Chapter 100
Editor: Casey
When the man who called himself Uncle had left, Shi Qing slowly sat down on the sofa.
The place he was in looked like a restaurant, and a high-end one at that. Some of the surrounding customers glanced over at Shi Qing, who had not moved for a long time.
Shi Qing naturally ignored them and watched the plotline introduction entirely at ease.
His eyes immediately narrowed.
[Tongtong, the protagonist of this world is a woman?]
The System was stunned. It hurried to also take a look at the data. [Yes, but that person just now...]
Shi Qing: [It’s okay, I don’t mind that he’s not the protagonist.]
He continued to review the plot.
The protagonist of this world was named Cheng Yunling. Her appearance lived up to the beauty of her name. She was the type of protagonist who started with very little. Growing up impoverished, she was recruited into the entertainment industry in university. Due to her fair looks and her good acting skills, she quickly made a name for herself.
As she grew in popularity, more and more people began to pursue her, the original host being one such suitor.
The original host was a rich second generation with quite a bit of influence. His uncle was Tan Mingjin, the chairman of the Tan family corporation. Tan Mingjin was unmarried and childless, so barring any mishaps, the original host would be his only heir.
It was summer vacation right now. Tan Mingjin wanted to test the original host’s mettle, so he asked him where he wanted to intern. That’s how the original host entered the entertainment industry.
His sole reason for doing so was to make it easier to sleep with women. After all, his family was overly strict, and Tan Mingjin was personally keeping an eye on the original host before his graduation to keep him out of trouble. After going through so much trouble getting his uncle off his back, of course the original host was going to cut loose and have some fun.
However, because his acting skills were truly terrible, the original host did not enter the entertainment industry as an artist. Instead, he directly parachuted into an entertainment company owned by Tan Mingjin.
The original host was nominally a trainee, but how could a braggart like him not mention his identity as Tan Mingjin’s sole heir? No one in the company dared to cross this young master, so he quickly ‘fit in’.
The original host was not the protagonist’s type. She was also aware of his intentions, so she unsurprisingly chose to politely reject him. Unfortunately, the original host was a narrow-minded person. He immediately retaliated after the protagonist acted so ‘ungratefully’. Not to mention making things difficult for her career, he also used visiting her as an excuse to sexually harass her.
That being said, he didn’t blacklist her. He was just playing with her to humble her.
Connections mattered significantly in the entertainment industry. When people saw how a young master like the original host disliked the protagonist, many of them immediately tripped her up as well.
Very quickly, the protagonist’s life became increasingly difficult despite her not being blacklisted.
The original host waited for the protagonist to come find him, but he eventually lost patience. He then decided to just drug her and do the deed.
Fortunately, the protagonist’s halo allowed her to struggle free and escape. While she fled, she coincidentally ran into Tan Mingjin. Even more coincidentally, the protagonist happened to look a lot like Tan Mingjin’s birth mother. The man admired this hardworking artist who looked like his mother a fair bit, so he immediately decided to help the protagonist when she asked.
During her plea for help, the protagonist revealed all the things that the original host had been forcing her to do.
Tan Mingjin was furious. He sent someone to offer the protagonist compensation after rescuing her. Then, he took the original host back home for a scolding.
Thereafter, the original host held a grudge against both the protagonist and Tan Mingjin in his heart. But he didn’t dare to do anything more to her because of how powerful his uncle was. He could only glare hatefully from the side while toying with other starlets.
Even if he was temporarily out of the protagonist’s sight, the original host was still the final boss. Along the way, he caused the protagonist’s best friend to commit suicide and orchestrated a car accident involving her parents. Finally, the protagonist managed to secure proof that he was plotting to kill Tan Mingjin for the inheritance and put him away for good.
–Well, in the original plotline anyway.
When this story became a world of its own, things turned out very differently.
The original host was still afraid of disobeying Tan Mingjin’s orders, but his personality made it impossible for him to not interfere at all. He knew that the protagonist was shooting a scene in midair involving wires the next day, so he tampered with them after being scolded.
The protagonist fell and died on impact.
With her death, the world crumbled as well.
[Since drugs have already come into play, there’s probably no good feelings between us.]
Shi Qing picked up the coffee on the table and took a sip: [Animosity value.]
The System who misidentified the protagonist guiltily mumbled: [Ding! Cheng Yunling’s animosity value: 100/100]
Shi Qing faintly smiled and took another sip of coffee. He crossed one leg over the other.
Sure enough.
I don’t feel surprised at all 🙂
***
After figuring out the situation in this world, he turned his attention to his own situation.
First up was his uncle, Tan Mingjin. He was the typical first-generation entrepreneur. Actually, he was more like the main character of this world than the protagonist. He grew up in a poor, single-parent family. His mother worked very hard to raise him.
However, just as his life was looking up after he was admitted to a top high school with a full-ride scholarship, his mother died in a car accident. The newly orphaned Tan Mingjin lived by himself, made it into university, and became one of the wealthiest people in the world through hard work. But what such a rich and accomplished man yearned for the most was the company of his birth mother.
