After successfully “capturing” the villain and faking my own death to escape, I’ve somehow been resurrected. When my name comes up, Julian Thorne looks cold, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Why would she think I’d throw my life away for her again?” “I’m not that pathetic.” I get it. Message received. I start keeping my distance. But not long after, I receive a video of a very drunk Julian. In the video, he’s screaming his heart out, teary-eyed and desperate. “She’s ignoring me again.” “I don’t want to live anymore.” “I’m just going to drop dead right here.” 1 It took me a year to capture Julian’s heart. And for 300 of those days, I was totally slacking off. Mostly, I just sent him cheesy pickup lines from the internet every now and then. Called him “Hubby” a couple of times. And boom, mission accomplished. When the System congratulated me, showing me Julian’s affection meter soaring way past the target, I stood there dumbfounded. In my head, it asked if I wanted to stay. I zoned out for a second and didn’t answer. The System took my silence as a “no” and defaulted to ejecting me from that world, cooking up some random “death” scenario for my exit. After being “dead” for a year. It came knocking again. [Help! Host! We lost the data from the previous mission!] I asked, unconcerned, “So?” [So you might need to go back and do it again.] What? I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “Can I refuse?” [You can, but the sports cars, villa, and money you have now might be revoked.] It took me 0.01 seconds to react: “Quick! Send me back!” Before I could finish speaking, a wave of dizziness hit, and I was transported to a strange place. I looked up and found myself face-to-face with Julian, who was in the middle of scolding someone. He was wearing a suit and gold-rimmed glasses, his gaze fierce. He froze when he saw me, the corner of his mouth curving into a mocking smile. He kicked the person in front of him. “Who told you to bring a fake here?” Seeing him like this, I started to get cold feet. I can tease a puppy, but a wolf? I really can’t handle a wolf. I weighed the probability of a successful escape. Before I could put any plan into action, Julian’s gaze shifted to me. “You. Get over here.” My brain went into overdrive, and I decided to strike first. I pinched my thigh hard, squeezing out a tear. I turned to look at him with utter resentment. “Julian! You dare yell at me!” “Is this the attitude you have seeing me now?” “Do you know how much I suffered just to come back to see you!” Julian froze at my words, the glass in his hand trembling. He looked at me, disbelief in his voice: “Serena?” “Serena?” I pretended to be heartbroken, repeating the name. “You used to call me Serena-baby or Honey. Now you’re using my full name.” “Julian, have you changed?” Julian scoffed, as if hearing a joke. “Changed?” “I recall we broke up a long time ago, didn’t we?” I really wanted to ask shamelessly when exactly we broke up. But I didn’t have the moral high ground. Damn System. I cursed it out in my head. Seeing my silence, Julian’s eyes darkened, and his grip on the glass tightened. I was about to make up some excuse when a voice interrupted. Someone walked in, greeting Julian familiarly. I didn’t see his face clearly at first. After saying a few words, the newcomer finally realized the atmosphere was off and turned to look at me. The moment our eyes met, we both saw shock in each other’s gaze. Can someone please tell me… Why is the male lead here? And why is he so chummy with the main villain, Julian? Chase Sterling looked at me like he’d seen a ghost. He thought for a few seconds, then realization dawned. He looked at Julian with an indescribable expression. “Bro, seriously? Read too many romance novels? You’re doing the whole ‘replacement’ trope?” “But where did you find her? She looks exactly like Serena.” “Holy crap! You didn’t get someone plastic surgery to look like her, did you?” I felt like he might have lost his mind. Chase felt my gaze, and his voice unconsciously got louder. “Holy cow, even the look in her eyes is identical! Serena loved looking at me like I was an idiot.” I couldn’t help it; I cursed at him. Chase’s shock only grew. “You… you came back from the dead?” Two years later, and I still haven’t figured out how Chase became the male lead of a sweet romance novel. After confirming I was real, Chase’s eyes darted between Julian and me. Finally, he frowned and asked Julian, “Don’t tell me you’re going to forgive her just because she said a few words?” Julian coughed to cover up, acting tough: “Impossible.” Chase obviously didn’t buy it and started lecturing him. “You have to be ruthless this time. What if she plays you again?” “Things easily obtained are not cherished. You absolutely cannot agree to her so easily this time.” Julian’s expression didn’t change. He fingered his glass, looking at me with a playful glint in his eye. “Agree to her?” “Did I say I wanted to get back together with her?” Chase was caught off guard by this. He took a few seconds to react, then asked tentatively, “You mean no matter what she does, you won’t forgive her?” Julian’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he squeezed out two words through his teeth. “Of course.” My heart sank. My expression froze. My fingers unconsciously gripped the hem of my shirt. My nose started to sting. Before a tear could fall, the System’s voice popped up. [What is this guy pretending for?] [If I didn’t detect an affection level of 80, I’d actually believe him.] [What a poser.] Me, who had just mustered up the emotions: “…” 2 Julian ended up driving me home. Before I got out, he said this was the last time. The System cursed him out again for being pretentious. I found my old phone at home. As soon as I turned it on… A flood of messages popped up. All from Julian. The most recent one was from yesterday. [Serena, you’re something else. Disappeared for a year.] [You don’t think I’m still waiting for you, do you? Don’t be ridiculous. I’ve almost forgotten you.] [Did you never actually like me?] [Was saying goodbye properly that hard?] He sent me huge paragraphs almost every few days. From the panic of first learning I was gone, gradually turning into sadness, anger, and finally calm, looking like acceptance. Reading paragraph after paragraph made my chest tight. After thinking it over, I sent him a cheesy pickup line. He didn’t reply instantly. After ten minutes, just when I lost hope, his message popped up. [Serena, you still have the nerve to copy this trash from the internet and send it to me?] [If I hadn’t seen this online, I might have actually believed your nonsense.] [I’m not the idiot I was before. This trick doesn’t work on me anymore!] I could feel his anger through the screen. Before I could say anything, the System notification sounded. [Congratulations Host, Affection +2. Current Affection: 82. Keep up the good work.] “…” Talk about stubborn. I explained a few things to him. Julian didn’t seem to believe me and didn’t reply again. I don’t know who leaked the news of my resurrection. A bunch of people, acquaintances and strangers alike, came asking me. The most surprised was Holly. My only friend in this world. [Girl? You’re alive?] [So you didn’t die.] [Then what was all that paper money I burned for you this past year?] I smiled. [Consider it a donation.] Holly replied instantly. [Well, I still didn’t burn as much as your Julian.] [Last Tomb Sweeping Day, he cleared out several shops. The scene was jaw-dropping.] [Pity I couldn’t take a picture, otherwise I’d definitely show you.] Thanks, but no thanks. I don’t have a fetish for watching people mourn my grave. Mentioning Julian opened the floodgates for Holly. [You don’t know, when you disappeared, he drank all day long. Drank himself into stomach bleeding and the ICU.] My heart skipped a beat. Suddenly my throat felt tight. Julian’s message popped up right then. It was a medical report for gastritis. Before I could look closely, he recalled it. [Sorry, wrong person.] [You probably didn’t see it, right? I really sent it to the wrong person.] [Actually, that report isn’t mine, don’t overthink it.] [Okay, fine, it is mine.] After Julian sent these messages, his affection value fluctuated wildly. The notification sound didn’t stop. I didn’t know how to reply for a moment. After thinking about it, I decided to send a polite message of concern. But my hand slipped, and I sent the cheesy pickup line I hadn’t deleted from the text box. I hurriedly tried to recall it, but accidentally clicked delete for myself instead. “…” Julian didn’t reply, but the affection value plummeted. The notification sounds were getting annoying. Finally, the affection value stopped at 70. [Serena, you are ruthless.] I could almost imagine Julian gritting his teeth when he sent that. I tried to salvage the situation. Futile. Julian seemed genuinely hurt this time. No matter what I said, he didn’t react. I sighed, feeling like my mission career was looking bleak. 3 After learning I really wasn’t dead, Holly insisted on throwing me a birthday party. I refused at first. But she said Julian would be there, so I had to bite the bullet and agree. In the end, twenty or thirty people came, most of whom I had crossed paths with. Everyone who saw me had to mention Julian. The protagonist of their conversations walked in at the very last minute of the agreed time. Everyone tacitly left the seat next to me for Julian. He hesitated for a few seconds, then sat down. Holly was great at warming up the crowd. After a few sentences, everyone was chatting enthusiastically. Only Julian and I remained silent. He seemed to find the atmosphere unbearable too, reaching for a wine glass. But I raised my hand to stop him. Julian turned his head, looking at me with confusion in his eyes. I whispered to him, “Didn’t you say your stomach is bad? Better not drink.” Julian stared at me quietly, as if evaluating or probing. Finally, he curled his lips. “Serena, you should know why my stomach is bad, right?” “Didn’t Holly tell you I drank until my stomach bled?” “Guess because of whom?” He was a bit aggressive. I slowly moved my hand away. “Because of me?” Julian chuckled again. “No.” “Because I have no self-respect.” Saying self-deprecating words, he downed a mouthful of wine. My chest felt tight, so I picked up my glass and drank a few mouthfuls too. Feeling it wasn’t enough, I started drinking straight from the bottle. Everyone cast surprised glances at me. Julian reached out to stop me. My alcohol tolerance is actually very good. But Julian didn’t know that. When I was capturing his heart before, I often used the “pretending to be drunk” trick. I repeated the old trick, falling into Julian’s arms. I felt his body stiffen instantly. The thundering heartbeat stimulated my eardrums. Julian’s deep voice came from above: “How many times are you going to use this drunk act?” “You really think I can’t tell?” I was startled. Only a year has passed, how come this guy Julian not only got smarter but also sharper-eyed? I leaned my head further into his arms, trying to struggle a bit more. But he remained unresponsive. So I awkwardly prepared to get up, but a pair of hands wrapped around my waist without warning. At the same time, the affection value went up by 5 points. Julian picked me up and walked out. Whispering in my ear: “Throwing yourself at me while sober? I have no reason to refuse.” As soon as we walked out, we bumped into the latecomer Chase. He took one look at me in Julian’s arms and exploded. “I knew it! You were just being stubborn before. It’s only been a few days, and you forgave her?” If I wasn’t still acting. I would have stood up and fought Chase. This guy holds a grudge too much. Just because I accidentally tripped him up while he was chasing his girl, does he have to take revenge now? Julian didn’t answer him directly, just said a seemingly random sentence: “She’s drunk.” “Drunk?” Chase’s tone was full of disbelief. “Are you kidding me?” “She drank me under the table several times before. You might not know her tolerance, but don’t you know mine?” “Unless she’s been drinking for hours, she is definitely lying to you.” Is Chase living too good a life recently? Thinking just because he’s the male lead and married the female lead, he can sit back and relax? Wait until the female lead’s first love comes back in a few months, he’ll suffer. Thinking of that scene, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Julian looked down at me. His tone was somewhat serious. “If you’re going to act, act seriously.” My mouth twitched. Chase looked dumbfounded. 4 Julian carried me all the way to the car. But he didn’t start the engine. He propped his head on one hand against the window looking at me, the other hand tapping the steering wheel rhythmically. Even with my eyes closed. I could still feel him watching me. I held on for a few minutes. Finally, I couldn’t hold it anymore. I glared at him in exasperation. Julian’s mouth curled up slightly, looking at me leisurely. “I thought you could act all night.” He really has gone bad. Before when I pretended to be drunk, he would be flustered, ears red as blood. Not calm and breezy like now. “You did it on purpose.” I accused him. Julian found it funny, the curve of his mouth rising even more. “Are you referring to this time, or before?” I snapped at him: “You saw through it before, why didn’t you expose me? Just watching me make a fool of myself?” “Before, I called it… playful romance.” Julian’s tone was overly serious. So serious my cheeks burned. I flusteredly pressed the window button. Cold wind poured in, sobering me up for a moment. Anyone knows his next sentence won’t be good, so I deliberately didn’t ask. Julian continued on his own. “Played by you repeatedly, even Hello Kitty would get angry.” “It’s just that you’ve used this trick too many times; there’s no novelty left.” I pouted, unwilling to show weakness. “That’s because I only used it on you. If I use this trick on others now, it will be fresh.” [Congratulations Host, Affection +5. Current Affection: 80. Keep up the good work.] Going in circles for days, right back to where we started. Julian suppressed a smile, silent for a few seconds before saying: “You’d better not use it on others.” “After all, not everyone is a gentleman like me.” The nerve of him. Don’t know who stole a kiss from me before. Kissed and then acted like the whole world didn’t know, face blushing like crazy, walking with same arm and leg. Thinking of this, I couldn’t help laughing out loud. Seeing my sly smile, Julian became a bit angry from embarrassment. “What nonsense are you thinking about?” My smile didn’t fade. “Haven’t seen you for a year, you’ve become so domineering, controlling heaven and earth and now controlling my thoughts?” Julian couldn’t out-talk me, reached out to start the car to divert attention. Just turned the key, suddenly remembered he drank, had to give up and call a designated driver. Julian and I sat on each side of the back seat. Far enough to fit another person. Watching the scenery flash by outside the window, my eyelids slowly became heavy. My whole body tilted crookedly towards that side. Finally leaning on someone’s shoulder. In my haze, I seemed to hear the system’s affection increase notification. And Julian’s voice. “Pretty good acting this time.” After he finished, he slowly lowered his head. And placed a kiss on my forehead.

