Merchant Taylors Firefly

As their lips met, the world around them melted away, leaving only the gentle caress of their kiss. It was a slow, sweet burn, like the first tender flames of a winter fire. But just as she tried to pull away, he wrapped his arms around her, drawing her close with a gentle yet insistent pressure. His hands roamed over her back, sending shivers down her spine as he slowly peeled off her singlet. The ice block she had been holding slipped from her fingers, landing with a soft thud on her breast. The cold was a shock, making her gasp and try to pull away, but he held her fast, his lips never leaving hers. As the chill seeped into her skin, she tried to squirm free, but he was relentless, his hands slipping beneath her clothes to warm her chilled flesh. His fingers brushed against her skin, sending sparks flying through her veins like fireflies on a summer night. And yet, even as she tried to push him away, she couldn't help but feel drawn to him, like a moth to a flame. His touch was a slow, sweet torture, melting her resistance like ice in the spring sun. but then someone was behind the door of the room 'sucy are you here'

Disclaimer: This novel is a cliché Suggestion: If you like (Slice Of Life) with wonderful parents and survival, this is for you. *** Like every (Isekai) protagonist, I got reincarnated after getting hit by a hyper-speed truck. That was an empty and dark life anyway, so I was already looking forward to a decent, unknown afterlife. But... the world had a unique thing in mind. In this new world, I had parents, amazing ones at that. My father was a talented mage, and my lovely mother was a sharp and cunning merchant. Ignoring all of my weirdness, they loved me unconditionally. This was the life that anyone would love. Eating and cooking delicious food, practicing archery and magic, and playing with my parents. Everything was wonderful until... those demons separated us and it left me in a ferocious forbidden forest, just to be eaten alive by beasts. But dying wasn't even a question. I will go back… to them. * The novel cover is not mine. https://discord.gg/ExYHhhv4mn Still lacking but, join if you want~! The update will be mostly 1Ch/day. I will do my best to make the reading time worth it.

In the heart of the Azure Continent lies a legendary establishment known as Origin Mall. This extraordinary store offers goods beyond imagination: a sip of its cola can instantly replenish one's vitality; its spicy snacks grant the strength to overcome powerful foes; the games it offers can accelerate cultivation progress; and its novels impart profound techniques and insights. Origin Mall boasts a vast array of offerings, catering to leisure, entertainment, dining, and training needs alike. However, there’s one rule that all visitors must remember: never cause trouble in the store. The owner, though unassuming, is unimaginably powerful.

Ein Jahrhundert nach dem Erwachen des Geist-Qi beginnt für die Welt eine neue Ära. Die Menschen sind in der Lage, das erwachte Geist-Qi der Welt zu absorbieren, was ihnen erlaubt, einen neuen Weg zu beschreiten - die Berufe des Geist-Qi! Gleichzeitig entwickeln sich auch die Pflanzen und Tiere auf dem Planeten in Richtung ihrer Abstammungslinie oder entwickeln geistige Mutationen. Lin Yuan erkennt, dass er den Feys helfen kann, sich grenzenlos weiterzuentwickeln und ihre Blutlinien ständig zu reinigen. Er beginnt mit einem kleinen Fey-Evolution-Laden im Sternennetz und steigt von dort aus auf. Lin Yuan: "Es gibt kein Problem, das ich nicht lösen kann, um die Waren zu liefern. Wenn es ein Problem gibt, dann deshalb, weil die Ware besser ist als erwartet!" Dies ist eine Geschichte, die sich nur um Haustiere dreht!

Ethan Smith ging die leere Straße entlang, die Zigarette im Mund, schüttelte den Kopf und zwang sich zu einem bitteren Lächeln. Wer hätte sich vorstellen können, dass nach drei Jahren Ehe nur noch Verrat übrig war? Er schwor sich, diese Frau bereuen zu lassen, was sie getan hatte, und versprach, allen, die gut zu ihm gewesen waren, ein gutes Leben zu ermöglichen. Ja, es war Emily Taylor, die Frau, die ihm über den Abgrund der Verzweiflung hinweggeholfen hatte, als er am tiefsten Punkt seines Lebens angelangt war. "Emily, es wird Zeit, dass ich mich um dich kümmere."

