Ming Xiaowei finally understood the situation. Back then, Ji Cheng's mother likely had Zhao Qinghan out of wedlock, then was forced to marry someone else and gave birth to Ji Cheng. Later, she coincidentally ran into Zhao Qinghan's father taking Zhao Qinghan out on the streets.
Her emotions were complicated, and in the end, she decided to divorce Ji Cheng's father and reunite with her first love.
What... a melodramatic plot.
But it did seem like a classic trope in female-oriented novels—though Ji Cheng wasn’t the female lead; that role belonged to Zhao Qinghan.
"Ming Xiaowei." Ji Cheng's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Huh?" Ming Xiaowei blinked blankly at Ji Cheng.
"Did you hear what I just said?" Ji Cheng asked coldly.
"I did."
Ji Cheng's expression softened slightly.
"But I forgot. Could you repeat it?"
Ming Xiaowei genuinely couldn’t recall—something about Ji Cheng not wanting to ruin her reputation.
"Oh, right! I remember now! You said you wouldn’t tarnish my reputation anymore. Class Rep, you’re truly the best!" Ming Xiaowei clapped her hands together, flashing a sly grin.
Si could swear this little brat was doing it on purpose.
Ji Cheng felt like she’d suffered internal injuries. If not for the circumstances, she might’ve coughed up the blood clogging her chest.
There was just no communicating with someone this spoiled.
Giving up, Ji Cheng coldly moved to the other side of the classroom, pulled out her homework, and began writing diligently while gazing at the drizzling autumn rain outside.
Watching her focused demeanor, Ming Xiaowei felt a pang of guilt.
"I didn’t mean it—I was just joking. I won’t say stuff like that again. How about I treat you to a meal sometime? Okay, Little Chengzi?" Ming Xiaowei tilted her head, eyes crinkling sweetly.
Ji Cheng didn’t even glance at her.
Just a flat "Oh."
Was that a yes or a no?
Ming Xiaowei was utterly baffled.
Oh well. A woman’s heart was as deep as the ocean. She might as well think about how to sprawl on her bed later.
Her bed—huge, by the way!
Just thinking about it made her drowsy. Soon, she was slumped over her desk, fast asleep.
Before dozing off, she hugged her iPad and her Fruit Brand 13 Pro Max (1TB edition)—don’t ask why she always made a point to mention it. It was purely for bragging rights.
Outside, the rain grew heavier, blurring the windowpanes with condensation. Ji Cheng felt a chill on her shoulders and rummaged through her bag for a jacket. Much better.
She was used to studying alone in the classroom during afternoons.
Now, there was someone else.
Well, an extra someone drooling in the study hall.
Ji Cheng watched Ming Xiaowei mumble about chicken wings and claws in her sleep. A rich girl like her, obsessing over fried food—didn’t she worry about turning into a balloon?
But...
Wearing such a thin dress in this weather would surely lead to a cold.
Ji Cheng’s gaze drifted sideways as her hand slipped into her bag.
There was another jacket inside. She’d seen the forecast that morning and rushed to the rooftop to retrieve both jackets she’d hung out to dry. In her hurry to get to her part-time job, she hadn’t returned them to the dorm.
After a moment’s hesitation, Ji Cheng decided to take responsibility for tomorrow morning’s attendance. She pulled out the spare jacket and walked over to Ming Xiaowei.
"Wings... claws..." Ming Xiaowei was still lost in her food dilemma.
In a flash, her hand shot out and grabbed Ji Cheng’s. Before Ji Cheng could react, the girl chomped down.
Ming Xiaowei jolted awake.
No wings. No claws. Just a fresh "orange" in front of her.
Her teeth ached from the bite. She quickly released Ji Cheng’s hand—now marked with faint pink teeth impressions and a bit of drool.
Ming Xiaowei: "..."
In her past life, she’d starved. Dreaming about food in this life was only natural. But how did a piece of meat turn into fruit the second she opened her eyes?
She felt inexplicably guilty.
"I didn’t mean to. Believe me?" Ming Xiaowei pouted.
How was she supposed to know Ji Cheng was right in front of her?
Ji Cheng glanced at her hand, frowned, and without a word, returned to her seat, gathered her things, and left the classroom.
