The Original Novel's Top Makes His Entrance

Ning Shile had shared a bed with other guys before.

Back in high school, the winters were cold, and he often squeezed into the same bed as his roommate. The dorm beds were only a quarter the size of his bed at home, so they were practically piled on top of each other, but Ning Shile had never thought anything of it.

Yet today, lying beside Zheng Ye felt especially awkward.

Ning Shile tossed and turned, only falling asleep well after midnight.

He slept without dreams.

When he woke again, Zheng Ye had already left.

He walked out of his room yawning and saw Ning Father and Ning Mother coming through the front door, laden with bags of all sizes.

"Did you two go rob someone?" Ning Shile lazily picked up a cup and went to get some water.

"Rob someone?" Ning Mother said. "Isn't it your grandfather's birthday today? Your dad and I went out this morning to buy presents."

"Oh, right." Ning Mother changed her shoes and came inside. "When Ye left, he said he was busy today and couldn't make it to your grandfather's birthday banquet tonight."

"Okay." Ning Shile nodded, then said with a smile, "Honestly, couldn't you have bought the presents a little earlier?"

"We weren't planning to go this year," Ning Mother said. "Your grandfather looks down on our family. He never even mentioned his birthday, so he probably wasn't planning to invite us in the first place."

Ning Shile understood.

Ning Grandfather really wasn't very fond of their family.

Ning Mother had attended an arts college. Before she even graduated, a director had picked her for a film. She met Ning Father during the promotional tour, and sparks flew as they fell in love at first sight. Ning Grandfather, however, disapproved of her. To him, she was merely an actress—how could she be worthy of the Ning Family? But Ning Father refused to budge, so he had eventually been forced to accept her into the family.

Ning Shile took after Ning Mother, with delicate features and fair skin. He had even been invited to appear in commercials as a child, which had given Ning Grandfather plenty of reason to disapprove of him too.

As for Ning Father, he had once clashed with Ning Grandfather over work at the head office. Feeling that he had lost face, Ning Grandfather had transferred him straight to a branch office.

Over the years, Ning Grandfather had barely kept in touch with their family.

This time, he had probably sent Ning Shile's second aunt to mention the birthday because he had heard about Ning Shile and Zheng Ye and wanted to use the occasion to establish a connection with the Zheng Family.

Unfortunately for him, Zheng Ye was busy today and had no intention of attending his birthday banquet.

"What did you buy?" Ning Shile walked over to inspect the gifts they had prepared.

There were some health supplements, tea, antique porcelain, and the like.

"We were short on time and didn't know what to buy," Ning Father said, then changed the subject. "Oh, right. We ran into a scammer while buying this porcelain today."

"What scammer?" Ning Shile asked curiously.

Ning Mother set a plate of sliced fruit in front of Ning Shile. He speared a piece with his fork and popped it into his mouth, blinking at Ning Father.

"At the antique market. Someone was selling a mural by Master Tang Yun, and it was the Five Scenes Painting, no less! He claimed it was an original!" Ning Father clicked his tongue. "The kid was good-looking and only seemed to be in his twenties. Of all the things he could do, he had to go around scamming people!"

Tang Yun?

Isn't he Grandfather's favorite veteran artist?

"The imitation was pretty good, but the original Five Scenes Painting is on display in a museum! How could his possibly be genuine?" As Ning Father spoke, he took a business card from his pocket and placed it on the table.

Ning Shile glanced at it. The card was simple, with black lettering on a white background. Printed on it was the name—Chu Ran.

Chu Ran?

Huh... why did that name sound so familiar?

Ning Shile rubbed his chin, searching his memory.

Chu Ran...? Chu Ran...!

W-w-wasn't he the main top in this novel? The unhinged, fiercely devoted top who had climbed to power by stepping on Zheng Ye, then bankrupted and wiped out the entire Zheng Family!

The Five Scenes Painting...?

Which part of the plot was this again?

Ning Shile racked his brains for a while before finally clapping his hands as it came back to him.

The original Five Scenes Painting really is in a museum, but the one there is only the lower half! The upper half is the one Chu Ran has!

I remember this part. Right now, the main top, Chu Ran, should be facing bankruptcy at home, so he's selling the painting Master Tang Yun once gave him.

But no one believes him. They call him a scammer, insult and humiliate him, and even call the police.

Ning Shile sighed. Sure enough, every top was beautiful, powerful, and tragic.

And on his way home from selling the painting, Chu Ran's enemies ambush him. Those thugs not only steal his painting but break his legs! He ends up permanently disabled, spending the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

His funding dries up, his company teeters on the brink of bankruptcy, his depressed mother jumps off a building, his father drinks all day, and he's left permanently disabled. All those setbacks and suffering twist Chu Ran's personality, making him increasingly extreme.

Only when the main bottom appears does a ray of light finally enter Chu Ran's dark heart and pull him out of hell.

Ning Shile hurriedly asked Ning Father, "How much was he asking for the Five Scenes Painting?"

