Crown of Thorns - Chapter 5

On her wedding night, Mingmei had a dream.She dreamed of a “Book of Life”.And the protagonist of this book was her mother-in-law, who would bump her head and faint the next morning, only to wake up reborn.Apparently, her mother-in-law had returned from fifty years in the future. She had witnessed the changes of the era and experienced social development. With this rebirth, she intended to ride the wave of the times, work hard, and lead the whole family towards glory. (Take this with a grain of salt)Of course,Along the way, she planned to reform the little troublemakers in the family, deal with the big troublemakers in the courtyard house, and let them feel the iron fist of justice as a side task. (This part is true)Mingmei, the young daughter-in-law who had vaguely heard herself described as “a lazy, gluttonous, good-for-nothing”, bit her blanket and whimpered.What should she do?Bang!A sound came from the outer room.Mingmei: Here it comes! Her mother-in-law has been reborn!Reading Guide:1: Dual female protagonists: Protagonist One: The reborn mother-in-law, Zhao Guihua; Protagonist Two: Mingmei, the young daughter-in-law who can see the future in her dreams.2: A slice-of-life story about a working-class family in an old Beijing courtyard house, featuring an ensemble cast.

“Coming live to you, from Cerou Street, this is MBP News, and we have an unfolding situation to report. Late last night, at approximately 3:00 AM, an explosive-like sound reverberated through this area, disrupting the sleep of residents and instilling fear in their hearts,” the news anchor, a striking figure, delivered the report with poise, standing before the camera amidst a bustling scene.

In the background, the blaring horns of ambulances and police vehicles disturbed the serenity of the beautiful morning light. Two individuals wearing protective suits, presumably forensic experts, held a stretcher carrying a charred body.

The news anchor, who had been reporting earlier, placed a hand on her ear, fitted with an earpiece, and looked visibly surprised. Her voice filled with urgency as she continued, “We have just received an update from our headquarters regarding the sole fatality in this unexpected incident. The victim of this tragic event is none other than Norman, the famous gigolo of Night palace.”

“My colleague, who was set to cover an event today at Nightplace, obtained this information firsthand from Countess Maria, who held a special place for Norman in her heart. Our focus this morning is on this breaking news,” the female news reporter continued amidst the chaotic scene, while Norman's charred body lay alone in the ambulance.

Meanwhile, in a different world, a young boy lay fast asleep with his head on the table. The sun, seemingly displeased with the boy's carefree slumber, cast its rays directly onto his face. Annoyed by the intrusion, the boy shifted his head in another direction, unwilling to be roused from his deep sleep.

*ZZZr Zzrz Zzrzzr* However, an additional source disturbed his sleep, filling the room with a buzzing sound. The boy furrowed his brows in annoyance, his eyes still closed. He searched his surroundings and discovered a glass-like slab. With closed eyes, he slid his finger across it and placed it near his ear.

“Hello...” he mumbled in his drowsy voice, which carried a hint of depth.

“Hey, Pissed-up Prat, where are you?” a voice laced with disdain emanated from the slab.

The boy, referred to as the “Pissed-up Prat” by the irritating female voice, recognized it as a voice he heard frequently but couldn't recall its owner. With his eyes still closed, he inquired, “Who is this?”

“What do you mean, 'who is this'? Wake up, come home, or eat shit for breakfast if you prefer!” the voice behind the transparent slab retorted before falling silent.

The boy, still not fully awakened, gazed at the half-opened glass slab with a mixture of confusion and surprise. As his eyes darted around the room, he became increasingly shocked.

As he recollected the fragmented memories from the night before he lost consciousness, his gaze fell upon the entrance of the shop. Once old and damp, it now bore a different appearance. While not transformed into a luxurious space, it had undergone improvements compared to its previously dilapidated state.

The shop took on a rectangular shape, with one longer side adorned with wooden shelves intricately patterned. Rows of empty glass jars lined these shelves. On the opposite side, there was another wooden shelf, also displaying empty jars. Towards the beginning of the counter, where the boy had been sleeping, there stood a peculiar machine.

Confusion etched across his face, he murmured to himself, “Whose shop is this?”

In response to his question, a mechanical voice resonated in his mind.

[The Omnistore belongs to you, host.]

……………………………………………………………

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I, Olga Rifald, have remembered the moment my engagement was canceled.

I had died in an accident and got reborn as the heroine in the Otome Game “Princess Road”.

The end of this engagement signifies the start of the game.

… And, if I’m careless, I will head towards the death route at full speed.

… Eh? Isn’t that dangerous? Ain’t dying dangerous?

I have already died in my past life, so at least here, I would like to live peacefully…!

… That being the case, I will do my best to aim towards the slowlife.

… Even though that was the plan!

In this world, strong warriors are needed in order to conquer the hot crimson desert. The Pareia Tribal-Chief’s first-born son, named Yulian Provoke, routinely gallops through the stormy deserts alone. Only to find someone of destiny – an otherworldly man that would change his fate forever. This same young child who struggles to find purpose while embodying both ambition and revenge into his very own hands as he awaits that faithful day of confronting a particular person that was, supposedly, the culprit of his blood-mother’s death. At first, he was alone; but then after, he forms the RED STORM division – a group of powerful warriors at his command – in hopes of Conquering the Desert, braving towards those who oppose him, and bringing great fortune to his tribe.