All survival-type dungeons closed?
Players from the Infinite Space swarmed into the grand hall, their eyes fixed on the massive light screen.
They’re really gone!
Every single survival dungeon—vanished without a trace.
Even players mid-mission were forcibly ejected, left standing dazed in the hall, their props still clutched in their hands.
“What the hell?” Brother Hu wiped blood from his face, having narrowly escaped being torn apart by a monster mere seconds before being thrown back into the Infinite Space. He looked up, squinting. “Is it my eyes, or is the lighting here dimmer than usual?”
“Brother Hu?” Xiaojuan glanced down, noticing him sitting on the floor, bloodied and disoriented. “You got pulled into a survival dungeon?”
Brother Hu grimaced as he stood up. “Just scratches. What’s going on with the Infinite Space? Is the System really about to bail on us?”
“All survival dungeons were forcibly shut down, and every player inside got kicked out.” Xiaojuan handed him a healing potion. “Patch yourself up.”
“Thanks, Sis Juan.” Brother Hu smeared the medicine over his wounds. “Before I got dragged into that dungeon, I heard you were forcibly matched into one too. What kind was it?”
“A survival dungeon.” Xiaojuan scanned the hall, spotting several familiar faces among the crowd.
“Sis Juan, what did you do in there?” Brother Hu lowered his voice. “Did you somehow wipe out all the survival dungeons?”
“Wasn’t me.” Xiaojuan shook her head. If she had that kind of power, she wouldn’t have been struggling to earn credits in Chao Musheng’s world.
“Then who’s the god-tier player that wrecked the System this badly?”
Beep—beep—
A sharp alarm blared through the hall, followed by the System’s cold, mechanical voice echoing in every player’s mind.
[Warning: Evil God intrusion detected. All players, safeguard your skills and items.]
[Should the Evil God succeed, every player will lose everything they possess.]
Evil God?
Xiaojuan smirked. Wasn’t the System itself the biggest Evil God of all?
“I worked my ass off to become a high-level player, to gain immortality—and now some random Evil God shows up?”
“If the System’s so powerful, shouldn’t it handle this itself?”
Some players raged, others panicked, while a few remained silent.
Amid the chaos, Xiaojuan stared blankly at the dim ceiling. Not all players wanted to return to their ordinary lives. They had grown addicted to their newfound strength, their extended lifespans, the freedom to kill without consequence. To them, the collapse of the Infinite Space was a nightmare.
These players had long shed their humanity—they were nothing more than monsters wearing human skin.
[Beep—New dungeon activated: Title: Hunt.]
Xiaojuan’s heart lurched. She tried to volunteer, but the System gave no one a choice—it forcibly dragged select players into the dungeon.
“Who got taken?” Brother Hu scanned the hall, noticing the disappearance of several notoriously brutal players. His frown deepened. “Is the System using them as fodder?”
Xiaojuan’s pulse pounded. Who was the target of this hunt?
---
“Ugh, I’m exhausted. The flight’s been delayed forever.” The League Branch Secretary yawned as she slumped into her seat. “Supposed to take off at seven, but it’s almost midnight now.”
“This is a mixed-use airport—on-time rates barely hit seventy percent.” Chao Musheng stowed her luggage. “At least it’s finally boarding.”
After weeks of nonstop work, the entire team was running on fumes. The moment the plane took off, everyone dozed off, heads lolling against their seats.
Turbulence jolted the cabin, disturbing Chao Musheng’s restless sleep. In his dream, he saw a thin thread stretching toward his window. He followed it for what felt like hours until he spotted the virus ball hiding behind a clay jar.
Its many eyes had dulled, its body shriveled. The thread extended from its form.
“You again?” Chao Musheng stepped onto the thread. The lethargic virus ball startled, scrambling to retreat into the jar.
“Hiding won’t help.” Chao Musheng kicked the jar over, spilling countless clay pellets that vanished into the ground upon contact.
“Disgusting little thing, playing with mud.” He shook the jar. “Not coming out?”
He yanked the thread, pulling the virus ball like a stubborn radish.
“Squeak—screech—!”
Even its voice was grating—just unintelligible noise.
Chao Musheng tugged harder.
Suddenly, the virus ball lunged from the jar, baring razor-sharp teeth. Expecting a bite, Chao Musheng flinched—but it chomped down on the thread instead, severing it and leaping free.
“Oh no you don’t!” He stomped on it, but it writhed violently, tearing off all but one of its trapped tendrils before squirming away like a tadpole into the cracks.
Chao Musheng stared at the jar in his hands. Another weird dream? Why did he keep running into this revolting thing?
He shook the jar, dumping the remaining pellets, then—oops—fumbled it. The jar shattered on impact.