Because they lived in poverty and Tan Mingjin’s mother was reluctant to spend too much money, she didn’t even leave a single photo behind when she left this world. The protagonist, who looked a lot like her with the same determined personality, naturally gained a powerful backer like Tan Mingjin.
The original host’s father was Tan Mingjin’s childhood friend. He was also brought up by a single mother. The two of them grew up together in dilapidated alleys, but their paths diverged from there. Tan Mingjin was always a top student, so he got into a top high school. His childhood friend was a bad student and he got a girl pregnant too. He and his girlfriend didn’t dare to tell anyone, so eventually she gave birth. In the aftermath, both dropped out of school and his girlfriend was taken away by her parents. Tan Mingjin’s childhood friend, who was very much a child himself, was left to care for the baby.
Although Tan Mingjin and his childhood friend walked very different paths in life, they still had a great relationship. Their mothers were best friends as well, so they would occasionally care for each other’s children.
Unfortunately, Tan Mingjin lost both his mother and his best friend in that car accident. While Tan Mingjin was able to rush to the hospital to see his mother one last time, his childhood friend died on scene.
Before her death, Tan Mingjin’s mother told him that she only managed to last this long because his childhood friend had shielded her. She told Tan Mingjin to look after his friend’s mother and son.
Then the original plotline kicked in. The childhood friend’s mother passed away soon after, so Tan Mingjin, who was already starting his own business at the time, took in his friend’s son as his own.
However, that child grew up to be a menace.
Not only did he not admire his uncle Tan Mingjin for giving him a great life despite not being a relative, he worried that he would not get a share of the family fortune if his uncle had a biological child.
When Tan Mingjin scolded him for his bad grades...
When he refused to let him buy a racecar because he was underage...
When he didn’t let his ‘friends’ drag him to a dangerous drag car race...
The original host thought it was because he was not Tan Mingjin’s biological child.
He thought that Tan Mingjin would give him anything he wanted if he was his by blood.
At this point in time, the original host had already drugged the protagonist. He chased after his drugged victim, only to run right into Tan Mingjin.
By then, Tan Mingjin lost all patience for the child he raised after learning what he had done. But out of consideration for his childhood friend, he eventually brought the original host to this restaurant to give him an ultimatum.
He couldn’t actually abandon the original host after he graduated. If it wasn’t for his friend’s sacrifice, Tan Mingjin wouldn’t have had the chance to see his mother one last time back when he was in high school.
Due to this debt, he had to watch over Shi Qing no matter what. Otherwise, if he really left Shi Qing to his own devices...
This spoiled young master, who had plenty of enemies, might not survive without the protection of Tan family.
Tan Mingjin was trying to scare the original host straight so he would behave himself and study. Unfortunately, his actions just deepened his ward’s hatred towards the protagonist.
To be more precise, it was Tan Mingjin he wanted to kill even more.
After all, Tan Mingjin was unmarried and had no biological children. Once he died, the family fortune would belong to the original host, right?
By the time he finished his coffee, Shi Qing had a grasp on the situation.
Everything was pretty clear: Tan Mingjin did not like his wicked nephew much, but he had to grit his teeth and watch over him regardless.
Shi Qing glanced down at the watch on his wrist.
There were still four hours until the protagonist would shoot her scene.
Plenty of time.
Shi Qing: [Where did Tan Mingjin go?]
The System flipped through the script furiously: [He went on a blind date.]
Shi Qing beckoned a waiter over and smiled. “Bill, please.”
****
Tan Mingjin was indeed on a blind date.
The man was older than Shi Qing by 16 years. Shi Qing was an 18-year-old first-year university student, and he was only 33 years old.
On the list of available bachelors, he was still on the young side, not to mention his movie-like life and wealth.
It was not an exaggeration to say that he could find a suitable match at any time if he wanted to get married.
Tan Mingjin never got married before because he was too busy with work and because of Shi Qing.
When Shi Qing was a child, he was so busy that he couldn’t go home. Therefore, he had to hire a nanny to raise the child. Tan Mingjin was worried that if he got married then, his wife would mistreat this unrelated child who was too young to fight back, so he gave up on finding a partner.
When Shi Qing was slightly older, he was vocally against Tan Mingjin getting married. Naturally, Tan Mingjin had no idea the child he had raised was already coveting his fortune. He just thought that this was the usual possessiveness of a child. Since he had never really been in a relationship before, he gave up again.
As a result, Tan Mingjin, with his wealth, good looks, and figure, had been single until now.
Yesterday, his business partner offered to introduce him to the eldest young mistress of Zhao family. Since Shi Qing was already 18, Tan Mingjin agreed.
After settling the matter on Shi Qing’s side, Tan Mingjin rushed to the place of the appointment.
The eldest young mistress of Zhao family was five years younger than Tan Mingjin, with stunning looks and confidence aplomb. She was waiting for him when he arrived.
“I’m sorry I’m late.”
Looking at the tall and handsome man dressed in a form-fitting suit, Miss Zhao smiled.
“No, I’m the one who arrived too early.”
