Painted Scars

RED: The Color of Her Favorite tells the story of a woman battling psychological trauma, and a man reeling from his father's death. Both carry emotional scars, finding solace in each other’s pain. Their shared vulnerability leads to a deep, unexpected love, yet the weight of their pasts builds a silent wall between them. Despite living under the same roof, they grow further apart, as the trauma they carry threatens to undo the connection they once shared. RED is a poignant tale of love, vulnerability, and the struggle to heal, where emotional wounds may either bind or tear them apart.

One day, Fang Jueyu was called into the study by his parents. Fang Father: "Son, you've turned 20 this year, and it's time to tell you some things!" Fang Jueyu: "What is it? You're not going to suddenly tell me you're a wealthy man, are you?" Fang Father is surprised: "You already know?" Fang Jueyu: "What? Really? I was just saying that." Fang Father: "However, that's not the point. Today, I am going to pass on our family's heirloom that has been handed down from generation to generation to you!" From then on, Fang Jueyu's life underwent a dramatic change. What? You want to talk to me about antiques and calligraphy paintings? Do you want Wang Xizhi's calligraphy or Zheng Banqiao's paintings? Oh, right, Van Gogh even gifted my great-great-great-grandfather a painting! Why, you ask? Because it was my ancestors who funded their education! You want to talk to me about sports cars? Are you talking about Lamborghini, Ferrari, or the Bugatti Veyron? I hold shares in those companies, and I'm even the largest shareholder! What? Your family owns a mine? Sorry, but many of the gold and diamond mines in Africa are ours too!

In the realm of immortal cultivation, Lu Changsheng traversed as a peasant youth, overlooked by a celestial sect. Yet, endowed with the Multitude Progeny System, he could earn rewards by propagating his lineage, nurturing offspring. Thus, Lu Changsheng began his journey by marrying into a cultivation family, embarking on a path of intrigue, networking, and fostering descendants to expand his family's cultivation legacy. As the cycles of time passed and epochs changed, countless supreme beings in the realms of immortality, formidable figures in the demonic path, revered saints among the demon races, and peerless beauties rose and fell, fading into the river of years. Only Changsheng's family endured, immutable through the ages, perpetually existing, towering atop the path of immortality, sharing longevity with the heavens and earth, radiating brilliance akin to the sun and moon.

One moment she was time-traveling, the next, Zhang Xiaoying, a lifelong singleton, skipped right over marriage and childbirth to joyfully become an amazing old lady. She started with nothing but four walls and was gifted three sons and a daughter, each more infuriating than the last. What could she do? She rolled up her sleeves and started whipping them into shape. Not listening? A fist is the best argument, and good behavior comes from the stick’s end. As days got better, the family realized that more and more officials and noblemen were visiting the old lady, wanting to take her away for retirement! No way, it’s only right for sons to support their mother in her old age. Even the Emperor has to get in line! The Emperor: “The teacher is mine; whoever dares compete with me for the privilege of caring for her in her old age, I shall decimate their nine relatives!” Zhang Xiaoying: “Scared, so scared. This pile of pampering can go to whoever wants it; all I want to do is retire quietly.” [Strong female lead, no romantic plot] Recommended completed wen: Farming novels "The Manly Wife of the Prime Minister's House" and "The Little Evil Girl of the Farmstead," campus wen "The Nation's Goddess is Super Cool" "The Reborn Rich Girl is a Top Student" and "The Little Cutie is Somewhat Arrogant"

