《Transmigrating as the Villain Father, Forcing the Protagonist鈥檚 Mother to Have Children》 Chapter 1 - Transmigrating as the Protagonists Father! Starting with Seven Gorgeous Daughters Chapter 1: Transmigrating as the Protagonist¡¯s Father! Starting with Seven Gorgeous Daughters ¡°I¡¯ve transmigrated¡­ into a novel world¡­¡± Inside a luxurious, grand office, a handsome middle-aged man with mature charm sat in an office chair, his eyes filled withplexity and a look of astonishment. After a long moment, Xu Hao had no choice but to ept a fact. He had transmigrated into the world of a recently read urban war god novel¡­ Good news¡ª He had suddenly be a billionaire, standing at the peak of his life right from the start¡­ Bad news¡ªn/?/vel/b//in dot c//om He didn¡¯t have much time to live. Because he was the viin in the book, the stepping stone for the protagonist. Thinking about his fate, Xu Hao felt a pang of frustration. Why did he transmigrate as the protagonist¡¯s malicious father? That¡¯s right¡­ he had be the father of the protagonist in the novel. Apart from the protagonist, he also had seven stunningly beautiful daughters, who were the protagonist¡¯s older sisters. The dramatic part was¡ªnone of them were his biological daughters¡­ And he was a eunuch, unable to engage in any sexual activity. He married a beautiful wife and adopted a child every year to cover up his true condition. The storyline was obvious to anyone who understood it. Seven stunning sisters, plus a beautiful stepmother¡ªdidn¡¯t that create enough excitement? Though Xu Hao noticed thatter in the novel, the protagonist never seemed to end up with any of the women¡­ Everything was just to build anticipation. ¡°I¡¯m surrounded by beautiful women, but I won¡¯t touch any of them. I¡¯m a eunuch, heh!¡± But from the protagonist¡¯s thoughts, it was clear¡ª He was undoubtedly a rebellious son, targeting his sisters and stepmother¡­ So here¡¯s the question: In a family where, apart from the protagonist, he was the only man, How could the protagonist¡¯s harem have any rtions with other men? So the author gave him the role of a eunuch. [a man who has been castrated, especially (in the past) one employed to guard the women¡¯s living areas in an Asian court.] Because he couldn¡¯t have any sexual rtions, he became irritable, often shouting at his wife and being indifferent to his daughters. He was the quintessential viin¡­ The ending was predictable: the protagonist would avenge justice by killing him. A viinous father, a son who killed him, and who even took his sisters and stepmother¡ªhow could such a person be the protagonist? And yet, the protagonist in the novel was extremely powerful. He was the leader of the Dark World¡¯s Heavenly God Temple,manding a hundred thousand soldiers, skilled in many arts. He was the typical all-powerful, unbeatable hero. The plot started with him showing off, humiliating everyone, and killing anyone who opposed him¡­ The only thing Xu Hao was relieved about was¡ª He had transmigrated two and a half years before the plot began. He had time to prepare for the arrival of the protagonist, the war god. But damn it¡­ Facing the protagonist, whomanded a hundred thousand soldiers and was practically invincible, Even if Xu Hao quadrupled his current wealth, it wouldn¡¯t help. As for when the protagonist returned, offering all his wealth, wife, and daughters in exchange for mercy¡­ Xu Hao didn¡¯t dare to bet on the protagonist being merciful. So¡­ his only option was death? ¡¾Ding¡­ Host¡¯s memories awakening, activating the viin emotional system¡­¡¿ A cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind. Xu Hao felt a stir in his heart. Having read countless web novels, he, of course, knew about the essential ¡°golden finger¡± every transmigrator had¡ª a system. ¡°System, what are your functions?¡± ¡¾Collect emotions from people carrying the luck of fate, including but not limited to happiness, anger, sadness, joy¡­ Emotional points can be used for system lottery¡­¡¿ After a brief exchange, Xu Hao understood how the system worked. It was simple and direct. There were noplicated tasks; just gather emotions and try your luck. Momentster, Xu Hao found himself in a dilemma. Those carrying fate¡¯s luck were essentially the protagonist and the female lead¡­ The protagonist would not appear for another two and a half years. And in the novel, there were only about ten people who were considered the female leads. Among them were his seven stunningly beautiful daughters. The plot was filled with the protagonist showing off and building strong brotherly bonds¡­ Who the hell wanted to watch a romance with you? At this point, Xu Hao wished the protagonist were a yboy so he could have more choices. But now, aside from his daughters, there were only a few female leads. Even if he tried to win them all, would he stand a chance against the unbeatable protagonist in two and a half years? Did he have to be crazy enough to target his daughters? Hmm¡­ but they were all adopted. ¡¾Ding¡­ Newbie gift package granted, would you like to open it?¡¿ The system¡¯s notification sounded again. Xu Hao¡¯s eyes brightened, temporarily putting aside his thoughts and choosing to open it without hesitation. ¡¾Ding... Congrattions, Host, you¡¯ve received the Viin Aura¡­¡¿ (Viin Aura: Ignore the protagonist¡¯s luck, unaffected by intelligence reduction, and immune to luck bacsh.) Not bad, not bad! Avoiding Doing Ridiculous Things When Facing the Protagonist in the Future And it would be even better if he didn¡¯t have to worry about bacsh from fate. In his previous life, Xu Hao had read many viin-focused novels. The usual trope was that the protagonist carried the luck of fate and couldn¡¯t be killed directly, or else the viin would suffer bacsh from that luck¡­ Even though the viin had enough strength, he had to watch the protagonist run around unharmed, which was frustrating as hell. The dumbass authors made it sound like it was part of the plot, but in reality, it was just a way to stretch the word count¡­ ¡¾Ding¡­ Host detected with natural w, system has sessfully healed it¡­¡¿ Xu Hao closed his eyes and felt it for a moment. After a brief pause, a smile appeared on his face. It really worked! Considering his worth of billions, he could barely ept being transmigrated into the body of a man over fifty. But he couldn¡¯t ept the fact that he was a eunuch¡­ Now, with the cloud of gloom lifted, he smiled for the first time. ¡¾Ding¡­ Congrattions, Host, you have gained 10 points of free attributes¡­¡¿ (These points can be freely distributed. You can check the panel for details.) Xu Hao focused his thoughts, and a transparent attribute panel appeared in front of him. Character:Xu Hao Identity:Destiny Viin, Head of Xu Corporation Charm:90 (Max 100) Strength:11 (Average person: 10) Physique:12 (Average person: 10) Mentality:13 (Average person: 10) Emotional Value:0 Free Attributes:10 ¡­ Xu Hao carefully looked over the panel, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. Perhaps because he often worked out and had high energy, his strength and physique were slightly above average. As the head of apany worth billions, and having survived the political intrigues of the business world, his mental strength was naturally higher too. ¡°Deep Blue¡­ oh no, System¡­ add points.¡± Without hesitation, Xu Hao allocated all his free attribute points to Strength. Whoosh¡ª A wave of warmth spread through his limbs, and he felt a pleasant, soothing sensation throughout his body. Then, a surge of power suddenly exploded within him. He clenched his fist, feeling the power coursing through him effortlessly, without any difort. Xu Hao¡¯s eyes sparkled with a new light. Now that his body was in good shape, he might as well take care of his stunning wife, the protagonist¡¯s beautiful stepmother¡­ Chapter 2 - A Ruthless Villain, Yet an Idol to Many Chapter 2: A Ruthless Viin, Yet an Idol to Many With the confidence to contend with the rebellious protagonist, Xu Hao finally took the time to assess his surroundings. Tsk, tsk¡­ No wonder this is the CEO office of a hundred-billion-dor corporation. The d¨¦cor was incrediblyvish, with every piece of decoration an antique or famous painting. When Xu Hao saw a stack of documents on the desk, he suddenly remembered¡ªthese were the papers he needed to sign¡­ He picked up one file, opened it, and couldn¡¯t help but frown. ¡°The CEO position is vacant. Vice President Zhao Wei has shown outstanding performance recently and has made significant contributions to thepany¡¯s development. He is capable of taking on the CEO role.¡± ¡°Heh¡­¡± Xu Hao scoffed dismissively. The vice president, Zhao Wei, was indeedpetent, but not by much. If it weren¡¯t for Xu Hao secretly eliminating hispetitors, could Xu Corporation have reached a value of a hundred billion in such a short time? Xu Hao could tell that Zhao Wei¡¯s rise was supported by several major shareholders. Although thepany was called Xu Corporation, it wasn¡¯t entirely under his control¡­ Shares had been distributed when thepany went public. Because the corporation wasn¡¯t a solid block, when the protagonist returned to deal with him, the business wars would easily tear thepany apart.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Xu Hao was puzzled. Given his cunning and ruthless nature, how could he have tolerated these ¡°rats¡± running around? Shouldn¡¯t he have dealt with them in secret? These shareholders, instead of just waiting for their dividends, were also nurturing their own loyalists within thepany, plotting against the very foundation of Xu Hao¡¯s empire¡­ In reality, the rapid development of thepany was entirely Xu Hao¡¯s doing. How could such a viinous character not have removed these threats? Instead, he kept them around to constantly undermine him. Xu Hao couldn¡¯t make sense of it. Eventually, he had to me the protagonist¡¯s ¡°dumbing-down aura¡± for this oversight¡­ He casually tossed the document aside. Now that he understood everything, he could no longer tolerate the presence of these ¡°rotten apples.¡± Complete control of thepany was a must¡­ What? You don¡¯t agree? Then don¡¯t me me for being ruthless. He would not only kick the shareholders out, but the entirepany would undergo a thorough purge. Anyone who was just sitting on their hands and not contributing¡ªget out. Although the system had granted him the power to fight back against the protagonist, some external forces couldn¡¯t be ignored¡­ A thousand-mile-long dam can copse from an ant hole. This was the caution a behind-the-scenes yer should have. Xu Hao sifted through the documents, signing off on useful proposals. For personnel appointments and dismissals, he didn¡¯t even nce at them. Time passed slowly¡­ Knock, knock¡­ After finishing with the paperwork, Xu Hao stretched and pressed a button beside his desk. Soon, there were two knocks at the door. Without looking up from thepany files, Xu Hao spoke without lifting his head. ¡°Come in¡­¡± The office door opened, and a middle-aged man in a suit, wearing gold-rimmed sses, and impably groomed walked in. This man was Li Kun, Xu Hao¡¯s secretary. Besides assisting with daily office tasks, he was also responsible for some of the more secretive matters¡­ There was no choice¡­ The author had assigned him the role of a real estate tycoon. To seed in real estate, one had to be ruthless, wasn¡¯t that right? When eyeing a piece ofnd, how would you deal with stubborn residents during demolition? What about workers who ck off or steal from the construction site? How would you handlepetitors causing trouble? Xu Hao¡¯s methods were brutal¡ªat best, he would break an arm or a leg, and at worst, he¡¯d send them straight to the afterlife¡­ It was precisely his ruthless tactics that had allowed him to umte billions in wealth in such a short period. However¡ª Despite his ruthless, behind-the-scenes dealings and countless crimes, Outwardly, he was considered a well-known phnthropist. He often