Chapter 61: The Beginning of Qin Group’s Downfall

How could there be such a shirt?

It shimmered with a pearlescent sheen, soft and silky to the touch, half-concealing and half-revealing, loose and baggy. Anyone could tell at a glance it wasn’t a proper shirt.

Even though they’d tumbled in the sheets multiple times already, Jiang Shunnian still couldn’t fully let go in these matters.

“Baby, wife, model it for me, okay?” Fu Yanli began coaxing him. “Or if there’s something you want to see me in, I can do that too.”

What Fu Yanli would look like in something… Jiang Shunnian thought about it, feeling a spark of excitement.

He wanted to see Fu Yanli wearing a chest chain and back chain.

It was something Jiang Shunnian had stumbled upon by accident.

His assistant had been staring at her phone while eating, slobbering with wide-eyed glee. Curious, Jiang Shunnian asked what she was watching. Grinning, she flipped the phone around to show him.

On the screen was a man bare-chested except for a glittering chest chain, his bulging pecs and abs on full display as he danced provocatively, radiating raw sexual tension.

Jiang Shunnian’s first reaction was that it was too sleazy, a bit off-putting. But if the guy wearing the chest chain were Fu Yanli… then he got why his assistant was slobbering.

Pair it with that plush fox-ear hair clip he’d bought, and it’d be insanely hot. Jiang Shunnian figured he’d be slobbering too.

It was right then that Jiang Shunnian fully understood why Fu Yanli wanted him in this shirt—it really ramped up the fun.

Though shy, Jiang Shunnian was always honest. He reached out cooperatively, slipping on the shirt, and bashfully shared his own idea with Fu Yanli.

Fu Yanli chuckled low, kissing his earlobe. “Okay, I promise everything.”

The semi-transparent nightshirt added a hazy allure to Jiang Shunnian’s stunningly perfect body, breathtakingly beautiful.

Fu Yanli’s gaze darkened, flames flickering in his eyes.

Stared at like that, Jiang Shunnian instinctively shrank back a little—but that movement seemed to signal Fu Yanli.

…

Later, the loose shirt slipped down to hang off his elbows, both alluring and seductive, enough to drive anyone mad.

So the Fu Yanli who’d planned to hold back lost control once more…

What could he say? These things got easier with practice. After devouring so many baguettes, Jiang Shunnian had started to savor the flavor—he wasn’t particularly mad about it.

Still, watching Fu Yanli act all meek and show off the waist chain, chest chain, and back chain he’d already ordered was pretty satisfying. Jiang Shunnian began looking forward to seeing the results on him.

As Jiang Shunnian picked up his phone, he spotted a new transfer in his account by chance. Staring at the bank notification, he wondered if he even recognized numbers anymore. How many zeros?

Ten… ten zeros? And it didn’t even start with a one.

Could he earn this much filming for a lifetime?

Startled, Jiang Shunnian bolted upright—only to get tugged from behind. “Hiss!”

“Why’d you transfer so much?” Jiang Shunnian demanded. “I don’t want it—send it back.”

A few tens or hundreds of thousands? Fine, he’d accept those. They were lovers now, after all. But billions? That was terrifying.

Fu Yanli smiled. “This is Nono’s dividend from his shares, plus half my earnings. Once we get married, everything under my name will be shared with you anyway.”

His gaze was earnest, brimming with affection. Jiang Shunnian couldn’t help but be moved—he’d been captivated by Fu Yanli since they met.

His steadiness, his strength, his unwavering devotion—it was all deeply mesmerizing.

Jiang Shunnian nodded. “Okay. From now on, my paychecks will go up too. Everything I have is yours.”

Even if it was just a drop compared to Fu Yanli’s fortune.

Yet Fu Yanli wouldn’t dream of scorning it. On the contrary, he loved Jiang Shunnian’s response, grinning. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Jiang Shunnian wasn’t big on spending, though, and letting all that money sit idle for years was a waste. So he had Fu Yanli invest it to make more, keeping just a few million for emergencies.

Fu Yanli couldn’t sway him, so he agreed.

After cuddling all morning, Jiang Shunnian finally got out of bed to play with Nono. That’s when he saw Nono’s little pony—long limbs, sleek muscle lines. Less majestic than an adult horse, but way more adorably pint-sized, especially those big grape-black eyes, innocent and pure. It even resembled Nono a bit.

The pony was glossy and healthy, thriving under Nono’s daily feeding and grooming, so it was super attached to him.

The pretty little pony carrying the cute Nono? That sight could melt anyone’s heart.

Jiang Shunnian snapped tons of photos and videos.

Over the next few days, he focused on bonding with Nono and the Fu Family, decorating the Manor together. It brimmed with New Year’s cheer.

On New Year’s Day, Jiang Shunnian sat at the lively family feast, his smile never fading.

After dinner, Shen Lingyi handed out thick red envelopes to Jiang Shunnian and the two kids—skipping Fu Yanli.

“Shunnian, welcome to the Fu Family,” Shen Lingyi said, beaming. “I hope we can spend every year together from now on.”

With her son settled and an adorable, clever grandson, she’d fulfilled whatever mission that shadowy organization had given her. Now she could just enjoy grandparent life.

