Nine Evolutions of the True Spirit - Chapter 53: Severely Wounded

France, 1934. The scars of the Great War still shape the military minds of the Third Republic. Trapped in the past, its generals place their faith in fortifications and defensive warfare, while across the Rhine, a new German army rises, faster, deadlier, and ready to crush everything in its path.Into this world awakens Captain Étienne Moreau, a man who should not exist. He remembers another life, one where France falls in 1940, where German tanks storm through the Ardennes, bypassing the Maginot Line. One where his country surrenders in a matter of weeks.But here, now, he has a chance to stop it.As an officer in the 2nd Armored Division, he fights for reforms: pushing for mobile tank warfare, warning of Hitler’s growing ambitions, and challenging the high command’s obsession with World War I tactics. Yet, his ideas are dismissed as radical, madness from a young officer who “thinks he knows war.”Surrounded by political intrigue, military infighting, and rising fascism, Moreau must carefully navigate the system, winning allies among future leaders like Charles de Gaulle, while avoiding suspicion from the French High Command. His knowledge is a double-edged sword, if he is too aggressive, he risks being labeled a traitor. If he does nothing, he will live to see France burn.As war draws closer, Moreau faces a terrifying question: Can history be changed? Or is France doomed to fall, no matter what he does?Time is running out. The Blitzkrieg is coming. And he may be France’s last chance to fight back.

Noel likes his world quiet, clean, and perfectly organized. He’s the kind of guy who alphabetizes his books, avoids eye contact, and considers a wild night one where he reads past midnight. Drama? Not his thing. Parties? Pass. Sharing a dorm with a chaotic stranger? Just another obstacle to endure—hopefully, temporarily.Enter Luca: flirtatious, chaotic, and chronically shirtless. A walking disaster with too many admirers and not enough awareness, he leaves messes—and broken hearts—wherever he goes. Loud, reckless, and charming, he’s everything Noel can’t stand… and somehow, everything he can’t stop noticing.What starts as a clash of lifestyles soon turns into late-night conversations, innocent pranks, and lingering stares. Somewhere between eye rolls and shared ramen, their rivalry begins to blur—until even Noel can’t deny his quiet little world feels empty without Luca.Noel wonders why his heart skips a beat whenever Luca’s near. And Luca? He’s realizing the one person who doesn’t fall for his charm might be the only one who truly sees him.Falling in love was never part of the roommate agreement—but hearts don’t follow house rules.---Vibes & Tropes:Grumpy x SunshineForced ProximityMutual Pining & Slow BurnSass, Snark, and Secret SoftnessMovie nights, pranks, cuddles, and the accidental love story

People say that when a man becomes middle aged, their appearance and energy will become weak. Ye Qing Xin doesn’t feel that way. At least Jing Bo Yuan is not, his appearance and energy is still really great.

Jing Bo Yuan refuted: I am just thirty five years old, it’s still a long time untiI I reach middle age.

…

Jing Bo Yuan, born in a rich family, he establishes Bo Wei company, he is a great one in the business world.

Everyone thinks he is: mature, serious, strict, and fathomless.

That kind of strict, serious, and successful man, suddenly does romance with a younger woman. He marries a young wife, who is younger by fourteen years old compared to him.

Ye Qing Xin, is a little girl that leads a wandering life. She suddenly married to an old and well-known family and becomes the object of jealousy of everyone.

…

According to the gossip, Mrs Jing is a vixen that hooks with her pure of heart and few desires. She makes the strict Mr Jing falls in love with her.

Another gossip, Mr Jing spoils his young wife without any limit.

During an interview.

Interviewer: “It’s known that Mr Jing at first to marry Mrs Jing because of her young age and beautiful face, is that right? Except her beauty, is there any good point about her?”

Jing Bo Yuan: “I love her. I don’t care whether she is beautiful or not. I married her. She doesn’t need to have any good point. Falling in love with me is her greatest good point.”

The interviewer is surprised and asks: “Mr Jing and Mrs Jing, when was your first meeting? How did you get to know each other?”

Jing Bo Yuan: “Our first time meeting was fifteen years ago…”

Interviewer: “….”

Fifteen years ago, he saved her. Fifteen years after, he gives her a life.

……..

Twenty one years old Ye Qing Xin became the most loved one in the Jing family.

Old Madame Jing: “Xin Xin ah, hurry up and drink this bowl of bird nest.”

Old Mister Jing: “Xin Xin ah, this jade bracelet from our ancestor is for you.”

Papa Jing: “Xin Xin ah, this card is for you, you can buy everything you want, don’t be too modest.”

Third uncle of Jing: “Bo Yuan, don’t you bully Xin Xin, if so I and your Third auntie will not let you off!”

Third auntie: “Em Em Em!”

Second Uncle: “I don’t have anything, I will just send you a special bodyguard.”

Ye Qing Xin: “…..” I’m just pregnant, why are they doing all of this?

- Description from Novelupdates

When the heavy curtains of night descended, darkness fell upon the earth. What will later be known as the dawn of the “Dark” era, humanity once again unfolded a new path of evolution. While retaining the memories of surviving ten years in the apocalyptic world, Ye Chen awakens back on the very day the disaster struck; all he can do is protect the people dear to him, and then….

With the might of an ant, set foot upon the pinnacle of this world!

The people lost in the thralls of everyday life, aimlessly struggling for survival in this world, move forward; there will surely be a path only you can open….

- Description from Novelupdates