Chapter 166

At that moment, Cao Zijin took out her phone and said, “Is everyone still alive?”

At this point, people in the group chat gradually started chiming in.

“Already at work. What are you trying to say?”

“At my job, preparing for a meeting. Say it if you’ve got something, otherwise drop it.”

“I really wanted to join in too, but it seems like I don’t have any plot left. I’m so mad.”

“What about mine? What about mine? When’s it my turn? I’m dying of impatience here.”

Yesterday, Cao Zijin made a bold decision: she pulled all these heroines into a group chat.

This was the safest approach.

No matter what they did, it’d be convenient. This way, when everyone was watching the drama unfold, there’d be no need to notify each person individually.

Cao Zijin said, “The winner hasn’t been decided yet. We’ve got a chance to drink again. Next time, I’ll show you all my true strength.”

At that moment, Lin Qingyue sent a photo and said, “Thanks, I’ve already started using liquor as breakfast. You just wait.”

Jin Lan sent a photo too.

“My family just bought a wine vat. I’m planning to bathe in it and boost my skills.”

Liu Feifei kept it simple.

“As long as you give me good food, you’re all little sisters to me. I can drink you all under the table. Also, Brother Chen Fan is mine—none of you can steal him from me.”

“Kid, get lost.”

The group immediately started mocking her.

Mu Jinli sighed and said, “I really want to drink with you all and watch Ye Aotian get beaten up, but I’m not allowed to appear. I’m so pissed.”

“Once you sober up, behave. Also, if anyone wants to learn martial arts, come find me. I’ve been short on sparring partners lately.”

Tao Xiaoyao sent a message and then went back to gaming.

“Can we learn that kung fu of yours?”

Tao Xiaoyao said, “Depends on your physique. You might not be suited for it, but if you want to learn, there’s plenty to choose from. No rush.”

At that moment, everyone noticed something: the diary had updated. Instantly, the group chat went silent.

[July 22nd, rainy weather with lightning. Why doesn’t it just strike you damn women dead?]

Seeing the opening line, everyone burst out laughing.

Hahaha, Chen Fan couldn’t take it anymore—his mentality’s collapsed.

[The plot’s on track, but why are these heroines drinking—and getting so drunk they act like enemies? It’s like they’re heartbroken or something. Damn it, are they nuts? Did I guess wrong? Are they secretly in love with Ye Aotian?]

[Forget it, I’m done comforting myself. Also, Ye Zimei, please don’t show up. If you, you idiot, come here, this whole segment will fall apart.]

Ye Zimei cautiously eyed the diary. The thing she’d been eagerly waiting for was finally starting.

[Sure, you’re a villain, but you’re supposed to show up in the next plot segment—the Ye Family arc. That’s your part. The entertainment industry storyline isn’t fully wrapped up yet; this section’s just the beginning.]

[Later on, the protagonist’s supposed to really dive into the entertainment world, meet all the big shots, and use his medical skills and some movies to take the world by storm or whatever.]

[The protagonist’s got countless fans, you know. What an international joke.]

[Sigh, as long as Ye Zimei doesn’t pat me on the shoulder, I should be fine. That damn woman—she’s my trauma. Damn it, why does this world have such a freaky martial art? One pat on the shoulder, and a guy’s done for? Damn it. Humiliation. Shame.]

Holy crap, what is this?

My goodness, this is way too terrifying.

Is this some kind of evil technique?

After reading the diary, Ye Zimei burst into laughter. So that’s what it was—no wonder this guy hated her so much.

No surprise there—it made perfect sense now. She’d thought it was something else entirely.

Who knew this guy held such a grudge? It was just a little joke now and then—was it really that serious?

At that moment, Tao Xiaoyao suddenly said, “I think I know what it is. That technique does exist. Zheng Shaoyang’s condition—it’s the effect of that technique. I can’t believe it’s still around.”

The group instantly understood what was going on. Thinking about it this way, Chen Fan’s anger was totally justifiable.

[The story today should be nearing its end, right? The protagonist and Ling Xiaoyun power up, then face off against Ye Zifeng.]

[Hmm, I’ll swoop in for the finishing blow, and that should wrap it up. Though with this weather, it does feel fitting.]

[But it seems like there’s a subplot with Liu Feifei today. Ye Zifeng confesses to Liu Feifei, fireworks light up the whole city—it should be beautiful. Though fireworks in the rain? That’s just ridiculous.]

[Hmm, at this point in the normal progression, the protagonist should’ve met Liu Feifei. Amid the dazzling fireworks, Ye Zifeng shows up with flowers, only to find Liu Feifei dining with Ye Aotian. He blows up, lashes out, and the fight begins.]

What’s going on? Weren’t the fireworks supposed to be for Sister Jin Lan?

[This part’s got me curious too. Probably Jin Lan rejected Ye Zifeng, and he didn’t bother chasing her further. Instead, he turned around and confessed to Liu Feifei—basically just to mess with Ye Aotian or something.]

[It’s probably meant to highlight the protagonist’s devotion while setting up Ye Zifeng as a guy who falls for every girl he sees.]

What the hell? This author’s just absurd—this is how it ends?

Jin Lan stared at this section in confusion. That’s it for her screentime—just like that?

Ye Zifeng took a liking to her, confessed, she rejected him, and then nothing? The guy just set off fireworks for someone else? And then the author just ignored her, letting her fade into the background?

Is this how a second lead gets treated? Damn it.

In the group chat, Jin Lan directly tagged Liu Feifei.

“You just wait.”

“Sis, she’s threatening me! Look at her—no respect at all!”

Cao Zijin laughed helplessly. This plot actually seemed kind of fun. Looking at Liu Feifei beside her, she thought this could be something worth playing with.

Everyone in the group chatted with an unspoken understanding. The rules didn’t allow them to mention the diary directly.

But they could figure things out through other means—like speculation or investigation—and share info that way. If they couldn’t get info directly, they could use vague terms instead, letting everyone catch the drift.

This was a loophole Cao Zijin had figured out.

Meanwhile, on Ye Aotian’s side: Ling Xiaoyun appeared in the living room and ran into Xiao Lan.

Xiao Lan glanced at Ling Xiaoyun and said, “He’s not doing well.”

“What’s wrong?”

“How do I put it? In your ancient martial arts terms, it seems like he’s had a breakthrough, but … his body …”

“Ruined?”

“Not exactly, just … weaker.”

Just say he lasts a second and be done with it.

Damn. If Ye Aotian keeps going like this, is he about to become the Eunuch Martial Emperor?