Yan Xiaoqing transmigrates into an old-fashioned, melodramatic romance novel filled with cheating and betrayal. He becomes the cannon-fodder bottom who is given to a powerful man by a scumbag.
The original character is hopelessly devoted to the scumbag, even stealing company secrets for him. In the end, he is tied up by the powerful man and thrown into a pig cage to drown.
Yan Xiaoqing transmigrates just in time to be packaged up and sent to the man’s bed.
Since he has already come this far, he decides to make the most of it. Using the powerful man’s supposed “favorite pet” status as his shield, he boldly makes a name for himself in the business world and enjoys the luxurious life of the rich.
Jin Shenshi is a top-level heir from an extremely prestigious family. He is handsome, successful, disciplined, and famously keeps himself out of scandals. Everyone assumes he is simply uninterested in romance.
No one expects a beautiful young man to start appearing at his house all the time.
An insider reveals:
“He’s being kept by Jin Shenshi.”
Another person in the know says:
“Jin Shenshi has already gotten tired of him. Dumping him is only a matter of time.”
His childhood sweetheart and supposed “white moonlight” adds:
“He only looks like me.”
Jin Shenshi:
“Keep talking nonsense and see if I don’t ruin you all!”
Yan Xiaoqing, happily counting money:
“What?! That’s not how the book was supposed to go!”
Yan Xiaoqing’s Script:
I was kept by a powerful man. I am heartbroken, so I spend his money, use his connections, live in his mansion, drive his luxury cars, and enjoy his 20 centimeters— (crossed out) —and from then on, I reach the peak of my life.
Waaah… I’m such a pitiful little thing!
Jin Shenshi’s Script:
“Xiaoqing, there’s something delicious here. Come here, sweetheart!”
Warning:
I just want to spoil you… and watch you make a fuss.
Early April.
Spring had just arrived. The sky was clear, the air was fresh, and a gentle breeze swept through the courtyard.
Liang Chen stood motionless in the shadows beside the window.
From there, he happened to see a black Volkswagen drive into the courtyard. As soon as the car stopped, his uncle, Xue Zhengchang, hurried over and personally opened the door, greeting the person who stepped out with exaggerated enthusiasm.
The newcomer was wearing a white casual T-shirt. From this distance, Liang Chen couldn’t make out his features clearly.
“Have you seen the old master’s new favorite?”
“Of course. He’s really handsome. I personally saw him arguing with Madam last time. He’s got quite a sharp tongue, too…”
“Shh—hurry up. Someone’s coming.”
Liang Chen moved two steps behind the curtain. Only after the servants had walked away did he slowly approach the second-floor railing.
He stared toward the entrance and watched the man walk into the living room.
The orange lights fell across his face like a soft filter, making his features look gentle and restrained.
The gloomy look in Liang Chen’s eyes suddenly brightened.
He couldn’t help murmuring to himself,
“No wonder he’s got people completely under his spell. He’s actually pretty handsome.”
Perhaps sensing someone watching him, the man stopped and turned his head toward the second floor.
Liang Chen quickly stepped backward and hid behind the curtain again.
Once the living room had completely quieted down, he came out carrying incense, candles, and offerings before making his way downstairs.
He went to the entrance of the small garden on the right side of the main villa.
Gripping the rusty door handle, he inserted the key into the lock.
The garden had been neglected for years, and the lock was stiff with rust. He had to turn the key several times before the door finally opened.
The garden was overgrown with weeds. Green grass had grown past his ankles, completely swallowing the original path.
Following his memory, he walked along the stone path until he reached a small Buddhist shrine.
He opened the door.
A cloud of dust mixed with the smell of mold immediately blew into his face, making him cough.
He set the incense, candles, and offerings aside, fetched a basin of water, wrung out a damp cloth, rolled up his sleeves, and began wiping away the dust.
Two black-and-white memorial photographs were displayed at the front of the shrine.
They were photographs of Liang Chen’s parents.
Today was the anniversary of their deaths.
Every year on this day, he came here to pay his respects.
Meanwhile, the dining room on the first floor was completely different.
A table full of exquisite dishes had been prepared, filling the room with mouthwatering aromas. Wine glasses clinked as everyone chatted and laughed.
Shen Yitang took a sip of wine and put a piece of beef into his mouth, chewing slowly.