participated in charity events, supported charitable causes, and donatedrge sums. He built many schools for children in impoverished areas. Not only had he achieved extraordinary sess in business, but his personal character was also spotless¡­ A billionaire, yet with an incredibly clean private life. Xu Hao¡¯s Two Wives Xu Hao had two wives. His first wife passed away due to a serious illness, so remarrying was perfectly normal, right? He only had two wives and had never been involved with anyone else. Even the fact that his secretary was male spoke volumes about his character. Everyone praised him for his noble character. The truth, however, was something only Xu Hao knew¡­ Damn it, he was a eunuch. Marrying two wives was just a disguise. He couldn¡¯t have an affair even if he wanted to. Because of his actions, he had won the admiration of countless people. ¡°Conscientious entrepreneur,¡± ¡°A saint for nine generations,¡± ¡°Gentle and refined President Xu¡±¡­ A whole list of righteous, glowing titles were showered upon him without a second thought. Over time, Xu Hao became an idol to many. He was the role model for aspiring entrepreneurs, the target of ambitious individuals just starting out in society. With his angelic appearance and devilish heart, a man who could manipte people¡¯s emotions while hiding a beastly nature¡­ He was a textbook example of a viin. Once his true nature was revealed, the satisfaction would be undeniable, right? For now, he was revered by many, but when his fa?ade copsed, the same number of people woulde to despise him. This was the grand excuse the author created for the protagonist to kill his father. Who didn¡¯t know that it was all in the name of chasing after his sister and stepmother? In the end, the protagonist would expose Xu Hao¡¯s wrongdoings, and he would be condemned by the masses, scorned by everyone¡­ But there was one problem. All of Xu Hao¡¯s shady dealings were actually orchestrated by his secretary. This secretary wasn¡¯t as obedient as one might think. He had collected a lot of incriminating evidence but didn¡¯t destroy it; instead, he kept it hidden. After all these years, it would have been impossible for the protagonist to find evidence of Xu Hao¡¯s crimes¡­ If not for this secretary. After taking a beating from the protagonist, the secretary confessed and obediently handed over all the evidence. Xu Hao nced at Li Kun, his expression unchanged. He gave a calm, detached order: ¡°Prepare the car.¡± ¡°Understood¡­¡± Li Kun replied respectfully. As he left, he quietly closed the door behind him. Xu Hao already had ns in mind for how to deal with this treacherous man. He would deal with him, of course. But right now, he didn¡¯t have anyone he could trust, so he needed to nurture someone for the future. This dog was still somewhat useful for now, so there was no need to rush recing him. Once Xu Hao had enough power, that would be the time to dispose of him. For now, he would just use him as a tool¡­ Chapter 3 - No Ambiguous Candlelit Dinners! The Fear of Being Controlled Chapter 3: No Ambiguous Candlelit Dinners! The Fear of Being Controlled Xu Hao¡¯s family home stood in the heart of the bustling city center. In thisnd where every inch of space was worth a fortune, building a vi spanning thousands of square meters showed just how prominent the Xu family was. After dropping Xu Hao off, Li Kun left. Looking at the massive vi in front of him, Xu Hao couldn¡¯t help but sigh. The lives of the rich really were in and unadorned¡­ As soon as he entered the vi, a maid came over and, somewhat apprehensively, helped him change his shoes. That¡¯s right¡­ apprehensively.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om While Xu Hao presented himself as gentle and refined in public, at home he was moody, vtile, and irritable. Unable to take out his frustrations on the world, his mind gradually twisted. Whether it was the maid at home or his stunning wife, he showed no kindness. He would yell at them at the slightest provocation, and sometimes, he even resorted to physical violence. Both of them were under his control and knew better than to expose his actions. As a result, they had no choice but to tolerate him. This behavior extended to his seven beautiful daughters as well. He never gave them any warmth. As a result, five of his daughters, after graduation, went off to pursue their careers. They rarely came home¡­ Even the youngest pair of twins, when they went off to university, lived on campus and sometimes didn¡¯t return home on weekends. There was no familial warmth in this house¡ªXu Hao had only raised them. He had no desire to change the maid¡¯s opinion of him. With his status, he didn¡¯t need to exin anything to anyone. ¡°Prepare a candlelit dinner¡­¡± Since he nned to target his wife, and this would be their first time, there needed to be some ceremony involved. The maid responded quickly, rushing to the kitchen to prepare¡­ By the time Su Wanqiu arrived home, it was already seven or eight in the evening. Her face was expressionless, and her demeanor cold. She didn¡¯t show the slightest joy from returning home after a long day¡¯s work. If it weren¡¯t for Xu Hao insisting she return home every day to maintain a loving appearance in front of others, she never would havee back to this sorrowful ce. Outside, everyone envied her for marrying such a good husband. A billionaire, older but still handsome, and with good character¡­ The truth, however, was something only Su Wanqiu knew. Xu Hao was aplete hypocrite. The suave and friendly image everyone saw was all an act. At home, Su Wanqiu had been verbally and physically abused by him on numerous asions. She had been deceived by Xu Hao¡¯s outward appearance when they first met¡­ By the time she realized the truth and wanted to leave him, it was already toote. Su Wanqiu would never forget that day. After enduring his beating and verbal abuse, she couldn¡¯t hold it in any longer and asked for a divorce. Xu Hao, with a smirk on his face, held up a picture of her family and mockingly said to her: ¡°I¡¯ll give you one more chance to rephrase that¡­¡± ¡°If you ever reveal a single word about me, I¡¯ll ruin your family.¡± ¡°If you doubt I have the ability to do so, feel free to try.¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t want your family to suffer, just be a good wife and mother¡­¡± It was at that moment that Su Wanqiu saw Xu Hao¡¯s true face. From then on, she never mentioned divorce again. Xu Hao sat on the sofa. While sipping tea, he read the newspaper¡­ When he heard movement at the door, he turned his head and was immediately struck by what he saw. Her features were as delicate and beautiful as a sculpted masterpiece, her lips full and red, her long hair elegantly pinned up in a stunning updo. Her figure was slender and graceful, with curves where they should be, a slim waist, and long legs¡ªperfect proportions all around. Dressed in professional attire, her stoic expression gave off a distinct aura of a cold and aloof CEO. Though in her thirties, her face bore no traces of age, exuding an air of mature charm. When he read novels, he often doubted the authors¡¯ descriptions of heroines as stunningly beautiful. How beautiful could they really be? Now, he finally understood. Even the so-called celebrities of his past life couldn¡¯t hold a candle to her. No wonder, even as a stepmother, the protagonist was drawn to her. It¡¯s no surprise he ended up psychologically twisted. Damn it, a stunning beauty was right next to him,pletely at his mercy. But thanks to a natural defect, he could only watch helplessly. Who wouldn¡¯t be driven crazy? But¡­ that was in the past. Now that his body was restored, he could do as he pleased. [Ding¡­ Su Wanqiu harbors resentment toward you. Emotional value +123¡­] Well, damn! They just met, hadn¡¯t even exchanged a word, and he already gained emotional points. What kind of grudge was this? Xu Hao¡¯s thoughts shifted slightly, and a panel visible only to him appeared in his vision. [Character]: Su Wanqiu [Identity]: Owner of Wanqiu Beauty Salon, heroine of ¡°Return of the Warlord¡± [Charm]: 95 (Max 100) [Strength]: 10 (Average 10) [Physique]: 9 (Average 10) [Mental]: 8 (Average 10) [Favorability]: -66 No wonder. A favorability of -66? That¡¯s nearing mortal enemies. But her physique is pretty weak. Could she even withstand his primal strength? Her low mental stats likely stemmed from long-term emotional distress. Suppressing his thoughts, Xu Hao sat down at the dining table and said to Su Wanqiu, ¡°Come and eat. I waited just for you.¡± When Su Wanqiu entered the house, the maid immediately served a candlelit dinner. Hearing this, Su Wanqiu froze for a moment. Their rtionship was straightforward: They pretended to be a couple in public but ignored each other at home, rarely speaking. Xu Hao inviting her to dinner was a first in their decade-long marriage. Following the voice, Su Wanqiu noticed the table brimming with exquisite dishes. Balloons and candles surrounded them¡ªit was a candlelit dinner. Xu Hao¡¯s sudden kindness made her feel not joy but wariness. Like a wolf offering a hen a New Year¡¯s greeting, he must be up to no good. Unsure of his intentions, Su Wanqiu instinctively refused. ¡°I¡¯m not hungry. You eat.¡± ¡°I said¡­e and eat with me.¡± Xu Hao spoke again, his tone firmer this time. Su Wanqiu froze, recalling the fear of being dominated by Xu Hao. She obediently washed her hands and sat across from him. In the corner, the maid trembled and, sensing trouble, quickly fled. Now, only Xu Hao and Su Wanqiu remained in the living room. A candlelit dinner, a handsome man, a beautiful woman¡ªyet she felt no trace of romance. Chapter 4 - The Heroine鈥檚 Psychological Shadows! She鈥檚 Furious... Chapter 4: The Heroine¡¯s Psychological Shadows! She¡¯s Furious¡­ Ding¡­ Su Wanqiu feels fearful of you. Emotional Value +234¡­ Xu Hao picked up his chopsticks and began eating. The luxurious dishes before him were irresistible. After a while, noticing Su Wanqiu sitting motionless across the table, he frowned. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Not to your taste?¡± Snapped out of her fear by Xu Hao¡¯s words, Su Wanqiu quickly shook her head. ¡°No¡­ It¡¯s not that.¡± ¡°Then why aren¡¯t you eating?¡± he asked, cing a piece of beef into her bowl. Skipping meals was uneptable. Her body was already weak, without proper nutrition, how could she keep up with him? Seeing Xu Hao serve her food, Su Wanqiu was both surprised and nervous. Tentatively, she picked up her chopsticks and began nibbling at her rice. ¡°Late Autumn¡­ how long have we been married?¡± Xu Hao suddenly asked in the quiet dining room, where only the sounds of eating echoed. Su Wanqiu was confused by the question but still answered. ¡°Fifteen years.¡± ¡°Fifteen years¡­ It¡¯s surprising how time flies,¡± Xu Hao sighed, though his mind was clear. After tormenting her for so many years, no wonder her affection score was so deeply in the negatives. Something felt off to Su Wanqiu. Xu Hao¡¯s demeanor today was strange. His sudden kindness and question about their marriage length seemed ominous.Could it be¡­ A sudden realization struck her like lightning. Her body trembled as she thought of Xu Hao¡¯s first wife, who had borne him eight children and passed away from cancer. Over the years, she had noticed subtle oddities. The youngest child had been abducted at the age of three, shortly after she married into the family. Su Wanqiu had no idea what the child looked like now. However, from the appearances of the other children, none bore the slightest resemnce to Xu Hao. Coupled with the fact that Xu Hao had never touched her from the start¡­ Su Wanqiu had her suspicions. It was likely that none of Xu Hao¡¯s children were actually his, and he had issues in that area. She had never dared to voice this thought, keeping it buried deep within. If Xu Hao were to find out¡­ A shiver ran through her. She couldn¡¯t forget that his first wife had died under mysterious circumstances. Officially, it was cancer, but who knew the truth? Knowing Xu Hao¡¯s true nature, it wasn¡¯t hard to imagine him staging a murder as an ident. Could it be¡­ Xu Hao was nning to silence her? As this terrifying thought took root, Su Wanqiu¡¯s face turned ashen, and her body trembled uncontrobly. Ding¡­ Su Wanqiu feels extreme anxiety and fear. Emotional Value +666¡­ ¡°Hmm?