In the sweltering heat of a Bangkok suburb, a new semester dawned on the public university, casting a spotlight on the city's most infamous clique: The Elite and The Tops. Renowned among students from various schools and universities for their captivating visuals, impeccable style, and intriguing aura, they were the epitome of youthful glamour and sophistication. At the heart of this tangled web were three individuals bound by a shared trauma: Siriporn "Siri" Ratanawong, the stunning 19-year-old architecture student with a secret she dare not speak; Ratchanon "Chan" Chaiyaphum, the charismatic law student with a penchant for painting and a hidden past; and Sarawut "Wut" Thongkham, the brooding medicine student with a talent for art and a soul tormented by guilt. Their lives had intersected in a tragic dance five years prior, when they witnessed the brutal murder of Siri's older brother, Chaiwat. The killer, shrouded in mystery, had left an indelible mark on their psyches, a scar that still throbbed with pain. As they navigated the treacherous landscape of university life, the past began to stir, like a serpent awakening from a deep slumber. The Elite and The Tops, sworn enemies since their private secondary school days, found themselves unexpectedly reunited at the public university. The tension between them was palpable, a powder keg waiting to ignite. Little did they know, their lives were about to become inextricably entwined once more, as the unknown killer began to weave his way back into their lives, leaving behind a trail of eerie whispers and unsettling memories. The scent of jasmine and smoke lingered in the air, a haunting reminder that the past was never truly buried. As the semester unfolded, Siri, Chan, and Wut would find themselves torn between their desire for justice and their need for survival. Would they be able to confront the darkness that had haunted them for so long, or would it consume them, once and for all?

When there were strange signs in the sky, there must be demons lurking. Li Mo, who had studied antiques since he was young, had a strange change in his eyes after being struck by lightning. With a pair of divine eyes, he gained the ability to see through things and sense objects. He bought a gourd bottle for 500 yuan at a flea market and sold it for 230,000 yuan. A painting he casually bought turned out to be a genuine work by Xu Beihong, worth thirty to forty million yuan. The black double-eared bottle that came with the purchase of a set of gold jewelry turned out to be a genuine possession of the Ming imperial family. Ancient bronze ware, exquisitely crafted porcelain, calligraphy and painting with bold and vigorous strokes, and thrilling gambling stones came one after another. From then on, Li Mo's life underwent a revolutionary change. "I have divine eyes, and there are no treasures in the world that can escape my sight."

After losing everything, Daron Lamb is consumed by grief and guilt, until he's recruited by the Special Magic Force, an elite unit protecting the balance between magical and non-magical worlds. Together, they uncover a secret organization determined to free the God of Chaos, a force sealed away to protect humanity. As Daron investigates, he uncovers a chilling link between the group and his tragic past. Driven by revenge, he joins forces with his new allies to stop them. But as the truth behind the organization’s motives begins to surface, Daron is forced to confront a disturbing possibility: freeing the God of Chaos, though orchestrated by his enemies, might not bring the destruction he's been led to believe. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Daron's gaze drifted downward to his chest. Below, the stark contrast of a faint blue light against his white skin caught his eye—a soft glow emanating from his own chest. It softly pulsed, a gentle luminescence that ebbed and flowed with the rhythm of his own heartbeat. Baffled, he just sat there for a few moments, observing. As his fingers touched the source of light, he was surprised to find that everything felt normal, as if it had always been this way. It was like nothing had changed at all. Daron's eyes widened in disbelief when he noticed a strange black liquid seeping into the wounds on his chest—a substance like ink, flowing from within him. It moved with purpose, filling the gaps left by the fat butcher and stanching the flow of blood that had painted his skin red. "By the gods," he gasped, the sight both unsettling and miraculous. The black liquid quickly solidified, forming scars as black as the night sky. His eyes remained fixed on the eerie scene, his breath steadying to a normal rhythm. He was a magician now… it felt strange. He didn't feel particularly different. Sure, a mysterious substance had just mended his broken skin, but other than that, he didn't feel like he could do anything… new, anything special. He stretched out his hand, trying to summon a sharp wind to cut down his shackles. Nothing happened. Next, a flame, to burn down his cell. Nothing happened. “Figures,” he said to himself. “Why would it be easy?” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For news and feedback, feel free to join the Vessel of Shadows Discord: https://discord.gg/dmCYCKNwx7

Caleb Ardent is an ordinary teenager with a passion for painting, but his life changes forever when he begins his first term at Awakeners Academy—a school for training beast tamers tasked with protecting the world from monstrous creatures emerging from mysterious gates.

