Chapter 1: A Great Start to the Story Awoo～

[Bro, do you want to be on Rong City’s headlines tomorrow? (Evil cat licking knife.jpg)]

[If you don’t want to, come find me here. (Location)]

Two hours later.

[Bro, you won’t believe what good stuff I found. I know you’re busy these days, but please, just take a look. I promise you won’t regret it!!! (Little cat giving a thumbs up.jpg)]

[If you don’t come, I’ll just lie here. If anyone asks, I’ll say I’m the second young master of the Xie family, unloved by my parents, and neglected by my brother. (Little cat crying lying flat.jpg)]

The driver, who was focused on driving, suddenly heard a short laugh from Xie Zong sitting in the back seat.

After working overtime and sleeping at the company.

Traveling to five places in three days.

Eight hundred calls from the board in one day.

Tomorrow’s work schedule is fuller than a junk food ingredient list.

Finally finding some time to go home and catch up on sleep, Xie Ting’an sat in the car, staring at his private phone screen for a while, smiling as he forwarded the address sent by Xie Yurun to the driver.

The driver immediately changed the destination, glancing through the rearview mirror at his boss, who looked pale but calm, with a smile that hid a hint of menace, as if he could silently take someone out at any moment. Remembering his sixty-thousand-a-month salary, the driver discreetly turned up the car’s heater.

Xie Ting’an closed his eyes, knowing full well that Xie Yurun couldn’t stir up much trouble, but his clinginess was unmatched, and he couldn’t keep his mouth shut in front of the media.

Putting down his private phone, Xie Ting’an picked up his tablet to continue working. The car’s temperature gradually rose, warm and cozy, lulling him to sleep. Before he could finish reviewing the approvals in his hand, his eyelids involuntarily closed heavily.

[System loading 1%]

In the sweet darkness of sleep, with a fine sweat on his neck, Xie Ting’an vaguely remembered how little sleep he’d been getting lately, with tinnitus and headaches recurring again and again, now even developing into auditory hallucinations.

“Mr. Xie, we’re here.”

The driver softly woke Xie Ting’an, picking up the tablet that had fallen under the seat.

[System loading 67%]

Xie Ting’an struggled to open his eyes, feeling as if he’d only slept for a few minutes, but nearly an hour had passed, and the auditory hallucinations hadn’t improved.

Outside the car window was a newly opened entertainment club, exactly the location on his phone. Xie Ting’an closed his eyes, wanting to turn around and go home to sleep, but four words kept echoing in his mind.

Since I’m here.

The club manager, along with the welcoming staff, had been waiting outside the car, their eyes burning as they looked at the Maybach with silver shoulder lines.

Luxury cars were not uncommon in front of the club, but the most important thing was the guest inside this car.

The driver opened the car door, and a fair, slender hand lightly rested on the black handle inside the door. The man in a custom suit slightly bent down to get out of the car, and the driver immediately draped a black coat over him to buffer the temperature difference between inside and outside the car.

“Mr. Xie’s presence truly graces our humble establishment!” The manager beamed, saying the words he’d rehearsed several times in his mind.

“The club’s two owners are out of town and can’t return in time. They specifically instructed that all your expenses are on the house, and we must provide you with the best service.”

“Appreciate the gesture, but no need for the service.”

Xie Ting’an’s lips curved slightly, his tone relaxed. After an hour of sleep, his complexion looked a bit better.

“Where’s Xie Yurun?”

“Young Master Xie is in the private room with his friends.” The manager eagerly gestured, leading Xie Ting’an through the VIP passage that didn’t require security checks.

“Mr. Xie, this is the room.”

The heavy soundproof door was pushed open by the manager and the welcoming staff, who stepped aside to make way. Standing at the doorway, the light from outside illuminated the man’s tall and elegant silhouette.

The originally lively private room instantly quieted down. The group of young people inside realized who had arrived and instinctively fell silent. Some carefully put down their wine glasses and adjusted their postures.

