Who Is Krillin'S Wife

Everyone said Su Xiaofeng from Lihua Village was lucky, despite having two kids to drag around, she still married a big shot from the Imperial Capital, making everyone green with envy. But the truth was this: In the 21st century, Su Xiaofeng, a leftover woman who started her own business, died unexpectedly while pregnant and was reborn into the body of a village girl from the 1990s. Right after arriving, she discovered the shocking news that she was pregnant. Touching her chin and then excitedly patting her stomach, Su Xiaofeng said, "It's like finding what you've been searching for without any effort at all." To ensure that after the baby's birth, she could do whatever she wanted, Su Xiaofeng rolled up her sleeves and got to work, and by accident, she obtained a Spiritual Mirror, renowned for its wealth and beauty. From then on, she went further and further down the path of stepping over Lianhua, tearing apart local thugs, torturing her unkind mother, and beating up big shots... wait, no, on the path to getting rich. Only, her twins were beginning to look more and more like a certain big shot from the Imperial Capital. This story is fictional; rigorists beware!

[extreme pampering] In a massacre, she lost her brother, but she herself survived. To find the guilty party, she approached him, pretending to be his fiancée. Accidentally, her identity was exposed. "Look, I'm sorry. I'm the fake one," she admitted in a cold tone. "It's alright," he smiled and said, "I'll make you my real wife." From then on, she transformed from a destitute heiress into his pampered wife. He helped her seek revenge and allowed her to live a prosperous life... And one day, his subordinate reported to him, "Sir, madam has disappeared!" He thought, how dare you leave me? When she was caught by him, she mischievously smiled and said, "Hey, maybe you've mistaken me for someone else..." But in the end, she was still kept by him, and she would never escape from his world.

After a surprise call about divorce, she finds herself in a whirlwind of emotions with her estranged husband. Caught between her father's illness and the her husband's family's expectations, she faced a decision to part ways with her aloof husband. ~~~~~ Three years of marriage, her husband never came home. But she's happy with it - because she secretly worked as his private chef. During the day, she receives a high monthly salary from him, manipulated and at his beck and call. At night, she's his little wife alone in an empty room every night, enjoying his luxurious seaside villa. Brimming with money and leisure yet her husband never came home, she was extremely content with her life. Until he caught her and pushed her against the bed, "Mrs, you've had your fun, isn't it my turn now?"

[As escaped bride x a cold and domineering CEO husband] This was a risk that came at the cost of sincerity. What would you do if your husband did not love you and hid secrets from you? "Get out!" A deep and cold voice suddenly exploded in her ears, sounding especially unhappy. “Get lost!” That person's voice was cold and sinister. In the few years they spent time together, all he ever said to her was to harshly chase her away as if she were something dirty. On the other hand, she chose to continue throwing herself into his arms because other than love, there were more important things awaiting her. She wanted to establish a horizon she could call her own. Five years later, Aria Grant returned to the country to investigate the truth behind her sister's death. She even brought back the precious daughter born of him and her. After returning to the country, she found out that her elder sister's death was closely related to George Flack. To find out the truth behind her sister's death, what kind of entanglement would occur between the two? How would they choose between love and hate?

After a series of unusual events, Dion witnesses the apocalypse all alone. With suspicion budding in his heart, he gains new companions while battling the apocalypse daily for survival. But Dion doesn't want to just survive, he wants to live, to enjoy the little things in life while being happy. But to do that, he must figure out the root cause of this apocalypse... and end it. This is both a journey of of self discovery, relationships and responsibilities, and through it all, Dion must survive while choosing who does so with him.

On the first day of their divorce, he said, "She'll be back before midnight." The second day, "She'll be back in three days. It's just one of her stunt to make me mad". The third day, "She cannot do without me so she'll be back in seven days." On the seventh day, "She'll definitely come back within two weeks." After a whole month... "Boss she's really doing it, she's kissed a stranger at the gala." "Catch her and bring her home." . . In her past life she was the good and enduring wife, in this life she became his little devious sin. A pain in the ass and his little ass kicker. "No one dared treat Mr Hamilton the way she did, do you think he would forgive her?" . . Harlow Blackwood was accused and wrongfully killed in her past life by her family and husbands family. But fate had other plans for her. When she returned, Harlow swore to take revenge on the people who killed her children and ended her life. But there was something else in this life. The husband who joined her enemies to attack her in her previous life turned out to dot on her more than ever before. In her past life Harlow was a mighty cook and would prepare food for the entire family, she turned into their slave to please them, yet no one liked her. But in this life... "I am useless hubby, I can't cook, clean, have kids or take care of you... Her hubby smiled. "None of those matters. I can cook, clean, take good care of you, and most importantly, give you children. How many are you willing to have?" In her current life, her husband has a huge secret too, what could that be? . . For more info on the book follow me on Instagram @Sspears and Facebook @kourtneysspears.

