Crown of Thorns - Chapter 40

“Wang Cheng, we need to practice more!”

“No, I want to guarantee eight hours of sleep every day.”

…

“Wang Cheng, it’s almost nine o’clock, and you’re late.”

“Didn’t you go to work at nine o’clock? It’s still a minute away. Where’s the punch card machine?”

…

“Wang Cheng, what variety show do you want to be on?”

“Is there a fishing variety show?”

- Description from novelbuddy

The year is 2025. A devout Christian named Arthur Bennett wins a lottery to participate in a revolutionary virtual reality experience at a high-tech company called Elysium. The program utilizes a unique VR pod to immerse users in a world based on a popular anime.As the other participants—a mix of personalities with varying degrees of anime knowledge—prepare to enter the simulation, Arthur remains the only one who has never indulged in anime. Upon entering this new world, he discovers an unsettling truth: pain is excruciatingly real, despite the creators' claims of a dampened pain response.He eventually finds himself trapped in prison, unable to log out, and demanding to be released from the program. Calls go unanswered, and the world of ninjas becomes a nightmare where hunger, thirst, hygiene, and even death are all real.Angered that he was deceived, he abandons all sense of logic and vows to become a villain no one would have ever anticipated.

[Entertainment Industry + Strong Female Lead + Refreshing Story + Hidden Identity]The Young Sect Master of the Tang Sect, Tang Shu, who was skilled in Poison Techniques and Hidden Weapons, had transmigrated and became an 18th-tier newbie, debuting as a supporting actress.After a variety show aired:Haters: “I actually think Tang Shu is kind of cute. Is there something wrong with me?”When the National Mechanical Engineering Research Institute announced: Miss Tang is our key-appointed research consultant.Haters: “What????”When an authoritative Chinese medicine expert revealed during an interview: The development of a new type of medicine owes much to Tang Shu.Haters: “Isn't this just too coincidental?”When the Porcelain Restoration Department openly stated: No one surpasses Tang Shu in the fields of porcelain restoration and calligraphy and painting.Haters: “Is this white lotus getting a bit too intoxicating?”When a Weibo big V with millions of fans accidentally revealed her face during a live broadcast...The haters all declared that their minds were blown!***Jing Yu, the favored son of heaven, had always had an iron grip and a successful career until— he met Tang Shu.Inside the cinema, after watching four or five movies in a row, he realized the person sitting next to him hadn't changed, enjoying the popcorn with great relish.Jing Yu's throat moved slightly; this woman was flirting with him.Facing each other in a coffee shop, she casually pulled out a double-sided straw and placed it in her cup.Jing Yu's eyes tinted red; this woman was definitely flirting with him!

The more ruthless the Palace is, the more miserable the loser will end up—this he understands. But what he does not understand is, why the brother whom he lived together with peacefully in the past, would so heartlessly humiliate him today. Asking him to beg for mercy, asking him to succumb to his knees, and even… asking him to tactfully entertain him. “Yong Shan, ah, Yong Shan, as of today you are the one who qualifies to succeed as a Crown Prince, what exactly is it that you want?”

For the past 16 years, Yong Qi’s gaze was never set on him. Despite being twins with his younger brother, Yong Lin, Yong Qi has always been directing his smile and laughter towards Yong Lin, and to him, Yong Qi deliberately alienates him. He does not understand, they have the same features and looks, and he obviously is his brother too, but why won’t he be intimate with him… as if he is humiliating him. “Yong Qi, ah, Yong Qi, why won’t you understand, what I want is very simple…”

- Description from Novelupdates