a rose among the thorns

Back in 1996, when the daughter of the Old Xie family, Xie Wanying, said she wanted to be a doctor, many laughed. "Phoenix begets phoenix, dog spawns dog. A truck driver’s daughter becoming a doctor is as likely as a sow climbing a tree." "I’m not just going to be a doctor, I’m going to be a female chest surgeon," said Xie Wanying. Her words provoked even greater waves of disdain within the doctors' community. Relatives who were doctors ridiculed her mercilessly: "Do you know how high the admission scores are for medical students? Do you think you can make it?" "There are zero female chief chest surgeons in the country. Who do you think you are!" A bunch of people mocked her: "You'll probably only get into a third-rate medical college and end up as a health worker in a small county town. It's easy to imagine what sort of marriage you'll have." After the college entrance exams, Xie Wanying entered the top surgical class in the country with the highest science scores in the province, with department heads in the Capital’s top-tier hospitals vying for her from her internship beginnings. "Student Xie Wanying, come to our digestive surgery department." "No, she must come to our urological surgery—" "Pediatric surgery is in short supply of female doctors like student Xie Wanying." Circles of relatives and friends: … At this time, Xie Wanying independently completed the youngest Tetralogy of Fallot surgery in the country, represented the national association of chest surgery at an international medical forum, and published the world’s first minimally invasive heart valve repair surgery, becoming truly the foremost surgeon in the field of female surgery! As for the marriage concerns that everyone "worried" about: A brother from the Returned Overseas Faction, a hot bachelor within the Capital, changed his QQ profile picture to Junior Sister Xie. The young CEO, a handsome man, came to the hospital every day with flowers, keen to offer a diamond ring. Not to mention, a whole host of suitors had long since worn a path to the Old Xie Family's doorstep...

When he returned to the World of Martial Arts, the game was filled with blood and battles! Chen Kaixin had chased after the footsteps of the one emperor, two empresses, three princes, seven dukes, and thirteen aces for three years, but during the eve of the Sword Among Us tournament in Mount Hua, he was ambushed by evil bastards, and was killed so much that his level dropped to that of a newbie. He completely lost the chance to join the ranks of the powerful players in the game! In great disappointment, Kaixin quit the game and got drunk so that he could forget his sadness, but during that stormy night, Chen Kaixin found that he had actually dreamed for a total of three years, because when he woke up again, he woke up to three years ago, when he was still a student.

When the first 2 gods descended, they fell in love at first sight, and the moon god created several roses to gift to the sun god as a sign of his affection. Those same roses were then passed down to their descendants, mortals, to take care of them. Roses are usually red, but the first roses exist in different colors, and whenever a mortal pluck one of the original roses, they are blessed with unimaginable power. A few of the roses have been found, and several others are waiting for their chosen one, but one, in particular, has never even been spotted, the black rose. **************************************************************** P.S. Yes, as the tags said, there will be romance, but this is also action and comedy. All characters' art will be posted in the paragraph comment. All arts are AI-generated. **************************************************************** Disclaimer: Disclaimer: This novel contains depictions of various views, beliefs, and ideologies that are solely for fictional and narrative purposes. They do not necessarily reflect the personal views, beliefs, or opinions of the author. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real events, persons, living or dead, is coincidental. The author's intent is purely to create a work of fiction and not to endorse or promote any particular viewpoint or belief. **************************************************************** Created a Ko-fi account: Any dono is appreciated: ko-fi.com/perseus_silver

Mages, swordsmen, gods, demons, and prophecies. The Heavenly Games is a tournament where myth and man meet, a purgatory where the dead arrive to fight for their one true wish. Amongst the reborn are Dasha Pang and Kazi Hossain; one a professor from the west whose cold-hearted intelligence has surpass the gods; one a traveller from the east who has come to appreciate humanity. A villain and a hero. The boy born unwanted and the guided one. A martial artist and a mage. Gods amongst men. Expect battles of epic proportions, stories ripped straight from mythology, interactions between gods of various pantheons, and duels humanity has debated for centuries. Expect the Strongest Among The Heavens. *** + Dual Protagonists. Overpowered geniuses. One MC that is villainous and manipulative. The second MC that is heroic and kind. + Detailed power system that includes Western Magic & Chinese Cultivation/Martial Arts (Xianxia) + LitRPG, dungeon crawling, fantasy guilds, and more!  + Abrahamic religions, Hinduism, Indigenous (Americas & Australia), Greek, Norse, Egyptian, and Japanese mythology  *** Daily Chapters

