Night draped over the city. Inside a dimly lit room filled with floating virtual projection screens, a portly middle-aged man stood, swiping away pages with gestures. Each flick of his hand closed one virtual web page and opened another.
This was a virtual projection computer on Yan Huang Star, where virtual displays melded seamlessly with reality.
Rumors said that some ultra-secret research lab of the Federation had already developed technology that could pull human consciousness entirely into a virtual world — but those were just unverified rumors.
"Ridiculous… truly ridiculous," the man muttered. "Do you really think you can just write whatever you want and it'll turn into a great erotic web novel? What a joke! These authors honestly underestimate erotic fiction too much."
His name was Meng Fei, age thirty-five. He was the chief editor at Penguin Novel Net — the largest web novel platform on Yan Huang Star.
His job was simple in theory: review new submissions, find promising manuscripts, sign contracts with authors, and publish the best works.
But for weeks now, he hadn't found any adult novel that met his standards. Nearly all incoming manuscripts were dull, repetitive, and shallow — nothing worth keeping him entertained, let alone publishing.
On Yan Huang Star, adult novels were not harshly restricted by the government. That had led to an explosion of titles and — at one time — many outstanding works. A truly great adult novel could bring in massive income, rivaling even the most popular mainstream literary categories.
So naturally, hordes of aspiring writers had flooded the genre, all hoping to strike gold.
But while everyone tried writing adult novels, very few succeeded in producing something actually exciting.
"But that doesn't mean every adult novel should be a hit," Meng Fei muttered. "Readers today are spoiled. Shallow titillation isn't enough anymore. Undressing characters without real plot or depth — that's boring."
He continued in frustration, "Is it really true that there's not a single fresh work left? Has great adult fiction died out completely?"
Meng Fei sighed deeply. Ten years ago, excellent adult novels had been everywhere — works that kept readers up all night. But now… those masterpieces seemed gone.
That was the very reason he had taken the editor job at Penguin Novel Net. Ten years had passed, and while adult fiction was still lucrative, outstanding fresh works were rare. Some even claimed the genre was dying.
Determined not to give up, Meng Fei worked overtime every day, reviewing every new piece that came in, hoping to find something worthy.
"Maybe my standards are too high…" he wondered aloud. "Or maybe I should just quit…"
He nearly gave up — until a new submission pinged his inbox. The manuscript was titled "Professor Bai Rong."
At first glance, the title was novel enough. But a title alone wasn't enough — the content mattered.
Meng Fei frowned — but curiosity nudged him to open and read it.
"Wait… the main character is a teacher?" he murmured as he read. "Not just any teacher — a young, attractive one…"
She was described as alluring, beautiful, and sensual… but she was married.
Meng Fei scoffed inwardly, recalling how many adult novels he'd seen that relied on cheap bait. Yet this one — this was different.
As he continued reading, the story grew more intense and layered. It wasn't just about attraction — there was conflict, emotion, and unpredictable tension.
With renewed excitement, he leaned in and kept reading, completely absorbed by every word.
He continued muttering under his breath as he read: "Crap… this Principal… this guy is a beast. Makes full use of his authority, and unexpectedly acts so blatantly toward the attractive subordinate. Shameless, especially since she's married."
His thoughts raced: "A perverted headmaster… you really think you can do this? Using your position to coerce her? Will anyone really obey? If he keeps going, that's a crime — should go to prison."
Meng Fei's eyes flicked across the lines: "I scratch my head, but also… she actually obeyed. Didn't dare revolt. Bai Rong, you are a teacher, you have a husband… yet with a heart full of shame, you resist him… but still comply."
Every new paragraph he read intensified his frustration and fascination simultaneously — he was both angry and captivated, completely immersed in the chaotic unfolding of the story.
By the time he reached a major cliffhanger, he was completely hooked.
"What? That's it?! No more?!" he exclaimed, frustrated that the story ended right at its most suspenseful moment.
His head felt like it was steaming, and an impatient fire burned in his chest — he was so angry he felt like he wanted to beat the author up for leaving him hanging.
"How could he end it there?! Is he trying to kill someone with suspense?!"
Then suddenly something strange happened. A warm flow seemed to rise within his body — like heat revived in him.
"Wait… what's happening to my body?" Meng Fei muttered in shock. "There seems to be a warmth flowing inside me… could it be that I've been revived?"
He was stunned — shocked beyond belief — yet at the same time deeply excited.
Right then, Meng Fei realized this wasn't just another shallow adult novel. This work had raw appeal, narrative momentum, and true intensity — the kind of story that could captivate a massive readership.
This was exactly the kind of breakout novel he had been searching for.