Elara Taylor was living a happy and comfortable life with her only living family member, Kaelion Taylor, her brother and anchor. But the fate was never fair to begin with, how can it let her be? On her 18th birthday, instead of a grand birthday cake and gift that her brother had promised her, she found something that toppled her world upside down, a letter left by her brother, telling her he will be going on a secret mission, as he disappeared in thin air. But that was not enough, fate played another game with her when she was given the news of her brother's death, even his body was not found. Unable to accept her brother's death, Elara took it upon herself to find Kaelion, even if he was dead, she must find his body at the very least. Accompany Elara as she, driven by her unyielding resolve to find her missing brother, ventures into a world that defiles all reason. Surrounded by a treacherous web of secrets, betrayal, and forgotten truths, with fragments of memory as her only guide, she is haunted by visions of a life she can't explain. As the lines between reality and illusion blur, she must unravel the mysteries surrounding her brother's disappearance, confront the shadows of a past she doesn't belong to, and navigate a path fraught with danger. But with every step closer to truth, the question remains-- will she find him, or lose herself entirely? Hello readers.  Before we embark on our journey to unveil the forgotten pasts, let's implement some rules. 1. Firstly, I am not a native English speaker; it is my third language. So, there will be some mistakes, or there may be more than some. Instead of criticizing me publicly, please message me in private, and I will do my utmost to revise them. 2. The story is of fantasy genre, so anything and everything is possible, meaning, we will be bending the rules of science past the limit. now, I have read some comments under many stories that say "This is not possible" or "how can this be?" My friends, fantasy is the genre that likes to go beyond science, to a world where anything is possible. Please be patient with me there. 3. If you have any queries about the story or any element of the story, I'll be happy to answer as long as it does not reveal the plot or any secret that should be revealed later. 4. This novel has two different world settings, one without any fantasy element, just like Earth. While the other one is a fantasy world with medieval settings. The main story takes place in the fantasy world but the protagonist keeps having memories that belong to the Earth-like world. 5.This strongly might have strong language not appropriate for children. There might also be scenes of violence so read it on your own accord. 6. Some chapters can be lengthy while others short depending on the scene. 7. I can only update twice or thrice a week maximum, so please be patient with me. Please enjoy the story and comment with your unique ideas. 

“Wait... Where am I and... who am i?” Just after he thought he was successfully betrayed and killed by his most favored surbodinate. Taylor finds himself on the floor of a remote alley “Don't tell me I got reincarnated?” Hutton muttered with a look of disbelief on his face. P.S; Join the novel discord server for any announcements or questions and answers sections https://discord.gg/jA3r3S2n

Li Hua's reign as the twenty-first century's deadliest assassin ended in fire and betrayal. Her own sister, Li Min, turned their elite force against her, leaving nothing but ashes where a legend once stood. In the moment of her death, Li Hua's soul tore free from its earthly bonds, hurtling across the boundaries between worlds until it anchored itself in a new vessel in a realm of ancient martial arts and mystical cultivation. Through this impossible transition, her inner space remained intact—and with it, Little Firefly, her spirit companion. Here, where qi flows like rivers and mountains bow to those who master their cultivation, Li Hua will forge herself anew. No longer content to be merely an assassin of mortal flesh, she sets her sights on ascending to immortality itself—a journey that will shake the very foundations of heaven. DEDICATION To those of us whose cultivation path always leads to immortals with questionable morals and perfect jaw lines. May your daddy issues transcend the three realms and be rewarded with an ancient being who knows exactly what he's doing. AUTHOR'S NOTE Content Warning: This story contains mature themes. Reader discretion is advised. Updates: New chapters release Sunday through Friday, with Saturday as a rest day. Story Style: This is an epic fantasy with rich world-building and complex characters, woven together with a slow-burn romance subplot. Disclaimer: While this story incorporates some historical facts, it is primarily a work of fiction presenting my unique interpretation of events.

Ethan Smith walked down the empty street, cigarette in mouth, shaking his head and forcing a bitter smile. Who could have imagined that after three years of marriage, all that remained was betrayal? He vowed to make that woman regret what she had done and promised to make everyone who had been good to him live a good life. Yes, it was Emily Taylor, the woman who had helped him out of the abyss of despair when he hit the lowest point in his lifetime. "Emily, it's time for me to take care of you."