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I had the perfect mother. Not that she was perfect, but she demanded perfection from me. When I ranked third in my entire grade, she laughed coldly: “Only third? What is there to be proud of? No dinner for three days. You don’t deserve to eat.” When I scored a 148 out of 150 on my math final, she screamed: “Is your brain filled with trash? How could you lose those two points? Go kneel outside in the snow. Don’t get up until I say so!” That time, I knelt for three hours. I had to crawl back to my room. Finally, because I cut my finger practicing the violin and fumbled during a competition, missing first place… In the dead of winter, she stripped me down and threw me into the freezing basement. I died there, cold and alone. When I opened my eyes again, I wasn’t myself. I was my grandmother. Mom, this time, I’m going to treat you exactly the way you treated me. 1 When I woke up and saw the youthful face of my grandmother in the mirror, I realized I had traveled back in time. The room had a distinctly 90s layout. And there she was—my mother, Rachel—still a high school student. In that instant, all the grief and anger in my heart erupted. The tables have turned. Let’s see if you can handle your own medicine, Mom. It was the dead of winter. At 5:00 AM sharp, I barged into her room. “Rachel! Get up! Time for morning recitations!” I called three times. She lay there like a log, snoring away. Furious, I threw the window wide open. The freezing wind blasted into the room. This was exactly how she used to wake me up when I was a child, regardless of whether I was sick or well. The biting cold instantly brought back memories of her control. But now, I was her mother. “Rachel, get up right now! You have three minutes, or no breakfast!” Finally realizing I wasn’t joking, she sat up, eyes bleary with sleep, and started whining. “Mom, it’s 5 AM…” Before she could finish, I stood by the bed and sneered. “Time’s up. No breakfast. Start reciting your history textbook.” Rachel was furious. “Mom, are you crazy? Who gets up at 5 AM to study?” My face was ice cold as I gritted my teeth. “Rachel, getting into an Ivy League school is war. If you slack off for even a second, you’re finished.” “From today on, I am implementing a high-intensity management plan for your life.” She resisted in every way possible, but her resistance was futile. After all, I’m her mother. And as she used to say, “It’s all for your own good.” Sending her to school on an empty stomach was just a small lesson. It wasn’t nearly enough. The real fun was just beginning. 2 Midterms arrived quickly. That morning, I gave her a cold instruction: “Today is your midterm. No water. No bathroom breaks. Use your recess time to review your notes.” She looked at me in shock and disbelief. “Mom, it’s just a midterm! No water? No bathroom? Don’t you think that’s a bit excessive?” I crossed my arms and sneered. “If you think this is excessive, Rachel, then you haven’t seen anything yet.” “Since you dare to question me, you can skip dinner too. Missing a meal won’t kill you.” She snapped. She exploded. She grabbed her chopsticks to eat and downed the glass of water on the table in one go. I slapped her across the face in a fit of rage and flipped the table over. Pointing a shaking finger at her, I roared, “Rachel! I am your mother! How dare you disobey me? Are you trying to rebel?!” “Look at your last monthly exam scores! I was ashamed to even look at them!” “When my friends ask about your grades, I feel my face burning with embarrassment!” These were the exact words and actions she used on me. Finally, I had the chance to return them. Seeing that exam time was approaching, I threw her backpack at her and kicked her out the door. My parting words were full of malice: “Let me tell you, Rachel, if you don’t listen to me, you can go die on the streets!” “And you better get first place this time, or you’ll pay for it.” Rachel clutched her face, tears welling in her eyes as she cried out. “Mom, it’s just a test! Do you have to treat me like this? Is a grade more important to you than I am?” I answered without a moment’s hesitation. “Of course. Can studying kill you? No.” “Since it won’t kill you, you study until you drop. You take those tests like your life depends on it. Otherwise, get out of my house!” Rachel ran off crying. The moment the door clicked shut, I felt an incredible sense of relief. Mom, now you know. Compared to what you did to me, this is just a scratch. 3 That afternoon, I received a call from her homeroom teacher. Rachel had fainted during the exam. I paused for a second. I should have felt vindicated. But for some reason, my heart felt like it was being squeezed. It was raining outside. I ignored everything and ran to the school nurse’s office. Looking at Rachel’s pale face on the cot, my resolve wavered. Should I stop? After all, Mom is just a high schooler right now. But then I remembered how I developed severe depression under the high-pressure environment she created for me. She didn’t care. She thought I was being dramatic. I remember her words clearly: “Depression? That’s a rich person’s disease. You’re just full of excuses because you have it too easy.” “I’m telling you, don’t you dare fake being sick.” Real or fake, she didn’t care. She only cared about the score. I asked the nurse what happened. It was just low blood sugar from skipping breakfast. Nothing serious. I immediately turned and dragged Rachel off the bed. “The nurse said you’re fine. Go back to class and study.” “You fainted just because you skipped one meal? Your physical constitution is pathetic.” Rachel refused to move, clinging to the bed. “Mom, I passed out!” “I just woke up and you want me to study? Am I even your biological daughter?” Seeing her resist, I slapped her again. The nurse’s office went dead silent. “Do you know how precious time is before college applications?” I unleashed a barrage of verbal abuse. “Rachel, you’re pulling this stunt just to avoid studying.” I grabbed her arm and tried to drag her back to the classroom. Rachel struggled, crying and screaming for me to let go. I didn’t care about the embarrassment. I was the mother. She was the one being humiliated at school, just like I was back then. “Get up! Get up and finish that exam!” “Stop faking it! You fainted, you didn’t die! Stop being so fragile!” The students around us gasped. “Rachel’s mom is a monster…” Rachel became the center of attention. I saw her ears turn red, her face flushing with shame. Just like me, she was an introvert who panicked in crowds. But the current me didn’t care. Rachel couldn’t handle the humiliation. She ripped the IV needle out of her arm herself. The nurse gasped, “What are you doing? You can’t just rip that out!” I watched the beads of blood drip onto the white sheets. She glared at me with bloodshot eyes, expecting some pity. I sneered at the nurse. “She ripped it out? Good. That means she can go back to class. Don’t waste another second.” In the end, she went back to the classroom crying. I went to the teacher’s office and told them to watch her closely. If she slacked off, they were to call me immediately. 4 When I got home, I started cooking. This was another thing my mother had forced me to do. “You don’t have to do it for us, but you must learn how,” she used to say. I guess I have to thank her now. I made Braised Fish. It was Rachel’s most hated dish. But it was my favorite. Two days later, Rachel came home with her report card. She didn’t say a word. I demanded the report card and sat on the sofa to review it. I deliberately made her stand there and wait. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her getting more and more nervous, her hands gripping her backpack strap tightly. Sweat beaded on her forehead. I let five full minutes of silence pass before I spoke. “The grades are acceptable.” I heard her let out a breath of relief. Immediately, I snapped, “But why only a 93 in Math?” She tried to defend herself. “Mom, 93 was the highest in the class! I’m ranked fifth in the whole grade…” “Fifth? You didn’t even make the top three, and you’re proud? Rachel!” I stared at her coldly until she was shaking with fear. I showed no mercy. I slammed the report card onto the table with a loud thud. “Rachel, come here. Tell me, where did you lose those seven points?” Rachel stayed silent. I shoved her shoulder. “Speak! I’m asking you a question! Are you mute?” Rachel suddenly took a deep breath, looked up, and screamed at me with red eyes. “Mom! My total score is 30 points higher than last time! I fainted during the math exam and didn’t finish the last big question! I did good enough!” “Good enough?” I pulled out the bamboo ruler I had prepared. “Why didn’t you finish it before you fainted? Huh?!” “Put out your hand. I need to teach you a lesson you’ll remember.” This is exactly how my mom treated me. It didn’t matter if people were watching. It didn’t matter where we were. If she thought I did wrong, she hit my hands. Once, when results came out publicly and I got an 88 in English, she humiliated me in front of everyone. I begged her to wait until we got home. She scolded me instead. “You weren’t ashamed to get that score, but you’re ashamed that I’m hitting you?” She hit my palm 20 times in front of a crowd. My hand was so swollen I lost feeling in it. She insisted, “This is the only way you’ll remember to do better next time.” Now, I was going to make her remember. I raised the ruler. Whack. I brought it down on her palm. “A 93? Reflect on where you lost those points! Should you have lost them?!” I watched Rachel shrink back in terror, trembling as she stammered, “I’m in high school… I have dignity too…” I retorted without thinking, “I don’t care if you’re in college! You are my daughter! I’ll hit you if I want!” “If you did it right, would I have to scold you?” “If I don’t hit you, you’ll never learn.” In the end, I couldn’t be as cruel as she was. I only hit her five times. But Rachel’s hand was swollen. She cried and screamed that I was an evil stepmother. “A biological mother wouldn’t abuse her own child like this!” Looking at her, I smiled nonchalantly. “Yeah. How could a biological mother do this?” My heart felt like it was being sliced with a knife. After all, you hit me 20 times. My hand was so swollen I couldn’t hold a pen. Back then, I also wondered if I was your biological daughter.

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I have lived for a thousand years and single-handedly founded the glory of the Ford family. Today, I am the revered ancestor of the Fords, and the entire family answers to me. Just because I identified a fake at an auction, the auctioneer thought I was targeting him personally. He stormed into my antique shop, causing trouble and beating me severely without a word. “Trash! You dare say my antique is fake? I think you’re just trying to seduce Miss Ford!” “I’m the prospective son-in-law chosen by the Ford family. I’m marrying the little princess of the elite circle, Claire Ford, next month!” It turns out he is the fiancé of my thirty-second generation granddaughter, Claire Ford. At the auction, he pulled Claire and acted spoiled, “Claire, at this auction, I have a surprise for you.” “Can you light the sky lantern for the final item? Look, I’ve even brought the item here for you.” When Claire saw me dying in a sack, she fell to her knees in terror on the spot. “An… Ancestor, why is it you?” Chapter 1 When Julian Zhao stormed into my antique shop like a hooligan, I was the only one there. Seeing me calmly sipping tea, Julian was even more breathless with rage. He grabbed a Tang Dynasty vase being restored on the table and was about to smash it at me. “Claire Ford’s property, fifty million. Go ahead, smash it.” This Mr. Zhao knew nothing, just glared at me. “Bah! Gold digger, don’t try to suppress me with Miss Ford!” “I’m her fiancé. Fifty million is nothing. All her money will be mine in the future!” “What kind of thing are you, you shameless pretty boy!” What kind of thing am I? I am her ancestor! A thousand years ago, I accidentally consumed the elixir of immortality and single-handedly founded the glory of the Ford family. Since then, the first rule of the Ford family has been— “Never disobey the Ancestor.” When Claire Ford was a child, she didn’t recognize me, pointing at my nose and asking who I was. She was punished with thirty lashes and knelt in the ancestral hall for a whole night. Since then, she has only had fear and respect for me. If I tell her to go east, she dares not go west. Julian Zhao didn’t know this. With a crash, the vase in his hand shattered at my feet. Shards flew, cutting my face. I touched the wound on my face, suppressing my anger. But Julian became even more arrogant, walking closer with hands on his hips, pressing on my wound relentlessly. “Scratch your face, let’s see what you use to seduce my wife!” “You cheap antique dealer, how dare you get in my wife’s car and make her open the door for you!” “Relying on your face to climb up, huh? Let’s see how you rely on your face now!” I pushed him down with a wave of my hand. “Me getting in her car is giving her face!” This child, Claire Ford, suddenly became obsessed with “lighting the sky lantern” (bidding regardless of price). Unfortunately, several times she brought back fakes after lighting the sky lantern. Her father begged me to accompany her to appraise items for her. Who knew there were few genuine items in this auction house. I couldn’t help scolding her a few times, telling her not to embarrass the Ford family. Claire Ford shivered and opened the door for me. Only then did she tell the truth. Her ulterior motive was not the antiques, but to please this man. But looking at it now, he wants to enter the Ford family’s door? Impossible! Pushed down by me, Julian Zhao’s palm bled, pierced by shards. “Bastard!” He screamed in exasperation. “Brothers, smash everything here!” Immediately, a crowd swarmed in from outside the shop. Holding sticks, they smashed my shop indiscriminately. Shang Dynasty bronzeware, Tang Tricolor pottery, Song porcelain… These treasures, worth about a billion, were all smashed to pieces. I trembled all over, wanting to stop them but couldn’t. “Julian Zhao!” I shouted loudly. “Many items here were sent for restoration by major families in the elite circle. Can you afford to pay?!” Hearing me say this, the people Julian brought gasped. But Julian sneered, crossing his arms, fearless. “Who are you trying to fool? Not a single thing in your shop is real!” “You got this shop by seducing Miss Ford, right?” His eyes were splitting with anger, grabbing my hair and dragging me to the ground. “Hers is mine. Even if I smash this place clean, she will only smile and say well smashed!” As he spoke, Julian’s fist landed solidly on my face. It burned with pain. I didn’t want to lose my temper with a junior, but I couldn’t hold back anymore. “Have you had enough! Didn’t Claire Ford tell you this is not a place where you can mess around?!” I took out my phone and dialed Claire Ford’s number. With a beep, the call connected. “Hello, Ancestor…” Chapter 2 Before I could speak. Julian Zhao ruthlessly knocked away my phone, his chest heaving heavily. “Bastard! You dare make my wife call you Ancestor!” “You like flirting so much, huh? Hold him down!” “I’ll make you a real ancestor today!” He picked up a shard, poised to carve real “wrinkles” on my face. I used all my strength to resist his actions. Julian sneered: “Pretty boy, scared now? Why weren’t you scared when you seduced my wife?” During the struggle, I kicked Julian in the lower abdomen. Julian wailed in pain, anger surging. He was spoiled since childhood and had never suffered such grievance. Screaming for people to pin me down firmly, he kicked me viciously. I gasped in pain: “Julian Zhao, I am the Ancestor of the Ford family. The entire Ford family listens to me. If Claire knows you hit me, don’t think about entering the Ford family’s door!” Julian’s eyes widened, picking up a shard and slashing my face without hesitation. “You still dare to use Claire Ford to threaten me?!” “Is Claire’s name something you can call? Ancestor? If you’re the ancestor, I’m your father!” Severe pain came from my cheek. Instantly, blood ran across my eyes, tears mixed with blood flowing down. Seeing blood, Julian laughed bent over, his gaze fierce. “Bitch, with a ruined face, let’s see what you use to seduce people!” Enduring the severe pain on my face, I roared: “Look carefully at the Ford family ancestral jade pendant hanging on the wall! If I weren’t the Ford family Ancestor, could I have this jade pendant?!” He followed my gaze and took down the jade pendant. Since I customized this jade pendant a thousand years ago, seeing it is like seeing the Ford family. No one in the elite circle doesn’t know. Who would have thought when Julian looked up, his eyes were splitting, that look almost devouring me whole. “Great! Claire even gave you the jade pendant?! Who allowed it! I am her fiancé!” He rushed up and straddled me, fists falling one after another. “Did you steal this jade pendant!” He was mad with anger, tearing at my mouth yelling thief! Out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed a blood-stained ceramic shard, immediately picked it up, and slashed my face continuously. Pain struck. I faced Julian’s scarlet eyes, blood flowing into my eyes, turning into bloody tears. “Pretty boy, forget about this face! You even dared to steal the Ford family’s jade pendant!” “Don’t you rely on this face? And dared to say I was blind, almost making me fail to graduate.” “Let’s see what you have to fight me with without this face!” I wondered why he looked so familiar! Turns out he was a student accepted by my disciple. His family donated a few buildings to the school in exchange for admission, learning appraisal from my disciple. But he knew nothing. When graduating, my disciple asked me to take a look. Just one glance, and I shook my head saying: “He’s blind, not suitable for appraisal.” That day the Zhao family sent treasures worth ten million, asking me to turn a blind eye. I didn’t accept. Who knew my disciple couldn’t resist the temptation and passed him. Teaching such a disaster! Bah! I spat a mouthful of blood on his face. “You are not worthy of being my grand-student!” Unprepared, Julian’s face was covered by the blood I spat. He wiped it, his scream piercing through the entire shop. “Killing you just like this doesn’t relieve my anger!” “Don’t you like seducing people? Don’t you like seducing people?” He randomly pointed at a few men to stay. “He’s yours. Don’t come out until you’ve crippled him!” After saying that, he stuffed the tissue wiped with blood into my mouth and kicked me twice angrily: “Have fun, pretty boy.” Those men rubbed their hands, looking me up and down with malicious eyes. In pain and anger, I desperately thought about how to escape. Originally, the antique shop arranged bodyguards for me. The head of the Ford family said they must protect me no matter what. But when restoring artifacts, I wasn’t used to having people around, so I sent them away. “Nice body. If the face wasn’t scratched, it would definitely be better!” “Don’t be polite. Our task is to make him feel ‘heavenly’!” “Don’t worry! We brothers will serve you well!” Men’s filthy language drilled into my ears. Just when I was at my wit’s end, a familiar woman’s voice suddenly came from outside. “What are you doing?! Don’t you want to live? This is the Ford family’s VIP!” It was Miss Chen, one of the five major families in the elite circle! I had an appointment with her to pick up a restored antique! Julian was scared by Miss Chen’s words, trembling all over. Chapter 3 Miss Chen raised her leg and kicked out the men who were unbuckling their belts. I collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath. “Mr. Gu, are you okay? If Miss Ford knows you were beaten like this…” Before Miss Chen could finish, she saw the mess on the floor and her eyes widened. “My vase! Who did this!” Julian pretended to be calm: “I did it, so what?” Miss Chen was about to curse, but swallowed it back when she saw Julian’s face clearly. Everyone knew Claire Ford had her eyes on the eldest son of the Zhao family. He might be the Ford family’s son-in-law in the future. And the man lying on the ground was just a VIP of the Ford family. Which was more important… Miss Chen was silent for a moment, immediately concluding: “Of course nothing will happen. If Young Master Zhao likes it, I’ll send a few more vases for you to smash!” Julian breathed a sigh of relief, snorted coldly, and rolled his eyes. “Glad you know your place. I’m here teaching a lesson to the pretty boy who seduced Miss Ford. Don’t get in the way here!” “Or are you going to plead for him?” Miss Chen stepped away from me: “Mr. Gu is just a VIP, but you are the future son-in-law of the Ford family.” My heart sank to the bottom. I changed identities every so often, publicly claiming to be a VIP of the Ford family. But the fact that I am the Ancestor of the Ford family is true. Julian let out a “Ha”, spitting out the fright from just now. “Trash, almost got bluffed by you!” “Still a VIP! Just relying on your face to seduce women, using my wife’s money to open a shop!” I climbed up supporting myself against the wall, shaking my head weakly: “Julian Zhao, the Ford family’s money is all mine. You must consider the consequences of doing all this!” Hearing me say this, Julian became exasperated. He waved his hand again. “Still stubborn! Tear off his clothes!” Those men swarmed up like crazy, excitedly tearing my clothes to pieces. Not forgetting to take the opportunity to grope me constantly. Seeing Julian didn’t stop them, their actions became increasingly unrestrained. My vision went black, struggling constantly. Julian slapped me, then kicked me several times in succession. “A pretty boy being so arrogant, still wanting the Ford family’s money?” “I am the future master, you are nothing!” He looked fiercely at me, stripped naked. “Damn, nice body build, no wonder you can seduce women!” “Bring the knife!” Julian moved extremely fast, carving two crosses on my chest with the knife! I arched my whole body in pain, screams enduring. Seeing my pain, Julian laughed loudly. “After crippling him, I can consider sending you to serve Miss Ford.” After he spoke, someone forcibly spread my legs. With blood and tears on my face, my body was already overwhelmed, tortured to death by pain. Miss Chen couldn’t watch anymore and stepped forward to stop it. “Young Master Zhao, Miss Ford is looking for you at the auction house.” Chapter 4 Hearing this, Julian laughed twice, seemingly thinking of something more fun. He stopped his actions and forcibly stuffed me into the car. Julian smiled evilly at me: “The good show is just beginning! Go, let’s go in front of Miss Ford, let you see the consequences of stealing a woman from me!” “What exactly do you want to do?” I sat in the car, questioning with a cold face. The two men holding me were extremely excited, their hands wandering all over me. I looked at them fiercely, biting anyone who came close. “So slutty, like it rough, huh.” “Let the master enjoy first, otherwise if that thing of yours is ruined, you won’t be able to enjoy it later!” Julian put on a lordly posture in the front seat, despising: “Don’t break him. When we get to the auction house, he still has to serve many people.” I was furious. If not for being held down tightly, I would have torn Julian to pieces. “Julian Zhao, don’t even think about stepping half a foot into the Ford family!” Julian cursed secretly, reaching over to punch me indiscriminately. “Think you can climb the social ladder just because you have some looks, turning into a phoenix, right?” Julian held the knife without hesitation, pressed my leg, and slashed quickly one cut after another. Each cut fell like burning flames, making me tremble uncontrollably. Blood dripped from between my legs onto the floor. In just a few minutes, time dragged like years, suffering torment. “Done!” Julian smiled with satisfaction, holding a mirror to me. The word “SLAVE” was boldly presented on my lower abdomen. He even drew an arrow pointing downwards. “This is the consequence of stealing a woman from me!” “Slave is your exclusive label now, satisfied?” The corners of Julian’s mouth rose high, his face full of winner’s pride. And I was dying of pain, eyes unfocused, unable to say anything except breathe. Just as I was about to pass out, we arrived at the auction house. Julian put me in a sack and dragged me all the way to Claire Ford. He tidied his hair grinningly and sat next to Claire Ford. “Claire, at this auction, I have a surprise for you.” “Can you light the sky lantern for the final item? Look, I’ve even brought the item here for you.” He pointed to the sack at Claire Ford’s feet.

