The Desolate Era (Web Novel) - Book 9, Chapter 28 - Taken Away

“Look at me,” he said, voice barely above a whisper, like he wasn't just asking her to see him—but to choose him.She did.And oh God.The moment her eyes met his, it was like the floor tilted. His gaze wasn't cold anymore. It wasn't guarded or teasing. It was raw. Fierce. Wrecking. Like he saw through every layer she'd tried to hide.She swallowed hard. Her legs trembled.Her heart betrayed her, pounding so hard against her ribs it seemed like it wanted to break free.Why did his eyes soften like that, as if she was delicate glass, and he'd do anything to keep her from shattering?She swore she was going to melt right there.And he didn't even kiss her.Didn't have to.That one look—his fingers brushing against her skin like he owned the right, it was more than any kiss she'd ever had. More dangerous. More intoxicating.Her lips parted, maybe to speak, maybe to breathe, but nothing came out. Nothing could.The tension between them tightened—thick, electric, blinding.If he moved even an inch, it would be over.But he didn't.And that restraint? That maddening, infuriating, goddamn beautiful control made her want him even more.“Let me handle this,” he whispered. “You don't have to trust Conor. Just trust me.”Her eyes dropped to his lips. They were so close now she could feel the whisper of his breath. Her heart pounded harder, like it wanted to escape.“Please stop doing that,” she murmured. For a fleeting second, nothing moved, then he dropped his hand.His brows drew together. “Doing what?”“Touching me,” she whispered. “Especially when you're trying to make a point. You did it in the restroom too.”“Why do you think I'm doing that?” he asked, voice husky now, softer.Synopsis:At an elite college, falling for the rich, cold son of a bi-llionaire wasn’t part of the plan, especially when his brother is tied to her mother’s mysterious death.But from the moment Merlina steps onto campus, the chemistry is undeniable. He’s detached, arrogant, and everything she should stay away from. Yet no matter how hard she tries, she can’t ignore the pull.She’s here for a degree, but her real mission is uncovering the secrets of her mother’s past at this very school. As sparks fly between her and the guy she should keep her distance from, she’s torn between two things: exposing the truth and protecting her heart from falling for him.The deeper she digs, the more dangerous things get. Anonymous threats, dark secrets, and a guy who’s starting to think her obsession with the past could ruin everything. When the truth finally breaks free, it threatens everything she’s worked for—the truth, her heart, and the fragile bond she shares with him.With everything at risk, she must choose: expose the truth, or hold on to the one person who makes her feel truly alive.

Two-way crush, tough guy attack, chicken suffer [You read that right! doge
The company is particularly down-to-earth this year, giving each person a live chicken that year.
Du Xiao looked at the hen whose neck was too fat in other people’s hands, and then looked at the skinny pheasant in his own hand: “…”
Chairman: “Don’t carry your wings, it will make him uncomfortable, so he should hold it in his arms.”
Du Xiao: “…”
Chairman: “Remember to bring it when you visit relatives and friends, don’t bore him at home, and treat him well.”
Du Xiao: “…”
Chairman: “Go home, happy Spring Festival!”
Du Xiao: “…Why didn’t I see the young master today? I haven’t said goodbye to him yet.”
Chairman: “Cough cough… I don’t know, I probably ran away from home.”
Du Xiao: “…”
Du Xiao: Hormone burst decathlon, taciturn, loyal dog bodyguard attack
Zhou Zhan: I am addicted to life and can’t take care of myself
Sweet sweet!

Content tags: sweet text, special liking, near water towers, ghosts and monsters
Search keywords: Protagonist: Du Xiao, Zhou Zhan ┃ Supporting role: ┃ Others: Zodiac

- Description from novelbuddy

Tang Long was brought to the Immortal Cultivation World by an immortal who noticed his affinity to wood and cultivation.
Relying on his amazing talent, became one of the five emperors of that world.
He failed his Heavenly Tribulation and had his soul scattered into pieces but one part found its way to Qin Haodong on Earth.
With his excellent medical skills, he became a divine doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and encountered the baby girl he made before going into the Cultivation World, whose mother was as pretty as a fairy. The little girl even asked him to find more lovers. What a cute girl…

In an era where human advancement stagnates, mankind faces devastating defeat in a galaxy-wide struggle against countless alien races. Amid internal chaos and external threats, a shocking discovery emerges through a broadcast program—a peerless genius named Jiang Que, exiled on a forsaken planet. Jiang Que develops revolutionary cultivation techniques that not only transform various human industries but also offer a path to extending lifespans and evolving into higher beings. As humanity deploys every strategy to steal his secrets, alien factions and their traitorous agents stop at nothing to sabotage his progress. Now, at the center of a cosmic storm, Jiang Que must face enemies from all sides. The Latest Updates All People Want My Created Cultivation Skills – C2 C2 - Creating a Cultivation MethodTime flies.Jiang Que, with his striking looks, had the most viewers in his live broadcast room, peaking at over 100,000.​Yet, after spending a considerable amount of time seated cross-legged in a cave, the audience began to lose interest, and the viewership started to plummet. In an era where human advancement stagnates, mankind faces devastating defeat in a galaxy-wide struggle against countless alien races. Amid internal chaos and external threats, a shocking discovery emerges through a broadcast program—a peerless genius named Jiang Que, exiled on a forsaken planet. Jiang Que develops revolutionary cultivation techniques that not only transform various human industries but also offer a path to extending lifespans and evolving into higher beings. As humanity deploys every strategy to steal his secrets, alien factions and their traitorous agents stop at nothing to sa