I Returned as a High School Girl - Chapter 242: Drag Down (1)

In the glittering, high-stakes world of Aurelia Bay’s beauty empire, Fiona Flare’s life shatters on what was meant to be her engagement night. Dumped by her fiancé for someone “more aligned with his trajectory,” she drowns her heartbreak in vodka and neon at the exclusive Eclipse Lounge.There, in a haze of bass and shadows, she collides with a mysterious stranger—tall, commanding, storm-gray eyes, hands that know exactly how to unravel her. No names. No promises. Just one raw, unforgettable night of passion that leaves her marked, aching, and blissfully unaware of who he really is.Weeks later, two pink lines on a pregnancy test turn her world upside down. Single, jobless, and determined, Fiona vows to raise the baby alone—no handouts, no hunting for the man who vanished at dawn.But fate has other plans.Unknowingly, Fiona lands a dream job at Voss Éclat—the city’s dominant beauty conglomerate—run by none other than Martin Mole, the enigmatic CEO who still dreams of emerald silk and the woman who slipped out of his bed without a trace.As Fiona rises in the company, sparks fly during tense meetings and late-night strategy sessions. Martin recognizes her instantly but keeps his distance, watching, waiting, torn between his guarded heart and the fierce woman carrying his child.What starts as corporate tension ignites into forbidden desire, corporate sabotage, family secrets, and a slow-burn revelation that could destroy everything—or build an empire stronger than either of them imagined.A story of heartbreak turned fire, one reckless night turned legacy, and two people who must decide whether to fight fate… or finally surrender to it.Secret baby. Slow-burn chemistry. Power, passion, and a bump neither saw coming.

During her cultivation practice, Nie Yinzhi encountered a mishap and nearly fell into qi deviation. After emerging from seclusion, she discovered she could see floating subtitles above her head.From these danmu (bullet screen comments), she learned that she was merely a substitute supporting character in a novel.Everyone in her sect doted on and loved her only because her eyes resembled those of the beloved senior sister who had perished ten years ago.And in three days, that blind senior sister would return to the sect—Nie Yinzhi would have her core forcibly removed by her master, her eyes gouged out by her senior brother, and ultimately die alone.Armed with spoilers from the danmu, Nie Yinzhi set up a forbidden array, sacrificing her soul to summon the novel’s antagonist – the great Demon Lord.Covered in blood, amid everyone’s terrified gazes, she coldly smiled and said, “If that’s how it is, then none of you shall live!”The Demon Lord appeared slowly in his dark robes, reaching out to wipe blood from the corner of her mouth: “You’re so young, why harbor such deep resentment? If there are any misunderstandings, we can sit down for tea and talk things through. Why resort to violence?”Nie Yinzhi: “???”Is this the ruthless, evil Demon Lord everyone spoke of?![The Demon Lord says no with his mouth but his actions prove otherwise. Don’t worry, it’s not frustrating, feel free to dive in.]Gu Jiang: Today my wife is asking me to kill againNie Yinzhi: Today the Demon Lord is preaching virtue to me againCultivation World: Being persecuted again todayLaid-back retired veteran couch potato Demon Lord male lead VS grudge-holding can’t-take-any-grievance female lead[[Warning: As you can tell from the synopsis, the female lead isn’t designed to be morally good! She has character flaws! She’s not a perfect victim! She won’t wait until they actually remove her golden core and gouge out her eyes before fighting back! Proceed with caution if this bothers you!] ]

Is magic really a wish machine?

No! In a universe where magic actually exists, the ultimate nature of magic must be as simple and beautiful as the laws of physics.

This is the story of a mass-produced magic warfare tool man who learned the ultimate nature of magic.

But so what?

Just as a bird can fly without understanding aerodynamics, so a wizard does not need to understand the ultimate nature of magic to use magic.

Knowing the ultimate nature of magic does not mean that the tool man can become a great magician.

But the desire for knowledge is human instinct, and curiosity is the first driving force of human civilization. Humans hope to understand the inner workings of magic, even if it is supposed to be unreasonable.

An inquiry into the ultimate nature of magic, without any justification!

The story in the book takes place in an age where steel dances with gunpowder.

Here, muskets are in the ascendant, armor is still the protagonist, military theories are changing with each passing day, and innovations in systems and craftsmanship are emerging one after another. And this world has one more thing than ours: magic.

The world is undergoing earth-shaking changes, and no one can stay out of it.

- Description from novelbuddy

The Night Has Come, and kermesinus moon ascends in the sky.Hoarse whispers flow at the street corners, and brass steam machines spew out bloody mist.Your brain is singing a hymn, eyes are chanting a melody.Skin cracks, and flesh buds swell.Amidst the Mist, the wall of flesh that has devoured thousands of corpses wails endlessly—“Weep not, our players don't bite, they just want to play with you.”Annan, the lone strategist, the top player, the savior of the mist-covered continent, the leader of the Thirteen Saints, the friend of the Twelve True Gods, the king of pioneers, “the Just”, the Gatekeeper of the Fourth Calamity, the uncrowned deity, advised kindly.