Jingzhou, the Li Family residence.
In the study, sandalwood incense curled in the air.
Li Xiujian sat in an antique armchair, rolling two polished walnut kernels in his palm, their dull clacking echoing in the quiet room.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied his son, Li Jinchuan, who stood before him. There was a calculating glint in his gaze, mixed with scrutiny.
"I need you to go to Anhe County for a small task," Li Xiujian said, his tone deceptively calm yet laced with unquestionable authority.
Li Jinchuan bowed slightly, his expression respectful, though a flicker of irritation lay hidden in the depths of his eyes.
He despised being treated like a pawn, even by his own father.
"What do you need, Father?"
"At Anhe No. 1 High School, there’s a senior-year girl named Ye Ruoxi," Li Xiujian said slowly. "I want you to 'bump into' her."
He emphasized the word "bump" deliberately.
Li Jinchuan was sharp enough to grasp his father’s intentions immediately.
Still, he was puzzled. Why would his father take an interest in a girl from such a remote place?
Was there something special about her?
"So, you want me to stage a cliché hero-saves-the-damsel scenario?" A mocking smirk tugged at his lips. "That’s a bit too predictable, don’t you think?"
"Predictable, but effective," Li Xiujian retorted coldly.
"Especially for a girl like her—starved for affection, sensitive, desperate for protection. And this Ye Ruoxi, poor background but top grades. People like her are always torn between pride and insecurity. Lonely, guarded. A well-timed 'rescue' would plant a seed in her heart."
He set the walnuts aside and pulled a photograph from his desk drawer, sliding it toward Li Jinchuan.
The picture was clearly taken without her knowledge—a girl with a cold, stubborn expression. Ye Ruoxi.
"This girl is the key to dealing with the Lu Family in the future," Li Xiujian said, his eyes glinting with malice.
"I’ve already arranged everything. When you get to Anhe, wait on the route she takes home from school. A few troublemakers will harass her. All you need to do is appear at the critical moment."
Li Jinchuan picked up the photo, his thumb brushing lightly over the girl’s delicate, sharp cheekbones.
He had to admit, there was something intriguing in Ye Ruoxi’s eyes—an untamed defiance.
Though he scoffed at the outdated script, his father was right. Against the Lu Family, no piece could be overlooked.
"Understood, Father." Li Jinchuan pocketed the photo with a slight nod. "I’ll handle it."
As his son walked away, Li Xiujian picked up the walnuts again, a cruel smirk twisting his lips.
Years ago, Lu Chengsi had allied with several powerful families to bring the Li Family down from its pinnacle, reducing them to their current state.
Now, it was time for the Lu Family to pay their debt.
Lu Chengsi, the downfall of your family will begin with your eldest son’s household!
---
Anhe County, No. 1 High School.
The school bell rang, shattering the quiet as students burst into chatter and laughter.
As usual, Ye Ruoxi packed her bag in silence and walked out of the classroom.
But just as she reached the school building’s entrance, a familiar voice called out behind her.
"Ruoxi, wait up."
It was Su Yang.
Ye Ruoxi paused, turning to look at him. Her clear eyes held a trace of confusion. "Aren’t you working at the computer store today?"
"The boss closed early," Su Yang said, his gaze flickering away.
It was a clumsy lie.
Earlier that afternoon, he’d received a call from a mysterious man’s subordinate in Jingzhou.
The voice on the phone had been terse but firm—someone had been tracking Ye Ruoxi’s movements. Su Yang was to accompany her home without fail.
To help him identify the threat, they’d sent a photo of a strikingly handsome yet sinister-looking man.
Li Jinchuan.
Su Yang didn’t know who these people were, but he understood one thing—he was Ye Ruoxi’s first line of defense.
"Let me walk you home," he said, stepping closer. His tone left no room for argument.
Ye Ruoxi studied him carefully.
She was perceptive enough to sense something off about Su Yang today.
But if he wasn’t going to explain, she wouldn’t pry.
Everyone had their secrets.
Besides, she knew Su Yang—frail-looking but dependable.
One of the few who had shown her warmth in these years.
"Alright," she murmured in agreement.
Side by side, they walked home, their shadows stretching long under the setting sun.
The path through the urban village was a maze of narrow alleys, and one particular shortcut—dark, damp, its walls covered in graffiti—was Ye Ruoxi’s daily route.
Just as they stepped into the alley, trouble struck.
Three delinquents with dyed hair and ripped jeans emerged from the shadows, blocking their way.
The leader, a guy with bleached-blond tips, whistled lewdly, his eyes raking over Ye Ruoxi.
"Hey there, pretty. School’s out? How ‘bout you come have some fun with us?"
Ye Ruoxi’s expression turned icy. Instinctively, she took half a step back, her hand slipping into her bag to grip the heavy fountain pen Lu Chenyuan had given her.
Su Yang immediately moved in front of her, shielding her with his thin but rigid frame.
