One Piece: Dream of Immortality - Chapter 41: Arrival in Alabasta

“So, what do you want?” He Xinyan quickly glanced up into Gu Yechen’s face and frowned. Why did he look so familiar? Where did she see him before?

“I want you.”

“. . .” Well, that was direct.

He Xinyan opened her mouth to speak but she couldn’t form the right words.

“Let's make a deal. You become my girlfriend and you can ask for anything in return.”

“Anything?” He Xinyan repeated.

Gu Yechen nodded his head, “Anything.”

He Xinyan thought about what could help her but realized that there wasn’t much she needed as of now. However, she would definitely need support in the future.

There were many things she couldn’t do by herself, but Gu Yechen would definitely be able to do.

“How long would this deal last?”

Gu Yechen leaned back against the couch casually, “However long I feel like.”

“And. . . that is about how long?”

“Forever.”

---

He Xinyan’s life was in ruins.

After being cheated on by her fiance, her life went downhill as she lived under endless rumors and hate comments. Her stepsister framed her for things she never did, her fiance betrayed her, and her father kicked her out of the house for being an unfilial daughter.

At the lowest point of her life, she died. . .

A car accident killed her, and also brought her back to eight years ago, before everything started going downhill. With a second chance, He Xinyan was determined to take back what was rightfully hers and also take revenge on those who hurt her in the past.

He Xinyan thought that she was already prepared for all the lies and secrets from her past, but she realizes that her first life was only a joke as more secrets get uncovered.

In her twisted life and story, He Xinyan couldn’t possibly defeat everyone’s schemes and achieve her goals by herself.

Through an unexpected encounter, she met Gu Yechen, the cold and powerful CEO of the Gu Corporation.

With a powerful and cunning man protecting and helping her this time around, He Xinyan was certain that her second chance would be successful!

However, success doesn’t come easily. . .

---

25 years ago, Gu Yuan who had a terminal disease was found to possess one kind of kind rare powerful gene.
In order to allow the gene to pass through the generation, she donated out 5 ova before the failure of her surgery.

25 years later, today she awakens. Her 5 ova had now turned into outstandings and famous men.
Mmmm….who is it that laughs at her for being old-fashion, backward, have nothing at all and penniless?

The world-renowned tycoon prince accompanied Gu Yuan for supper. The media was in an uproar, is the prince going to be in love?
Tycoon Prince: That’s my mother.

The media tycoon who controls the world public opinion, stake a thousand pieces of gold on one throw for Gu Yuan. The whole audience was in an uproar, an unknown girl going to marry into the noble family?
Media Tycoon: That’s my mother.

The film emperor with thousands of fans who received worldwide attention broke his 8 years practice and for the 1st time ever unexpectedly composed music for Gu Yuan. The whole internet was in an uproar, is this film emperor’s love of the century?
Film Emperor: That’s my mother.

17 years old beautiful young boy genius with IQ that beyond compares named the asteroid he found after Gu Yuan. The world was in an uproar, is this love between an older woman and a young boy?
Genius Boy: That’s my mother.
……
All the supporting males and females who had ridiculed and bullies Gu Yuan before cried: She actually has how many good sons?!

Finally, when the handsome world most eligible top billionaire accompanying Gu Yuan for shopping, the crowds immediately shout loudly: She must be his mother! His mother! His mother!
The aloof top billionaire: She is the mother of my sons.

- Description from Novelupdates

The rule had always been this way: the strong over the weak, the rich over the poor. Mark knew this, he'd even experienced it.After his boss fired him for discovering the affair with his girlfriend (who also worked at their small gaming company), Mark vowed never to be humiliated like that again. He wanted to rise above everyone, to become the world's top player, the one who made the rules and decided everyone's fate. But that was wishful thinking. He was just a heavyset, nerdy guy with some programming skills and a large appetite. What else did he have going for him?Hit hard by this reality, jobless and dumped, Mark withdrew into gaming, which also became his source of income. One day, after leaving a bad review for a game he played and streamed, he received a strange reply from the game's creator. Suddenly, Mark found himself transported to Aetherium, the world of that same game, as Magnus Lancaster, the young lord of a crumbling territory.Now, with this new beginning, he vowed never to be weak again, never to leave his fate in someone else's hands.

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.