Ding! Congratulations, Host. Your Emotion Points have surpassed 100,000 for the first time. Would you like to edit a new identity?
"Yes!"
Xu Yi's eyes lit up. One hundred thousand Emotion Points...
I've never fought such a well-funded battle in my entire life.
Xu Yi looked at the system's virtual interface. Sure enough, you got what you paid for.
Even the lowest-ranking background in the 100,000-point range came with a bureau chief's status. Some even came with a department head's. Of course, those were all at the city level.
There were all kinds of wealthy heirs and group presidents, too.
Xu Yi smacked his lips. Driven by curiosity, he switched to the provincial level to see how many Emotion Points it took to become a provincial party secretary.
Throwing his weight around at school was nothing. Becoming the Crown Prince of an entire province—that would be the pinnacle of life.
Thanks. I got carried away...
Xu Yi stared at the long number with seven zeroes tacked onto the end, and his scalp prickled.
But a man had to dream...
That settled it. He'd earn enough Emotion Points to become a provincial Crown Prince!
How many Emotion Points would a central-government background take?
Ding! You do not have permission to access this.
Xu Yi: "Am I that poor? Then I'm out."
Feeling the atmosphere grow more and more intense, Xu Yi knew he couldn't stall any longer.
After weighing the pros and cons and glancing at Miss Huang, who sat at the head of the table, beautiful as a painting, he began editing a melodramatic (scratch that) feel-good story.
Huang Lu was the second daughter of a century-old family in Magic City. When she was young, the Huang Family's rivals kidnapped her. After a series of twists and turns, she ended up in an orphanage in Harbor City. That was where she met Xu Yi.
Xu Yi protected her at every turn, and Huang Lu saw him as her only family. The two relied on each other for more than ten years.
Then, when they were sixteen, a fire broke out at the orphanage. Xu Yi risked his life to save Huang Lu, leaving a permanent scar on his wrist.
The incident drew the attention of the higher-ups, and the Huang Family discovered Huang Lu and brought her back to Magic City.
On the day they parted, Huang Lu broke the Jade Pendant she had worn since childhood in half and gave one piece to Xu Yi as a token. As they said goodbye, Huang Lu sobbed her heart out.
Though they weren't related by blood, their bond was stronger than anything.
The Jade Pendant has been sent to the Host's pocket.
As soon as the edits were complete, memories Xu Yi had buried deep in his mind for years surged forth like a flood.
That was the cleverness of the system. It didn't abruptly insert new memories. Instead, it made it feel as though you'd always had them and had merely forgotten them for a while.
"Manager Li, the Furun Group's main businesses are education, healthcare, and home appliances.
"Your group is facing internal and external crises, and it's teetering on the brink. What if our three families took advantage of the situation and kicked you while you were down?" Ji Bowen's eyes glinted, his tone thick with menace.
"You're not worthy!" Li Wen said gravely.
"Heh. Maybe we weren't before, but now we can make ourselves heard at the Furun Group. And with Miss Huang backing our three families, we've already risen to great heights."
Li Wen clenched his fists and glared at Ji Bowen.
But Ji Bowen didn't care in the slightest. His face was full of smug amusement.
Gu Feng: "Manager Li, if you don't agree soon, the Furun Group is going to collapse. You shouldn't just think about yourself—you should think about your nephew and the tens of thousands of employees. Do you want them to lose their jobs?"
Shen Shi: "So, give each of us ten percent of the shares, or watch the Furun Group collapse. I'm sure Manager Li can make the right choice."
"You're asking for death...!"
"Look at you, getting all worked up again~"
Li Wen suddenly seemed to run out of strength. He slumped helplessly into his chair.
"Miss Huang, if we cooperate with you, can you step in and help the Furun Group through this crisis?" Li Wen asked, grasping at a last thread of hope.
Huang Lu's expression was cold and distant.
"I'm sorry, but I can't. It would seriously harm my company's interests, far more than the benefits our cooperation would bring. I can only promise not to kick you while you're down, and to compensate your company as much as possible."
