Sunday, January 14, 2024.

6:30 A.M.

Zhang Yan blinked, stared at an unfamiliar ceiling for a long moment, then gradually remembered.

This was Sister Wen Ruan’s home, the Yue Residence in Shencheng Bay.

Last night she had drunk champagne at Qing Ning’s place.

She seldom drank; even when she drank it was usually only an occasional beer.

Those two glasses of precious pink champagne had tasted sweet like juice at first, but the aftereffect was strong, leaving her woozy.

Her head still felt a little light.

But that lightness wasn’t unpleasant; it made everything feel as if seen through a soft glowing filter, hazy yet especially real.

After zoning out for a bit, her thoughts slowly collected.

Zhang Yan stared at the ceiling, and the corner of her mouth lifted without her control.

She had cleared that hurdle.

Liu Qingning.

That name had loomed in her heart like a mountain for ten full years.

From the first time she saw her at the gate of Yizhong High School’s cafeteria at sixteen, to the countless late nights turning over the diary in her hands.

She had always thought that light belonged to Tang Song and was forever out of her reach.

But last night, that “light” had reached out to her.

It didn’t blind her; instead, it gently accepted her.

She had finally stepped out from that shadow.

She could finally… in her heart, legitimately imagine herself as his girlfriend.

Thinking this, the voice with a slight choke came back to her ears: “Zhang Yan, I love you.”

“Ah, Tang Song…”

Zhang Yan buried her face in the soft pillow and curled up in the duvet.

Her exposed ear flushed pink.

That sweetness, wrapped in an enormous sense of happiness, made her feel like melting.

She fidgeted on the bed for a while before belatedly realizing the space beside her was empty.

Where was Shuangshuang?

Zhang Yan propped herself up, switched on the bedside lamp, and looked around.

Shuangshuang?

She lifted the duvet and got out of bed.

She slipped on pink plush slippers, threw a thin jacket over her shoulders, and gently opened the door.

Outside, the large flat was still quiet. Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the waters of Shencheng Bay glimmered with the gray-blue light unique to early morning.

Zhang Yan spotted Chen Shuangshuang sitting on the living room carpet.

The little girl was leaning against that pure white silk sofa, cradling a snoring Juzi in her arms, holding her phone, thumbs flying across the screen, her face lit with an extremely excited, triumphant grin.

“Shuangshuang,” Zhang Yan called softly.

Hearing her voice, Chen Shuangshuang immediately looked up, her eyes bright as two tiny bulbs. “Sister! You’re awake!”

“Why are you up so early? Aren’t you going back to sleep a little?” Zhang Yan walked over and, concerned, smoothed her hair.

After all, when this kid was on winter break at home in Yangcheng, she would stubbornly sleep until after nine a.m. before she’d lazily get up.

“I couldn’t sleep! I couldn’t sleep at all!” Chen Shuangshuang grabbed Zhang Yan’s arm and shook it excitedly. “Sister, it felt like a dream! And… and…”

She inhaled deeply, her little face flushed red.

“Sister, you don’t even know how amazing yesterday afternoon was! Sister Su Yu! She was so nice to me—she not only took me shopping and to take photos, she even treated me to the finest French restaurant! And she had no star attitude at all, and she gave me this!”

With care, she produced a small black velvet box that felt very high-end and opened it.

Inside lay an intricately designed star necklace shimmering with tiny diamonds.

“She bought it for me at the Bulgari counter she passed yesterday, said it was an early New Year gift for me!” Chen Shuangshuang babbled with excitement. “Sister, I feel like the luckiest fan in the world! I just showed the photos to my girlfriends in the group chat and they’re going to be so jealous! Of course, I didn’t say I know Su Yu personally, I said my sister knows her—said you’re a genius lyricist who writes songs for Su Yu, and it was you who introduced me to her…”

Watching her sister act like that, Zhang Yan couldn’t help smiling warmly.

She could clearly feel that after yesterday, this half-sister’s last bit of stubbornness and distance toward her had completely evaporated.

In its place was unprecedented admiration and deep attachment.

Zhang Yan had lacked love as a child and really wanted to build a good relationship with this sister. But she was introverted and awkward with words, never knowing how to get close.

“Shuangshuang.”

“Yes, I’m here, Sister!” Chen Shuangshuang tilted her head, eyes sparkling.

“Go wash your face and brush your teeth, and change into something pretty,” Zhang Yan said, gently pinching her cheek. “After breakfast, I’ll take you to buy that tablet you’ve wanted.”