I thought being laid off from my job was the greatest of my worries but I just had to wake up in a ship's cockpit after my space game crashed. Now I have no map, no friends and no money. But that's ok, I've started from the bottom before! With my starter ship I will scour through space as a Mercenary and maybe even start up a Mercenary Company while I'm at it! This ain't my first rodeo in space after all! Except... Apparently my crew members are weird? The guy who bumped into me yesterday was found sliced up and floating outside the space station. The girl who tried to honeytrap me was reported missing with only a finger found in an alley. And then that merchant who scammed me had his entire ship blasted into bits by unknown vessels the very next day. Some people say my crewmates were behind it but they must be mistaken, right? I only know one thing for sure... In space, no one can hear you scream... *** Notes: Any R-rated scenes will be denoted by a '*' followed by an 'R' with the number of 'R's showing how much of it is R-rated. '*R' would be around 25%, '*RR' would be about 50% and '*RRR' would most likely be the entire chapter. Also, gene splicing and cybernetics exist in this story. What does that mean? MC is a futa for one and there's going to be other futas showing up as well. You can join our discord through this link: https://discord.gg/CRrb56c

New book "Quick Transmigration Crushing Strategy: My Lord, Intensely Pampering." "Empress's Daily Face Slapping" and "Excessively Pampering the Toxic Wife: Mama Plans to Overthrow" are completed! [Apocalypse female reborn into cultivation, PK transmigrated evil secondary female character] With her parents murdered, her fiancé's betrayal, and her only brother's superpower disabled, Fang Yuxin fell from being a top wealthy beauty to a miserable cannon fodder! Only after her accidental rebirth, just before the apocalypse, did she realize that her deeply hated illegitimate younger sister was actually a transmigrator! The Jade bracelet stolen in her former life was actually a Cultivator's Spirit Mansion Space! She was determined to slap the face of the transmigrated girl with a gaming upgrade system and step on the ambitious man carrying the Dimension Trading Device! Hold on! Since when did she have such a grown son? PS: A thrilling tale of crushing trash, upgrading, and raising buns, where the heroine is neither mean nor saintly. Completed works: "Apocalypse's Cunning Merchant," "Apocalypse Foodie System," "Noble Cunning Merchant," "Cultivation of the Ultimate Femme Fatale."

I spent a frustrating night in a bar and ended up waking up half-naked in a very luxurious chamber. ---- I was Barbara, a weak omega who had always been bullied in the Moon Glazed Pack because my wolf was so weak and useless. When the moon goddess destined me to be matched with Taylor Robinson, I discovered that Taylor was having an affair with her ex-boyfriend Ennik. I spent my frustrating night getting drunk at a bar and ended up having a one-night stand with a mysterious man. I thought he was just another Alpha or Beta. But after escaping from those harsh realities, I learned that he was Timothee Hemsworth, the Lycan of the Silver Armor Forest. When Taylor and Ennik were about to bully me again, Lycan Timothee came to my rescue and realized that there was a new life he created because of the one-night stand incident 5 years ago.

Last Night of the Fireflies is set in an apocalyptic world in the United States around the year of 2029. While Kath fights to survive this cruel and destroyed world. Sashe the partner he always travels with tries to find hope in the world. In this thrilling, plot twisting, adrenaline, heart turning story anything can happen.

After dying as a retired professional, John Evigeni wakes up in a new magical world where fight and death are common occurrences. As a Merchant, he's determined to navigate this realm facing daunting challenges with unexpected allies by his side. Will he discover the path to true fulfillment or remain shackled by his past?