"Shying away from your wifely duties, little wife?" He questioned in a husky voice, lowering his face to hers. Ariel quickly turned her head away, "No, Mr. Chaz, you're misunderstanding me again," She voiced quietly. Aiden scoffed, not believing her. He looked down at his chest and found her slim hand still placed against it. "You're quite corny, Ariel. Saying you don't want me, yet you're hands are all over me," Aiden whispered in her ear. *** After overhearing her father and stepmother planning how they were going to marry her off in place of her Stepsister to the unsuccessful son of their debtor. That night, Ariel plans her run away, but that same night, Ariel mysteriously gets kidnapped. Waking up to discover she'd been kidnapped by the same people she was trying to run away from made her life seem like it had hit rock bottom. Now, she was going to be forced into a marriage with a man she didn't know and didn't love. But, would everything remain the same for her when she discovers that her new husband was the richest Billionaire in the country? Chaz Aiden was a successful billionaire with billions of businesses all over the world and zero interest in women, especially after his mother had divorced his father for a richer man. When his grandmother asked him to do him a favor by marrying the Hudson family's daughter, he knew it was for the sake of greed. He swore to make his new wife's life a living hell, making sure he reminded her that she would always be an object he purchased, contracted and never to be loved.

Athena, Earth’s most glamorous lone assassin and the seal bearer of the Death Goddess, met her end on her final mission. She succeeded in eliminating the world’s most powerful Mafia leader with her bare hands, but it came at the ultimate cost, her life. Or so she thought. Instead of the eternal rest she expected, Athena’s soul transmigrated into the body of Athena Demerin, a rising celebrity in the Interstellar Era of the Andromeda Galaxy. As the cherished granddaughter of the Northern Duke on planet Asenus, the original Athena had strived to carve out her own path to stardom without leaning on her family’s immense power. But ambition came with a heavy price. She died from exhaustion… or so the official story claimed. The truth? Someone orchestrated her death. Now, the new Athena has inherited not only this body but its unresolved mysteries. Determined to unravel the secrets behind the original Athena's death and fulfill her dreams, she must also navigate a world of fame, family legacies, and interstellar intrigue. But life throws her another curveball, a marriage to Major General Mors Jericho, the galaxy’s most brilliant young warrior. Revered by millions, he is admired for his strength, intelligence, and commanding presence. Yet beneath the surface of this union lies a web of secrets that could shift the balance of power across the galaxy. As she uncovers the truth behind the forces conspiring against her, Athena must confront her own feelings about Mors. Can a marriage built on duty transform into love? Or will her husband turn out to be her greatest adversary? Will she follow her heart, carve her own destiny, or succumb to the shadows of her past?

As a kid, Grandma's stories were all about a lovesick maid and a prince, thwarted by a villain who never quit. But here I am, waking up in a princess gown that weighs a ton, with flaming red hair and eyes like bling-bling. Seriously, universe? Turns out, I'm Meredia Seraphine Valtoria, the forgettable princess of Dukedom Saltorra. The punchline? I'm already dead in this story, a ghostly cameo before it even starts! Thanks, fate. But no more Miss Nice Princess. Royalty? Nah. Impending doom? Not my scene. With the finesse of a startled squirrel, I'm hightailing it-from that pesky villain and this ridiculous plotline.