“Totally an accident.” He glanced around guiltily before remembering this was his dream. With renewed confidence, he kicked the shards away, ensuring they’d never be reassembled.
“Wake up, Chao Musheng.” A classmate nudged him. “What’s so funny?”
“We landed?” He blinked awake.
“Nope, just meal service.” The classmate sighed enviously. While everyone else looked haggard, Chao Musheng had napped his way back to his usual radiant self. How?
“Still over an hour left.” The League Branch Secretary stretched her stiff legs. Cramped economy seats were murder on the neck. Rubbing her sore muscles, she eyed Chao Musheng’s refreshed glow. “Is Su Chenzhu meeting you at the airport?”
Chao Musheng nodded.
Ah, the power of love.
---
Su Chenzhu stood at the arrivals gate, unwavering even after hours of waiting.
The moment he spotted the figure he’d been longing for, his icy expression thawed like snow under spring sunlight. He strode forward, taking the luggage from Chao Musheng’s hands.
“Chaochao.”
Professor Zhang chuckled at the scene, ushering the other students aside with a knowing wave.
"Good evening, Professor Zhang." Su Chenzhu turned slightly and nodded at the professor. "I’ve arranged transportation for everyone. Please follow my assistant to the vehicles."
"Thank you, President Su. I won’t stand on ceremony with you two, then." Professor Zhang smiled warmly at Chao Musheng. "Xiao Chao, the university has granted a two-day break for students participating in this project. Rest well at home and return to campus on Friday."
"Thank you, Professor Zhang." Under the professor’s watchful gaze, Chao Musheng took Su Chenzhu’s hand. "Then I won’t be returning to school with everyone else."
The students had initially been somewhat intimidated by President Su, but with Chao Musheng present, their courage grew.
"Thank you, President Su and Xiao Chao. Wishing you both a pleasant break."
"May your days be sweet and loving~"
Amidst the students’ cheerful banter, Professor Zhang chuckled. "Ah, President Su, these kids can be a bit lively. Please don’t mind them."
"Jinghua’s students are all outstanding talents—quick-witted and discerning." Su Chenzhu’s tone was gentle. "Thank you all for your blessings."
"You’re welcome." Seeing Su Chenzhu’s attitude, the students realized just how deeply he cared for Chao Musheng. They stopped teasing and waved at Chao Musheng before leaving in high spirits.
"I was a little worried about President Su at first…" A senior student glanced back at the pair as she reached the exit. Hand in hand, they walked through the crowd without a hint of concealment.
The way President Su looked at Chao Musheng was brighter than how she looked at money.
If this wasn’t true love, then what was?
"Did you wait long for me?" Chao Musheng swung their joined hands, his eyes brimming with joy.
"Not long." Su Chenzhu shook his head. "Knowing you were coming back made even the wait enjoyable."
Chao Musheng leaned in close. "I’ve been working nonstop lately. Do I have dark circles?"
"You’re as beautiful as ever." Su Chenzhu pulled him into a one-armed embrace and exhaled deeply. "Chaochao, I missed you."
"I missed you too." Chao Musheng hugged him back. "How’s Mo Tuan?"
"He’s doing well—just misses his owner." Su Chenzhu chuckled. "Let’s go see him tonight, alright?"
"Sure." Chao Musheng pulled back and looked up at him. "But you’re wrong about one thing. You’re his owner too."
Mo Tuan lounged lazily in his plush cat bed, batting at a small ball. The sound of footsteps outside barely registered—until his ears perked up. He dropped the ball and bolted like the wind.
Human! You finally came back! How dare you wander off for so long!
"Meow! Meow! Meow!"
"Mo Tuan!" Chao Musheng scooped the black cat into his arms and buried his face in its fur. "Our Mo Tuan has grown even sturdier."
"Meow." Mo Tuan gently patted Chao Musheng’s cheek with a plush paw.
Human, your servant has been taking decent care of me.
"Mr. Chao, President Su personally prepared all of Mo Tuan’s meals while you were away," the butler remarked, puzzled. Despite Chao Musheng’s three-week absence, the cat still favored him the most.
"Really?" Chao Musheng turned to Su Chenzhu, cradling the noticeably heavier Mo Tuan. "Why didn’t you tell me?"
"I’m his owner too. Taking care of him is my responsibility." Su Chenzhu glanced at the black cat nestled in Chao Musheng’s arms—the same way he himself had once been held by Chaochao.
"Meow?" Mo Tuan tilted his head at Su Chenzhu.
Servant, you got promoted?
"Fair point." Chao Musheng stroked Mo Tuan’s paw pads before placing him into Su Chenzhu’s arms. "Mo Tuan, play with your other owner for a bit. I’m going to shower."