¡± Xu Hao noticed the tense atmosphere and had only tried to ease it with casual conversation. Instead, it seemed to have made things worse. Given the current state of affairs, achieving mutual affection and a seamless connection seemed impossible. If they couldn¡¯t share love willingly, at least some interaction was necessary. Otherwise, how was this different from dining with a corpse? Puzzled by her fear, Xu Hao noticed the bottle of red wine nearby. Opening it, he poured a ss for each of them. ¡°A candlelight dinner without red wine would be a waste,¡± he remarked, raising his ss to Su Wanqiu with a smile. ¡°Late Autumn, let¡¯s be romantic for once.¡± The more Su Wanqiu thought, the more terrified she became. However, she couldn¡¯t disobey Xu Hao¡¯s words. Hesitantly, she raised her ss and clinked it against his. Watching Xu Hao down his drink in one go, she reluctantly sipped hers. After the meal, Xu Hao picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth. Life for the wealthy is absurdly extravagant. Therge table was piled with food, yet barely touched. Now that he had eaten his fill, it was time to do something meaningful. Xu Hao¡¯s gaze fell on Su Wanqiu. Sensing his stare, Su Wanqiu¡¯s hand trembled, and she nearly burst into tears. Xu Hao¡¯s behavior today had been unnervingly strange, leaving her feeling as if this meal was akin to a prisoner¡¯s final one. Ding¡­ Su Wanqiu feels fear toward you. Emotional Value +888¡­ Huh? So, all the small talk and wine earlier were for nothing? I tried to ease your nerves, and yet you¡¯re even more terrified? But no matter. Today, he was in a foul mood. And there was no way he¡¯d let this fatmb slip away¡­ Seeing Su Wanqiu frozen in ce, barely eating, Xu Hao decided to intervene. He shifted closer to her and picked up his chopsticks, cing a piece of fish in her bowl. ¡°Here¡­ Su Wanqiu, this is something you like to eat. Uh¡­ wait, what do you like to eat again?¡± Awkward. After all these years of marriage, they¡¯d never shared a proper meal together. He genuinely had no idea what she liked. Su Wanqiu¡¯s fear grew. Faced with more and more food being ced into her bowl, she had no choice but to eat small bites reluctantly. Finally, her fear reached its peak. She put down her chopsticks and burst into tears. ¡°President Xu, I was wrong! I won¡¯t tell anyone your secret. Please don¡¯t kill me!¡± ¡­ What? Xu Hao was utterly baffled. I¡¯m being so nice to you, and you think I want to kill you?n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om How deeply had he scarred her psychologically? Still, her words piqued his curiosity. ¡°What secret do you think you know about me?¡± he asked. Su Wanqiu looked up, her tear-streaked face both pitiful and endearing. She opened her mouth but hesitated, struggling to speak. Seeing Xu Hao¡¯s expression turn serious, panic overcame her, and she blurted out, ¡°You¡¯re¡­ you¡¯re impotent. Those children aren¡¯t yours¡­¡± The moment she said it, regret flooded her, and she quickly tried to backtrack. ¡°But don¡¯t worry! I swear I¡¯ll never tell anyone. Please spare me!¡± To her surprise, Xu Hao didn¡¯t get angry. Instead, heughed and countered, ¡°Who told you I¡¯m impotent?¡± Su Wanqiu froze, dumbfounded. Did someone need to tell her? None of the seven daughters looked like him, and in over a decade of marriage, he had neverid a finger on her. Wasn¡¯t that evidence enough? ¡°Hmph¡­ Daring to say I¡¯m impotent? Tonight, I¡¯ll show you just how capable I am.¡± Xu Hao grabbed her hand, startling Su Wanqiu. Before she could react, she felt her hand being guided in a direction against her will¡­ Chapter 5 - Being a Polished Villain! The Company Purge Chapter 5: Being a Polished Viin! The Company Purge Su Wanqiu¡¯s eyes widened in shock, her mouth forming an ¡°O¡± shape that made one want to stuff something into it. How could it be so exaggerated? That was the only thought her mind managed to conjure before she felt herself spinning, the world tilting as Xu Hao lifted her horizontally into his arms. Ding¡­Su Wanqiu feels extreme shame and frustration. Emotional Value +666¡­ Ding¡­ Su Wanqiu feels deep resentment. Emotional Value +888¡­ Ding¡­ Su Wanqiu feels fear and anxiety. Emotional Value +999¡­ Several dayster¡ª Su Wanqiuy with vacant eyes and a nk mind, looking thoroughly worn out. ¡°I¡¯m such a fool. Truly!¡±n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om How could I have ever thought Xu Hao was impotent? The sky was already turning light¡ªdawn was breaking. He¡¯s inhuman. But wait, if he¡¯s this strong, why was he so indifferent to me before? Could it be he was conserving his energy, waiting for this moment to strike and catch me off guard? What a calcting man! I¡¯m exhausted¡­ Just let it all end¡­ It was nearing noon when Xu Hao finally woke up leisurely and got out of bed. After a workout like that, he was feeling incredibly refreshed. ncing at the stunning woman beside him¡ªhis gorgeous wife, the protagonist¡¯s beautiful stepmother¡ªa sense of aplishment surged within him. Ding¡­Congrattions, Host. Emotional Value has surpassed 10,000. The system¡¯s lottery feature is now unlocked. Xu Hao focused his attention on the system. In just one night, Su Wanqiu had contributed 25,698 Emotional Value points. This was highly promising. He couldn¡¯t help but feel eager. What treasures might the lottery yield? ¡°System, initiate the lottery,¡± he called out internally. A momentter, a prize pool appeared before him. The sheer variety of items left him dazzled: luxury cars, real estate, advanced weaponry, even spaceships. There were also skills¡ªmaster-levelbat, hypnotism, music, calligraphy, and more. There were even superpowers: x-ray vision, teleportation, resurrection, and immortality. With enough luck, anything in the pool could be his. However¡­ Each basic draw required 10,000 Emotional Value points, while premium draws demanded 100,000. That felt like a bit of a rip-off. Still, earning enough for two draws in a single night made it seem less daunting. After all, Su Wanqiu was just one heroine. If he managed to ¡°collect¡± the other heroines, wouldn¡¯t the negative Emotional Values skyrocket even further? Not to mention, he had seven daughters as well. Ding¡­ Congrattions, Host. You have won: 10 Free Attribute Points. More points to allocate. Xu Hao rubbed his chin thoughtfully. This time, he decided against adding to his strength and focused instead on Physique. Physique was crucial, representing overall health and vitality. After all, a healthy body was the foundation of any great endeavor¡­ Men, after all, who wouldn¡¯t want to enhance their physique for prolonged, in-depth exercise sessions? A familiar warm current surged through Xu Hao¡¯s body, transforming his physique. While the internal changes were invisible, the external ones were undeniable. His previously aging appearance seemed to rejuvenate, making him look like he was in histe 30s or early 40s again. Even his features appeared more youthful. Xu Hao¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement. Feeling the changes in his body, he was thrilled. Adding just 10 points had already made him look years younger. If he kept allocating points, wouldn¡¯t he eventually return to his peak in his 20s or 30s? Taking a deep breath, Xu Hao steadied his emotions. ¡°Let¡¯s continue¡­¡± Ding¡­ Congrattions, Host. You have won the Elegant and Refined Aura Badge¡­ (Wearing this greatly enhances others¡¯ goodwill toward the host, making them perceive you as cultured, refined, and as pleasant as a spring breeze.) Xu Hao clicked his tongue. This was a good reward. As the CEO of a real estate empire¡ªa notorious capitalist¡ªhis reputation had always been a delicate bncing act. Without the charity work carefully curated to build his public image, he would¡¯ve long been the target of public disdain. But relying on minor tricks to maintain a fa?ade only worked on the average person. Anyone aware of his rise to power would see through the act as mere posturing. With the elegant and refined aura buff, he could subtly alter perceptions, breaking the rules of how people saw him. This would allow him to disguise himself more effectively. The brainless viins who wore their wickedness on their faces and charged in recklessly were always the first to meet their end. The viins who made it to the endgame were usually hypocrites¡ªpolished on the surface, yet ruthless in the shadows. They¡¯d chat andugh with you in public, only to stab you in the back when you least expected it. These kinds of viins not only survived longer but sometimes even managed to counter the protagonist. That is, as long as there was no protagonist halo. Xu Hao had no desire to die and couldn¡¯t change his viinous identity, so his only choice was to y the hypocrite. After freshening up, he stepped out of the bedroom. The housekeeper brought lunch to the table. ¡°Wanqiu is still sleeping. Reheat some food and bring it to her when she wakes up,¡± Xu Hao said casually while eating. After enduring a whole night of stormy chaos, he doubted Su Wanqiu would wake up before the afternoon. Forget about visiting the spa¡ªshe¡¯d probably struggle just to get out of bed. ¡°Yes, sir¡­¡± The housekeeper replied nervously. Just as Xu Hao finished his meal, Li Kun arrived in the car. Seeing Xu Hao step outside, Li Kun got out, respectfully opening the back door for him. Say what you will¡ªthis dog of a man was handy to have around. Too bad he was disloyal. Today, Xu Hao had three goals for thepany: Fire people, fire people, and fire even more people. Thepany had be riddled with corruption. To turn it into a tightly-run ship, he needed a full-scale purge. ckers? Fired! Those who got in through connections and did nothing? Fired! Disobedient employees? Fired! ¡°Prepare a list of all employees. Mark those who joined through connections, and send me the performance evaluations for everyone,¡± he instructed on the way. By the time he reached the office, Li Kun had already sent him the sorted files. The purge began. Anyone hired through connections or failing to meet performance standards was fired without mercy. When many employees received dismissal notices from the Chairman and CEO himself, the entire Xu Group erupted in chaos. Ordinary employees could only grumble in silence. Those who had leveraged connections to get hired started calling in favors. Several shareholders even reached out to Xu Hao. ¡°I¡¯m thergest shareholder,¡± Xu Hao replied coldly. ¡°Thispany runs ording to my decisions. Are you trying to teach me how to do my job?¡± Chapter 6 - Xu Haos Authority! Gaining Another Little Fan... Chapter 6: Xu Hao¡¯s Authority! Gaining Another Little Fan¡­ After being scolded by Xu Hao, the shareholders dared not utter a word. Though they had entered during Xu Group¡¯s public listing, they were still somewhat familiar with Xu Hao¡¯s rise to sess¡­ How could someone who built a multi-billion-dor empire from scratch in just thirty years be ordinary? Usually, Xu Hao treated them politely. They took advantage of the situation, cing a few people into thepany, and that was about it. But having them unite against Xu Hao? They simply didn¡¯t have the guts¡­ After hanging up the phone, Xu Liang sneered coldly in his heart. ¡°First, I¡¯ll clean up the parasites in thepany, then I¡¯ll deal with you all.