I turned my assassin into my maid with the power of money! Money is all-powerful! It was a world full of swords and magic; Lawrend was the son of the wealthiest merchant in town. Since the age of 7, he had been having dreams. A dream about a past life in a modern civilization where monsters are nonexistent, and humans dominate the world. Lawrend saw Iron birds, Magical bricks that display moving paintings, Thunder wielding, and many more. There was a scene in one of the dreams that made Lawrend’s heart beat fast. A row of a dozen maids bowing in front of him. Each dressed in a french maid outfit. Something awakened inside Lawrend when he had that dream. A fervent desire to have his very own Maid Harem! NOTE: READ THE AUXILIARY CHAPTER FIRST Chapter 69 is the first smut chapter. UPDATE December 2, 2021: I have provided a summary for Chapters 1 - 37 as I'm starting to rewrite them. It can be found in the Auxiliary Volume. Please give this novel another chance. I want to redeem myself as an author. UPDATE January 19, 2022: I already wrote the sequel for this novel called, "Lewd Cultivation System". The connection will be mentioned in the future, but for now, the connection isn't obvious. It can be read without prior knowledge about Combat Maid Harem. UPDATE February 11, 2022: For reasons I do not know, this book got nominated for WSA 2021, which is a huge success for this book. Basically, it means that this book is good enough but not good enough to get the gold, silver, or bronze places. UPDATE October 3, 2023: I've decided to pause this novel. I will end it when I have the time. For now, I'll go resume "Lewd Cultivation System" UPDATE January 1, 2025: This novel is now going to end soon in about 20-30 chapters. After this, I will also do the same to "Lewd Cultivation System". ===== Chapter Length: 1000 words ADDITIONAL NOTE: PLEASE READ TILL CHAPTER 40+ BEFORE DECIDING ON ANYTHING. I'M SURE YOU WON'T REGRET IT

In a post-apocalyptic future where Earth’s surface is uninhabitable, humanity has taken refuge underground. A society driven by survival and exploitation of mysterious energy stones faces challenges as a new generation of survivors, gifted with unique abilities, emerges. Tobi, a teenager living in the slums, struggles with loneliness and despair, his only solace being Friend, a talking black fox visible only to him. Tobi's life takes a drastic turn when he unwittingly aids a merchant in a dangerous smuggling operation, leading to a fateful encounter with raiders and the awakening of his latent Gift.

*EXTRACT* "Look around you, what do you see? “he asked in normal tone, not loud, not low She look around and found out that everything, objects and humans were all froze on their spot, Nothing was moving, except for these two standing at the roadside, "I don't care! I don't care if you aren't human, in fact I hate humans”, she blurted out and his eyes widened "Don't love me.... Am not human, don’t--" The rest of his words were swallowed by him, as she slams her lips on his, Fireflies, green in color surrounded them, witnessing the sight, Her name is Charlotte Bronte, a pretty, hot and Sexy actress in her twenties, known for her bossy character Being the only daughter of Clifford Bronte, the wealthiest man in Florida, she gets anything she wants at the snap of her fingers, When I say "anything", It's means anything no matter how much they cost or how rare it's is, But the Almighty Charlotte Bronte, the most popular actress in Florida, has someone she's crazy about, someone she wants to see so badly, "Who is that? “her life saver, ever since an unknown man saved her from a car accident, she’s being longing to see him What happened when her life saver wasn't a human as she has expected, would she let go of him?, What happens when she realized that she has fallen deeply in love with her life saver Who is he? Would he accept or reject her? Another thing you should be curious about is, was her accident planned or fated to happen Curious about this questions, right?

Cassian had lived his life in the most miserable way. He had scrubbed the floors and washed the clothes in the cold winter and done everything just to please his uncle’s family, but in return, they sold him to a merchant only for a pouch of coins. And the merchant decided to gift him to the king of Aetherlyn, a faraway kingdom from his small village to show his loyalty and curry favor from the king. And he was the lucky one from the group to be choosen by the king. Thus he got the position of palace servant. Cassian thought maybe his life in the palace would be different, but he was bound to be disappointed as the people in the palace were far more sinister and ruthless. Scheming ran in their blood. And can anyone tell him why his path always crossed with the notorious first prince of the kingdom? The seemingly cold prince had an unpredictable temper. And why was he always drawn to him like a moth to a light? Will Cassian be able to survive in the palace where the true faces are hidden behind masks, or will he become more entangled in their schemes and just become a mere pawn in their game?