Confused, Ming Xiaowei hurried after her.
She watched as Ji Cheng stopped at the bathroom sinks, turned on the faucet, rinsed her hands, disinfected them with alcohol, and scrubbed thoroughly with soap.
Five minutes. Just to wash her hands.
"You have OCD?" Ming Xiaowei tilted her head as Ji Cheng shut off the water.
That’s a condition. It needs treatment.
Ji Cheng gave her a flat look.
"Yeah."
Whoa.
How do you even treat OCD?
Before Ming Xiaowei could brainstorm, Ji Cheng had already brushed past her and returned to the classroom.
She’d slept long enough—study hall was about to start.
Meanwhile, Zhao Qinghan was fuming during her live show.
During the break, the streaming platform had called, demanding she refund the top donor who’d bailed overnight.
Zhao Qinghan was stunned.
Who’d have thought a "top fan fleeing after splurging" scandal would happen to her?
She was gorgeous! These mortals had no appreciation for a general’s charm.
Her eyes flashed with disdain.
"Now, let’s welcome our dear Qinghan! We’ve got so many fans here today—clearly, everyone loves your candid personality. Give her a round of applause!" The host beamed, turning to Zhao Qinghan, who approached with a smile.
"Qinghan, any words for your fans?" The host handed her the mic.
Zhao Qinghan’s face instantly darkened.
"Not really. But I do have a question for you, host. Are we close? Calling me 'dear'? That fake smile of yours is nauseating. Why not just be real?"
Host: "..."
For a split second, the host wanted to curse. She knew Zhao Qinghan was difficult, but the girl was the current ratings goldmine—beloved by fans, hated by antis.
Right now, the host really wanted tips from that infamous Zhao Qinghan anti-fan on Weibo, "OrangeNotCold," on how to subtly roast someone.
"Ahem! Seems Qinghan’s in a mood—maybe the catering didn’t sit well. Don’t mind it, folks! Next, we’ll randomly select a few fans to come up and—"
[Site undergoing major upgrades—more books added, chapters updated promptly.]
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
young master of the Shen family—a figure of immense power and wealth beyond measure—and awakened the "Destined Ultimate Villain System"! His starting scenario? Running into his icy fiancée who shows up with a mountain-descending divine doctor to break off their engagement. The divine doctor arrogantly taunts: "What does your Shen family have besides a bit of stinking money? You're not even worthy of tying Qingxue's shoelaces!" Shen Fei just smiled. He completely defied the usual script: "Fine, I agree to break off the engagement. Also, notify the finance department to withdraw all investments from the Su family." Minutes later, with its capital chain severed, the Su Group teetered on the brink of bankruptcy! The once aloof and proud ice queen CEO was thrown into utter panic. That very night, she went to Shen Fei's villa, casting aside all dignity to beg and plead desperately... From then on, in this world teeming with Sons of Destiny, Shen Fei embarked on a path of extreme dimensional suppression! A mountain-descending divine doctor? Peerless medical skills? Shen Fei: "Reporting you for practicing medicine without a license! I'll gladly take your ancient medicinal cauldron and twin sister assassins." The Crooked-Smiling Dragon King? Commanding a hundred thousand soldiers with a single order? Shen Fei: "Illegal assembly and suspected treason! Let a fleet of attack helicopters sanitize the area and teach you what the state apparatus really means!" A reborn tycoon? Knows all the golden opportunities of the next decade? Shen Fei: "A trillion in capital to reverse and pump the stock market, making you blow your margin and jump on the very first day of your rebirth!" What Chosen Ones? What bearers of Heavenly Fortune? In Shen Fei's eyes, they're all just chives (i.e., suckers/marks) waiting to be harvested! Shen Fei: "Sorry, but as the Destined Ultimate Villain, I don't play by the rules of honor. I only play the game of dimensional suppression."
't think I'm that capable, I'm just trying my best to stay alive. I've been kind all my life, never did anything bad, yet worldly suffering spared me not one bit. The human world is a nice place, but I won't come back in my next life. A kind young man, who wanted to just get by singing, but through repeated deceits and betrayals, has gone down an irredeemable path.
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!
