CEO Above, Me Below - Chapter 19

Qingyun found herself having traveled back in time to ancient days, with a splitting headache. She hadn't activated any ancient survival skills!She couldn't compose poetry or engage in literary exchanges.Sewing and embroidery? No clue.Pleasing men? Even worse.Farming or doing business? Clueless.With no other options, she had to choose a profession that required none of the above skills....Years later, those who once served her, now ministers and generals, listened as Qingyun, who had ascended to the throne as the empress, said: 'You might not believe it, but I never intended to be the empress.'The ministers and generals replied, 'That's right, that's right. Everything you say is correct. It was us who forced you into this position.'

A magical 'Universal Toolbox' led Joe Ga into the arms industry.The complex and unpredictable nature of the world caused Joe Ga to gradually change his goals...“Sir, how did you end up here?”“I don't know, I just wanted to make some money at first, buy a house, marry a wife. But slowly, as more and more people appeared around me, my goals started to change.”“So what are your goals now?”“Now, I just want to retire peacefully with my guys, really!”

She is the slow-witted idiot of the Prime Minister’s Residence. Everyone bullies her. He is the most respected and unfeeling Prince, with frightening ability and absolute envy! Together, they are conferred an imperial edict of marriage.

She acts stupid and tries to decline in every way possible while he despotically escorts her into the wedding…… everyone ridicules the match, but no one knows that the “idiot” has transformed from a loser into a talent.

After the marriage, when they encounter the Empress Dowager examining the room, they act in concert with each other and pretend to be two mandarin ducks deeply in love. Afterwards, she laughs, “The performance has ended. Your highness, please return.”

He laughs softly, “Since you’ve got onto this Prince’s bed, don’t even think of getting off.”

- Description from Novelupdates

In a world torn apart by rifts that release dangerous monsters, Espers—humans imbued with powerful abilities—serve as humanity's last line of defense. But the power of an Esper comes with a price. Overuse of their abilities leads to dangerous corruption, a force that can destroy them from the inside out. This is where Guides come in: individuals with the unique ability to calm the corruption within Espers and restore their balance.Rowan Mercer, an S-class Guide, is one of the best in his field, capable of stabilizing even the most dangerous Espers. He has worked quietly behind the scenes, helping those in need, but his life takes a dramatic turn when he is called to work with Lucian Vaughn, an S-class Esper whose immense power and unstable corruption levels make him a dangerous threat to himself and others.Lucian, a tall, stoic, and enigmatic figure, has long fought against the growing corruption within him. At first, his relationship with Rowan is purely professional—Rowan as his Guide, helping him to stay in control. However, as their interactions grow more frequent, their bond deepens in ways neither expected. What started as a simple duty soon turns into a complex relationship where power, trust, and vulnerability collide.As the world around them faces escalating threats from rifts, Rowan and Lucian must navigate not only their personal challenges but also the dangerous world of Espers and Guides. Their bond will be tested as they fight together against the corrupting forces that threaten them both.In Corrupted Bonds, survival isn’t just about battling monsters from the rifts—it's about fighting the darkness within themselves and finding a way to stay connected in a world that’s constantly pulling them apart.