Arcane Era - Chapter 5: Departure

After three years of struggling in the big city, Chu Zhishui finally managed to save enough money to buy a home. However, she discovered that she was the only human in her new workplace?Chu Zhishui: Are even supernatural creatures seeking stable jobs with iron rice bowls now?–In the office, Chu Zhishui gradually adapted to working at the supernatural bureau. Despite her diligence and dedication, she couldn’t escape the gossip and social niceties of a small town, facing the enthusiastic attention of the matchmaking department head.Supernatural Department Head: “Little Chu, you’re doing so well at work. Have you considered settling down and starting a family? Let me set you up with someone. Do you have any requirements?”Chu Zhishui silently recited the mantra of singlehood in her mind, but not wanting to dampen the mood, she decided to be deliberately demanding: “I don’t ask for much in a partner. Just someone good-looking, filial to my parents, capable of doing housework, and able to earn money to support the family…”The supernatural department head replied readily: “Great, I’ll find someone for you!”Chu Zhishui steeled herself and added with gritted teeth: “…and they must be able to bear children!”Just as she thought the department head would give up, the other party had a sudden realization: “The one in your office can bear children! Why don’t you just admit you like him?”Chu Zhishui: ???–Chu Zhishui: I thought I could slack off at my job in the supernatural bureau, but it turns out that was just wishful thinking.

Qiao Jinniang's parents passed away the moment she came of age.For the sake of inheriting a restaurant, she had no choice but to ‘recruit’ a husband who would take her family name.Who knew that her husband, who looked like a banished immortal, was an ingrate? He snatched her child away and left behind a divorce letter.Qiao Jinniang became the butt of every joke in Lin’an City. Seeing that her uncle was about to take her parents' blood, sweat, and tears for himself, the son of the Prefect of the Superior Prefecture wanted to take her in as a concubine.However, a horse carriage sent from the Marquis arrived in Chang'an City. An old lady servant clad in an embroidered robe walked up to her and called her "Young Miss".It was only then that Qiao Jinniang realized that she was the eldest daughter of the principal wife of Marquis Anyuan. Back then, when the marchioness gave birth to her, she encountered a robber. At that time, a jealous concubine switched out her daughter with the chef's daughter.Therefore, a divorced female chef who had already given birth entered the capital. Everyone was waiting to see this real heiress make a fool of herself.They were secretly guessing when the real heiress would be abandoned by the Marquis.Yet, they failed to expect Qiao Jinniang to open up a restaurant in Chang'an using her amazing culinary skills. Even His Majesty showered her with praise. She was pampered by everyone in the Marquis' residence.Those long-tongued women in Chang'an City said sourly, "So what if a woman gets pampered at home? She's long past the age of 18 and has already given birth. Who will marry her?"The Marquis found Qiao Jinniang quite a few husbands. However, despite many marriages being in discussion, none of them went smoothly.As the marchioness's face was covered in tears, the fake daughter said she wanted to give Qiao Jinniang her husband instead.Qiao Jinniang took the rolling pin and kicked open the Eastern Palace's main door. "Since you've already divorced me, why are you still ruining my marriage?"A certain crown prince said, "How can we let the mother of the royal grandson marry someone else?!"

To care for her ailing sweetheart, college student Lu Chenchen gave up her white-collar office job and chose the higher-paying caretaker profession instead. Going around in circles, she ended up at the Mao family’s home.

The Mao family background was complicated. Old Madam Mao was not her son Yanning’s birth mom, but his young aunt. His wife was Old Madam Mao’s first love’s daughter, spoiled and pampered. Despite over ten years of marriage, husband and wife were distant.

To repay Old Madam Mao’s kindness in raising him, and for the sake of his three children, Mao Yanning endured again and again – not just a loveless but outright destructive marriage.

Lu Chenchen walked on eggshells among these people – carefully serving young and old, currying favor with the lady of the house without offending the man of the house, while also worrying about his sweetheart’s illness and missing “his” elders and children back home. Her heart was like a cookie flattened between the pages of life, living a difficult and cautious existence.

However, as the saying goes, “You reap what you sow.” A life that has been polished will eventually shine with a brilliance that ordinary years cannot compare.

Somehow, the protagonist Kim Jin possessed a rich pushover extra in a novel who was exploited by the villainess and then met their demise together.But there’s no way Kim Jin would let that happen! He immediately defeated the villainess and locked her away. After that, the only thing left was to steadily enjoy life in this world while investing and extracting profits using his knowledge.But why… the more he punished her, it seemed that the villainess he had captured began to cling to him too much?