"What do you have to say about this article?"
"Care to explain it to me?"
Zhou Xiaofen flung her phone at Su Chen, her voice hoarse with fury.
"I..."
Several bold headlines glared back at Su Chen from the screen, and in that instant, the color drained from his face.
What was going on?
What on earth was happening?
The money—he'd earned it from the system through daily check-ins. How could it suddenly be portrayed as if it were gifted to him by someone else?
"System, what the hell is this?"
Reeling from disbelief, he stormed into the space of his consciousness to confront the system.
After a brief pause, the system finally responded.
"Apologies, Host. I didn't foresee someone manipulating the circumstances to frame you."
"However, when the system rewards you with money and items, it must adhere to real-world logic."
"Therefore, the funds transferred to you came from dormant accounts within various banks."
"And since you don't own a company, they had to be transferred in your name..."
"What? Why would it be like this?"
After the system's explanation, Su Chen felt as though his entire world had collapsed.
Because every item in that article—each transfer, each sum—was real. All true.
And there was no way he could reveal the system's existence.
So the only option left...
A bitter smile crept onto Su Chen's face.
Meanwhile, Zhou Xiaofen stood still, watching his silence.
And in that silence, she saw his confession.
The money had, indeed, come from others. That was the truth.
Could she really marry such a man? Live with someone of such degraded character?
Her face hardened with resolve.
"Su Chen, get out. Out of my house, now."
"I want no more ties with you. From this moment forward, we're finished. No more entanglements, no more disputes."
"Xiaofen, I..."
"Explain? Do you really think that would change anything?"
Looking at Zhou Xiaofen's cold, indifferent face, Su Chen felt as though his heart were being carved apart.
Even she didn't believe him. Even she chose to stand with the others.
And their quarrel, unfortunately, was being broadcast live.
"Damn, did Zhou Jie just cut ties with Su Chen? That fight looked brutal!"
"Not sure. Could be another one of those scripted dramas streamers love to pull."
"Serves him right. A scumbag like him doesn't deserve Zhou Jie. What a disgrace."
The barrage of comments flooded in like a tide.
Every minute, half of the messages were vicious slanders against Su Chen.
The level of loathing he drew was staggering.
In another room, Chu Yi sat in front of his computer, a calm smile on his lips.
The play had begun.
Su Chen was now utterly alone. Not just online—his public image had been shattered—but even Zhou Xiaofen had abandoned him.
He had reached the end of his rope. Only the system remained as his lifeline.
Every narrative thread in the real world had been severed.
Chu Yi truly couldn't imagine how Su Chen might claw his way back.
Ding! Host has successfully ruined Su Chen's reputation. Public disdain achieved. Stripped 20 protagonist destiny points from Su Chen. Awarded 20 destiny points and 2,000 villain value to Host.
Ding! Host has successfully used strategy to sever Su Chen and Zhou Xiaofen's relationship. Stripped 30 protagonist destiny points from Su Chen. Awarded 30 destiny points and 3,000 villain value to Host.
The system's voice echoed in Chu Yi's ears, and a pleased smile spread across his face.
From pauper to lord.
In mere seconds, he had gained an immense fortune in villain value.
For the first time, Chu Yi didn't feel like a broke loser.
Back in Zhou Xiaofen's room, the situation had reached a fever pitch.
Su Chen desperately tried to explain himself.
But that very desperation only made him appear more pathetic in Zhou Xiaofen's eyes.
You made the mistake, and instead of apologizing, you're scrambling to deflect responsibility?
Her last thread of patience snapped.
She looked him in the eye.
"Get out. Now."
"I don't want to hear another word."
She shoved him out and slammed the door behind him, barring him from reentering.
...
"Dear viewers, I truly apologize. I didn't expect things to turn out this way."
"To show my sincerity, I'll refund all the proceeds from this stream."
"However, due to the platform's review procedures, the process might take some time."
After kicking Su Chen out, Zhou Xiaofen returned to her stream to address the audience.
She knew she bore responsibility too.
And with her pride, since the bond with Su Chen was severed, she had to keep things clean.
So she chose to refund every cent.
Even if it meant paying out of her own pocket, including this year's contract and performance bonus.
After all, Douyu would never willingly return its 40% cut.
"No need, Zhou Jie. You probably didn't know what was happening. No need to refund the money."
A loyal fan spoke up.
But not everyone agreed.
"Speak for yourself. You don't represent us. If anyone gets to decide, it's Chu Shen."
"Exactly. Chu Shen spent almost ten million—he and Su Chen gave the most. His opinion matters most."
"Right, let Chu Shen decide whether the money should be returned."
Comment after comment echoed the same sentiment.
And slowly, inevitably, the entire live chat filled with these voices.
Chu Yi had become the people's voice.