"If given the chance, she would do everything in her power to never associate with those who destroyed her life and drove her to the brink of death. She would live a peaceful life and achieve her dreams," were her words before she succumbed to the darkness, embracing her demise. ***** Eveline Miller, a simple, kind, and loving girl, loved Gabriel Winston, her childhood sweetheart, all her life. However, all he did in return was hate her. One fateful night, she ended up finding herself sleeping next to him and he ended up declaring her a lair who took advantage of his intoxicated state. Though married for three years, Eveline tried her best to prove her innocence and pave her way to his heart, only to learn that her husband was having a secret affair. The days she decided to confront him was the day she was push to death by none other than her best friend, Tiffany. It was then she realized the woman her husband was cheating her with was her so called friend. But what next? The moment she thought her life was over, she woke up in the time when she wasn't married and from that moment on, she swore to make her life worth it and ignore those who didn't deserve her love. But wait, why is Gabriel suddenly being interested in her when he didn't even blink the time she was pushed to death. Come and join me in the journey of Eveline and Gabriel and enjoy the twist and turn they face along. PS: The photo cover doesn't belong to me. Credit to the respected owner.

[If you are looking for a slow romance, you can give it a check if not, you'll be disappointed] Aera, a young 28-year-old was about to make her dream debut by opening her own floral shop that could be shipped in and around. Nevertheless, things didn't go as she planned. One would say that transmigrating to a book sound like a fantasy, however to Aera, it became a nightmare when she woke up in an unknown world even when she hasn't died yet. With an unexpected turnout, her life was hanging by a thin thread. Aera was presented with an option-either she goes back to her world with her memory erased or enter the other world, and comes back with the memory intact to have her revenge. Never did she expect of choosing the worst villain of all. A character in a book where she killed the Empress and her unborn child. Worst, the male lead was reborn time after time with his memory intact. His grudge still hung on torturing the villainess. Even more worst, the ML was a split image of her long-time crush. ----- "Do you hate me that much?" As soon as the question was raised, a table lamp flew past through the said person, smashing against the wall behind him. "More than enough to kill you right now." The female figure responded with nothing but hatred and disgust in her tone. Her jewel eyes that glow under the dark never left her gaze on the other male person who was sitting on her opposite. ----- The male lead wasn't the only one Aera had to put a guard on but even other characters when one after the other began to make an appearance. The more the flow gets out of the plot the more twisted it gets. Her only goal was to survive so she could go back home.  P.S:- English is not my first language and I am weak in grammar. I'll be happy to receive either a critics or feedback or comments...^-^ Please do give it a read till chapter 3 or above to get the clear picture.

[Warning: R18+] "Her Greatest Revenge--Seduce him, Break his marriage, Steal his fortune, and lastly... DUMP him." ***** Sabrina Williams' life crumbles after discovering her husband's deceit and the underhanded acquisition of her family's fortune. Presumed dead after a tragic incident, Sabrina reemerges five years later with a new identity and a burning hunger for revenge. Her return sparks romantic chaos amongst the CEO's inner circle, a dazzling array of handsome bachelors vying for her attention. Sabrina Williams finds herself at the center of a romantic whirlwind with unexpected contenders– her protective best friend, a powerful Mafia Boss, and her possessive ex-husband. The stage is set for a pulsating tug-of-war—a clash of love and revenge with emotions running high. The players are all in, and the game is just getting started! ***** When her scandal with her Ex-husband spreads on the internet, bashers curse her tagging her as Shameless Mistress, Worthless Homewrecker, and Evil Slut... however several mighty bachelors unite to defend her. CEO of Top Fashion Company: "Haters go to hell! PS: to those models who antagonized my Goddess, I hereby take our brand sponsorship from them." President of the Largest Entertainment Company: "Fake news! We will take legal action for slandering my Goddess! Artists who cursed her will be banned from my company." Vice Chairman of Biggest Hotel and Resort Company: "Shut up, Bashers! Don't ever step in one of our hotels and resorts!" Domineering Mafia Boss: "Back off! Erase those malicious comments, or else my gang will hunt you down. I'll kill everyone who dares ridicule my Queen! Everyone: "..." Then a confession comment suddenly pops up amidst the chaos. FL's Best friend: "Everyone can hate you but I'll always be there for you. Sabby... I love you... I've been loving you since our childhood years... My first love... and my last." Her ex-husband can no longer stay quiet and declares to the public. Possessive Ex-husband: "She's not my mistress. She's my legal wife." FL Friend Lanny: "Legal Wife your Ass! Crazy Jerk just die!"