In a twisted version of the Old West, where Native American fables come to life, the land is teeming with blight and cessation. Skinwalkers, Bakwas, Urayuli, and even the dreaded Wendigo roam freely, constantly terrorizing humanity. In this unforgiving landscape, survival becomes the supreme dream, luxury an impossibility. But hope lies in Ether, an eccentric substance that defies reason, and Sigils, granting individuals extraordinary abilities. So, as men and women from the burgeoning East venture into the treacherous West, they must navigate the nightmares that lurk within the wilderness and the horrors from above, below, and within. Survival becomes a battle for the mind, body, and soul. Each step must be taken lightly, lest they fall prey to a grim fate—a forgotten corpse, a demon's feast, or the plaything of ancient and incomprehensible beings. Fools tread where angels fear to gaze, yet not all fools let themselves wilt. Some are simply too stubborn to break.

The Moon Goddess made a mistake— or maybe this was a curse just like everyone says it is. But I always knew deep down that I was never meant to be theirs. They belonged to her. To my twin sister, Chalice, who was sweet. Perfect. Worshipped by the entire pack… and pure venom behind closed doors. The three brothers— Zevran, Kael, and Caelum— hate me with a fire that burns hotter than the bond tying us together. And I know because I see it in their eyes… I feel it in the way their burning touch lingers a second too long. They despise me. Just like everyone else does. But they want me. And no matter how much I try to stay away, the mate bond keeps dragging me back into their world of heat, power, hatred and danger. Maybe, I should leave… I know. But fate plays a cruel game. And as truths unravel and secrets come to light, the triplets— the ones who once despised me— now see me for who I am. Now, they want me— unabashedly. But by the time they realize this, it is a little too late. I’ve been broken by them a little too much. And I am done being anyone’s pawn. ~*~ “We want you, Leilani… we always have. Always would. Please take this as our way of saying sorry. For everything, for not believing you… for letting our judgements be clouded by…” Caelum said softly, his voice trailing off, his breath warm and ticklish against my fingers that he brought up to his lips as his other hand found the warm spot between my thighs. My eyes snagged on his full lips— pink and inviting; But they’d been kissed by another. And I don’t do leftovers. I sighed exasperatedly, shaking my head to rid myself of this pitiful sight and clenching my legs together to force his hands out. He didn’t budge. “No.” I said sharply, my voice coming out stronger than I expected especially with their bodies pressed against mine, and their lips creating sparks across my body. “I’m done. Go back to Chalice… she suits you more than I ever did.” Kael’s voice vibrated through my body as he pressed himself flush against me. His brothers Caelum and Zevran leaned in too, their lips on the shell of my ears, one’s fingers grazing over my taut nipple. “I’ll burn the world, Leilani,” he growled, his voice deep. Threatening. “I’ll burn the entire world, if that’s what it takes to win you back.” “Then I'd like to see you after the world’s been successfully burnt down. Maybe then we’ll have this conversation.” I answered, and with that, I pushed their hands away and leapt off the cupboard. And as I walked out of the kitchen, I felt their eyes drilling holes into my back, hotter than a thousand lasers all at once. But I didn’t falter. I didn’t turn around. I was the monster they’d made. CONTENT WARNING: This book contains triggers and explicit scenes of abuse, Graphic violence and murder, explicit sexual activities, strong language and dark, obsessive romance. Readers discretion advised. ****

