The security team leader led his squad upstairs to conduct a sweep, confirming there were no suspicious individuals present. He glanced back at the guard trailing at the end of the line. "New guy, wasn’t it you who claimed to have seen someone sneaking into Mr. Chao’s residence?"
"Captain, I really saw someone," the guard quickly defended himself, pulling out his phone. "Look, I even took a photo."
The captain leaned in to examine the image. Though blurry, there was indeed a shadowy figure approaching the white villa—so indistinct that even their gender was impossible to discern.
"Captain, better safe than sorry," the guard whispered urgently. "Mr. Chao is a VIP. If anything were to happen to him, even the slightest mishap..." He left the implication hanging.
The captain remained silent, but his expression hardened. He led the team downstairs, where Mr. Chao was lounging on the sofa, eating fruit.
"Any findings?" Mr. Chao asked, looking up as they descended.
"Apologies, Mr. Chao. We found nothing suspicious. We’ve disturbed your rest unnecessarily," the captain replied, though his head felt oddly foggy, as if he’d forgotten something crucial.
"Captain," the guard at the back suddenly spoke up, "I recognize the woman beside Mr. Chao. She was talking to one of the paparazzi we caught this morning. I suspect she’s another undercover reporter."
Wang Xiaojuan studied the guard—a fellow player who’d infiltrated the security team. So, this guy was targeting her.
In this game, some players would betray others to gain NPC trust and secure their own survival.
Now, she’d become this player’s chosen scapegoat?
Pathetic.
He had no idea just how powerful her golden ticket was.
The guard had expected Mr. Chao to immediately distrust Wang Xiaojuan, but instead, Mr. Chao merely chuckled.
"Gentlemen," the bodyguard interjected coldly, arms crossed, "are you here to protect Mr. Chao or to disrupt his peace?"
The security captain jolted, his mind abruptly clearing. "Our deepest apologies, Mr. Chao. We’ll double the patrols around your villa immediately. Please, rest well."
What had come over him? After the bodyguard had already confirmed there was no intruder, why had he insisted on dragging them upstairs? Had he lost his mind?
His ragtag team was no match for Mr. Chao’s professional security detail. Even their boss bowed his head in Mr. Chao’s presence—how had he dared act so recklessly?
The captain couldn’t fathom his own behavior. Was this estate haunted? Nothing else explained such idiocy.
"Cap—"
The guard tried again, but the captain’s sharp glare silenced him.
The guard’s blood ran cold. The captain had shaken off the effects of his mind-control item already?!
"Mr. Chao, please forgive our new recruit’s incompetence," the captain said, seething. Whoever had accepted bribes to assign this fool to his team would pay dearly.
This idiot was going to get him killed!
Regardless of who the woman beside Mr. Chao really was, if Mr. Chao wanted her as a cleaner, then a cleaner she would be.
"No harm done. He’s just diligent," Chao Musheng replied, noticing the guard repeatedly glancing at the top of his head.
Chao Musheng touched his hair absently. Lately, several people had been staring at his crown. Was there something odd about it?
"Apologize to Mr. Chao. Now," the captain hissed, his glare sharp enough to pierce the guard three times over.
"Thank you, Mr. Chao," the guard muttered, baffled. Chao Musheng’s head displayed no NPC data values.
Weird. Even lowly guards had stats. How could a native character, revered by so many high-level NPCs, lack data?
NPCs without stats were background filler—yet Mr. Chao was clearly central to the plot.
Was his tool malfunctioning?
Watching the now fully lucid captain, the guard’s confidence waned. This dungeon was unnerving.
Without his item’s influence, and with Wang Xiaojuan cozying up to the big boss, eliminating her would be near impossible.
Seeing the captain drop the matter, the guard lowered his head and followed the team out, resentment simmering.
"Whoever vouched for him," the captain snarled in a secluded spot, jabbing a finger at the guard, "can take him back. He’s—"
Mid-sentence, the captain’s eyes glazed over briefly before he sighed. "Never mind. I’ll let it slide this once. Don’t push your luck."
The abrupt leniency stunned the other guards. This newbie had serious pull.
Meanwhile, the player was internally bleeding. His S-tier mind-altering item had only three uses. Two were already wasted in two days. The NPCs here were alarmingly perceptive—one misstep, and suspicions flared.
He’d underestimated this dungeon.
By morning, security had expelled seven suspicious staff members, four of whom were players.
To avoid scandal, no police were involved—just swift ejections.
Come daylight, players noted the security presence had nearly doubled. Even pulling out a phone drew scrutiny now.
