Lu Qianqian's protest ultimately ended in failure.
Though she was utterly unwilling in her heart, no one could defy Lu Chenyuan's authority at present.
So, under her mother Lou Mengling's coaxing, Lu Qianqian reluctantly arrived at the Spring Breeze Community Canteen.
The Spring Breeze Community Canteen was located in an old residential area of Jingzhou City, mostly inhabited by retired elderly and migrant workers.
It was one of Lu Corporation's semi-public welfare projects.
The canteen offered affordable meals with generous portions, and it was packed with people every day.
Dressed in a Chanel suit and delicate high heels, Lu Qianqian stood out starkly against the surroundings.
Frowning, she looked at the greasy tables and chairs and the crowded space with disdain, her heart filled with resistance.
"Young Miss, just stay here for now. Let me know if you need anything," said Old Wang, the driver who had brought her, cautiously, afraid the young princess of the Lu family might feel slighted.
Lu Qianqian glared at him irritably. "Got it. Just leave. Seeing you annoys me."
Old Wang shook his head helplessly and walked out of the canteen.
Standing at the entrance, Lu Qianqian hesitated, unsure whether to enter or leave.
She had lived a life of luxury since childhood—how could she ever set foot in such a place?
Making her work here was worse than torture.
Just as she wavered, a middle-aged woman in an apron approached warmly.
"You must be the Lu family’s young miss, right? Come in, come in! I’m Sister Li, the person in charge here."
Sister Li sized up Lu Qianqian, marveling inwardly.
This young miss was truly beautiful, like a celebrity on TV.
But her outfit was completely mismatched with the canteen’s atmosphere.
Though Lu Qianqian’s heart was brimming with contempt, her upbringing as a young lady from a prestigious family compelled her to force a smile.
"Hello, Sister Li," she said, then followed her inside.
Sister Li led her to the kitchen and pointed at a pile of washed vegetables.
"Young Miss, today you’ll be responsible for trimming the vegetables. Just remove the yellowed or spoiled leaves."
Lu Qianqian stared blankly at the pile of fresh greens.
She had never even touched vegetables before, let alone trimmed them.
"Sister Li, I… I don’t know how," she said awkwardly.
"It’s alright, I’ll teach you." Sister Li picked up a bunch of vegetables and demonstrated.
"See? Just pluck off the bad leaves like this."
Lu Qianqian reluctantly mimicked her, but her movements were clumsy. She struggled to clean even a single leaf properly, only managing to dirty her hands in the process.
"Oh dear, Young Miss, take your time, no need to rush," Sister Li advised, though she sighed inwardly.
This young miss truly didn’t know how to do anything.
Lu Qianqian felt wronged. She had been pampered all her life—how could she endure such hardship?
But remembering her eldest brother Lu Chenyuan’s stern warning, she dared not slack off and forced herself to continue.
As time passed, Lu Qianqian’s back ached unbearably.
She lifted her head and saw the canteen growing even more crowded, the noise grating on her nerves.
"I quit!" she suddenly threw the vegetables to the ground and snapped.
"This kind of work isn’t fit for humans!"
Sister Li was startled and quickly tried to soothe her. "Young Miss, don’t be upset. Maybe you should take a break?"
Ignoring her, Lu Qianqian turned to leave.
"No, I can’t just accept this!" she gritted her teeth, deciding to call for backup.
In her mind, her fourth brother Lu Chenjin had always doted on her, indulging her every whim.
If she acted cute and pleaded, he would surely side with her against their eldest brother’s "tyranny."
With that thought, Lu Qianqian immediately took out her phone and dialed Lu Chenjin.
The call rang for a long time before he answered, his voice weary. "Hello, Qianqian. What’s the matter?"
"Fourth Brother! Waaah…" Lu Qianqian burst into fake sobs.
"Eldest Brother is bullying me! He sent me to some rundown community canteen to do volunteer work. I don’t want to! Fourth Brother, please help me! Talk to Eldest Brother and get me out of here. I promise I’ll never make him angry again!"
There was a pause on the other end before Lu Chenjin replied hesitantly, "Qianqian… I think Eldest Brother is right."
"What?!" Lu Qianqian couldn’t believe her ears. "Fourth Brother, what are you saying? You’re siding with him against me?!"
"Qianqian, listen," Lu Chenjin sighed.
"Eldest Brother is doing this for your own good. You’ve been sheltered all your life and have no idea what the real world is like. Volunteering at the community canteen will expose you to different people and experiences. It’s good for you."
"Good for me?! I don’t want any of that! I just want to stay home, wear pretty clothes, and eat delicious desserts—what’s wrong with that?!"
Tears streamed down Lu Qianqian’s face.
"Fourth Brother, you’ve changed! You used to spoil me the most. Now you’re helping outsiders bully me? Waaah…"
"Qianqian, I’m not bullying you," Lu Chenjin said, exasperated. "I just want you to grow. Besides, I’m really busy right now and don’t have time for this."
"Busy with what? Playing with your stupid race cars?!" Lu Qianqian shrieked.
"What’s so great about racing? Hanging out with those smelly men all day—what kind of future is that?!"
Lu Chenjin’s tone turned icy. "Qianqian, respect my passion. Racing isn’t ‘stupid’—it’s the career I’m fighting for. And what I’m doing now isn’t just ‘playing’—it’s contributing to the automotive industry!"
"The automotive industry? Hahaha…" Lu Qianqian laughed through her tears.
"Fourth Brother, has Eldest Brother brainwashed you? Who do you think you are? The automotive industry? Are you an engineer now? You’re just a spoiled rich kid who only knows how to drive!"
"Enough!" Lu Chenjin finally lost his temper and roared.
"Lu Qianqian, can’t you grow up? Can’t you act mature? I don’t want to argue. That’s it!" With that, he hung up.
Lu Qianqian stood frozen, listening to the dial tone.
Tears fell uncontrollably as she sat there in shock.
She didn’t understand—why had everyone changed? Why were her once-indulgent brothers now siding with Eldest Brother?
Why did she suddenly feel so alone?
Was she… really the one in the wrong?
Could it be that she should really follow her elder brother's arrangements and do things she disliked?
Lu Qianqian's heart was filled with confusion and doubt.