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I slept from 1975 to 2025, the sole survivor of a cryonics experiment. With the face of a twenty-year-old, I went to find my billionaire younger brother, only to see comments suddenly floating before my eyes. “The female lead is so stupid. Her brother turned her small shop into a business empire, but people change. He doesn’t even remember her. What’s the point of reconnecting?” “Exactly. The battle for the Sterling heir is fierce right now. If she dares to show up, they’ll make her disappear faster than you can say ‘inheritance’!” “Only Julian truly loves the female lead. If she marries him, she’ll be happy forever!” Just then, Julian dropped to one knee and proposed to me passionately. “Zoe, the Sterling family waters run too deep. Don’t go back, okay? Marry me. I’ll take care of you and protect you for the rest of my life!” Touched, I was about to speak when I suddenly heard his inner thoughts. “System, did you release the fake comments?” “Host, the fake comments are out. But are you really going to marry Zoe Sterling? According to the original plot, after the villainess Audrey Sterling becomes the heir, you can live a life of luxury with her forever.” “I’m giving Zoe’s inheritance to Audrey. I owe her that much, and I’ll spend my life making it up to her. As for Audrey, she achieved her dream. She’ll be happy even without me.” I retracted my emotion. This guy played games while I was ready to give my heart. But he was wrong. From beginning to end, I was all about my career. A little love affair wasn’t going to stop me. 1 Seeing my silence, Julian slid the ring onto my finger, his eyes full of affection. “Zoe, don’t worry. I’ll protect you forever.” I took off the ring and slapped him across the face with it. “No need. I’m going to find my family.” Julian pressed his thin lips together, his eyes turning red as he looked at me. The comments scrolled frantically before my eyes. “The devoted male lead was rejected! So unfair! The female lead is an idiot. If she goes to reconnect tonight, Audrey will definitely feed her to the dogs!” “I don’t understand the female lead. Why give up a good life to seek death?” I ignored it all and started to walk away. Julian hurriedly grabbed me, his voice urgent. “Zoe, don’t waste your effort. Even if you go, Old Man Sterling won’t recognize you as his sister, let alone give you the property!” I looked at him. “Why?” Julian sighed. “Old Man Sterling made his fortune from your pickle shop and became the richest man. He forgot his roots long ago. Now the Sterling family wishes you were dead out there. How could he possibly hand over the property?” Looking at his worried face, I found it laughable and shook off his hand. “Even so, that’s my business. Regardless of the outcome, I have to try.” The comments went wild. “Is the female lead sick in the head? Are family and money more important than life? Glutton for punishment!” “The male lead is really worried about her. Poor guy, his deep love is wasted. Just wait, she’ll regret it!” The more the comments raged, the faster I walked toward the villa. Behind me, Julian’s confused inner voice sounded. “What’s going on? Why does Zoe insist on reconnecting? Does she know Old Man Sterling has been waiting for her?” “Host, what do we do now?” Julian thought: “We’ll play it by ear. I won’t let her succeed.” I found my brother’s mansion according to the address. Many people were going in and out. I was dressed decently and slipped in. Suddenly, a woman dressed in luxurious clothes stopped me, looking me up and down condescendingly. “Who are you? I don’t recall inviting you to this family banquet.” Comments started flashing. “The ruthless villainess finally appears. The female lead is done for. Serves her right for coming back!” “The villainess is Old Man Sterling’s favorite granddaughter and groomed as the heir. She wouldn’t be in this position without some tricks up her sleeve.” The woman in front of me had arrogant eyes. I spoke calmly. “I’m here to reconnect with my family.” Audrey Sterling crossed her arms and laughed mockingly. “Another one here to claim relation. Tell me, which illegitimate daughter of the Sterling family are you?” Hearing this, I straightened my back and spoke clearly. “I am your Great-Aunt.” Audrey froze, then looked at me like I was a lunatic, utterly speechless. The hall erupted in laughter. “I’ve seen people claiming to be long-lost fathers or mothers, but this is the first time I’ve seen someone claiming to be a great-aunt to a granddaughter.” “If she’s really the Great-Aunt, then after Liam smashed her only portrait, she’d strangle him.” I followed the mocking voices and looked into a corner where a boy sat, looking out of place. He had delicate features but his clothes were stained with red wine, looking quite disheveled. He stared at me intently, as if seeing something shocking, his eyes full of disbelief. “It’s really… Great-Aunt…” Hearing this, the group mocking me patted his face maliciously, laughing uncontrollably. “The Great-Aunt must be in her seventies or eighties. This girl looks younger than Audrey. You actually believe she’s your Great-Aunt? Stupid and foolish, you think you deserve to compete with Audrey for heir?” “Exactly. He’s bad luck. Born killing his mother, then smashing the Great-Aunt’s portrait, sending the old man to the hospital nearly dead. You should just shut up and stay in your room, understand?” “Alright, just hit him. Don’t mention the portrait; that’s Grandpa’s sore spot.” Saying this, they were about to pour wine on him again. Anger surged within me. “Stop!” My shout startled them, and they nearly dropped the wine. Audrey glanced at me coldly. “Why are you still here? Someone throw her out. If Grandpa sees trash like this later, he’ll be angry.” My eyes darkened. Just as they were about to act, the main doors were pushed open, and Old Man Sterling entered surrounded by bodyguards. Everyone quieted down immediately, watching Old Man Sterling take the main seat. I stared at him blankly. Fifty years had passed. My brother’s hair was white; time had left its mark on his face. Seeing those aged yet familiar features, I involuntarily called out his name. “Danny Sterling…” Old Man Sterling stiffened and slowly lifted his eyelids to look at me. The comments exploded. “Whoa, the female lead is bold! Calling the old man by his name? Does she have a death wish?” “Look at everyone’s faces, like they’ve seen a ghost. Hilarious. Now there’s a show to watch. The female lead is in for it!” The crowd stirred, looking at me with schadenfreude. Audrey’s face grew darker, and she said angrily: “How presumptuous! Security, throw this crazy woman spouting nonsense out immediately!” Several guards rushed forward to restrain me. I ripped the ancestral jade pendant from my neck and held it high. “I am your Great-Aunt! I dare anyone to touch me!” Seeing this, everyone gasped. “This… this is the family heirloom recorded in the Sterling genealogy. Is she really the Great-Aunt?” “Get real. Your Great-Aunt is twenty?” “But I heard the old man say the Great-Aunt participated in a secret experiment back then. Could the result be eternal youth?” Hearing this, panic flashed in Audrey’s eyes. She quickly stepped forward and affectionately held Old Man Sterling’s arm. “Grandpa, even jade pendants can be forged. She’s just a crazy woman. Don’t believe her nonsense.” The atmosphere in the hall grew tense. Old Man Sterling leaned on his cane and looked at me for a long time before slowly speaking. “Bring the jade pendant here. Let me have a good look.” Just as I was about to hand over the pendant, Julian suddenly rushed in, snatched my pendant, and smashed it on the floor. “Zoe, stop deceiving yourself! The Sterling family is out of your league!” 2 When I came back to my senses, the jade pendant was shattered into pieces. My brain buzzed instantly. My hand was faster than my brain, slapping him first. “Julian, if you’re sick, go see a doctor! Why smash my stuff!” Julian took the slap without resisting. He just gave me a deep look and bowed to apologize to everyone. “Apologies, everyone. She is my girlfriend. That jade pendant was a fake she bought online for $9.99!” “She has delusions, always fantasizing about being rich. Here are her medical records. Every word I say is true. Please don’t blame her.” The medical records were passed around, causing a stir. “So poor she went crazy, thinking of getting rich by claiming kinship. But her posture just now was convincing; even I was almost fooled.” “Brain issues indeed, daring to scam the Sterling family. Lucky the old man is kind. In another family, she’d be dead already.” The medical records were handed to Old Man Sterling. His face darkened bit by bit, and he waved his hand helplessly. “Fine, take her away. We Sterlings don’t trouble sick people.” Audrey secretly breathed a sigh of relief, a triumphant smile on her lips. “Didn’t you hear Grandpa kicking you out? Security, throw her out!” Several guards moved again. Julian blocked them for me, reaching out his hand to beg. “Zoe, the rich world isn’t for us. I just want to live a good life with you. Come with me quickly.” Comments flooded the screen instantly. “Ahhh, the male lead loves her so much, risking his safety to take her away. I’m crying.” “Female lead, stop being ungrateful! You can only survive by leaving with him!” Everyone’s gaze fell on me mockingly. I understood. Julian wanted to force me to leave this way, fulfilling his wish for Audrey to be the heir. I slapped his hand away and spoke to Old Man Sterling. “Since no one believes me, I demand high-tech proof. A DNA test.” After waking up, I frantically searched for my family. During that time, I learned about new ways to verify kinship. DNA can help me confirm my relationship. I won’t be pushed around. Everyone froze. “What’s going on? She dares to do a DNA test? Is she really the Great-Aunt?” Audrey’s smile froze, looking a bit more panicked. “Stop stalling here. Why should we listen to you?” “Enough.” Old Man Sterling tapped the floor heavily with his cane twice. Everyone quieted down immediately. “Audrey, get a doctor to test her DNA.” Audrey bit her lip unwillingly but didn’t dare refuse. “Yes, Grandpa. I’ll go right now.” The comments exploded again. “The female lead is digging her own grave. Making a scene and insisting on a death wish. She’ll regret it sooner or later!” I ignored it and sat down to let the doctor take a sample. Soon after, the doctor returned with the results and announced to everyone. “Everyone, the results are out. The conclusion is very clear—” The whole room held its breath. I held my head high. Until the doctor declared, “Mr. Sterling and this lady have no blood relationship.” A few seconds later, the crowd erupted in laughter. “I thought there would be a twist. Dying of laughter. Turns out she’s just a clown.” “She can really act. Stubborn until the end. Let’s see how she explains this.” My face changed. I strode forward and snatched the report from the doctor. The end clearly stated, “Zoe Sterling and Danny Sterling are excluded from biological relationship.” I clenched the report. “Impossible. I am Danny’s sister. There’s a problem with the report. I demand a retest!” “Enough!” Old Man Sterling shouted angrily, his cane banging loudly on the floor. Everyone fell silent, not daring to make a sound. Old Man Sterling lifted his eyelids to look at me, eyes full of disappointment, and sighed heavily. “Many people know my name, and many know I’m waiting for my sister. But child, you’re young and not on the right path. Deception won’t lead to a good end.” “I’ve waited for my sister for fifty years. Now I’m half in the grave. I shouldn’t hope for her return. I won’t pursue your matter. Go, stop making trouble.” Audrey held her head high, mocking me unceremoniously. “Fake is fake. Even if you test ten thousand times, the result is the same! Get out now!” The next second, the boy who looked out of place in the corner suddenly spoke to the old man. “Grandpa, let her test again. She really is our Great-Aunt!” Audrey was furious. “Liam, shut up! There’s no place for a jinx like you to speak in the Sterling family!” Liam ignored her, walked up to Old Man Sterling, and knelt with a thud. Red-eyed, he said, “Grandpa, no one has seen Great-Aunt’s portrait except you and me.” “You can’t remember because you’re sick, but I broke that portrait. I always remember Great-Aunt’s face. She is Great-Aunt!” “Grandpa, I beg you, let me take the sample to the hospital for a retest!” Audrey clenched her fingers, walked up quickly, and slapped him hard. “Liam Sterling! I thought you were just unlucky, but I didn’t expect you to betray the family and conspire with outsiders! Did you know you couldn’t compete with me, so you found a way to work with others to impersonate Great-Aunt and steal everything from the Sterling family?!” “I tell you, I won’t let you succeed. Someone! Take Liam down and teach him a lesson!” Several guards surrounded him. Liam struggled desperately, kowtowing incessantly, voice urgent. “Grandpa, please! Let her test again! She really is Great-Aunt; she isn’t lying!” Liam kept kowtowing, staining the carpet red with blood. My face was solemn, lips tight. Old Man Sterling breathed heavily, his expression finally moved. “Alright, stop kowtowing. I’ll give her one more chance. If the result is the same, I won’t spare her, nor you.” Audrey panicked. “Grandpa!” Old Man Sterling turned away and waved his hand. “It’s decided. Go do it immediately.” Liam stood up, bowed to the old man with joy in his eyes. “Thank you, Grandpa. I’ll go right now!” I watched him run away with the sample, heart trembling. This child is genuinely testing for me. As long as he handles it, the DNA test won’t be wrong. I just have to endure a little longer. When the results come out, I’ll slap them in the face hard! Comments scrolled frantically. “I’m getting annoyed by the female lead’s stupidity. She definitely won’t survive tonight.” “Everyone pack up, get ready for the female lead’s funeral.” Annoyed by the comments, I looked away, catching a glimpse of Julian beside me. I heard his gnashing thoughts. Julian: “A hurdle appeared out of nowhere. Zoe Sterling is lucky.” System: “Host, what’s happening? Are we going to fail the mission?” Julian: “No, I have a plan. If she insists on fighting, I can only do what the comments say and make sure she doesn’t survive tonight!” I withdrew my gaze calmly, eyes falling on Audrey. Her fingers were tapping something on her phone. Looking up and meeting my eyes, a trace of ruthlessness flashed in hers. I closed my eyes, choosing not to see. Time passed minute by minute. Suddenly, Liam video called, quickly projected onto the big screen. “Everyone, the second report is out—” 3 Everyone looked up. Liam focused the camera on the result. “Grandpa and this Miss Sterling are biologically related!” The cane fell to the ground with a clatter. Old Man Sterling stood up excitedly, supported by others as he walked to me, shaking as he held my hand. “Sis… Sister, is it really you? You really came back?” “It’s me. I’m back.” I straightened my back, gaze sweeping over everyone. Those who were mocking me just now lowered their heads, afraid to breathe. My gaze glanced over Audrey, who was biting her lower lip, and I laughed lightly. “Since the truth is out now, shouldn’t we figure out what happened with the first report?” Everyone’s eyes fell on Audrey. Her body trembled violently. The murderous look just now turned into aggrievement. “Great-Aunt, I… I don’t know what happened. It must be this doctor. He’s worked for the Sterling family for over ten years. I recently found out he cooked the books and stole a lot of money. He must be afraid you’ll investigate strictly after taking over, so he falsified it on purpose!” The doctor’s eyes widened. “But you just told me to fake the test result for five million, otherwise you wouldn’t get the inheritance when your Great-Aunt returned.” As soon as he finished speaking, Audrey walked up quickly and slapped him. “You! You’re talking nonsense! Do you have proof?” The doctor covered his red face, sneered, and threw his phone out. It clearly showed a transfer of five million. “I don’t want this money anymore! Today I’ll show everyone the face of this vicious woman who would disown her ancestor for money!” “You!” Audrey’s shoulders shook with anger. Red-eyed, she ran to Old Man Sterling and grabbed him. “Grandpa, listen to me. The picture is photoshopped by the doctor. He wants to frame me, really…” Old Man Sterling threw off her hand, eyes full of disappointment. “I spoiled you for so many years. You were the granddaughter I favored most. I didn’t expect you to do such a thing. Although Liam isn’t as clever as you, his character is top-notch. In comparison, I was blind to judge people wrong.” Old Man Sterling sighed heavily, turned away from her, and announced to everyone. “Today your Great-Aunt has returned. As promised, I will give her the position of Sterling family heir. As long as I live, you descendants don’t think about her position. As for Audrey… I am thoroughly disappointed. Deal with her according to family rules. Kick her out if needed, do whatever needs to be done.” With that, Old Man Sterling supported me to leave. Audrey finally panicked, grabbing Old Man Sterling’s coat hem and begging. “No… no Grandpa, give me another chance. I won’t dare again, I swear!” Audrey cried like a pear blossom bathed in rain. Someone in the crowd couldn’t bear it and spoke up. “Uncle, Audrey was just momentarily confused. Kicking her out directly might not be appropriate.” “If Audrey is kicked out for this, wouldn’t it go against your image of benevolence? If other wealthy families hear about it, who knows what rumors they’ll spread.” “Yeah, just give Audrey another chance.” Seeing everyone pleading, Old Man Sterling looked at me in dilemma. The long-silent comments flashed. “Female lead, don’t go too far. The villainess is the biggest antagonist! Don’t court death if you want to live!” “I’m done. If the female lead had any brains, she should win over the villainess. Can’t she see the obvious situation?” 4 I smiled calmly. “Alright, Danny. Everyone has a point. Audrey is still young; she shouldn’t be kicked out for such a small mistake.” Hearing this, Audrey secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Then I changed my tone sharply. “But the Sterling family has always been reasonable. Audrey made a mistake, so naturally, she must be punished. I heard the second rule of the Sterling family is to kowtow a hundred times to apologize for offending ancestors, right? Let’s deal with it this way. Any objections?” Everyone looked at each other, no one dared to speak. “Good! Sister said it well!” Old Man Sterling nodded approvingly while applauding me. “Do as Sister says. Audrey, remember, every kowtow must be loud to count as apologizing to the ancestor.” Audrey’s smile froze. “Grandpa, this…” “Enough, just do it.” Old Man Sterling ignored her and helped me to the main seat. My gaze swept the hall; Julian had slipped away unnoticed. I withdrew my gaze. Several guards brought Audrey to me, pressed her shoulders, and she knelt with a thud. The always proud Audrey suffered such humiliation for the first time, crying tears all over her face. Her head was pressed by the guard for the first kowtow. I took an apple from the fruit plate Old Man Sterling offered and enjoyed the show while eating. The moment Audrey met my eyes, her unwillingness looked like she wanted to swallow me alive. The next second, she was pressed down by the guard for another kowtow. After a hundred kowtows, Audrey’s forehead was broken and bleeding. I didn’t make it harder for her, had someone take her down for bandaging, and officially announced the start of the banquet. Old Man Sterling presented me with a pile of novel gadgets. I looked at them with curiosity. I picked a handy “brick” to smash a walnut. The guard beside me spoke tremblingly. “Great-Aunt, the brick you just used to smash the walnut is the master’s phone.” Seeing the screen shattered into a spider web, Old Man Sterling froze, then laughed nonchalantly. “It’s fine! My sister loves using phones to smash walnuts. But Sister, this thing isn’t just for smashing walnuts. Let me show you…” He held the phone, opening various apps, making me exclaim in wonder, sighing from the bottom of my heart. “Didn’t expect only fifty years to pass, and times have changed so much. Good, really good.” The wrinkles at the corners of Old Man Sterling’s eyes deepened. Holding my hand, he rambled on about many things. “Sister, after I took over your pickle shop, it coincided with the economic reform. I seized the opportunity, turned the shop into a factory, and the factory into a company. That’s how our Sterling family developed.” “People praise me for being lucky to catch the era of development, but I think the luckiest thing in my life is having you as a sister. If you hadn’t trusted me with the pickle shop back then, the Sterling family wouldn’t have today’s achievements.” Those eyes full of weathering had light again when looking at me. I took a tissue to wipe his tears, pretending to scold him. “What are you crying for? Men don’t cry easily. Hold it back.” Scolded by me, Old Man Sterling actually held back his tears. Seeing him looking like he wanted to cry but couldn’t, I burst out laughing.

