"Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the 'First Appearance' mission. You have received one piece of primary business intelligence."
Lin Mo stood on the balcony of the Su Family Villa, the night wind brushing against his slightly weary face. In his mind, the voice of the System Spirit held a playful tone.
"This piece of intelligence is quite extraordinary. I suggest the host find a quiet place to review it."
He instinctively glanced back at the living room. Su Yuqing was sitting on the sofa, flipping through documents, her slender fingers glowing with a lustrous sheen under the lamplight. Ever since he had inadvertently helped the Su family resolve a minor crisis, the way this icy beauty looked at him seemed to have changed in a subtle way.
"System, pull up the intelligence."
Lin Mo walked into the study and gently closed the door. As a blue light flickered, a detailed business report materialized before his eyes.
"The Chen Group is secretly acquiring Su Group shares?" Lin Mo's pupils constricted. "And they have already secured 8%?"
The report showed that Chen Hao was using three shell companies to covertly erode the Su family's control. Even more alarming was the indication that someone inside the Su family appeared to be cooperating—certain transaction records revealed that internal information had been leaked in advance.
"Interesting," the System Spirit’s voice carried a hint of intrigue. "What does the host intend to do? Tell your icy wife directly?"
Lin Mo shook his head. Given his current status in the Su family, speaking out directly would only be dismissed as sowing discord.
"I need an anonymous channel."
He opened his computer, his fingers flying across the keyboard. The primary hacking skill provided by the system allowed him to effortlessly create an untraceable email account.
"Miss Su:
Please pay attention to the recent movements of the Chen Group, especially the stock transaction records of the following three companies..."
Lin Mo checked the message three times to ensure there were no clues that could expose his identity, then clicked send.
"Ding! New mission triggered: 'Secret Guardianship'. Objective: Stop Chen Hao's acquisition plan and protect the core industries of the Su Group. Reward: Intermediate Business Analysis Skill."
Lin Mo took a deep breath. This mission had come sooner—and was more dangerous—than he had imagined.
The next morning, the atmosphere in the Su Family Villa was visibly different.
"Yuqing, where did you get this report?" At the breakfast table, Su Zhiyuan’s voice was unusually serious.
Su Yuqing set down her coffee cup, her brow furrowed. "An anonymous email, but I’ve verified it. The data is real."
"Could someone be trying to stir up trouble?" Su Zhiyuan’s gaze swept intentionally or otherwise over Lin Mo, who was busy in the kitchen. "Our cooperation with the Chen Group has been going very smoothly lately."
"Dad, there are no permanent allies in the business world," Su Yuqing’s voice turned colder. "I will investigate this matter personally."
Lin Mo stood with his back to them, his dining knife steadily cutting fruit. He could feel Su Zhiyuan’s suspicious gaze piercing his back like a blade.
"What has that loser been doing lately?" Su Zhiyuan lowered his voice, but Lin Mo’s hearing, enhanced by the system, heard every word clearly.
"Him?" Su Yuqing paused. "Just housework, and occasionally going out for walks."
"Hmph, I knew someone from the bottom of the social ladder couldn't be trusted. Maybe it was him..."
"Dad!" Su Yuqing interrupted him. "Don't make groundless accusations."
Lin Mo’s fingers tightened slightly. Even though he had been mentally prepared, this baseless accusation still made his chest feel heavy.
"System, I need more intelligence on Chen Hao’s plans."
"The host’s current permissions are insufficient," the System Spirit replied with regret. "However... if the host can access the Su family's internal network, perhaps I can help."
A flicker crossed Lin Mo’s eyes. Su Yuqing had a business gala tonight; that would be his chance.
At 7:00 PM, Su Yuqing changed into a black evening gown, appearing like a rose blooming in the night.
"I won't be back for dinner tonight," she said to the mirror while adjusting her earrings, her tone indifferent.
Lin Mo stood at the door, holding her coat. "Do you need me to drive you?"
Su Yuqing turned around, looking closely at this husband in name only for the first time. Ever since that anonymous email, she had begun to notice some unusual qualities in Lin Mo—what was hidden in those eyes was certainly not cowardice.
"No need." She took the coat, her fingertips accidentally brushing against the back of Lin Mo’s hand. Both were startled.
