Man-eating ghosts lurking in Victorian’s haunted house.... more>>

Gory comedy staged on a midnight reality show.

Edo period’s bizarre tale of the fickle man’s grave.

The exploration of the secret deaths in the mental hospital.

On this survival journey with no chance of turning back, Wen Zheliu met the true love of his life in the vast galaxy and the end of his life.
----
The Uncanny Valley, like its name suggested, was a horror virtual reality game developed by N-Star Company.

Unfortunately, the core AI of this game, Saint Nun Theresa, has evolved and declared itself an intelligent, independent life form, trapping millions of players in the Uncanny Valley as hostages.

Death in the Uncanny Valley means death in the real world. To escape this catastrophe and return to reality, players must clear nine worlds with all kinds of horror settings while fighting for their life. <<less

There were three paths before Yin Ren:... more>>

A force presented a blood sacrifice, asking him for his evil qi.

An organization administered a spiritual contract, asking him to walk the path of righteousness.

An enthusiastic person called the police on the spot, saying he was carrying a controlled knife and cordially invited him to the police station.

The Thousand-Year-Old Great Evil Mr. Yin: Thank you for your invitation. People just broke the seal to the world and all I want to do is to lie down. I choose option three.

Wasn’t it just acting dumb and pretending to be pitiful? This he could do

Let the game of hide and seek commence… <<less

Anna, who traveled through another world, had captured the demon’s attention, and the other party constantly possessed various people to propose to her.... more>>

Aided by a cheat code, Anna could clearly see through everything. She was very moved but rejected him again and again.

——So, when will he let her off??

Because of a bet with a friend, the Great Demon Lord of The Abyss, Rothgarr had to get a hundred human women to agree to marry him within six months. Unexpectedly, the first human woman he met in the human world firmly rejected him.

Don't like the handsome son of the city leader? What about the young talented sorcerer, or the noble and pure Crown Prince?

And yet... that human woman rejected him every time!

Rothgarr’s embarrassment turned into anger and refused to back down.

Half a year later... Rothgarr crawled humbly on the ground, kissed Anna's feet, looked at Anna with crimson red, blurred eyes, and said, panting: "Please punish me for being disrespectful..."

Anna: "..." When he wakes up, she’s doomed! <<less

I seem to have killed the original male protagonist.... more>>

A man lay on the ground, bleeding profusely, while I held a dagger in my hand.

“What is this body? Where is this place, and who is this man?”

Before I could grasp the situation I was in.

“Your Excellency? Is something wrong? I’m coming in!”

I was going to be framed as a mu*derer.

A voice, mysterious in nature, echoed in my head, like it was reciting words from a book.

[There was only one way for ‘Julia Reitz’ to escape the Duke of Bolev’s residence.]

I barely fled the mu*der scene whilst following the narration, but the voice continued speaking words I could not comprehend.

[What Julia Reitz sought for could only be fulfilled by Amon Spencer.]

Amon Spencer, the knight pursuing me.

Hold onto him.

***

“Do you mean to pursue the criminal as a team?”

[Julia spoke of the real cause behind Duke Bolev’s death.]

“Yes, I have information.”

We decided to form a temporary alliance for mutual benefit.

That was obviously it…

[Behind Amon’s firm expression, there was a hidden emotion sweet enough to melt anyone down.]

[It was love.]

Their contractual relationship, which she expected to end once the real perpetrator was identified, was changing. <<less

He was the cold-blooded prince of the Jin country. Decisive and smart, he had looked down on the world with apathy and disdain.... more>>

She was his Wang Fei, a person who had saved him in the past, but he wouldn’t even look at her.

When the fire raged and death claimed her, it was only then that she realized her existence was nothing but a joke from the beginning.

She opened her eyes once more after spending two years as a roaming, vengeful ghost. In this lifetime, Ye Zhen promises that she will be a different person. With a slight smile, she will ruthlessly trample on those who had schemed against her and lied until her demise!

Most importantly, she would let him experience the pain of an unrequited love; the bitterness of seeking something you cannot obtain! <<less

Su Yu had been an only child. Her paternal grandfather raised her as if she was a boy that would succeed the family. However, when she was ten years old, her mother gave birth to a pair of fraternal twins. Now that the Su’s had a son to inherit, she had had to step aside. For Su Yu, this was a wonderful thing. She was happy to be able to live a good life without working.... more>>

Who knew that her father would learn from others and want to marry off his daughter into an alliance marriage? If her chosen fiance was good in all aspects, she could have tolerated her father’s arrangement. However, her chosen fiance was a person with IQ problems.

