The premise is loosely based on the anime "The Duke's Contractual Fiancée." Li Yan, who meets an untimely demise, unexpectedly reincarnates as the breathtaking cannon fodder in a novel. With her life on the line, she offers ingenious strategies to the big shots, exhausting all her efforts. Everyone accuses her of colluding with the powerful, using her charm to serve them, predicting she'll be scorned. But who would have thought that one day, the big shots would vie for her love, shattering everyone's expectations and crowning her as queen? She appears dignified on the surface, but internally vents, is opportunistic, strategic, yet not overly so-a modern female lead with limited schemes. Alongside a group of particularly opinionated powerful male leads, it's a story of chase and evasion (though not entirely).
Li Yan never imagined that such a scene would appear in her dreams.
Her chest felt heavy, making it difficult to move. Trying to push away, her wrists were bound by a fiery restraint, pressing tightly against her ears. She struggled to open her eyes, but it was pitch black.
"Kristina..."
Who?
As her clothes brushed against her skin, a layer of coolness faded away, instantly replaced by warmth.
The sense of imminent exposure forced Li Yan to jolt awake, struggling to see her surroundings. What met her eyes was a pair of deep, steady eyes.
Like black jade, they emitted a passionate fire from within; the lines around them were exceptionally exquisite, exuding a gentle elegance.
It was the first time she had seen such beautiful eyes, and she was stunned for a long time. It wasn't until the other's hand slid down her bare waist...
...
Who?
An urgent phone ring suddenly broke the silence, causing her to almost jump out of bed and fall to the ground in pain.
Wincing, Li Yan rubbed her sore buttocks, muttering as she reached for her phone with her other hand.
"...Dream... Ah... Hello?"
"Hello! We have a delivery for you. Would you like it delivered to your doorstep or would you prefer to pick it up yourself?"
"Ah..." Li Yan's heart raced, her voice unconsciously lowering, "Could you please deliver it to my doorstep?"
"Of course!"
Quickly getting herself together, Li Yan approached the bedside table and picked up the family photo on top. In it were her deceased parents and herself, perhaps watching her slowly improve.
Li Yan's parents had died in a car accident when she was in high school. Since then, the family had lost its source of income. Her parents' savings could barely support her through college, and with no relatives willing to take care of her, she had to fend for herself. After graduation, finding a job hadn't been easy.
She had had boyfriends before, but as soon as they held hands, she discovered they were off to visit prostitutes...
Seeing those around her getting married and having children at the urging of their parents, life seemed to be getting happier for them, but she felt increasingly out of place.
She planned to pursue further studies in academia. Her academic performance was good, and she had managed to get admitted. Now she was just waiting for the acceptance letter.
Ding dong. She got up to answer the door, and the delivery person outside caught her eye; tall and exceptionally good-looking, she couldn't even tell if they were male or female.
The person smiled at her and their voice was androgynous.
"Miss Li, your delivery."
"Thank you..."
"Please sign here."
"Okay."
After signing, the delivery person didn't rush to leave. They smiled again and asked, "Miss Li, are you satisfied with your life so far?"
Li Yan found the question strange but answered truthfully, "Um, yes, I'm quite satisfied, no complaints."
"If you had the chance to live a different life, would you take it?"
Li Yan took it as a joke, "To experience a different life? That would be a win for me."
The delivery person smiled even more happily. "I saw someone setting off fireworks outside in broad daylight, Miss Li, would you like to come out and see?"
Li Yan had no suspicion and came out to look with a face full of curiosity. Following the delivery person's gesture, she looked towards the sky in the corridor, and suddenly she was pushed down.
...
On the pristine European-style bed, covered with soft golden embroidered bedding, Li Yan rolled over a few times, feeling extremely comfortable.
"Miss, it's time to get up and wash. The Viscount and Viscountess are waiting for you! The young master has already gotten up to practice swordsmanship!"
Li Yan stopped rolling, propping herself up on the bed with a sigh. This so-called different life had turned her into a pampered young lady...
