Lu Shen’s situation caused a massive stir online. To prevent further escalation, local police quickly brought Liu Tao and Lu Shen to the station for questioning, taking their statements separately.
Lu Shen was a difficult nut to crack. Even before he reached the station, his legal team had already arrived. They confronted the police directly, speaking in legal jargon and demanding that Lu Shen’s rights as a citizen be defended, placing specific requirements on the authorities.
As for Liu Tao, once he heard the recording of his own voice, he gave up entirely. He knew the exposure of the recording meant he had completely offended Lu Shen. He answered everything the police asked, even proactively confessing that he had been a spy at Shanzhou Games from the very beginning. He emphasized that the person paying him was Lu Shen and that several others were also in his employ.
Liu Tao revealed a wealth of information. With the help of enthusiastic netizens, the police visited the hospital where Liu Tao’s mother was staying. To keep Liu Tao obedient, Lu Shen’s assistant had indeed tampered with his mother’s medical care. At the time, no one expected the current situation, so the “clean-up” work was sloppy. Under professional questioning, flaws in their story quickly emerged.
“Lu Shen, stop quibbling. Someone has already admitted to taking your money to target Liu Tao’s mother,” the police pressed. “Confessing now can still earn you leniency!”
“Why should I confess to things I didn’t do?” Lu Shen smiled. “I only admit to using some unconventional business tactics. I did send those people to the Shanzhou Games, but I had nothing to do with the rest.”
Lu Shen stubbornly refused to plead guilty. Based on existing evidence, the police could only prove the series of tactics were carried out by his assistant; they lacked direct evidence linking Lu Shen to the crimes. When the legal questioning limit was reached, the police had no choice but to release him due to the mountain of applications from his lawyers.
Just as Lu Shen left the station, he saw someone waving at him from across the street. His face darkened instantly. Why was Jiang Zhou here? Was she here to mock him?
“President Lu, do you have a moment to chat?” Jiang Zhou smiled at him friendly, perfectly masking the mockery in her eyes.
While Lu Shen was released, his assistant wasn’t so lucky and was subjected to rounds of interrogation. The assistant was a veteran; having previously worked for Lu Qiu, his hands were already dirty. He only admitted to minor offenses. Even if convicted, it would only mean a few years in prison.
About three days later, the police issued a public announcement regarding the progress of the case. Lu Shen didn’t carry many heavy charges; his punishment was merely a warning and a fine. As for the assistant, the specific crimes were yet to be finalized, requiring further investigation.
“The police investigation is a bit slow,” Jiang Zhou lamented after reading the announcement. “Sometimes being too lawful gives them a chance to exploit loopholes.”
“True,” Xia Shang agreed. “If you’re upset, we could just hire someone to give them a beating.”
“Hmm?” Jiang Zhou tilted her head. “Wouldn’t that be illegal for us too?”
“It’s not illegal; they would just be unlucky to run into some hoodlums. What does that have to do with us office workers?” Xia Shang said. Cleaning up such minor incidents was simple.
[Ding! Repair progress +10. Current progress: 80/100.] The system chimed.
Jiang Zhou glanced at a news notification on her phone and smiled. “Looks like we don’t need to do anything.”
Xia Shang leaned in to browse the news with her.
#Lu Shen Accuses Lu Qiu of Tax Evasion Amounting to One Billion# #Lu Shen Beaten, Ambulance Appears, Suspected Lawsuit Against Lu Qiu for Intentional Injury#
“The father and son seem to have had a falling out,” Jiang Zhou said with a grin. It was good they fought; her time spent meeting Lu Shen hadn’t been wasted.
“They definitely have,” Xia Shang wasn’t surprised, guessing her emails played a part.
They both kept their secrets—Jiang Zhou didn’t mention her private meeting with Lu Shen, and Xia Shang didn’t mention the emails. They happily remained bystanders.
No one knew what Jiang Zhou said to Lu Shen that day. All the public knew was that Lu Shen and Lu Qiu had a total falling out. After obtaining a medical report for his injuries, Lu Shen sued his father.
Lu Qiu was livid. Has Lu Shen gone mad? Even if he had used him, their father-son relationship was real, and his money would have eventually gone to Lu Shen. Sending him to jail helped no one.
“Father, no need to pretend. Don’t you have another son outside? Let him take care of you,” Lu Shen said coldly. “I’ve decided I don’t want the Huashan shares. I’m selling them all to Xia Shang, and I’ll leave with the money. With that amount, I can start my own company or live comfortably for the rest of my life.”