[WARNING: 18+ — NO RAPE] "I scratch and bite," Vivian warned, holding the Lycan Alpha's gaze confidently. Ronan smirked, his hand gripping her chin possessively as he forced her to look up at him. "You'll crawl and beg too," he promised. ************ Being the Clan Leader of the last remaining cursed Lycans, Ronan had long abandoned his task of finding his fated mate after years of useless searching. However, his life is disrupted when he encounters a mysterious and barely clinging-to-life alive Omega wolf, Vivian, trespassing on his land. Covered in strange Wickan magic symbols, Vivian is not just any wolf—she is his destined mate. Vivian has lived a life of rejection and suffering. Abandoned by her first mate for being unable to conceive, scorned by her family, and mistreated by her pack, Moonborn, she has endured endless humiliation. Forced by her father to mate with other Alphas in a desperate attempt to prove her worth, Vivian’s fate takes an even darker turn when she is cursed by a local coven and framed for a crime she didn’t commit. On the brink of death, she escapes into forbidden territory—Ronan’s land. A stretch of land her pack never dared to tread upon. Ronan’s mistrust only grows when he learns Vivian is from Moonborn, the pack that slaughtered his clan and remains his sworn enemy. Yet, irrespective of their dark feuding histories, he takes her in, determined to care for her and break the deadly curse inflicted upon her by Wickans and the ancient curse slowly leading him to an inevitable death. As they grow closer, secrets from both their pasts threaten to break them apart. And when Vivian’s niece arrives with a hidden agenda, matters become far more complicated. *Cover is ai made.

In the slums of Tunisia, survival isn’t just a struggle—it’s a war. Ayman knows this better than most. With no education, no connections, and a family barely scraping by, his life has been one of sacrifice and silent desperation. When a mysterious offer to become a hitman lands at his feet, it’s not just a job—it’s a lifeline. But it’s a lifeline wrapped in thorns. This isn’t the glamorous world of international assassins. Guns are scarce, and mistakes are deadly. Every hit comes with its own risks, and Ayman must navigate a landscape where every wrong move could cost him his life. Yet, it’s not the act of killing that weighs the heaviest on him—it’s the emotional scars it leaves behind. As Ayman descends into this brutal underworld, the story reveals more than just his targets. It explores the human condition, the moral lines we cross to survive, and the unexpected beauty and violence of a country often misunderstood. Tunisia’s harsh realities are painted alongside its breathtaking complexities, and Ayman’s journey is one of contradictions: love and hate, guilt and ambition, despair and hope. But as the hits grow darker, the question arises: How much of himself will Ayman lose to save the ones he loves? And when the blood dries, will there be anything left of the boy who once dreamed of a better life? This is more than a hitman’s tale—it’s a raw, unflinching look at humanity’s darkest corners. With realism at its core and emotions that cut deep, I’m Hitman is an emotional, thrilling, and deeply human story that will stay with you long after the final page.

ulian Moreau has built a life of wealth and prestige, a dazzling empire born from ambition and sacrifice. But beneath the gilded veneer lies a man tormented by expectations—his mother's relentless demand for a family and his own inability to envision a life beyond his business. The hollow luxury of his existence is shattered one fateful night when an accident nearly claims his life, and a mysterious young woman named Isabella risks everything to save him. Isabella, a selfless girl from a humble background, is thrust into Julian's world of opulence after a desperate plea from his mother, Cilla Moreau. With the promise of money that could change her family's life, Isabella agrees to marry Julian, a man she barely knows. As she steps into the grandeur of the Moreau estate, Isabella is faced with the enormity of her decision—and the daunting task of breaking through Julian's guarded heart. Bound by a sense of duty, a promise, and an unexpected act of courage, Julian and Isabella are thrown together in a world neither fully understands. Can love grow in the shadow of an arrangement built on desperation? And will Julian find the courage to confront the emptiness within him before it’s too late? "The Scars We Carry" is a poignant tale of redemption, resilience, and the transformative power of love, where two lives collide in the unlikeliest of circumstances, and fate tests the limits of their hearts..