Tighter security meant heightened difficulty.
On their phones, an auto-generated player chat group existed—anonymous, no private messaging, all messages sent under generic gray avatars.
[Player(s) infiltrated security to eliminate rivals. Stay hidden.]
[Stop backstabbing fellow players.]
[Anyone want to team up?]
[Any intel on that VIP everyone’s fawning over?]
The chat fell silent. No one was foolish enough to share valuable intel for free.
Old He finally checked the chat after collecting trash from every floor of the VIP building.
What VIP?
His in-game role was garbage collector. To avoid offending guests with his odor, he worked out of sight.
Safe, but isolating—cut off from key figures and intel.
He knew exploring dungeons was risky, but for the 100x dungeon reward, he had no choice but to take the gamble.
Dragging a heavy black trash bag behind him, Old He prepared to take the emergency staircase.
A door swung open, and out stepped a sharp, capable, and strikingly beautiful woman. Her high heels clicked against the floor, dazzling gemstone earrings dangling from her ears, and two assistants followed closely behind—clearly a major figure in this dungeon.
"Wait, staff member up ahead."
Old He halted, knowing she was calling for him.
"This is the fifth floor. Carrying so much, you should take the elevator with me." Chao Yin's assistant pressed the elevator button, and Chao Yin stood at the entrance, waiting for Old He.
"Thank you." Old He eyed the normally lit elevator and pressed himself into the corner with his trash, careful not to let the bag touch any of the three NPCs.
Sometimes, inexplicably friendly gestures from NPCs could spell doom for players, but refusing their kindness could also provoke retaliation.
He hunched his shoulders slightly, making himself appear as pitiful and harmless as possible. The moment the elevator arrived, he hurriedly hoisted the trash bag and rushed out.
Plop.
As he descended the steps, the large trash bag split open, scattering smaller garbage bags everywhere.
"It's fine." Seeing the cleaner flustered, Chao Yin stopped and pointed at a large mobile trash bin nearby. "It's still early—none of the guests are awake yet. Just push that bin over and put all the trash inside."
Old He obeyed, wheeling the bin closer.
"Big trash bags have weight limits. Next time, double-bag them." Chao Yin bent down to help pick up the trash, but a hand reached out faster than hers.
"Musheng?" Chao Yin blinked in surprise at the sudden appearance of Chao Musheng. "What are you doing here?"
"I heard from your assistant that you worked late last night and had to leave early this morning without even eating breakfast." Chao Musheng picked up the scattered trash bags and tossed them into the bin. "I bought you some bread—eat it in the car."
"Ms. Chao, Young Master Chao is so thoughtful," the female assistant said, accepting the breakfast handed over by a bodyguard. "Thank you, Young Master Chao. We’re lucky to benefit from your kindness too."
"Of course. You’ve all been working hard these past few days." Knowing they were in a hurry, Chao Musheng didn’t linger. "Come back soon."
After sending his mother off with breakfast, Chao Musheng no longer felt like sleeping. He glanced back at the cleaner pushing the trash bin away and said to his bodyguard, "I’ll take a walk around."
Old He, still wearing his mask, didn’t dare look back until he had pushed the bin far away. He hadn’t been mistaken—the young man called "Young Master Chao" was none other than the patient from Room 4 in the hospital dungeon.
In the hospital, the other patients and their families on the ninth floor had treated him with extreme reverence, and now, in this dungeon, he was clearly someone of high status.
Was he the young man the player group chat had mentioned—the one all the big shots were trying to curry favor with?
Old He remembered how, when the family of the patient in Room 4 had wanted to eliminate him, it was Chao Musheng’s sudden appearance that had quelled their murderous intent.
And just now, when the trash had spilled, the woman called "Ms. Chao" hadn’t mocked or berated him—instead, she’d offered a solution.
Chao…
She shared the same surname as Chao Musheng, and he had come to bring her breakfast. Were they relatives? Or something closer, like mother and son?
This Ms. Chao seemed to share Chao Musheng’s innate respect for those of lower social status—a genuine, ingrained kindness.
Wait…
This dungeon, Starlight Gala, had a total duration of seven days, but the charity fashion event would end tomorrow night. Once all the NPCs left, what was the point of the extra three days the system had given the players?
Was something unexpected going to happen midway through the dungeon?
Chao Musheng hadn’t expected his early morning stroll to take such a turn.
"Luo Yixuan, you haven’t joined a production in three months. I’m begging you to think carefully about what’s most important." His agent snatched the script from his hands. "Obsessing over these worthless scripts won’t help. The good roles and resources are already handed to the chosen actors long before auditions even happen."