The dishes were arranged on white enamel plates with decorative edges. A fresh bouquet sat in the center of the dining table, while the newly renovated room was beautifully decorated, creating a pleasant atmosphere.
Miss Xue held a glass of red wine.
Perhaps she had drunk too quickly. She swayed as she leaned toward him.
Shen Yitang caught her wrist with his left hand and gently pushed her shoulder with his right, guiding her back into her chair.
Then he picked up a wet wipe from the table and carefully wiped his hands, front and back, as though he wanted to remove every trace of contact.
A few drops of red wine splashed out of the glass and landed on his white T-shirt, leaving faint red stains.
He frowned slightly, but his polite smile quickly returned.
Taking out a pack of cigarettes, he said courteously,
“Excuse me. I’ll step outside for a moment.”
With that, he got up and left.
“Mom, is Shen Yitang really going to marry me?”
Miss Xue’s cheeks were flushed as she leaned against her mother.
“Hmm. Our two families are going into business together. Marriage is the safest way to secure the partnership.”
Mrs. Xue patted her daughter’s hand reassuringly.
“Mom…”
Miss Xue coquettishly tugged at her mother’s arm, then lifted her wineglass and took a small sip.
“Tell me, is he really that amazing?”
“Of course.”
Mrs. Xue’s voice became noticeably lighter.
“Shen Yitang is thirty years old this year. When he was twenty, his graduation project won one of the country’s most prestigious architecture awards. After graduating, he joined the company. In just five years, he increased the market value of the entire Shen Group several times over.”
Miss Xue’s eyes sparkled.
“What else?”
“The Shen family is far more complicated than ours. He has several uncles above him and several cousins of his generation. Every one of them has their eyes on the Shen family’s enormous business empire.”
“And yet, he managed to carve his own path through all of them and take responsibility for the entire Shen family.”
“Now, whenever people mention the eldest son of the Shen family, they have nothing but praise for him.”
Mrs. Xue gave a thumbs-up.
“He’s extremely disciplined and has never been involved in any scandals. Last time, I personally saw a little internet celebrity shamelessly throw herself at him. He simply stepped aside, and she fell flat on her face!”
She already regarded Shen Yitang as her future son-in-law, and there was unmistakable pride in her voice.
“Mom, he’s that amazing? Am I dreaming?”
Miss Xue was slightly dazed as she imagined Shen Yitang’s handsome face.
“Of course not.”
Mrs. Xue answered firmly and nudged her daughter.
“Don’t be shy. Go outside and keep him company.”
Miss Xue took out her lipstick, touched up her makeup, and swayed toward the door.
In the hallway outside, Shen Yitang held a cigarette between his lips.
He took a deep drag and slowly exhaled a cloud of white smoke.
When he remembered Miss Xue’s plunging neckline and the way her bright-red manicured fingers had accidentally brushed against him, his stomach churned with disgust.
“Mr. Shen!”
Miss Xue had come looking for him.
Hearing the sound of her high heels approaching and that deliberately sweet voice calling his name made his scalp prickle.
He quickly walked forward a couple of steps.
Then, with a slight turn of his body, he slipped through a small door beside the garden and casually pulled it shut behind him.
The garden inside the door was old and neglected, a stark contrast to the beautifully maintained villa outside.
The hand that had touched the door was covered with a layer of rust.
Shen Yitang took out a tissue and wiped his hand clean.
He folded the tissue neatly and put it back into his pocket.
When he looked up, he saw a young man in a school uniform staring coldly at him.
The boy had a round, fair face with soft, chubby cheeks. His neatly trimmed bangs were perfectly in place. The top button of his white shirt was fastened, and his tie was perfectly straight.
At first glance, he looked like the model student every teacher loved.
“Who are you?”
The obedient-looking student was none other than Liang Chen.
Leaning against a small tree, he stared at the intruder with wide eyes.
This little garden was practically forbidden territory in the Xue family home. Usually, only Liang Chen came here to pay respects to his parents.
Naturally, he wasn’t particularly pleased to see this unexpected visitor.
“Me?”
Shen Yitang rubbed his chin with his index finger and blew out a ring of smoke.
He was quite interested in the kid who had suddenly appeared.
So the person who had secretly watched him from upstairs earlier was him.
“I’m a distinguished guest of the Xue family…”
Before he could finish, a glowing cigarette butt flew straight toward him.
Shen Yitang tilted his head.
