It was already noon when they left the clubhouse construction site.
The warm winter sun dispelled the chill by the lake, but everyone's excitement had clearly been thoroughly ignited by the soon-to-be-completed money-burning den. This was especially true for Zhou Jialu and Li Xingya; although the two girls had vastly different personalities, they were surprisingly united in their pursuit of beauty. All the way back, they were still discussing what style of curtains should be hung in the underwater suite.
"Alright, let's talk about the curtains later."
Su Bai interrupted their discussion and patted his stomach. "Our top priority right now is to fill our stomachs. A new private kitchen just opened nearby. I heard the owner is a sea fishing fanatic, so let's go try something fresh."
This private restaurant, named Yinlu, was hidden inside an old-fashioned villa deep within the East Lake Scenic Area.
It had no signboard, operated strictly by reservation, and only served three tables of guests a day.
Had Liu Chenhu not specifically put in a word for them, even Su Bai driving up in his Land Rover Defender would probably have been turned away at the door.
Walking into the private room, the decor was a minimalist wabi-sabi style, yet every detail exuded an aura of "I am very expensive."
Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows was a dry landscape Zen garden, tranquil and elegant.
"Young Master Su, President Liu specifically instructed us to save all the good stuff that was just airlifted in today for you."
The head chef, a plump middle-aged man with a full beard, smiled broadly as he personally brought over a massive ice platter.
On the ice platter lay an array of unnamable deep-sea sashimi, crystal clear and glistening. And in the most prominent position sat a dozen oysters, each the size of a baby's palm.
"These are French Gillardeau, No. 0, which is the largest size,"
the chef introduced. "They just landed this morning and still carry the scent of the Atlantic Ocean. These things are known as the Rolls-Royce of oysters. They have a crisp, sweet taste and a hint of hazelnut aroma."
As he spoke, he skillfully pried one open and handed it to Su Bai.
"Young Master Su, please have a taste."
Su Bai didn't stand on ceremony. He squeezed a few drops of lemon juice onto it and slurped it down in one gulp.
That complex texture—fresh, sweet, crisp, and carrying the slightly salty taste of seawater—exploded in his mouth. It truly was a top-tier enjoyment.
"Not bad, very fresh." Su Bai nodded in approval.
"Of course. Not only are these things delicious, but..."
Zhou Jialu suddenly picked up an oyster with a silver fork. Her eyes rippled with charm as she looked at Su Bai with a beaming smile. "...they're also a gas station for men and a beauty salon for women. Hubby, you've been working so hard lately, you should eat more to nourish your body."
Saying that, she deliberately brought the oyster to Su Bai's lips, her tone carrying a hint of teasing and suggestion.
Beside them, Liu Chenyang was peeling a giant deep-sea scampi. Hearing this, her movements paused for a moment. An unnatural blush flashed across her face, but she still feigned composure and chimed in:
"Indeed, Su Bai, you're the main force, so you need to eat more. I often hear my dad's business friends say that eating this stuff... ahem, strengthens the body."
Only Li Xingya, upon hearing a topic with such obvious colorful undertones, was so embarrassed that she almost buried her head in her bowl, not even knowing where to put her hand holding the chopsticks.
"Nourish my body?"
Su Bai raised an eyebrow, casting a half-smile at Zhou Jialu, and then glanced at Liu Chenyang, who, despite her shyness, had her ears perked up high.
He opened his mouth to eat the oyster Zhou Jialu fed him, then slowly and methodically wiped his mouth.
"Senior, are you sure you want me to eat more?"
Su Bai's voice was low, carrying a hint of danger. "With my current physical condition, if I eat too much of this stuff and my fire burns too bright... I'm afraid none of us will be leaving the room this afternoon."
"When the time comes, I won't be the one begging for mercy."
"..."
The smile on Zhou Jialu's face stiffened.
She suddenly recalled a certain painful experience where Su Bai had tossed her around so much she couldn't get out of bed until noon the next day.
This man's physical stamina was already a bug in the system. If he added an accelerant like oysters on top of it...
"Ahem... well, everyone, eat up, eat up."
