12 O'Clock Marionette - Chapter 54

【Time Travel + Workplace Competition + No Lazing Around + Ambitious Female Lead】Overachiever Shen Wei traveled through time and found herself as the lowest-ranking maid in the grand residence of the Yan Prince.The Yan Prince held a prestigious position, but his consorts were all content to live dull lives. The noble-born princess consort was as tranquil as a chrysanthemum; the concubine sought a life of monogamy; the reincarnated woman was utterly disillusioned with the Yan Prince and had given up on striving for anything; and the other timid concubines dared not make a move…The queen of workplace competition, Shen Wei, declared: Don’t stop me! I’m going to outwork these unambitious slackers!…The Yan Prince had grown accustomed to the stagnant atmosphere in his harem, until a particularly skilled courtesan appeared.This concubine was stunningly beautiful, adept at both literature and dance, hardworking, and always brought him fresh excitement. The Prince couldn’t help but take a second, then a lifetime-long, look at her.Years later, Shen Wei became the all-powerful Imperial Noble Consort, with children and the emperor’s exclusive favor.Meanwhile, the princess consort remained as tranquil as ever; the concubine was aging and had yet to experience a monogamous life; and the reincarnated woman was still eating simple meals in her modest abode…After half a lifetime of striving, Shen Wei finally reached retirement and revealed her true nature, fully embracing a life of leisure. The retired emperor interjected: “You competed for favor just to retire?”Shen Wei snacked on melon seeds: “What else?”Living is all about retirement!The retired emperor was even more surprised to find, in midlife, that other men were vying for his wife’s affections!

In a world where the boundaries between dimensions are thinning, a young man named Kael Ardent is thrust into the Eternal Nexus, a realm where countless worlds converge. Here, the laws of reality are dictated by Aether, a mystical energy that fuels both creation and destruction. Kael discovers he is a Nexus Warden, a rare being capable of manipulating Aether to bridge worlds and command the forces of the Nexus.But the Nexus is not a place of peace. It is a battleground for Eldari, ancient beings who seek to control the Nexus and use its power to dominate all existence. Kael must navigate this treacherous realm, forge alliances with warriors from other worlds, and unlock the secrets of his own latent powers. As he grows stronger, he uncovers a prophecy that foretells the rise of a Prime Warden, a hero who will either save the Nexus or doom it to eternal chaos.

Initially I am just another ordinary gamer. I often wondered how my novice skills compare with real masters, the professional gamers.

Then one day, two stunning beauties asked me, “Are you willing to be a professional gamer, and conquer the world?”

I replied: “Yes, I am willing”

After that, bit by bit, I unknowingly become a professional gamer, and conquered the world!

This is my story.

- Description from Novelupdates

After his divorce, Lu Qin acquired a street food stall and quickly rose to fame, becoming a culinary sensation known for his unmatched cooking talent. With his young daughter by his side, he roamed the city streets, setting up his stall and making a living. His irresistible dishes attracted crowds from all over, earning him widespread recognition.Passerby: “Most places sell fried noodles, but Lu’s are worth every penny.”Food Enthusiast: “We’ve organized a group of over a thousand people just to track down where Lu sets up his stall each day.”Chef: “I’ve tried countless times to recreate his dishes, but I just can’t match Master Lu’s perfection.”One day, an old man called the police, claiming the street food stall downstairs was suspiciously good, hinting there might be something addictive in the food. The police launched an investigation, only to find…Meanwhile, Shen Muyan’s upscale hotel restaurant was flooded with complaints, forcing her to reluctantly seek help from her ex-husband.Girlfriend: “Your ex-husband is impossible to reach! When can I book him for an exclusive interview on my gourmet show?”Shen Muyan: “He still hasn’t agreed to remarry…”A celebrity chef from South Korea traveled to China to film a culinary show but ended up spending the entire season documenting Lu Qin’s street food stall instead.