Lilith, once a feared and despised villainess in a post-apocalyptic world, is betrayed by her most trusted allies and killed in battle. Her soul is unexpectedly reincarnated into the life of Sophia Wells, a modern woman in a peaceful world. Sophia’s life seems perfect—she is engaged to Xander Storm, a handsome billionaire who is known for his power, wealth, and cold demeanor. But nothing about Sophia’s life is as simple as it appears. Sophia begins to experience sudden and strange flashes of memories and feelings that don’t belong to her. At first, they are subtle, but soon they become overwhelming. Sophia starts to remember that she was once Lilith, a powerful and ruthless villainess who left destruction in her wake. These memories begin to disrupt her life, especially as she navigates the challenges of her new identity as the fiancée of one of the wealthiest men in the world. The real shock comes when Sebastian Hayes, Sophia’s ex-lover, reappears. Their past is complicated, and one huge revelation sends Sophia’s life into chaos: she is the mother of Sebastian’s child. The child was a secret that Sophia never knew she had, and suddenly she must juggle the role of a mother with her engagement to Xander, as well as her growing emotional conflict with Sebastian. Sophia begins to understand that her reincarnation was no accident. Someone, or something, seems to be pulling strings in the background. She struggles to balance her love for both men, her maternal instincts for her child, and the powerful and dangerous emotions she still carries from her past life as Lilith. As she becomes more attuned to her powers and her past life’s influence, Sophia must face the fact that she can’t run away from her past forever. Eventually, she will have to decide which future she wants: one with the cold, controlling billionaire Xander, or one with Sebastian, who holds the key to her secret past.

MMA player is my wife i can't believe my partner (wife) is MMA Player

[Interstellar+Spiritual Power+Pure Romance+Marriage First, Love After+Livestreaming+Gourmet Food+Disguises] Reborn overnight, Qu Tong cried to death; her vast wealth was gone, and she even ended up owing a billion in taxes. Stuck with a cheap husband her cousin didn't want who can't have children? Rarely comes home? And throws in an entire planet to boot? Qu Tong wondered if there could be such good fortune? She carefully guarded her full fertility value, perfunctorily yet sincerely playing the role of a big shot's dainty wife. She grew energy fruits and vegetables, fed them on schedule, and incidentally improved the food for the entire squad by taking care of their home. The Insect Clan attacked, His Highness was injured, ditching class to visit, pah! To check in. His Highness was too aloof; unable to charm him after a long time, she went online searching for strategies and even inquired about how to reasonably inherit all of her husband's wealth in the case of divorce. The next day, Si Yuting glanced at the top search trends, then looked at his guilt-ridden dainty wife and laughed, "That's difficult, considering I'm just divorced, not dead." Well-behaved and clever in front of others, behind their backs she did nothing of the sort. When her shop was reported, she cursed everyone who dissed her in the comment section one by one and blocked them all, leaving the netizens stunned: "Who taught her to curse like that?!!" In the academy competition, the enemy lacked honor, ganging up to bully the weak; Qu Tong pulled out a potion, directly turned the tables, and kicked them all out of the competition—no one can play me for a fool. When encountering a Star Thief, Qu Tong reassured everyone, "Don't panic, I'll go reason with them." Then she single-handedly drove her mecha, cornering the Star Thief: "This is a robbery, hand over everything valuable." ... One day. Qu Tong, holding her medical report, asked, "If I say I can reproduce asexually, would you believe me?" "Guess."

Renessa finally returns to her home after eleven years, only to find that things have changed. Her father had remarried a woman who seemed to hate her to death. Her stepsister, who looks like an angel, occupies her room and successfully snatches Renessa's position as the best child in her father's heart. No, she was never the best daughter in her father's heart. Her father never wanted her and hated her. Even the man's hatred for Renessa sometimes made Renessa question her true identity. But behind it all, the reason for Renessa's return was to find out the whereabouts of her mother's grave which only her father knew. Her father seemed to have prepared everything to throw her and the memory of her late mother out of the house. But don’t call her Renessa If she doesn't come home with a secret weapon in her hand. She has full rights to all of her mother's wealth which made her existence like a stubborn stain amid her father's harmonious family.