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In the year I loved Julian Thorne the most, I gave him the System’s Magic Lamp of Wishes. He was so smitten, he said he wanted to have a child with me. I agreed with my words, but that very night, I faked my death and became his “white moonlight”—the one who got away, gone too soon. Six years later, the System found me, on the verge of a breakdown. “Host, the original target wants me to ask you: your son is in the operating room. Do you want to see him?” I remained calm. “I never had a child with him.” The System sounded even more desperate. “The night you faked your death, he wished for a child with the Magic Lamp. The Lamp didn’t give him one, so he went on a rampage. To maintain world stability, we gave him a child with both your genetic markers.” “Now he’s completely lost it. He told me to tell you that you must meet him today, or he’ll pull the plug on your son’s oxygen.” Hearing this, I immediately transmigrated back to the original world. The System dropped me into a hospital room. A five-year-old child sat on the hospital bed. Seeing me appear out of nowhere, his pale, tender face showed only a hint of surprise. His round, dark eyes stared at me. Then, with one hand in his pocket, he coolly handed me a bank card. “I’ll give you ten million dollars. Stay and be my mom.” 1 The kid was handsome, with an arrogant demeanor exactly like Julian’s. The System chimed in with an explanation. “Host, this is Leo, the child created from yours and the target’s genetic match. He’s six years old.” Seeing the card Leo handed over, I was surprised. “You know me?” Leo stared straight at me, his eyes showing a maturity beyond his years. “I know you’re my mom. I’ve seen you in the photo album in that man’s safe.” I was even more surprised. The child refused to call Julian “Dad.” Was their relationship that bad? The System prompted: “The relationship between the target and the child is very distant. In the week since the child’s surgery and hospitalization, he hasn’t visited once.” I frowned unconsciously. Julian was being way too irresponsible as a father. Leo was his child, after all. Leo looked at me, his small hand clutching tightly. “So, will you stay and be my mom?” I choked, not knowing how to answer. I knew Julian’s temper. Years ago, when I was kidnapped, I had been gone from Julian for less than half an hour when he turned the whole city upside down. He broke the legs of all the kidnappers and left them on the roadside. Yet, looking calm as ever, he squatted down, held my hand, and wiped the places others had touched with a towel, over and over again. His love was as crazy and dark as he was. For me, he even wished for a child from a Magic Lamp. But I faked my death and left him for six whole years. If I agreed to stay, I would definitely run into Julian. I couldn’t imagine what that madman would do when we met again. Seeing my silence, a flash of panic crossed Leo’s eyes. “Is ten million not enough? How about a hundred million?” “I can write you an IOU. When I grow up, I’ll pay you every cent.” With that, Leo pulled out a piece of paper and grandly wrote several zeros, handing it to me to sign. The next second, a maid rushed in, dropped a bowl of medicine, snatched the IOU, tore it to shreds, and threw it in the trash. “Young master, you’re confused! This is the nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-ninth bad woman who got plastic surgery to look like the Madam to trick you. I’ll tear off her disguise right now!” Saying this, the maid rushed over to pull my hair. Ignoring his pain, Leo quickly climbed out of bed and blocked her, frowning and shouting. “Who told you to touch her? Do you think I can’t even recognize my own mother?” The maid’s lips trembled. “But Young Master, the Madam died six years ago. How could she be the Madam?” “Shut up! My mom isn’t dead. That man said it himself, Mom is a ‘Tasker.’ She had to be his ‘white moonlight,’ so she faked her death to trick us.” I was startled. Julian knew I was a Tasker. He was too smart; I couldn’t hide it when I approached him, so I just told him. But I never revealed the plot. How did he know I had to be his “early-departed white moonlight”? Did he always know, or did he find out after I faked my death? “She is my mom! I finally met my mom. Get out! Don’t touch her.” Leo glared fiercely at the maid, protecting me like a beast guarding its cub. The maid was driven out of the room. Before leaving, I saw her making a call. Leo bit his lip and secretly wiped his tears, leaving a red rim around his eyes, which made my heart ache. “You pulled on your surgical wound, didn’t you? Does it hurt?” Leo huffed, arrogant just like Julian. “It’s just an appendectomy.” I paused. Appendectomy? Then why did Julian make it sound so serious, threatening to pull the plug? I thought the kid was dying! The System spoke timidly, “Maybe he threatened you like that just to trick you into coming back?” It did sound like something Julian would do. I rubbed my throbbing temples. Looking at the child’s pale face, my heart softened. Seeing the medicine on the table, I took a few steps, and Leo immediately grabbed the hem of my clothes tightly. “Mom… I-I’ll write you another IOU. You can have as much money as you want. I’ll definitely pay you. Please don’t leave me, okay?” Seeing his pitiful look, so afraid I would abandon him, my heart turned to mush. I had just found out about his existence and met him for the first time, yet I genuinely felt the guilt of abandoning my husband and child. I picked him up and placed him on the hospital bed. “I’m not leaving, and I don’t want an IOU. I’m going to get your medicine. If you take your medicine, the wound won’t hurt anymore.” He shook his head vigorously. “I don’t hurt. I’m very tough.” I said softly, “If you drink the medicine, I won’t leave.” Leo’s dark eyes suddenly lit up. He took the medicine, pinched his nose, and drank it in one go, coughing as he choked. Then he grabbed my clothes tightly. “I drank it. You can’t leave. You have to stay with me!” “Okay, I’ll stay with you.” “Swear it!” I was helpless. Like father, like son; they both loved making me swear. “I swear, I’ll stay with you. Your wound hasn’t healed yet. You need rest. Sleep now.” I patted his back gently. Leo’s ears turned red. He tried hard to keep his eyes open, examining me carefully, but eventually couldn’t resist the drowsiness and fell asleep. His fingers, however, still gripped my sleeve tightly, refusing to let go. I stared at him, my heart softening inch by inch. Just then, the silent System suddenly issued an urgent alarm. “Host! Something happened to the original target!” I was startled. “What’s wrong?” The next second, a large screen appeared in front of me. On the screen was the villa where Julian and I once lived. The living room was densely packed with wooden puppets. Julian sat in the center of the living room. His chiseled face was as handsome as it was six years ago. His distinct fingers held a carving knife, adjusting the curve of a puppet’s earlobe bit by bit. As the last wood shaving fell to the floor, he murmured softly. “Serena, this is the two thousand and ninetieth you. I’ve waited for you every day for six years. Why won’t you come back? Is it because I wasn’t good enough that you left me?” His eyes were vacant. The eyes that were once full of ambition now held only despair and numbness. I was shaken, involuntarily recalling the first time I met Julian. He had been kicked out by his father. In the dead of winter, wearing only thin pajamas, covered in bruises, he walked barefoot towards the sea. Just like now, there was no light in his eyes. I desperately pulled him ashore and forced clothes onto him. He looked at me warily and asked in a hoarse voice. “Why did you save me?” I casually said, “Because I can see the future. I know you’ll become a very powerful person later. Powerful enough to overturn the world.” I wasn’t exactly lying. He was the big villain in the book. As long as he survived the hardest times, he would be a man more powerful than the protagonist. Julian was suspicious by nature, but he believed me. Then, in just three years, he became the madman everyone talked about, unscrupulous for money and power. And I was his only weakness. I snapped back to reality, seeing Julian raise the carving knife and slice his fingertip without hesitation. Blood dotted the puppet’s lips, completing the final touch. He smiled, his blood-stained fingertip tracing the puppet’s face, his eyes full of obsession and satisfaction. “My Serena is so beautiful. Pity, no matter how much it looks like her, it’s not her.” I shivered. Following his gaze, my blood ran cold. The villa was filled with puppets, all looking exactly like me. Lifelike. It showed how dedicated and obsessed the carver was. Six years later, he seemed even crazier. 2 The System said: “Host, since you left, the target has shut himself up with your puppets all day, unwilling to part for a moment. Even when he was seriously ill and vomiting blood, he rushed back here overnight.” I pursed my lips, guilt welling up. A knock sounded at the door. The rushing butler spoke cautiously. “Mr. Thorne, Nanny Wang couldn’t reach you and asked me to tell you that another woman who looks like the Madam has appeared around the young master.” “This time she’s tricked the young master completely. He insists on recognizing her as his mother. The young master just had surgery and probably misses the Madam, so I’m a bit worried he’ll be deceived by that woman. Should you… go see the young master?” Being suddenly interrupted, Julian’s voice was displeased. “Let him recognize whoever he wants as his mom. Get out. Don’t disturb me and my wife celebrating our anniversary.” The butler sighed and left silently. My brows knitted tightly. Even more confused. Why was Julian’s attitude towards his son so terrible? What exactly happened between father and son? “Sorry, I was a bit loud just now. Did I scare you?” Julian apologized in a low voice, his fingertips repeatedly stroking the puppet’s hair, endless pain and loneliness flashing in his eyes. “Serena, I miss you so much. When will you come back to see me?” I unconsciously held my breath, afraid he would discover me. I asked the System. “He looks a bit crazy, but he’s alive and kicking. What did you mean by ‘something happened’ just now?” Before the System could answer, a crimson red reflected on the screen. Julian unhesitatingly slit his wrist, watching coldly as blood soaked the puppet’s dress. My pupils shrank violently. “What is he doing! Does he have a death wish?” The System spoke. “This is a ritual. It’s said that on a couple’s wedding anniversary, if one drips their blood on a puppet, the other half’s soul will possess the puppet.” “He might be trying to summon you back this way.” I gritted my teeth. “What a lunatic.” There wasn’t a single servant inside or outside the villa now; the butler had just been driven away by Julian. His cut was deep. If this continued, he might really die here today. Panic grew in my heart, my voice trembling uncontrollably. “System, didn’t you want me back to stabilize the world? If a powerful villain like Julian dies, what’s the point of the protagonist in the book? A strong villain makes a strong protagonist. Think of a way to save him!” “Don’t worry, Host. There is a way.” The next second, the photo hanging on the wall smashed onto the table with a snap. The first aid kit bounced up and landed heavily at Julian’s feet. That was the first aid kit I prepared for Julian a long time ago. At that time, Julian was always accidentally hurting himself, so I prepared a kit with all the medicines he commonly used. Julian froze as expected, his gaze falling on the puppet in front of him, eyes crazy and obsessed. “Serena, are you back?” Long silence. No answer. He pulled the corner of his mouth, laughing self-deprecatingly. “I really am crazy, actually thinking you would possess a puppet.” The System announced good news. “Host, the time for the soul-summoning ritual has passed. If the target wants to cut his wrist and drip blood, he’ll have to wait until next year.” I looked at Julian. Sure enough, he threw away the knife in his hand, squatted down to pick up the bandage spilled from the kit, and wrapped it around his wrist loop by loop. I breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing Julian’s pale face, my heart ached a little more. “Does Julian bleed himself once every year after I left?” “Pretty much. But the cuts weren’t this deep before. Maybe just for a moment just now, he really wanted to die for love.” I fell silent, the guilt growing stronger. The System retracted the screen. My gaze returned to the hospital room. Leo beside me was curled up in a ball, clutching my hand tightly for fear I would leave. My heart softened unconsciously again. This was actually my child with Julian. He looked like him, and also very much like me. I couldn’t help but smile. When the sun set, Leo woke up suddenly. Seeing his pale face, I gently wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and asked softly. “Did you have a nightmare?” Seeing me, Leo’s eyes instantly turned red, and he buried his head in my arms. “Mom, it really is you. You really came back, and you really didn’t leave.” “You don’t know, I just dreamed that the madman killed all the people who looked like you.” Leo trembled slightly in my arms, gritting his teeth. “That man is not only crazy but also blind. He might not recognize you like I did. He might treat you like the others and kill you.” Mentioning Julian, Leo’s face was full of disgust and resistance. I genuinely didn’t understand. Leo was raised by Julian. How could the father-son relationship be this bad? Just as I was about to ask, Leo jumped out of bed and looked at me seriously. “Mom, he’s sick in the head. I know you left because you hated him too. But I’m normal. Why don’t you take me with you? I can make money and do housework!” With that, Leo took out several bank cards from his schoolbag and stuffed them all into my hand. “There’s a total of ten million in the cards. Although it’s not much, I’ll work hard to earn more later and support you for the rest of my life.” Holding the bank cards, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Leo, why do you hate your dad so much and curse him like that?” Leo didn’t answer. His warm little hand held mine, his voice softening a bit. “Mom, can I answer this question after we leave?” Seeing the slightly pleading look in Leo’s eyes, my heart melted completely. “Okay, I promise you. Let’s go.” A flash of joy appeared in Leo’s eyes. He held my hand and walked out, comforting me at the same time. “Mom, don’t worry. I’ll take you to escape and protect you… forever.” Before he could finish, Leo suddenly bumped into a tall, solid wall of a person. My expression changed abruptly, and my steps halted. The man stared straight at me, lips slightly curved, charming yet weirdly dangerous. “Serena, you’d rather run with him than stay for me? Want to abandon me a second time, hmm?” 3 Julian had lost a lot of weight, appearing even more noble and cold. His gaze swept indifferently over Leo, finally landing on my face. “Serena, can we talk?” Leo shivered under his gaze, but still gritted his teeth and stood in front of me, looking at his father warily. “Don’t think I don’t know what you want to do. I warn you, don’t even think about hurting her.” I avoided Julian’s gaze guiltily. Speaking of which, whether in the past or now, Julian had a clear conscience towards me. It was I who let him down time and again. Feeling even more guilty for no reason… The atmosphere was deadlocked. The System suddenly appeared, egging me on. “Host, news just came from headquarters. As long as the target’s emotions stabilize, your mission is complete. This conversation is a very good opportunity.” I nodded in agreement, finally looking at Julian and agreeing. “Okay, let’s talk.” Leo grabbed the hem of my clothes, his face full of worry. “Mom, don’t go.” I patted his head and comforted him, “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” Only then did Leo gently let go of my clothes. Watching Julian lead me away, he chased after us unwillingly. Just a few steps later, a nurse grabbed him. “Little one, where are you going? It’s time for your injection.” Leo said anxiously, “My mom, she…” “Okay, okay, after the injection, sister will take you to find your mom. Be good now, okay?” With that, without giving Leo a chance to speak, the nurse picked him up and walked towards the ward. I gave Leo a reassuring look. Julian suddenly spoke. “You care about that kid a lot?” His tone was sour with jealousy. I found it strange. “Leo is our child. How could I not care?” “Heh.” Julian laughed self-deprecatingly. “So you’d rather listen to him and leave with him than come see me, right?” “Serena, do you know I waited for you for six whole years? How can your heart be so cruel?” Hearing Julian’s trembling, hoarse voice, my heart felt blocked by a huge stone. “I’m sorry.” Julian tightened his grip on my hand, harder and harder. “Serena, that’s not what I want to