Several days had passed since Latifa had resigned herself to everything and crossed the desert with Hades.
Today, too, Latifa was looking at the same desert landscape, riding the same camel as Hades, for days on end.
The heat of the desert was suffocating, and she was feeling increasingly dizzy. She loosened the scarf around her neck.
‘I’m spending less and less time awake…….’
Latifa, who had not been in robust health even when she was a princess, was growing weaker due to the medication Brenda had used.
The desolate desert environment only added to her struggle.
Her lips were always rough from the dry wind, and it was uncomfortable as sand constantly got into her eyes and mouth. It was stiflingly hot during the day and unbearably cold at night, making it difficult to adapt.
‘What’s hardest of all is…….’
She lowered her silver eyelashes. What she saw were the dark hands of Hades firmly clutching her waist.
‘Sigh. Hades Caleb. Being stuck with this man is the hardest.’
Unable to move her body properly, Latifa crossed the desert riding the same camel as Hades during the day and slept in the same tent with him at night.
But that didn’t mean they had become friends.
Latifa was awake for very little of the day, and even when conscious, she had seldom chatted with him.
The words Hades spoke to Latifa were mostly commands like ‘Drink water,’ ‘Take medicine,’ ‘Get down,’ ‘Come up,’ and that was all.
Or he would speak to her like now, when something about her displeased him.
“If you don’t wear the scarf properly, your mouth will dry out.”
Somehow noticing the ashcolored scarf she had loosened because it was a bit stifling, Hades’s large hand wrapped around Latifa’s neck.
“I loosened it because it was too hot.”
“A moment’s carelessness here can bring death.”
Hades said, then took out a water pouch tied to the camel’s waist and handed it to her.
‘Ah, it’s cool.’
The surface of the leather water pouch was slightly chilly. Not cold, but it was a breather from the hot heat.
“This will probably make you feel better.”
“Thank you.”
Though she said thanks, there was a slightly resentful side to her.
‘If he had this method, why didn’t he tell me earlier… It was so hot for days!’
“It would have been better if you had told me earlier.”
Latifa muttered almost inaudibly.
Hades then laughed softly and said,
“Water is life in the desert. So, I’ve entrusted you with my life. It’s something I gave you to guard properly.”
“Wow, I’m so honored to be entrusted with something so important.”
Latifa responded in a tone that anyone could recognize as insincere. But Hades just chuckled and retorted,
“I’m glad you understand.”
“…….”
Unable to respond to his brazen and sly words, she just shut her mouth thereafter.
‘He really does as he pleases.’
In the ensuing silence, Latifa simply entrusted her body to the swaying camel. She didn’t say another word until the sun set.
[Star icon][Star icon]The desert warriors, who had continued their long march during the day, were busy receiving their evening rations around the bonfire at night.
At that moment, two desert soldiers, their robes pulled low, stealthily walked in the dark shadows, avoiding the eyes of others.
“Hey, is this really going to be okay?”
“It’s already decided. No one will know.”
“When we arrive at the Grand Bazaar, Iota will take care of a big portion for us, right?”
“Yeah, you fool. How many times do I have to tell you? We’re going to get enough gold to fill ten carts. We can live off that money for the rest of our lives!”
“…But isn’t this too dangerous? Our comrades could all die.”
One man hesitated, and another grabbed his collar, threatening him.
“Are you going to do it or not? As far as they know, we’ve already betrayed the general. Isn’t it better to make as much money as possible in that case?”
“…Okay. Let’s do it.”
“Then catch this guy and follow me.”
The warning man handed a heavy leather bag to the timid man. Something alive was wriggling inside the bag.
The two men stealthily entered the area where the supply carts were located, holding their breaths. They cautiously bypassed the guards protecting the carts and stopped in front of the large leather water bags.
“Now, give me the knife.”
“Okay.”
One man handed over a sharp dagger, and the other began to slash at the bottoms of the leather water bags with all his might.
[Dash]Sssssss.Streams of water began to pour quietly into the sandy ground from the punctured bags.
“We can’t go back now.”