In the quiet town of Westford , life seems idyllic—until a brutal murder shatters the peace. The body of a prominent businessman is discovered at his lavish estate, sparking a frenzy of fear and suspicion. Detective Jack Russo, a sharp and tenacious investigator, is assigned to the case. But as Jack digs deeper, he uncovers a web of secrets, lies, and betrayals that link the victim to nearly everyone in town. From the charming mayor with a hidden agenda to the enigmatic stranger who just moved in, no one is above suspicion. As tensions rise and trust erodes, the town’s residents are forced to confront their own dark pasts. For Jack, the investigation becomes a personal obsession as he battles his own demons and races against time to uncover the truth. In a game of cat and mouse, where every clue leads to another mystery and every ally could be the killer, Jack must ask himself: how far will i need to go to catch the culprit? "Who Is the Killer?" is a gripping mystery novel that explores the fragile bonds of trust and the shadows people hide behind when no one is watching. Can the truth ever truly set you free—or is it the most dangerous weapon of all?

[Book One of the Regal Family Series] Hou Wei Yan had recently returned from States and the first thing she ever did was to work hard on the new hospital she was assigned. When she finally got a day off to return to her household, much to her horror, she was sold off by her father to a wealthy man comparable to that of an emperor. In an instant, she was dragged by his men to sign their marriage contract. She had long accepted that such a tragedy would come, but she never thought she would have a weird husband! He was set on not showing his face and yet pampering her to no end!

A group of unsuspecting students is caught in a deadly contest where lives are at stake and time is running out. They must uncover the truth behind the sinister "Cinderella's Palace." As rain pours and thunder roars, Yuki finds herself in a Jinro Game reminiscent of a Japanese drama she watched. The villagers need to identify the wolves to save themselves, but in this game, distinguishing between the fake and real wolves is crucial for her survival. What if she draws the wolf card?

Si Elyssa, nagmahal at nasaktan sa maling tao. Sa muling pagbubukas ba ng kanyang puso, maling tao na naman kaya ang iibigin niya? Si Alyjah, nasaktan sa kinahinatnan ng kanyang ina. Poot at galit ang itinanim niya sa kanyang puso. Mababago kaya ito ng isang wagas na pagmamahal? Si Lauro, nagmahal kahit pamilyado. Gustong balikan ang babaeng sa kanya'y bumuo. Lahat sila ay pag-uugnayin ng isang kasal. Ngunit may mas malalim pa palang ugnayan ang unti-unting mabububungkal. Sanga-sangang pag-ibig. Sanga-sangang problema. Anong magiging bukas nila? Kaya ba nilang magpaubaya at magmahal nang buo, kung nababalot sila ng misteryo at sikreto? Sino ang magtatamo ng kaligayahan? Sino ang malulugmok sa kalungkutan? Mapapalaya kaya sila ng isang wagas na pagmamahalan?

Selene, a girl haunted by a cruel stepmother and the memory of her mother, found herself caught in a royal web of obligation. A decree from the king demanded a marriage of convenience—a forced union with Prince Damon, rumored to be the devil himself. Her stepmother, driven by her own wicked ambitions, shoved Selene into this treacherous arrangement, forcing her to stand in for the step-mother’s daughter, Merceline. Damon, the brooding second prince of Beville, was under pressure from his family to marry. He'd always kept a distance, but when he met Selene, with her startlingly vibrant green eyes, something shifted within him. There was a spark, a connection he couldn't ignore. This wasn't just a political alliance; it felt... different. "Selene, look at me. It's not what you think," Damon urged, his voice low and husky. "Stop," Selene whispered, backing away, her heart hammering against her ribs. "I don't want to hear anything." Damon's touch, though gentle at first, lingered on her skin. He wanted to reach into the turmoil he saw in her eyes, to unravel the secrets she held within. "I love you, Selene, my sweet wife," he murmured, his voice laced with a desperate plea. "I can't hide it anymore." Selene, caught in a whirlwind of feelings, found herself drawn to Damon's intensity. He was everything she'd never dared to hope for. But deep down, a fear of the unknown lurked within her. "Answer me, wife," he pressed. "I... I don't know what to say," she stammered, her breath catching in her throat. "I didn't hear that," he said, a hint of steel in his tone. "Repeat yourself." His touch tightened. He pinched her chin, and a flicker of pain laced her confusion, but he quickly followed that with a tender kiss on her chin, smoothing away any sign of distress. "Give me time to sort out my feelings before I confess to you," Selene whispered, her voice barely audible. Her heart pounded. "Good," Damon murmured, and then, with no warning, his lips met hers. Their encounter was just the beginning of a dangerous game. Their forced marriage hid a passion that burned hotter than any decree, and one question hung heavy in the air: could their hearts find a way through the politics and deceit, or would the rumors of the devil prince become a chilling reality?