The cigarette butt grazed past his shoulder, scattering sparks as it hit the ground and rolled several times.
A black mark was left on his white T-shirt.
He secretly laughed.
The kid has quite a temper.
He stepped forward and stamped out the cigarette.
“Get out!”
Liang Chen shouted angrily while taking his final drag.
But he inhaled too quickly and immediately began coughing.
“Cough, cough, cough…”
It took him a full two minutes to recover.
When he finally raised his head, his eyes were red and watery. His cheeks were flushed from coughing.
Instead of looking intimidating, he looked rather pitiful.
The corners of Shen Yitang’s lips lifted.
Suppressing his laughter, he brushed the cigarette ash from his shoulder and walked a few steps closer.
“Kids shouldn’t smoke.”
“It’s still better than being someone’s mistress!”
Liang Chen finally caught his breath and wiped away his tears with his sleeve.
Tilting his head, he gave Shen Yitang a mocking smile, revealing two small canine teeth.
He didn’t hold back at all.
“Someone’s mistress?”
Shen Yitang laughed at himself.
He lowered his gaze to his wrinkled white T-shirt and the black cigarette mark on his right shoulder.
His clothes smelled of alcohol, there was a faint stubble on his chin, and he looked exactly like someone who had been indulging himself far too much.
“I happen to be the eldest in my family. ‘Third’ is my younger brother.”
He spread both hands, looking completely innocent.
“That’s just an excuse!”
Liang Chen raised an eyebrow and pursed his lips.
Shen Yitang immediately knew another unpleasant remark was coming.
“If you don’t stay by my uncle’s side, aren’t you afraid he’ll stop favoring you?”
His face was still unmistakably childish, with obvious baby fat on his cheeks.
Even when he smiled sarcastically, he looked fresh and adorable.
The sky was growing darker.
A few mosquitoes circled beneath the streetlamp.
The dim light made his expression difficult to see clearly, but his bright eyes shimmered faintly as he stared at Shen Yitang, clearly waiting to see him make a fool of himself.
“I’m going to tell your teacher!”
Shen Yitang found the boy childish and suddenly felt like playing along.
“You smoke and use foul language!”
“With you?”
Liang Chen pulled out his phone, unlocked it, and provocatively held it out.
“Go ahead. Tell my teacher who you are.”
He sneered.
“My uncle’s lover? His mistress?”
He was certain the man wouldn’t dare.
His eyes curved with satisfaction, clearly pleased that he’d gotten the upper hand.
But his childish little movements only made him look even more adorable.
Before he could react, Shen Yitang snatched the phone from his hand.
He opened the contacts, glanced at the name at the top—Liang Chen—then quickly found his teacher’s number.
He memorized it before dialing his own number.
“How shameless are you?”
Liang Chen clearly hadn’t expected him to do that.
He immediately jumped forward and snatched his phone back, glaring furiously like a tiny kitten baring its teeth.
Shen Yitang stepped backward a few times.
Then he pulled out his own phone and dialed the number he had just memorized.
After two rings, the call was answered.
“Hello, is this Teacher Zhang? Hi, I’m Liang Chen’s guardian. I’d like to ask about his studies.”
Liang Chen immediately rushed over, trying to grab the phone.
Shen Yitang stepped backward to avoid him and placed one finger against his lips.
Shh.
Liang Chen was so furious that he stomped his feet and glared at him.
But Shen Yitang was talking to his teacher, so he didn’t dare make a sound.
Shen Yitang chatted casually with Teacher Zhang, occasionally glancing at the furious little “paper tiger” beside him.
Liang Chen stood nearby, biting his lower lip with the corner of his mouth.
His brows were tightly knitted, and his eyes were filled with resentment.
Yet there was nothing he could do.
The sight amused Shen Yitang so much that he ended up talking with the teacher for more than ten minutes.
After hanging up, he put on a serious expression.
“Your teacher said you’ve been distracted in class lately and asked me to pay more attention to you…”
“Who gave you the right to meddle?!”
Liang Chen was apparently enraged.
He puffed out his chubby cheeks and stepped onto the stairs, looking down at Shen Yitang from above.
“All you have is a pretty face. You don’t even try to improve yourself!”
“Of course. Living off someone else is much easier.”
Liang Chen continued speaking, his eyes deliberately drifting downward as he looked at him with obvious mockery.
Shen Yitang raised an eyebrow and smiled.