"I know." Luo Yixuan kept his head low. "Brother Yang, just give me a little more time. I really don’t want to—"
Agent Yang softened slightly. "Male idols rise fast, but they fall even faster. You finally got your big break—if you can’t secure follow-up projects, you’ll be left behind by your peers in no time."
Luo Yixuan’s face was bloodless. He snatched the script back and clutched it tightly, lost in thought.
"Boss Qian isn’t a patient man. Tonight is your last chance." Agent Yang’s voice turned cold. "The higher-ups have made it clear—if you can’t make Boss Qian happy, you won’t be walking the red carpet tomorrow."
"Yixuan, I don’t want to force you, but when you’re under someone else’s roof, you have to bow your head." The agent patted his shoulder. "Think about it. If you get blacklisted, not only will you never act again, but your fans will have to endure fabricated scandals and mockery from rival stans."
Luo Yixuan’s lips trembled, the script in his arms crumpling under his grip.
Agent Yang saw his ashen expression and didn’t push further. "Sit here and think it over. I know you’re a smart man."
A smart man?
Luo Yixuan forced a bitter smile. If he were smart, he wouldn’t have ended up like this.
The exorbitant breach penalties, one short-term endorsement contract after another draining his popularity, endless banquets and social gatherings…
In front of these powerful figures, he wasn’t even treated as a person.
His hands shook violently as he fumbled for his medication, clumsily tipping pills into his mouth.
His vision blurred—he couldn’t even read the script in front of him.
Living is so exhausting.
The pill bottle rolled off the table, scattering tablets across the ground.
He bent to pick them up but lost his balance, falling to his knees. Instinctively, he smoothed his expression, rising gracefully before remembering—there were no cameras here. No need for image control.
He crouched down, gathering the pills one by one, not caring that his fingers were now coated in dust.
"Xiao Luo." Qian Duofu emerged from behind the flower bushes, smiling as he sat beside him. "Your agent tells me you’d like to invite me to watch the sea together?"
This pavilion stood on high ground, offering a clear view of the ocean in the distance. Just a dozen steps ahead lay a sheer cliff.
Seeing Qian Duofu’s wandering hands, Luo Yixuan shot to his feet.
Qian Duofu’s smile vanished. He stood, voice icy. "Seems I misunderstood your agent. But your rudeness has displeased me."
He knocked the pill bottle off the table again, sending the tablets scattering once more. "My apologies—my hand slipped. Pick them up."
Luo Yixuan bent down and began gathering the pills.
"Kneel down and pick it up." Qian Duofu smiled faintly. "Kneeling ensures nothing is missed. As a public figure, littering isn’t a good look."
"Pick up what?" A curious voice sounded from behind them. "Do you need help?"
Qian Duofu immediately stood up, his haughty expression shifting into eager flattery. "Good morning, Mr. Chao."
"Good morning." Chao Musheng stepped into the pavilion, gazing at the distant sea with admiration. "The scenery here is truly beautiful."
Qian Duofu followed his gaze but saw nothing beyond bare rocks and the endless sea. What was so beautiful about it?
"Mr. Luo." Chao Musheng turned to Luo Yixuan in the corner with a smile. "My classmate is a big fan of yours. Could I trouble you for two signed photos?"
"Of course." Luo Yixuan snapped out of his daze, flattered. "I’ll have my assistant deliver them to you shortly."
"Thank you, Mr. Luo. The sun is about to rise." Chao Musheng looked at the crimson clouds on the horizon. "Would you mind taking a photo with me?"
Luo Yixuan hurried to Chao Musheng’s side, discreetly wiping the dust from his fingertips against his pants before flashing a flawless smile for the camera.
He wished Mr. Chao would stay longer—much longer. With him present, Qian Duofu wouldn’t dare openly harass him.
Chao Musheng unlocked his phone, and Luo Yixuan caught a glimpse of his own profile on the screen.
It dawned on him then: there was no classmate. Mr. Chao had stepped in deliberately to shield him.
"Mr. Luo, let’s do a peace sign." Chao Musheng calmly exited the search page, adjusted the camera, and snapped a photo of them together.
"Sunrise, bright and auspicious." He pointed at the backdrop in the photo after taking it. "Looks like a good omen."
Sunrise?
Luo Yixuan glanced at the crumpled script on the table, a faint flicker of hope stirring in his chest.
Chao Musheng turned to Qian Duofu. "Mr. Qian, I hope I’m not interrupting your conversation with Mr. Luo by barging in like this."