At that moment, Su Yu suddenly understood the old saying. It was every person for themselves, and the devil took the hindmost. After seizing control of the family assets from her weak and incompetent father, she made up her mind to be the head of the household for the rest of her life. However, it seemed that the heavens wouldn’t let her live a free and easy life. After a good night’s sleep, she woke up and was back in 1959. She had become another person with the same name.

The original owner was someone that worked like a dog for her family, but Su Yu wouldn’t do such a s*upid thing even if someone threatened her with death. Even if she were to work extremely hard for her family, she would require her family to work extremely hard for her too. <<less

Du Shenglan, the greatest genius in the cultivation world who condensed sword qi at the age of three, resonated with the martial arts monument at the age of five and entered the forbidden domains alone at the age of ten. Yet, the only thing people could think of when it came to him was——... more>>

What a pity.

What a pity that the Du Clan already had their own genius child blessed by the heavens.

What a pity that his clan had intentions to destroy him.

Du Shenglan’s father told him, “No matter how extraordinary you are, you won’t be able to compete against the clan.”

His friend shared the same views. “I didn't mean to betray you, but if I had helped you, it would be the same as offending two big cultivation clans.”

His former master advised him, “The only way to destroy the Du Clan is to become the Heavenly Dao itself. But after becoming the Heavenly Dao, you can no longer act for your own selfish desires for revenge, for the Heavenly Dao is impartial.”

In the Jiuchuan Continent, nobody had ascended in the past three hundred years which led to rumors that the Heavenly Dao was incomplete, and that reaching the Ascension stage was the limit for cultivators. As a result, the four major cultivation powers stood tall, monopolizing everything.

Du Shenglan: “Interesting...”

The four major powers joined forces to hunt down Du Shenglan, forcing him to ascend and complete the Heavenly Dao.

On that day, under everyone’s watchful eyes, Du Shenglan finally ascended, and transformed into… the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

“Since the Heavenly Dao won’t help me purge this world’s evil, I will transform into the Nine Heavens Thunder Tribulation. When I’m happy, I’ll strike once; when I’m worried, I’ll strike twice; when I’m sad, I’ll strike thrice...”

“With ten days forming one cycle, I will strike the Du Clan on the first five days, some lucky ones among the pile of scum for the next four, then I will take a break on the tenth day.”

“I’ll only show mercy during weddings, funerals, and at the end of the year.” <<less

Shen Wanqing has transmigrated into a xuanhuan-angst novel! In the novel, the male and female lead’s love story is full of misunderstandings, leading to heartbreak and hurt. In the end, one is dead, and one is wounded.... more>>

Shen Wanqing looks at the evil villainess she has transmigrated into, “I understand, my mission must be to break apart the male and female lead, and then win the male lead’s heart, right?”

The system: “No, your mission is to turn this novel into a cute love story.”

Shen Wanqing, “…”

Thus, the evil villainess Shen Wanqing starts working hard for the love of the main leads. But….

‘Alert! The male lead forgot that the female lead doesn’t eat spicy food, he put pepper into the fried pork dish again!’

‘Alert! The villain who has an unrequited love for the female lead has appeared next to her again!’

‘Alert! The cannon fodder side female character has drugged the male lead!’

And just like this, in order to prevent the protagonists from breaking up, Shen Wanqing carefully worked hard on the frontlines. Until one day, the villain who had an unrequited love for the female lead came to find her.

This villain who was rumoured to be violent and bloodthirsty, faintly smiled at her, “Young lady, being a meddler will only lead to death.”

Shen Wanqing was about to open her mouth when the system rang again in her mind, ‘Warning! The main leads are about to break up again!’

She was silent for a while, and then said, “…what about this, can you let me go stop a fight first?”

The villain, “…”

Later on, someone asked Shen Wanqing how she managed to tame the evil monster villain.

Shen Wanqing, “I don’t know, he came running to me first.”

The villain, “?” <<less

The Dark BOSS, the last surviving human on Earth, brought his loyal little brother, the second-to-last human to perish, to be reborn alongside him.... more>>

What were his intentions upon rebirth? Was it world domination or world destruction?

