MTL - Those Years I Opened a Zoo - Chapter 23 Taoist down the mountain (below)

After an unexpected death, a soul finds itself reincarnated into the body of Itsuka Shido, an ordinary teenager in a world filled with powerful spirits, magic, and dangers from other dimensions. With the help of a mysterious system integrated into his body, Shido gains the ability to travel across worlds, summon legendary anime characters, and unlock a wide array of random skills and abilities.Disclaimer: The cover isn't mine, credits to the original artist.

Dani was just an ordinary high school student—until fate played its cruel hand. After losing his parents at 15, he was left alone in the world with only money to his name. Neglecting his health, he developed cancer, and while waiting for death in a hospital bed, he found solace in novels, manhwas, and manga.He often cursed the weak romance in harem stories, where the MC had power and a harem but did nothing while the women fought over him. But one novel captivated him—a masterpiece about 100 heroines, each with tragic pasts, rising to the top of the world. It wasn’t about an overpowered male protagonist but about the struggles and triumphs of these heroines.“If only I could transmigrate into this world and marry them all...”Then he died—and woke up inside the very novel he admired.But not as the protagonist. Not even as a major character.Instead, he is reborn as Dani Everhart, one of the many sons of the king, a forgotten prince with no real power or influence. He is wealthy but not a contender for the throne, overshadowed by his brilliant older brother. However, he has one advantage—his knowledge of the story.He knows the heroines' hidden pain, their struggles, their tragedies.And he refuses to let them suffer.With no grand ambitions for power, Dani sets his sights on a single goal—to make each of these women fall in love with him, forming the greatest harem the world has ever seen.But as Dani gathers heroines by his side, his actions begin to change the story itself.And soon, the world will realize—this forgotten prince is no background character.He’s about to rise.

The well-off little salted fish transmigrated to a poor era, where her grandparents valued boys over girls, leading to a miserable life for their granddaughters.Fortunately, her dad, though lazy, slippery, and illogical, shamelessly relying on his parents and taking advantage of his siblings, was protective of his daughters.Her drama queen mother, who was lazy but liked to eat, often tried to coax food off of her, yet she always left a portion for her.There was also the Scholar Tyrant System that pressured her every day to strive for progress, capable of using high-tech to hunt and allowing her to eat meat!!It wasn't until her cousin from her second uncle's family changed drastically after nearly drowning that Jiang Mianmian realized she was in a reborn female protagonist novel of that era, and her family of three was destined to meet a tragic end as reprehensible relatives.However, Jiang Mianmian, who knew the plot well, was fully capable of avoiding the tragic deaths of her parents and was not afraid of the seemingly strong but actually hollow protagonist. Her only worry was the powerful ally backing the protagonist.Then she discovered that the protagonist’s powerful ally was none other than the beautiful young man her father had rescued from the icy river last month!So Jiang Mianmian was completely reassured. With this life-saving favor, the young man would definitely not side with the protagonist against her family in the future.Moreover, Dashan took the initiative and said, “Little Lamb, I’d like to court you with the intent of getting a marriage license, is that okay?”As someone obsessed with good looks, Jiang Mianmian struggled and then reluctantly refused, “No, I plan to have a son-in-law who will marry into the family.”The powerful ally didn’t hesitate, “Then I’ll be the son-in-law who marries into the family, and the children will take the Jiang surname!”Jiang Mianmian: “Let’s go, get the marriage license!”

What?! The sticking to her daily, eating her tofu (taking advantage of her ) is a cross-dresser?

Not to mention that he is the Evil Highness!! She had slept beside him, and was touched by him, what a big loss!

Ah–!

Softly on his chest, listening to his pounding, strong heartbeat, her face turned red. Her greatest desire was to be in his arms.

She never dared to dream before, dared not wish for, and thought that in this life there was no such chance. This had been in her most secret heart of hearts, she longed for his warmth, longed for his love.

Even though he had hurt her before, he had given her more tenderness than others.

Being teased, loved, laughed at… had infiltrated into her bloodstream. Love, she did not know when it had taken root, for when she discovered it, it had grown into a towering tree, no longer able to be split open or cut off.

His hug, his warmth, she would not allow him to give it to others. If they were not only for her, she would rather not have them.

- Description from Novelupdates