MTL - The City of Terror - Chapter 27 Fishman village

Xu Jinzhi lived a healthy life until she was seventy-five, passing away without much suffering, and seemingly without any major regrets or dissatisfaction.However, looking at her son, daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren beside her bed, Xu Jinzhi couldn't help but think of her late husband who died young in an accident, wondering if she would be able to see him again—if only she could.Upon opening her eyes next, Xu Jinzhi shockingly finds herself transported back several decades in the past, at a time when the Xu and Xie families were negotiating a business marriage. Without hesitation, she mentions the name 'Xie Yanchuan.'In her previous life, marrying Xie Yanchuan was a reluctant choice, but in this life, she chooses him decisively!The Xie family holds significant influence in City A, Xie Yanchuan, however, is the overlooked member of the family, overshadowed by his older brother carrying familial responsibilities and a younger, frail brother.This setup doesn't bother Xie Yanchuan much; he is content with living quietly.One day, the marriage arrangement with the Xu family lands unexpectedly on his shoulders, resulting in his marriage to the woman named Xu Jinzhi!Xie Yanchuan initially prepares for a marriage of mutual respect or non-interference. However, why does Xu Jinzhi always surprise him with her unexpected actions?

“Block him.”“He's technically still my boss.”“Then block him with dignity.”The call ended again.And then started again.I let out a sound somewhere between a growl and a sob, then finally answered with the enthusiasm of a snail crawling through salt.“Yes, Mr. Walton?”“Have you changed your mind yet?”I collapsed onto the towel and gazed at the sky as though it might consume me entirely if I pleaded sweetly enough.“Do you ever take a break?” I asked, shielding my eyes with one hand.“You're avoiding the question.”“Because it's a dumb question.”He exhaled, the sound sharp and irritated even over phone. “It's not a dumb question. It's a business offer.”“It's a weird offer-one that I already said no to.”There was a brief pause, and I could practically hear him clenching his jaw through the speaker.“You are acting unreasonably.”“ Unreasonable?” I sat up. “I'm not the one drafting fake girlfriend contracts like it's a normal Tuesday.”“Isabella-”“Certainly not, Mr. Walton.” I mimicked his tone perfectly. “I told you I'm not doing it. You need to find someone else to play pretend with.”SYNOPSISIsabella Miller thought saying no to her boss’s fake dating offer was the end of the story.But Adrien Walton doesn’t take no—especially not when he’s convinced she’s a gold digger.Suddenly, her student loans are piling up, her father’s vet clinic is on the brink of eviction and her brother is about to be kicked out of college. Coincidence? She thinks not.Adrien Walton is calm, calculating—and he's just pulled every string to corner Isabella into the perfect position.Now she’s stuck choosing between pride and survival.So she agrees to his offer: be his fake girlfriend.No feelings attached. No drama. Just business.Or so she thought.“Conference Room B. Fifteen minutes,” he said, passing by without a glance.The folder he pushed across the table landed with a thud.I opened it. The contract. All of it.---Enemies to lovers? Check.Slow burn? Hmmnyea.Banter so sharp it might file your nails? Yes.Delicious workplace tension? Of course.Tension that could melt steel?Absolutely.Smut?? Wanna find out?Welcome to corporate romance warfare. There’s no escaping this contract.

Thirty thousand years ago, the Heaven Fighting Race who called themselves “Gods” invaded the Spirit Realm. Hundreds of races rose up in resistance, but ultimately suffered a crushing defeat. The Human Race was the first to concede, and the rest of the Hundred Races soon followed in succession.

Shion, the ‘Hero of Darkness’. He was said to be the strongest hero ever. He believed one thing, and that was his current party members.

“I’ll defeat the Demon Lord with this party!”

That is what he swore to do, but a tragedy occurs. He was painfully betrayed by the girls that he trusted.

He barely held onto his life, but the incident left a deep scar in his heart.

He gave up on living, and while he was wandering around in a forest, looking for a way to die, a single monster appeared in front of him.

“Will you kill me, please?”

The monster asked Shion, who was still strong, despite losing his powers.

What Shion, who wanted to die as well, did was―