From the moment he crossed over, Yuan Tianruo had already planned his future: to defeat all the insignificant antagonists standing in his way, make countless beautiful women submit to him willingly—even sharing him with others—and reach the pinnacle of the world, forcing everyone to kneel in submission.
Yuan Tianruo was brimming with confidence in achieving this goal. That was why he so decisively established his private black laboratory. Even as the number of lives lost within grew and the agonizing screams grew louder, he felt no regret and never once considered halting his experiments.
After all, in Yuan Tianruo’s eyes, these were all necessary sacrifices for scientific progress and the advancement of the world. Those people died for a worthy cause, and he would become the savior, the greatest man in the world!
As someone so extraordinary, Yuan Tianruo believed he was destined to have a beautiful and expansive harem. Shana was one of his chosen targets.
Yuan Tianruo’s lab was short on funds—scientific research was an incredibly expensive endeavor. If he could secure Shana, he would never have to worry about money again. He could even afford to indulge in lavish excess, maintaining his image as a wealthy, carefree, and extravagant man, rather than struggling to uphold the facade of a gentle, obedient, and considerate persona as he did now.
Once he had money, he could buy a private property where he could act without restraint, free from the need to maintain appearances around his current ambiguous romantic interest.
Yes, that’s right—Yuan Tianruo already had someone in that role. It was just a relationship stuck in the “more than friends, less than lovers” stage. That person was a guide, the youngest granddaughter of the research institute’s director—Han Xinwan.
Han Xinwan was gentle, sweet, and radiant, a little sunbeam who had initially been drawn to strong, valiant sentinels. But under Yuan Tianruo’s influence, she gradually developed feelings for him, a fellow guide.
Han Xinwan had never liked anyone before and had no experience in romance. How could she possibly be a match for Yuan Tianruo, a scoundrel with no moral boundaries and plenty of experience?
At first, Yuan Tianruo had presented himself to Han Xinwan as a hardworking, diligent young man from a poor family, struggling to make ends meet while studying. Though lacking in natural talent, he was earnest, kind, pure, and adorable, with excellent cooking skills. He had even helped Han Xinwan once, selflessly asking for nothing in return.
Initially, Han Xinwan saw him as a close friend, even a sisterly figure, and given his difficult circumstances, she had helped him multiple times.
But slowly, their relationship deepened to its current state. Thanks to Han Xinwan, Yuan Tianruo thrived in the research institute. If not for the dazzlingly talented Xiang Qimiao, Yuan Tianruo—backed by Han Xinwan—would have been the most popular and sought-after guide there.
Yet, because he couldn’t yet reveal his true self to Han Xinwan—his real personality and background—Yuan Tianruo was forced to maintain his disguise. Even the shared apartment he lived in now had been arranged by Han Xinwan. Projecting his own paranoia onto others, Yuan Tianruo assumed his roommates were spies planted by Han Xinwan to monitor him, leaving him constantly on edge. The suffocating act was driving him mad.
In reality, however, Yuan Tianruo was simply judging others by his own twisted standards. While Han Xinwan had indeed carefully selected his roommates, her intention was simply to ensure they were easygoing and compatible, making Yuan Tianruo’s life more comfortable. She wanted him to avoid troublesome individuals and have people around to help if needed.
Only someone like Yuan Tianruo—who believed in keeping a wife at home while indulging in affairs outside—would assume others shared his controlling mindset. He feared that once his harem was established, his women might cheat on him, so he projected that insecurity onto Han Xinwan.
A guilty conscience sees guilt everywhere.
Yuan Tianruo had already planned it all out: once he secured the stunning Shana, he would buy a villa, decorate it lavishly, and turn it into a private pleasure den where he could “reward” the accomplished Shana. Then, he’d return to sweet-talk Han Xinwan.
By then, he’d have the passionate, sensual Shana on one side and the sweet, understanding Han Xinwan on the other. With both in his arms, his harem would be off to a glorious start!
The thought filled Yuan Tianruo with glee.
