Miss Beautiful C.E.O and her system

Indeed, although Dong Xi instinctively sought help, she understood how difficult it was for outsiders to intervene in her case.

Not to mention, her close friends had distanced themselves to avoid getting caught up in the disaster. In the adult world, she had long realized how rare true friendship and warmth were.

Despite Tang Ziyi and Xiao Yue's willingness to help, she didn't expect much. To her surprise, Dong Xi never imagined they would genuinely attempt to resolve her predicament.

When she received their sincere expressions of willingness to help, she was astounded and couldn't believe her luck.

Dong Xi was no ordinary woman, nor did she come from a wealthy elite family that would allow her to match her current husband's status based solely on her background.

Both luck and effort had played a role. Yes, she had thoroughly seduced her husband and climbed the social ladder, becoming a madame.

It wasn't an easy path, nor were her plans morally sound. However, compared to others who tried to exploit every advantage to the last drop, she believed she was still better, right?

Dong Xi had worked at a national television channel—one of Country C's most famous propaganda tools—in its branch office in Province T after graduating with a journalism degree from the capital.

Her career started smoothly. Given her attractive face and figure, she didn't suffer too much in the beginning.

However, as expected from the saying that beauty attracts disaster—which Ling Qingyu would always argue against—she eventually caught the attention of unwarranted predators.

After working for several years, she began facing obstacles in her climb. She subtly realized she was being targeted.

Having overheard gossip among women, she had a vague understanding of what was happening. No matter her merits, if someone or a group wanted to suppress her and didn't report it to the higher-ups, she was doomed to stagnation.

It wasn't until later that she discovered the top brass had noticed her—and she was now blatantly targeted.

Naturally, she wasn't willing to give in. She flattered and tried to curry favor, but the old bastards turned a blind eye.

Those who wanted to help could only sigh helplessly and reject her approach with distress. There was nothing they could do at their level when a top official-like figure had intervened.

Comparing an unknown TV hostess, journalist, and ordinary woman to a great figure whose single word could change everyone's fate, no one was foolish enough to offend the powerful for the sake of righteousness or their oaths.

Walking the path of officialdom had long tempered their arrogance and shaped their experience.

The final moment came at a banquet where she had to cater to several high-ranking figures. Their approaches became frighteningly direct.

Either she gave in, survived, and climbed higher—or she would be thrown out of her job.

She was unwilling to surrender, yet she feared that finding work outside after being forcibly retired wouldn't be easy.

If the suppression followed her, her future would surely be bleak. Things could only get worse.

As for resisting, Dong Xi already knew the outcome. The top echelons were so deeply corrupt that she, a mere small fry, wouldn't even cause a ripple.

The final decision came when she met the real top figure.

Contrary to her expectations, the man was very young—not older than five fingers, apparently.

To wield such immense power and connections, his background had to be from the capital—humongous and unimaginable.

With words like "It's good for young people to fight, but it's useless without methods. There's no need to struggle so much. Just lower your stance, and everything will become easy," he dangled a shortcut against an uncertain future.

Under the pretext of dealing with a young man and receiving a mix of carrot-and-stick treatment, Dong Xi finally accepted the deal.

She reasoned that becoming an underground lover to a young man wasn't much of a loss.

At first, the rapid leap in promotions from mere sexual favors felt unbelievable. She lamented the unfairness of life.

Serving a young man instead of those pot-bellied old bastards seemed like a better option.

Gradually, Dong Xi catered to the man's desires and unconsciously obeyed his every command.

Somehow, his words became final to her as she adapted to his psychological and emotional manipulation—including in the bedroom.

She saw several other women around him, which she had already anticipated.

Each had their own needs. Nobody owed the other anything.

One of them was his secretary from the capital, Lin Yuxin, who was already married.

Morally wrong, yet powerful people always enjoyed breaking these boundaries and treating others as they pleased.

Another woman was Miao Ying, a newly promoted resident director whom he was making moves on.

She had suffered even more struggles because she initially refused and ultimately ended up like Dong Xi. Though she had some intention of helping, she was barely surviving herself.