“It’ll happen,” Jiang Shunnian replied with a smile.

He’d always felt the Fu Family’s warmth and fondness—he loved them so much.

Once he and Fu Yanli made it official, he’d start calling them family right away.

Until then, he’d practice privately. He’d never said it before; he didn’t want to sound awkward.

Nono took his red envelope and planted sweet kisses on them with blessings: “Thank you, Grandma, thank you Grandpa. May Grandma stay forever young, with flourishing hair like spring pine. May Grandpa banish illness and extend his years, like immortal pine and crane.”

Shen Lingyi scooped Nono into her arms, refusing to let go.

Her grandson was just too cute!

Atticus politely accepted his envelope too, offering standard Chinese blessings.

Jiang Shunnian and Fu Yanli had prepared red envelopes for the kids as well—earning kisses on both cheeks.

Jiang Shunnian still had the habit of watching the Spring Festival Gala, even if it wasn’t great.

Fu Yanli didn’t like it but sat patiently on the sofa to keep him company.

Leaning against Fu Yanli, Jiang Shunnian got fed treats now and then. He’d eaten a bit much today, but he was happy—indulge once, diet tomorrow.

Nono and Atticus didn’t stay up for the vigil; kids needed sleep. Shen Lingyi and Fu Shizhang weren’t young either and retired early.

Fu Yanli carried Jiang Shunnian back to their room. They started just talking, but soon enough—who initiated it?—they were kissing. Fu Yanli shed his shirt, revealing chiseled muscle lines. Jiang Shunnian opened his eyes to see a gem-studded chest chain draped naturally over his bulging pecs and abs, sparkling under the lights, adding a seductive masculine allure.

So damn sexy! Jiang Shunnian swallowed hard.

Fu Yanli’s muscles were far more perfect than any influencer’s—like a master-sculpted statue. Jiang Shunnian stared in fascination, tracing them with his fingers—until Fu Yanli caught his hand and pinned him down.

What followed escalated wildly out of control. Fu Yanli even carried him to the balcony, holding him effortlessly as he paced back and forth without setting him down.

Jiang Shunnian was losing his mind—this was too thrilling!

The gem chain rubbed with tiny pricks of pain, mingling with overwhelming pleasure—utterly intoxicating.

Jiang Shunnian felt like little more than a ragdoll.

New Year’s Day was mostly spent in bed.

On the second day of the new year, Nine Heavens Palace premiered, updating daily. Jiang Shunnian appeared as a supporting role with limited screen time, but every scene stunned audiences.

Pale and frail, skin like snow save for faint rosy lips—seemingly weak, yet shrewdly pulling strings to save the male lead time and again.

A brilliantly talented character.

Jiang Shunnian had that gift: top-tier looks that never broke immersion, almost like he relied purely on his face.

Everyone knew his real-life gentle, academic-slacker vibe, yet he nailed that cunning mastermind perfectly.

How else to explain it but heaven-sent talent?

> I used to want to call Jiang Shunnian “wife,” but now I wanna call him “husband”—who gets it? His acting is peak!

> This drama is so good!!! Jiang Shunnian is the heaven-sent Lan Xuewei!

Jiang Shunnian rewatched his scenes repeatedly, spotting acting flaws. If reshooting, he could do better.

But he’d given his all back then—no regrets.

Work resumed, and days flew by. Jiang Shunnian filmed on set, checking Nine Heavens Palace buzz in downtime.

New Year’s brought a flood of movies and shows, but Nine Heavens Palace shone with its solid script, top directing, and performances—dominating the holiday slot with top ratings.

Jiang Shunnian’s fame skyrocketed. As Nine Heavens Palace neared its end, Mountains and Rivers in Spring announced its premiere and kicked off promotions.

Fans had long awaited Mountains and Rivers in Spring, especially after that female-disguise still—dying to see how it’d play out.

New drama filming dragged, but Jiang Shunnian’s parts were nearly wrapped, freeing him for promos.

His male second lead here was his heaviest role yet.

Casuals thought Jiang Shunnian was everywhere lately—but it was because every drama of his killed it, memorable characters making it seem that way.

Fans just hoped he’d land a lead to unleash his full talent.

He had: a lead role in an ancient suspense drama co-produced by Huazhen and Shixu, with bro Yu Yanchen in a key part.

Still prepping, group entry in June, airing next year.

But Jiang Shunnian was patient—he liked steady progress.

No major entertainment scandals lately—until the music prodigy Bai Yanning, vanished for three years, dropped his free album I Walked Out from Hell on all charts.

Seven tracks of fate’s torment: unwillingness, pain, agony. Front half suffocatingly oppressive, back half a sunbeam piercing the abyss, igniting will to live.

Jarring melodies and dark poetic lyrics reignited Bai Yanning’s stardom. Fans demanded why the three-year hiatus; in a live stream, he revealed forced retirement via casting couch—he’d refused, nearly dying.

In the stream, he declared: “Qin Guanyue, your crimes fill books of bamboo—off to hell with you soon!”

The broadcast sparked a storm of discussion. But none knew: this was Fu Yanli’s declaration of Qin Group’s total destruction.