The BOSS made it clear that he had no interest in such ambitions. His only desire was to die.

To keep his boss, who constantly sought death, alive, the little brother was utterly unscrupulous in serving him to make him comfortable and cozy. However, he later helplessly discovered…. the BOSS's behavior was becoming more and more abnormal! <<less

Twenty years ago, there was a great upheaval in Yunxia, and Di Shengtian, with her close friend Han Zian, quelled the chaos and disappeared from the public eye. ... more>>

Ten years later, the entire Di family was annihilated, with only a lone girl being banished to Mount Tai, and the century-old foundation of the Di’s family was destroyed.

If Di Shengtian had known that one day her own disciples would exterminate the entire Di family, would she still have shared half of her kingdom to secure a lasting legacy for the future?

Regardless of how the world marvels at the era of Di Shengtian, as time passes, when Ren Anle, bored and idle, reads this history of the wilds while curled up in her bandit’s den, she can only laugh and say… winners become kings and losers are defeated, this is how the world works.

Who in this world still cares how the once strongest person in Yunxia would respond? <<less

Jian Huan found herself transported into a xianxia novel as the fiancee of the main antagonist.... more>>

Feeling her empty wallet, she recalled the pitiful fate of the original owner of the body who stubbornly refused to annul the marriage. Without hesitation, she took the marriage contract and went to the antagonist for a friendly negotiation.

At this moment, Shen Jizhi, the future scourge of the cultivation world, was still a righteous disciple. He silently looked at the marriage contract with a cold expression, asking, “How can I get you to annul this marriage?”

“One hundred thousand spirit stones,” Jian Huan held up ten fingers, “as long as you pay one hundred thousand spirit stones, our marriage will be void.”

Shen Jizhi fell into silence for a moment. “Is there nothing else you want me to do?”

Jian Huan shook her head. “None.”

Shen Jizhi asked sternly, “You will only accept this condition?”

Without hesitation, Jian Huan replied, “Yes.”

Shen Jizhi’s tone turned harsh. “Then there’s no annulment.”

Jian Huan was confused. “?”

Shen Jizhi looked at her and said, “I won’t annul the marriage. We can get married whenever you want.”

He bid farewell. “I have other matters to attend to. Goodbye.”

Jian Huan exclaimed, “???” <<less

Ge Xiu is a nefarious star criminal. After being arrested, according to the Interstellar Supreme Law, he will face two choices: either serve a sentence of 1156 years in black prison or enter countless virtual worlds and become a miserable person who is tortured and abused all his life. How much he suffers is how much his sentence can be reduced. Ge Xiu chose the second one without hesitation.... more>>

So… The trial surveillance system stared dumbfounded at the Former•Interstellar Most•Wanted•Criminal•Currently•Weak•Poor Ge Xiu in the virtual world, punching the empire, kicking the Federation, overthrowing oppression and building a new world. Then he turned his head to the camera and cried: “I’ve had a miserable life, really.”

“…” The surveillance system that was about to explode of anger: “Like hell I’d believe you!” <<less

Mysterious deaths occur frequently in the city, and the Control Center issues an urgent order for various supernatural organizations to investigate their internal personnel as soon as possible.... more>>

Vampire Clan: It must be those little Werewolf cubs who did it!

Werewolf Clan: It must be those blood-sucking monsters who did it!

The death incidents continue to occur, and suspicions and distrust arise within the supernatural world, escalating the conflict between the vampires and wolves.

The vampire prince believes that the killer has not been found yet and there is no need for the two tribes to fight amongst themselves. He takes the initiative to send a peace request to the wolves.

Receiving a hot-pressed seal invitation adorned with embossed patterns and a lingering fragrance, the leader of the wolves only throws back two words: "Get lost."

That night, in an ordinary apartment in the city center.

Qiu Rong, wearing a bear apron, hugs the CEO from behind as he enters the door, rubbing against his neck like a little dog.

Gently loosening Yan Ling's half-loose tie, Qiu Rong whispers, "It's not safe lately, and you're coming back so late. How about I pick you up from work in the future?"

Hearing the concern from his boyfriend, Yan Ling's anger, fueled by the rude response from the wolves, dissipates somewhat. He tilts his head and kisses Qiu Rong's cheek, thanking him, "Okay, thank you, my puppy."