Once Chao Musheng left, Mo Tuan and Su Chenzhu locked eyes.
The cat’s paw swiped vaguely through the air—truthfully, he preferred his cat bed.
"From today onward, Chaochao is your owner, and I’m your second owner," Su Chenzhu declared solemnly, grasping the unruly paw. "Understood?"
"Meow."
So the servant really did climb the ranks.
"Good." Su Chenzhu set him down. "Go play by yourself."
"Sir, this is Mr. Chao’s luggage." The butler hesitated, unsure how long Chao Musheng would stay. "Shall I have someone unpack for him?"
"No need. It contains personal items. I’ll handle it." Su Chenzhu took the suitcase. "You may retire for the evening."
The butler: "…"
If it’s inappropriate for others to sort his belongings, isn’t it just as inappropriate for you?
"Chaochao is my boyfriend," Su Chenzhu said cheerfully, as if reading his thoughts. "As his partner, it’s perfectly fitting for me to unpack his luggage."
The butler stared in astonishment. Boyfriend?!
"Inform all staff that Mr. Chao is also the master of this household," Su Chenzhu continued. "His preferences take precedence in all matters."
"Understood, sir."
So the villa and its staff were essentially part of the dowry for Mr. Chao.
Who knew the president was such a hopeless romantic?
Chao Musheng didn’t wake until past ten. When he went downstairs for breakfast, he noticed the staff’s address for him had changed.
"Sir, your breakfast is ready. Would you like it now?"
"Thank you." Chao Musheng lifted Mo Tuan onto his lap. "Where’s Su Chenzhu?"
"Sir left for a company meeting."
"I see." Chao Musheng nodded. Month-end summary meetings required the CEO’s presence.
After breakfast, he tucked the dozing Mo Tuan back into his bed and drove to the company.
"Assistant Chao, you’re back?"
Chao Musheng turned to see Song Xu clutching a stack of letters, smiling at him. "Just returned last night. How have you been?"
"Thanks to your support, things have been great!"
Song Xu beamed. His public image had improved significantly—even former critics had softened, defending him when rival trolls recently attacked.
Their reasoning? "Even if Xu-dog is annoying, he’s our dog to bully. Who are outsiders to mess with him?"
But Song Xu didn’t mind the nickname anymore. At least his popularity had soared.
"Your support?" Chao Musheng shook his head with a smile. "It’s all your own hard work. I had nothing to do with it."
Song Xu gazed at him gratefully. Assistant Chao was truly a saint—lavishing him with resources yet crediting his efforts alone. What a blessing!
Hah! Those who claimed Luo Yixuan would dethrone him were clueless.
"Are you here for the month-end meeting?" Song Xu checked his watch. "It should be wrapping up soon."
"No, I’m here to deliver lunch." Chao Musheng lifted a thermal container. "I’ll head up now."
"Of course, of course! Go ahead." Song Xu nodded vigorously.
He knew it!
The rumors circulating outside about Mr. Chao seeking some wealthy businessman boyfriend are complete nonsense—Mr. Chao and President Su are the real couple!
Back in the film department, Song Xu turned on the live-streaming equipment, part of a prearranged work plan. "I heard many friends are curious about what our Kunlun film department looks like, so I’ll take you on a tour."
[Brother Xu, we’re actually more curious about where the company’s top executives work.]
Song Xu ignored such comments. The floors where senior management worked were filled with confidential business matters. Even if the film department higher-ups had lost their minds, they wouldn’t have arranged for him to livestream there.
[Brother Xu, since you’re already at the company, can you ask for us—is that amateur really dating a wealthy businessman?]
Tch. These gossip-loving netizens only called him "Brother Xu" instead of "Dog Xu" when they wanted something.
"Don’t believe all the nonsense rumors online. Mr. Chao is absolutely not someone who scorns the poor and chases the rich," Song Xu said. "Mr. Chao comes from a very privileged background and is one of Kunlun’s top talents. He lacks neither love nor money."
[Here goes Dog Xu riding the hype again. Just tell us—is that amateur dating anyone, and who is it?]
"Mr. Chao is not a public figure. Please refrain from excessive interest in his private life." Song Xu stopped engaging with the comment section and stuck to the original plan, showing everyone around the film department’s activity rooms.
Honestly, everyone needed to curb their curiosity and show some respect to his benefactor.
Chao Musheng arrived outside the meeting room just as the session was still ongoing. He left a lunchbox in Su Chenzhu’s office, then slipped in through the back door and took a seat behind the head of the research team.
Su Chenzhu, who had been listening to reports, tilted his head slightly and smiled at him.
A few employees noticed Su Chenzhu’s expression and discreetly followed his gaze.
Ah, so Advisor Chao was back.