¡± He ordered his secretary, ¡°Go to all the major talent markets and recruit staff to fill these vacant positions. Minimize thepany¡¯s losses as much as possible¡­¡± Li Kun, as Xu Hao¡¯s trusted confidant, understood Xu Hao thoroughly. He was ruthless, willing to use any means to achieve his goals. Of course, all of this was done behind the scenes. On the surface, Xu Liang maintained a facade of integrity. What puzzled him, however, was this¡ª Xu Hao usually treated thepany¡¯s shareholders with politeness. Why had he suddenly torn off the mask today? Had he abandoned the persona he had crafted? Upon hearing Xu Hao¡¯s order, Li Kun quickly regained hisposure and did not dare dy. ¡°Coming¡­¡± As Li Kun was about to leave the office, Xu Hao called out to him. ¡°By the way, inform all the shareholders that a shareholders¡¯ meeting will be held tomorrow at 9 AM¡­¡± As the president of Xu Group, Xu Hao was quick and decisive. The process of cleaning up thepany¡¯s parasites proceeded smoothly. By the time the task waspleted, it hadn¡¯t even been half a day. Today¡¯s work was done. Xu Hao called for his secretary, nning to go home and have a fierce showdown with the protagonist¡¯s beautiful stepmother. But unexpectedly, the secretary spoke up, ¡°Mr. Xu, there¡¯s a scheduled appointment for you¡­¡± Xu Liang paused for a moment. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°Manager Xia Jianghai from Bailian Steel Company has invited you to dinner tonight at the Marriott Hotel¡­¡± Recalling the information in his mind, Xu Hao remembered. Bailian Steel Company had always been a partner of Xu Group, and Xia Jianghai was their point of contact. Back when he was just starting out, he frequently interacted with Xia, and they were very close, even calling each other brothers. A few days ago, Xia Jianghai had mentioned he was unavable, but the dinner invitation had been set for tonight¡­ Xu Hao nced at the time. It was almost time to go. ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­. Marriott Hotel¡ªn/?/vel/b//in dot c//om At the entrance stood a middle-aged man with a square face, dressed in a suit, his expression stern. Next to him was a slender, well-behaved young woman with a pure and fresh aura. ¡°Dad¡­ I¡¯ve at least graduated with a master¡¯s degree, and my performance in every aspect is fine.¡± ¡°I could easily join any Fortune 500pany, so why do I need you to use favors to find me a job?¡± The girl frowned, clearly displeased as she spoke to the middle-aged man. The middle-aged man was Xia Jianghai. Hearing his daughter¡¯s words, he helplessly smiled. ¡°I¡¯m not questioning your ability. It¡¯s just that Liu Shao has ill intentions toward you, and I want to find you some backup¡­¡± Xia Qingge fell silent when she heard this. She thought of the man who had been persistently bothering her, like a stubborn adhesive. He had harassed her throughout her four years in university and another three years in graduate school, making her extremely annoyed¡­ Xia Qingge had no doubt¡ª Once she found a job and entered thepany, that man would follow right behind her. She was frustrated by Liu Shao¡¯s harassment, but Xia Jianghai had his own concerns. After all, he had reached his position as the manager of apany worth hundreds of millions. ¡°The Bridges I¡¯ve Crossed Outnumber the Rice My Daughter Has Eaten¡­¡± Xia Jianghai knew well what kind of people these rich second-generation heirs were. Relying on their family background, they did nothing all day except indulge in eating, drinking, and ying. They especially loved racing for thrills and ying around with models and beautiful women¡­ One moment they¡¯d be partying, the next they¡¯d be fighting,mitting all sorts of immoral acts without hesitation. Liu Shao had pursued his daughter for seven years, and though he hadn¡¯t done anything excessively outrageous, that was already considered rtively refined by their standards. But if things kept going like this, his daughter would keep pushing him away, and sooner orter, something might happen¡­ Even if his daughter entered one of those Fortune 500panies, it wouldn¡¯t bepletely safe. She¡¯d be in unfamiliar territory. If Liu Shao bribed someone with money, wouldn¡¯t she be easily manipted? Even if she joined the steelpany where Xia Jianghai worked and he kept an eye on her, it still wouldn¡¯t be guaranteed¡­ Xia Jianghai had always wanted to find his daughter a solid backing. When he heard she was looking for a job after graduation, he immediately thought of his old buddy, Xu Hao. The cooperation between Bailian Steel Company and Xu Group was something he had always facilitated¡­ He had worked with Xu Hao many times and had watched him rise from humble beginnings. They had always maintained a good rtionship. If he could arrange for his daughter to join Xu Hao¡¯spany, then he wouldn¡¯t have to worry about Liu Shao harassing her. Despite Liu Shao¡¯s arrogant attitude and the powerful Liu family, they only had assets worth about 10 billion. In front of Xu Group, valued at over 100 billion, the Liu family would have to stay low and y it safe¡­ As for whether his daughter would be bullied by the people at Xu Group? Xia Jianghai had no worries about that. He trusted Xu Hao¡¯s characterpletely. Seeing his daughter¡¯s concern, heforted her, ¡°Qingge, don¡¯t worry. The big brother I¡¯m talking about is a big shot, a man of integrity.¡± ¡°He¡¯s not afraid of the Liu family making trouble, so you can work there with peace of mind¡­¡± He said this, but his earlier invitation to Xu Hao had been postponed to today because Xu Hao had been busy. Xia Jianghai couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit uneasy. He had thought about having his daughter go through the usual channels and apply to Xu Group, buttely, he hadn¡¯t seen any job postings from Xu Group. ¡°Dad¡­ who is this big brother of yours?¡± Xia Qingge asked, curious. Xia Jianghai smiled slightly, his pride evident as he replied, ¡°Xu Group, President Xu Hao.¡± ¡°Ah?¡± Xia Qingge covered her mouth, her eyes wide with shock. Then, her eyes sparkled with excitement as she eagerly asked, ¡°Dad¡­ how did you get to know President Xu? Tell me everything! He¡¯s my idol¡­¡± Seeing his daughter so excited, Xia Jianghai was pleased. So he started talking about how he had facilitated the cooperation between the twopanies. Shh¡ª Just as father and daughter were enthusiastically discussing Xu Hao, A Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of them, and Xu Hao himself stepped out¡­ ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­. Chapter 8 - The Leaky Little Cotton Jacket! Sending the Lamb into the Tigers Mouth Chapter 8: The Leaky Little Cotton Jacket! Sending the Lamb into the Tiger¡¯s Mouth ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.. Not only did he agree to let her join thepany, but he also offered her a managerial position? Both father and daughter were stunned. Xia Jianghai quickly protested. ¡°No, no, Qingge has just graduated. How could she be capable of holding a managerial position?¡± How valuable is a managerial position in a hundred-billion-dor corporation? Even the boss of his own steelpany, Bai Lian Steel, had to be respectful, bowing and nodding in front of Xu Hao¡­ Xu Hao¡¯s expression grew solemn as he looked at Xia Qingge, his gaze carrying a hint of affection. ¡°You know about my daughters, right? After graduation, none of them wanted to work at thepany; they all preferred starting their own businesses¡­¡± ¡°Qingge is about the same age as my daughters. When I first saw her, I felt an instant connection.¡± ¡°I believe Qingge won¡¯t disappoint me.¡± The story about his daughters wanting to start their own businesses was just an excuse. The truth was, his daughters had no real connection with him, and he¡¯d never brought up the idea of them joining thepany. Of course¡­ they also didn¡¯t want to live under someone else¡¯s roof. Xia Qingge felt a warm sensation in her heart upon hearing Xu Hao¡¯s words. This was the first time someone outside her family had trusted her like this, and she felt a sense of warmth filling her chest¡­ [Ding¡­ Xia Qingge feels touched, Emotional Value +234¡­] Xu Hao had already said so much, and Xia Jianghai could no longer refuse. Seeing his daughter still standing there in a daze, Xia Jianghai, feeling a bit disappointed, said to her: ¡°What are you standing there for? Don¡¯t you want to thank Uncle Xu?¡± Xia Qingge snapped out of it and seriously said to Xu Hao: ¡°Thank you, Uncle Xu. I won¡¯t disappoint you¡­¡± Xu Hao nodded. ¡°Just report to thepany tomorrow. Start as an ordinary employee, gain some experience, and I¡¯ll promote you and give you a raise¡­¡± Everyoneughed, and the atmosphere was warm and harmonious. Xia Jianghai opened his mouth, hesitating for a moment. The matter seemed settled, but Xu Hao had agreed so quickly that Xia Jianghai hadn¡¯t had a chance to exin everything. In the end, he decided to tell Xu Hao the real situation about his daughter. ¡°Hmph¡­ The Liu family, right? If that guy dares toe to mypany and harass Qingge, I¡¯ll make sure he regrets it¡­¡± Xu Hao snorted coldly, his tone filled with disdain, then waved his hand. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, if Qinggees to mypany, I¡¯ll take good care of her¡­¡± Xu Hao emphasized the words ¡°take care.¡± Neither Xia Jianghai nor Xia Qingge noticed the underlying meaning in his words. ¡°I¡¯m asking for help from my big brother because I trust him¡­¡± Xia Jianghai said with a forced smile. By now, the dishes had all been served, and he quickly gestured for everyone to start. ¡°Big Brother, please¡­¡± He opened a bottle of Feitian Moutai, poured a ss for Xu Hao, and filled his own cup as well. [In China, moutai (also called maotai) is known as ¡®the national liquor¡¯.] Just as he was about to put the bottle away, he heard his daughter, Xia Qingge, speak up. ¡°I want some too, pour me a ss¡­¡± Xia Jianghai furrowed his brows. ¡°Why does a girl need to drink alcohol?¡± ¡°Why can¡¯t a girl drink? Besides, I¡¯m drinking with Uncle Xu, not with you¡­¡± Xia Qingge pouted. ¡°Well, there¡¯s no rule that girls can¡¯t drink¡­¡± ¡°Jianghai, just pour her a ss. Let her drink a little; it¡¯s fine, but don¡¯t let her drink too much¡­¡± Xu Hao smiled and said. ¡°Uncle Xu really understands me.¡± Xia Qingge couldn¡¯t help but sh a sweet smile at Xu Hao. Since Xu Hao had spoken, Xia Jianghai, feeling helpless, could only pour a small ss for his daughter¡­ Seeing the drink in her ss, Xia Qingge felt a little more cheerful. She immediately followed the workce etiquette, lifted her ss, and toasted Xu Hao. ¡°Uncle Xu, I¡¯ll toast to you¡­¡± ¡°Hehe, alright.¡± Xu Hao raised his ss and clinked it with hers. Cough, cough¡­ Xia Qingge had always been a well-behaved girl. Since her father forbade her from drinking, she never had any alcohol. Today, she had agreed to try it because Xu Hao was present. Plus, she was a little curious about alcohol, so she had her father pour her a ss. Xia Qingge took a sip, nearly choking and almost tearing up from the taste. This caused both men tough heartily¡­ [Ding¡­ Xia Qingge feels a bit wronged, Emotional Value +235¡­] Xia Qingge put down her ss. ¡°I¡¯m not drinking anymore; it tastes terrible¡­¡± She really couldn¡¯t understand why some people liked drinking. She picked up her chopsticks and began eating. Seeing that Xu Hao and her father were deep in conversation and her bowl was empty, she had an idea. She picked up a piece of fish and ced it in Xu Hao¡¯s bowl. ¡°Uncle Xu, have some fish¡­¡± ¡°Ah¡­ how can I ept that? You should eat too,¡± Xu Hao said politely, but then he sighed and spoke to Xia Jianghai.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om ¡°I really envy you for having such a obedient and well-behaved daughter.¡± ¡°Unlike my daughters, they¡¯re all busy with their own things and nevere home to visit me¡­¡± [Ding¡­ Xia Qingge feels joyful, Emotional Value +333¡­] ¡°That¡¯s because my daughters have big goals. And I never thought Qingge was particrly obedient. She didn¡¯t even put any food in my bowl¡­¡± Xia Jianghai¡¯s tone became a bit resentful. Xia Qingge raised the corner of her mouth. ¡°Who told you to tease me earlier?