This message is to let you know that we're coming for you. Yours truly, The Mafia's Rose — After her mother’s death, Feng Xuan was sent overseas to continue her studies and was under strict instructions to never come home. Feng Xuan had always known she was going to marry someone she did not love. That was why she was not surprised that when her father finally allowed her to come back, she was off to be married immediately. Upon marrying the handsome, somewhat brooding but caring, Qing Chen, a hotelier and the new mafia boss on the side, Feng Xuan started to realize that she might not be the woman whom she thought she was. There was only one condition that allowed Qing Chen to marry Feng Xuan: he is to keep her protected from the world, and from herself. **** This is a story about a woman who uncovers the long buried details about her life, the society, the world, and her mother’s untimely death. Along the way, she discovers who she really is; smart, ruthless, cunning, and powerful. **** WARNINGS: (If you comment anything about this, I will direct you to read these AGAIN) 1. This is a slow-paced story, because of this ROMANCE CAME LATE FOR THE LEADS. I'm saying this again, LATE. There's a huge reason behind this, if you will be patient you'd get there.  2. Male Lead is weak AT FIRST. As this story is slow-paced, character development took a while. 3. Female Lead will start to reawaken around Chapter 80 and ML will rise into his full potential shortly afterwards--once you start reading you'll know why it took this long. 4. This book is not just about the romance part, it is also has a lot of mystery and later on, action in it. English is not my first language. Please do not hesitate to comment corrections regarding spelling and grammar. Thank you! This is an original story. The picture on the cover is not mine. Credits to the real owner. Update schedule: One chapter a day.

Update: 3 times a week What would you do if you woke up as an infant in an unfamiliar world? Why, earn money and build your power, of course! Sold off by her "biological" father to a brothel? This entire red light district belongs to her! Minister's family? Who do you think you are? Not even a Head Minister and already so arrogant. She burns her past to cinders and starts her life anew. But why does this prince from another kingdom keep following her around? And is she really as simple as she seems? This reincarnator, just what could she be hiding in her past? Why does she sometimes have such empty eyes? Such a conflicted sense of self? And, if she is a virgin, how can she be so knowledgeable about what goes on between couples?! Author's Note: Like the cover? Thank Kiz#4961! Please don't be mean if you don't like the art or style, he took time out of his busy schedule to draw the cover and even gave it to me for free! Please be appreciative of the hardworking, creative people!

Maeve Lane, at the age of 18, was the white moonlight in the hearts of all the children from affluent families at the affiliated school.\nShe was proud, flamboyant, and often carried an air of casual indifference.\nLike an extremely lazy wild rose.\n-\nDuring university, Maeve Lane pinned a man against the wall, half-raising her eyes and casually said—\n“Be my boyfriend, ten grand a month.”\nJulian Fairchild’s gaze was deep as the sea, “Is this how you treat all good-looking men?”\n-\nAfter a change in the Lane Family.\nMaeve Lane was forced to give up her studies and enter the entertainment industry.\nOnly then did Maeve Lane come to know—\nThe man she once threatened and coerced\nWas now an emperor of the silver screen in the industry\nAnd turned out to be the second young master of Aurelia’s top elite family, the Fairchild Family.\n-\nCountless elites coveted this defeated wild rose.\nEven the always noble and cold-hearted Master Fairchild drank through the night for her.\nFinally, one day—\nHe pinned her in the corner, eyes rimmed in red, “Maeve Lane, how dare you abandon me?”\n【Defeated Proud Wild Rose × Obsessive Devoted Young Master】\n【Fake Player × Genuine Innocent】\n【Seemingly Interested in Others but Secretly in Love with Each Other】\nBroken Mirror Reforged + Entertainment Industry + Marriage Before Love

On a stormy night, Shen Jianian, her clothes tattered and torn, knelt down in a state of distress at the feet of the man’s trousers. Her face was pale as paper, her lips trembling as she pleaded, "Help me…" Fu Jichen, the aloof magnate, lifts her like a stray cat and carries her to Rose Manor. He feeds her, dresses her, teaches her music—then shows her off to a city that bets she’ll be discarded within weeks. Bets lose. Scratches bloom on his neck and cheek, proof the “kitten” has claws. At midnight he trims those claws himself, whispering: “Stay.” She vanishes, leaving only a hand-carved token and a note: A match made in heaven. Fu Jichen tears the city apart to find his runaway cat— and bring her home for good.