hear.” He suddenly quickened his pace, dragging me into an empty ward and pinning me against the wall. I felt a sense of doom and instinctively wanted to run. Julian grabbed me, pinning my hands tightly against the wall, his movements carrying irresistible force. He leaned close to my ear, his self-deprecating voice carrying an anger that couldn’t be quelled. “You want to leave me that much, huh?” He kicked the door shut. The next second, Julian’s lips pressed against mine without explanation, his breath hot enough to ignite the air. His intensity grew. I was kissed to the point of suffocation and turned my head away sharply, begging. “Julian, let go of me. It really hurts.” Hearing my voice, his reason gradually returned, and he slowly let go of me. I dropped my hands. Julian saw the two red marks on my wrists where he had gripped them, and fully regained his senses. Guilt flashed in his eyes. “Sorry. I’ll find you some medicine.” I pulled him back. “It’ll fade in a bit. Julian, what did you want to talk about?” Julian didn’t answer but still found me the medicine. I was helped into a chair by Julian. He squatted in front of me, silently applying the ointment for me. I pursed my lips. Julian’s suit sleeve rolled up slightly, revealing that shocking scar on his wrist. The bandage that should have been there was removed by him at some point. I grabbed his wrist. Julian’s eyes flickered, and he immediately pulled down his sleeve, saying indifferently. “It’s nothing. Accidentally cut it.” How was this an accidental cut? It was clearly done by Julian himself when he was bloodletting for that ritual. Hearing Julian’s indifferent tone, I was instantly furious. “Julian, do you cherish yourself so little?” Not expecting me to be so angry, Julian paused, then chuckled. “Serena, are you caring about me?” “What else? Julian, if I’m not by your side, can’t you learn to cherish yourself?” I scolded him angrily. The moment our eyes met, I froze. Julian’s eyes were red, the corners of his mouth raised in a smile. “You left so heartlessly back then. I thought you wouldn’t feel sorry for me anymore.” His words choked me up. I said dryly, “I didn’t say I didn’t feel sorry for you.” I got up, found a bandage in the ward, and re-wrapped it for him. Afraid he would take it off again, I tied two knots specifically. “You are not allowed to take it off, do you hear me?” 4 Julian lowered his head and gave a hum of agreement. “I know. I have something to give you.” I saw him take a bracelet out of his pocket and put it on my wrist. “This should be very important to you. It was accidentally thrown into the sea the day you left. After I picked it up, I kept it with me. It waited for you with me for six years.” I raised my hand, slightly stunned. This was my mother’s relic from the real world. Six years ago, the day I faked my death. The System wanted me to throw the suitcase into the sea to simulate suicide. I left in a hurry that day, so I accidentally put the bracelet in the suitcase too. After returning to the real world, I felt bad for a long time. I didn’t expect that now, this bracelet had returned to my hands. I never mentioned to Julian that this bracelet was important to me, yet he keenly sensed it. My feelings were mixed. Seeing my surprise, Julian lowered his eyes and smiled. “You abandoned me and left. It’s been six years, and I can’t hate you at all.” “Even if I know that all your kindness to me was just for the mission, I would still fall for it.” Julian closed his eyes, two lines of clear tears falling, his tone self-deprecating. “Serena, am I stupid?” Less than two years after graduating from college, relying on his own ability and means, he leaped from being the neglected child of the Thorne family to the President Thorne everyone feared. He had money and power; everyone envied his success. But now, he insisted on begging for that worthless love from me. Julian, you really are stupid. A dense pain rose uncontrollably in my heart. I unconsciously raised my hand and wiped away his tears. “These six years, you’ve suffered.” Julian turned his head away. “I didn’t want to hear your apology, Serena.” He paused, finally looking at me, eyes flickering. “Can you stay here and accompany me?” I fell silent. Back then, the System promised that after completing the mission, it would send me back to the real world and give me endless wealth. So at the beginning, every kindness I showed Julian was indeed just with the mindset of completing the mission. Even if I truly fell in love later, I didn’t stay. After all, people’s hearts change easily. Who knows if many years later, Julian would still love me as before? I trusted the money in my own hands more. Before I could speak, a shout came from outside the ward door. “Mom, I don’t allow you to stay with him!” The door was slammed open. Leo stumbled in, stood in front of me, pointed at his dad and cursed. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning! Besides, this is my mom. Why should she stay with you? She should take me and leave together!” Julian frowned and sneered. “She is my wife. Why should she take you?” Leo also sneered. “But she didn’t want you six years ago.” These words stabbed Julian fiercely. A cold storm surged in his dark pupils. “Say that again?” Seeing the situation was bad, I covered Leo’s mouth and scolded. “Enough, both of you shut up.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387952”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

When I was tormented by depression to the point of slashing my wrists, my CEO husband was holding a “wedding of the century” with the woman who used to bully me. In my final moments of clarity, I spread the evidence of my bullying all over the internet and confronted my husband with red eyes in front of everyone. He blamed me for making a fuss over nothing, causing his “white moonlight”—the love of his life—to fail her studies. To please her, he locked me in a mental hospital and accompanied her back to college to finish her degree. Three years later, the woman, who was in the same major as me, needed a graduation thesis. Only then did my husband mercifully remember me and call the mental hospital. The staff looked confused: “Miss Lowe left three years ago after a depressive episode and hasn’t returned.” Furious, blaming me for being insensible, he called my number. His biological mother answered the phone. Hearing my name, my mother-in-law choked up: “Young man, my daughter-in-law passed away three years ago.” 1 Ethan Ford rushed to the countryside overnight and kicked down the dilapidated front door. Hearing the commotion, my mother-in-law limped out on crutches. It had been too long. Not only did she not recognize her son, but Ethan also didn’t recognize his mother. He roared: “Where is Lauren? Where is she? Tell her to get out here! Chloe needs to submit her thesis soon. If she delays Chloe’s graduation, I’ll make her pay!” My mother-in-law trembled at the shout, her voice shaking. “Young man, my daughter-in-law has passed away.” Ethan froze, scanning her aged face, failing to recognize the eyes that were identical to his own. “Who cares if your daughter-in-law is dead? I want Lauren! Hurry up, don’t waste my time!” “Lauren is my daughter-in-law.” My mother-in-law pointed to my black-and-white photo on the wall, tears welling up in her eyes. “She passed away three years ago…” Ethan’s gaze fell on my photo. At twenty-five, I should have been sunny and bright, but depression had made me gaunt and gloomy. “Lauren is really dead?” Ethan snatched the photo, not waiting for an answer, and smashed the frame on the ground, roaring. “How could Lauren die? A woman who didn’t die after three years of bullying, how could she be dead? I know, she’s hiding because she doesn’t want to write Chloe’s thesis, so she used this photo to scare me!” Ethan stomped viciously on my photo. I instinctively tried to stop my mother-in-law from lunging forward, but my hand passed straight through her withered body. Yes, I’m dead. I died three years ago… My mother-in-law grabbed Ethan’s leg, her palm pressing onto the sharp glass shards. “Don’t touch my daughter-in-law!” 2 Ethan stomped on her hand along with the shards, blood spreading instantly. Watching my mother-in-law scream my name heart-wrenchingly, anger burned in Ethan’s eyes. “Is Lauren really your daughter-in-law?” She nodded repeatedly, trying to pull my photo from under his shoe. But Ethan kicked her in the chin, leaving a long bloody streak as she fell backward. “Great! Lauren has some nerve! Not only did she sneak out of the mental hospital behind my back and make me worry, but she also married another man!” “Speak! Where are your son and Lauren now? Daring to steal my woman, you and your son must have a death wish!” No! When Ethan sent me to the mental hospital, I discovered that his mother wasn’t dead. His father had an affair and locked his mother, who had just given birth, in the mental hospital. When I was humiliated by people arranged by Chloe, it was my mother-in-law who stepped up to protect me. Later, when I escaped from the hospital to return to my hometown, I decisively took her with me. Not long after, I jumped off a building. Ethan kicked my mother-in-law, each blow more vicious than the last. She curled up amidst the glass shards, wailing in pain, her clothes gradually soaked in blood. In that year of depending on each other, I had long treated her as my own mother. My heart twisted in pain as I tried desperately to pry Ethan’s leg away. “Ethan, stop! This is your biological mother!!” However, Ethan’s shoe passed through my soul, kicking her aged body again and again. “Where is Lauren? Tell her and that wild man to get out here! Even my mom didn’t get to call her daughter-in-law, what right do you have, you old hag!” I could only watch helplessly as she was beaten. My heart felt like it was being torn in two. Ethan, this is your mother! And I died long ago! Driven to death by you and Chloe three years ago! 3 Before I died, I was powerless to change our fates. After death, I could only kneel on the ground, begging Ethan to spare her. In my deepest despair, my brother, just off his night shift, rushed in, limping on one leg to shield my mother-in-law. “You animal! Isn’t killing Lauren enough? You want to kill your own mother too?!” “My mother?” Ethan kicked my brother hard. “My mom died when I was born! How could this filthy, stinking old hag who looks like a beggar be my mom?” “Lauren ran off with a wild man, so she left you and this old hag here as a cover, right?” “You better tell her to get back here right now and write that thesis for Chloe, or I’ll pay back the pain she inflicted on Chloe a thousand times over!” Wasn’t it he and Chloe who inflicted the pain? Back then, Chloe appeared at our wedding, pretending to kneel and beg for forgiveness. Ethan helped her up with heartache, scolding me for making a mountain out of a molehill, causing Chloe to fail her studies. He demanded I publicly clear Chloe’s name. When I refused, he started giving me the cold shoulder to accompany Chloe, calling me petty. When my depression relapsed, he forcibly sent me to a mental hospital. Facing the doctor’s advice, he sneered. “Depression? It’s just a tactic for attention. Chloe would never be unreasonable like you.” Then he used his money and power to get Chloe back into college to finish her degree. When I jumped in despair, he was locking down an amusement park to cheer Chloe up, spending the whole night with her. My brother blocked him from my mother-in-law. “Ethan, I beg you, go check the hospital records, okay? Lauren is really dead.” Ethan scoffed. “You think I’d believe your nonsense? The staff at the mental hospital already confessed to me. Lauren was flirting with other men while hospitalized. Who knows, maybe this old hag’s son is the one she hooked up with back then!” There was none! It was clearly the people Chloe arranged to bully me! A simple check of the surveillance would have revealed the truth, but Ethan refused to look even once. Clearly, I was his wife, but he preferred to believe staff he’d barely met. My brother hugged Ethan’s leg, begging. “Ethan, after Lauren brought your mom home, her condition worsened. We emptied our savings to treat her, but it didn’t work. Not wanting to be a burden, she jumped from the hospital building. She’s really dead!” “Shut up! One more word about this old hag being related to me, and I won’t spare you!” “Besides, I gave your family a huge compensation. How could you have no money? Lauren must have given it all to that wild man, right?” 4 “Lauren came back penniless! There was no compensation!” Ethan stepped on my brother’s good leg. “Still lying? What benefits did Lauren give you and this old hag to protect her like this?” At Ethan’s signal, bodyguards entered and started beating my brother and mother-in-law. My brother had only one leg, and my mother-in-law was too old. They couldn’t run. They could only curl up on the ground, screaming. I spread my arms, throwing myself over them, trying to block the rain of punches and kicks, but I only saw their bruised and swollen faces. I stood up and pounded on Ethan, wishing I could cut him into a thousand pieces. But I couldn’t attract his attention for even a moment. “Stop hitting them! Ethan, please stop! This is your birth mother! I only have this one brother left! I really am dead…” My mother-in-law was beaten to the brink of death. My brother propped himself up, roaring in anger. “Ethan, this is your biological mother! Aren’t you afraid of divine retribution?!” Ethan kicked my brother in the jaw, sneering. “Just as fearless of death as Lauren. My mom died long ago! What does this old hag’s son have over me that Lauren dared to cheat on me with him?” “Don’t forget how you lost your leg and your dad. Tell Lauren to bring that wild man back and kowtow to me in apology. For the sake of our marriage, as long as she promises to be obedient from now on, I can forgive her!” Back then, Chloe’s single “I didn’t mean to” lightly erased three years of her bullying me. Ethan saw my scarred body with his own eyes, yet firmly believed I was exaggerating, causing Chloe to suffer cyberbullying for years and fail her studies. When I refused to admit it, he threatened me with my family. My brother was the most popular dancer in his troupe, but Ethan spread rumors that he bullied others, leading to cyberbullying and him losing his job. My dad was a rideshare driver. People arranged by Ethan staged accidents, saddling him with huge debts. After selling everything to pay the debts, my brother and dad huddled in a basement, eating steamed buns dipped in water to save money. Even then, Ethan wasn’t satisfied. He sent debt collectors, forcing them into a corner. 5 At that time, newly pregnant, I knelt in the rain begging Ethan to spare my family, promising to help clear Chloe’s name. Only after I miscarried did he relent and let my family go. Afterward, when my brother and dad came to the hospital, Chloe set a trap to let us escape, whispering poison in Ethan’s ear. Ethan intercepted us. My brother’s right leg was forcibly cut off, and my dad was thrown into the sea by Ethan. Three years ago, I knelt desperately before Ethan, swearing to be obedient, begging him to retrieve my dad’s body. He said my dad didn’t deserve it. Three years later, I could still only watch helplessly as he hurt the people I loved. Just then, Ethan’s personal assistant walked into the room. “Mr. Ford, Miss Chloe’s bodyguard says her puppy is missing, and she went out barefoot to look for it.” At the mention of Chloe, the anger on Ethan’s face vanished instantly. He frowned helplessly. “Nonsense. In this weather, how could they let her go out barefoot? What if she catches a cold? I’m going back to find her.” As he was leaving, a bodyguard asked, “Mr. Ford, what about these two?” Ethan said impatiently, “Keep beating them. Beat them until they give up Lauren’s location.” I looked at the bright sun outside, feeling a wave of bitterness. In Ethan’s heart, Chloe’s affairs were always number one. No matter how heinous her actions, a single tear could resolve everything. But clearly, I was his wife! My soul followed Ethan back to the home now occupied by Chloe. I watched him take off his shoes, carefully wipe Chloe’s feet clean, and put them on her. He scolded her for risking herself for a dog, yet ignored his bespoke suit to dive into thorny bushes to find the puppy for her. Finally, he gently placed the puppy in her arms and walked her home with his arm around her. On the way, Chloe said hypocritically, “Ethan, how about I go with you to find Lauren tomorrow? She must still be mad at me.” Chloe’s high-sounding words made me sick. If not for her fanning the flames and fabricating lies in front of Ethan, how could I have become a corpse! Ethan didn’t hear the falseness in her words at all, scoffing. “What right does she have to be mad? You didn’t do it on purpose back then. She’s just petty, holding a grudge for so many years?” “I haven’t even gotten angry about her running off with a wild man, leaving an old hag calling her daughter-in-law. It disgusts me!”