Growing up on the streets of New Pandora after the usurption of Earth, John never expected anything good from life. He survived just to survive, no purpose in mind and no hope. However, even he did not anticipate Awakening and becoming a successor of the Gray Family - an elite family at the peak of the world wielding unimaginable power and wealth. He was born without a Gift and a curse that painted his hair black and filled his eyes with a bleak darkness. Watch as he reaches for the apex of existence and uncovers the hidden plot behind his curse. "In this sixth life, I will have it all!"

When humanity teetered on the brink of extinction at the hands of the strongest Demon King, Four Humans were chosen by the Gods to help them liberate the world from his tyranny. Yet, "the world" is no simple tale of black and white—its truths are painted in shades of grey. Betrayed by his own people, the Demon King falls, only to be reborn in a new life. Fuelled by vengeance, he seeks to reclaim his throne and punish those who wronged him. But will he ever be able to change his fate—a fate that takes everything from him, no matter how many times he tries?

In the mystical world of Mythosia, where immortals wield extraordinary powers, Hóng Xú, an orphan unable to cultivate, struggles to find his place. Hóng Xú Determined to spend the rest of his life peacefully he plans to sell books, paintings, and martial arts manuals in the Jadeleaf village. But once a great man said this "Wake up to reality! Nothing ever goes as planned in this accursed world"          -Uchiha Madara

Circumstances forced an ordinary doctor to walk into a world filled with underground mafia's and corrupted government organisations. And that same circumstances pulled her into a world filled with flying swords and mountain splitting spells.  A world were people build an entire universe as their core's.  [Augmenting with a star is success] [Aspect awakened: Limit breaker] What to expect:  It’s a LitRPG painted with Xianxia elements, so you can expect both. Flashy spells and creative flaws matching this flashiness. A magic system that follows logic—there will be no plot armour for the sake of the plot. So, you can expect realistic fights. An overpowered MC. Limit breaker, as the aspect tells, MC have no Limits. I swear again,  NO LIMITS!

“Everyone’s life is like a canvas. It is how they choose to paint them” Those words stuck with me and I try my best to paint the most beautiful painting on my canvas. Wang Chaihong has spent her entire life chasing a dream—to stand among the best in the male-dominated world of professional esports. As a female player in the China scene, she’s constantly battling more than just her opponents. Dismissive teammates, biased casters, and an unforgiving online audience test her resilience at every turn. But when one tournament match ended in controversy, Chaihong's career was in jeopardy. With her reputation in shambles and her confidence at an all-time low, she’s left with one question: can she fight her way back?

In a world ravaged by war and despair, the ultimate battle against the Demon God ended, but at an unfathomable cost. Among the countless fallen, one knight remains as a broken survivor whose body and spirit hang on the edge of death. As he gazes upon the twilight sky painted in shades of serenity and regret, his thoughts unravel a tale of loss, sacrifice, and decisions gone wrong. Once a companion to the hero destined to save the world, the knight reflects on the tragic choices that led to the deaths of his family, fiancée, and friends, all in the name of a victory that now feels hollow. His memories paint the picture of a hero whose noble intentions carried devastating consequences, and a knight who silently bore the weight of those decisions. As the final moments of his life slip away, a strange, otherworldly sound disrupts his despair. A voice calls out to him, shattering reality and giving away at a chance to rewrite the past. Will Leo Reylheart find redemption, or will his regrets haunt him in a new world where the line between hero and failure blurs once again?

"Now, listen to me" he commanded and I instantly looked up at him. "Rule number one, no screaming. No matter what I do to you, I must not hear a single noise. If I do, it would most definitely get worse" he said and my heart hammered in my chest. "Rule number two, when I tell you to do something, you do it, or else, I will whip you repeatedly and make sure you're on the brink of death but just enough to keep you alive." He said with a wicked grin on his face. "Rule number three, follow those two rules" he said and got up. Out of the blue, he whipped me again and I screamed. I had never felt that much pain in my entire life. "Tsk tsk, you're a slow one" he said and I held my breath as I awaited the next whip. He whipped me again and I managed to stifle a scream. "Good girl" he said and went back to sit on his bed. "Now, strip." He ordered and I shakily got up and began to pull my clothes off my body. ... Kieran had a regular life until a ruthless Alpha turned it all upside down. She suffers and even gets rejected. What happens when she has a better second chance mate who is protective and the ruthless Alpha who made her life hell is butting into her life again?

