Rakuin no Monshou - Volume 4, Chapter 1: Dark Clouds over Apta

Themes: Black Market Trading, Global Crime Networks, Boundaries of Human Nature and Morality, The Struggle Between Truth and SurvivalStory Background:In a modern metropolis, the surface level of prosperity conceals the darkness and corruption lurking beneath. Ethan, a highly skilled detective, spends his life navigating the shadowy corners of the city, uncovering the hidden secrets buried beneath the mundane facade of everyday life. When he is drawn into what initially seems like a simple suicide case, he becomes entangled in a conspiracy involving the global black market, power struggles, and transnational crime.Main Characters:Ethan (Protagonist): A seasoned, calm, and intuitive detective who excels at finding the truth in complex cases. On the surface, he is a quiet, solitary man who prefers to avoid social interaction, but deep down, he is haunted by unresolved cases from his past. Faced with dark forces, he is both determined and full of doubt.Lila (Female Protagonist/Key Ally): Ethan's investigative partner, an intelligent and resourceful intelligence officer with a mysterious background. Her past is also shrouded in secrecy, and she seems to have an undisclosed connection to the “Black Angels” organization. She provides crucial assistance in Ethan's investigation, but her motives remain unclear, casting suspicion on her true intentions.Victor Saville (Antagonist/Main Adversary): A charismatic yet dangerous businessman, who appears to be a successful entrepreneur but is, in fact, one of the central figures of the global crime syndicate “The Black Angels.” Cold-hearted, clever, and ruthless, he controls a global black market network, overseeing arms trafficking, human trafficking, and drug smuggling. He is not only a key figure in Langley's death but also the biggest obstacle in Ethan's investigation.The Mysterious Woman (Key Character): An elusive woman who repeatedly appears during Ethan's investigation, warning him not to delve deeper into Saville and the “Black Angels” organization. Her identity is unclear, but it is evident that she holds vital secrets about Saville and his network. Her appearances leave Ethan bewildered—whether she is an enemy or his only ally remains uncertain.

In the Tranquil Sun province of the empire, there exists an unremarkable lordship known as Xue Ying Territory! This is the home of the Dong Bo clan, the clan of our hero Xue Ying!

His father, a commoner turned noble; his mother, a noble who abandoned her clan for love, and his brother, an innocent toddler. But peace cannot last forever, Xue Ying’s peaceful life is shattered, and the only way to reclaim it is through power!

- Description from novelupdates

He is a ger who came from feudal times. His greatest wish is to have a piece of land that belongs to him, marry a hard-working man and have a lovely baby. Live a simple and warm life.

He is a major general of the Federation, cold, ruthless, frightening, aloof. It’s the label given by everyone who knows him.

However, the failure of a mission made the strong and cold him encounters the delicate and gentle him. People of two extreme personalities unexpectedly get along harmoniously.

The world says,

The reason why he is cold is that he gave all his tenderness to his little husband.

Only when his little husband is around him can he become approachable.

- Description from Novelupdates

Jiang Li, the legitimate daughter of a noble house, has traveled through time, becoming an insignificant character in a domineering CEO romance, who quickly meets her demise.Confronted with the most saintly female lead and the domineering male lead of the novel, Jiang Li instantly decides to stay away from these two 'idiots', focusing instead on making her own family illustrious.What to do with her genuine brother, who plays a lovestruck second male lead and is a complete wastrel?Jiang Li ships him off to a transformational variety show where the prodigal son becomes instantly famous, eventually becoming a movie emperor;What about the illegitimate younger brother who's always acting like a goody two shoes to win favor in the family?Jiang Li leads by example as the top student, turning the faker into a model student, and paves his way from undergraduate to doctoral studies;And what of her autistic cousin who constantly locks himself away in a dark room, weeping?Jiang Li prescribes the right remedy, turning the melancholic poet into the king of songs at the Temple of Heaven, his love ballads bringing millions of young girls to tears;Thus, the once wavering and declining noble Jiang family rises under Jiang Li's management, becoming the most respected and well-mannered leading family in the capital.The first time Jiang Li meets that man, he had just finished chasing a herd of runaway cows, his face redder than the sun with high altitude flush.He extends his hand to her with a grin, introducing himself, “Hello, I am Zhao Daniu.”Jiang Li stares at his muddy hand, still emitting an unidentified smell: “......” A silent rejection, thank you.Upon their next encounter, he has transformed completely, now the distinguished and formidable heir of the Gu family, his presence as refreshing as a breeze in the moonlight, peerlessly noble.He extends his hand again: “Hello, I am Gu Yu, I hear your family is in need of a man to take charge, do you think I'm suitable?”All members of the Jiang family leap out: “No! We don't need one!”