Most of the people present had seen this head of the Xie family in the news or newspapers.

Back when the Xie family was being suppressed by the Gu family, many were waiting to see a joke. No one expected that Xie Ting’an, who had just returned from studying in Germany, would, in just three years, not only clear the Xie family’s over three billion debt but also lead the company into a group development, breaking through in eight years, with momentum rivaling the old Gu Corporation, a miracle indeed!

Having heard of this legendary figure for over a decade, now appearing before them, all eyes focused on him, climbing up his black coat, his warm, fair skin, seemingly indifferent yet strong and composed eyes, a high nose, and slightly curved lips, the color resembling the unique eight-angled crabapple of Rong City.

If one could ignore the faint dark circles under his eyes, the scene before them would definitely be a richly beautiful, classically aesthetic painting.

[System loading 81%]

“Bro, you’re finally here!”

Xie Yurun, already half-drunk, instantly sobered up upon seeing Xie Ting’an, almost jumping with joy.

After sending the message and waiting for over three hours, Xie Yurun thought Xie Ting’an was too busy to care about him today, but he actually came!

Xie Ting’an’s expression remained unchanged, watching as Xie Yurun walked over energetically, his face flushed with post-drinking redness, hiding a bit of smugness.

Now that the Gu family had fallen, there were few in Rong City who could get Xie Ting’an to such an entertainment venue, besides him and his sister.

“Hello, Mr. Xie.” Several young people reacted, standing up to greet Xie Ting’an politely. He nodded slightly, and one cheeky guy called out “Brother Xie,” only to be glared at by Xie Yurun.

Xie Ting’an didn’t mind at all, his gaze sweeping over the young people in front of him.

They were mostly from well-known families in Rong City. The cheeky guy’s family had business dealings with the Xie family, and his aunt often complained to Xie Ting’an. If he remembered correctly, the guy had just been sent back from abroad for causing trouble.

Xie Yurun’s circle of friends needed some cleaning up.

Xie Ting’an’s gaze casually swept over, pausing in the dim corner of the room.

He wasn’t sure if it was an illusion, but there seemed to be a familiar figure, mostly hidden in the shadows, wearing the uniform of a club waiter.

Noticing Xie Ting’an’s gaze, someone grinned, continuing the activity before his arrival as if presenting a treasure.

“Hey, Mr. Xie’s here, don’t stop, Young Master Gu. You’ve only drunk half, you won’t get the money!”

Several hands pushed the waiter out of the corner, the ambient light illuminating his cheap white shirt, a slightly small light gray striped vest outlining his tall figure, firm waist, and taut chest.

The young waiter’s profile instinctively avoided Xie Ting’an’s gaze, his deep blue eyes resembling luxurious, precious gems, enhancing his already sharp features to another level of refinement.

Xie Ting’an’s expression turned subtle, all too familiar with the waiter before him.

Gu Mingchen, the only son of Gu Qiu.

The Gu family and the Xie family had been rivals since their grandfathers’ generation. Eight out of ten people in Rong City knew these two families were mortal enemies, like water and fire. Among the family members, Gu Qiu and Xie Ting’an had an especially hostile relationship, with every meeting filled with tension.

In the past, the Gu family was the old power in Rong City, almost always suppressing the Xie family, until a few months ago when Gu Qiu and his wife went on a trip, and the cruise they were on had an accident in international waters. The rescue team couldn’t find their remains, declaring them missing.

Though declared missing, anyone with eyes knew that unless the couple were reincarnated as turbo ducks, they were definitely fish food. Once the news broke, Gu Corporation’s stock price plummeted, and partners who could terminate contracts withdrew, playing out a perfect scene of “the tree falls, the monkeys scatter.”

