The Hermes Trap

Now updating again.

Male rivals competing for her, a battlefield of passion! Born evil vs. an innocent puppy

Originally titled The Necessity of Evil

A god who embodies lies and deceit sets a trap,

and the prey willingly leaps into the game.

-

In her third year studying abroad, Zhou Feiqian's family went bankrupt and cut off her funding.

To cover her exorbitant expenses, she tried nearly every legal way to earn money.

When Cheng Junyan found her, she was working as a waitress in a cafe.

The crowded, noisy streets at dusk, and Cheng Junyan's smile shone brighter than the setting sun.

"Let's make a deal." He handed her a black card. "Help me deal with your old rival."

A numb nerve stirred. She tentatively said the familiar name:

"Fu Jiaheng?"

"Yes, Fu Jiaheng."

-

Fu Jiaheng and Zhou Feiqian reunited in the second year after graduation.

Just as he remembered, she was still forceful, dazzling, and used to getting her way.

The only difference was that they had gone from rivals to allies.

Zhou Feiqian had both ambition and ability. In just a year, she helped him establish himself in a family business divided by competing factions.

In exchange for wealth and power, Fu Jiaheng gave himself to her.

He depended on her, and never tried to hide it.

Even when she was distant and aloof, always distracted when they were together, he remained intoxicated by the illusion she wove.

Fu Jiaheng thought that was simply her nature.

Until one day, he saw her walking with Cheng Junyan.

She held Cheng Junyan's arm intimately, smiling and speaking softly, like a gentle breeze.

-

Zhou Feiqian said they were just friends.

Fu Jiaheng believed her. He couldn't afford not to.

But when he rang her doorbell and saw Cheng Junyan open the door, even the usually composed man couldn't stop himself from throwing a punch.

"Stay away from Feiqian," he snarled through gritted teeth.

Cheng Junyan nonchalantly wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, then glanced back at the door, which stood ajar behind him.

Zhou Feiqian fastened her last button. Her voice held a softness Fu Jiaheng had never heard before:

"Jiaheng, you won't mind, will you?"

-

They were both wrong.

Zhou Feiqian was neither a blade nor a gentle breeze.

She was Hermes, laying traps.

She kissed their wounds, then devoured everything they had.

Standing on their bleeding wounds, she wished them many more years just like this, in the gentlest voice.

[Reading Guide]

1. The female lead goes through a period of lying low before she rises up. If you're finding it frustrating, you can start reading from Chapter 10.

2. The female lead is not a virgin, but the male leads are. She thinks like a hunter and will stop at nothing to achieve her goals.

3. No real-life inspirations. Don't project, don't feel sorry for the male leads, and don't judge the female lead.

4. Written during a manic episode. Leave your brain at the door.

[Fei's character art is by @Leng Gu Wen from Meihua Mountain, an absolute god among gods!]

[Special thanks for the cover to @Kuku Xiao Zhi, whose taste is top-notch and who totally gets me.]

After this book is finished, I'll start My Husband, Go Without Worry. Please add it to your favorites TT

"Being a widow is my destiny."

-

Yao Silin is thoroughly ordinary, except for her infamous jinxing ability:

She got attached to the second male lead in a show, and five episodes after he appeared, he was hit by a car and killed.

She got into an anime because of some background character, and the protagonist killed him with one strike.

Fine, she'd be more careful.

She switched to novels and picked out an allegedly invincible supporting character after much deliberation.

You're the one. Let's see if you're tough enough to survive!

The invincible supporting character was talked to death by the protagonist, then killed himself in shame.

That's right, none of the characters Yao Silin likes ever meet a good end.

-

Until one day, she accidentally got bound to a Widow System

System: I chose you after searching high and low. No one could be a better Host!

Yao Silin: I refuse.

System: But you can bring back all the money you earn in every world...

Yao Silin: I'm in.

The three great joys in life: getting promoted, getting rich, and your husband dying.

She's already got the dead husband taken care of. Now she just needs to get promoted and get rich, then reach the peak of her life!

Just as Yao Silin was throwing herself into the various worlds, ready to make a big splash, she suddenly realized something was off.

She was indeed a widow, but why did all the men around her want to date her?

From her dead husband's older brother to his younger brother.

In the bedroom, the dining room, even the funeral hall.

Without exception, they all expressed their feelings for her, some forcefully, others tenderly.

Yao Silin closed her eyes in despair.

What was wrong with these people? Did they have nothing better to do all day than date? Didn't they have money to make?

Wait. If they like her this much, surely it wouldn't hurt for them to give her a little money too?

[Reading Guide]

1. A crazy story. Don't think too hard.

2. The female lead loves money and acquires it by any means.

3. One-on-one pairings in each arc. Every male character in this story, even a dog, must be a virgin.

4. Starting in October.

Theme: Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.