The research team leader turned to look at Chao Musheng, his gaze so intense that Chao Musheng instinctively scooted his chair back. What had gotten into him?
When the meeting ended, Su Chenzhu stood up and said amiably, "Everyone, thank you for your hard work."
Without waiting for a response, he strode out of the meeting room.
The attendees exchanged glances. The boss seemed unusually eager today.
"Assistant Chao…" The game department manager was about to ask Chao for help with something, only to look up and realize he had already left the room.
"Hmph." The research team leader stood and said to the game manager, "Stop bothering Advisor Chao with every little thing. He’s our senior consultant in the research team."
Always pestering Advisor Chao for help—didn’t they realize it was lunchtime? Advisor Chao had to accompany the boss for a meal!
What a clueless colleague.
"What’s with that look?" the game manager muttered to his assistant. "Assistant Chao isn’t just the research team’s consultant—he’s also the boss’s assistant. What’s there to be smug about?"
Jumping around in the boss’s social circle to suck up was one thing, but trying to monopolize Assistant Chao? Was he even human?
"Let it go, let it go," the assistant whispered soothingly. "The research team has always been a bit eccentric. Don’t take it to heart."
"Just because they got another round of funding recently…" The game manager’s tone turned sour. "Let’s go!"
"Where to?" the assistant asked.
"To the executive office—to find Assistant Chao!"
The executive office staff were about to tease Chao Musheng about his rumored relationship when they saw the boss approaching.
"Chaochao, why did you only bring lunch for one?"
"I ate breakfast late, so I’m not hungry yet." Chao Musheng was distributing sweet potato chips he’d brought back from Hanyue County to his colleagues. Seeing Su Chenzhu approach, he casually fed him a piece. "Go eat first. I’ll join you later."
"Alright." Su Chenzhu glanced at the executive office staff. "If you get hungry later, I’ll order something for you."
The room fell dead silent.
Something… wasn’t right between the big boss and Xiao Chao.
As if to further stun everyone, Su Chenzhu gently grasped his wrist. "Don’t chat with them too long. Come to the lounge later for a nap."
"Got it. Now go eat." Chao Musheng noticed his colleagues’ frozen expressions and, understanding his own mischievous intent, shooed him away.
"Xiao Chao…" After Su Chenzhu returned to his office, a secretary dropped the sweet potato chip in her hand onto the desk. "You and the boss…"
"You guessed right." Secretary Liu grabbed a handful of sweet potato chips from Chao Musheng and smiled. "Xiao Chao is the boss’s boyfriend."
The mysterious lover who had turned their boss into a lovestruck fool… was actually Xiao Chao?!
The colleagues suddenly recalled their discussions in the gossip group. If they remembered correctly, Xiao Chao was in that group too, wasn’t he?
"The boss is elegant and handsome, Xiao Chao is dashing and talented—you two are a perfect match."
"Congratulations!"
Their shock quickly gave way to cheerful well-wishes.
"Thank you, everyone." Chao Musheng sent a big red envelope in the gossip group. "Coffee’s on me."
After claiming the red packet, they noticed the boss had spammed several large ones in the executive office group chat. Their astonishment was instantly replaced by the joy of snatching digital cash.
Ah, romance was wonderful. If the boss didn’t fall in love, where else would they get free money?
"Where the hell has the system sent us?"
Eight players stood on an overpass, surrounded by towering skyscrapers and endless streams of traffic.
[Ding! Target is 2,780 meters away. Mission time limit: 24 hours.]
A red arrow appeared before the players’ eyes, pointing toward their assassination target.
Only 24 hours?!
Snapping back to reality, the players raced down the overpass steps, following the arrow’s direction.
"Beep! Beep!"
A traffic officer blew his whistle, stopping five men who were about to dash into oncoming traffic. "Halt! Do you know how dangerous it is to run a red light?"
What the hell was this? A measly NPC dared to block them?
The five players frowned, murderous intent flashing in their eyes as they glared at the traffic officer.
[Warning! Warning! Do not provoke hostility from other NPCs. Excessive NPC hostility will increase mission difficulty.]
Gritting their teeth, the players suppressed their killing intent—but the desire to murder someone wasn’t easily hidden.
"You five still don’t get it?" The officer scrutinized them, refusing to let them leave. "Stand still. You’re going to learn traffic rules properly."
Years of experience told him these men were trouble. To avoid tipping them off, he subtly radioed for backup using coded language.
The players: "…"
Was this a joke? They were in a kill-or-be-killed mission—since when did they need to obey traffic laws?!
But the system in their heads kept blaring warnings, forcing them to choke back their rage.
They were sent here to assassinate someone, yet they had to tolerate random NPCs?
This damn mission was insane!
