Upon returning to the system space, Chu Yan claimed the points he had accumulated from both of his worlds. These points could be exchanged for coins in reality at a one-to-one ratio. After working for so long and amassing a considerable amount of points, he essentially possessed substantial wealth.
With a bit more seniority, he might even be able to choose his own scripts, and the tasks might become much simpler.
[Host, we are about to enter the next world. Are you ready?]
Chu Yan: [You can start directly.]
Once again, when he opened his eyes, the surroundings had completely changed. He glanced around; the lighting was dim, yet the decor was luxurious. It seemed he was in the master bedroom of a hotel suite.
The information about this world gradually flooded his mind, and after a moment, as the information settled, Chu Yan couldn’t help but wince in pain at his temples.
This world… in comparison to the previous two, could truly be called “hell mode”
The name of the body he inhabited was Qiao Yue, and his relationship with the male lead of this world, Shen Muchuan, was rather complicated.
In this world, the character he portrayed, Qiao Yue, was cannon fodder. His family fell from grace when he was young, with both parents passing away. Due to the strained relations between his parents and their families during their marriage, relatives gradually grew distant. Consequently, the seven-year-old Qiao Yue at that time had no choice but to be sent to a local orphanage.
Later on, through a fortuitous turn of events, he was adopted by the affluent Shen family in City B and became their adopted son. At the time, the Shen family’s prosperity in City B was astonishing, with an ascending trajectory of success. The couple had been married for many years and had only one son, Shen Muchuan. Since childhood, Shen Muchuan had been spoiled beyond measure, getting whatever he desired, like stars or moons. This pampering inevitably fostered a bit of a spoiled rich kid’s bad temper.
On the other hand, the cannon fodder and scum antagonist Qiao Yue, played by Chu Yan, naturally had to be cautious and submissive while living under the Shen family’s roof. He always appeared obedient and sensible, even at a young age. Moreover, because of his delicate and refined looks since childhood, he was especially cherished.
During their childhood, Shen Muchuan didn’t mince his words when it came to his adopted brother, who was just a few years older. He often caused trouble for Qiao Yue. However, Qiao Yue consistently displayed a humble, accommodating, and gentle demeanor in front of him, as if he never held any grudges, no matter what Shen Muchuan did. Furthermore, Qiao Yue’s outstanding appearance and graceful temperament, along with their interactions over time, naturally garnered favorable feelings. It was difficult for anyone to genuinely dislike him, leading to a gradual change in Shen Muchuan’s attitude towards his adopted brother.
Both of them were sent to study abroad in Country Y after high school. During this period, in an unfamiliar foreign land, their relationship unexpectedly grew closer. Throughout the years of studying in Country Y, Shen Muchuan’s feelings for Qiao Yue gradually deepened.
At the beginning, Shen Muchuan had always believed that the intense emotions he felt towards Qiao Yue were born out of the closeness they had from growing up together. However, gradually, he realized it wasn’t just that…
Due to the complex nature of their relationship, Shen Muchuan kept these feelings hidden deep within himself. And as someone who had grown up by his side since childhood, Qiao Yue naturally saw everything, yet he pretended to be completely oblivious, comfortably enjoying the affection Shen Muchuan showered upon him and the various benefits and advantages it brought.
A year passed this way, and they both entered university. Shen Muchuan, however, discovered that his feelings for his brother were becoming increasingly uncontrollable. During their time at university, with Qiao Yue’s deliberate guidance, Shen Muchuan found himself unable to restrain his growing affection and confessed his feelings to him.
Their relationship naturally fell into place, and after returning to their home country, Shen Muchuan joined the family company to study management. Qiao Yue, who had specialized in secretarial studies abroad, became Shen Muchuan’s assistant under Shen Muchuan’s father’s arrangement.
However, within the company, Shen Muchuan never truly treated Qiao Yue as his assistant. He cared for him in various ways, listened to his opinions when making company decisions, and the people in the company assumed they were deeply bonded brothers.
Shen Muchuan had brought up the idea of making their relationship public, but Qiao Yue had deflected and refused, using various reasons.
This situation continued for almost two years until one day, Shen Muchuan was assigned to oversee a project at the subsidiary company in Country Y. Two months later, he received a call bearing the news of his parents’ accident.
Shen Muchuan rushed back to City B by plane overnight but didn’t make it in time to bid his parents farewell. What caught him even more off-guard was that when he arrived home, he was immediately placed under house arrest.
…
Chu Yan didn’t want to dwell on the memories that followed. In short, at that time, he had resorted to certain means to directly alter Shen Muchuan’s father’s will. This allowed him to acquire a 35% stake in the Shen Corporation. Added to the original 20% stake that he had convinced Shen Muchuan to transfer to him, he became the largest shareholder of the Shen Corporation with ownership exceeding 50%.
If it were just that, perhaps he wouldn’t be so troubled. What truly troubled him was the character setup of this Qiao Yue…
The Shen family had shown him kindness by raising him, yet he had a narrow mindset. He felt that returning good for good was utterly foolish compared to being unable to accomplish anything like Shen Muchuan. However, over the years, he had been subjected to Shen Muchuan’s oppression at every turn. Qiao Yue appeared gentle and polite on the surface, but in reality, he was ruthless and vicious. After imprisoning Shen Muchuan, he had someone literally harvest one of Shen Muchuan’s kidneys…
It was truly outrageous and deranged…
One can only imagine… as Chu Yan thought about this, he felt a dull ache in his side.