¡± Xia Jianghai instantly became dissatisfied. Wait, didn¡¯t both he and Xu Haough just now? Seeing how close his daughter was to Xu Hao, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a strange sensation. It was as though Xu Hao was her real father, and he, Xia Jianghai, was just an outsider¡­ Shaking his head, he brushed away these thoughts. It was a good thing that his daughter was getting along with Xu Hao. He wasn¡¯t worried about Xu Hao causing any harm to her, after all, Xu Hao¡¯s character was beyond reproach¡­ ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­. Dinner was over, and the sky hadpletely darkened. The city lights illuminated the dark night, casting vibrant colors across the sky¡­ As the three of them walked out of the hotel, the streets were already bustling with people. It was the time for people to go shopping in the evening. Just as Xu Hao was about to bid farewell to the Xia family, a voice suddenly interrupted. ¡°ss Monitor? Xia Qingge?¡± Hearing someone call her name, Xia Qingge turned her head. She saw a young man, average in height and appearance, standing in front of her, looking at her with great excitement. ¡°You are¡­?¡± Xia Qingge didn¡¯t recognize the person in front of her. She furrowed her delicate brow and asked. ¡°It¡¯s me, Chen Mo. Your college ssmate. You don¡¯t remember me?¡± Chen Mo, the young man, twitched the corner of his mouth. After three years, seeing his dream goddess again, Chen Mo¡¯s heart wasn¡¯t calm at all¡­ ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.. Chapter 9 - The Protagonist鈥檚 Ambition! The White Moonlight Female Lead! No Rest Until Death Chapter 9: The Protagonist¡¯s Ambition! The White Moonlight Female Lead! No Rest Until Death Three years ago, he was a senior in college, about to graduate. Xia Qingge was beautiful, with a good figure and an innocent, pure aura, making her the object of admiration for countless people. Chen Mo was one of them. But he was just an ordinary guy, from an ordinary family, with nothing special about him¡­ He didn¡¯t have the courage to pursue the goddess in his heart. The others who admired Xia Qingge didn¡¯t take any real action to pursue her either. It wasn¡¯t because they were insecure¡­ It was because Xia Qingge had a suitor with a powerful background. At the start of university, the young master of the Liu family, Liu Fei, had taken a liking to Xia Qingge andunched a vigorous pursuit. He even went so far as to dere¡­ That anyone who dared to pursue Xia Qingge would be going against him. A few didn¡¯t believe in such threats and started pursuing Xia Qingge anyway, only to face miserable consequences. One afternoon, after ss, Liu Fei showed up with gifts and a bouquet of flowers arranged in a heart shape. He confessed his feelings right in front of the ssroom door. Xia Qingge was furious. Seeing his goddess being wronged, Chen Mo couldn¡¯t hold back his burning passion. He stood up, full of righteous indignation. Without hesitation, he scolded Liu Fei harshly. He felt good at the time, but the retaliation came quickly¡­ The next day, on his way to school, he saw a female ssmate, disheveled, backed into a corner by Liu Fei, attempting to assault her. Having pped Liu Fei in public the day before without any personal consequences, Chen Mo wasn¡¯t so afraid of the rumors about Liu Fei¡¯s cruelty anymore. His sense of justice red up. ¡°Let go of that girl¡­¡± He rescued her, only for the girl to turn around and use him of attempted rape. With Liu Fei¡¯s maniption behind the scenes, the charge stuck. Chen Mo was thrown into prison¡­ At that moment, his heart felt dead. The world was so dark. The idea that ¡°everyone is equal before thew¡± was a joke. Thew was only meant to restrain ordinary people. It had no effect on those with power and influence¡­ In the right circumstances, thew became a tool for them to do whatever they wanted. Sometimes, it even served as their shield. As the rumors had said, Liu Fei was as sinister as they came. Even after sending Chen Mo to prison, he didn¡¯t let up¡­ He had people torment him inside. Sleeping in the toilets, enduring humiliations, forced to eat feces¡­ they even made him offer up his dignity. That time felt like a nightmare for Chen Mo. He still woke up in cold sweats from it. Fortunately, the heavens didn¡¯tpletely close off his path. In prison, he met an old man¡­ It was said that the man was the leader of a brotherhood. The old man asked him if he wanted revenge. Chen Mo said he did. ¡°If you want revenge, be my disciple¡­¡± From that moment, the wheels of fate began to turn. The old man taught him many things¡ªnot just extraordinary martial skills, but also the ways of the world. Now, three years had passed, and he had learned most of what the old man had to offer¡­ Today, he was finally released from prison. As Chen Mo stepped out into the sunlight and saw the blue sky and white clouds, he swore. Liu Fei, who framed him, and the entire Liu family must pay a heavy price in blood. That evening, he nned to dine here but unexpectedly encountered the goddess of his dreams from years ago. He had been targeted by Liu Fei because of Xia Qingge, yet he held no resentment toward her. On the contrary, whenever he struggled through the suffering in prison or the grueling training that followed, he would think of that pure and unattainable image. Now, he was no longer the self-conscious man he had been three years ago. Under his mentor¡¯s guidance, he had honed his skills and transformed his mindset over the past three years. Not only would he take revenge, but he would also win the heart of the woman he loved and rise to the pinnacle of life. ¡°To revel with beauty by my side andmand the world when awake¡­¡± *** Had Chen Mo not mentioned it, Xia Qingge wouldn¡¯t have remembered someone like him. He left a vague impression, but not a strong one. After all, he had been utterly ordinary. The only memory she had of him was that he had been imprisoned for assaulting a female ssmate. She had no idea that Chen Mo had been framed by Liu Fei for shielding her from harm. At the time, when Liu Fei confessed his feelings, she had stayed in the ssroom and wasn¡¯t aware of what happened. Thus¡ªn/?/vel/b//in dot c//om When Xia Qingge looked at Chen Mo standing before her, she felt a deep sense of disgust. No one would react kindly to someone branded a criminal. The fact that she refrained from openly mocking him showed herposure and grace. Her brows furrowed even tighter. ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°Nothing¡­ I just saw you here, ss Monitor, and thought I¡¯de over to say hello¡­¡± Chen Mo scratched his head awkwardly. Nearby, Xu Hao listened to their conversation with an amused expression. Character: Chen Mo Role: Protagonist of ¡°The Dragon Returns from Prison¡± Charm: 62 (out of 100) Strength: 85 (Late Mingjin Stage) Physique: 70 (Average Person: 10) Spirit: 20 (Average Person: 10) Favorability: -30 No wonder he¡¯s the protagonist; his stats are impressive. But¡­ what¡¯s with the favorability being negative thirty? They had never interacted before. How could he have offended her? Xu Hao could only chalk it up to the sh between the protagonist and antagonist halos. They were born to be adversaries, destined to fight to the end. It was either him or the protagonist. Xu Hao had already given up on any thought of coexisting peacefully with the protagonist. If given the chance, he¡¯d ensure the protagonist¡¯s downfall. From a power perspective, Xu Hao was no match for the protagonist yet. There was no need to confront him head-on. With his status, there were countless ways to destroy the protagonist without lifting a finger. Reining in his thoughts, Xu Hao bid farewell to Xia Qingge and her father before getting into Li Kun¡¯s car. As he watched the car drive away, Chen Mo frowned deeply. That man gave him an unpleasant feeling. ¡°No matter who you are, don¡¯t provoke me. Otherwise, you won¡¯t walk away unscathed¡­¡± Chapter 10 - Even Capitalists Would Shed Tears! Sleeping Next to the Protagonists Stepmother Chapter 10: Even Capitalists Would Shed Tears! Sleeping Next to the Protagonist¡¯s Stepmother When Xu Hao returned home, Su Wanqiu had just finished eating and was carefully stepping toward her room. The moment she saw Xu Hao, her body stiffenedpletely. Last night¡¯s events instantly resurfaced in her mind. [Ding¡­ Su Wanqiu feels fear. Emotional value +666¡­] Xu Hao walked over with a smile. ¡°If you¡¯re not feeling well, stay in bed. Why are you up?¡± He nced at the maid, who had just finished cleaning up the dishes and walked out of the kitchen. ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to bring her meal to her room when she woke up?¡± The imposing authority Xu Hao carried naturally emanated from him, overwhelming the atmosphere. The maid trembled with fear and hurriedly exined. ¡°I¡­ I was following Sir¡¯s instructions, but Madam¡­ she¡­¡± Su Wanqiu interjected softly. ¡°Don¡¯t me her. I was the one who wanted to get out of bed.¡± She felt puzzled. She couldn¡¯t figure out what had gotten into Xu Hao. Not only had he suddenly be ¡°functional,¡± but he had also been unusually fiercest night, and now his attitude toward her had shifted dramatically. Xu Hao let the maid off the hook, rubbing his chin as he looked at Su Wanqiu with a yful expression. ¡°If you can walk, it means you can handle it. Should we continue tonight?¡± As soon as he finished speaking, Su Wanqiu¡¯s face turned pale. Her left foot gave out, and she nearly fell sideways. Xu Hao reacted quickly, catching her in his arms. ¡°No¡­ please, no, I¡¯ll die¡­¡± Su Wanqiu struggled weakly, her face full of pleading. ¡°Not tonight, okay? Let me recover, and then I¡¯ll apany you¡­¡± She was genuinely terrified. How could she not be? That experience¡­ it felt like she was going to be torn apart. ¡°Alright, but remember¡ªyou said it. When you¡¯ve recovered, you¡¯ll make it up to me properly.¡± Xu Hao smirked, reaching out to pinch her soft, cogen-filled cheeks. In truth, Xu Hao had never nned to continue tonight. Although she was the protagonist¡¯s stepmother, she was still his wife. He intended to take the sustainable approach. Breaking her in one go wouldn¡¯t exactly be a practical way to live. Hearing Xu Hao¡¯s promise, Su Wanqiu finally breathed a sigh of relief. It was only then that she realized she was still nestled in his arms. Her cheeks turned crimson in an instant, a blush rising rapidly. She looked utterly enticing. Though there would be no ¡°pping of love¡± tonight, Xu Hao still went to Su Wanqiu¡¯s room to sleep. From now on, there was no need for separate bedrooms. After all, who wouldn¡¯t enjoy sleeping next to the protagonist¡¯s gorgeous stepmother? The next morning¡ª Noticing Su Wanqiu hadn¡¯t fully recovered, Xu Hao decided not to bother her further and got up early on his own. Yesterday, he had called for a shareholders¡¯ meeting. Today, he nned to confront those old-timers at thepany. He was determined to reim all the shares and consolidate them under his control.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Xu Hao intended to start with diplomacy, but if they refused to relinquish their shares and clung to them stubbornly, he wouldn¡¯t hesitate to turn hostile. Don¡¯t me him for being ruthless if they didn¡¯t know how to cooperate. Just as he arrived at thepany¡¯s entrance, he ran into a familiar face. It was Xia Qingge, the woman he had asked to report to thepany yesterday. Xia Qingge smiled brightly and greeted him sweetly. ¡°Good morning, Uncle Xu!¡± ¡°Good morning to you, too. Head straight to the HR department; I¡¯ve already informed them.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go right now¡­¡± ¡°Wait a moment.¡± Xu Hao pulled out a delicate little gift box from his pocket. ¡°I didn¡¯t give you a weing gift yesterday, so I¡¯m making up for it today.