Jiang Che waved a hand dismissively.
"You can go now. From now on, you'll live with the security team. I'll call you if I need anything."
Tiansha bowed deeply before silently retreating.
With his new bodyguard settled, Jiang Che indulged in a long, hot bath, washing away the day's exhaustion. Then, he lay back on his luxurious Simmons bed, arms folded behind his head, lost in thought.
"System, now that Ye Chen and Xiao Han are out of the way… will other protagonists appear?"
"Yes, host. More protagonists will emerge."
Jiang Che's gaze sharpened.
"Can you reveal their stories in advance?"
"Yes, but it will cost 500 plot points."
Jiang Che gritted his teeth.
"Do it."
Spending his last points stung, but knowledge was power. As long as more protagonists kept appearing, he could continue to exploit them for profit.
"Instilling the plot of 'Return of Glory'..."
Ten minutes later, Jiang Che lit a cigarette, slowly processing the information that had flooded into his mind.
Lin Fan.
A classic revenge protagonist.
Expelled from the Lin family at fifteen, Lin Fan was taken in by an old master and trained on an isolated island overseas.
For seven years, the old man taught him everything—martial arts, strategy, medicine, business…
But they didn't just stay hidden.
They traveled the world, and Lin Fan, despite his young age, accumulated vast experience and power.
By the time he returned home, he was already a force to be reckoned with.
His goal? Settle old grudges.
His first target?
His stepmother.
A vicious and cunning woman who had spent years poisoning Lin Tiannan, the Lin family's patriarch.
Under her control, the Lin family had fallen into her grasp, and no one even realized the true extent of her schemes.
The Lin family wasn't just any wealthy household.
They were one of the Four Great Families of Jiangbei—powerful clans with centuries of heritage.
Compared to them, Su Batian—the so-called richest man in Jiangbei—was nothing.
However, these four families operated in the shadows, keeping a low profile in public.
Jiang Che had brushed shoulders with some of their members at high-end gatherings, but he never interfered in their affairs.
Until now.
Jiang Che snuffed out his cigarette, a wicked smile curling at his lips.
This stepmother…
The novel's author had not held back in describing her.
Gorgeous. Mature. Seductive.
She had bewitched Lin Tiannan for years, turning him into her puppet.
And now?
With foreknowledge of the plot, Jiang Che had the perfect chance to strike first.
"I can expose her, blackmail her… or even make her work for me."
His smile deepened.
"System, when does Lin Fan return?"
"In ten days."
"Ten days, huh…"
That was plenty of time to set things in motion.
The next day, after washing up and having breakfast, Jiang Che drove straight to his company.
For the past few weeks, he had been preoccupied with Ye Chen and Xiao Han.
It was time to check in on his business.
As he stepped into his private office, a familiar figure appeared—Chen Xuewei.
The young woman brightened up immediately upon seeing him.
"Boss Jiang, you're here!" she said excitedly.
She had been cleaning his office every day, even in his absence.
Jiang Che smiled faintly and settled into his chair, taking a sip of his hot tea.
"Anything important happen while I was gone? Give me a report."
"Of course, Mr. Jiang!"
Chen Xuewei immediately began detailing recent business activities.
Jiang Che, however, zoned out.
Most of it was trivial corporate nonsense—nothing worthy of his attention.
Until—
"Oh! And about the Beauty Pill production—"
Jiang Che's eyes snapped to her.
"The Beauty Pill… Has it finally gone into production?"
Last time he checked, it was still in the preparation phase.
"Yes, Mr. Jiang!"
Chen Xuewei's face flushed with excitement, her breathing slightly uneven.
Her enthusiasm was unmistakable.
And, if Jiang Che wasn't mistaken—
Her excitement was causing certain assets to strain against her blouse.
Jiang Che smirked, sipping his tea leisurely.
"Go on, tell me everything."
The day was off to an interesting start.