MTL - Ascending, Do Not Disturb - ~ 88. Devotion

What’s not to love about my new life after transmigrating into a Pet-centered world?
There are mighty creatures that come in all shapes and sizes. They can either be cuddly companions, helpers in your daily life, daring scouts or strong fighters. Or all of the above. Not bad, huh?

I have a family, but the fact is completely overshadowed by my younger sister. She thoroughly hates my guts, and she makes sure that I know this. Every. Single. Day.
Did I mention that she’s disgustingly talented while I am a bottom feeder? A terribly handsome one at that.

I have free rein to run the family business on my own. A small and quaint Pet Store. It should have been great if not for the fact that the previous owner of this body was born with ZERO affinity to handle Astral Pets…

It wouldn’t be a proper transmigration without a gimmick or a system to pave my road to greatness, don’t you think? I have one, but I don’t know if I would be better off without it…

At the age of ten, Jiang Qi had black hair, shallow pupils, and a pale, delicate appearance. He often got injured, with blood flowing from his head. He was the son of a ‘notorious’ mu*derer in Chen Kong Alley, and people cursed him, saying that he had vile blood running in his veins. Except for Zhi Qi, no one paid him any attention.Zhi Qi often cried while bandaging his wounds, her voice soft as she asked, “Why do you always get hurt? Does it hurt a lot?”Jiang Qi smiled, the cold and rebellious boy appearing particularly obedient in front of her: “If you comfort me, it won’t hurt anymore.”By the time he reached high school, he had become the most famous madman, cold and ruthless in all Lin Lan. Zhi Qi remembered Jiang Qi once saying that most of his life was lived like a dog. He would rather have everyone fear him than let anyone bully him.Even though everyone feared him, Zhi Qi was not afraid.Unfortunate people spend their entire lives healing from childhood, and Zhi Qi wanted to heal Jiang Qi with her own efforts. She would make a promise to him on the rooftop of the school, where he brought her to the top: “Jiang Qi, take care. When I reach the legal age, I can marry you.”The boy’s response was a faint smile, his gaze clear and clean like the stars in the sky, filled with rare yearning for the future.Zhi Qi didn’t know that a simple promise saved Jiang Qi’s life, pulling him out of hell.Unfortunately, ‘redemption’ has an expiration date. When the clock strikes twelve for Cinderella, he remains the sick dog with nothing.A crazy boy, and all the sweet names in his obscure life are called ‘Zhi Qi’.

“I want a divorce,” Nathaniel said with no emotions.I was shocked at how callus he could be. I didn’t get a chance to tell him about my pregnancy.After five years of marriage, I still couldn't warm his heart. I understood I would never be able to replace my sister in his heart.“Fine. Let’s divorce then.”~~~~~~~~~~~~~I, Zara Moore, married my brother-in-law to fulfil my dying sister’s last wish. I poured my heart into this marriage, cared for him, and loved his son like my own, hoping that one day, he might return my feelings.It was only my wishful thought. I ended up being killed in my past life.Reborn, I could see the truth clearly.To him, I was a promise he made to his first love. Tired of being just an obligation, I decided to leave him and not tell him about the child in my womb. But with tearful eyes, he pleaded for one more chance.~~~~~~~~~~~“Don’t bring up divorce,” Nathaniel growled, his cold gaze fixed on me.“I am done with this emotionless marriage,” I retaliated.“What about the promise you made?” He hissed, squeezing my arm.I gritted my teeth. “I tried to warm your heart for five years, but I failed. I don’t want to keep doing this.”His expression changed, his eyes pleading. “Give me a chance. I’ll make up to you.”I stared at him, stunned. He clearly didn’t love me. Why was he unwilling to let me go?

She believes in true love.He doesn’t believe in love.But what is love, really?She is the epitome of success—a star people look up to and admire. To him, however, she is merely a business transaction, a partner chosen to enhance his status. To his friends, she is just a fool in love, a pathetic figure begging for affection.Then shocking news emerges: her first true love returns, throwing him off guard. He realizes he has been nothing more than a substitute for her first love.He should be angry, but instead, he finds himself overwhelmed by emotions he can’t express or understand. Is this possessiveness, or is he finally learning to love her?She is determined to return to her first love, but inside, she is torn. Did she really treat him as just a substitute, or did she actually come to love him?What are they supposed to do when love is a question mark?