A Love That Began and Ended in a Look Emilia is a quiet, introspective college student who finds solace in her books, her garden, and the soothing melodies of Taylor Swift. Despite her calm and careful nature, she harbors a secret longing for something more—something she doesn’t fully understand. When she locks eyes with Aiden, a charismatic and confident classmate, something inside her stirs. It’s a fleeting moment, just a single glance across a crowded campus, yet it feels as if the universe has shifted. Though their brief interaction leaves a lasting impression on Emilia, Aiden seems to carry on with his life, unaffected by the connection she felt. Emilia becomes consumed by the thought of him, finding herself torn between the fear of rejection and the overwhelming pull she feels toward him. Determined to understand what happened between them, she embarks on a journey to uncover who he is, only to discover that he is as elusive as the emotions he stirs within her. As the story unfolds, Emilia and Aiden’s paths cross again, and they begin to connect over shared interests in books, music, and movies. Their bond deepens, and Emilia finds herself drawn to him in ways she can’t explain. Yet, despite the growing closeness, there remains an undeniable distance—an emotional barrier that neither seems able to cross. In a heart-wrenching twist, the love that started with a single look ends as quickly as it began. Aiden, who has always been emotionally distant, becomes more withdrawn, leaving Emilia to grapple with the painful realization that their connection was never meant to last. What began as an intense, unspoken bond fades into the background of their lives, leaving Emilia to wonder if the fleeting moment they shared was simply a figment of her imagination, a love that existed only in her heart. A Love That Began and Ended in a Look is a poignant exploration of unrequited love, the fragility of human connection, and the bittersweet nature of fleeting moments. It delves into the complexity of emotions that arise when one person sees something in another that the other cannot—or will not—acknowledge. Through Emilia’s journey, the novel asks the question: Can love truly begin with a single glance, and can it really end without ever being fully realized?

Liam Noah’s life was stolen, his legacy tarnished, and his name cursed by the one person he once trusted most—his brother. Now, armed with a Merchant System and a second chance, he’s not going to save the world. No. This time, it’s all about revenge, power, and making his brother pay. The Merchant System grants Liam the ability to buy, sell, and trade goods, powers, and opportunities, but every advantage comes with a price. With a 10 million MSP debt, the clock is ticking, and every transaction, whether he’s selling enchanted artifacts or dealing in forbidden spells, must bring him closer to freedom—or doom. The Founding Fathers Academy of Arcane and Science is the most prestigious school in the Union Colonies, and it’s where Liam’s new story begins. It's a world of brilliant minds, dangerous rivals, hidden conspiracies, and monumental discoveries.

What exactly am i is about Kenji who were the Rightful heir of the Empire but he's too young to rule so his older brother take responsibility, it all happened when thier parents are gone so he decided to not sit on the throne cause of the pressure but suddenly thier greatest enemy we're realeased from the seal and They cant do nothing to save the city but not its residents, the siblings went to different path after that, Kenji(the MC)was the youngest of them all became lost when His older brother Haruki's teleportation fail so he went to survive on the jungle honing his skill more and went to an outskirts town to live and became an adventurer and merchant

In the world of Zephyra, where beasts, monsters, Fae, humans, and other races coexist in harmony, Velan Wyland is born, reincarnated from a stormy life on Earth. Abandoned for his deformity, he is rescued and raised by intelligent magical beasts, developing unique skills and knowledge. After an encounter with mercenaries, he is rescued and adopted by a humble merchant. As he grows older, Velan discovers his connection to magic and long-held secrets, living legends, and powers beyond his wildest imagination. On Zephyra, the human kingdoms have complex political and social relationships, and throughout his life, Velan will face challenges, political intrigue, and human greed. With his haunted past and his apprenticeship among magical beasts, Velan must forge his own path and learn if life is worth living. First novel written and I'm trying many things, if this continues it will depend on my state of mind

After the heartbreaking execution of his parents due to their lower status and their rebellion against the King of Varanasi. Sukoh Yadav a fourteen year old boy sets of to China along a merchant group to become a great General in China and to conquer his homecountry and abolish the very idea of caste.

Once a young business prodigy, Violetta’s company crumbled fast thanks to internal corruption and the greed of the more successful elites. Now, she’s a certified 31 year old dirt-poor shut-in, living her best (or worst?) life as a full-fledged otaku. With nothing but her anime merch and a shaky Wi-Fi connection, she scrapes by on streaming money, all while dodging the harsh reality outside her door. However, after an all-nighter to play Merlysian Realm, a newly released VR MMORPG, she died from her unhealthy lifestyle and passed out. [SYSTEM ERROR: 404 - ACCOUNT NOT FOUND] [Rebooting...] [Loading... [ERROR: SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. PLEASE WAIT.] ..... [SYSTEM MESSAGE] [You Have Received A Legendary Class] [User's account balance has been updated.] [Balance: UNLIMITED] [Class: Merchant] [Rank: SSS] "Huh?!" Not only was she transmigrated into Merlysian Realms, she was reborn in a struggling farmer's family that lived in poverty from a poorly developed kingdom in medieval times! The real kicker? It’s crawling with corrupt nobles, dying crops, zero trade routes, and is so tiny it could probably fit on a map as a dot labeled “Who Knows Where.” Can our otaku-turned-financial wizard save this sinking ship of a kingdom, or is she doomed to relive her bankrupt nightmares? Watch as she proves those who doubted her to be wrong and be accepted as a genius by using her knowledge from the modern world!