uld barely embark on the path to immortality. Just as he was on the verge of death, his golden finger awakened. No matter whether it was poison, drained blood and vital energy, diminished lifespan, or any other physical debuff caused by paying a price—once midnight passed, everything would be refreshed. From then on, whenever someone asked what kind of person Chu Ran was, the answer was simple: Forbidden arts that other cultivators dared not learn? Chu Ran would learn them. Prices that even demonic cultivators dared not pay? Chu Ran would pay them. Lifespan that even righteous cultivators dared not burn? Chu Ran would burn it. All the blood essence in his body? Take it. Want both his hands and feet? He would cut them off and send them to you. You say he’s finished? He wasn’t built to sit idle. You think he’s gone mad? No—he was simply waiting for midnight. From that day onward, Chu Ran would respect neither Heaven nor Earth, bow to neither gods nor ghosts. He had only one wish: For midnight to arrive a little sooner.

't think I'm that capable, I'm just trying my best to stay alive. I've been kind all my life, never did anything bad, yet worldly suffering spared me not one bit. The human world is a nice place, but I won't come back in my next life. A kind young man, who wanted to just get by singing, but through repeated deceits and betrayals, has gone down an irredeemable path.

for mindless slaughter, this isn't for you.] My name is Ye Shu, and I'm a transmigrator. It seems I'm supposed to be the protagonist, but that feels pretty unlikely. This world has been invaded by a system. The antagonists on the other side have suddenly become pure, flawless saints. The female leads have been force-fed the so-called "original plot," making them think they've been reborn. Now, everyone thinks I'm scum. Including the old lady in my ring. And here I am, in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, braising pork. To put my situation in perspective— It's as if, the moment Xiao Yan stepped into the Monster Beast Mountain Range, the Soul Emperor already knew he would become the Flame Emperor, and Yao Lao had been turned to the enemy's side. I have nothing right now. Oh wait, that's not true. I do have a white-haired loli child-bride who's the Heavenly Dao, and her only skill is acting cute. So, tell me guys... what are my chances of making it to the end?

ions, keeping it grounded and realistic】 After quitting his job, office worker Su Yang accidentally binds with the "Enjoy Life System." As the name suggests, simply by indulging in life's pleasures, he can earn random rewards from the system—no need to spend money on beautiful women or grovel before anyone. Just enjoy, and the money follows, making it all about effortless fun. The system comes with a scanning feature, allowing him to establish a favorability bond with women rated 85 points or above. Every 20-point increase in favorability unlocks additional rewards. After suffering through over twenty years of hardship, Su Yang trembles with excitement, his dull eyes suddenly gleaming with newfound hope. "Enjoy life? How hard could that be?"