"That..." Su Yuqing was uncharacteristically flustered. "Thank you for... keeping the house in such good order during this time."
Lin Mo smiled faintly. "It’s my duty."
The moment the door closed, Lin Mo’s expression turned serious.
"System, initiate action."
He walked quickly toward Su Yuqing’s study. As the "house husband," he had authorization to clean every room, though he had never stepped into her private space before.
The blue light of the computer screen reflected on Lin Mo’s face. His fingers danced across the keyboard, and the hacking skill provided by the system allowed him to easily bypass the basic firewall.
"Accessing the Su Group internal network... Success."
Massive amounts of data flickered on the screen. Lin Mo quickly filtered the key information, with the system assisting him.
"Found it!" Lin Mo’s eyes brightened. "Chen Hao isn't just trying to acquire shares; he plans to propose a merger at the Board of Directors meeting next week..."
What was even more shocking was that Su Zhiyuan’s younger brother—the second master of the Su family, Su Zhiming—was actually the inside man. Photos of his secret meetings with Chen Hao were listed there.
"Host, someone is coming," the system suddenly warned.
Lin Mo quickly closed the file and was just about to log out when the study door was pushed open violently.
"What are you doing?" Su Zhiyuan stood at the door, his face dark.
Lin Mo stood up, his heart pounding like a drum, but his expression remained calm. "Cleaning."
"Cleaning?" Su Zhiyuan sneered. "Is Yuqing’s computer also part of what you need to clean?"
He strode over, pushed Lin Mo aside, and checked the computer records.
"I knew that anonymous email was suspicious!" Su Zhiyuan turned and glared at Lin Mo. "It was you, this traitor, sowing discord!"
Lin Mo took a deep breath. "President Su, I was only—"
"Shut up!" Su Zhiyuan grabbed the phone. "Security! Throw this loser out!"
Lin Mo stood his ground, watching Su Zhiyuan’s face twisted with rage. He knew that any explanation right now would be futile.
"Ding! Emergency mission triggered: 'Desperate Counterattack'. Objective: Prove your innocence within 24 hours and reveal the truth. Reward: Advanced Business Negotiation Skill."
The system notification rang in his mind, and Lin Mo’s gaze grew firm.
"President Su, give me 24 hours," he said suddenly, his voice steady and powerful. "If I cannot prove the authenticity of that email, I will leave the Su family myself."
Su Zhiyuan was stunned. This usually meek and submissive live-in son-in-law dared to look him in the eye, his tone filled with unquestionable confidence.
"You... who do you think you are?" Su Zhiyuan’s voice faltered.
"I am Su Yuqing’s husband," Lin Mo said, every word crisp. "I will not let anyone harm the Su family."
This statement left Su Zhiyuan speechless for a moment. Security had already arrived at the door, waiting for his instructions.
"Fine, 24 hours," Su Zhiyuan finally gritted out. "But if it’s proven that you were lying, I want you to crawl out of the Su family gates on your knees!"
Lin Mo nodded and turned to leave the study. His posture was as straight as a pine, a complete departure from the subservient son-in-law he had been in the past.
Su Zhiyuan watched the direction he had gone, his brows tightly locked. When had this loser gained such presence?
Lin Mo returned to his small guest room and immediately began to act.
"System, I need the exact time and location of the meeting between Chen Hao and Su Zhiming."
"Searching... Found. Tomorrow morning at ten o'clock, Pearl Hotel, Suite 2808."
A glimmer of sharp light flashed in Lin Mo’s eyes. "Well-hidden, but also fatal enough."
He opened his phone and scrolled to a number he rarely contacted—his college friend Zhang Rui, now a reporter for a well-known media outlet.
"Rui, do me a favor..."
After hanging up, Lin Mo contacted a few "special service" numbers provided by the system. If he was going to play this game, he was going to play it big.
"Host, your behavioral patterns are significantly inconsistent with your initial data," the System Spirit suddenly said. "According to the initial assessment, you should have chosen a more conservative approach."
Lin Mo chuckled. "System, do you know what a person becomes after losing all their dignity?"
"What?"
"Either stay on the ground forever, or... stand up and topple everyone over."
He looked out at the night sky. The starlight was dim, but a faint glimmer of light was already appearing in the east.
Twenty-four hours was enough to change many things.
Including the fate of a live-in son-in-law.