The couple seemed fairly harmonious today, and it appeared that Louisa had insisted on coming. If Edward kept hiding things, saying ‘this can’t be done, that can’t be done,’ it would only widen the gap between them again.
Then, Edward would retreat into his work and dump it all on Jeffrey, a scenario he vehemently opposed.
“Yes, it’s a high-output engine. It’s powerful enough to pull trains and even ships. Until now, we couldn’t handle such large amounts of energy at once. Coal is simple; just shove in more and it’s all good. But it’s not the same with magic stones.”
“I see.”
“The day this was completed, you wouldn’t believe the atmosphere in the lab. Everyone, including me, was just staring at it. Then the President came in, saw us all slacking off, and kindly asked us to bring chairs over.”
“Hehe, I see.” Louisa chuckled behind her hand.
Jeffrey Curtis. He was always trying to maintain a cheerful energy.
She still remembered. To cheer up a downcast Edward struggling with his research, Jeffrey had tried to act upbeat. His personality had been a great comfort to her.
Meanwhile, Edward, oblivious to her reminiscing, furrowed his brows, wondering what was funny about that story.
‘Hoping Louisa doesn’t ask any more than this.’
He focused on her every word.
“Such output could be used for more than just transportation,” Louisa mused to herself. Edward quickly cut in.
“That’s an area we’ll expand into later.”
“I suppose it’s not good to be too hasty. Speaking of which, I heard there were considerations to install underground railways. With magic stone engines, they’d be welcomed with open arms.”
“Oh, is that so?” Jeffrey asked, surprised.
“Yes, I heard it from Lord Bradford. So, the information should be reliable.”
Edward hadn’t heard of this.
‘Underground railways?’
Meaning trains running underground, likely powered by steam engines running on coal.
‘It’s not impossible, but it’s a huge undertaking. Definitely a boon for us.’
Louisa, deep in thought, said, “Underground railways would face many constraints due to steam issues. I heard they’re still in discussions.”
“Then there’s no reason for them not to choose Allen’s engines, which have essentially solved that problem!” Jeffrey exclaimed, clapping his hands.
“That’s really great news. We were only considering up to Winston.”
Jeffrey was excitedly anticipating the profits.
Edward looked at him disapprovingly. “It’s good news, but let’s wait and see. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
“True, true,” Jeffrey conceded, his smile fading slightly.
Still not over his excitement, he fiddled with his arms, eventually tapping the engine lightly and said, “This is going to be big.”
“Still, this is a remarkable achievement, madam. Our president has accomplished something worthy of a place in textbooks.”
The bright and joyful expression on Jeffrey’s face reminded her of the first time her husband revealed his work with magic stones.
Back then, in that small lab, under the dim light of a cheap wick, the three of them had alternated between tears and laughter several times.
She might no longer know the nature of his love, but the love she had given was something that filled her heart.
She learned what it felt like to be overwhelmed with emotion because of him. The pride in trusting herself for believing in him, and the happiness brimming from gratitude for his efforts receiving their due reward.
The saying “too full to eat” made sense to her for the first time then.
And today, she faintly revisited those feelings.
‘Yes. Let’s not dwell too much on the past or hurt over it.’
I loved with all my heart, and that is enough.
She smiled, celebrating the joy of those who deserved it.
When male lead is the homewrecker
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
I’ve read the novel below twice already. Girls, I’m highly recommending it to you!
The female lead? Not a good person.
The second male lead? Not a good person.
The male lead? Willingly plays the third party, breaking up the female and second male lead’s relationship despite all the warnings from his friends—so yeah, he’s definitely not a good person either.
Basically, nobody in this novel is simple-minded or without scheming.
The female lead starts off as the male lead’s secretary, but don’t worry—later on, she takes over the company while the male lead steps back to support her. He won’t steal her spotlight, overshadow her, or dull her shine.
I love novels where men are out here snatching wigs, tearing each other down, and going to war just to win the female lead’s affection. And this is exactly that kind of novel. Most of Hai Dai Ran’s works have this dynamic. You’ll see the male characters’ emotions being pushed to the absolute extreme.
There’s even a scene where the second male lead exposes the male lead online for being a homewrecker. The brotherhood immediately gangs up on him, dragging him through the mud. I find it compelling —it completely flips reality on its head, where usually, women are the ones fighting over a man and getting torn apart by the sisterhood.
For me, female leads in the novels I read should only struggle in their careers, not in love. But if the brainless romantics in the story are all men? I have zero complaints.
I’ve pretty much read all of Hai Dai Ran’s novels and even translated all of them—her works are just my thing. I’ll slowly upload everything here. One day, when my website is official, I hope I can invite her to join as one of the star authors.
Here’s the story synopsis:
One-line summary: She is his lifelong obsession, to the point where he was willing to be a third wheel, scorned by society, just to wedge his way into her relationship with her fiancé.
Cold-hearted and indifferent female lead + Scheming and subservient CEO male lead
Intro 1:
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
With blood trickling from his clenched fist, Rong Xiu gazed at the woman before him, his eyes clouded with anguish. Hidden in the wardrobe, he had witnessed Fan Xia – the woman he desperately loved – in an intimate embrace with her fiancé. Yet his heart still yearned for her, defying all reason.
Fan Xia, the elegant and composed assistant, carried something mysterious in her eyes whenever she looked at her fiancé, Wen Lan Sheng. Strange occurrences began to surface – secret meetings with the young Gu Jin Yi, an unexplained withdrawal of 5,000 yuan… Then suddenly, her fiancé’s sister, Wen Jing, violently attacked her.
In this matriarchal society, Rong Xiu had risen to become the chairman of a powerful healthcare conglomerate, breaking through gender prejudices. But for the first time, he willingly stepped into the shadows as the other man, disregarding his friends’ warnings to become her secret lover.
Because he had discovered the truth – Fan Xia wasn’t the pure angel everyone believed her to be. And perhaps, he was the only one capable of helping her execute her mysterious plan…
Intro 2:
Rong Xiu’s biggest regret in life was missing out on Fan Xia.
He secretly loved Fan Xia for 7 years.
Watched her go public with her boyfriend.
Watched her kiss her boyfriend at their wedding.
Until that man blissfully nestled in Fan Xia’s arms, obtaining everything he could only dream of.
The crazy jealousy stripped away his hidden secret love, layer by layer, burning like wildfire.
Fan Xia, how can I have you!
【Reading and Trigger Warning Guide】
1. Female dominant, male submissive, male pregnancy
2. Male lead schemes his way to the top, male competition
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Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
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