Besides, even if she had no emotional ties, small jealousies were unavoidable. Although the women sympathized with each other, certain emotions couldn't be ignored.

Afterward, things took a darker turn. Dong Xi deeply realized that, to powerful men, women were nothing more than accessories.

At some point, the man even lent her out to his circle of friends, exchanging lovers—not for favors or interests, but purely to satisfy his twisted desires and pleasure.

There was nothing illegal about such a club as long as all participants remained silent. Perhaps, through good feelings, deeper cooperation could be established, though the man didn't actually need any.

She felt like a concubine in ancient times, used as a tool to strengthen bonds between powerful figures.

She didn't like it, but the man manipulated her as if she had no resistance. She had no idea how she was being controlled, but Tang Ziyi and Xiao Yue, who were listening to her story, exchanged glances and nodded.

That womanizer was quite experienced—charming enough to leave a good impression despite starting off on slightly bad terms.

A few years passed, and nothing changed. Since the man didn't mind sharing, Dong Xi, like Lin Yuxin, took advantage of any benefits she could.

Through these activities, her network expanded, and her career skyrocketed thanks to the favor of many men.

She was closer to Miao Ying than to Lin Yuxin, given the latter's deeper connections in the capital and her role as the man's secretary.

But there would eventually come a day when people wanted to break free, and Dong Xi was no different.

She knew that if she didn't plan for her future while she still had youth and beauty, she would be in danger.

Never rely on or trust a position given as a favor—such things could be taken away at a whim. She had to secure her own destiny.

Not to mention, no matter how her sex life appeared, she longed for a deeper connection. Rationally, it was about benefits, but emotionally, people had needs.

Once, she met an attractive older man. Mesmerized, she made her move.

Though his background was inferior to the men she had previously been with, she was extremely satisfied.

From then on, she gradually reduced contact with the group and eventually cut ties completely.

She didn't see herself as an exceptional woman, nor was she after love.

The rich man was steady and treated her well enough. She seduced him intentionally, but over time, she became emotionally attached.

Later, marriage became an agenda, and the two were set to be together for life.

Her sudden withdrawal annoyed some in the group, but many dared not speak out.

Just as they held her weakness—her promiscuity—against her, she also held theirs.

Even if she had traded her body for benefits, she could excuse herself, while they had their own skeletons in the closet.

Both sides held the tip of a sharp sword to each other's throat.

As for the powerful man who had coerced her, his reaction was minimal.

He expressed some anger at her betrayal, but things didn't escalate. There were too many women in Province T, and who knew how many more he had across the entire nation?

Perhaps if he hadn't treated her like a mere object—if he hadn't traded her away for entertainment—she might have remained under the radar, enduring the volatile status quo.

Powerful men having numerous lovers was understandable. But sending their lovers to other men?

Because of this, she knew she would receive no help if she ever got into trouble. In fact, she had paid a hefty price to extricate herself from that toxic circle.

Before leaving, she heard that the young master had set his sights on another target—Wen Yalan, a project leader under Miao Ying's management, who was married to a man in the same workplace.

Dong Xi later heard from Miao Ying that Wen Yalan had already been eaten.

However, from the sudden coldness between the two women, Dong Xi suspected Miao Ying had deceived her subordinate and dragged her into hell.

After all, she had met Wen Yalan once and understood her temperament—she was a true conservative who valued tradition.

Dong Xi speculated that the bastard had raped Wen Yalan, with Miao Ying's underhanded assistance.

Perhaps he hadn't completely conquered her yet and was still making moves.

His true nature was becoming clear.

He seemed kind to his women—at least as long as they obeyed him.

He had never appeared to force anyone. But when faced with strong resistance, he simply cooked the raw rice.

Maybe he was treating Wen Yalan even worse, until she had no choice but to surrender completely.

No matter how she disliked that man, she admitted resisting was the most difficult aspect when he learned the art of controlling women.

Yes, Dong Xi learned why she felt easily swayed and manipulated.