“Yay! Long live Sister!!!” Chen Shuangshuang cheered, lunged forward to give Zhang Yan a big bear hug, then darted toward the bathroom.

Watching her sister’s energetic back, Zhang Yan smiled.

After washing up she returned to the spare bedroom and picked up her phone. A new unread message waited on the screen.

[Liu Qingning: “Zhang Yan, have you decided? There are just over twenty days before New Year. If you want to go back to Jing County, it’s better to book the tickets early. We can go together.”]

Zhang Yan lightly bit her lip as she read it.

Return home.

She had been avoiding it.

Avoiding that so-called family.

Avoiding her father.

Most of all, she feared her stepmother who always mocked her and even tried to treat her like an item to sell.

But now…

After last night’s emotional rebirth, she felt injected with a power called “courage.”

Running away wouldn’t solve anything; some things must be faced sooner or later.

Moreover…

Her gaze grew distant and gentle.

She wanted to go back to Dongzhang Village.

To walk that country path in the neighboring village she had wandered so many times before;

to see the street he rode past on his bicycle every day;

even to push open, with her own hand, the door of his house—the door she had only ever dared to look at from afar.

For her, that would be the most romantic thing, the thing she wanted most.

She inhaled deeply and typed back seriously: “Okay, thank you Qing Ning, I’ll go back.”

...

Swan Castle, Overseas Chinese City.

When Tang Song opened his eyes, daylight had already arrived.

The bedroom was quiet, pierced only by two breaths of different depths weaving in his ears.

He saw a minimalist recessed-ceiling and smelled a complex fragrance.

Su Yu held his left arm, curled up beside him; her jet-black hair flowed like a waterfall across much of her back.

Her exposed shoulder shone with a pearly glow. On her pale skin were a few clear red marks, like vermilion on fine porcelain, revealing fragility and coolness.

Wen Ruan on his right was completely different.

The older sister flopped on the pillow with no regard for image; her brown wavy hair covered half a seductive face.

The thin blanket had slipped off most of her body, revealing the full curve of her hips and a luscious thigh.

Her body rose and fell with breath, exuding a ripe, languid sensual warmth.

One was cool as the moon, ethereal and fragile.

One was lush as honey, dripping with desire.

Two utterly different extremes of feminine beauty laid bare beside him.

Tang Song couldn’t help reaching out, one hand left and one right, touching the two contrasting textures.

The actress let out a low moan. Her brows shifted slightly; she didn’t open her eyes, only instinctively snuggled closer.

The older sister forced her peach blossom eyes open, the corners still rimmed with last night’s tears.

She gave Tang Song a weary glance, parted dry red lips and whispered without sound:

“Pervert…”

“Definitely… on drugs…”

She shifted her long white leg irritably, as if wanting to kick him, but in the end it only rested on his leg; she rolled her eyes and closed them again.

Seeing the older sister like that made Tang Song amused.

He really had been on drugs.

He counted — last night he had used three vials of Recovery Potion in total.

No choice; his opponents had been too strong.

One had 81 Stamina, the other 79, both top-tier.

Those two different charms interlaced like ice and fire, producing a destructive impact.

Besides, the actress had special skills like Siren’s Waist and Silver Tongue, while the older sister had the system-granted Wen Ruan’s Whisper.

This was not a simple one-plus-one-equals-two situation; the effect jumped to five or even higher.

If he had been in normal condition, he wouldn’t have lasted more than a few rounds against the two great demon queens working together.

Luckily he was a cheater.

With the constant recovery from three potions, he had managed to survive all the counterattacks.

Not until three in the morning, when the neon across Shencheng Bay had finally gone dark, did this earth-shaking “internal family coup” conclude.

They even ate some food in between.

It was an unparalleled high—addictive beyond measure.

That sense of conquest still made his blood race just thinking about it.

He closed his eyes, savoring the indescribable relaxation and satisfaction after total release.

After a while, Tang Song quietly slipped out of bed.

He tucked Su Yu and Wen Ruan under the duvet, then turned and went into the huge walk-in closet off the master.

As expected, he found men’s clothes there—casual, business, home wear, all ready.

He picked out a dark gray twill T-shirt and black lounge pants.

They fit perfectly, tailored yet comfortable—neither sloppy nor formal.

Clearly Su Yu had prepared all this.

He checked his phone for the time.

It was already 8:17.

The screen flooded with unread messages—work, personal, greetings from his wings.

The video of the global CEO debut for Xuanji Optical World was still spreading online and gaining traction, beginning to go viral.

