Infernal Ascendancy - Chapter 23: Ashes of Retribution

Marry him for a contract, but it is love that supports them to live together.

In order to raise medical expenses for the seriously ill father, she had to sign a contract with a strange man, she would be his wife, and he was responsible for paying for the treatment of her father.

Life after marriage is very ordinary. He is the CEO of the company. He is busy working every day and occasionally has a look at her, but he is full of disgust. However, she fell in love with him little by little, and she was very sad when facing his indifference. Neither of them knew how to resolve the misunderstanding between them.

After experiencing the death of her father and an unexpected pregnancy, they finally opened their hearts, and sincerely, began a happy life.

Changqing has always felt that she’s incomparable to Guan Ying in every aspect. Even though she is pretty and has a good family background, this world is nothing more than a world where Princes are more attracted to Cinderellas.

Her first love that she dearly remembers in her heart for years eventually becomes Guan Ying’s current boyfriend and her fiancé is Guan Ying’s ex. He has yet to forget Guan Ying.

A business marriage brings Changqing and Song Chuyi together despite the absence of love.
In public, he is her friend’s ex and in private he is her husband who cannot be publicly–known.
At the hospital, her good friend enjoys her husband’s embrace while she can only act as though he’s a stranger.
At a gala dinner, her good friend hooks her arm around her first love’s arm shyly and she can only smile and give them her blessings.

…

In this marriage, Changqing thinks that all is well other than the fact that Song Chuyi doesn’t love her.
First, her husband is a doctor and he can treat all her illnesses while saving up on medical expenses.
Second, doctors love cleanliness and her husband would always ensure the cleanliness of the house.
Third, at the end of every month, her thin wallet would grow thick with cash that her husband stuffs in secretly.
Fourth, as a person who doesn’t like to exercise, she always get dragged around by her husband day and night to do some pleasurable exercise that is beneficial for the body and mind.
Fifth, she would never have to worry that she would be out of money.
There are always so many uncountable advantages that Changqing enjoys.

…

After the marriage, on a certain night, Changqing looks at Dr. Song gloomily. “Hubby, why are you so nice to me when you don’t even love me?”
Dr. Song continues reading his medical books and ignores her. It’s sometimes quite a headache when your wife is too stupid and daft.
Until one day, Changqing realises that there’s really no free lunch in this world…

- Description from Novelupdates

In the distant Eldrathis Galaxy, a vast and uncharted frontier teeming with ancient ruins and deadly secrets, humanity is a small fish in an ocean of monsters. But that doesn’t stop treasure hunters like Clara Dravenmoor, a brilliant and reckless archaeologist, and the Safira's crew, from chasing lost relics buried in the void.Her latest mission? Recovering a priceless artifact from the ruins of Zhaaros, a hostile planet plagued by nomadic warlords and nightmarish creatures. But what she finds isn’t just a relic.It’s him.A pale, otherworldly man, locked away for centuries in a high-tech sarcophagus, covered in mystical markings and dripping with an aura of power that defies reality.He looks confused. No memories. No idea why he was trapped there.But he doesn't look angry.He looks eager.Excited to follow Clara in the Safira through the vast and magnificent galaxy.

In a world torn apart by rifts that release dangerous monsters, Espers—humans imbued with powerful abilities—serve as humanity's last line of defense. But the power of an Esper comes with a price. Overuse of their abilities leads to dangerous corruption, a force that can destroy them from the inside out. This is where Guides come in: individuals with the unique ability to calm the corruption within Espers and restore their balance.Rowan Mercer, an S-class Guide, is one of the best in his field, capable of stabilizing even the most dangerous Espers. He has worked quietly behind the scenes, helping those in need, but his life takes a dramatic turn when he is called to work with Lucian Vaughn, an S-class Esper whose immense power and unstable corruption levels make him a dangerous threat to himself and others.Lucian, a tall, stoic, and enigmatic figure, has long fought against the growing corruption within him. At first, his relationship with Rowan is purely professional—Rowan as his Guide, helping him to stay in control. However, as their interactions grow more frequent, their bond deepens in ways neither expected. What started as a simple duty soon turns into a complex relationship where power, trust, and vulnerability collide.As the world around them faces escalating threats from rifts, Rowan and Lucian must navigate not only their personal challenges but also the dangerous world of Espers and Guides. Their bond will be tested as they fight together against the corrupting forces that threaten them both.In Corrupted Bonds, survival isn’t just about battling monsters from the rifts—it's about fighting the darkness within themselves and finding a way to stay connected in a world that’s constantly pulling them apart.