“Lu Shen, has a donkey kicked your head? If you sell the shares, you’ll just eat through your capital! Do you think you can hold onto that much money?!” Lu Qiu sensed something was wrong. Lu Shen wouldn’t give up his shares so easily.
“You don’t need to worry. I will spend the rest of my days with… Xiao Rou.” Lu Shen’s eyes softened at the name.
“Xiao Rou? Did Bai Xiaorou make you do this?” Lu Qiu suspected her, but Lu Shen ignored him.
“This has nothing to do with her. Just prepare for prison, Father.”
“You idiot! The evidence you have was given to you by Xia Shang! Today you send me to jail, tomorrow she sends you!” Lu Qiu wanted to throw an ashtray at him, but the police were watching.
“Father, I hope we meet again in ten years.” Lu Shen smiled and walked away without looking back.
“You unfilial son!” Lu Qiu fainted from the shock.
#Father-Son Meeting: Lu Qiu Hospitalized# #Evidence Ironclad: Lu Qiu Faces Ten Years in Prison!# #Father-Son Falling Out: A Failure of Humanity or Morality?#
Ever since Lu Shen left the police station, he had completely turned against Lu Qiu. Netizens also helped gather information. While the ten-year-old case of Xia Shang’s parents lacked direct evidence, Lu Qiu’s other crimes were enough to put him away. A month before the New Year, he was sent to prison.
Jiang Zhou and Xia Shang watched the drama unfold. When Shanzhou Games reached a profit of 200 million, they proposed ending the bet early. Lu Shen agreed without objection.
“It’s signed. 7% of the shares, worth 8.6 billion at market price,” Lu Shen signed and stamped the contract.
“The 8.6 billion will be wired to your account within a year,” Xia Shang signed as well, handing it to the lawyer for notarization.
“All good?” Jiang Zhou asked. “All good,” Xia Shang nodded. “Great.” Jiang Zhou’s system progress hit 90%.
“Xia Shang, look over the files here. I’ll see President Lu out,” Jiang Zhou offered. “Okay, I’ll wait for you.” Xia Shang felt it was odd, but didn’t pry.
At the car, Jiang Zhou leaned in and waved her hand in front of Lu Shen. After he rolled down the window, she rhythmically clapped three times.
“Lu Shen, it’s time to wake up,” she whispered.
Lu Shen trembled, his eyes fluttering open as he looked at her in a daze. By the time he regained full consciousness, the car was already moving.
“Where are we going?” “To your villa, President Lu. Your flight leaves in two hours,” the driver replied. “Flight? When did I book a flight?” “Three days ago, after the sentencing. Don’t you remember?”
Lu Shen frowned. He did remember… but why? “What sentencing?” “Your father’s sentencing, sir!”
Memory flooded back. He had sued his father? Used online evidence to put him away for ten years? And his 7% shares in Huashan? He sold them?! He agreed to end the bet early?! Lu Shen shook his head in horror. Was this a dream?
…
Back home, Xia Shang hugged Jiang Zhou on the sofa. “Lu Shen’s recent behavior was… unexpected. Did what you do to him affect you?”
Jiang Zhou looked innocent. “No, I just said a few words to him.” “Did anyone see anything they shouldn’t have?” “No, I’m a law-abiding citizen.”
Jiang Zhou had simply used her “psychological” skills—light hypnosis and suggestion—to make him “obedient.” She originally thought about making him stab Lu Qiu in public, but that would be too suspicious. Making them destroy each other legally was much cleaner.
A year later, the money was transferred. Lu Shen’s luck turned sour the moment he got the cash. Every investment failed. Kyushu Games, which he had poured hundreds of millions into, went into a tailspin. He realized the “core data” Liu Tao gave him was useless; the project was a trap set by Jiang Zhou.
When Xia Shang and Jiang Zhou returned from their honeymoon, Lu Shen’s assets had shrunk by half. Kyushu Games was on the verge of bankruptcy. Xia Shang and Jiang Zhou decided to acquire it at a low price, merging the staff into Shanzhou Games.
Another year passed. Xia Shang’s company stock doubled, making her the richest person in the country. During a national TV interview, she shared three reasons for her success: her inheritance, her hard work, and most importantly, her wife. “Without Jiang Zhou, there would be no me. I am grateful she is in my life.”