"What do you want?" His voice trembled slightly from tension, but his eyes were unwavering.
Ye Ruoxi watched him—his slight figure, the faint tremble in his stance, yet so resolute.
For the first time, she thought, Su Yang really was a good guy.
The old Ye Ruoxi had struggled just to survive, her mind filled only with studies, college dreams, and escaping this wretched place. She’d never dared hope for anything more.
But ever since the Lu Group’s sponsorship, things had started looking up.
Maybe… she could afford to consider other possibilities in life now.
The blond thug blinked in surprise.
Their instructions hadn’t mentioned a bodyguard.
But seeing how scrawny Su Yang was, he sneered.
"Playing the hero, kid? Know your place. Scram now, or we’ll beat you up too!"
"Yeah, mind your own business!" the green-haired lackey jeered.
Su Yang didn’t respond. He simply stood firm, an unyielding barrier.
Enraged, the blond threw his cigarette to the ground and snarled,
"Fine! Have it your way! Get him!"
With vicious grins, all three lunged at Su Yang.
Cheng's father told him he was getting remarried—to a wealthy woman. Cao Cheng realized his time had finally come: he was about to become a second-generation rich kid. Sure, it might be a watered-down version, but hey, at least he'd have status now, right? The wealthy woman also had four daughters!! Which meant, starting today, Cao Cheng gained four stunning older sisters?? But that wasn't even the whole story... "My name is Cao Cheng—'Cheng' as in 'honest, smooth-talking gentleman'!"
th】 【No prior gaming knowledge required】【The First Cultivation + Game Design Novel on the Platform】 In a world where the righteous path dominates and crushes the demonic sects, Lu Ze unlocks the "Son of the Demon Path" system. Killing righteous cultivators now grants him power-ups. Wait—deaths in illusions count too? As a former game designer, Lu Ze decides to give the cultivators of this world a little—no, a massive—shock... Sect Elders: "What is this 'Escape from the Demon Sect' game? Why have all our disciples abandoned cultivation to play it??" Elite Disciples: "You're saying... mastering 'Demon Slayer' can help us counter demonic schemes?" Reclusive Masters: "Why did I leave seclusion? Ask that backstabbing rat who ambushed me in 'Eternal Strife' yesterday!" Rogue Cultivators & Civilians: "'Immortal Abyss Action' is addictive! You can even earn spirit stones by loot-running..." Sect Prodigy: "My Dao heart is unshakable... except for that cursed black hammer." Royal Scions: "Can skins have stat boosts? I’ll pay 10,000 spirit stones for one!!" Sect Leader: "WHO IS CORRUPTING MY DISCIPLES?!!!"
] This is a dark fantasy-themed dating simulation game. The main gameplay involves containing various monster girls and investigating the truth of a world shrouded in mist alongside your companions. However, due to his love for the dark and bizarre atmosphere, Luo Wei ended up turning a dating game into a detective mystery game. Women? Women only slow down his quickdraw! To Luo Wei, the female leads in the game are more like tools to perfectly clear levels and squeeze out rewards. For Luo Wei, flirting with every girl he meets and then discarding them is standard procedure. Worried about characters losing affection points? No need. With his maxed-out charm stat, Luo Wei is practically a "human incubus." A little psychological manipulation and those points come right back. It's a bit scummy, but the paper cutout heroines in the game won't actually come at him with real cleavers. However... Luo Wei has transmigrated. He's accidentally entered the second playthrough of this game. His past actions have caused all the girls to transform into terrifying yanderes. Due to the game's setting, most of the heroines he once contained are "troubled girls." Obsessive, twisted, mentally unstable, all aggressive yanderes... The type who will kill you if they can't have you... Luo Wei wants to cry but has no tears left. "I really just want to survive..." In short, this is a story of battling wits and engaging in a love-hate relationship with yanderes.
reezy rom-com) Good news: Jiang Liu is quite the ladies' man. Bad news: He’s lost his memory. Lying in a hospital bed, Jiang Liu listens to a parade of goddesses spouting "absurd claims," feeling like the world is one giant game of Werewolf. "Jiang Liu, I’m your first love." "Jiang Liu, you’re my boyfriend—she’s your ex." "Jiang Liu, we’re close friends who’ve shared a bed, remember?" "Jiang Liu, I want to have your baby." The now-lucid Jiang Liu is convinced this must be some elaborate scam... until someone drops the bombshell: "The day before you lost your memory, you confessed your feelings—and got into a relationship." Jiang Liu is utterly baffled. So... who the hell is his actual girlfriend?! ... Before recovering his memories, Jiang Liu must navigate this minefield of lies and sincerity, fighting to protect himself from these women’s schemes. But things spiral even further out of control as more people show up at his doorstep—each with increasingly unhinged antics. On the bright side, the memories he lost due to overwhelming trauma seem to be resurfacing. Great news, right? So why are they all panicking now?
