MTL - Since 2000 - Chapter 25 : The old man who can't stand it

Crossing into a wasteland ravaged by Infected Bodies and constant natural disasters, Cheng Ye becomes an Inspector at the border of Happiness City.Every survivor wanting to join Happiness City must be thoroughly questioned and inspected to prevent Infected Bodies from infiltrating.But soon, Cheng Ye realizes these Infected Bodies are nothing like he imagined!Here, there are Death Language Tentacles that can bring people back to life, surviving through sheer will.There are Death Dandelions that can instantly cover a two-kilometer radius, infecting everything in its range.There is a Fiery Sunflower that releases biological deconstructive rays, melting everything.And also, the Laughing Mandrake that becomes stronger by making creatures laugh...What? You want me to inspect these monsters?With a special Civilization Collector.Chen can search and replicate their information, items, skills, attributes, abilities, facilities...

Time travelling from the majestic era after the Recuperation of Reiki, he became Kimura Kazuki, a 16-year-old high school student in Japan, one year before the Reiki Recuperation.

Tentatively, he set out to hone himself to the bone, burning candles at both ends to stockpile resources in preparation for the imminent Recuperation of Reiki. His goal was to be many steps ahead of all humanity when the time comes.

However, it seemed like fate had decided to play a cruel trick on him.

One year later, the Recuperation of Reiki… did not happen as expected.

Are you tired of mindless smut novels where everything falls into the hero’s lap with zero effort?Want to follow a main character who actually has to struggle, fumble, and work for a date?Want real, deep female leads who aren’t afraid to say “no” to the MC, even when they like him?Then congratulations. you’re in the right place.This story has:• Regression• Progression• Skills (both erotic and non-erotic)Just read the first chapter. If it clicks, stay for something genuinely great.

Delia's life was a cruel reality: the neglected and abused illegitimate daughter of a noble family, the Ellington family, she yearned for the love of her stepmother, Baroness Augusta, and younger sister, Lady Anne, who relentlessly mistreated her.Her world crumbled when she discovered a double betrayal: her beloved husband, Lord George had secretly pined for Anne, marrying Delia only to be near her sister. Simultaneously, her step mother framed her for a crime Anne committed.Overwhelmed and heartbroken, Delia's attempt to escape a death sentence led to a fatal carriage accident.But death was not the end. Delia awoke one year in the past, finding herself still engaged to George. This was her second chance, and the naive girl was gone, replaced by a woman consumed by a burning desire for revenge. Her first target: Duke Eric Carson, the powerful and wealthy man her sister Anne desperately pursued.Delia boldly approached Eric with a proposition for a contract marriage. To her surprise, Eric agreed, but with a condition: their fake marriage would become real and they can go their separate way after a year, hiding his own secret agenda. Now, armed with Eric's unexpected devotion and his willingness to lay down his life for her, Delia meticulously begins to dismantle her family's world. With Eric's help, she exposes the secrets they hide, manipulates their desires, and turns them against each other, orchestrating George’s demotion, Anne's downfall and seizing everything her sister coveted, including Duke Eric love and obsession.Will Delia and Eric be able to conquer all odds to get what they want? What happens when Eric doesn’t want their contract marriage to end? What happens when the last petal of that indicates her second chance falls?———————EXCPRET“I can’t return your feelings, your grace,” Delia whispered, her back against the cool wall.“But I can,” Eric murmured, stepping closer.Delia’s voice trembled. “It’s not the same.” She choked out. “ No one can love me without hurting me.”“Then teach me,” he said, his breath warm on her cheek. “Teach me how to love you the way you deserve to be loved. I’m a quick study.”When she stayed silent, he sighed contentedly, a soft smile playing on his lips.“It’s alright. Just… use me. Anything you need. if you want money, ask the treasury, take as much money that’s needed. if you want power, use my name. if you want security and love, use my body.”His breath warmed her skin, his chest rose and fell with hers. “As long as it's from you, I'm happy.”