Guenivere had no idea how to handle a child.
She had given birth to William, but rearing him was entirely left to the nannies and governesses.
Although she decided to raise Larisa herself, there was a limit to what Guenivere considered manageable.
“Just make sure she eats well and fattens up. She’s too skinny to be of any use. I’ll check back in a month.”
‘Once she’s a normal weight, I’ll figure out what to teach her.’
Invest money and check periodically. Guenivere thought that was enough for a child to grow up well.
Indeed, William had not caused any significant problems or grief until his marriage, so Guenivere never doubted her parenting approach.
Having left Larisa in the hands of the maids, Guenivere turned away, her cloak billowing.
The maids kept their heads bowed until Guenivere disappeared down the hallway. Larisa did the same, following their lead.
Once Guenivere was out of sight, the maid holding Larisa’s hand took a deep breath and turned to the child.
“Hey, so your name was… Larisa, right? I’m Daisy.”
“Hello, Daisy sister.”
“Do you know why Lady Rodante wants you to gain weight?”
“…No.”
Tears started welling up in Larisa’s eyes. The other maids scolded Daisy for asking such a question.
“Why would you ask her that?”
“Ouch, I was just curious.”
“The child will cry now.”
“No, it’s just… do you like candy?”
Daisy took out some candy from her pocket, which she often ate secretly when she felt her sugar levels dropping. Larisa’s eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly.
She had tasted candy only once before, when a kind lady bought her flowers and gave her a piece. Though small, it was sweet and made her very happy.
The maids took Larisa, now free of tears, into a room, seated her on a chair, and bustled around, tidying up.
Every time Larisa tried to help, they insisted it was their job and pushed her back into the chair, giving her a picture book.
Larisa couldn’t read but was instantly captivated by the colorful illustrations.
If not for the unfamiliar surroundings and her habit of being constantly wary, she might have been completely absorbed in the book.
Larisa peeked out from behind the book and eavesdropped on the maids’ whispered conversation.
“Don’t get too attached to her; we don’t know what will happen.”
Scared by their words, Larisa pretended not to hear.
‘Did Mom get tricked?’
Realistically, the idea that Guenivere Rodante, the great witch, was her mother’s friend was less believable than her mother being deceived and leaving her in danger.
‘What should I do?’
Despite her fear, Larisa was so tired from her first carriage ride that she fell asleep as soon as the maids put her in a warm bath.
William came looking for Larisa after she had been taken out of the bath and laid in bed.
Left alone in the room, Daisy respectfully bowed her head.
“Is she asleep?”
“Yes, young master.”
“I came to get her for dinner…”
“Shall I wake her?”
“No.”
After a moment’s hesitation, William asked,
“Did my mother say anything? Like, that she and I are to be married or something…”
William had been worried that his mother intended to marry him to Larisa.
At first, he took it as a joke, but his mother, Guenivere Rodante, had never joked in front of him. Jokes turned out to be true or she had the power to make them true, so his suspicion grew over time.
Seeing William’s troubled face, Daisy also looked gloomy.
“If the boss didn’t take it?”
“Then we’ll just have to find and confront him.”
‘There’s nothing he won’t say to a 7-year-old!’
Hedel was about to burst out but managed to restrain himself and bit his lip.
“But what if the boss did nothing wrong?”
“That guy’s an adult, right? Adults who exploit kids for pickpocketing or begging are bad. It’s okay to beat up bad villains.”
Larisa clamped her mouth shut. Her glistening eyes seemed to reveal her thoughts.
‘Why is it so hard to see this kid cry?’
William sighed and said,
“Of course, pickpocketing is wrong, but you had no choice. From now on, just do lots of good things.”
“William. Even if it was unavoidable, people should feel guilty.”
“Who says?”
“Mom did.”
William became curious about Larisa’s deceased mother. Surely, she was no ordinary person to entrust her child to the great witch Rodante.
“People who don’t know shame become demons. Demons can harm people nonchalantly while wearing a human face.”
‘Sounds like my mother.’
‘That reminds me of someone.’
Both men thought simultaneously.
“Anyway, let’s go. To find the wallet.”
William was inwardly surprised that the kid didn’t throw a tantrum but instead bravely led the way.
Hedel, expecting to use his magic soon, followed them with a sigh.
They arrived at a rundown tavern in the slums, where the so-called boss was the tavern owner.
“Are you the boss of the small pickpocket gang?”
“What do you want, Lara? You don’t look new.”
“I’m asking you.”
William pushed Larisa behind him, but she bravely stepped forward and quickly spoke up.
“Boss! This man is William Rodante, the only son of the great witch Lady Rodante!”
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.]