Even Zhou Xiaofen glanced repeatedly at the screen, surprised.
Never before had she seen such unity in the chat.
For the first time, a quiet admiration for Chu Yi stirred in her heart.
"Chu Shen, tell us—should I refund the money?"
After a moment of contemplation, Zhou Xiaofen spoke softly into the mic.
Refund?
Chu Yi read the message on screen and smirked.
Was this a joke? Did he care about that amount of money?
If he wanted, he could win a few billion at a casino before lunch.
Destroying his public persona over a refund? That would be idiocy.
After all, to the world, he was now a top-tier trust fund elite.
So he made his decision.
"You don't need to refund what I spent. I don't miss the money."
"But that 15 million Su Chen spent? That was elderly folks' pension money."
"Return his share. That'll be enough."
Ding! Zhou Jie's affection for you increased by 10. Significant plot alteration. Gained 500 villain value and 3 destiny points.
The voice in his head caught Chu Yi off guard.
"What the hell? I wasn't trying to win her over!"
Truth be told, Chu Yi had never even considered pursuing Zhou Jie.
They simply weren't compatible.
As he puzzled over the system's sudden notification, Zhou Jie's stream exploded with praise.
"A true high-roller. Ten million? He didn't even flinch."
"Fan for life. Instant follow!"
"Rich, generous, and humble? This guy's a unicorn!"
His follower count soared past 1.2 million.
And continued rising at a staggering pace.
Chu Yi had officially solidified his popularity.
Half an hour later, with Su Chen gone and Chu Yi ending the stream, the viewers dispersed.
But across Weibo and social media, Su Chen remained the topic of ferocious discussion.
Mockery and disdain filled every corner of the internet.
And behind it all, the mastermind was Chu Yi.
Throwing money at headlines, bribing media outlets.
Whatever could be bought, he bought.
With cash as fuel, Su Chen's name became infamous.
"Douyu's Wealthy Tyrant Exposed: Donated Dead Grandparents' Pension to Streamers!"
"I, Su Chen, Gave My Grandpa's Life Savings to an E-Girl"
...
Night fell over the neon-lit streets of Shanghai.
Clink.
A beer bottle shattered on the pavement.
A young man stumbled through the street, reeking of alcohol—Su Chen.
Life had been cruel since he left Zhou Jie.
And the reason was simple: he had no money.
A cruel irony. Despite signing in daily for digital currency and gifts, he had to spend them all to earn back a mere 1% profit.
So in reality, he was broke.
Worse, he hadn't streamed in days.
Because now, whenever he tried gifting items, the once-sweet streamers turned on him with disgust.
And his own chat? Nothing but venom and ridicule.
The frustration festered.
So he stopped.
Exhale.
Su Chen took a deep breath and turned toward the shabby motel he now called home.
Just then, the system chimed in his mind.
Ding! Daily check-in timer has reset. Host, please proceed to sign in at a livestream.
"Sign in?"
"What's the point anymore?"
A bitter laugh tugged at Su Chen's lips.
Sign in? For what?
His fiancée gone. The internet out for blood.
He was a disgrace. A pariah.
So why bother?
He kept walking.
But then, the next message stopped him cold.
Host, signing in doesn't always yield digital gifts. You may receive real-world items—like supercars, houses, or even Douyu shares.
"What did you say?!"
Real-world items. Like ownership in Douyu, which just went public.
Douyu... ownership?
The words trembled off his lips.
He began to pace.
Ownership of Douyu.
If he had that, he could reclaim everything.
Explain the truth to Zhou Jie.
And take revenge on Chu Yi.
Hatred lit a fire in Su Chen's eyes.
He wasn't stupid. He knew exactly who had orchestrated his fall.
Only one man could've done it—Chu Yi.
"System. I want to check in at Dai Xiaomei's stream."
His heart steadied, voice resolute.
Ding! Congratulations, Host. You've received 35% of Douyu's shares via Dai Xiaomei's stream. Critical hit! Bonus reward: Limited edition Lamborghini.
"Haha! I did it! I did it!"
Su Chen burst out laughing.
He was now Douyu's largest shareholder.
Practically its owner.
The story about pension money? That could vanish in a heartbeat.
And Zhou Jie—once he explained—would surely return to him.
Joy surged in his heart.
But so did the burning hatred for Chu Yi.
His face darkened.
"Chu Yi, your days are numbered."
"I'll see you ruined, destitute, begging on the streets."
His words dripped with madness.
"No need to wait. I'm right in front of you."
"You want revenge? Start now."
"Who's there?!"
Startled, Su Chen turned, his brows furrowed.
Standing before him was a strikingly handsome young man, about his age.
But unlike Su Chen, he exuded an effortless grace, a noble air.
A presence Su Chen instinctively despised.