Not surprising.

At twenty-six, with flawless looks and distinguished bearing, a resume from quant genius to angel investor to global tech CEO looked legendary. Paired with photos that made him seem like a novel’s male lead come to life.

In today’s age of mass self-media and worship for “high intellect” and “sapiosexual” vibes, that combination was bound to explode.

His Xiaohongshu account was the first to blow up—after all, there were photos, and the cyber-military crowd could see them.

Fan count had already topped 200,000, growing ridiculously fast.

Who knew if there’d be system rewards when it reached one million.

But it was predictable that, with more exposure of Xuanji Optical World in consumer media, his personal resume, past experiences, even outfit details would be dissected with a magnifying glass.

He would become a semi-public figure.

Smiling, Tang Song shoved his phone in his pocket and left the bedroom.

He wandered through the quiet rooms without purpose.

Maybe because she didn’t live there permanently, Su Yu’s home felt a little cold.

Monochrome tones dominated—black, white, gray—clean sharp lines, furnishings mostly minimalist pieces by international designers.

No extra decoration, no casually placed clutter; even the floral scent in the air was restrained and elegant.

It resembled a carefully designed high-end show flat.

It lacked the warmth of everyday life.

Tang Song’s gaze was soon caught by a whole wall of instruments.

Guitars, bass, violins, cellos were arranged with a professional mixing console and several effects units.

He walked over, picked up a Martin D-42 acoustic guitar, sat on the nearby bench, and plucked the strings.

Bright notes flowed like spring water.

He didn’t play any complex piece—just improvised a soothing melody and let his thoughts drift with the morning light.

After a while he put the guitar down, stood, and walked onto the wide terrace.

The morning sun was still cool; the air was excellent with the sea breeze’s faint salty moisture.

Tang Song stretched and took a deep breath, then began.

Tai Chi.

Slow, soft, continuous movements imbued with the flow of force.

Each move matched his breathing and the body’s rhythm.

After finishing the set, a film of sweat dotted his skin; he felt invigorated, as if every muscle had been reawakened.

Exhaling, he moved to the kitchen to make brunch for his two beloved girlfriends.

10:30 A.M.

Tang Song was holding the actress and eating brunch when a crisp system prompt sounded in his ears:

“Ding! Congratulations, Player. Partner - Tian Jing cultivation plan task ② Order and Guidance completed.”

“Partner - Tian Jing growth progress +15%.”

“Partner - Tian Jing received Order Gift Pack *1.”

Tang Song paused, a bright joy flashing in his eyes.

Xiao Jing’s Task ② was complete!

That meant, after Wen Ruan, the third qualified partner had appeared!

A pale-blue system overlay unfurled before his eyes.

[January 14, 2024, under your guidance and help, Tian Jing’s growth progress has exceeded 60%, reaching the qualified threshold.]

[During her growth she received emotional care from her partner, maintaining very healthy physical and mental states. Her love for you is fervent, obsessed, and loyal.]

[You received sincere feedback from Partner - Tian Jing: Stamina +2, Physique +2.]

Tang Song smiled faintly.

Unlike Wen Ruan and Zhao Yaqian, Xiao Jing’s qualification didn’t directly grant +1 Charm.

But he quickly understood why.

As his Charm had already surpassed 90, partner growth feedback could no longer directly affect Charm scores.

At this tier, only bindings like Secretary Jin would be able to directly shift that numeric value.

Or—if Xiao Muxue became qualified too, the two partners’ blessings stacked, maybe then it could.

Speaking of which, Xiao Muxue’s tasks needed progressing as well.

Before the New Year he could have her, the older sister, the beautician, and Xiao Jing pick a villa together and take a little vacation.

“Open wide—”

Su Yu’s soft voice sounded as a spoon of rice porridge was brought to his lips.

He opened his mouth and drank it down, his hand stroking the actress’s thigh, adjusting his posture to be more comfortable.

The Partner module opened.

Xiao Jing’s character card in a wedding dress surfaced, and a dazzling pink gift pack floated beside it, heart-shaped bubbles drifting off it.

He selected the Order Gift Pack and opened it immediately.

“Ding! Partner - Tian Jing gained attribute: Agility +1.”

“Ding! Partner - Tian Jing gained attribute: Comprehension +1.”

“Ding! Partner - Tian Jing gained passive skill: Order’s Gaze.”

