Time is the most skillful artist.
It can transform the deepest scars into faint traces.
And it can tint the most gilded cages with the hues of everyday life.
Another month had passed.
The autumn in Country J grew increasingly profound.
On the balcony of the presidential suite at the Royal Grand Hotel, the maple trees Mo Qingli had planted herself were now fully crimson, their leaves like clusters of burning flames.
That morning, Mo Qingli awoke to a call from her lawyer, Lu Jinlin.
"Good morning, Mrs. Lu," Lu Jinlin’s voice carried a hint of relief. "I have good news."
"The prosecutors in Country J have just informed us that the restrictions on your movement will be adjusted."
Mo Qingli listened calmly.
Similar pieces of good news had come several times over the past weeks.
From an absolute ban on leaving her residence, to supervised outings within designated areas of the hotel, and just last week, permission to use unencrypted internet.
The scales of justice in Country J were visibly tipping in their favor.
"What’s the adjustment?" Mo Qingli asked.
"The electronic ankle monitor will be removed," Lu Jinlin said.
"Additionally, you’ll now be allowed to leave the hotel twice a week for specified durations, though your movements will be confined to Gotham City."
This was a significant step forward.
It meant she was no longer formally treated as a "serious offender," but rather as a "suspect" out on bail.
"I see," Mo Qingli replied, her tone still composed. "Thank you, Attorney Lu."
After hanging up, she glanced down at her bare ankle.
Soon, that cold shackle would be gone.
She expected to feel elated.
Yet, deep inside, there was only a lake-like tranquility.
She walked into the kitchen.
Lu Chenyuan stood by the oven, an apron tied around his waist, intently watching the transformation inside.
Within the oven was a Basque cheesecake—Mo Qingli’s latest culinary endeavor.
After initial battles with flour and a few charred disasters, she had finally mastered the technique.
Now, her Basque cheesecakes emerged with a caramelized crust and a velvety interior, earning even Lu Chenyuan’s praise.
"Chenyuan," she murmured, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind.
"You’re awake?" He turned, his face softening into a gentle smile. "Lu Jinlin told you about the monitor?"
"Mhm." She buried her face against his back. "You don’t seem surprised at all."
"Xia Country squeezed another concession out of Country J," Lu Chenyuan said, his tone light.
"Yuanlong and Country J’s largest automotive group reached a cross-licensing agreement for new energy patents."
"Country J needs our technology to counter the pressure from A and E’s automakers."
"They had to show some goodwill."
Mo Qingli chuckled.
This man always had a way of simplifying the most intricate international maneuvers into terms she could understand.
He effortlessly transformed those invisible, high-stakes battles into reassurances that steadied her heart.
Ding.
The oven timer went off.
Lu Chenyuan pulled on thick gloves and retrieved the cake.
The rich aroma of cream and cheese instantly filled the kitchen.
"Want a taste?" He scooped a small spoonful of the warm, molten center and held it to her lips.
Mo Qingli parted her lips and took it in.
Sweet, silky, melting effortlessly on her tongue.
"I’ve decided something," she said suddenly, meeting his gaze.
"What’s that?"
"Tomorrow, I’m holding a global video conference with Mo Corporation."
To Mo Qingli, the decision felt natural.
But within Mo Corporation, it sent shockwaves.
Since her confinement in Country J, the company’s daily operations had been managed jointly by several vice presidents and senior executives.
Mo Zhenbang, meanwhile, showed no intention of returning to the helm.
Though Mo Qingli had been directing things remotely, the distance inevitably bred uncertainty.
Morale had wavered.
Now, the queen was formally "returning," even if only via screen.
Every nerve in the company tensed at once.
The next morning at ten, Mo Qingli sat in the study, facing a screen filled with the faces of Mo Corporation’s regional heads worldwide.
She wore a tailored white suit, her makeup flawless, her gaze sharp.
The softness she’d cultivated over the months was now perfectly tucked away.
Once again, she was the decisive, formidable Queen of Mo.
The meeting began.
"I’ve reviewed South Asia’s quarterly report," she said, her eyes locking onto one screen.
"Profit margins dropped three percentage points. Hasan, explain."
The South Asia president, Hasan, broke into a sweat.
He launched into excuses—market downturns, competitors’ predatory pricing, and so on.
In the past, such reasons might have sufficed.
But Mo Qingli cut straight to the core.
"Your inventory turnover period increased by seven days. Your main competitor’s only rose by one."
