me!" The Empress: "After we divorce, you must give me half the empire!" The Transmigrator Consort: "You worthless Emperor, why should I kneel to you? All men are equal—I advise you to be kind!" The Great General: "The enemy general is my childhood sweetheart. For her sake, I willingly abandon the frontier defenses!" The Retired Emperor: "Although Yu'er was adopted, I prefer him. Qin Xiao, you should abdicate and let him become Emperor!" ... Very well! So this is how you want to play? Facing this twisted world of female-oriented tropes, Qin Xiao grins and raises his hand to unleash—the Nine Clan Extraction Technique! I am the Emperor. Why would I bother reasoning with you? Seal the gates! Leave none alive!