Among the viewers was a haggard Bai Xiaorou. She looked at her pregnant belly—her child with Lu Shen. “What are you standing there for? Come wash the dishes!” Lu Shen, now unshaven and living in a slump, yelled. “Coming,” she wiped her tears and stood up. Compared to her previous life’s end, this was… bearable.
Eight years later, Xia Shang and Jiang Zhou were incredibly wealthy. When Lu Qiu was released from prison, he found his assets gone. He tried to find his “illegitimate son,” only to be tossed out by bodyguards. “I’m my mother’s child, nothing to do with you. My mother was a doctor; she faked the DNA report,” the son sneered.
Lu Qiu collapsed from the shock. When the ambulance arrived, he was barely breathing. The hospital contacted Lu Shen, who hung up immediately. He could barely support himself, let alone an old man.
[Ding! Repair progress 100/100. Congratulations on completing the mission.]
Jiang Zhou woke from her nap. “What about the favorability progress?” [Favorability 99/100. Please continue your efforts.] “Whew, still 99%. Good, I can stay with Xia Shang.”
For the next sixty years, the system remained silent. When Xia Shang was on her deathbed, she asked, “Jiang Zhou, do you love me?” “I love you. I always have.”
As the heart monitor flatlined: [Ding! Favorability 100/100. Consciousness transferring… All tasks complete. System Mall opened.]
Jiang Zhou opened her eyes in a gray space. “System? Why am I not back?” [You have completed one small world. Preparing for the next consciousness deployment.] “The contract said ‘specified worlds,’ not just one world,” the system clarified.
Jiang Zhou realized she was stuck in a “predatory” contract. She touched her heart, smiling. At least she had experienced a complete love story. She asked the system for a “brain-computer interface” to record her feelings. Secretly, she planted a small virus into the system through the interface.
“Ready. Start.” [Consciousness deploying…]
She woke up in a carved wooden bed, surrounded by servants in ancient Chinese clothing. [Warning! Error in consciousness transmission! Emergency repair… Unknown virus detected… Deleting… New mission: Rewrite your own ending and live to age eighty.]
Jiang Zhou realized her virus had worked, though it caused a glitch. She was now the Eldest Princess of the Great Shang Dynasty. According to the data, the Princess was a hedonist who kept male concubines. She was the beloved daughter of the Emperor and Empress, given the wealthy Jiangnan as her fief. However, she was destined to die in a power struggle after the Emperor grew old.
“So, I already have concubines?” Jiang Zhou liked this setup. [Yes. Please do not act too abnormally.]
Jiang Zhou rose, and servants dressed her. She called for the “new beauties” brought in yesterday. Four young boys, only seventeen or eighteen, stood before her. She felt nothing—they were pretty, but she lacked the desire to “collect” them. “Take them back. I don’t like them anymore.”
She decided to pick her own favorites. She changed into men’s clothing and headed to the streets. The ancient capital was bustling. She bought many trinkets, handing them to her two bodyguards until they were loaded with bags.
“Go back. I’m going to the Spring Breeze Pavilion,” she told them. “But your safety…” “Are you better than An Yi (Dark One)?” she retorted. The guards shut up; An Yi was a top-tier royal shadow guard.
At the Spring Breeze Pavilion, she was greeted by hostesses. “I heard the most beautiful girls are here?” She paid a hundred taels for a private room and six girls—one cold, one gentle, one talented, one lively. She was enjoying herself when the door was smashed open. A bleeding man fell inside, followed by a pampered young master.
“I told you, Lady Qiu Yu is mine! Beat him!” the young master shouted. “Wait!” Jiang Zhou stood up. “Shouldn’t you apologize for barging in?” “Apologize? Do you know who I am? My father is the Prefect of the Capital!”
“A mere third-rank official’s son dares to be arrogant before me?” Jiang Zhou sneered. “Which house are you from?” the young master hesitated. “My backing is the Imperial Court itself!” Jiang Zhou laughed.
“How dare you mock me! Beat this pretty boy!” As the thugs rushed her, Jiang Zhou hid behind the girls. “An Yi, take care of them.” A masked figure in black appeared instantly. Within seconds, the thugs were screaming on the floor.
“Well? Still want to hit me?” Jiang Zhou looked at the young master with disdain. “Who… who are you?” “You want to know? I won’t tell you. What are you going to do about it?”