"This isn’t a market issue. It’s a management issue."
"Submit a detailed corrective plan after this meeting. If there’s no improvement next quarter, you should consider applying your talents elsewhere."
Hasan’s face paled instantly.
The virtual meeting room fell deathly silent.
Everyone felt it—the queen’s authority hadn’t diminished in the slightest.
If anything, she was sharper, more incisive than before.
For the next hour, she pinpointed problem after problem.
Every remark struck true.
Every critique hit the mark.
Like a master surgeon, she dissected the sprawling commercial empire with clinical precision.
As the meeting concluded, she checked her watch.
"That’s all for today," she said. "I expect your solutions by this time next week."
Without hesitation, she ended the call.
The study returned to silence.
Mo Qingli leaned back in her chair and exhaled deeply.
The commanding aura around her gradually dissipated.
Rubbing her temples, she felt a familiar weariness—but also a deep satisfaction from reclaiming control.
The door opened.
Lu Chenyuan entered, carrying a cup of steaming tea.
"Rough day, CEO Mo?" he teased, setting the cup beside her.
"Don’t mock me, CEO Lu," she shot back with a smile, lifting the tea to her lips.
The warmth slid down her throat, soothing her fatigue.
"How do you feel?" Lu Chenyuan asked.
"Not bad," she mused. "But something’s different."
"Oh?"
"Before, in meetings like this, I’d obsess over every minute. I believed the company would collapse without my constant oversight."
"But just now," she gazed out the window, "I realized it’s not that fragile."
"Hasan’s management is flawed. But Mo Corporation won’t crumble because of one man’s mediocrity."
"I pointed out the problem and gave him direction as well as pressure. As for how he chooses to act and how far he can go—that’s his business."
"It seems... I don’t feel as compelled to control every little detail anymore."
Lu Chenyuan listened quietly, his eyes reflecting an appreciative smile.
This marked a profound transformation in her mindset.
"That reminds me of you," Mo Qingli turned her head to look at him.
"You handled Yuanlong the same way."
ine. During your journey, you save an abandoned baby girl and become her elder brother】 【You rely on each other, becoming each other's support】 【At the end of the simulation, you shield the now-grown girl with your life, sacrificing yourself to block numerous demonic cultivators. You die, and the light in the girl's eyes fades】 …… 【Second Simulation: You are transported to a world where steam and magic coexist】 【You immerse yourself in the study of magic, obsessed with its research. One day, while out, you encounter a half-blooded demon girl wandering the streets. You take her in as your student】 【You teach the demoness what it means to be human, show her the beauty of the world, and nurture her into a miracle that surpasses even the gods】 【At the end of the simulation, you die of old age in front of the nearly immortal demoness due to your mortal lifespan】 …… One simulation after another, one encounter after another. Xu Xi suddenly felt something was off: "Wait, you said you're coming to the real world to find me?"
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)
e, Immortal Body, Transmigration, System, Progression Fantasy, Academy Setting, Third-Person Perspective. Alternate Title: Transmigrating into a High Martial World and Reading Live Comments. Bad news: I transmigrated. This is a terrifying high-martial world, and my original, pathetically weak body fell into a coma and never woke up. Good news: I got a Popularity Points system upon arrival. I can see live comments and even create an unkillable alternate identity. Starting out, the alternate identity has all stats at 1. The system tells me that to grow stronger, I must participate in the plot, gain popularity points to allocate stats and grow stronger, and ultimately awaken my original body. And so, carrying my original body on my back, I officially entered Huaqing Academy, where the story's protagonist resides. From that moment on, Chen Guan kicked the original plot to pieces. Live Comments: [Doesn't anyone find this mysterious coffin guy creepy? He can summon indescribable grey misty hands.] [Is this guy a hero or a villain? What kind of onion became a spirit?] [By the way, does anyone know who's in the coffin? Shouldn't the debt for saving his life be repaid by now?] [According to unofficial histories, the person in the coffin was Chen Guan's first love. Their love was once passionate and earth-shattering, but they were separated by life and death due to worldly circumstances. What a star-crossed pair.] ... Years later, the world knew of a demon god born from a coffin, shrouded in grey mist, impossible to gaze upon directly. His foremost divine emissary often wielded a scythe, reaping lives like the god of death. As war approached, facing former friends and a boundless sea of enemies, Chen Guan merely raised his scythe. "Would you like to dance as well?"
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?
