Captured Hearts: The Substitute Bride's Gambit - Chapter 38 - Ive taken a liking to him no need to

Jiang Lan transmigrated into the role of the male lead's gold-digging first love. According to the original plot, all sh...Jiang Lan transmigrated into the role of the male lead’s gold-digging first love. According to the original plot, all she needed to do was meet the male lead’s mother once, and she could walk away with 20 million yuan.Sitting in the restaurant, Jiang Lan said, “Give me 20 million, and I’ll leave your son.”But the male lead’s mother replied, “Here’s 20 million for you—may you always be happy, may you always be joyful.”Jiang Lan: “…”Through a twist of fate, Jiang Lan and the male lead’s mother ended up participating in the reality show “Mother-in-law Has Arrived.” Initially, everyone expected the Cinderella and the wealthy mother-in-law to be at odds, but instead, they overshadowed the leads of the hottest drama and became the internet’s most beloved couple.In the sweet and pampering segment, the mother-in-law regularly took her daughter-in-law on shopping sprees. Yu Wanqiu and Jiang Lan attended fashion shows, sitting between a top-tier young idol on the left and a handsome middle-aged man on the right.In the wealthy family segment, while other daughters-in-law nervously prepared elaborate meals to please their mothers-in-law, Jiang Lan dragged Yu Wanqiu to enjoy fried chicken, beer, street food, hotpot, and skewers.When the show ended, Yu Wanqiu hooked her arm around Jiang Lan’s shoulder and said, “Whether you break up or not doesn’t matter. Even if you do, it won’t affect our relationship. Actually, breaking up might be better—I’ll introduce you to someone even more handsome and richer.”Lu Yicheng: ???Mini Theater:When asked about mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships, Yu Wanqiu’s initial response was very diplomatic: “They shouldn’t live together, meeting a few times a year is enough. Don’t interfere in the couple’s affairs. Let them decide how many children they want. It’s important to be well-matched. If things don’t work out, they can break up or divorce.”But after the show ended, Yu Wanqiu’s answer was a complete reversal: “It’s best to live in the same building as Jiang Lan, doing yoga together morning and night. As for children, it’s better not to have them too early—it could affect my relationship with Jiang Lan. If they divorce, I fully support it. I know plenty of young idols, and if Jiang Lan prefers the mature type, that’s fine too.”Content Warning: Highlight—the male and female leads are not perfect characters. This is a sweet romantic story featuring first loves for both. They will argue, bicker, fall in love, and take some detours along the way. If this bothers you, please skip. No unsolicited criticism allowed. The focus is on the relationship between the daughter-in-law and mother-in-law, with the romantic relationship between the male and female leads as a secondary plot.

In this world, there are those that are fortunate and those who are not.

Ethan Bellrose is neither; he is cursed. At nineteen, he has lived his entire life sheltered in his home as his fragile body blisters under sunlight, breaks under the slightest impact, and falls to any sickness.

However, the arrival of a world-changing digital service catches the hopeless young man’s eye: “Reincarnation Online”--a virtual reality experience that gives a new fantastical life to those who are unfulfilled with their current path.

For Ethan Bellrose, the choice is simple. Without hesitation, he orders the virtual reality headgear, choosing to abandon his current life and live forevermore in the world of fantasy, magic, and endless adventure–”Arcadius.”

Though what he finds is a world not full of leisure and trivial triumph, but a world just as alive and full of darkness, glory, and grandeur as Earth–if not greater.

Starting from square one as an infant, given a new name and family, this is the eventful life, full of dreadful lows and exhilarating highs, of “Emilio Dragonheart.”

[...Booting System…]

[Welcome to Reincarnation Online.]

[You will henceforth by the recipient of the Dragonheart System.]

[Please, enjoy your stay.]

It’s been 11 years since I’ve lived for others and not for me.

The moment I cried out wanting to get away from my exhausting life, I opened my eyes in the body of some Count’s 20-year-old daughter.

Since this happened, I decided to live my life freely as a single woman.

But…

“I need a lady to act as my fake wife for a certain period of time.”

“A contract marriage?”

“The term is one year. When the time is up, I’ll give you divorce with no strings attached.”

The Duke of the Empire whom I had happened to meet at a ball was hitting on me.

Turns out he’s no other than the Emperor’s beloved brother, Duke Scade!

Hold on, it’s just going to end in a clean divorce with no strings attached?

“You should also give me alimony. Give me one of the best lands of the Ducal household with 10 years’ worth of profit.”

“…..What?”

“If you don’t want to do that, then we cannot get married.”

This time I’m going to live a life taking care of the things I need first!

***

“I’ll escort you since it’s late.”

Where to? My bedroom is just around the corner.

“Tonight, I’ll do my best.”

No, I don’t need you to do that.

“Did you just look at that man?”

Excuse me, Duke, you said it’s for a limited time only, so why do you keep obsessing over me?

Thousands of years ago, the great abilities of the three teachings of Buddhism, Daoism, and Demonism decided on a place for becoming immortal. Three thousand years ago, a Taoist was close to becoming immortal. Three hundred years ago, the Daqian Dynasty was established, and chaos is expected in another three hundred years. In this era, the path to immortality opens; a celestial swordsman freezes fourteen states with one sword, a heavenly Daoist maiden seeks eternal life, a naturally born Holy Son claims to be invincible, and a Buddhist Holy Monk saves all sentient beings.Gu Wen lives as a beggar, enters a household as a servant, witnessing the disordered world, drifting aimlessly.In a world filled with divine beings, he alone is a mortal.However, a lowly origin is not a disgrace; striving through the grand path, even as a common man and mundane son, he can still be the foremost in the world.“Mortal Gu Wen, my Dao is euqaling the heavens!”