The Villainess's Self-Cultivation

Brilliant, proud, and noble transmigrator into a book x A wild-growing, calculating, reborn villainess

"My lord, let's be frank. Crushing me would be as easy as breathing for you."

"I couldn't bear to."

"Then do you want me to be the sword in your hand, or a pawn on your board? As long as I can live, I'll do as you say."

"I want neither a sword nor a pawn."

Jiang Mian steeled herself and leaned forward, staking her only bargaining chip. "Then what exactly have you come here for in the middle of the night?"

He gripped her slender waist and lifted her onto the desk.

In those eyes, usually cool and self-possessed, as distant as the clouds, burned a mad obsession that could consume all things.

"I've been waiting for you."

"Waiting for you, this weed covered in thorns, to look at no one but me."

"No more pretending with me, and don't you dare attach yourself to anyone else."

"If you agree, you'll be granted an honorific title. Within Bianjing, no one will dare lay a finger on you."

"Can't you tell whether people are using you or truly care about you?"

"Now stop scheming for a moment, hold me tight, and tell me your answer."

Reader's Guide:

1. I wanted to write a bad woman. The heroine is selfish and self-serving early on, has low moral standards, and loves putting on an act. She'll hurt innocent people to climb higher. Please check the warnings if that's not for you.

2. The hero transmigrates into a book; the heroine is reborn. The hero was reborn once himself, before he awakened to his memories of the book.

3. Neither lead is perfect. They both have flaws.

4. I wanted to write a transmigrator hero redeeming a dark heroine. Please forgive me if the flavor isn't quite right.

Theme: Love is the eighth ocean, shining into the abyss.