[Passive Skill - Order’s Gaze]: When Partner - Tian Jing faces complex business scenarios, her thinking automatically enters an “order state.” Chaotic information is sorted into clear structures in her mind. She can keenly detect logical flaws, contract traps, and the true intentions hidden behind flowery words.

The reward was generous.

Not only dual attribute bonuses but a substantive passive skill.

As his agent who had to penetrate the Tangjin System, even if Xiao Jing didn’t originally care for commerce, she could not afford mistakes.

Order’s Gaze fit perfectly.

Tang Song clicked on Xiao Jing’s card.

[Partner: Tian Jing (23)]

[Role: Agent (Jingyi Asset Management)]

[Height: 168 cm, Weight: 48 kg]

[Physique: 66, Stamina: 67, Agility: 75, Comprehension: 83] (Note: male/female rating standards differ)

[Growth Progress: 70%]

[③ The Crown’s Gaze]

[Task content: Under Anne Kate’s guidance, Tian Jing has become acquainted with the rules and begun to fulfill her duties as an agent. Now her curiosity and desire have been stirred to an unprecedented degree—not greed for power, but a thirst to probe deeper into your world. She wants to know how many secrets you still hold. Her loyalty to you is unshakeable.

Next, she will act as your agent to access more core areas.

Crown Bank is about to become your strategic foothold in Europe. Assign Partner - Tian Jing to oversee the Tang Jin family office properties, valuables (such as artworks, contracts, private collections), and coordinate with Crown Bank. This will allow her to enter the banking system, penetrate core information flows, and gradually become another set of eyes you’ve planted beside Anne Kate.]

[Task reward: Growth progress +15%, Crown Gift Pack *1]

[Task progress: Incomplete]

[Note 1: Since Partner - Tian Jing’s growth progress exceeded 60%, her personal information has been notified to other game characters.]

[Note 2: Amid busy work, emotional soothing from the partner is also needed—player should pay attention to emotional care.] 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

...

Tokyo, top floor of Tangjin·WANO Club.

Xiao Jing leaned back in a wide leather chair, holding a contract.

Her assistant stood aside, reporting in a low voice:

“Miss Jane, all documents have been archived.”

“The equity transfer for Tsukihana Gosho is complete. Per your request, Saburo’s final share is set at 3% with no voting rights. Signed documents from other members of the House Motomu family have been collected. The legal team is conducting final compliance review.”

Xiao Jing nodded occasionally, but surprise shone in her eyes.

Perhaps it was imagination, but clauses that once seemed ordinary—their logical relationships, hidden risk points, even subtle ambiguities in wording—were now being discerned.

She felt triumphant!

This was definitely completing the hellish task Tang Song assigned; she earned experience and leveled up!

The assistant finished reporting, bowed with the papers, and respectfully left the office.

The heavy soundproof door closed gently, leaving the spacious luxurious room with only Xiao Jing inside.

She spun in the chair and faced the window.

Tokyo’s sky was very blue, the kind of color that only appeared in a Makoto Shinkai film.

The Tsukihana Gosho acquisition had finally settled.

From the beginning when Mentor Anne led her into the fray, to the sudden departure of the mentor leaving her to face the Motomu family alone, to manipulating the “shadow team” and directing the dramatic three-brother internal conflict…

Those past days had been more thrilling than any game—ten thousand times over.

Now this ancient hotel empire was hers.

Time to return to the mainland.

She wondered how Anne was doing; the last call said she was handling family matters in Switzerland.

Just then—

“Riiiiing—”

Her phone vibrated. A video call request lit the screen.

[Anne, Mentor]

Xiao Jing’s eyes brightened as she tapped to answer.

The image flickered, and an aggressively beautiful face filled the screen.

Anne Kate sat in a large office chair, wearing an extremely fitted light-gray turtleneck that revealed her ample bosom.

Her dazzling golden hair was tied back, a few strands framing her face.

Her ice-blue eyes looked through the screen with lazy sharpness, staring straight at Xiao Jing.

“Good afternoon, my dear student.”

When the sultry voice came from the speaker, Xiao Jing’s cheeks flushed uncontrollably.

The ocean-mare mentor remained so alluring! Oh, how she wanted to cling!

“Hello, Mentor Anne,” Xiao Jing answered with restrained excitement. “Are you done in Switzerland?”

Anne didn’t answer directly; a slight approving curve crossed her lips and satisfaction gleamed in those icy-blue eyes.

“I received the report. The Tsukihana Gosho job was done very well. Good job, Jane.”

“Thank you for your praise, Mentor!” Xiao Jing immediately put on a submissive expression, eyes curved into crescents. “It’s all thanks to your guidance. I’ll continue to work hard!”

