The Rise of Phoenixes - Chapter 23: Chatper 23

I wanted to rely on hard work and hard work to become stronger, but I found that lying down is more comfortable.

The point is, you can upgrade while lying down!

Why should I stand when I can lie down?

- Description from novelbuddy

A 19-year-old young lady came to the Jiang family, a prominent family in Sea City. Rumors had it that she rescued the Jiang family’s madame many years ago in the countryside. After she enrolled at Sea City University, the madame took her to the Jiang family’s residence before school started, claiming to familiarize the lady with Sea City’s environment.

It was said that that the young lady was an orphan who grew up in the countryside. However, she carried herself in a manner that befitted a rich young lady from a prestigious family, more so than the real rich young ladies.

It was said that the young lady had not seen the world and was not presentable. However, she maintained her composure in front of the bigshots from all walks of life. She maintained a proper smile that made people look askance.

It was said that the young lady was brought home by Old Madame Jiang to be Young Master Jiang’s wife.

It was said that the young lady came from too humble a background and was not fit to marry into the Jiang family.

It was said that the young lady fell in love with the young master of the Jiang family at first sight, but the young master of the Jiang family did not care about her at all.

…

First meeting.

She sat by the lotus pond in the Jiang family mansion as she read a book.

Even though she was in a simple outfit of a white T-shirt matched with black pants, he saw the charm of a beautiful lady.

She exuded the aura of a young lady.

First meeting.

Her book fell. He called after her.

She turned around after hearing him.

At that moment, she suddenly understood what “a man as beautiful as jade” meant.

He was a bright gentleman who was as gentle and beautiful as jade; she was an elegant young lady, reserved and upright.

If someone asked her what her greatest gain in coming to Sea City was, she would answer without hesitation, “Meeting him.”

If someone asked him what his greatest gain in staying in Sea City was, he would answer without hesitation, “Meeting her.”

Betrayed by his own werewolf clan and left to die in a forbidden vampire crypt, Lucien Drake awakens something ancient—something monstrous.His blood ignites the Crimson System, binding him to a long-lost vampire bloodline rumored to be more powerful than the vampire lords and deadlier than any alpha.Now reborn as a hybrid of vampire and werewolf, Lucien gains powers no being should wield. The System whispers, hungers, and rewards him for one thing: domination—of bloodlines, enemies, and women.With every kill, he evolves. With every seduction, his power multiplies. And with every conquest, the world bends closer to its knees.But ancient forces stir. Vampire princesses, werewolf queens, and dark priestesses all want him… dead, bound, or in their bed.In a world where the strong rule by blood, Lucien is rewriting the laws of nature—and he'll either claim the throne of night...Or drown the world in crimson fire.> “You think I'm a monster? You haven't even seen what I become when I climax with your queen.”

Tang Qiu was a substitute bride–forced to take her half-sister’s place and marry the young master of the Jiang family, a deformed cripple with less than 6 months left to live.

“Who would have thought that even a sickly whelp like Jiang Shaocheng would find himself a bride?”

“I hear that he’s practically on his deathbed and he’s only marrying the Fengs’ daughter to improve his lifespan.”

Tang Qiu ignored the whispers around her and focused on her husband-to-be, who coughed violently in his wheelchair. At the altar, after they had said their vows, she lifted her veil and knelt in front of Jiang Shaocheng, pressing a hesitant kiss to his lips.

The marriage contract was signed. No matter his physical deformities, he was now her husband.

She wasn’t afraid of the scars that marked his face, nor was she repulsed by him being confined to a wheelchair. Every morning, she made him breakfast, attended to his needs, and thought of little else beyond her duties as a wife.

“Young Master Jiang is a cripple who can’t get it up,” her best friend argued. “When he dies, you’ll still be untouched. You should set your sights higher.”

“A sickly invalid like Jiang Shaocheng can’t give you happiness,” her ex-boyfriend insisted. “I’ll wait for you.”

But Young Master Jiang only scoffed. “I have plenty of time left to be with her.”

Later in their marriage, Jiang Shaocheng wanted to enjoy his little wife in all ways–the press of her lips against his, the brush of skin on skin; the way a husband and wife were supposed to. But Tang Qiu refused him, blushing. “No, we can’t. The doctor says you can’t exert yourself.”

Jiang Shaocheng’s desire was surging through him, a heat in his core that demanded to be satiated. He cursed, I should have gotten rid of that doctor and the wheelchair long ago.

But he yearned to make love to his little wife, and so he revealed his true identity. In the blink of an eye, the deformed cripple transformed into a powerful businessman–tall, dark, and handsome. He quieted Tang Qiu’s protests, his body positioned over hers, his arms caging her as she lay on the bed. His voice was low when he asked, “What about now?”