Big Sweetie Rises! She’s Building My Royal Harem in the Tang Dynasty!
Chapter 19 - Forced to Experience the Joy of "Cao Cao Mode"

Chapter 19: Forced to Experience the Joy of “Cao Cao Mode” – The Legacy of a Scoundrel!

Ring ring ring—

Early the next morning, Shen Lang was jolted awake by his phone. He didn’t want to answer, but a drowsy voice beside him mumbled, “So noisy… Who’s calling this early~?”

His entire body stiffened.

He was wide awake now.

As the phone kept ringing, Shen Lang looked down at Li Dabai clinging to him like an octopus—and suddenly, last night’s memories came flooding back.

He had been reverse-pinned down!

The injustice! The horror!

Men must protect themselves when out in the world!

“Whose phone is that? So annoying~”

Li Xiaoran nuzzled against him, mumbling before drifting back to sleep.

Shen Lang grabbed his phone, carefully peeled her arms off, and tiptoed into the bathroom before answering.

The call was from director Guo Fan, who asked about Under the Sea and reassured him not to let The Wandering Earth’s lack of industry hype shake his confidence.

Once Guo Fan confirmed Shen Lang wasn’t actually depressed, he got to the real point:

“Shen Lang, if you have time… could you write a promotional song for our movie?”

“It doesn’t need to be a masterpiece—just decent will do.”

Ah. So that was the goal.

Shen Lang agreed immediately. “Director Guo, don’t worry. I’ll put my heart into it and deliver something high-quality!”

“Good, I’ll hold you to that.” Guo Fan laughed. “No rush, though. The Wandering Earth is slated for next year’s Spring Festival release, so you’ve got almost a year.”

“But take care of yourself. Don’t overwork. And ignore the naysayers—they’re just pessimistic about domestic sci-fi. We…”

The director rambled on, reassuring Shen Lang that The Wandering Earth would make its release date.

If Shen Lang hadn’t known the film would become a box office bomb, he might’ve actually been worried.

Before its release, the industry had written it off—investors even pulled out. Luckily, Guo Fan roped in Wu Jing, who not only invested tens of millions but also went from a cameo to a lead role.

As soon as he hung up, another call came in—this time from Zhao Jinmai (McMai).

“Brother Shen Lang, are you okay?”

After checking in, she asked, “Why did you write something as depressing as Under the Sea?”

“McMai, thanks for caring, but I’m fine!”

“Good~” She giggled. “The song’s beautiful, but it’s too sad. I’d love to hear something hopeful next time!”

“Wait for next week’s episode. You’ll understand then.”

“Next week?” McMai hummed. “Brother, where are you now? Should I come find you? Are you at BFA?”

“I’m on set.”

“On set?!”

“You thought no one wanted your big brother? McMai, focus on your studies!”

“Hmph! You’re not that much older than me!”

“Not much? I was born in ’97. You’re an ’02 baby. Do the math—”

“Still not a full zodiac cycle apart~” she muttered.

After some playful banter, Shen Lang hung up. When no more calls came, he turned off his phone and went back to sleep.

With no scenes scheduled for the next few days, he’d rather cuddle the soft, warm Li Dabai than head to set.

Just then—the system pinged.

[Congratulations, Host! For joining the Joy of Life cast and experiencing the forced joy of “Cao Cao Mode” after being reverse-pinned, you have been rewarded: The Legacy of a Scoundrel!].

Shen Lang: “What the @#$%…”

He froze.

Cao Cao’s joy?

Then it hit him—Li Xiaoran was married.

Wait… why am I getting a “Scoundrel’s Legacy” as a reward?!

“Dog system, care to explain?”

Silence.

After cursing internally, Shen Lang returned to bed and pulled Li Xiaoran close.

She instinctively wrapped around him like an octopus again, making him sigh. “Truly living up to the name Li Dabai…”

They slept until past 3 PM.

“What time is it~?”

As Shen Lang rubbed his numb arm, Li Xiaoran stirred awake, blinking at him without a trace of embarrassment.

“Xiao Lang, I believe you now—you and Tian Tian aren’t dating. But… what is your relationship with her?”

Post-coital clarity had only made her more curious.

Shen Lang thought: She’s my sugar mommy!

Out loud, he said, “She’s my senior sister. I’m her junior brother!”

“Do you think I buy that?”

“I do!”

“You youngsters… so stubborn.”

Li Xiaoran pinched him, exasperated.

“Alright, no more lazing around. Let’s eat—I’m starving~”

Then, with a smirk, she added, “But seriously… young men really are something else.”

“I think Tian Tian’s keeping you as her boy-toy…”

“Tell you what—how about I sponsor you instead?”

“Should I pay you? Or get you roles?”

Shen Lang: “…”

She guessed right. But he’d never admit it.

As a professional kept man, his code of ethics forbade revealing his sugar mommy’s secrets.

Hypothetically, even if Li Xiaoran did start sponsoring him, he’d never leak that either!

“Youth really is wasted on the young…”

Li Xiaoran sighed wistfully before dragging him to freshen up.

By the time they left the room, two hours had passed.

“Xiao Lang, eat up! My treat today!”

“I’ve thought it over—I can’t offer you many resources. At my age, good roles are hard to come by. But if I find any, I’ll recommend you.”

“Since I can’t give you roles… how about money?”

“I’m not super rich, but I’ve got enough to keep you!”

Her sudden declaration on the street nearly made Shen Lang trip.

Li Xiaoran had a gift—she made being a sugar mommy sound classy.

So far, only two female celebrities had tried to sponsor him:

Da Tian Tian (success).

Li Dabai (highly probable).

And now, the system’s “Scoundrel’s Legacy” reward was stirring something dangerous in him.

Not just toward Li Xiaoran—but toward every married actress in the industry.

He didn’t want to think this way… but he couldn’t help it.

Especially when imagining scenarios where the wives themselves took the initiative.

Too terrifying~!