With Gu Corporation’s fall, the Xie family, long suppressed by the Gu family, naturally benefited. Xie Ting’an had been busy working overtime non-stop, with no time to pay attention to the current state of the Gu family. He didn’t expect the situation to be this dire, with Gu Qiu’s once-proud son, the former sole heir of Gu Corporation, now reduced to working as a waiter in an entertainment club.

[System loading 97%]

“Drink up, Young Master Gu!”

The young people kept egging him on, their voices almost drowning out the auditory hallucinations in Xie Ting’an’s ears. He saw the decanter in Gu Mingchen’s hand, filled with amber liquid, still more than half full.

Facing his father’s former rival, Gu Mingchen showed no extra reaction, picking up the decanter, his gaze cold, his slightly pale lips touching the liquid, only to cough quietly after a sip.

Xie Ting’an raised an eyebrow, vaguely remembering how Gu Qiu often praised his son in front of others, saying he hadn’t picked up any bad habits, never touched alcohol or cigarettes before adulthood, ate lightly, was very disciplined, and didn’t even stay up late, living a healthily extreme lifestyle.

Whenever he mentioned this, Gu Qiu’s gaze would sweep over Xie Ting’an with disdain, mocking how some people, nearing thirty, only knew how to work, without even a shadow of a romantic partner, let alone children.

Under the watchful eyes of a dozen people, Gu Mingchen suppressed his cough, picked up the decanter, and closed his eyes to drink the liquid, his expression still cold, but one hand clenched at his side, his knuckles slightly red.

Xie Ting’an turned to look at the dazed Xie Yurun, frowning slightly. This act of dragging someone who was once high and mighty into the mud was what he called “fun stuff.”

“Are you okay, Young Master Gu?” The cheeky guy from before wasn’t satisfied, coming up to shove Gu Mingchen.

“Where’s that bravado from before? Now you’re choking on just a little? Even a dog could do better! Two thousand a bottle, can you drink it or not?”

Gu Mingchen turned slightly, avoiding the guy’s shove, gripping the decanter tightly, saying nothing.

“What are you daydreaming about? You still think you’re the old Young Master Gu?”

The guy scanned the room, picking up a half-eaten cold dish from the table, pouring the layer of chili oil at the bottom into the decanter.

“Drink it clean! Miss a drop, and I’ll have you carried out of the room!”

Gu Mingchen remained silent, staring at the mixture of wine and oil in his hand for a long time before raising the glass again.

Countless malicious gazes fell on Gu Mingchen, and Xie Yurun looked pleased, instinctively glancing at his brother, only to find him standing quietly, tall and composed, seemingly oblivious to everything before him.

[System loading complete.]

Amidst the young people’s clamor, accompanied by the change in auditory hallucinations, Xie Ting’an looked at the semi-transparent frame that appeared before him, taking a while to come back to his senses.

He wasn’t wearing any projection equipment, and judging by others’ reactions, they hadn’t seen the suddenly appearing floating screen either.

Several lines of text appeared on the screen, and Xie Ting’an glanced over them, raising an eyebrow slightly.

[You, orphaned, company bankrupt, relatives imprisoned, humiliated…]

[You, want to rise from the ashes and avenge all this injustice!]

Rhythmic, passionate music echoed in his ears, and three options appeared before Xie Ting’an.

[yes]

[Of course I want to (show them)!]

[Hurry, hurry, I’ve been waiting forever!!!]

After a brief contemplation, Xie Ting’an seemed to understand, glancing through the screen at Gu Mingchen, who was being ridiculed by the guy, trying to communicate with the thing before him mentally.

“Is it possible that my parents are alive, my company is thriving, no relatives are breaking the law, and the last person who humiliated me is already fish food in the sea?”

“And also,” Xie Ting’an pointed at the words “rise from the ashes.”

“Do you even know how to use idioms?”

The system paused, the flashing characters seeming to be in thought.

“Anyway, you’ve got the wrong person.” Xie Ting’an composed himself, glancing at the decanter with chili oil in Gu Mingchen’s hand, vaguely remembering that some of the Gu family’s collateral relatives had indeed just gone in recently.