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At the awards ceremony, my fiancé, Julian, used the moment he was presenting me with an award to drag his “little flower,” his new fling, onto the stage and publicly announce their relationship. I shrugged. “Just a man. Out with the old, in with the new.” My parents: “Pull the funding. No more cooperation.” My sister: “Revoke the copyrights. I’d rather let them rot than sell to you!” Julian panicked, coming to me to apologize and bow his head. I waved him off. “What level do you think you are, to be worthy of speaking to me?” 1 At the Golden Magnolia Awards, Julian was the presenter, and I was the winner. Just as I was about to take the trophy from his hands, Julian took a step back and spoke into the microphone: “Today is a special day, and I have one more thing to say.” The crowd fell silent. I stood aside, watching as Julian uttered the words: “I’ve been dating Lina for six months now. Today, I want to use this stage to tell her!” “Lina, confessions of love are best done by a man!” Applause erupted from the audience, accompanied by waves of cheering. Below the stage, Lina covered her mouth, her eyes misty. The host had to remind her to go up. The two embraced, and Julian gave the trophy to Lina. I frowned slightly on the side, took the microphone, and chuckled: “I heard Mr. Xue already has a fiancée at home. Is this a public declaration that Miss Lina is the other woman?” The applause below stopped abruptly. Lina froze instantly. Julian looked displeased: “Those were just jokes from the elders. What era is this? Does anyone still believe in arranged marriages?” I looked at Julian’s dismissive face and laughed out loud: “Well then, I wish you two a hundred years of harmony and an early birth of a precious son!” I dropped the microphone and turned to leave, abandoning the trophy. I knew the entertainment reporters would have a field day. The host was still cueing me on stage: “Lauren, your trophy.” I smiled at him: “Your trophy!” I didn’t believe for a second that Julian did this without his support. After all, the awards ceremony had a schedule. As a host, he had zero control over the stage. This trophy is for him, let him learn a lesson! I sat below the stage. The host’s face looked a bit ugly. I had no interest in what was said next, just took out my phone and quickly informed my family about Julian’s matter. Since he said it was an arranged marriage, he probably didn’t need our family’s help anymore. The Xue family is a third-rate family in the capital. If not for the friendship between his grandfather and mine, Julian would never have become my fiancé. After enjoying all the conveniences our family brought him, he thinks he’s something now. Laughable! After the ceremony, I left with my manager. She was indignant, “This Julian did it on purpose, right? Doesn’t he know this is live?” “A perfectly good award, ruined by him!” I patted her, “Isn’t this perfect? Start the marketing immediately. I want Julian to kneel and beg for my forgiveness!” Since I threw it all away, why should I suffer his anger? Holly looked at me in astonishment, “Decided?” “Of course!” “Alright, I’m on it!” Holly looked excited. She is my cousin, and she has personally managed me since my debut. She knew Julian’s background all too well. The Golden Magnolia Awards live broadcast. Julian generously showed his love, and Lina was not far behind. After coming out, the two were surrounded by reporters. Photos together, a visual sense of happiness for the whole world to see. Just don’t know how Julian will explain after going back. I glanced at him with a sneer, got in the car, and drove away. As soon as I arrived home, Julian and his parents appeared at my house. Julian’s face was red and swollen. He was only wearing a shirt on his upper body, with brambles tied to his back. Was this a “proffering a birch rod and asking for a flogging” apology? “Lauren, today Julian was confused. It was all that Lina seducing him. He was momentarily blinded. Will you forgive him?” As soon as we met, Julian’s mother, Mrs. Xue, took my hand and pushed all the responsibility onto Lina. 2 I found it funny. Julian isn’t a three-year-old child. Could Lina just crook her finger and make him lose his intelligence so much as to publicly announce their relationship at the Golden Magnolia Awards? That was a live broadcast across the entire internet! He ruined my award ceremony! I smiled without saying a word, just looking at my parents. My mom spoke up, “That’s not quite right. Julian has been dating Lina for six months. Before this, our Lauren and he were engaged.” “Speaking of which, Lina is the mistress, and your son condoned the mistress’s rise to power!” Mrs. Xue’s face was cloudy and uncertain. Then she looked at Julian, pretending to be angry, “You brat, come here and apologize!” But Julian held his head high, “I’m not wrong. Freedom of marriage, love supreme. Whatever fiancée, those are feudal remnants left by the older generation. I don’t recognize them!” “Mom, Dad, if you force me, I’d rather leave the family!” “Lauren, you also received a modern education, why are you so old-fashioned!” Julian’s words instantly turned Mrs. Xue’s face green. Julian’s dad, Mr. Xue, slapped the back of his head, neither light nor heavy. “Shut up! If you can’t speak, don’t speak!” My mom smiled without warmth, “In that case, our two families will break off the engagement here. Let’s exchange the tokens!” My dad also nodded, “Yes, young people have their own ideas. Forced matching is not good.” My parents were thinking that the two families had known each other for many years. Since Julian was unwilling, forced melons are not sweet. They didn’t want me to lower myself to fight for a man with Lina. If this one doesn’t work, just change to another. My mom added: “That’s right. However, after the engagement is broken, the two families will have no further interaction. Future cooperation ends here!” This was our family’s bottom line. My parents just wanted to solve it quickly, to avoid me getting involved in a love triangle, which is really bad luck. But this made Mrs. Xue think our family was in the wrong. She immediately brought the engagement token. It seemed she carried it with her, wanting to break it off long ago. My mom checked carefully, confirmed it was correct, and returned their jade piece. Julian took it and put it in his pocket. Mrs. Xue cheekily said: “Although the engagement is broken, business failed but benevolence remains. I see Lauren is a very good child. I treat her like a daughter.” I withdrew my hand, “I don’t deserve that. I have my own mother to love me. And my mom always taught me that people who truly love me won’t act one way to my face and another behind my back!” Mrs. Xue was stunned, “Th-this child, how can she be like this?” My mom sneered, “That’s just her temper. If it were me, I might have hit someone.” Mrs. Xue was stunned and wanted to say more, but my dad issued an eviction order. Mrs. Xue instantly got angry, “The Liang family really puts on airs. Anyway, the cooperation is over. There is no need to meet in the future. Your threshold is high; we can’t climb it!” “Good that you know.” My mom unceremoniously asked her to leave. Did she think the Liang family only had this little bit of assets? Did the cash flow from two collaborations make her think our family was only this scale? Forget it, meeting such a short-sighted person, there’s no need to associate with them much. The butler showed them out. Before leaving, Julian looked at me: “Lauren, your temper is too bad. If you were as gentle as Lina, I wouldn’t possibly…” Slap! I raised my hand and slapped him. Julian was stunned. Mrs. Xue screamed, “You dare hit my son!” “Shouldn’t a scumbag be hit? I’m generous not to argue with you. Otherwise, if I immediately release the video from just now, how long do you think your son’s true love declaration can last?” Mrs. Xue instantly died down. Julian looked at me viciously: “Lauren, just you wait. This circle isn’t run by you alone!” 3 I scoffed, not taking it seriously. Julian’s resources still relied on my family. What waves could he make? I thought this matter ended here. But unexpectedly, early the next morning, Holly called me, “The originally scheduled xianxia drama was suddenly withdrawn! Bastard, they actually switched to Lina!” As soon as she said this, I understood. This was the resource Julian gave her. Julian was originally the investor of this drama. I got the role through auditioning, and the talk with the director went well. I didn’t expect to be replaced at the last minute. Holly gritted her teeth, “Bastard, I definitely won’t let him go. I have to tear off this layer of his face!” “No need, let her act. Aren’t her films all flops!” Lina had too much dirt on her. Without me doing anything, she’s seeking her own death. However, some people still kicked us while we were down. The entertainment industry has limited resources. It’s either you grab mine or I grab yours. Originally, I didn’t care. It was just a pity that this IP was ruined by this scumbag. I didn’t care, but someone recklessly danced on my minefield. The production officially announced the change of the female lead. Lina’s fans instantly exploded with laughter. “Our Nana is amazing. Announced yesterday, resources soar today!” “Nana daughter is so beautiful. What does that Lauren next door rely on? Just her family having a bit of money!” “Someone’s family must be exploding with anger!” The entertainment industry is realistic. My fans were not to be outdone and immediately entered the fray. “What’s wrong with our Lauren? Is her acting bad? Debuted five years ago with many works. Look at your family, how many works? Same catfish whiskers for ten thousand years, only knows how to whine!” “That face has changed several times. It’s version 3.0 now. Is it stable? Don’t change again in two years, and we can only find her in the cast list!” The two fan bases argued fiercely. Julian’s fans were not to be outdone and joined the搅混水 (muddying the waters). “Sister-in-law is good, sister-in-law is amazing. Bitch Lauren get out of the entertainment industry!” “Bitch Lauren’s face is really unwatchable. How much hyaluronic acid did she inject last night? Her face is black; no amount of whitening essence can save it!” The three fan bases made a huge noise. Many people ran to my comment section to private message me, “Sister, aren’t you going to come out and say something?” Seeing them fight for me, I just posted a sentence: “Gap period, resting for a while before fighting again!” Fans received my comfort and temporarily ceased fire. Julian, however, asked to meet me. Because we still had an engagement before, and there were some overlapping interests, now that he asked to meet, it was just right for me to make things clear to him. When Julian saw me, he was arrogant, throwing a stack of documents in front of me, “You can’t act in that Ten Thousand Miles of Peach Blossoms. Take this as compensation.” I glanced at it and scoffed instantly: “Trash script, even Lina wouldn’t want it, right?” “Lauren, although this is a web drama, the character design is good. The vicious female supporting character is very popular. As long as you act well, there will be no problem! After all, it fits you well, playing yourself!” Holly couldn’t hold back, “Julian, I think you have a hole in your brain!” I stopped Holly and faced him, “I can’t act in Ten Thousand Miles of Peach Blossoms, and neither can Lina.” “Julian, did you buy the copyright of the original novel for this drama?” Julian looked stunned, “What do you mean? Copyright? Of course I have it. I warn you, don’t touch Lina, or I definitely won’t let you go!” “Tsk tsk, let’s see who has the ability! From today on, I am your opponent. If you dare to grab my resources for Lina, I will grab your projects. Let’s see who is ruthless!” Julian instantly got angry, “Lauren, don’t go too far. Just you?” I turned my head to look at him and sneered, “Just me. Julian, just you wait. This IP is definitely mine!” “Steal my female lead role, and I won’t even let her enter this production team!” 4 Out of the office, Holly asked me: “Do you have a good plan? Do you know where to buy the copyright? It is said that the original author has not shown up until now, and they have not been able to contact her.” “The reason it’s exposed now is to force the author out. It is said that the website has already negotiated!” “Useless. No matter how well negotiated, it won’t work.” Holly looked shocked, “What do you mean?” “Didn’t you know? The author is my sister. How could she sell it to someone else?” She was stunned, “Your sister is Warm Sunny?” “Yeah.” I took out my phone and called my prolific and eccentric sister. My sister was woken up from her dream by me, her tone grim, “Lauren, if it’s not an urgent matter, disturbing my sleep, I’ll kill you!” Temper still so violent. I sighed, “I broke off the engagement.” “Good riddance. That kid didn’t deserve you at all.” “But he gave that Ten Thousand Miles of Peach Blossoms drama to Lingzhi. The novel copyright is in your hands.” “What! I was about to sign the contract soon. That little bastard!” “Don’t sign. Sell it directly to me.” My sister laughed as soon as she heard it, “Family doesn’t speak two languages. Since that kid disgusts you so much, I’ll give it to you!” Don’t know what method my sister used to make the website relent, directly announcing that the copyright belonged to me. Holly and I started anew, opening a new film and television company, being our own bosses. Overnight, the super IP Ten Thousand Miles of Peach Blossoms became hot. Unexpectedly, the female lead was announced to be changed in the morning, and in the afternoon, the female lead returned to my hands. I won’t act in it, but it definitely won’t be Lina. This time, Julian was exasperated. He called me, “Lauren, what means did you use? Why is the copyright in your hands?!” “Nothing, probably because I have a lot of money. Unlike you, stingy. You are the producer and investor, but are you willing to spend money? With your meager sum, you want the original author to follow you? What were you thinking?” “Lina is also miserable, following a stingy iron rooster like you!” I mocked him for a while, making him speechless with anger. After hanging up, I blocked him directly, then added a sentence on Weibo: Someone don’t break defense. I’m untalented, just have a little money! Now Julian and Lina’s fans collapsed. “Bitch Lauren, you are so shameless. Relying on your family having a little money to snatch resources!” “Unscrupulous capital, boycott the Liang family!” “Dox her, see what business the Liang family does!” I smiled, reading comments while picking replies: “Yes, that’s right. I just rely on my family’s money to do whatever I want. Being my own boss, not working for others, so cool. If you are not convinced, you can only endure it. If you have the ability, persuade the author to sell the copyright to you!” “Our family makes fishing rods. Boycott away!” Just kidding. Anglers don’t care about the entertainment industry. If he boycotts our goods, he will never be able to buy such good fishing rods again. My words made the fans laugh crazily, “Still my Sister Liang is amazing, Sister Liang is mighty!” “No wonder Sister Liang said she wanted to rest. Turns out she was aiming for a big one!” “What rest? Snatching the field back in two hours.” “Yesterday’s award ceremony made me so angry. The winner was the protagonist, but Dog Xue actually took the trophy to announce his relationship with his girlfriend. Has he no shame?” “And the host, no sense at all, how did he control the field!”

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After failing to romance three male leads, the System decided to erase me. Suddenly, it was forcibly logged out. [Hello Host, I am Senior System 001. My mission success rate is always 100%. To maintain my perfect record, please restart the romance routes for the three failed cases.] I choked back a sob: “…I can’t simp anymore. I really, truly can’t simp anymore.” 001 sneered: [Simp? Who said anything about simping? Anyone who doesn’t love you, I’ll just destroy them.] Me: “?” 1 My corpse was thrown onto a muddy mountain road, and I watched helplessly as beasts devoured me until only a pile of bones remained. When I floated into the air, I had already been guided back to the pure white space. The blue ball of light shook its head at me. [Regrettably, the Host has failed three romance missions. According to the Quick Transmigration Code, as your System, I have the right to erase you.] I didn’t argue. After three failed missions, I had lost all hope. The three targets were each scummier than the last, and I was forced to cater to them, abandoning my dignity to be a laughable simp. If I refused, the System would subject me to electric shocks or forcibly control my body, ultimately leading to a gruesome death. Now hearing the System’s sentence, I realized I was tired. I didn’t even have the will to live. I decisively chose to give up, lying on the floor to enjoy my final moments. [Erasure countdown begins: 3… 2…] Before it could say 1, the blue light ball vanished from my sight, replaced by a golden one, larger than my previous System. It nodded politely at me. [Hello, Host 739. I am System 001. Due to the 100% failure rate of you and your System, I will be taking over from now on.] I sat up. “Take over for what? I’m about to be erased. Changing Systems won’t change anything.” 001’s tone was indifferent: [As an extremely failed case, you are rare even in our Quick Transmigration Division. Therefore, I have applied to cancel your erasure and erase your System instead.] My lips trembled: “Erase…” Good riddance! I almost laughed out loud. But then I realized that if 001 took over, it meant I had to continue doing missions, continue being someone’s doormat. This despair drowned out the joy of knowing my System was dead. “Why don’t you just kill me?” I lay down again, my voice filled with uncontrollable grievance: “I really don’t want to be a simp anymore. Simping gets you nothing in the end.” Unexpectedly, 001 exclaimed in surprise. [Your previous System made you do missions like that?!] I paused: “How else? If I didn’t agree, it would shock me and attack me mentally. I have PTSD just looking at men now.” Thinking of the past bitterness, I couldn’t help but choke up and cry. “I really can’t simp anymore…” 001 was silent for a moment, then suddenly sneered. [Simp my ass. Whoever dares not to love you, I’ll destroy them.] “Huh?” Wait, bro, is that right? 2 Without giving me a chance to hesitate, 001 transported me back to the first world I failed. Its words still echoed in my ears. [I, 001, never accept failure. Where we fall, we get back up.] Red wine splashed onto my face. Caleb looked at me coldly, arms crossed, looking down from above. “Chloe, put away your cheap tricks. If it weren’t for you, Bella wouldn’t be ignoring me.” “Since you like being loose, then be loose right here.” After speaking, he waved his hand and called over six burly men. He even set up a camera, waiting to watch the show. I realized I was wearing a sexy red dress. The wine soaked my dress, revealing my curves. In a trance, I felt like I was back in the past. Back then, Caleb was annoyed by my advances, which made Bella, whom he was pursuing, jealous. So he found six men to humiliate me like this and posted the video online. My reputation was ruined, and I was sold abroad by Bella, dying a miserable death. Thinking of this memory, I began to tremble uncontrollably. Caleb smiled. “Scared now? Too late.” With that, the men prepared to pounce. 001 spoke up at this moment. [Host, don’t be afraid. I have uploaded combat knowledge into your brain. Now do as I say.] 001 didn’t lie. A strange power burst from within me. I felt like I could take down eight strong men with my eyes closed. As the nearest man’s fat face approached me, I closed my eyes and punched him in the face. With a bang, the man disappeared. I opened my eyes. There was a large hole in the wall, and the remaining men retreated in horror. Caleb was frozen in place. 