¡± This small gift, something girls typically like, was purchased on his way home when Li Kun came to pick him up. Xu Hao¡¯s keen attention to this young female lead wasn¡¯t just because she was a protagonist. Once she joined thepany, he could easily manipte her and harvest emotional value at will. But he had bigger ns¡ªhe wanted to fully ¡°im¡± this young female lead, in every sense of the word. He nned to groom her into a reliable right-hand ally. A hundred billion yuan in assets was only the beginning. To survive and thrive in this multifaceted novel world, Xu Hao knew he needed to be even stronger. His vision was to build a conglomerate worth trillions. [rting to a conglomerate, especially arge corporation.] With the system¡¯s assistance, he never had to worry about ack of entrepreneurial projects. What hecked was talent. Trustworthy talent. The growth of a corporation couldn¡¯t depend solely on him. He even entertained a grand idea¡ªwhy not recruit all the female protagonists into hispany? They wouldn¡¯t just help him manage the business; they¡¯d also solve his personal problems and generate emotional value for him. Even capitalists would be moved to tears. ¡°No¡­ it¡¯s really not necessary¡­¡± Xia Qingge quickly waved her hands to refuse. But Xu Hao was firm. He grabbed her hand and forcefully ced the gift box in it. Her hand felt cool and smooth¡ªquite different from Su Wanqiu¡¯s warm softness. He realized this must be the difference between a young girl and a mature woman. Seeing that she couldn¡¯t refuse, Xia Qingge reluctantly epted the gift. ¡°Then¡­ thank you, Uncle Xu¡­¡± Xu Hao smiled and patted her hand. ¡°Work hard in thepany. If you encounter any difficulties,e to me. I have high hopes for you.¡± With that, Xu Hao walked away. Xia Qingge stood still, watching his retreating figure. She had never had much contact with the opposite sex before. She couldn¡¯t help but recall the sensation of Xu Hao¡¯s touch¡ªwarm, strong, and full of reassurance. Whoosh! She snapped back to reality, inwardly scolding herself. ¡°Xia Qingge, what are you thinking? That¡¯s your uncle! Get a grip!¡± Curious about the gift, she opened the box. Insidey a wless, exquisite bracelet, resting quietly. Her eyes lit up. She couldn¡¯t stop admiring the bracelet, feeling an unexpected fondness for it. Thinking about how kind Xu Hao had been to her, Xia Qingge silently resolved to work hard. She didn¡¯t want to let Uncle Xu down. Chapter 11 - Shareholder Meeting! Lao Mo! The Twin Daughters Come Home Chapter 11: Shareholder Meeting! Lao Mo! The Twin Daughters Come Home By 9:00 AM, the shareholder meeting began. Xu Hao walked into the conference room right on time. Standing at the head of the table, he swept his gaze across the attendees. Seated in the room were a dozen individuals¡ªthe entire group of shareholders in Xu Corporation. Among them, the highest shareholding was just over 10%, while the smallest was barely 1%. ¡°The reason I called this shareholder meeting today is to discuss thepany¡¯s transformation,¡± Xu Hao began. The rapid rise of Xu Corporation could not have been achieved without riding the wave of skyrocketing property prices. As the saying goes, ¡°When the wind is strong enough, even pigs can fly.¡± And Xu Hao wasn¡¯t just any pig¡ªhe was a sharp, ruthless, and ambitious individual. Thepany¡¯s strategy had been straightforward: build houses, sell them to cash out, then use the funds to build even more houses. When money was tight, they took out loans. With Xu Corporation¡¯s valuation as coteral, many banks were more than willing to lend. But this business model carried significant risks. The copse of Evergrande in his previous life was a stark reminder. Building too many properties could lead to disaster if the market conditions shifted, resulting in bankruptcy¡ªor worse, billions in debt. Transformation didn¡¯t mean abandoning real estate altogether. Xu Hao nned to pivot toward a high-end strategy. Developments like Tangcheng Yipin, Yihe Vis, and Xiangshan Residences¡ªprojects that would create prestigiousmunities¡ªwere the future. Additionally, Xu Hao envisioned creating urbanplexes as part of the transformation. In theing months, he intended to implement these two projects while diversifying into other industries with the remaining cash flow. When Xu Hao shared his ns, the conference room erupted in chatter. The shareholders couldn¡¯t understand why Xu Hao wanted to change course when thepany was thriving. Watching the murmurs of discontent, Xu Hao smirked indifferently. They had the right to refuse, but he wouldn¡¯t change his decision. ¡°Since this is our first transformation, I admit I don¡¯t know how things will develop in the future,¡± Xu Hao stated. ¡°Therefore, to ensure no one has to take unnecessary risks, I¡¯m offering to buy out your shares at double the market price.¡± ¡°What do you all think?¡± With that, Xu Hao smiled calmly at the group. This was their chanceply and walk away with a generous payout. But for those who clung stubbornly to their shares like parasites, Xu Hao wouldn¡¯t hesitate to send them to an early grave. The shareholders bristled at Xu Hao¡¯s arrogance, but they dared not openly challenge him. After all, Xu Hao held thergest share by far. Even if all the other shareholders banded together, their opposition wouldn¡¯t matter. After Xu Hao¡¯s dramatic firing spree the previous day, some began to waver. One by one, several reluctantly agreed to sell their shares. Once the first domino fell, others quickly followed. Eventually, only three shareholders remained steadfast in refusing to sell. These were the threergest shareholders after Xu Hao himself. Having invested heavily in Xu Corporation, they had reaped substantial profits and were unwilling to leave. They had witnessed thepany¡¯s meteoric growth¡ªchanging day by day. Although they couldn¡¯t understand why Xu Hao suddenly wanted to transform the business when everything was going so well, they did know one thing: Xu Hao was not someone to be taken lightly. Rising from nothing to amass a fortune worth billions, would Xu Hao suddenly act foolishly? The decision to transform thepany must hold the promise of greater rewards. In essence¡ªif they followed Xu Hao¡¯s lead, they wouldn¡¯t lose out. ¡°All right, today¡¯s meeting is adjourned,¡± Xu Hao announced, his gaze sweeping over the three holdout shareholders before leaving. After the meeting, the next steps were straightforward.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Xu Hao instructed his team to process the share transfer agreements, which went off without a hitch. In high spirits, he took a walk around thepany. The atmosphere felt heavy. His massive round ofyoffs yesterday had left the remaining employees on edge, fearing they might be next. Xu Hao understood the art of leadership well. If you remove people, you must also reward others. Back in his office, he reviewed files and began promoting and giving raises to capable employees. He also exined his reasons for theyoffs and revealed thepany¡¯s ns for transformation. He painted a picture of rapid growth, promising that anyone who contributed to thepany would be rewarded with promotions and raises. His mastery of workce maniption was impable. As his words and actions took effect, the previously anxious employees settled down. Those who weren¡¯t promoted set their sights on opportunities from thepany¡¯s transformation, determined to prove their worth. The promoted employees were pleased but remained vignt, wary of being outperformed. This created a virtuous cycle. The day passed quickly. In addition to managingpany affairs, Xu Hao gathered detailed information about the three shareholders who had refused to sell their shares: Xu Hao summoned Li Kun to his office. ¡°Deliver this document to Lao Mo. Tell him to keep an eye on the people listed and gather detailed information about their families. Wait for my orders.¡± Lao Mo was Xu Hao¡¯s trusted enforcer. He handled the dirty work Xu Hao couldn¡¯t directly involve himself in¡ªeliminating threats, coercion, frame-ups. Known in the underworld as ¡°Mo the Butcher,¡± Lao Mo had originally been a humble fishmonger. Xu Hao had often visited his stall for meals and, upon discovering his extraordinary skills, decided to recruit him. Over the years, Lao Mo had dealt with numerous unsavory matters for Xu Hao. In return, Xu Hao provided funds for Lao Mo to build hiswork and recruit personnel. Now, the Blood Butcher Society, Lao Mo¡¯s organization, had gained a reputation in the Shanghai underworld. That evening, Xu Hao returned home and found that Su Wanqiu had fully recovered. The sight of her reignited his desire. As the two of them ignited their passion in the bedroom¡ª ¡°Click.¡± The vi¡¯s front door opened. A pair of stunningly beautiful twin girls, nearly identical in appearance, walked through the door. Chapter 12 - The Humiliated Heroine and the Shocked Twin Sisters Chapter 12: The Humiliated Heroine and the Shocked Twin Sisters The twin sisters possessed striking, pure beauty with delicate, heart-shaped faces. Their clear, bright eyes glimmered like water, framed by crescent-shaped brows and flutteringshes. Their wless, porcin skin held a faint blush, and their soft, rose-petal lips seemed ready to drip with charm. Not only did they look identical, but they also wore matching outfits, with only their hairstyles setting them apart. One wore a ponytail, exuding an air of grace and elegance. The other sported a bun, giving her a lively and mischievous appearance¡ªclearly the more restless of the two. That¡¯s right¡ªthis pair of twins were Xu Hao¡¯s youngest daughters. The elder, Xu Shiqing, carried a gentle and refined demeanor. The younger, Xu Huayi, radiated yfulness and energy. It was the weekend. The sisters hadn¡¯t been home for a long time and had spontaneously decided to visit their stepmother, Su Wanqiu. They felt little attachment to this home and even less to their father. Xu Hao had never cared for them as children, often resorting to harsh words and discipline. So, once they grew up and gained independence, their older sisters had all moved out and never looked back. Even though the twins were still in university and lived rtively close to home, they chose to stay in their dorms rather than return to this cold and unweing house. Today¡¯s visit was solely to check on their stepmother. Their father¡¯s unpredictable temper made him unbearable. However, their stepmother had always been kind to them. She had taken them shopping, indulged their cravings without hesitation, and continued to send them pocket money even after they grew up. Such a gentle and caring woman marrying their cold, ruthless father seemed like an unfortunate mismatch. In their eyes, Su Wanqiu was a prized gem undeservedly trampled by a pig. Despite the formal title of ¡°husband and wife,¡± the reality was closer to strangers living under the same roof. The twins even suspected their marriage was nothing more than a facade. With their older sisters gone, only their stepmother remained in this lifeless house. Worried for her, they made it a habit to visit her asionally. As soon as they entered the vi, faint sounds reached their ears. Listening carefully, they realized the noises wereing from their stepmother¡¯s bedroom. The two exchanged stunned nces, their faces mirroring disbelief. Xu Huayi, the younger sister, disyed her characteristic mischief. Her expression brimmed with curiosity as she teased, ¡°Hehe, Su-mom isforting herself. Let¡¯s sneak a peek!¡± ¡°What nonsense are you spouting?¡± Xu Shiqing blushed, ring at her unruly sister. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to see. We¡¯ll just wait here.¡± ¡°I¡¯m just curious!¡± Xu Huayi¡¯s face lit up with a wicked grin. ¡°I wonder what our gentle, elegant, and beautiful stepmother looks like whileforting herself. It must be fascinating¡­¡± She tiptoed forward, attempting to sneak a look. Hearing her sister¡¯s outrageous remarks, Xu Shiqing¡¯s cheeks burned with embarrassment. Her mischievous sister had clearly grown up with no filter and no sense of propriety. Seeing Xu Huayi¡¯s bold attempt, Xu Shiqing panicked and quickly pulled her back. ¡°You¡¯re not going anywhere! Sit down and wait here!