"I understand." Li Wen closed his eyes in despair.
At Huang Lu's answer, the three men—who had been on edge moments earlier—breathed a sigh of relief.
Then they burst into arrogant laughter.
"Xiao Xu, blame your bad luck. Looks like all you'll inherit is a company that's been carved up."
"Assistant, hurry up and prepare the contracts. Honestly, you have no sense at all. Don't keep Manager Li waiting."
The three men dropped all pretenses and showed their true colors.
Suddenly, as if possessed, Li Wen asked, "Miss Huang, I'd like to know why you insist on the southwestern district. That area's been abandoned for ages. It's never been developed."
Huang Lu raised her eyes, but her face still showed no emotion.
"To wait for someone."
"Wait for someone?" Everyone exchanged bewildered looks.
"Mm... He and I parted ways in the southwestern district. I've looked for him there many times, but I never found him. Still, I believe he'll come back one day.
"I want to buy that land so he can find me—and so I can find him."
Everyone stared blankly, listening to Miss Huang, who seemed untouched by worldly concerns, and the story from her past.
What was this, some devoted-lover persona?
She wasn't doing it for profit. She was waiting for his return amid the ruins.
What a woman!
At that moment, no one noticed Xu Yi's lashes trembling again and again.
"Miss Huang, I accept your offer. I hope you'll keep your promise and build another school in Harbor City."
"Good." Huang Lu gave a slight nod, and a trace of brightness finally appeared on her face.
But right afterward, she looked at Xu Yi, her gaze deep and searching.
Why does he feel so familiar...? Is it just my imagination?
"Congratulations, Miss Huang, on getting your wish. Li Wen, it's time for us to sign the contracts."
As soon as he finished speaking, four contracts appeared in front of Li Wen.
Li Wen stared blankly at them, his face full of defeat.
After sitting dazed for over a minute, he sighed and picked up the pen.
"Xiao Yi, Uncle Li is sorry... Brother Fan, I'm sorry!"
As the pen tip touched the paper, the three men broke into greedy smiles.
"Uncle Li, don't sign yet!"
Negative Emotion Points +50
Negative Emotion Points +50
Negative Emotion Points +50
The three men: "???"
"What's wrong, Xiao Yi?" Li Wen asked, looking at Xu Yi in surprise.
"Don't sign! Even if the Furun Group goes under, I don't want those three getting what they want."
Negative Emotion Points +50*3
"What if there's still a chance to turn things around?"
At Xu Yi's words, the three men immediately grew annoyed, their eyes blazing with anger as they looked at him.
"Get lost, brat. This is no place for you to speak."
"You really think you own the Furun Group?"
"Have some respect. Who do you think you are?"
"Just you wait, kid. We'll carve up the company before you inherit it and leave you saddled with a mountain of debt."
Hearing them say that, Li Wen exploded with anger. They could insult him all they wanted, but they couldn't insult his nephew.
Huang Lu's long lashes trembled, and her hands clenched into fists.
For some reason, hearing Xu Yi get insulted filled her with anger.
The three men seemed hateful to her now, too.
"You're asking for death!"
Li Wen swung his fist, but several security guards rushed over and held him back.
Xu Yi knew the emotions had built up enough, so he shouted, "Don't touch Uncle Li! If you've got the guts, kill me!"
"Brat, you think I don't dare?"
Xu Yi turned to Huang Lu. "Miss Huang, could you do me a favor?"
Ji Bowen sneered. "Don't bother trying to suck up to Miss Huang. She's swamped. Why would she have time for you?"
As a businesswoman, Huang Lu had intended to refuse. But when she met Xu Yi's gaze, the words wouldn't come.
In the end, she gave a slight nod.
"What is it?"
Ji Bowen: "???"
"Could you help me find my sister? We got separated at an orphanage in the southwestern district."
Negative Emotion Points +200
"Your sister?!"
Before you continue