The book said: [Elena’s tears are a unique type of gem with dense crystal and a blue color reminiscent of the sea.]
She already knew this.
Nelia continued reading, hoping for a mention of the circular hollow on the gem.
[If there is one flaw in this perfect gem, it’s the hollow on the back. From its perfect circular shape, it’s believed not to be a result of damage. It has been there since the gem was discovered.]So, that mysterious hollow had been there from the beginning.
There must be a reason for its existence, Nelia pondered, rubbing her chin.
‘That hollow looked like a place for something to fit…’
Just then, the Duke approached.
“Nelia, have you found out anything?”
“No…!”
Nelia quickly closed the book and replied.
As said earlier, she had no intention of mentioning Elena’s tears to the Duke yet.
She had nothing conclusive to say, and there was a fear that mentioning it could spark another conflict over Carlos and Elena’s tears.
“Shall we go back for today? The library will be closing soon.”
When did so much time pass? Looking out the window, she saw the sky was tinged with red.
Nelia had no choice but to leave with a sense of regret.
On the way out, her inner worries quietly resurfaced.
Charlotte coming to the capital meant the original story was really getting underway.
If things went according to the story, Charlotte would accidentally meet Carlos patrolling the streets.
They would fall in love and set out to find Ziegert’s heart.
‘No, don’t be too anxious.’
Yet Nelia had a lingering concern, like a thorn stuck in her throat.
It was a worry of a different sort than fearing the loss of Ziegert’s heart.
She stole a glance at Duke Hart walking beside her.
His silver hair gently swayed with each step. He looked mystical under the reddish twilight, a man who always captivated her gaze.
The root of her uneasy feeling was this man.
She tried not to be conscious of it, but when Charlotte appeared, she found herself doubting the Duke.
Would he fall in love with Charlotte?
Nelia sighed inwardly.
‘A petty thought.’
Charlotte hadn’t even met the Duke yet, and worrying about such a thing in advance.
Nelia diverted her gaze from the Duke and walked, looking at the ground.
Her mood felt off.
It was an emotion she had never felt before.
Her heart was pounding, accompanied by an odd sense of discomfort.
Considering that she and the Duke weren’t even engaged, and if one day he abruptly marries another woman, there’s nothing she can do.
Of course, she would curse a lot thinking about the night they had spent together.
While she was being restless inwardly, the Duke approached, lowering his body to make eye contact with Nelia.
“Nelia, you don’t look well.”
There was worry in the Duke’s eyes.
Nelia looked squarely at the Duke.
Suddenly, the idea that this worried gaze might be directed towards someone else made her feel sour.
However, she couldn’t confide this ambiguous feeling, so Nelia had no choice but to dismiss it.
“It’s nothing.”
(This is a time separator.)
When they returned to the Duke’s residence, Ton was there to greet them.
Seeing him wandering aimlessly around the gate, it seemed he had been waiting for the Duke and herself for some reason.
“Ton?”
As Nelia called out, Ton, confirming their return, quickly approached.
“You’re back. A guest for Nelia is waiting inside.”
“A guest for Nelia?”
The one who questioned was not Nelia, but the Duke. In Duke Hart’s voice, there was an inexplicable caution.
“I don’t know for certain, but they said they are Nelia’s friend, so I’ve placed them in the reception room.”
A friend…?
‘Could it be…’
Thinking of a possible person, Nelia pressed her forehead and cautiously asked.
“Is the guest’s name Charlotte by any chance?”
Ton nodded.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Her mind was already a mess because of Charlotte, and now she appears so suddenly.
Rather than being flustered, she felt drained. She had been worrying about the Duke meeting Charlotte, and now this nervewracking event had unexpectedly occurred.
“Is she really Nelia’s friend…?”
The Duke questioned with an air of bewilderment.
It was awkward to call Charlotte a friend after meeting her only once, but denying it felt overly harsh.
“Yes… um…”
The Duke’s eyes slightly widened at her awkward response.
It looked as though he was surprised.
Soon, the Duke muttered, “To think Nelia has a friend…”
Nelia frowned for a moment.
“I do have friends…”
However, Nelia couldn’t complete her sentence.
Upon reflection, the original Nelia in the story had no friends either.
Just like Layton, the original Nelia was whimsical and bad at relationships.
As evidence, since entering Nelia’s body, no friends had visited or acknowledged her.
The Duke would certainly know that. Hence, him saying so.
“Did you have a hidden friend? I thought I was the only one for Nelia…”
The Duke subtly revealed his disappointment in his tone.
‘Why does he want me to be a loner…!’
As Nelia was internally baffled, the Duke took her hand and led her.
“Shall we go see? I must meet Nelia’s only friend right away.”
“Huh? Yes…”
At the Duke’s words, Nelia’s mood turned strange again.
‘The Duke will have no idea.’
That the person introduced as her friend was originally the object of the Duke’s unrequited love.
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.]