¡± As the younger sister tried to resist, the elder firmly pushed her onto the sofa, preventing her from making any more trouble. The identical twin sisters began wrestling with each other¡­ They ended up waiting for over half an hour.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om When Su Wanqiu and Xu Hao finally stepped out of the room, the sisters¡¯ eyes widened in shock. Their faces bore identical expressions of disbelief. They had assumed their stepmother wasforting herself. Instead, she had been enacting an intimate scene inside¡­ What shocked them even more was the fact that their stepmother had been with Xu Hao. Sure, they were technically husband and wife, so sharing such moments wasn¡¯t unusual. But to the sisters, it felt anything but normal. This¡­ what was going on? Weren¡¯t Xu Hao and their stepmother merely a couple in name, practically strangers under the same roof? They hardly spoke to each other! Now, seeing Xu Hao and Su Wanqiu walking side by side, the sisters¡¯ minds were filled with endless question marks. The scene before them defied all their understanding. [Ding¡­ Xu Shiqing feels furious. Emotion value +345.] [Ding¡­ Xu Huayi feels indignant. Emotion value +345.] ¡°Tsk, tsk... Are twins always this in sync? Their emotion values are exactly the same,¡±Xu Hao thought to himself, amused. He finally gave the sisters a closer look. These were two of his daughters. Describing them as breathtakingly beautiful wouldn¡¯t be an exaggeration. Xu Hao couldn¡¯t help but admire his own eye for potential. All eight of the babies he had adopted had grown up to possess extraordinary looks. Wait¡­ There seemed to be one ring exception. Seven of his daughters were stunningly gorgeous. But his son? Not so much. ¡°Handsome¡± wasn¡¯t a term anyone would use. At best, he was ¡°tolerably decent,¡± with his only redeeming qualities being his height and broad physique. Shaking off the thought, Xu Hao checked the sisters¡¯ favorability panels. Oh, great. Both of them were at -50. How were they this synchronized? ¡°You¡¯re back. Have you eaten yet?¡± Xu Hao asked with a friendly smile. The sisters were even more stunned. They wondered if their ears were ying tricks on them. After all, Xu Hao had barely spoken a handful of words to them throughout their lives. And now he was asking about their meals? And smiling at them? The sisters were bewildered and instinctively shook their heads. ¡°I¡¯ll ask the housekeeper to cook something for you,¡± Xu Hao said, keeping his warm demeanor. Just as he was about to call for the housekeeper, Su Wanqiu suddenly interjected. ¡°No need to call her. They like my cooking. I¡¯ll do it myself.¡± Before anyone could respond, she hurriedly turned and fled to the kitchen. If anyone had seen her face just then, they would¡¯ve been shocked. Her cheeks were so red they looked like they might drip with water. She was utterly mortified. Judging by her daughters¡¯ reactions, they had clearly been home for some time. Which meant¡­ They must have heard everything that had happened earlier. If there were a hole in the ground, she would¡¯ve crawled into it without hesitation. How could she ever face her daughters again? Chapter 13 - Curious Kids! Summon the Dragon by Gathering Seven Daughters Chapter 13: Curious Kids! Summon the Dragon by Gathering Seven Daughters When Su Wanqiu slipped into the kitchen, Xu Shiqing and Xu Huayi stood frozen in ce. They felt ufortable being around Xu Hao. ¡°We¡¯ll go help Su Mom¡­¡± The two quickly ran toward the kitchen. Watching their retreating figures, Xu Hao rubbed his chin, lost in thought. Why was he so intent on changing his daughters¡¯ opinions of him? It wasn¡¯t that he craved a loving father-daughter rtionship.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Only by improving their rtionship could he keep his daughters close and better collect emotional value from them. Currently, his daughters had no emotional bond with him; they couldn¡¯t wait to stay far away. There was no way to gather emotional value like this. He couldn¡¯t possibly kidnap all his daughters to keep them close, could he? In the kitchen¡ª Wanqiu was washing vegetables. From her absent-minded gaze, it was clear she was deep in thought. Xu Hao had really changed. Since their deep conversation two days ago, Xu Hao had abandoned his previous indifference toward her. He now treated her as a true wife, even showing care for her. Last night, when Xu Hao entered her room, she was utterly terrified¡­ But Xu Hao simply held her while they slept, without engaging in any ¡°intense¡± interactions. Well, aside from a few minor actions. And despite her arguments on other matters¡­ Her heart actually felt warm. No, no, no! Su Wanqiu, how could you think this way? Xu Hao had forced her into this situation. This time was no exception; he hadn¡¯t sought her consent. He imed he would just hold her without doing anything, but still pressed her head down, leaving no room to resist. How could Xu Hao possibly be a good person? He was a ruthless viin, capable of every wicked act imaginable. tter, tter¡­ Footsteps echoed. Before Su Wanqiu could react, Xu Shiqing and Xu Huayi had already appeared beside her. ¡°Su Mom, let me help you¡­¡± In her daze, the vegetables in her hands were snatched away by Xu Shiqing, who began washing them swiftly. Snapping back to her senses, Su Wanqiu hurriedly spoke to the sisters. ¡°The kitchen is full of smoke and grease; you two should leave. I¡¯ll finish quickly¡­¡± Xu Huayi nced toward the living room at Xu Hao and pouted. ¡°We don¡¯t want to stay near him anyway.¡± ¡°Su Mom, let us help you. We¡¯ve even learned cooking skills¡­¡± Knowing the strained rtionship between Xu Hao and his daughters, Su Wanqiu didn¡¯t press further. She started preparing to cook. Xu Huayi leaned in closer, whispering mysteriously. ¡°Su Mom¡­ what¡¯s going on between you and him? Don¡¯t you two have no feelings for each other?¡± ¡°He often yells at you and even hits you. Why are you still so¡­¡± Swipe¡ª Su Wanqiu had rushed to the kitchen precisely to avoid such questions. She hadn¡¯t expected them toe up anyway. Why were kids so curious? The blush that had nearly faded returned instantly to Su Wanqiu¡¯s face. ¡°You¡­ you two¡­¡± Su Wanqiu stammered as she nced at the two sisters. Seeing their innocent and curious expressions, she sighed in resignation and said, ¡°Actually¡­ he has changed¡­¡± At this moment, she should have used a more affectionate term to address him, but she simply couldn¡¯t bring herself to say it. Instead, she stuck to calling him ¡°he.¡± Noticing their expectant looks, Su Wanqiu hesitated briefly before continuing, ¡°He¡¯s gotten better and doesn¡¯t treat me the way he used to. I believe he¡¯ll treat you both better too¡­¡± Even she didn¡¯t fully believe her own words. From Xu Hao¡¯s behavior over the past few days, there did seem to be signs of him turning over a new leaf. This was the only way she could put it. She certainly couldn¡¯t admit she had developed feelings under duress and had even found herself¡­ enjoying it at times. In front of these two girls¡ªthough not her biological daughters, they had grown up under her care¡ªshe couldn¡¯t bring herself to be that shameless. Xu Shiqing and Xu Huayi were stunned. That¡¯s it? They didn¡¯t quite understand what Su Wanqiu meant by saying Xu Hao had changed. But it hadn¡¯t been that long since they¡¯dst visited. Back then, their stepmother and Xu Hao were practically strangers to each other. So, had a few sweet words from Xu Hao made this stunning stepmother surrender so easily? The sisters exchangedplex looks. As for Su Wanqiu¡¯s im that Xu Hao wouldn¡¯t treat them the same as before, neither sister believed it. A reputation built over more than two decades couldn¡¯t be erased with just a few sentences. With the three of them working together, a delicious meal was quickly prepared. At the dining table¡ª Xu Hao picked up a piece of braised beef, ced it in his mouth, and eximed while chewing, ¡°I never realized, Wanqiu, that you had such cooking skills. This is way better than the maid¡¯s cooking¡­¡± Su Wanqiu looked slightly embarrassed. ¡°This was made by Shiqing.¡± ¡°Oh? Really? Well done. It suits my taste perfectly¡­¡± Xu Hao turned his gaze toward Xu Shiqing, who sat far from him and quietly ate her meal. He offered her praise without hesitation. Hearing this, Xu Shiqing raised her head in surprise. She confirmed she hadn¡¯t misheard¡ªXu Hao was genuinelyplimenting her, and even smiling. Could it be¡­ their stepmother was telling the truth? Had Xu Hao really changed his attitude toward them? Just then, Xu Hao spoke again, curiosity evident in his voice. ¡°Shiqing¡¯s cooking is great. Huayi, did you cook anything?¡± ¡°That te of stir-fried pork with green peppers is hers, and this¡­ and that one is Shiqing¡¯s¡­¡± Xu Hao tried the stir-fried pork, closed his eyes slightly, and pretended to savor it like a connoisseur. Afterward, he clicked his tongue in approval. ¡°Huayi¡¯s dish is also delicious. Compared to your sister, it¡¯s just a tiny bit behind. Keep it up next time¡­¡± He wasn¡¯t just making things up. The sisters had clearly learned cooking skills somewhere, as their dishes were genuinely impressive. They were almost on par with professional chefs, far surpassing his memories from his past life. Xu Huayi was dumbfounded. The father who always wore a cold expression, never cared about them, and often lost his temper was actually praising her. She turned slightly to look at her sister. Xu Huayi noticed that Xu Shiqing was also looking at her, and in each other¡¯s eyes, they saw mutual disbelief. [Ding¡­Xu Shiqing feels a surge of emotions. Emotional value +666¡­] [Ding¡­Xu Huayi feels a surge of emotions. Emotional value +666¡­] Seeing both daughters¡¯ emotional responses simultaneously, Xu Hao decided to strike while the iron was hot and keep them at home. Letting them roam outside would be a waste¡­ They¡¯re all emotional value, after all. Xu Hao felt confident. With his vast experience, handling two young girls was a breeze. Once these two were won over, how far could the remaining five be? His ultimate goal¡ª To gather all seven daughters and summon the dragon. Chapter 14 - Awakened Strange Traits! Truly Little Sweethearts Chapter 14: Awakened Strange Traits! Truly Little Sweethearts Nightfall¡ª Xu Hao didn¡¯t have many hobbies, but he particrly loved racing. That night, he drove alone to Mount Akina, ready to pick a car. He chose a sleek and morous model. The car had a body as smooth as jade, was meticulously maintained, and looked brand-new. Its headlights were dazzling, its rear curves perfectly rounded¡ªan elite urban SUV. When Xu Hao got inside, he found the interior to be luxurious, with smooth leather and controls that felt perfect to the touch. The only downside was its cramped interior space, giving it a slightly oppressive feel. After familiarizing himself with the controls, he turned the key. As the engine roared to life, he could feel a faint tremor. However, the soundproofing left much to be desired. Slowly revving up to 3600 RPM, he noticed the car shaking slightly and emitting some noise. This car,bined with Xu Hao¡¯s driving skills, was a perfect match. Gripping the steering wheel with both hands, he floored the gas pedal,unching the car with a screech. The speedometer quickly climbed to 360 km/h. The morous car disappeared into the distance, leaving a trail of stunned racers in its wake. None of them could make out the vehicle¡ªonly a fleeting shadow. In their minds, a single question arose: What the heck just ran over my face? [Ding¡­ Su Wanqiu feels anger, Emotional Value +123¡­] [Ding¡­ Su Wanqiu feels extreme embarrassment, Emotional Value +999¡­] Xu Hao nced at the system notifications, slightly surprised. He could understand the embarrassment providing 999 emotional value¡ªafter all, there were people at home¡­ Su Wanqiu had been reluctant but couldn¡¯t resist Xu Hao. But what puzzled him was how her anger seemed to have lessened. What¡¯s going on? Not just this instance¡ªhe noticed fewer notifications about her anger or hatred over time. Xu Hao immediately checked Su Wanqiu¡¯s attribute panel and was astonished. Her ¡°favorability,¡± previously at ¡°-66,¡± had risen to ¡°-52.