Zhou Jialu decisively changed the subject and conveniently distributed the remaining half-platter of oysters to Liu Chenyang and Li Xingya. "It's good for girls' beauty. Let's split them and not let him have any!"
"Pfft—"
Seeing the senior instantly chicken out, Liu Chenyang couldn't hold back a laugh.
The meal was exceptionally joyful.
Aside from the Gillardeau oysters, there were palm-length tiger prawns, firm and chewy horsehair crabs, and a type of deep-sea orange roughy flown in from New Zealand. The freshness of the ingredients was truly beyond reproach; even Li Xingya, who usually had a small appetite, ate until she was stuffed.
After the meal.
"I'm too full, I'm getting sleepy..."
Zhou Jialu stretched lazily like a well-fed Persian cat. "I don't want to move. Su Bai, is there a place to rest nearby?"
"There are guest rooms upstairs."
Su Bai pointed upward. "The second floor of this private kitchen has lounges. The environment is pretty nice."
"That's perfect."
Zhou Jialu stood up and extremely naturally linked arms with Liu Chenyang. "Yangyang, let's go. We'll head upstairs to digest our food. And while we're at it... let your big sister teach you some fun things."
"Huh? Teach me?"
Liu Chenyang blanked for a second and subconsciously looked at Su Bai.
A wicked smirk curled on Su Bai's lips. "Go ahead. I also think we need to have an in-depth academic exchange. Isn't your family preparing to let you meet people as a girl now, Yangyang? There's a lot of knowledge about being a girl that your Sister Jialu still needs to thoroughly pass on to you."
He emphasized the words "academic exchange" particularly heavily.
Seeing the tacit understanding in Su Bai and Zhou Jialu's eyes, she instantly understood what was going to happen next.
Her heart suddenly skipped a beat.
This kind of multi-person academic seminar that was beyond her scope of understanding made her so nervous that her palms sweated, yet it also gave her a faint, thrilling sense of breaking a taboo.
"Then... what about Xingya?" Liu Chenyang turned her head to look at Li Xingya.
Li Xingya was currently blushing, picking at her fingers.
Although she had already integrated into this circle and accepted the black silk faction setting, her paper-thin skin still couldn't quite handle an activity with such obvious threesome implications.
Especially since she wasn't very familiar with Liu Chenyang yet.
"I... I won't go..."
Li Xingya said softly, "I... I want to sit in the courtyard downstairs for a bit and watch the fish. You guys... go do your thing."
"Alright, then you have fun for a while."
Su Bai didn't force her.
These kinds of things required a step-by-step approach. Although this girl Xingya had made rapid progress under Chen Yusheng's training, she was ultimately still an innocent little white rabbit. He was afraid she'd get indigestion if he gave her too much to handle all at once.
...
The lounge on the second floor was decorated to be as quiet and secluded as a Zen room.
But as the door closed, the atmosphere inside instantly became romantic and suggestive.
Zhou Jialu was the best teacher.
She didn't get straight to the point right away. Instead, she pulled Liu Chenyang to sit on the tatami mat and chatted with her like a best friend, talking about skincare, outfits, and even the little tricks on how to please a man.
In this relaxed atmosphere, Liu Chenyang's tense body gradually relaxed.
And then...
Su Bai joined the battlefield.
For Liu Chenyang, this was an experience full of novelty.
Meanwhile, Zhou Jialu played the role of a perfect support on the side.
It wasn't until three in the afternoon that this high-intensity "academic exchange" temporarily came to an end.
Liu Chenyang was so exhausted she didn't even want to move a finger. She curled up in the blanket and fell into a deep sleep, a softer, sweeter smile than ever before lingering on the corners of her lips.
...
When he came downstairs, Su Bai felt refreshed and energized.
In the courtyard, Li Xingya was squatting by the pond, feeding the koi fish.
The winter sun shone on her, gilding her with a golden halo. That quiet and beautiful scene made Su Bai's heart soften.
"Have you been waiting long?"
Su Bai walked over and gently hugged her from behind.
"Ah!"