One of the men took out the last wriggling animal from the bag. It was a desert fox, commonly seen in the surrounding desert.
“Screech!”
They threw the struggling desert fox into the cart and quickly ran away.
[Star Icon][Star Icon]Night fell, and Latifa finally caught her breath inside Hades’ temporary tent. Hades had left long ago to check on the soldiers, only telling her to rest first.
At that moment, Manut came into the tent with medicine prepared by the military doctor.
“Latifa. I brought the medicine.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Male lead Asks for a Divorce Every Day
It’s not often you come across a plot like this in the female-dominant genre — make sure to check it out!
This is a novel I’m planning to reread as well.
The male lead is strong, skilled in martial arts, and not the usual fragile type you often see in matriarchal novels.
Meanwhile, the female lead is a scientist—rational and logical. Even when she falls for the male lead, she doesn’t let her emotions cloud her decisions.
If you push through the first few chapters, you’ll gradually find the story really intriguing.
It has a mix of mystery, detective elements, and romance.
The author’s writing style is like crafting a puzzle—except they deliberately leave out a few pieces, making it hard to predict what happens next, yet keeping you hooked.
In the end, everything will come together and be explained.
One-sentence summary: Wife, stop playing with beakers and look at me!
In a laboratory accident, research scientist Zhu Wansheng accidentally travels to a matriarchal world. The original owner of the body is an eighteen-year-old only daughter of a wealthy rouge merchant, already married with a handsome young man.
Zhu Wansheng grins: Nice! She always said she was heaven’s favorite granddaughter. After a life of toil in her previous life, she can enjoy blessings in this one.
However, her joy lasts no more than three seconds as bad news arrives: the original owner’s family is about to go bankrupt, and her husband wants a divorce.
Even worse, she’s stuck with a research system full of restrictions.
Zhu Wansheng: ? Is this the destiny of a research dog?
——
Faced with this mess, Zhu Wansheng pours herself a bowl of wine to drown her sorrows. In her drunken haze, her husband arrives.
His figure is imposing, holding a long sword, with a dignified air that captivates Zhu Wansheng.
Gu Yingqing, however, looks at the alcohol-reeking Zhu Wansheng with undisguised disgust and coldly asks, “Divorce or not?” The intoxicated Zhu Wansheng mumbles vaguely, “I think… it’s not… it’s not… impossible!”
——
The next day, after sobering up, Zhu Wansheng is full of energy, rolling up her sleeves ready to make a big move. As for yesterday? She has no memory of it.
Zhu Wansheng is ambitious; a research dog fears nothing!
Upgrading rouge, extracting fragrances, producing perfumes, researching lipsticks… all shall bow to the power of modern technology!
The original owner’s dying rouge shop is revitalized. Her mother is pleased and with a wave of her hand, passes on the family business to her. As she takes control and her experimental results gain popularity, it’s the pinnacle of her life…
——
But there are always those who can’t stand to see her doing well. Jealousy, scheming, assassination attempts – they want nothing less than her life.
The person who has always kept his distance from her suddenly holds her tightly in his arms, eyes full of concern.
She is unharmed, but he falls into a pool of blood…
Zhu Wansheng feels guilty, “I can grant you one wish.”
Gu Yingqing tentatively circles his arms around her, carefully resting his head in the crook of her neck, pleading softly, “I regret it. Can we not divorce?”
Zhu Wansheng: ? When did I agree to a divorce?
[Small Theater]
The newly developed rouge is beautifully packaged, and Zhu Wansheng is eager to try it.
Gu Yingqing suddenly appears: “My lady, may I apply it for you?”
Cool fingertips lightly brush her lips. His Adam’s apple bobs as he leans in for a light bite.
Zhu Wansheng: ?
Gu Yingqing: It smells so good, I wanted to taste it…
On a warm spring day, Zhu Wansheng tries a new perfume: “Spring Night.” Gu Yingqing corners her against a wall.
Warm breath lingers on her neck.
“My lady, from now on, may I test the fragrances for you?”
[Humorous female scientist vs scheming live-in son-in-law male lead]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