[Mature Content.] “Afraid? Oh, dear, I can burn the world and no one will blame me as long as I have my husband’s money in my pocket.” — Irene Russell’s hard work for years was turned into junk when her boyfriend stole her work and gave it to her wicked step-sister. The public immediately recognizes her step-sister as a genius, while Irene must bear huge losses. Her boyfriend dumped her and declared he had been cheating on Irene’s step-sister since the beginning. After drowning herself in bottles of red wine, a piece of cake suddenly fell from heaven. Her boyfriend’s boss suddenly asked her to marry him to clean his name from a nasty scandal. Desperate to earn money, Irene accepted his offer. However, after she read their marriage contract, she realized every point in the contract was intended to spoil her to the root. — “You’re the perfect candidate to be my future wife.” Irene, “A woman like me can give you a headache, Mr. Delacroix.” “Oh, it’s such a coincidence,” Sebastian told her with playful intonation. “I like troubles.” — With the help of Sebastian Delacroix’s money, Irene could climb the ladder of success. At the end of the day, would her ex-boyfriend and her step-sister cry the blood of tears after betraying her? — Contact me Instagram: @zenanicher

R- rated content ( no rape and abuse) . Selene look at me . It's not what you think it is l was just helping............ stop stop . Selene shouted to stup Damon from talking. I do not want to hear anything that you have to say . Damon watched as his wife strode away from him without listening to his explanation. l love you Selene my sweet wife.Damon said gently caressing Selene's chin while moving to cheeks . He wanted to make sure that his wife what she meant in his . He could not hide his feelings anymore. He had to let it out. Selene got lost in the feel of his fingers on her skin. Answer me wife. I do not know what to say . Selene could not say anything because she never expected him to say something so deep like that .How could she say no to him . I didn't hear that. Repeat your self . He pinched her chin hard and she flinched but he kissed her chin as if to soothe the pain. Can you give me more time to sort out my feelings before l confess to you . Selene said in small voice . She was feeling hot everywhere. Her heart was beating very hard against her chest Good. ... was all Damon said before he covered her lips with his.............. Selene Davids ___ a girl whose mother died when she was young living her in the care of her step mother who mistreats her. A decree from the king is sent requesting a marriage of convenience with his daughter Merceline Davids to the second prince who is rumored to be the devil prince . She is forced by her step mother to marry in place of her step mother Merceline. Damon O'berian, the second prince of Beville kingdom rumored to be the devil prince . His family has been asking him to get married and when he finally accepts the marriage alliance set by his brother to one of the daughters of the court officials. He meets a beautiful woman with the greenest eyes he has ever seen just like his.

The Fox Demon Bride i walk up and i see my wife tale on her butt....

New book 【After I picked up a kid, I became an Elder of the mountains and rivers】is now available! Nanzhi only thought she had traveled into a novel about raising a child. Relying on her many years of "Wilderness Survival" watching experience, she hunts rabbits up the mountain for grilling every day, gropes for fish in the river to make soup, and diligently raises the child. Just when she thought her life was finally looking up and she could have her "second spring", the "husband" who was rumored to have died hundreds of times suddenly appeared. Wait a second! She seems to have ended up in a novel where the male lead is the main character! Nanzhi? Isn't that the cannon fodder and deposed wife? PS: Not a web novel about farming, the female lead doesn't have a golden finger space system. Just turned eighteen and got into university, not a novel about a powerful female protagonist.

God is a being, not just some kind of force controlling the universe, or just an idea in the head. I believe you have known someone/something greater than you, God, but God has not seen anything or anyone greater than Him, 'cause He's the greatest.

It is said that first love is always incomplete. Yes, there are witnesses to the truth of this in every corner of the world. But those who died for their love, left their names recorded in an immortal book. "Perhaps even today Dezze has not been able to forget Jesse. She must be missing her. Even after being so close, Dezze must be bearing the pain of losing Jesse and most importantly, she must be living with that pain even today. Has Dezze really accepted defeat? Has Dezze never tried to find Jesse?" I am writing this novel for the second time with all these questions. Some of the abusive and violent scene portrayed in this novel are not really encouraged.