¡± It was still negative, but¡­ wasn¡¯t that an improvement? His expression turned peculiar. He had done several things without her consent recently, yet her favorability hadn¡¯t dropped¡ªit had even increased. Could it be¡­ she¡¯s awakened some strange traits? [Ding¡­ Xu Shiqing feels resentment, Emotional Value +555¡­] [Ding¡­ Xu Shiqing feels surging resentment, Emotional Value +555¡­] Unexpectedly, Su Wanqiu contributed a significant amount of emotional value that evening. But his two daughters weren¡¯t far behind, proving once again why they were his little sweethearts. Xu Hao checked the umted emotional value on his panel¡ªover 40,000 points! That meant he could draw four prizes. ¡°Let¡¯s do the draw!¡± [Ding¡­ Congrattions! You¡¯ve received 10 free attribute points.] [Ding¡­ Congrattions! You¡¯ve received 10 free attribute points.] [Ding¡­ Congrattions! You¡¯ve received the skill: Close-Quarters Combat (Master Level).] (Skill Levels: Proficient, Master, Grandmaster, God Tier.) In an instant, a slight pain flickered through Xu Hao¡¯s mind. A surge ofbat-rted knowledge flooded his brain, as if it had been engraved into his memory. It felt like he had spent over a decade mastering these skills. The most remarkable part? Xu Hao felt he could utilize these techniques effortlessly, without any sense of unfamiliarity. With this skill, Xu Hao finally felt he had some self-defense capability. Relying on external forces was unreliable. Strength was the only true security. Though Kyushu wasn¡¯t like other countries with daily shootings, where killing was rampant, you could never be too careful. [Kyushu: Ind in Japan] What if one day, he triggered a storyline where a group of ouws tried to kidnap him? Moreover¡ª He also possessed the Destined Viin Aura, fated to sh with the protagonist until one of them perished. What if the protagonist decided to break the rules and kill him outright, even if it meant viting thew? That would be absurd. Being cautious by nature, Xu Hao had no intention of provoking the protagonist until he gained sufficient strength to defend himself. Otherwise, when he encountered a protagonist yesterday, he wouldn¡¯t have left without even attempting to probe them. With that thought, Xu Hao¡¯s mind stirred, and he allocated all 20 free attribute points to strength. Previously, he had invested points in constitution, assuming that the rebellious protagonist wouldn¡¯t appear for another two and a half years. However, it turned out this was a fusion world, blending elements from different stories. He had already encountered a protagonist yesterday, whose natural favorability towards him was negative. Xu Hao understood the priorities. Improving his constitution to make himself younger was certainly important, but staying alive took precedence. If he died, nothing else would matter. With his current constitution, even enduring a night of intense activity seven times over wouldn¡¯t be an issue, so there was no urgent need to enhance it further. Once the threat of the protagonist passed, he could always boost his constitutionter. As for bing younger to attract the female leads? Did it matter? Who was he? Why would he need to deliberately curry favor with female leads or change himself for them? That was simply out of the question. A familiar warmth surged through his body. When the sensation faded, his strength had doubled again, reaching 42. The surge in power left Xu Hao slightly intoxicated, feeling as though he could punch through a bull with one strike. With the increased strength and his newly acquired Master-level Close-Quarters Combatskill, even if yesterday¡¯s protagonist attempted to kill him, it wouldn¡¯t be so simple. And if they failed to kill him in one blow, Xu Hao could leverage his wealth and influence to utterly crush them. The system had informed him that raw strength values didn¡¯t fully determine one¡¯s overall power. Combat effectiveness depended on many factors: strength, constitution, mastered skills, environmental conditions during the fight, and so on. Xu Hao¡¯s gaze sharpened. Without hesitation, he decided to use his remaining draw. ¡°Let¡¯s do this. Spin again.¡± [Ding¡­ Congrattions! You¡¯ve received the skill: Painting (Grandmaster Level).] A sharper pain pricked his mind this time as an immense amount of artistic knowledge flooded his brain. In mere moments, Xu Hao had mastered techniques that would take others decades to learn¡ªand even then, they might not reach his level. Now, with just a pen in hand, he could create a masterpiece worthy of the ages. However, his expression remained stoic. Good news: He had gained a Grandmaster-levelskill. Bad news: The skill was painting. He was the CEO of a billion-dor corporation, and now¡­ he was supposed to take up painting? The mental image was so ridiculous he didn¡¯t dare dwell on it. All in all, this round of rewards wasn¡¯t bad. Looking at his depleted emotional value reserves, Xu Hao sighed.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om It wasn¡¯t enough. It was never enough. He¡¯d have to keep working hard to gather more. With that, he turned his gaze to the protagonist¡¯s stepmother, still gasping for breath and not fully recovered yet¡­ Chapter 15 - Milk It While You Can! Waiting for the Daughters to Call Me Dad Chapter 15: Milk It While You Can! Waiting for the Daughters to Call Me Dad [Ding¡­Xu Shiqing feels anger. Emotional value +777.] [Ding¡­Xu Huayi feels anger. Emotional value +777.] The next morning¡ª The two sisters, groggy and sporting dark circles under their eyes, stumbled into the dining area. They were greeted by the sight of Su Wanqiu and Xu Hao sitting at the table, waiting for breakfast. Their teeth clenched in frustration. Don¡¯t these two ever get tired? They¡¯d gone to bed sotest night, and yet here they were, looking perfectly fine. Fine¡­ whatever they do is their business. But why the constant humming? The sisters had been kept awake by the incessant noise, leaving them exhausted and irritable. Su Wanqiu¡¯s cheeks burned with embarrassment. She avoided her daughters¡¯ gazes, her eyes darting nervously. Xu Hao, on the other hand, pretended not to notice, his mind finding the situation amusing. He grinned and said, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you two? You look so drained. Girls shouldn¡¯t stay upte; it¡¯s bad for your skin¡­¡± Hisment only fueled their anger further. The sisters¡¯ faces hardened as they wordlessly approached the table, picked up their chopsticks, and began eating. [Ding¡­ Emotional value +888.] Xu Hao found the whole situation entertaining. Teasing his daughters not only earned him emotional points but also lifted his spirits.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om While he would have loved to spend the day at home with them, thepany¡¯s transition demanded his attention. Before leaving for work, Xu Hao approached Su Wanqiu and got his daughters¡¯ bank ount details. He transferred 1 million yuan to each of them. It was shameful, really. His daughters had grown up without him ever giving them money. Their upbringing had been left to his two ¡°tool-wife¡± partners. Now, he wasn¡¯t sure if this gesture would help improve their favorability toward him. ¡°I¡¯ve transferred 1 million yuan to each of your ounts. On the weekend, go out, shop, and buy whatever you want. If it¡¯s not enough, just ask me for more. Thepany¡¯s workload is heavy right now, but I¡¯ll make time to spend with you both soon.¡± Truthfully, Xu Hao wanted to reach out and pat their heads. They looked as delicate as porcin dolls; their soft hair seemed irresistible to touch. But he held back, considering their current rtionship. There would be plenty of opportunitiester. Once he had raised their favorability, he could pamper them however he wanted. With that, Xu Hao left the house. As he walked away, the sisters stared at his retreating figure in stunned silence. Had they heard him correctly? This indifferent man had transferred them money¡ªfor the first time ever! And he¡¯d smiled and said he wanted to spend time with them? Growing up, none of the sisters, including themselves, had ever experienced fatherly love. Now, feeling his unexpected care, they were at a loss. The moment felt surreal. ¡°Sister, he really transferred 1 million yuan to us¡­¡± Xu Huayi looked at her phone, pointing at the notification of the deposit. It was like a pebble dropped into a calmke, creating ripples in their hearts. [Ding¡­Xu Shiqing feels emotional turmoil. Emotional value +567.] Xu Hao spent the entire day at thepany without feeling the slightest fatigue. Part of it was due to his improved constitution. But more importantly, the sense of aplishment from managing thepany kept him energized. Working for others feels like being aborer, but working for yourself? That¡¯s a whole different story. When Xu Hao returned home and saw that his two daughters were still there, his mood improved even more. He had deliberately given them spending money to keep them around. Milk it while you can. In the past, his daughters only visited to see Su Wanqiu, staying overnight at most and leaving the next day. Sometimes, they didn¡¯t even stay the night, only stopping by briefly. But today, they hadn¡¯t left. That was a good sign. Xu Shiqing and Xu Huayi had originally nned to return to school that day. However, Xu Hao¡¯s sudden change in behavior had left them curious and confused. After discussing it, they decided to stay another day to observe. After all, it was the weekend, and they didn¡¯t have sses. After dinner, Xu Hao went out to the courtyard for a walk. The Xu family¡¯s vi was spacious, featuring pavilions, terraces, flowerbeds, and small courtyards. The architecture seamlessly blended traditional Chinese and Western styles. After dinner, Xu Hao took a leisurely stroll in the courtyard, feeling unusually rxed. As he walked, his eyesnded on an easel ced in the center of the courtyard. He paused, curiosity drawing him closer. It was a painting of a sunset. The setting sun bathed thend in a warm, golden-red glow, creating a tranquil scene. Xu Hao didn¡¯t need to think twice to know it was his daughter¡¯s work. He studied the painting for a moment and nodded in appreciation. His seven daughters, as heroines, were all exceptionally talented. An idea sparked in his mind as he remembered the master-level painting skill he had acquired the previous night. His eyes gleamed with interest, and a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. If he wanted to improve his daughters¡¯ impression of him, it seemed he had no choice but to unt this skill. Shifting his focus back to the painting, Xu Hao examined it again. Before, he had merely admired it as a casual observer. Now, with the eyes of a grandmaster in painting, he scrutinized every detail. His daughter¡¯s skills were impressive, nearing the level of a true master. But to him, there was still significant room for improvement. Picking up a nearby paintbrush, Xu Hao began to refine the artwork with precise strokes. His movements were fluid and inspired, as if guided by divine intuition. In no time, the enhancements wereplete. He set the brush down and smiled in satisfaction as he observed the final piece. The original sunset had been a simple depiction of natural beauty. With his additions, the painting now radiated a profound charm, as if imbued with a soul of its own. Having finished, Xu Hao turned away and resumed his stroll. Now, all that remained was to wait for his daughter to call him ¡°Dad.¡± The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!