"Portraits of the Undying" Isabella, a talented fine art restorer, is drawn to a remote castle shrouded in secrets, where her work on ancient paintings unearths forgotten memories from a past life she doesn’t understand. The paintings, particularly one of a regal queen who seems to watch her, ignite a mysterious connection that pulls her deeper into the castle’s dark history. As Isabella uncovers the truths hidden in the walls of the castle, she encounters Viktor—a brooding, enigmatic man whose gaze hides more than he reveals. But when strange visions begin to blur the line between past and present, Isabella’s reality starts to unravel, revealing the truth about her royal lineage, a tragic love, and a bond that transcends time. Haunted by whispers and visions, Isabella must navigate her growing feelings for Viktor, the appearance of a rival named Damien, and the mysterious allure of a castle that might just be alive. But the deeper she delves, the more she questions: Who is she really, and why is the castle calling her back to its forgotten depths?

“Ted and Chloe’s journey begins with a spark, but their love story is anything but ordinary. In a world filled with scars and secrets, their bond grows into something transformative—testing their vulnerabilities, challenging their fears, and redefining what it means to truly love. Love is Evol is an emotional rollercoaster, exploring the beauty and chaos of a love that refuses to give up, even when the odds seem insurmountable.”

She's a struggling artist who never believed in love. He’s a cold-hearted billionaire, scarred by betrayal. Their worlds collide when she accidentally ruins his million-dollar painting at a gala, sparking a fiery feud. Determined to teach her a lesson, he traps her in a devil’s deal, one that binds her to him in ways she never imagined. But what starts as revenge turns into obsession. Beneath his icy exterior lies a man consumed by desire, and beneath her resistance is a woman who craves his touch. In a whirlwind of passion, power struggles, and secrets, they navigate a world where love is a luxury and obsession is dangerous. Will their fiery connection consume them both, or will it thaw his frozen heart and teach her to trust again?

Grade Three Ironclad Battle Demon Ant (extremely rare species), with a lifespan of 30.5 years, possesses special abilities (immense strength, swiftness, armor-piercing, soul-eroding poison, moderate intelligence +, possesses mid-level carapace, demonization; in a demonized state, its speed increases fivefold, attack strength tenfold, defense fivefold). Puppet Worker Ants can capture creatures of the same grade or lower. Elephant Trunk Soldier Ants can release chemical substances to attack enemies... (Main features include cultivation, breeding, insect taming, and cultivation.)

Twenty two-year-old Maryln Amber is no stranger to loss. After a tragic fire claimed her family two years ago, she has tried to rebuild her life, clinging to her tight-knit group of friends for stability. But when students at her elite Campston University begin to die under strange and violent circumstances, the fragile world Amber has constructed starts to crumble. As suspicions spread like wildfire and fear grips the campus, Amber becomes determined to uncover the truth behind the deaths. She notices an unsettling pattern—each victim was someone she had argued with or felt betrayed by in some way. The deeper she digs, the more the clues seem to implicate her closest friends, until she’s left isolated and paranoid. When the shocking reality is unveiled, Amber discovers a truth more horrifying than she could have imagined. Dark, chilling, and deeply psychological, this tale of fractured identity and buried trauma will leave readers questioning the limits of the human mind and the power of the past to shape the present.

The short story "Cost of Freedom" is a poignant exploration of the psychological scars left by war. It follows a soldier’s journey from the harrowing experiences of the battlefield, where he witnesses the brutal loss of life and grapples with the meaningless violence of war, to his post-war life as a celebrated yet broken hero. Haunted by PTSD, the protagonist struggles with memories of his actions, the lives lost, and the disconnect between his decorated status and his inner turmoil. The narrative crescendos into a tragic yet cathartic conclusion, portraying the immense personal cost of freedom and the enduring effects of trauma.