Unable to resist, he raised his hand and massaged his slightly throbbing temples. Perhaps it was the effect of the residual alcohol in this body, he sensed a tightness in his chest.
Turning on the wall lamp in the room, the surroundings suddenly brightened. Chu Yan noticed a bowl of sobering soup placed on the bedside table, contained within a delicate white porcelain bowl. It hadn’t been sitting for long, as a faint wisp of steam still rose from it.
Taking a few sips, Chu Yan was about to head to the bathroom to wash his face when he heard a faint sound near the door.
“Come in.”
The door opened with a faint sound, and a young man entered from the doorway. He wore a meticulously tailored dark suit, his tall and well-built frame accentuated by neatly cropped short hair. His face exuded a handsome and youthful charm.
Lin Yu, Qiao Yue’s personal secretary and assistant.
“Mr. Qiao, just now Mr. Gao asked me to inquire whether you’d be available for dinner tonight after everything concludes?” The assistant held a crisply ironed shirt in his hands as he walked over and placed it on the bed.
Chu Yan removed his tie, casually tossing it onto the bed. “Send the clothes to dry cleaning, and then you can head off for the day.”
Lin Yu appeared somewhat concerned. “But you…”
As Chu Yan, who was currently bending over to fasten his cufflinks, turned his head, he furrowed his brows slightly, his expression tinged with a hint of puzzlement. He asked, “What’s the matter? Is there something else?”
Shaking his head, Lin Yu sighed softly in the end. “Alright then, just remember to drink less alcohol.”
The restaurant was located on the top floor of the hotel. Chu Yan pressed the button for the elevator to go upwards, and after a few more floors, it finally stopped at the rooftop.
The restaurant on the rooftop offered a panoramic view. With an open glass roof above, the night sky sparkled, occasionally accompanied by a gentle breeze that brushed by from above.
Dinner was a truly pleasant affair. The cool breeze accompanied a soft and melodic violin tune, inducing relaxation of both body and mind.
Mr. Gao held a wine glass and lightly clinked it against the glass in front of Chu Yan. “Mr. Qiao, you also know that the most troublesome aspect of this project lies in the approvals. I’ve mentioned it to you on the phone.”
“Yes, it’s indeed a complicated matter. The core aspects of the project can’t be delayed,” Chu Yan replied.
Mr. Gao smiled and adjusted his posture. “However, I have an idea here, I’m just not sure whether Mr. Qiao would agree.”
“What is it?” Chu Yan leaned back in his chair, feeling a hint of tipsiness returning.
“Shen, the CEO of Chengchuan, approached me a couple of days ago. He’s also interested in investing in this project. Most importantly, he has connections that can streamline the approval process. From our end, everything is smooth. I’m just not sure about your thoughts, Mr. Qiao?”
…
The elevator descended to the lower floor, the red digits on the display constantly changing until it abruptly halted at “15.”
Ding.
The elevator door slowly opened, and Chu Yan instinctively moved to the side to make room. However, his motion abruptly halted when he lifted his head to see the person entering.
The newcomer raised his head; his countenance handsome and aloof. He glanced at Chu Yan within the elevator, seemingly unbothered, and took a step forward to enter the elevator.
The doors closed in response.
The cramped space seemed to amplify the stifling atmosphere, as if a drop of water had fallen into freezing cold air, causing even the air to suddenly condense.
Chu Yan gazed at him, feeling as if he couldn’t breathe properly for a moment. His muscles tensed up involuntarily.
The man wore a black suit with a light blue shirt underneath, his collar unbuttoned, and his tie absent. Tall and handsome, there was an indescribable… wildness emanating from his entire being.
“You…”
At the same time, Shen Muchuan’s gaze wandered casually over him, from his slender, pitch-black brows to his prominent nose…
Five years had passed, yet it seemed like nothing had changed… Shen Muchuan sneered inwardly, as memories of the past remained vivid, as clear as if they had occurred yesterday.
Shen Muchuan pinched his fingers and then pressed the button for the elevator. He slipped his hand into his trouser pocket and curled his lips slightly, as if a faint smile played on his lips. However, his voice in the confined space was chilling, sending a shiver that seemed almost capable of penetrating the veins: “Long time no see, big brother…”
Chu Yan looked at him, taking about half a minute to compose himself. His gaze gradually settled, and he opened his mouth, his voice trembling slightly as if he found it incredibly hard to believe, mixed with a hint of indescribable joy: “How… how could you be here? Aren’t you…”
Shen Muchuan gazed at him, not missing the perplexity in his eyes, as if the pitch-black depths of his eyes reflected his own image…
His gaze deepened gradually, and Shen Muchuan stared at him intently for a while before he smiled. “Are you wondering how I didn’t die and managed to come back alive?”
Chu Yan’s throat moved laboriously, but he couldn’t say anything as he looked at him.
Shen Muchuan observed the clenched fist at his side and raised an eyebrow slightly, then he chuckled. “Mr. Qiao, how has this position been treating you? Isn’t the feeling quite good?”
Yet Chu Yan seemed to ignore his words completely, and in a hoarse voice, he said, “I’ve been searching for you all these years…”
Shen Muchuan lifted his eyes slightly, observing Chu Yan as he stood enveloped in the faint light of the elevator, a faint tremor of water-like shimmer evident in his eyes.
“Searching for me?”
Shen Muchuan sneered, his eyes flickering with icy coldness and sarcasm. “From what I know, Mr. Qiao has enjoyed a blissful five years. So, don’t you find it a bit nauseating to say something like this?”
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