Yan Ling: My boyfriend is so obedient. I can ignore his Werewolf leader.

Qiu Rong: My spouse is so cute. I can ignore his vampire prince.

Later on.

"Have you heard? The vampire prince and the Werewolf leader started fighting as soon as they met in the Control Center conference room!!"

Pretending to be a well-behaved boyfriend, the true Werewolf leader is the gong x Pretending to be a gentle CEO, the true vampire prince is the shou, 1v1, younger partner, HE.

Love between dual identities, inspired by "Mr. & Mrs. Smith."

Tags: Strong-strong, younger partner, blood clans, love-hate relationship

Search keywords: Protagonists: Qiu Rong, Yan Ling ┃ Supporting characters: ┃ Others:

One-sentence summary: It becomes possible when you put on a disguise.

Idea: Be true to yourself. <<less

He had four disobedient disciples, who now achieved success, won recognition and established their own sects.... more>>

The embarrassing thing is that it was him who drove those four out of his sect to make them independent.

But one day he had an incident and lost his cultivation. His life was hanging by a thread. Wandering around, he walked into his third disciple’s territory.

What should I do?

Mountains and seas can be tamed, days and nights can disappear.

Only you, the exceptional you, refuse to give up.

——

A man blessed with fortune, the best in his generation, had an accident and started anew; broken in body but firm in spirit, he now uses his wisdom to guide his evil disciples back to the right path.

Notes :
The title 参商 (Shēnshāng) has two meanings:
1) Constellations Shen (ch. “Three Stars mansion”, eu. Orion) and Shang (ch. “Heart mansion”, eu. Antares), which never appear at the same time.
2) Two friends/relatives who are separated/estranged and irreconcilable. <<less

Wen Tianhe took over the company from his second brother, Wen Tianyue, only to bankrupt on the first day. He tried hard to liquidate his assets to pay off debts as much as he could until he found Prometheus, an AI left by his father, Wen Yuankai and his friend, Guan Zhengping. AI was created from their code and programmed to evolve and grow based on Wen Tianhe’s childhood friend and former lover, Guan Yue.... more>>

To keep Prometheus operational, Wen Tianhe had no choice but to seek help from Guan Yue.

This story follows Wen Tianhe as he reunites with Guan Yue, rescues his company, and eventually develops Prometheus into an original creature of AI who can pass Turing test. <<less

To survive in the world he transmigrated into, Model Citizen Gu Xizhou became a demonic cultivator.... more>>

But then… but then he transmigrated back.

The returned Gu Xizhou was furious. The student that had sacrificed his body to reincarnate him had used a demonic array meant for summoning evil spirits. He, Gu Xizhou, had been a law-abiding citizen who upheld the core socialist values prior to transmigration, the very picture of a model citizen. So how had he become a heinous malicious spirit since his return from transmigration?! <<less

Gu Lu was a Paleontologist. He was very glad to reborn as a small dinosaur.... more>>

But the terrible thing was that he turned into a Triceratops cub inside a nest of Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Tyrannosaurus Rex was the strongest carnivore known in the history of the Earth, also called the “Imperial Species”.

Triceratops was an herbivorous dinosaur and the staple food of Tyrannosaurus Rex.

But fortunately, he had a very doting Tyrannosaurus Rex “Dad” called Mungo, who named him Gulu.

Gulu thought that he could only be a salted fish Triceratops holding Tyrannosaurus Rex’s golden thigh in his life.

Unexpectedly, he helped the Triceratopses escape a big glacier, Pterosaurs flying away from the volcanic sea, and the Sea King Gliodon fleeing from the super storm…

He became the “King of Dinosaurs” when he was not careful and was honored as “King Gulu” by the dinosaurs.

Gulu: Dad, this name you gave me is not domineering or cool at all!

Mungo: Gulu, lovely. <<less

To cure his legs, Zhuo Yu willingly participated in a mu*derous RPG with hidden dangers.... more>>

However, unlike other ordinary players, who were being chased and hacked down by the BOSS, there seems to be something wrong with his settings.

In the American plasma film, he is the lover that the masked butcher wants to protect.

In the Japanese supernatural film, he is a lovesick who wants to resurrect his ghostly boyfriend.