“Compared to me, he’s the one who fits your criteria better.”

The flashing characters suddenly stopped, as if reaching a conclusion, and the semi-transparent screen quickly expanded, countless images appearing before Xie Ting’an.

The images began to play, showing a young Xie Ting’an. He instinctively held his breath, watching the carousel of novel excerpts, witnessing his twenty-nine years of life, until now, the images hadn’t stopped.

The carousel turned towards the future, and Xie Ting’an saw a year of Xie Corporation’s glory, saw the police standing at the door, Xie Yurun clinging to his leg, crying desperately, snot and tears smearing his suit pants, only to be forcibly taken away, thrown into prison;

Saw his father’s old friend deliberately leaking the matter in public, causing his father to have a heart attack, several surgeries later, his father was on the brink of death, his emaciated hand gripping the lover by the hospital bed;

Xie Ting’an also saw himself in the cemetery on a rainy day, holding an umbrella, slowly tilting it towards his tearful sister, the tombstone engraved with his parents’ names;

The plummeting stock price, frozen assets, auctioned villa, his sister suffering from unwarranted disaster, cyber-bullied to the point of not daring to face the world… and the Gu Qiu, who should have been fish food in the sea, appearing unscathed, with former partners, kicking him while he’s down, mocking him as he desperately sought help.

Thousands of fragments pieced together a complete, continuously declining tragedy, until finally, a familiar figure appeared before him again.

“A-Ting, use some strength, bite down.”

Xie Ting’an was shocked, seeing the now-inherited Gu family head, Gu Mingchen, with a cold expression, a pure black ribbon over his eyes, standing before him, his voice hoarse and low.

Staring at the screen, Xie Ting’an saw Gu Mingchen pull a rose from a nearby flower bucket, gripping the stem to remove the thorns, then placing the green rose stem horizontally between his lips and teeth, two distinct fingers pressing the thornless tender branch deeper into his mouth.

Reaching a satisfactory depth, Gu Mingchen withdrew his scarred fingers, using a white handkerchief to gently wipe away the unknown liquid on his fingers.

Putting away the handkerchief, Gu Mingchen turned towards the bow rack, the lights of the indoor archery range fully lit, like daylight, his tall, strong figure standing in the light, side-on, raising a compound bow, three fingers pulling the bowstring tight.

The next second, a crisp string sound echoed.

The pure carbon fiber arrow shaft shot like a meteor, piercing through the rose calyx, the petals instantly scattered.

The string sound reverberated, rose petals falling on the silent Xie Ting’an’s shoulders and hair, the backlit figure approaching, untying the ribbon over his eyes, the gray, lifeless eyes devoid of any light, the scars around the eye sockets even more hideous, Gu Mingchen raised his hand, the slightly rough fingertip pausing by Xie Ting’an’s face, but not touching.

“A-Ting, you earned more than I did back then.”

Unable to see Gu Mingchen’s expression, Xie Ting’an watched himself, having received the playmate’s reward, leave Gu Mingchen’s villa in a daze, not yet able to use the money to salvage anything, when a speeding car suddenly entered his view.

Terrified eyes met the headlights, accompanied by a page marked [The scene is too gory, has been mosaicked, memory ends, thank you for watching] popping up, Xie Ting’an felt a chill all over, coming back to his senses in a daze, having browsed through the novel content of his death, seeing familiar subtitles.

[You, Xie Ting’an.

A notorious villain in two novels, interfering with the main couple’s relationship in the first book, opposing the male lead in the second, now left with orphaned parents, a bankrupt company, imprisoned relatives, humiliated, and just narrowly escaped losing your precious life…]

[You, want to start anew, to repay all this injustice!]

[yes]

[Of course I want to (screw them over)!]

[Darling system, come quickly, I can’t wait any longer!!!]