“I believe in your abilities.” Anne adjusted her posture and the curve in the frame grew more provocative. “Since that matter is done, fly to Switzerland. Come ski, and… I have something rather special I want you to see in person.”

“Switzerland? Great!”

“Perfect. I’ll have Lily arrange your flight.”

“Wait, Mentor!” Xiao Jing suddenly called out.

“Oh?” Anne raised a brow. “What is it? Does my good student have a request?”

Xiao Jing bit her lower lip, her big eyes flickering. “Mentor… you promised before that—after I handled this matter you'd take me and Tang Song-sama out to sea together…”

Anne paused, then laughed.

“Jane, you’re such a cheeky, greedy little girl.” She put a finger to her lips, her gaze sharpening with a predator’s glint. “But since I promised, of course I’ll do it. I promise.”

“Thank you, Mentor! Love you! I miss you so much and I’ll come as soon as I can!”

“Bye.”

The call ended.

Xiao Jing set the phone down, cheeks flushed with excitement.

Being with the big-bosomed golden-haired mentor and Tang Song-sama… the three of them on the vast sea…

Hee hee, she couldn’t wait!

After the excitement subsided, another thought flickered across her eyes.

Just three days ago, Ms. Ouyang had sent an envoy to Tokyo to meet her.

The message was polite but clear—watch Anne Kate, and be aware of an institution called Crown Bank; there may be potential risks.

She had never heard of Crown Bank before.

But with her acuity, she had quickly mapped the logic.

Anne was obviously placed by Tang Song to do extremely secret things in Europe—things that even Ms. Ouyang was kept in the dark about.

This had already alarmed that powerful widow.

On one side stood a business queen with real power, on the other a mysterious dangerous overseas tycoon.

Tang Song-sama was the ultimate puppet master manipulating it all.

What did that mean?

It meant the vast, seemingly tranquil Tangjin harem had begun to stir—true factional battles were about to begin.

This plot was incredibly thrilling!

Maybe her trip to Switzerland would yield a juicy scoop.

While she daydreamed—

“Knock, knock, knock—”

Someone knocked in a strict, regular rhythm.

Xiao Jing sat up straight. “Come in.”

Lily entered wearing a crisp black suit.

“Miss Jane, Anne has given instructions. I’ve booked a business jet for you to Zurich tonight. Departure is nine p.m.,” Lily reported in a professional, emotionless tone.

“Thanks, Lily,” Xiao Jing nodded.

But Lily did not leave after the report.

Instead, she locked the lounge door behind her and stepped closer to Xiao Jing.

“Miss Jane.”

Lily bent slightly and lowered her voice until it was barely audible, with a hint of warning:

“When you arrive in Switzerland, do not hide those miniature recording devices in your lingerie anymore.”

“Zurich headquarters’ security level is extremely high and equipped with full-time anti-listening and counterintelligence equipment. Your little tricks will be detected immediately.”

Her pupils shrank; her face turned ashen, panic flashing in her eyes.

This had been her little Mission: Impossible hobby.

She had secretly planted a device in her underwear to record Anne’s “teaching quotes” and send them to Tang Song—mostly to show off and earn credit.

She had never imagined that Anne might already have discovered it!

If so, then all her supposed secret operations had actually been…

Seeing Xiao Jing’s expression, the tension at Lily’s mouth eased slightly.

“Don’t worry and don’t be afraid. Anne doesn’t know. I masked your device’s frequency.”

“What?” Xiao Jing blinked, dazed.

Lily was supposed to be Anne’s confidante, sent to “assist” and watch her—why risk betraying Anne to help her conceal this?

Xiao Jing couldn’t help asking, “Why?”

“Because you are Mr. Tang’s woman. Ensuring your safety is part of my duty.” Lily inclined slightly. “Welcome, Miss Jane. I hope we’ll have a pleasant cooperation.”

With that she turned, unlocked the door, and exited the office.

Xiao Jing stood stunned, watching the door close.

Her scalp prickled.

Lily was on her side?!

An eye Tang Song had planted beside Anne?!

That was wickedly brilliant!

Tang Song-sama, you’re the best!!

Her face felt like it was on fire.

[System Notice: Congratulations “Xiao Jing’s Nainai” — hidden plot triggered: Lesson-in-Lesson Awakening!]

[You have been confirmed as an official member of the organization. Permissions +1]

[Hidden Task “Harem Shadow War: Prologue” unlocked!]