If living this kind of life required being deceived, pushed off a high building, facing death...
Then she'd rather the person who did this to her die!
Currently, her name was Kristina Miren Rex, the daughter of the Viscount of the Linton Kingdom. Her current father had become a nouveau riche who rose to nobility through wealth.
After washing up under the urging of the maids, tending to her hair, cinching her waist, and putting on intricate clothes, she headed to the dining room to eat with her family.
She had been here for three years, in her current body's age. It had to be said that Miss Kristina was a rare beauty.
Her golden cascading curls were smooth and silky, her skin as fair as cream, her features deep and elf-like, with a pair of emerald green pupils, rosy cheeks, and naturally red lips. Every time she saw herself in the mirror, she was amazed. Could such beauty really exist? She marveled at it every time.
Leaving aside other factors, just her appearance and figure were an advantage.
As she neared the dining room, she heard the slightly hurried but steady footsteps behind her.
"Sister!"
Kristina smiled and turned to look at the young man behind her, a boy who was only half a year younger than her, adopted by her parents from the church.
Yor Milen Rex.
Kristina admired her cheap brother. Yor was abandoned by his parents and others because of his white hair and blood-red pupils when he was born. But in her eyes, this little brother was very likable and cute.
As he grew older, Yor lost his round and cute features from a few years ago, his facial contours becoming more angular and handsome, even taller than her.
Believing that with time, he would definitely become a striking handsome young man.
"Yor..."
As a noble young lady, one must always pay attention to etiquette and manners, presenting oneself with dignity. Kristina slightly raised her chin and asked gently, "Are you tired from practicing swordsmanship every day?"
Yor's blood-red pupils lit up, shining like the sunrise.
"I'm not tired, but sister, have you been resting well lately?" Yor asked with concern, almost as if he were the one who had been wronged, "You've started to take over father's business recently, and even when you have rare leisure time, you still have to attend etiquette and academic classes..."
Kristina chuckled.
From the dining room came the slightly amused voice of the Viscountess, "Yor, come in and eat. Your sister is here voluntarily, not because we forced her."
Yor's little red mouth closed, immediately putting on a serious expression and entering the dining room.
Kristina followed suit.
In this world, although male dominance over females was less common, as long as women had the ability, they could also manage family businesses, go to war, and even inherit the throne.
At a young age, Kristina was authorized by her father to manage some of the family's industries and received an early education.
Of course, all of this was to change the impending fate.
"Sacred Maiden Adeline."
She had entered this book.
This book had been mentioned by her friends in the book club, but she hadn't read it herself.
Because her friend was so fond of the male protagonist in the book, she repeatedly mentioned the plot.
She could confirm her presence in the book by
Yuan Weiwei is an out-and-out arrogant person. He was once captured by the Lord God and taken to experience a different world with a fantasy background. When asked whether he wanted to be a demon king or a hero, he replied: "I hope to continue eating." As a result, he accidentally became hungry forever. Status succubus. The Lord God shouted: "Then go sleep in the human world and eat all over the Demonic Continent."
Compelled by her dad's dilemma and the looming fate of their business, Irene agreed to become Braydon's lover. To outsiders, Braydon seemed invulnerable, yet only Irene was privy to the tempestuous passions he unleashed behind closed doors. Gradually, Irene found herself tangled in the intricate emotional snare Braydon had woven, her heart craving more, only to be shattered by the revelation of his engagement. Devastated, she left and soon encountered Braydon's archrival. It was then that the formidable Braydon confronted the esteemed surgeon Dr. Mitchell, all in a fierce struggle over Irene.
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
Sophia Drake braced herself for the worst when she was forced to move across the country in the middle of her junior year. Desperate to escape her shattered home as soon as she turns eighteen, her plans are disrupted by the enigmatic and captivating Ashford twins. Sophia can't fathom the intense attraction she feels for the twins and tries to avoid them at every turn. As she's thrust into an unfamiliar world, her past demons resurface, making her question her true identity. Will Sophia flee from her past's secrets, or will she embrace her destiny and take control of her future?
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."