“Thanks for the compliment. I think I look pretty good too.”
“……”
Liang Chen was completely speechless at his shamelessness.
Seeing that Liang Chen had nothing to say, Shen Yitang added without restraint,
“Your uncle won’t be able to get rid of me anytime soon.”
That was actually the truth.
Xue Zhengchang was still hoping to marry his daughter to Shen Yitang.
“……”
He’s pretty full of himself.
Shen Yitang frowned and put on a pitiful expression.
“If I really can’t make it in this line of work anymore, Young Master Liang, please spare me a meal.”
Then he tilted his head the way Liang Chen had earlier and waved his phone.
The screen showed a missed call from Liang Chen.
“I’m not only good-looking. I’m also very ambitious, and I’m pretty capable at what I do.”
He smiled.
“See? I’m already planning ahead and looking for my next opportunity.”
“……”
His tongue really is sharp.
Liang Chen puffed up his cheeks like an angry little kitten and turned around, walking away quickly.
“Why are you walking so fast?”
Shen Yitang quickly caught up in a couple of strides.
“Stay away from me!”
Liang Chen was furious.
When he looked back and saw Shen Yitang following closely behind, he noticed that the man seemed a little tired.
A wicked thought suddenly crossed his mind.
He pushed him.
Shen Yitang was caught off guard.
He staggered backward several steps and barely managed to steady himself against the iron gate behind him.
Seeing him stumble, Liang Chen quickly moved forward.
He pressed one hand against the gate beside Shen Yitang’s ear and leaned closer.
“You should be grateful that I don’t like men.”
The fresh energy of youth seemed to rush toward Shen Yitang.
Perhaps the commotion had triggered it, because the motion-activated light beside the gate suddenly came on.
It was almost like a spotlight deliberately prepared for the two leads of a stage play, illuminating their expressions perfectly.
Liang Chen was half a head shorter than Shen Yitang.
He had to tilt his chin slightly upward.
Although he looked spirited and full of confidence, his height disadvantage weakened his intimidating presence considerably.
And because they were standing so close together, the scene instead took on an unexpectedly intimate atmosphere.
Damn it!
Liang Chen cursed inwardly.
His attempt to intimidate the man clearly hadn’t worked.
He straightened up and was about to leave.
Suddenly, Shen Yitang reached out and grabbed his tie.
With one smooth movement, he pulled Liang Chen toward him.
Then he slowly and elegantly exhaled the white smoke from his mouth.
Liang Chen’s collar was caught in his hand.
He suddenly felt warm breath mixed with drifting cigarette smoke brush against his face, making his cheeks tingle.
The scene before his eyes became hazy.
The strong scent of tobacco and alcohol mingled with a faint woody fragrance from Shen Yitang’s perfume.
Even something as ordinary as breathing suddenly seemed to carry an inexplicable tension.
Under the warm light, Liang Chen’s face turned red, then pale.
Embarrassed and angry, he shoved Shen Yitang away and ran.
The motion-activated light at the gate gradually went dark.
The garden returned to silence.
Shen Yitang watched Liang Chen’s slender figure disappear into the distance.
He lowered his head and smiled faintly.
After thinking for a moment, he called his assistant.
“Lin Li, find out everything you can about a boy named Liang Chen from the Xue family.”
The next day, an investigation report was placed on President Shen’s desk.
Liang Chen, eighteen years old.
He was the son of Liang Kaicheng, founder of Tianyuan Construction Company.
He was currently a second-year high school student at No. 7 High School in City A.
When he was eight years old, both of his parents died in a car accident.
He was subsequently adopted by Xue Zhengchang, one of Tianyuan Construction’s business partners.
Five years ago, Xue Zhengchang began claiming that the company was suffering losses and gradually demanded that the shareholders provide additional capital.
Under Xue Zhengchang’s manipulation, the three properties registered under Liang Chen’s name were transferred to cover the additional investment.
For the past three years, Liang Chen had been unable to provide further funding.
As a result, his original 60% ownership of the company had been diluted to less than 30%.
The report concluded:
In another two years, Liang Chen’s stake in the company would likely fall below 10%.
“Xue Zhengchang is ruthless.”
Shen Yitang skimmed through the report before feeding it into the shredder.
He murmured to himself,
“If it were someone else, this arranged marriage between the two families wouldn’t be such a bad deal either.”