001 issued a cold command. [Now, go slap Caleb a few times.] I felt unsatisfied: “Only a few slaps?” [If you wish, you can beat him up again.] I was eager to try. “Any restrictions?” [No. You can beat him until he forgets who his ancestors are.] “Huh?” 001 was concise: [Beat him until he kneels and calls you Mommy.] “…” I walked step by step towards Caleb. Seeing the situation turn bad, the men ran away directly. Caleb frowned: “Chloe, what do you want?” “Caleb, long time no see.” I said softly. Caleb was confused: “What?” I didn’t explain further, just slapped him. Caleb was furious: “You were the one clinging to me, I was just fighting back…” Before he could finish, I slapped him again, crisp and clean. He fell to the ground, hitting his head on the cabinet, grimacing in pain. “You! You bitch! I’m going to kill you!” I didn’t speak, just kept beating him. Caleb: “Just you wait…” Several of his teeth were knocked out. Caleb: “I’ll make you pay…” Arm fractured. Caleb started begging for mercy: “I was wrong, please let me go!” I continued to beat him mercilessly until Caleb rolled his eyes back and fainted completely. 001 started applauding in my mind. [Pity you didn’t kill him, but you’ve improved.] I was surprised: “Isn’t he my target? If I kill him, won’t the mission fail?” 001 didn’t care: [So what? If he dies, we’ll just switch to another one.] Me: “…” 3 Killing him was out of the question. This is a society with laws; if Caleb really died, I probably couldn’t escape either. But given Caleb’s vengeful nature, he wouldn’t let me off easily if I just let him go like this. I rolled my eyes, dragged him onto the bed, and discussed with 001. “001, can you hack into Caleb’s phone and call those men back?” 001 was very angry: [Am I that incompetent in your eyes?] I was confused: “What do you mean?” 001: [With my skills, I can call a hundred.] Me: “?” I politely declined its attempt to prove itself. The men slunk back, their pupils trembling when they saw me, instinctively wanting to run. I stopped them: “As long as you let me film what I want, I’ll double whatever he’s paying you.” With that, I pointed to the unconscious Caleb on the bed. The men looked at each other and finally succumbed to money. Walking out of the hotel, I saw Bella waiting on the side, her beautiful eyes full of blooming anger. “Why did you come out alone? Where’s Caleb?” I smiled strangely: “Who knows? Probably enjoying himself.” Bella clenched her manicured hands tightly, threatening in a low voice. “I’m warning you, Caleb can only be mine. If you know what’s good for you, crawl out of our world like a dog.” I patted her shoulder earnestly. “It’s not your world.” It’s a world for the seven of you. “?” Back at my place, surviving the ordeal, I relaxed completely, lying on the sofa chatting with 001. “001, I really want to know, why did you bind with me?” 001 was busy with something unknown and replied after a long while. [My performance is always number one, it’s really not challenging. I just haven’t seen a Host as bad as you, so I wanted to see just how bad it could be.] “?” Are you polite? 001 might have felt its words were a bit hurtful, so it added. [Actually, you’re okay. You just met a bad System. 3412 was the last batch of defective Systems. Just bad luck, not your fault.] Used to the previous System’s suppression and complaints, this was the first time I heard a System say: It’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself. My nose stung, and I was moved to hug it. Pity it has no physical form. After the sentimental moment, 001 quickly entered work mode. [Since we can’t change the target freely before the previous one dies, I give you two options. One is to continue with Caleb’s route, the other is to kill Caleb and pick a new one. What do you choose?] I hesitated: “I beat Caleb up like that, how could he still fall in love with me? But I don’t really want to kill anyone…” 001 decided: [Simple. Don’t change the target for now. Just do as I say.] At 1 AM, Caleb woke up slowly. He rubbed his painful neck, wanted to sit up, but caught a glimpse of a woman sitting by the bed. The woman didn’t speak, just peeling fruit on her own. Hearing movement, I turned my head, held up the fruit knife, and smiled at him. “Caleb, do you love me?” “?” “GHOST!!! AHHHHHH—” 4 I pressed the tip of the knife against his neck, signaling him not to scream. Caleb successfully shut up under the effect of the physical silencer, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. “You… be careful, don’t actually stab me.” I continued to repeat the previous question. “Caleb, do you love me?” Caleb gritted his teeth: “I already have Bella in my heart. Even if you force me, I can’t fall in love with you.” I withdrew the fruit knife cleanly and stuck it into a sliced apple. “Fine, I’ll ask you again tomorrow.” “…” For the next few days, I would appear in front of Caleb from time to time, beat him up, and continue asking if he loved me. If he didn’t respond, rinse and repeat. “001, is this really useful?” [99% chance of success.] I lowered my eyes: “What about the other 1%?” 001: [The 1% is that he gets beaten to death by you.] Me: “…” After torturing Caleb for nearly half a month, his mental state was precarious. When he wanted to call the police for help, I appropriately took out the photos and videos taken at the hotel. Caleb was completely out of options. He knelt on the ground begging me to let him go. “What exactly did I do to you to make you hate me like this?” I looked at the tear-stained man and asked abruptly. “Since you don’t like me, why did you tacitly allow me to approach you? Enjoying my kindness while treating me like a dog?” Don’t think I don’t know. His attitude was ambiguous. Every time I despaired, he would throw a little sweetness like teasing a dog to give me hope. He got used to my gentleness but told his friends… That I was just a dog he could order around. If not suppressed by that broken System, I would have taken his dog life long ago. Caleb’s face was pale as he closed his eyes. “If it’s because of this, fine, I agree to let you be my girlfriend, okay?” Me: “So do you love me?” “…” I looked thoughtful: “Seems not enough love. See you tomorrow.” “…” I climbed out the window and left Caleb’s house, not noticing his vicious gaze behind me. He muttered with his head down: “Chloe… I want you dead.” Then he dialed a number. “Bella, can you help me?” Back home, I collapsed on the bed, rubbing my aching brow. “Why is Caleb so stubborn? I’ve almost beaten him numb, and he still won’t say he loves me.” 001’s tone was calm: [Not saying love means you aren’t ruthless enough. Later, break his legs and lock him at home. Starve him for two or three days. Say ‘like’ for water, ‘love’ for food.] The more I listened, the more wrong it felt. Just as I wanted to ask where it learned this operation, I received a call from Caleb. He tried his best to suppress his hatred, his voice soft: “Chloe, didn’t you want to hear me say I love you? Come to the abandoned factory in the suburbs tomorrow. I’ve prepared a surprise for you there. You must come, I’ll wait for you.” Before I could agree, Caleb hung up directly. 001 and I fell into instant silence. Me: “He takes me for a fool.” Such an obvious trap, he didn’t even try to act. 001: […He’s already like that, just humor him.]

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I transmigrated into the role of a background character who sells flatbreads, and stumbled upon the child version of the story’s main villain, looking like he was on death’s door. Just as I hesitated whether to save him, a barrage of comments suddenly floated across my vision: [He will kill everyone who watches coldly today, bathing River Street in blood!] My hands shook with fright. I picked up a piece of savory flatbread, pounced over, and stuffed it into his mouth: “Eat up, you brat!” The boy choked, coughed a few times, and finally opened his eyes. Later, my humble stall became a renowned restaurant. Delicacies filled the tables, and customers flocked like clouds. But that powerful minister who always sat alone in the private room on rainy nights… His favorite was still that piping hot, savory flatbread. 1 Others transmigrate into the heroine. At worst, they become the vicious female supporting character. Only I transmigrated into an insignificant background character. Selling flatbreads on the bustling River Street! On the first day, I was confused. Business was dismal; I ate two of the three breads myself and choked. On the second day, because they tasted so bad, I improved the recipe and switched to selling savory scallion pancakes. Golden, fragrant, and crispy, the pancakes were an instant hit. I even had a small rush of customers. But due to lack of experience, I didn’t make enough dough and closed up early. On the third day, just as I had stocked up and was ready to conquer River Street… I met Julian Payne. The stone-paved street was muddy after a rainy night. I had just pushed open the wooden window and moved the steaming pancakes onto the counter. I saw what looked like a person lying in front of my stall. A small, thin boy, lying dying in the mud. Soaked black by the muddy water, his pale face covered in bruises. He looked like he was about to croak… I started to go check on him, but was stopped by Mrs. Spring, who sold tofu next door: “In the capital, us common folk should remember one thing above all: less trouble is better.” “Yeah, we’ve seen dozens if not hundreds of these types. Miss Jiang, better be careful, don’t get scammed!” Butcher Zhang slammed his knife onto the cutting board and turned back into his shop. But at that moment, comments suddenly appeared before my eyes: [Hearing these cold lines from NPCs is actually quite hateful!] [Forget it, forget it, they’re just triggering the main plot.] [Without their cold indifference today, how could the villain rise to power later?] [Wait until the second male lead is saved by the young miss; he will remember everyone who stood by today and massacre the entire River Street!] [The villain is so handsome, I feel bad that he ends up pierced by ten thousand arrows!] According to the comments, the second male lead was harmed by villains in his childhood, with no one to help. It was the heroine who extended a hand and saved him. From then on, he grew up, his power becoming entrenched. After gaining power, he killed everyone who had wronged him step by step. And bathed this River Street, his place of humiliation, in blood! Holy crap! I’ve encountered the big villain of the book, Julian Payne! As one of the many merchant NPCs on River Street, I had just started preparing for a carefree life as a cook. Who knew I’d be hit by such bad news! If he massacres River Street, aren’t we all doomed? I looked at the boy lying on the ground. My heart went cold. How can such a good-looking kid have such a cruel heart? His eyelashes trembled weakly. His nose seemed to be twitching. Looks like the kid is still breathing! If I establish a good karma with him before the heroine saves him, leaving myself a way out… It shouldn’t affect the main plot, right? Just as I was thinking, a carriage suddenly appeared from the other end of the street. The wheels rolled slowly, heading right this way. The comments flew: [Main plot starting!] [Here comes the famous scene, the beautiful encounter. The gloomy villain meets the only light of his life!] [The heroine saves him, handing him a pastry when he’s cold and starving. From this moment, the heroine’s harem +1] Huh? The heroine is here already? Isn’t the plot a bit too rushed! No way! I haven’t farmed favorability with the villain yet! I immediately shook with fear. I picked up a steaming piece of savory pancake, stumbled over, and stuffed it into Julian’s mouth: “Eat up, you brat!” The boy choked out a few puffs of steam, his eyelashes fluttering like dying butterfly wings. But, he came back to life! He struggled a bit, chewed the pancake in his mouth, and his brows relaxed. Finally, after coughing a few times, he leaned against me and slowly opened his eyes: “Cough… Thank… you…” I acted nonchalant: “No problem~ You can have as much of my savory pancake as you want!” I said this with selfish motives. He’ll be saved by the heroine in a moment, but he can’t forget who sent him charcoal in the snow and woke him up! The savory pancake is the memory anchor. Must remember me! The boss of the fragrant, crispy, crunchy savory pancakes! It’s me! It’s me! I thought to myself. The grace of a meal is established. In the future, he probably won’t massacre my… entire family, right? I was about to get up and leave, hiding my merit and fame. Not disturbing his perfect encounter with the heroine. Who knew that carriage had no intention of stopping. With a whoosh, it accelerated past Julian and me. I froze halfway up. The comments were dumbfounded too. [Why didn’t she… save him? Not following the script?] [Passed… right by?] [What is this situation?] [???? Where did this pancake shop owner come from?] [Not gonna lie, that pancake looks kinda tasty.] I looked down speechlessly. Looking at the child who was startled by the carriage and hugging my leg. Face full of black lines. “Huh? You’re really sticking to me?” The boy looked at me with pleading eyes. Too cute! Seduced by his beauty, I inexplicably took him inside. I fed him a bowl of water and pushed the pancakes on the table towards him. “Eat slowly, don’t choke!” This poor kid, who knows how long he’s been starving. He wolfed it down, face turning red from choking, but those eyes were shining. How can this little villain be so cute even when eating pancakes! 2 While the kid ate, a long line had formed outside the shop, all here for the savory pancakes. My shop was originally set to sell plain, dry flatbreads! I wasn’t happy the day I took over! This NPC life is too bitter. No, must improve. Otherwise, this boss will choke to death on her own food one day. I quickly did my market research. River Street is located in the south of the capital. One end intersects with the main road, the other connects to the pier. I classified it as a commercial area full of life and smoke. Literary types visit, dock workers feast here, and many commoners come to buy daily necessities. So, I changed the main product from plain flatbread to savory scallion pancakes. Unlike the dry bread that chokes you with crumbs… Savory pancakes are golden and fragrant, crispy outside and tender inside. Brushed with my secret sauce, cut into small pieces and wrapped in oil paper, they’re convenient to carry. A cheap and delicious product suitable for all ages. Opening the gate, there was already a long line outside. “Miss Jiang, you won’t let us wait in vain today, right?” At the back of the line, a few dock workers laughed heartily. I recognized them; they had waited a long time yesterday but didn’t get any pancakes. I smiled: “Plenty of pancakes today, one by one, please!” Treading on the morning dew, before the sun rose, there was a faint red glow where the water met the sky in the distance. The street gradually became lively. I heard the curtain behind me being lifted. I turned around, and a cleaned-up Julian stood there. A ten-year-old child, although dressed in rags, couldn’t hide the nobility in his brows. He rubbed his hands nervously: “I have nothing to repay you with, let me help you out.” My stall was mostly visited by commoners buying household items, dock workers, and a few scholars. Julian must have watched me sell pancakes for a while. He very perceptively helped me bring out the sauce that was running low. Refilled the missing oil paper. Finally, he trotted outside to help hawk: “Line up, don’t push.” That milky child’s voice, my heart was melting. You know, this little child laborer is quite useful. I observed him while my hands never stopped working. “Miss Jiang, this sauce really leaves a lingering fragrance. My wife praised it endlessly yesterday and urged me to line up again today!” This was a scholar from the nearby Mingde Academy. I packed pancakes into oil paper while smiling: “Then I’ll give you extra today, thank you for your business!” Suddenly, a pair of hands reached out from behind him and pushed the scholar away. “What’s the hold-up? I’m in a rush to get to work!” The scholar was pushed to the ground. Looking back, a tall, muscular man stood before him. I rubbed my hands in excitement. Finally, a troublemaker! 3 When I first transmigrated into this book, I knew I was bound to a unlucky system. Its only function was to make others unlucky. Say, what can this useless system achieve? Can it help me reach the pinnacle of life? No! I’ve thought about it for days. It can only be used to prank people! After carefully selecting for two days, I finally waited for someone to hit my muzzle. I was rubbing my hands, thinking about how to play with him. I saw Julian on the side hesitate for only a moment, then whoosh, he rushed over, spreading his arms to block in front of me. He wasn’t even half the height of the muscular man, but he firmly shielded me behind him, eyes clear. Is this really the future cold-blooded, decisive villain? The muscular man lifted Julian with his right hand and raised his left fist to punch him. Julian didn’t resist, instead letting his hand drop into his sleeve. Just as the man was about to strike his face, I raised a trembling hand to stop him: “Customer! Let’s talk!!! The child is ignorant, don’t blame him!” I grabbed Julian’s shoulder, pulled him down from the man’s grasp, and pushed him into the house: “Eating my pancakes and not working? Did you chop the wood? Fetch the water? Knead the dough? And you’re making trouble here?” Switching to a smile, I handed the freshly wrapped oil paper package to the man: “Big brother, don’t be angry, here’s your pancake!” The man was stunned by my series of actions, unable to vent his anger. By now, my stall was surrounded by onlookers. Chattering and commenting. The man peeked into the house, snorted, took the pancake and left without paying a penny. I wasn’t angry either. I happily helped the scholar up, dusting him off. And packed him another portion. The scholar bowed repeatedly: “Sorry to trouble you, Miss.” Before leaving, he insisted on paying for two portions, but I refused. This was the good show I had been waiting for! They didn’t know that before the muscular man left River Street, he suddenly cried “Ouch!” while lifting his leg. He fell flat on the stone road, eating dirt. Broken leg. Should be quiet for a while. 4 After a busy day, I finally had time. I looked at Julian standing nervously in the backyard: “Where is your home? Shall I take you back?” He lowered his head the moment I spoke, tears filling his eyes, murmuring: “Mom died, I have no home…” “Miss Jiang, can I stay? I can do anything, I won’t eat for free…” The comments, silent all day, instantly became active. [Wow, the second male lead is so pitiful.] [But he’s acting too pitiful, this Miss Jiang will probably be deceived until nothing is left!] They’re right. I was manipulated! That face, that expression, who can resist! Want to protect him badly! I actually knew he was lying. After watching the comments all day, I knew most of Julian’s background. He was the legitimate son of a Marquis, but his stepmother slandered him for “cursing his birth mother to death.” Before his father led troops out of the capital, to protect the family reputation, he tacitly agreed to send him to a farm. Unexpectedly, he was hijacked halfway by people arranged by his stepmother and sold to human traffickers. Starving for days, he just escaped from the traffickers after a fierce fight, jumping into the water. Now back in the capital, he naturally planned to lie low and wait for an opportunity to take revenge. Who knew his small body, starved for days, hungry and sleepy, would collapse on River Street covered in wounds. According to the plot, he should have been picked up by the heroine, Sophie. Sophie’s father, Prime Minister Su, found out his background and raised him in the Su family as a death warrior. Years later, he arranged for him to kill his own father and take the credit. Since then, he became even colder. Only the heroine remained the sole light in his life. But later the heroine met the male lead, and Julian felt abandoned by the world. Completely blackened into the biggest villain, causing trouble until he was pierced by ten thousand arrows by the male lead. Tsk tsk tsk, too miserable. I looked at Julian’s chubby little face. Although I knew keeping him here was also using him. I still softened. According to the plot, his father wouldn’t return to the capital for a while. Sending him away rashly now, if he still meets the people from the original plot and his character goes bad, we “bottom-rung people” will be the ones suffering. After all, our River Street was “massacred”! Might as well tire myself out, polish him, and raise him to be a bit more upright. After all, he’s good-looking. Pleasing to the eye just sitting at home. I nodded at Julian: “Alright, sister accepts you as a little brother.” “But, I don’t raise idlers.” So I kept him in the shop as a helper, claiming he was a distant cousin. Although he was reticent, he worked extremely seriously and learned quickly. Soon, he could help me keep accounts with a pen. Only, one day a month later. I found he copied something else while keeping accounts. While he was asleep, I sneaked a look. It was a list, with the names of all the merchants on River Street listed! My heart skipped a beat, remembering the “massacre of River Street” mentioned in the comments. My heart went cold. This kid really holds a grudge! The next day, I didn’t open for business, deciding to straighten the child out. I put the booklet in front of him: “Little Ju, what is written here?” Seeing my serious expression, he panicked a bit. After all, he was only a ten-year-old child; how could he hide his thoughts? He quickly closed the booklet, gritted his teeth and whispered: “Accounts.” I sat down smiling, holding a ruler in my hand: “Then today, sister will teach you how to calculate the real ‘accounts’.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387948”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