Li Xingya was startled. Turning her head and seeing it was Su Bai, her eyes instantly lit up. "Boss... are you guys... done?"
After asking this, her face turned red again.
It was because she smelled the fresh scent of body wash on Su Bai, the smell of the aftermath.
"Yeah, we're done."
Su Bai kissed her on the cheek. "Do you feel like I've been neglecting you a bit?"
"N-no!"
Li Xingya quickly shook her head. "I know... with Yangyang's current situation, she needs you to spend more time with her. Plus... plus I wouldn't really dare to..."
"Silly girl."
Su Bai turned her around to face him. "Everyone has their own place. In my heart, you will always be my one and only little apprentice."
"Now, it's time for the master to check your homework in private."
"Ah? Here?"
Li Xingya glanced around. Although the courtyard was private, it was still outdoors after all.
"Go to the car? Or find a room?" Su Bai asked with a wicked grin.
"N-no room..."
Li Xingya thought of what had just happened upstairs and felt a little awkward. "Let's... let's just go to the car. I like that car."
The spacious interior of the Land Rover Defender, along with the sense of security of being wrapped in a steel behemoth, truly fascinated her.
...
Thus, the Land Rover Defender once again became a mobile haven of tenderness.
This time, there was no interference from others, no tension of needing to consider anyone else.
There was only Su Bai and Li Xingya.
Su Bai pampered her with the utmost gentleness, as if using this way to tell her: even if there were others around, the affection that belonged to her wouldn't diminish by a single fraction.
That afternoon, Li Xingya completely melted into a puddle of water.
She hugged Su Bai tightly, feeling his body heat. The tiny bit of disappointment and insecurity in her heart was completely filled.
...
At dusk.
The Land Rover Defender drove smoothly on the road toward the Normal University.
Li Xingya sat in the passenger seat, holding a cup of hot milk tea, her face flushed with happiness.
"Boss, will you miss me during the winter break?"
Nearing the school gates, Li Xingya asked with some reluctance.
"Of course I will."
Su Bai steered the wheel with one hand. "Besides, I won't be away for the entire winter break. After I finish my business in the Magic City, I'll take you to the club to see that underwater suite when I get back."
"Mhm!"
Hearing this, Li Xingya nodded happily.
The car parked in the shadows beneath the girls' dormitory building at the Normal University.
Although Su Bai was very high-profile, Li Xingya never wanted to be too flashy. She was afraid of being stared at by crowds, and even more afraid of causing trouble for Su Bai.
"I'll go up then."
Li Xingya unbuckled her seatbelt, leaned over, and took the initiative to peck Su Bai on the lips. "Goodbye, boss! Be careful on the road!"
"Go on."
Watching Li Xingya happily run into the dorm building, Su Bai touched his lips and smiled, shaking his head.
This girl was getting better and better at acting cute.
...
Normal University, Girls' Dormitory Room 302.
When Li Xingya pushed the door open, her roommates were enthusiastically discussing their train tickets for going home over the winter break.
"Oh my, has our Little Princess Xingya finally returned?"
Miss Manicure, who was trimming her nails, immediately teased her in a sarcastic tone the moment she saw Li Xingya. "Haven't seen you all day, you're looking great. Look at that glowing face, you've been nourished quite well."
"Don't talk nonsense..."
Li Xingya blushed and placed the few exquisite takeout boxes she was holding onto the table. "These... these are some pastries I brought back from eating out. Everyone, have a taste."
They were special imperial pastries from the "Hidden Hut" private kitchen. Su Bai had specifically asked the head chef to pack them for her, saying she could bring them to her roommates.
"Wow! These are so exquisite, aren't they?"
Another roommate, Guo Xiaoyan, leaned over. Her eyes widened as she opened the box. "This packaging, this presentation... Xingya, where did you eat today? This doesn't look cheap at all!"
"Just... just a restaurant opened by a friend," Li Xingya answered vaguely.
"Friend? I think you mean boyfriend."