"You know what a good girl would have done? A good girl would have stayed home instead of sneaking out of her father's compound just to get a man to fuck her. A good girl wouldn't have stabbed a man like me with a pen. And most of all, a good girl wouldn't be turned on by holding a gun to a man's chest." I lean closer to her. "You're no good girl, Ivanna." "You… you're wrong." "Go on then. Come on. Pull the trigger." *** My name is Ivanna. I am the daughter of Misha Sidorov, the head of the Krasnoyarsk Bratva. I have just graduated and I’m about to go to college. My life is perfect until Sergio Sakharov comes into the picture. He is the darkness itself. He reigns over the entire Sakharov family and by extension, the Dvina River Vory Bratva. His word is law, and his desire is absolute. Everything changes in a split second when he steals me away and holds prisoner in Tyva, a bride for his only heir. But Sergio doesn’t take no for an answer. He always gets whatever he wants and against all reason, he claims me for himself instead. He thinks I’m the perfect match for his desires and he is determined to keep me close, even if I fight him at every turn. Except, I’m no helpless pawn. I’m not innocent. I have tasted his dark side, and I want more. The don himself, the man they call the Volkov of Dvina River appeals to me in the most sinful of ways. His wickedness draws me in, and when he decides that he wants me, I’m helpless. I can’t resist him, even if it means giving myself to him. He may think he has power over me and can control me every step of the way, but I’m about to show him who the real boss is.

How far would you go to feel loved? At the expense of your sanity? To be loved is to be seen, it’s no wonder the length people go to, to be loved. Xavian who is a struggling painter, falls in love with his painting. A painting of a hauntingly beautiful woman named Odessa. His world starts to spiral out of control when he starts seeing the painting as a real woman. “Why do I crave something I never had before?” Xavian finds himself bewildered by the idea of him hopelessly falling in love with a painting, a painting he himself painted.

Dr. Lena Wayes, once a confident and skilled surgeon, is now haunted by a tragic mistake that has left her drowning in guilt and doubt. Reluctantly, she begins therapy, where she meets Dr. Asher Wolfe-a psychologist with a quiet strength and his own hidden scars. What begins as cautious conversations in a quiet office slowly blossoms into a deeper connection, as each finds an unexpected comfort in the other's company.

The scar you gave and still giving my name is Aileen Quinn, my dream is to travel abroad why? because I want to get my mom out of their claws. who are they? the richest people in this city. though their house is made up of gold we give fire to refine their gold. .............................. today I had the chance to travel abroad, wow I am on the plane, the excitement that brew my heart turned into regrets. the moment I got off the plane I was robbed and left wanting by the police. ... thank goodness there is my savior "you thought I was your savior? me!!! the police here don't like me. I visit them more often than I do my books for a high school student, and they love me for my presence. that place is like my second home" indeed he wasn't joking because of him my passport was ceased they don't trust him.......... now what will I do in this foreign land This cover does not belong to me

Bettete is no ordinary girl—she's a hybrid, a rare being with DNA that makes her a target in a world divided by supernatural loyalties. Hunted and mistrusted, she’s spent her life hiding in the shadows, haunted by the fear that no one could ever understand or protect her. Until she meets Igar. Igar is everything Bettete has been taught to fear: a powerful werewolf with a past shrouded in mystery. But behind his fierce exterior is a boy who offers her the one thing she’s never dared to hope for—safety. As the walls around her heart begin to crumble, Bettete finds herself drawn to Igar, trusting and loving him in a way she’s never done to anyone before. But their fragile connection is shattered when Bettete uncovers a horrifying truth: Igar’s parents are the people that have sworn have her dead. Torn between the love she’s found and the danger she can’t escape, Bettete must decide if Igar is her greatest ally or her deadliest enemy. As secrets unravel and betrayal looms, their bond is tested in ways neither could have imagined. In a world where bloodlines dictate loyalty, can love overcome the scars of betrayal—or will their connection be the catalyst for their destruction?