She was a straightforward person, so she didn’t bat around the bush. “Mr. Tan, I think my uncle has told you generally about what I want. I want to be with you because our families are business partners. Our marriage will benefit both our companies.”
“I’m a dink so I don’t want children. We can both have our fun on the side after marriage. I know that you have an 18-year-old child at home. I’m fine with you making him the heir. If you still want children, I hope you can keep it under three. I don’t care as long as their birth mothers don’t come to our house to make a scene. As for the financial aspect–”
–Bang!
The door was suddenly violently kicked open.
Both people subconsciously looked over to see an obviously good looking youth with a rather prickly temperament strutting in.
He was at the age where people looked their best and blessed with good looks to boot. The only problem was his arrogant demeanour.
Tan Mingjin’s eyebrows furrowed slightly as he reprimanded the youth, “Shi Qing, what are you doing here?”
“I heard that Uncle was on a blind date. Can’t I come as your son to see my future aunt?”
The youth didn’t sit down, he just leaned on the side of the table. Lifting his chin, he pointed at Miss Zhao and spoke lightly.
“So she’s my future little aunt? She looks like she’s my age. Dad, I know you have a lot of young women on the side, but why get married to someone my age?”
Of course, Shi Qing knew that Tan Mingjin had never dated all these years. He was clearly trying to sabotage things.
Tan Mingjin’s expression cooled. His deep voice was filled with suppressed irritation.
“Get out.”
On the other hand, Miss Zhao wasn’t angry. She even looked up and smiled happily at the delicate-looking little tiger cub. She said good-naturedly:
“Thank you for the compliment, but I’m around your uncle’s age. We’re just five years apart.”
The youth seemed taken aback. He came looking for a fight, but his target was smiling pleasantly at him. His scowl deepened after a moment. “So what? Take a good look at yourself first! Are you worthy of being my uncle’s spouse?!”
Miss Zhao: “I am the eldest daughter of the Zhao family corporation. Although my family is no match for your uncle, marriage can still be considered.”
Shi Qing’s expression was dark. “My uncle likes to sleep around. He just recently banged an actress.”
Miss Zhao shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. Your uncle is so handsome I’m willing to turn a blind eye.”
The youth: “......”
The look of deliberate smugness on his face had long disappeared, leaving anxiousness and panic. “My uncle promised my grandmother that he would take good care of me. If you marry over and become my aunt, you’ll have to take care of me too! You two can only have one child in this lifetime, me! Don’t even think about having one of your own!”
The more aggressive Shi Qing acted, the more unsightly Tan Mingjin’s expression became.
Although he was okay with not having any biological children, Shi Qing still crossed the line by outright demanding that he shouldn’t.
“What a coincidence!” Miss Zhao was in full agreement. “I don’t want to have children either. Just think of how painful it would be. Picking up a big nephew like you by marrying your uncle is like shooting two birds with one stone. I couldn’t be happier to have a handsome nephew with such a delightful voice.”
She smiled and looked at Tan Mingjin. “Mr. Tan, I was still hesitant on the way here, but this child has convinced me that our marriage would be a good thing. Why don’t we set a date for the wedding today?”
Tan Mingjin could see the smirk in her eyes with just a glance, so naturally he did not take her words seriously. He knew she was only teasing Shi Qing.
The man raised his eyes slightly and looked at Shi Qing who stubbornly directed a vicious look at Miss Tan. His eyebrows creased more and more.
This child has indeed gone too far today.
He nodded, “Okay, let’s set it for next month.”
“No!!! I forbid it!!!”
As expected, Shi Qing exploded. He was almost roaring in anger.
Tan Mingjin’s patience has been exhausted.
This child has always been a handful.
Pretending he hadn’t heard a thing, Tan Mingjin got up without even looking at Shi Qing to walk out.
The youth behind him was still yelling.
“I said you’re not allowed to get married, you hear me!”
“I won’t allow you two to get married!!”
“Tan Mingjin!!!”
The man paused. He whipped around with an icy cold expression. “How long are you going to make a scene...”
His words stopped.
The youth was still at the table, viciously biting down on his lip. His body was trembling slightly, and the corners of his eyes and nose were already reddened. There was a sense of wretchedness from him that Tan Mingjin had never seen before.
Shi Qing was actually crying.
Although his face wasn’t full of tears, his eyes were.
Perhaps because he saw Tan Mingjin staring at him, but Shi Qing fiercely lowered his head and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
Only when he felt that he had wiped them clean did he look up again at the man who had raised him.
Tan Mingjin had never seen such a vulnerable side to Shi Qing before.
In his impression, Shi Qing had always been mischievous, unruly, and rowdy.
But now, this child was pitifully looking up at him with a blotchy face, as stubborn as ever.
He said, “Uncle, don’t get married. Don’t abandon me.”
Tan Mingjin’s heart softened.
Miss Zhao got up and walked unhurriedly towards the door with her bag, passing by Tan Mingjin and saying, “Mr. Tan, it seems you have to coax this little darling first. Let’s end things off here.”
“A love-deprived child like this won’t accept you finding a wife.”
We’ve reached 100 chapters!
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