He had even mapped out how to seduce Shana. Soon, he would take leave under the pretense of needing inspiration, returning to his hometown for a visit. Coincidentally, Shana would soon be traveling to the Blue Star Empire on business for her family’s corporation. Along the way, Weiruo and his space pirates would raid her starship, slaughter everyone aboard, and steal all the supplies—leaving just one carefully planned flaw: Shana would escape to a predetermined, remote, and filthy planet.
Stranded with no money, no resources, and no allies, a beautiful woman like Shana would be in grave danger. Yuan Tianruo would arrange for a few thugs to harass her, heightening her sense of peril, before he swooped in as the heroic savior. How could she resist falling for him then?
His alibi was flawless: returning home for a visit, he just happened to rescue a damsel in distress. Perfect.
He didn’t even need to go out of his way to hire thugs—before Weiruo had sought him out after his transmigration, Yuan Tianruo had been a local gang leader in that very area. Assigning a few men to play the role was child’s play.
Once Shana was secured, he’d dispose of all witnesses by dumping them into space as trash, ensuring no loose lips could ruin his plans or tarnish his image.
Yuan Tianruo snapped his fingers. Perfect!
After securing his leave, Yuan Tianruo boarded the starship, confirmed the plan with Weiruo, and gleefully set his scheme into motion.
Little did he know, his dream was about to meet its brutal end.
Meanwhile, Tan Hao—who had been deepening his relationship with Xiang Qimiao—and Xiang Qilin—who had been discussing wedding plans with Wei Huanping—both received an urgent notification. As they read the contents, their frowns deepened, and their irritation at the interrupted private time vanished.
Xiang Qimiao tilted her head curiously. “Hao-ge, what’s wrong? Can you tell me?”
Tan Hao rubbed his fingers together and patted her head. “We’ve uncovered something unpleasant. I can’t share the details yet, but you’ll know soon enough. There’s an emergency meeting, so I have to leave early today. Sorry, Xiao Miao.”
Xiang Qimiao didn’t fully grasp the first part of his words, and though she was reluctant to see him go, she nodded understandingly and smiled. “Then, Hao-ge, will you come see me tomorrow?”
Tan Hao’s smile turned enigmatic. “Tomorrow, it might not be me coming to you—but you coming to me. Alright, Xiao Miao, see you later.”
Xiang Qimiao waved, half-understanding. “Goodbye, Hao-ge!”
Tan Hao hurried back to the military headquarters, where he ran into the equally rushed Xiang Qilin. The two exchanged nods.
Xiang Qilin felt somewhat awkward around Tan Hao. His father, Xiang Chen, was at least of equal rank, but Xiang Qilin was Tan Hao’s subordinate. Tan Hao had once been his idol, but now, as Xiang Qimiao’s brother, he was technically Tan Hao’s elder. The dynamic was… complicated.
Still, now wasn’t the time for such thoughts. Xiang Qilin saluted and followed Tan Hao inside.
He sighed. Regardless of personal feelings, military decorum had to be maintained. Tan Hao outranked him—that was a fact.
Xiang Qilin harbored no jealousy. Tan Hao’s promotions had been well-earned, and given his youth, his rise had been even harder than that of older generals. Yet here he was, a high-ranking general and the strongest candidate for the next marshal.
When someone was slightly better than you, envy might arise. But when they were leagues ahead, all that remained was admiration.
—Well, except for lunatics like Yuan Tianruo.
Xiang Qilin shook his head. Now wasn’t the time for distractions. The reason for their rushed return was grave. Recalling the report’s contents, he sighed and frowned.
He could only hope it was all fabricated. If true… the implications were horrifying.
Tan Hao wasn’t in the best mood either. Not only had his time with his “kitten” been cut short, but he’d also been subjected to vile, stomach-churning revelations. Outwardly calm, inwardly, he was seething, itching to tear the mastermind limb from limb.
When Tan Hao had first joined forces with the Xiang family to investigate the conspiracy behind Xiang Qimiao’s near-death, he never expected to uncover such shocking, “unique” atrocities—so “astonishing” that they filled him with boundless disgust for the perpetrator.
Truthfully, some beings wore human skin and spoke human words, but they didn’t deserve to be called human.
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