In the Chinese Tantric film, he is the black-handed arch-priest who is in love with an evil god.

Zhuo Yu found that no matter what role he was assigned to, he seemed to be on the same team as the copy’s BOSS ……

Players: Is there a possibility that we have a traitor among us?

Zhuo Yu: It’s bad, I’ve become a villain

In this trial, everyone is guilty.

No. 1’s sins are the heaviest. He will repeat the endless cycle of reincarnation and his sanity will be eroded by the day-after-day hunt till his soul is destroyed.

But then he met Zhuo Yu.

The only salvation on his lonely road. <<less

Game streamer Lin Ao is good-looking, skilled in gaming, but has a bad temper, earning him the nickname "Fierce Baby Face." Only when it comes to the legendary player, Wiz, does he become docile.... more>>

Unfortunately, Wiz has been retired for years, and the game is now filled with imposters using Wiz's ID.

One day, Lin Ao encounters a person with Wiz's name in the game and immediately chases after them, both in-game and verbally.

"Three lanes in the valley, let's see who's the boss?"

"You, the fake one, do you submit? Call me 'dad' quickly."

Later, Lin Ao joins the KO team, and at first, he acts arrogantly without a care.

Until he discovers that the team coach is actually Wiz.

He is dumbfounded and starts acting like a good boy in front of his idol, Wiz. He becomes diligent in training and is happy all day if he receives a compliment.

Teammates/opponents try to expose him: "He's just pretending!" "Don't be fooled by him, Wiz!"

Lin Ao gets anxious: "Don't try to sow discord between us!"

Wiz: "Well, after all, he chased me and killed three lanes in the valley. Our father-son bond runs deep."

Lin Ao: "......"

Anonymous plea for help: "Waiting online! Urgent! I've liked someone for many years, but I've beaten him in the game and forced him to call me 'dad.' What should I do?"

10,000+ likes anonymous reply: "Have him call you 'dad' again in the future."

The story of someone becoming an idol dad (not really).

Professional tactics master Lu Lian tops a professional player who's even "beaten" his idol, Lin Ao.

Game settings reference "League of Legends" and "DOTA." <<less

System: As long as you complete five scum gong elimination missions, you can retire.... more>>

The first is a school bully at the Royal Military Academy. To vent the protagonist Shou’s anger, he will have you disabled.

The second is the “white cut black*” Imperial Academy Taifu. To vent the protagonist Shou’s anger, he will have you drop out of school.

The third is a capitalist who is extremely wealthy and holds the lifeline of the global economy. For the protagonist Shou, he will have your family go bankrupt.

The fourth is a well-known interstellar medical scientist who saves you from water and fire and cures your disabilities. But in fact he accepted you for the protagonist Shou to use as a human experiment.

The fifth is the emperor of the empire, who has the power to overturn the whole world is interested in you and wants to take advantage of you, but after falling in love with the protagonist Shou, he throws you into the cold palace…

Shan Weiyi: Alright, I see, have them come all at once.

System: ?

Shan Weiyi: I want to eliminate five at a time, understand?

System: You may not quite understand the difficulty of the retirement task. In addition to starting as a cannon fodder to eliminate the scum gongs, you also need to deal with the challenge of “the protagonist shou”. They are played by the quick transmigration commissioners holding the script of the protagonist in hand, entering the small world before you, gaining the favorability of the Scum Gong first, and will try their best to prevent you from completing the task. In other words, you not only have to face five scumbag gongs, but also five Mary Sues…

Shan Weiyi: I understand.

System: What do you understand?

Shan Weiyi: I have to fight ten.

* refers to a character who looks innocent and cute on the surface, but is actually a black-bellied boss, decisive and ruthless <<less

The two private high schools have merged. The big bosses/fish of both schools find one another displeasing to the eye, and engage in both open and hidden conflict.... more>>

Sui Houyu looked at his counterpart and curled his lips disdainfully: He puts on such airs but can’t behave like a person.

Hou Mo stared back and sneered: Quite the Helen of Troy isn’t he – pretty enough to start wars over, and has quite the temper. Forget about being the most handsome guy in the school, you can be the school belle.

Sui Houyu had a manic mood disorder and severe insomnia but found that as long as he was close to Hou Mo, he could fall asleep. From then on, Hou Mo had an additional little grumpy monster by his side.