"Eight hundred thousand, I think?" Ning Father clicked his tongue and shook his head. "For a fake painting! He's got some nerve!"

Eight hundred thousand!!

How is that any different from giving it away?!!

Excitement surged through Ning Shile. He rushed into his bedroom to change, grabbed the business card from the table, and dashed out of the house.

Eight hundred thousand for the main top's goodwill and an authentic painting worth ten billion!!

He'd hit the jackpot!!!

The Imperial Capital Antique Market was notorious for scams.

In its early years, you could still hunt down a few genuine treasures there, but it had long since gone from willing buyers and willing sellers to outright fraud. Some merchants passed genuine items off as fakes, while fakes were sold as the real thing.

When Ning Shile found Chu Ran, he was clutching the painting while a middle-aged man shoved him.

The man cursed as he grabbed Chu Ran by the collar. "Eight hundred thousand? Are you that desperate for money? Eight thousand. Take it or leave it!"

Chu Ran pulled free and slowly smoothed the creases in his collar. Though young, he had a commanding presence, his gaze still and quiet. Finally, he said, "No."

"Then get the hell out!" The man wasted no more words on him, shoving him outside and slamming the door with a bang.

...Poor guy.

An unfamiliar male voice reached Chu Ran, and he frowned slightly.

Was someone calling him pitiful?

He had never imagined that he, Chu Ran, would see the day someone pitied him.

How ironic.

Would it be a bad idea to go up to him like this? He looks like he's in a terrible mood.

Wait, Chu Ran isn't some big shot yet. He's down on his luck right now!

He nearly got beaten up just trying to sell a painting!

Unable to bear it any longer, Chu Ran looked toward Ning Shile.

Impatience churned in his ink-dark eyes, like a wild wolf that could lash out at any moment.

Ning Shile, however, wasn't the least bit rattled and met Chu Ran's gaze openly. Right now, he was the god of wealth, his pockets packed with the power of money. He would have this wolf pup submitting in no time!

Ning Shile straightened his back and walked over. "Are you selling a painting?"

Chu Ran nodded.

"How much?"

Chu Ran considered for a moment. "Five hundred thousand, at the lowest."

"Okay." Ning Shile agreed with a brisk nod, without even trying to haggle.

Chu Ran froze.

He was buying it just like that?

"Do you take cards?" Ning Shile glanced around and asked sincerely.

Chu Ran shook his head. "We'd have to go to a bank."

"Then give me your account number, and I'll transfer the money." Ning Shile thought for a moment but still asked, "This is an original by Master Tang, right? You're selling it for five hundred thousand?"

Chu Ran raised his brows slightly. He hadn't expected Ning Shile to recognize that the painting was genuine.

Someone who could recognize it at a glance must truly appreciate his mentor's paintings.

At that thought, some of Chu Ran's hostility toward Ning Shile faded. "I need money."

"I see." Ning Shile cleared his throat and pulled a card from his pocket, playing the domineering CEO for once. "Five million for your painting."

Chu Ran's eyes widened slightly in disbelief.

Look, look! Even the wolf pup's eyes have cleared up!

Hahaha, being a domineering CEO feels amazing!

Chu Ran's pupils contracted slightly.

Wait... the person in front of him hadn't opened his mouth. How was he hearing him speak?

Come to think of it, Chu Ran really is capable. It wasn't easy for him to get this far.

He started his own company just after turning eighteen, but his dad was a gambler and his mom was obsessed with keeping up appearances. They ruined their son's career.

Chu Ran's brows slowly drew together.

How did he know all this?

That mire of a past, along with his wretched, shameful family, clung to Chu Ran like invisible, bloodied hands reaching from the abyss.

These private matters were a source of shame to him, things he never wanted to discuss with anyone.

Had this guy investigated him?

Chu Ran's gaze turned cold, his pale hands curling into fists.

Was he working for a rival?

Ning Shile failed to notice the change in Chu Ran and continued offering sincere well wishes in his mind.

I hope Chu Ran can make it through this!

As the saying goes, when you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back at you. So you could try rolling your eyes at it~

Something stirred in Chu Ran's heart.

He had never heard that saying before, but it soothed him remarkably well. The viciousness that had just flared up vanished in an instant.

The other man didn't seem to mean him any harm.

"The PIN is six zeros." Ning Shile handed over the card and took Chu Ran's painting, giving him a wink. "Oh, and don't take any back streets tonight. Stick to the main roads!"

Otherwise, you'll get ambushed!

With that, Ning Shile turned and left. Holding the painting, he offered a secret prayer.

I hope Chu Ran remembers me and gives me a helping hand once he becomes a big shot~

Chu Ran held the card and watched Ning Shile's retreating figure.

Sunlight spilled down, seeming to cast layers of radiance over the young man's chestnut hair. His steps were light and relaxed, and he looked very happy.

Finally, the young man pushed open the glass door and disappeared.

Chu Ran withdrew his gaze.

He still didn't even know his name.