Miss Manicure put down her nail clippers and leaned over with a gossipy look on her face. "When I went downstairs to grab my takeout earlier, I saw it—that black Land Rover Defender dropping you off! That massive size, that engine roar, tsk tsk tsk... Xingya, tell us the truth, did you hook up with some rich second-generation heir?"
"A Land Rover Defender! That car must be worth over a million, right?"
Guo Xiaoyan also exclaimed, "Xingya, look at you! You usually seem so low-key, but when you make a move, it's at this level?"
Facing her roommates' interrogations, Li Xingya felt a bit flustered, but more than that, she felt a secret sweetness.
She didn't want to lie, but she also didn't want to reveal Su Bai's entire identity.
In this girls' dormitory full of gossip and comparison, if everyone knew that her boyfriend was the super wealthy god-tier tycoon Su Bai from the neighboring Jiang University, she feared her life would never see peace again.
Jealousy, fawning, or even people approaching her with ulterior motives... she didn't want to face any of that.
She just wanted to quietly enjoy this happiness that belonged to her.
"It's... it's not as exaggerated as you guys think."
Guo Xiaoyan joked, "Alright, alright, looking at Xingya like this, she's definitely fallen into a honeypot. Let's stop being sour and hurry up and eat the pastries. One bite of this is the taste of money."
Everyone happily shared the pastries, and the topic soon shifted elsewhere.
Li Xingya breathed a sigh of relief. She sat at her desk, resting her chin in her hands, lost in thought.
Outside the window, the night was growing darker.
She recalled how today at the private kitchen, Su Bai had specially let her rest in the courtyard to take care of her feelings; she recalled Su Bai's gentle eyes and movements in the car.
This happiness was so real, yet so dreamlike.
"I don't want others to know..."
She thought silently in her heart. "Because this is my treasure. I just want to... hide it away all by myself."
Even if in the eyes of others, she had just found an ordinary rich guy, or even if she was misunderstood.
As long as she knew that her man was the best Su Bai in the whole world, that was enough.

transmigrates into the world as the sect master of the Heavenly Yan Sect, which is on the verge of being wiped out. He binds a system that grants him cultivation power based on the number of disciples he has: for each disciple, he automatically gains a year's worth of cultivation every single day! Take one disciple: every day he gains 1 year of cultivation power. While others struggle through a year of bitter training, he gets the same just by sleeping through a single night. Take ten disciples: every day he gains 10 years of cultivation power. Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul—he breezes through all bottlenecks without lifting a finger. Take one hundred disciples: every day he gains 100 years of cultivation power. Even a Soul Transformation Venerable before him can’t survive a single blow. Take ten thousand disciples: every day he gains 10,000 years of cultivation power! With a wave of his hand, he topples empires. With a single step, he crushes the sacred grounds of the universe. ... While others fight tooth and nail for secret techniques, Lin Yan casually hands out Nascent Soul-level cultivation manuals as beginner textbooks. While others strain to find talented recruits, Lin Yan opens his doors to anyone—so long as they’re human. In just three short years, the Heavenly Yan Sect went from a backwater sect made up of three crumbling huts to a sacred land that every cultivator under heaven would kill to enter. ... One day, otherworldly demon gods invade, with a million demon soldiers pressing down upon the realm. Lin Yan, yawning, rises from his lounge chair and glances at the system panel: [Current Disciples: 1.28 million] [Daily Cultivation Increase: 1.28 million years] He waves his hand casually, and the countless demon soldiers are reduced to ashes in an instant. “So noisy… interrupting my fishing.”

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!

lan, the Luo family, tracked him down - along with the babies in their arms. Mo Xuan stared pensively at the paternity test results from over a dozen top institutions, both domestic and international, showing a 99.99% match between himself and the two baby girls. At 23, Mo Xuan, a doctoral student, had become the father of two three-year-old children. The kicker? The mothers weren't even the same person! He gradually realized he was being lured step by step into an elaborate trap designed by these two yandere sisters. "Be good, little Xuan. Sister's life belongs to you entirely." "Brother, if you try to run away, I'll have no choice but to tie you up." Mo Xuan: "Do whatever you want, ladies. I give up."

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?