--[Wolfish martial-arts-family bottom x Scheming, wealthy beauty top]
At seventeen, Chen Xirui was a wild, unruly brawler who got into fights wherever he went. Then his family's enemies suddenly sold him to Zhu Hairong, a powerful Hong Kong figure who ruled both the underworld and the legitimate world.
He became a "canary" kept in a manor.
"I hear the young master of the Chen family comes from a martial arts family. Pity you've never managed to escape."
Zhu Hairong's voice was gentle, but his words were venomous.
Chen Xirui could only use his fierce gaze to keep the man at bay.
But fate has a cruel sense of humor.
Years later, now an actor, Chen Xirui stood before millions of viewers and a live-streaming camera. The host invited an audience member to ask a question.
A hand with clearly defined bones, wrapped in tea-colored prayer beads, lifted languidly. The man sat upright, his features like a painting and a composed smile on his lips.
"I love Chen's fight scenes. If I may ask, where did you learn all those martial arts skills?"
From all those times I wanted to beat you up, pummel you, and escape from you...
But Chen Xirui merely hid his little tiger teeth and smiled. "Years of training, naturally."
Chen Xirui made up an excuse to leave the venue, only to find a Bentley Mulsanne blocking his way.
"I'll give you a ride."
"Good evening, Mr. Zhu. And now... get lost."
"Call me Brother Zhu." The man smiled faintly. "I'm your investor."
--
"Uncle Chen, your son... used to be Zhu Hairong's plaything?"
"Our family can't have that stain on it. He's no longer part of the Chen family."
At twenty, Chen Xirui was cast out of his home like a drowned rat. But he later shot to fame. To his fans, he was the chivalrous and righteous Mo Wenqiu, as well as the decisive and ruthless Luo Jiuyuan. They went wild for him and cried for him.
They had no idea he was a wolf whose wounds had never healed.
Later, two important guests were conspicuously absent from an investor-sponsored press conference: the business tycoon Chairman Zhu and the newly minted A-list actor Chen.
Meanwhile, across the river at a midnight banquet, the upper floors of the Sailboat Hotel's apartment building remained lit all night.
Chen Xirui propped himself up, panting. The distant river view blurred into a haze.
Zhu Hairong held the back of his neck. "I've read the script. It really does suit you."
Chen Xirui bit down hard on his finger. "If I'd known it was you, I wouldn't have taken the part."
White, viscous fluid soaked the flower bud. Zhu Hairong's beautiful lips curled cruelly. "But it's Chen's dream. Could you really refuse?"
"You think I wouldn't dare?"
Then the other man leaned down and kissed his neck. "Wear it inside you to tomorrow's awards ceremony."
--
That night, Chen's little knife finally pressed against the man's neck. "I never stopped practicing martial arts all these years. Do you know who I did it for?"
The other man only smiled.
"Sadly, it wasn't your family's enemy who sold you to me back then. I was the one who bought your freedom."
"Then why didn't you prove I was innocent?"
"I changed my mind. Making you mine seemed better than buying your freedom."
[Blurb screenshotted, 2025.2.25]
Theme: Once a wealthy tycoon has kept you in his cage since childhood, it's hard to break free