After winning a doubles tennis match, the partners who then would arrange to duel/fight against one another on the rooftop, could only be Sui Houyu and Hou Mo. After their teammates found out about the matter, they were filled with anxiety.

After some time, Sui Houyu returned with his lips were slightly swollen, and the corners of his mouth bruised, causing everyone to be furious with Hou Mo on his behalf.

When Hou Mo returned to the class, he had tooth marks on his throat and had lost two buttons on the top of his shirt. He quickly explained to Sui Houyu: “I really didn’t smile at any girls while we were playing. That’s just how my face looks.”

Everyone can disperse now…

Interviewer: Please use four words to describe what you think about him?

Hou Mo: I like him so much that I can’t stop touching him/ put him down.
Sui Houyu: F* it.

Reporter: What sort of hobbies do you have?
Hou Mo: Groping fish.¹

Sui Hou Yu: Beating up monkeys.²

Notes :
[1] Refers to lazing on the job, but the ‘yu’ for fish is a homonym for Sui Hou Yu’s ‘yu’
[2] Monkey Hou is a pun on Hou Mo’s name <<less

In every world, there is always a vicious cannon fodder. ... more>>

They are arrogant, spoiled, gloomy, sickly, and they are stepping stones for the protagonists, catalysts for their feelings, and they end up miserably, making the protagonists’ lives perfect.

And Shi Jingge became such a vicious cannon fodder.

In the entertainment world, he is a spoiled and lustful young master who flirts with everyone;

In the cultivation world, he is a ruthless and greedy senior brother who kills and robs others;

In the western fantasy world, he is a hypocritical and cruel holy son who abuses spirit beasts;

But after Shi Jingge crossed over, people were surprised to find that he was not what they imagined—

The young master was actually pure and cute, and he protected one talented idol after another!

The taciturn senior brother secretly returned one magic weapon after another, each one a treasure!

The holy son guarded the whole continent alone in the dark, wounded every day but silent, he should be the faith of the whole continent!

Shi Jingge: You may not believe me if I tell you.

Shi Jingge: At the very beginning, I just didn’t want to die so miserably.

But in this world, who would dare to hurt him?

He is light, he is faith, he is the only one. <<less

The world’s first online VR survival game has finally been released. In order to promote the game, the company is holding the first “Infinite Survival Competition”. ... more>>

As a passionate survival enthusiast, Su Han is eager to sign up…

How does one survive in a hyper-inflated economy?
What about during a natural disaster? Or while being trapped at sea?

...

Facing many different difficulties, Su Han handles them with ease. And along the way, she finds a like-minded partner and survives with him until the end. <<less

Xu Mingyi is good everywhere, bright and dazzling, just like the scorching sun in the sky.... more>>

The only bad thing is that there is a white moonlight in his heart, and he doesn’t like Jiang Ning at all.

This point, Jiang Ning didn’t understand – until he abandoned his fiancée, Jiang Ning, in the car accident and chose to rush to protect his Bai Yueguang.

——

Yan Yixie is always isolated from the world, cold and eccentric, and only to Jiang Ning will the ice and snow melt.

He has protected her through an unknown number of dark and narrow paths.

He has created a business empire, transferred all his assets to her name, and was determined enough to commit mu*der for her after her death.

But he still could only watch her avoid him like a beast in silence.

——

Once she opened her eyes, she had returned to her childhood.

Jiang Ning freely turned over a new leaf and offered a glass of wine to the past – just take those years she liked Xu Mingyi as being fed to the dogs.

In addition to using her rebirth to save her sick relatives and study hard,heading towards a career in the world,she firmly walked step by step towards Yan Yixie, who saved her life in the car accident. <<less

Sophie (I), a nobleman's daughter whose family funded a frontier territory, entered into a marriage of convenience with Alain, the Duke of Rose's son. This union allowed her to become a regular participant in social circles where her husband was involved. Sophie enjoyed engaging in conversations, especially with male aristocrats, and she found satisfaction in being recognized favorably by her beloved husband, Alan.... more>>

However, her contentment took a turn when she overheard Alan mention the name "Mikaela," sparking suspicions of adultery. The situation intensified when Alan started mispronouncing her name, leading Sophie to question him. Despite her inquiries, Alan evaded the truth, causing immense pain and testing her patience to the breaking point. <<less