"Not at all, not at all." Qian Duofu forced a smile. "You and Luo Yixuan are both young—I’m sure you have plenty to talk about."
Chao Musheng nodded. "To be honest, Mr. Qian, I adored Mr. Luo’s portrayal of the Third Prince in his last drama. When will he star in another period piece?"
He spoke so naturally, as if he truly were a fan. Only Luo Yixuan knew the truth: five minutes ago, Mr. Chao had been searching his name online.
Qian Duofu’s heart skipped a beat. If Mr. Chao could recite Luo Yixuan’s roles so effortlessly, did that mean he had taken an interest in him?
His eyes darted shrewdly. "Mr. Chao, I’ll leave you two to chat. I wouldn’t want to intrude on your view."
As if he’d dare compete with Mr. Chao for anyone’s attention.
Once Qian Duofu left, the pavilion fell quiet. Luo Yixuan watched the rising sun break through the clouds, painting half the sky in gold, and murmured, "Thank you for helping me, Mr. Chao."
Chao Musheng smiled and shook his head. "No need for thanks."
The morning light bathed his face in a soft, almost divine glow.
Luo Yixuan’s trembling hands gradually stilled. Staring at the long shadow cast behind Chao Musheng, he suppressed the turmoil in his heart. "Do you still… want my signed photos, Mr. Chao?"
"Of course." Chao Musheng chuckled. "How could I pass up signed photos from someone as popular as you?"
A faint smile finally touched Luo Yixuan’s pale face.
By the time the morning meeting began, the executives had all arrived punctually—without sending assistants in their stead. Yet when the session officially started, Mr. Chao was nowhere to be seen.
Yesterday, when they hadn’t attended, Mr. Chao had listened attentively and even taken notes.
Today, when they showed up on time, he didn’t bother to appear.
Was he toying with them?
The moment the meeting ended, the executives scrambled to find out where Mr. Chao had gone.
Taking Luo Yixuan to watch the sunrise? Taking photos together?
Could it be… Mr. Chao had taken a liking to Luo Yixuan?
Those who’d previously entertained thoughts about Luo Yixuan promptly abandoned them. True or not, none dared test the rumor.
Meanwhile, Luo Yixuan’s rival was so furious he skipped lunch, shutting himself in his room to vent to his agent. "I told you Luo Yixuan’s wholesome image was an act! And you wanted me to learn from him—learn how to butter up Mr. Chao?"
His voice turned sour. "What’s so great about his fake modesty? How did he even catch Mr. Chao’s eye?"
The agent glanced at his nose bridge and said nothing.
At noon, the official account of TimeLight Entertainment posted event photos.
In them, the artists all appeared engrossed in the proceedings.
Fans flooded the comments, amassing tens of thousands of replies within minutes.
Casual viewers, uninterested in fandom wars, clicked straight to admire the celebrities’ visuals.
[Who’s the guy in the white shirt in the ninth photo? Why doesn’t he have a name card?]
[Glad I’m not the only one who noticed him. Which agency’s new talent is this? His aura and looks are next-level.]
[Someone this striking should’ve gone viral already. Probably a civilian. (Whispers: Lowkey think he outshines all the idols there.)]
[A civilian overshadowing professionals? Antis need to quit using randos to drag our faves. Stay in your lane, nobodies.]
[Wannabes banking on their looks should give it up. Stepping on seniors to climb? Enjoy eternal flop.]
[Everyone chill. That ‘civilian’ isn’t part of the industry. Friendly advice: delete your nasty comments unless you want your idols groveling to apologize later.]
[Insider here. Can’t say much, but a word to the wise: This ‘civilian’ is someone even the big shots tread carefully around. Delete now or regret it when your fave has to clean up your mess.]
The online frenzy meant nothing to those indifferent to celebrity gossip.
Su Chenzhu finished reviewing the documents on his desk when a message arrived from the head of the film department.
[President Su, a competitor sent over Luo Yixuan’s agency contract. Should we forward a digital copy to Assistant Chao?]
Who was Luo Yixuan?
Su Chenzhu summoned a secretary. "An entertainment company sent over some artist’s contract. What’s going on?"
After checking, the secretary reported, "President Su, the agency implied it’s a ‘welcome gift’ for Assistant Chao."
Su Chenzhu frowned. A welcome gift?
What kind of gift was an artist’s contract for Chao Musheng?
Noticing his expression, the secretary added quietly, "President Su, it must be a misunderstanding. Assistant Chao isn’t that kind of person."