On my twentieth birthday, my parents presented me with photos of heirs from across the country, asking me to choose a marriage partner. I told my father I would draw lots. All because in my past life, I chose Julian Thorne, the heir to the prestigious Thorne family of Shanghai, without hesitation. But it was only after our marriage that I learned his “white moonlight”—the love of his life—was heartbroken over this. She went to a bar to drown her sorrows and was assaulted by thugs. She attempted suicide three times, and Julian decided I was the root of all this suffering. He gave all my family’s assets to her, hollowing out the entire Jiang family fortune. In the end, he even allowed her to cut the brake lines of our car, causing my parents and me to die tragically in a crash. Reborn, I drew the lot for Caden Chen, the devout Buddhist heir from the Min circle who cared nothing for worldly affairs. But when I walked into our engagement party holding his arm, Julian Thorne went mad. 1 I placed Caden Chen’s photo in front of my parents. They exchanged a glance, both worried. “Stella, we know you’ve liked Julian Thorne since you were little. Why don’t you reconsid…” I shook my head. “Since it’s fate, I might as well go with the flow this time.” Besides, I already knew the ending of forcing a marriage with him. Seeing my determination, my parents nodded. “Alright, we’ll discuss the marriage with the Chen family. But both the Jiang and Chen families are prominent. To avoid unnecessary trouble, it’s best to keep it a secret before the engagement party.” I agreed. However, when I went out to attend a charity gala, reporters swarmed me, seemingly having heard some news. “Miss Jiang, may I ask which family you’ve decided to ally with?” Another reporter chimed in before I could answer, “Everyone knows you have feelings for Young Master Thorne. Surely you chose him?” I looked up and locked eyes with Julian Thorne, who had just walked into the venue. Surrounded by flashing cameras, his coldness and disdain were the same as ever. “Excuse me, please make way.” After speaking, his bodyguards pushed the reporters aside, and he pulled a pale-faced Chloe Zhou into his arms. “The only person I have ever loved, from beginning to end, is Chloe. Even if I am forced by family pressure to marry another woman, I will not give even half a share of my love for Chloe to anyone else.” Chloe Zhou, moved to tears with flushed cheeks, hugged his waist tightly. Nearby, a few socialites who had long disliked me whispered mockingly. “So what if she’s the only daughter of the top-ranking Jiang family? Young Master Thorne doesn’t even look at her; he only likes the daughter of a nouveau riche.” “She’s really disgracing the Jiang family, rushing to play second fiddle to Chloe Zhou.” The mockery grew louder. Chloe lifted her head from Julian’s embrace and gave me a provocative look. I just turned my head away, focusing on the gala. The organizers, however, had seated him right next to me. When Julian sat down, anger still lingered on his face. “Stella Jiang, I’ve told you many times I don’t want to marry you. Why do you insist on clinging to me?” I had heard this sentence many times, but hearing it again was still inevitably painful. “I am not clinging to you.” Julian slammed his fist on the table, his expression even more disgusted. “Then why do you insist I marry you? Just because the Jiang family has high status, you think you can decide the rest of my life?” “You are trampling on my dignity. Even if we do get married, I won’t give you a second glance.” He was true to his word; in my past life, he indeed didn’t spare me a shred of affection. At this moment, the woman he loved with all his heart walked over, tears in her eyes, and knelt down in public without a word. “Miss Jiang, I know you hate me, but my parents are innocent. You had security kick them out, and my dad almost died of a heart attack.” “Please let us go. Even if… even if I have to step aside for you and Julian, I’m willing…” Her last few words were choked with sobs. Before I could process what she meant, Julian helped her up, looking at me with added hatred. “What happens between us has nothing to do with Chloe. Why are you treating her like this!” His accusation baffled me. “I didn’t…” “You really were spoiled growing up, spoiled to the point of lawlessness.” Just as Julian finished speaking, someone fawningly handed over a gift box. “Young Master Thorne, this is an engagement gift for you and Miss Jiang…” Before the person could finish, Julian grabbed the gift box and smashed it at me in front of everyone. “Stella Jiang, apologize to Chloe.” “Otherwise, even if our Thorne family can’t compare to your Jiang family, I will refuse this marriage. I absolutely cannot marry a woman as vicious as you!” 2 The gift box was exquisitely packaged, but its sharp corner cut a gash on my chin. People around gasped, but no one dared to step forward. I touched the wound, my palm immediately stained with blood. The Julian Thorne in front of me became increasingly unfamiliar, merging with the image of him publicly berating me for Chloe Zhou in my past life. My heart went cold inch by inch. “I won’t apologize for something I haven’t done.” “Fine, then don’t regret it!” Julian left with his arm around Chloe. My parents were frantic when they saw my injury. They immediately took me home and had our private doctor treat it. Watching their anxious faces, I felt incredibly fortunate. Thank god fate gave me a chance to start over and correct my mistakes. This time, my parents are still here, and the Jiang family fortune hasn’t fallen into outsider hands. I will stay as far away from Julian Thorne and Chloe Zhou as possible! A few days later, the Chen family sent engagement gifts, piling up high in the villa. Among them was an heirloom bracelet passed down in the Chen family, signifying the importance they placed on this marriage. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of bitterness. In my past life, the Thorne family knew I was deeply in love with Julian. They told everyone they didn’t like me as a daughter-in-law and that I had pestered their son into marrying me. So we had no engagement party, the Thorne family gave no betrothal gifts, and even the wedding was just a meal between the two families. Thinking of his parents’ cold sarcasm at the dinner table and Julian’s cold indifference, then looking at the Chen family’s respect, I felt even more grateful for this second chance. After much thought, I decided to personally select an engagement gift for Caden. In a century-old shop, I was discussing the design of cufflinks with an old master when Julian suddenly walked in holding Chloe’s hand. “Why are you here?” Disgust flashed across his face. The master explained from the side, “Miss Jiang is thoughtful; she wants to design the groom’s engagement suit personally.” He glanced disdainfully at the design drafts on the table, chin slightly raised. “I told you I don’t want to marry you at all. No matter how much you do, I won’t change my mind.” “Also, I hate engraving on cufflinks. It’s tacky.” I looked down at the ‘C’ on the cufflink design, realizing he probably misunderstood. “Actually, these cufflinks are for…” “Julian, this cheongsam is so beautiful.” Chloe’s eyes lit up as she walked past me to stroke a red cheongsam on display. Julian’s expression softened. “If you like it, have the master customize one just like it for you.” “But I want to wear it tonight to the concert with you.” Chloe’s almost coquettish tone made him smile. He then commanded the master: “Then please trouble the master to alter it quickly according to Chloe’s figure. Don’t delay our concert.” I frowned. “Julian Thorne, that is my engagement dress.” He didn’t care. “I’m very busy; I don’t have time to play engagement party with your Jiang family.” “Besides, Chloe suits a cheongsam better than you.” Chloe had her back to him, her arrogant expression on full display. But her words were apologetic: “If Miss Jiang isn’t willing, then forget it. This cheongsam looks very noble; it’s not for a nobody like me…” “What nonsense, how could the woman I love be a nobody? Stella Jiang relies on her parents too; she’s not that noble.” After finishing his ruthless remarks, Julian handed the cheongsam directly to the master. The master’s expression didn’t change; he still respectfully waited for my instructions. After all, starting from his grandfather’s grandfather, the Jiang family has been this shop’s biggest client. But his hesitation angered Julian. “You…” “If Miss Zhou likes it, let her have it.” I interrupted him. Julian’s expression finally softened. “Seeing that you’re somewhat sensible, after we get married, I can eat with you once a month.” His arrogant manner was like he was bestowing a tiny bit of love upon me. At this moment, I suddenly understood why his attitude toward me changed after he learned that the Jiang family was the top prominent family while his Thorne family was outside the top ten. I used to love his youthful fearlessness, never measuring people’s worth by money. But since then, “your Jiang family” was always on his lips, constantly emphasizing that I relied on my parents, belittling and scorning me, picking the harshest words just because I loved him. To put it bluntly, he was insecure. Thinking of this, I suddenly smiled. “Julian, what makes you so sure that I’m going to marry you?” 3 Julian smirked dismissively. As if he’d heard the world’s biggest joke. “You’ve chased me since we were kids saying you liked me. Your birthday wish every year was to marry me at twenty.” “Now that you’re finally twenty, would you be willing to marry someone else?” Chloe leaned into his arms, her tone also mocking. “Not necessarily. With the Jiang family’s status, heirs from all over the country are fighting to marry her.” “Even if all the heirs in the world fought for her, she’d only be willing to be my wife.” After they finished speaking, they turned and left. Before walking out, Julian didn’t forget to instruct the master: “Deliver the cheongsam to my house after altering it. And those tacky cufflinks, change them to square ones, no engraving.” The master looked at his retreating back and sighed helplessly. “Miss Jiang, about this…” “If she wants it, give it to her. I can just design a new one separately.” I sat down and continued drawing. “Ignore him about the cufflinks. He’s not the groom; he has no right to interfere.” A friend had a birthday party that night. Halfway through the party, Chloe arrived late, followed by Julian’s bodyguard. The bodyguard was carrying a red plastic bag and placed it at my feet. “Miss Jiang must have been waiting anxiously? I wanted to return the dress right after the concert, but Julian insisted on pulling me into the car…” “But Miss Jiang is famous for being magnanimous, so you shouldn’t mind, right?” I looked down and saw the three-million-dollar cheongsam now looked like a dirty rag, crumpled into a ball. White bodily fluids stained the red fabric, glaringly obvious. People around me saw this. Some were indignant for me, others were laughing at me. “Provoked right in her face, and she’s still so calm. She really loves Julian Thorne to death.” “What’s the use of loving him to death? Young Master Thorne only loves Chloe Zhou.” “The dignified only daughter of the Jiang family throwing herself at him like this. I think the Jiang family’s business will be surnamed Thorne in the future.” I looked away, not wanting to see it, and just signaled someone to take it away and throw it out. “As long as Miss Zhou liked it.” My indifferent tone made Chloe’s showing off hit cotton. She clenched her fists indignantly and walked to her seat at the last table. Soon, her Weibo account with millions of followers hit the trending list. “A wonderful day is wearing a fitting cheongsam, holding my lover’s hand, and listening to a favorite concert.” The attached photo was of her and Julian, fingers interlocked, kissing deeply. Soon, countless marketing accounts dug up my old Weibos confessing to Julian, comparing them with Chloe’s, publicly executing me. And on the most popular comparison video, Julian liked it. This made netizens even more excited. “Stella Jiang simping” became a meme. I sternly deactivated my account and messaged the company’s PR department. Within ten minutes, related search terms were wiped clean. The day before the engagement party. I went to the company in the morning to handle matters but was forcibly taken to the Thorne villa by their bodyguards. As soon as I entered, I saw Chloe sitting on the sofa crying her heart out. Julian was comforting her gently. Seeing me, his face immediately turned cold. “Stella Jiang, you’re going too far. Chloe just posted a Weibo. Was it necessary to have all her social media accounts banned?! You know she does social media; you’re cutting off her livelihood!” I was confused. “I just had search terms about me removed. I didn’t do anything else.” “Still quibbling! Who else but you, Stella Jiang, has this kind of power? It’s clearly your jealousy!” “It wasn’t me…” Julian gritted his teeth. Just as I was about to retort, a contemptuous sneer came from the stairs. “Contradicting your husband before even getting married. Is this how the Jiang family educates their daughter?” Mrs. Thorne sat down in front of me with an arrogant look. And Mr. Thorne, who was bowing and respectful to me a while ago, now crossed his legs. “Stella, although we don’t approve of a spoiled young miss like you, we heard you won’t marry anyone but our son, so we respect your wish.” “But we have conditions. The dowry from the Jiang family must exceed fifty percent of the Jiang family’s total assets.” I sneered inwardly, shaking my head to refuse him. Suddenly, a bodyguard behind me punched my knee. I cried out in pain and fell to my knees the next second. Mrs. Thorne waved her hand, and a servant brought a tea tray. “Since you’ll be the Thorne family’s daughter-in-law sooner or later, drinking a cup of daughter-in-law tea in advance isn’t excessive, right?” 4 “Miss Jiang, you have to kneel and crawl over to serve tea to Madam.” The servant stuffed a scalding cup of tea into my hand. My fingers retracted immediately upon touching the cup wall, and the cup shattered on the floor. “Stella Jiang, haven’t you even learned to respect your elders!” Julian scolded angrily. I looked down, rubbing my red fingertips, and shook my head. “I only serve tea to my in-laws. Since you don’t want to marry me, it just so happens I don’t want to marry you either.” After speaking, I pushed against the ground trying to stand up, but bodyguards pinched my arms on both sides. I struggled with all my might. “What are you doing? I am the Jiang family’s daughter; how dare you treat me like this!” Mrs. Thorne, with anger on her face, strode forward and slapped me across the face. This slap seemed to overlap with the dozens she gave me in my past life. I froze. “It’s the engagement party tomorrow, and you’re still so presumptuous!” “Julian, look, this is the wife you’re going to marry. Disrespectful to elders, ignorant of etiquette!” Julian wouldn’t even look at me. “She’s the one pestering me to marry her. Otherwise, I would be marrying Chloe.” Chloe’s tears started flowing again. “Julian, I dream of marrying you, but my family is humble and powerless; we really can’t afford to offend the Jiang family.” She cried uncontrollably as she spoke, making Julian’s heart ache even more. He simply walked over, looking down at me coldly. “Stella Jiang, didn’t you use every means to marry me?” “Fine. I want you to guarantee that after marriage, you will never interfere with any of my decisions, and you are not allowed to return to the Jiang family. You must stay in our home to serve my parents and take care of me and Chloe!” A servant brought a prenuptial agreement, which prominently stated “Fifty percent of Jiang family assets as dowry.” I clenched my fingers, refusing to sign, my eyes red as I looked up. “Julian Thorne! The person I’m marrying is not you at all!” Mrs. Thorne saw the opportunity and slapped me again. “What kind of prominent family is the Jiang family, raising a daughter who disobeys her husband?” “Today I’ll educate you properly on behalf of your parents, so you don’t disgrace our Thorne family after entering the door!” That day, I don’t know how many slaps I took or how many fingerprints I was forced to press. I only know that when they let me go, they also demanded I wear a green dress tomorrow. Because Mrs. Thorne and Chloe Zhou were going to wear red. I just found it laughable. For the engagement party the next day, I still wore the newly designed red cheongsam. My parents and the Chen family were chatting inside, while I welcomed guests at the door. It wasn’t until noon that the Thorne family arrived, surrounded by a crowd. Their family dressed flamboyantly. Chloe held Julian’s arm, one in red and one in black, looking just like a happy bride and groom. In the past, Mr. Thorne would bow and scrape to others on such occasions. Today, he held his head high, ignoring everyone, as if he were the most honored person at this engagement party. Seeing me still wearing red, Mrs. Thorne’s face darkened immediately. “Where are your parents? I want to ask today how there can be a family like yours that doesn’t understand etiquette!” But the guests today were all respectable figures, and I didn’t want to cause trouble. “My parents are inside, you can go in…” Halfway through my sentence, Mrs. Thorne’s crude finger poked my right shoulder. “Make them come out to see me!” I frowned and dodged. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Julian walking over with an indifferent expression. He stood with me, acting as if he were going to welcome guests with me. “Stella Jiang, you got what you wanted. You must be very happy.” “But don’t get carried away. You only got my body, but you will never get my heart.” His voice was full of hatred. As if I had ruined the rest of his life relying on my parents. “Julian, I think you misunderstood. Actually, today I…” “You ignored me? Did you forget how you knelt and begged me yesterday?” Mrs. Thorne’s voice was high. She tapped her phone, holding up the video of me kneeling yesterday. Passing guests were shocked, and some even took out their phones to record. Even the reporters blocked outside noticed and broke through the cordon to run over. “Miss Jiang, is this your future mother-in-law giving you a warning?” “Does your kneeling mean you have submitted to your in-laws? Does this mean the Jiang family will be subservient to the Thorne family in the future?” I gasped, signaling bodyguards while grabbing Julian. “Tell your mom to turn off the video!” He pulled his arm away, coldly looking down to adjust his tie. “If this teaches you to respect your in-laws, losing face isn’t a bad thing.” “Julian, your family is simply unreasonable!” “What right does someone who begged to marry me have to criticize my family?” I couldn’t bear it anymore, grabbing a thermos from the table to throw. But a hand suddenly reached out from behind, gently holding my wrist. I turned back to see Caden Chen in white, his gaze calm but sharp. “Young Master Thorne, how many lives does your mother have, daring to make my fiancée kneel to her?”

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