[Sorry, everyone! I wrote over 30,000 words using the original idea, “inner thoughts broadcast aloud,” but it just wasn't working, aaah! I really couldn't keep going (drops to knees). So I've switched to this version while keeping the same setting. Sorry, everyone! I'll send you all a red packet after the story starts qwq (drops to knees again).]
The Cage is a classic melodramatic rich-family saga. Every character averages one unattainable first love, two lovers, and three stand-ins. At every banquet, someone is cheating, someone is catching them in the act, and someone is slapping someone else.
Wen Weiliang worked himself to the bone, and only after dying from overwork did he learn that his world was actually a book.
This! Book! Right! Here!
As the real young master of the Wen family, he did everything he could to earn his family's approval, but he never fit in with the world around him. The fake young master juggled n crazy weirdos every day, yet flourished and was loved by everyone.
In the end, Wen Weiliang died young, and the fake young master inherited everything in style.
Wen Weiliang, reborn: I can't say th... (censored).
(One second later) Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Fuck the whole world!
A voice rang in his mind: [Welcome to the Livestream System. Your livestream will start in half an hour. Build an audience and exchange your popularity for more time to live.]
Wen Weiliang: [Fuck you, too! Go die!]
System: [Host, please remain calm. Interfering with the livestream will result in an electric shock punishment.]
Wen Weiliang's eyes lit up: [That's an option?]
Half an hour later, Wen Weiliang went downstairs to livestream. “Hello, dear viewers! We're at the Wen family home, the Wen of Wen Group. This is Old Man Wen. He made his fortune off his wife, then built a motivational brand around himself. This is Mrs. Wen. She thinks the whole world is lusting after her kappa of a husband. And here's the Wen family's fake young master, who's dating four men at once. Go on, say hello to our esteemed viewers.”
The three of them had been smiling together moments before. Now their smiles froze. “Livestream? Have you lost your mind!?”
They leapt up to block the camera.
The next second, there came a series of crackles and pops...
The whole family spasmed, writhed, and crawled around, yowling as the System shocked them.
Wen Weiliang: Turn up the power! Strike down the darkness with the force of thunder!!!
Wen Weiliang quickly figured out the rules. Blocking the camera, dodging interviews, and insulting the viewers were all considered “interfering with the livestream.”
From then on, the wealthy elite gained their most fearsome Thunder God.
At the fake young master's birthday party, a crowd of people strutted around, showing off for attention.
Wen Weiliang livestreamed “Wildlife Documentary: The Rich and Their Mating Rituals,” narrating solemnly: “Spring has arrived. Once again, the white lotus is ready to pollinate all living things...”
Eighteen people were shocked, and the livestream's popularity reached level three.
At a wealthy family's wedding, the two grooms professed their love, moving the guests to tears.
Wen Weiliang livestreamed “We Still Don't Know Who Slept with Whom Here,” forcing interviews: “Please answer honestly. Have you slept with either of the newlyweds?”
Forty-two people were shocked, and the livestream's popularity reached level five.
At a lavish charity gala, Wen Weiliang hosted an awards ceremony.
The Most Stand-Ins Award, the Cheapest Sugar Daddy Award, the Shortest Relationship Award... He called out the winners one by one and invited them onstage.
Any acceptance speech with too many insults about someone's mother was treated as an insult to the viewers. In the end, 198 people were shocked, and the livestream's popularity reached level ten.
Viewers: (excited) (going wild) (spreading the news) What will the God of Thunder stream next?
The rich and powerful: We beg you, please let us go, okay? Please???
[Bonus Scene]
With his livestream popularity skyrocketing and points pouring in, Wen Weiliang announced that his next stream would be at the top-tier Li family estate.
The wealthy elite were collectively thrilled: Finally, it's Mad Dog Li's turn! Either the God of Misfortune will shock Mad Dog Li to death, or Mad Dog Li will bite the God of Misfortune to death. Those two menaces need to clash already!
They showered him with gifts, urging him to start the stream.
But after the stream began, the Li family's mad dog of a patriarch rolled out in his wheelchair, his expression surprisingly gentle and doting. “Darling, are you bringing work home again? All right, it's fine if you bring it home.”
Then he greeted the camera. “Hello, everyone. I'm the streamer's partner.”
The wealthy elite: !?!?!?! Those two menaces got together?
*A true young master shou whose mental state is a mess after being reborn, and who'll do anything to shock people (x), versus a disabled big shot gong who's gloomy and ruthless, a mad dog to everyone else but incredibly gentle toward his wife. The gong's legs will recover later.
Theme: Look up and see, Heaven never lets anyone get away with anything!!!