An orphan but strong young man lives in a small village, but because of the Black Emperor, he kills his teacher and everyone in the village dies. After he dies, he finds himself in the body of a handsome young man from a rich family, but he knows that this person is a failed scum. Liang tries to become strong for revenge and goes on a mission to kill evil spirits. He finds a handsome young man from a merchant family who goes with him and over time he becomes his friend, but he discovers that this person is the Black Emperor and wants him to become..

Mission Details: Discover the dark secret of the Abandoned Mansion in the Outskirts and survive until dawn! Failure to comply with the quest will result in the reduction of the host's lifespan by 30 years. Danny is a struggling streamer who suddenly receives weird messages from a phone he bought from a shady merchant. What makes matters worst for him is that his life is at stake if he didn't finish what was being told in the message! "Wait a minute, maybe I can use this as content for my videos? If I am being threatened to die by this, might as well earn money from it!"

Dr. Emma Taylor, a psychologist, finds herself stranded in the isolated town of Raven's Peak after a sudden power outage. As she tries to find a way out of town, she begins to experience strange and terrifying occurrences that suggest something sinister is lurking in the shadows. As Emma delves deeper into the mystery, she discovers that Raven's Peak has a dark history of supernatural events and unexplained disappearances. With each passing moment, Emma realizes that she is trapped in a desperate fight for survival against forces that defy explanation.

Don't let yourself get swept off your feet by this cowboy. The son of Billie Bob Taylor-Pereira, the most legendary cowboy of all time, and Benedito Goncalo Cruz Taylor-Pereira, the worlds richest man, Buck Danilo Taylor-Pereira is the reason heartbreak country music is written with his gorgeous dimples and panty dropping smile he will have you swooning within seconds. No one can escape his charm and his new young personal assistant is no different. What will Danilo do when everything in his head screams no but his heart roars yes. Will the cowboy follow in his fathers' footsteps or bring a new level of drama to a family known for chaos? Book Two of the 'His' series. Follow Book one, His Cowboy for the beginning of one of the most legendary relationships of all time!

When the game and the world merge, a new era descends. The previous system collapsed. Spinning the roulette of fate is a sign of advantage. The world widens, and the previous world map becomes useless. It becomes the battle of rush. The unlucky become more unlucky, the lucky ones become strong. It is not about morals but survival. It is not about you but it is about me. Yuuri was the first-ever merchant, whom the others deemed as a useless class. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Three players are in front of me. A girl who has horns and is grinning widely, an old man in white who has a solemn expression and a handsome wolf-eared beast young man who is topless. All of them have similarities, all of them is pointing their weapon at me. I look up at them with a cup of tea in my hand. The mouth part in my mask disappeared, I sip the tea that is in my hand. "It is delicious!" When I put the cup of tea down, I sighed and then said in a tone not a bit impatient. "Y'all should sit down, it is better to talk with peace. Why use violence when we can solve it in thru talking?" The three sit down, their eyes are lifeless. There's no resemblance between the previous one and the current one. "Shall we talk?" "Yes!" they answered my question monotonously. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ This is my second book, as of now I am still finding my genre. I am also somewhat lacking in English, it is not my mother tongue so I'll have grammatical errors.

In his past life, Altair rose from a humble, impoverished background to become a powerful leader and innovator in the caravan business. However, his success came at a steep price, his life. Betrayal was rampant in his previous world, and it ultimately led to his downfall. Now reborn into the same humble circumstances, this time as a member of a struggling merchant family, Altair is determined to rewrite his fate. Armed with the knowledge and intelligence from his past life, he aims to finish the journey he was unable to complete before. With his new Inventor System, Altair is ready to create groundbreaking inventions that will change his world forever. This time, he won’t let himself be undone so easily.