I Don't Believe Tomato Has Any Masterpieces with Deep Ideas, Epic Scope, and a Grand, Sweeping Feel 不信番茄有思想深刻、格局宏大、富有史诗感的神作

1. 501 焱 The Era of Blazing Radiance 焱明纪 Old Wu Next Door to Shiwu十伍隔壁的老吴Historical2.4M WordsCompleted [Transmigration] [Political Intrigue] [Comedy] [Good-for-Nothing Turnaround] [No Golden Finger] [No System] [No Superhuman Intellect] An unfamiliar world, an unknown path. A modern soul transmigrates into an unknown ancient world. What kind of legendary tale will Wu Yan create there, or perhaps… 3Reads—Score—Shelves
2. 502 话 Would the Protagonist of a Story Ever Miss a Dead Nemesis? 话本主角会怀念死去的宿敌吗？ Author GR作者GRAncient Romance669k WordsOngoing [No CP + ensemble cast focus + slow-paced + daily life + flashbacks + ship whoever you like] This is the thirteenth year of the Yuande era. The sixth year since his death. Chaosheng Manor: From rivals to dear friends to mortal enemies, the beginning and end of it all. The unrivaled leader of the martial world, and someone from his memories. Xuhuai Academy: Two generations of heads giving their all, an ideal that endures through fire, and the lingering echoes of spring thunder, with just one pers 732Reads—Score131Shelves
3. 503 怪 Strange Cultivation: Starting with the Seed of the Spirit Eye 怪异修仙：从种灵眼中眼开始 Gossiping Coconut Cat八卦椰子猫Eastern Fantasy577k WordsOngoing The Five Turbidities descend upon the world, and demons, monsters, ghosts, and spirits run rampant. Human cultivators pursue bizarre paths of cultivation. After transmigrating here, Lin Mo sees the chaos around him and at first wants only to live a quiet life as a low-ranking clerk until his days are done. Then the Book of Creation awakens, giving him a glimpse of hope and rekindling the childhood ambition in his heart to ascend to the heavens. From this moment on, he will cultivate immortality! 19.9kReads8.2Score1.1kShelves
4. 504 长 Longevity: A Well-Connected Immortal Court Official Slacks Off in the Mortal Realm 长生：仙庭关系户下界摸鱼 Core of Chaos混沌核心Eastern Fantasy3.2M WordsOngoing [Immortal cultivation + no System + not a power fantasy + slow-paced + no female lead + pseudo-ensemble cast. Read with care if this isn’t your thing.] The mighty will of Heaven shines like a mirror, illuminating the causes and effects binding immortals and mortals alike. The countless living beings are like grains of sand, ground into the ashes of tribulation beneath mountains and rivers. A mysterious mirror hangs among the highest heavens, reflecting the lives of all beings in the Three Realm 216.4kReads9.0Score15.4kShelves
5. 505 我 I Haven't Been the Heavenly Consort for Years 我不做天妃好多年 Pine Stone Stone松石石Modern Romance166k WordsCompleted Five hundred years ago, someone told me, “When people think, God laughs.” Five hundred years later, I finally understood that God laughs because he likes to laugh, and because he used to work at a toll booth. Five hundred years ago, I thought the Celestial Emperor was the wisest and most clear-minded person in the world. Five hundred years later, I found out that apart from being a smart aleck, he’s good for nothing. P.S. Thanks to Brother Fan and Sister-in-Law Fan for the lettering on my cover! 897Reads8.8Score132Shelves
6. 506 仓 The Azure Heavens Are Dead, Now Is the Time to Fight! 仓天乃死，当搏！ Tong Like the Moon月样般的彤Historical891k WordsOngoing This is a historical transmigration novel set against the Yellow Turban Rebellion at the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, but it is not the kind of brainless wish-fulfillment story you're used to. It tells the story of Qi Run, a modern delivery worker who accidentally transmigrates to the sixth year of the Guanghe era. He initially intends to join Liu Bei, the future hero, but after witnessing the suffering of the common people firsthand, he comes to realize that Liu Bei is also just a member of 25Reads6.4Score101Shelves

   Reader note

   In the vast sea of ​​time-travel novels, *Cang Tian Nai Si, Dang Bo!* Stands out as an epic about "original aspirations." It lacks the typical wish-fulfillment plot devices, the thrill of conquering the world, and even the traditional "protagonist halo." Its protagonist, Qi Run, an ordinary deliveryman from 2023, experiences each victory after his time travel accompanied by tragic sacrifices, and each step of his growth is soaked in the blood of his comrades. But this is precisely what makes the work unique: it's not a novel about "success," but about "original aspirations." It questions whether the struggles and sacrifices of those labeled "thieves," "bandits," and "robbers" in official history over the past two thousand years were truly worthwhile. Where did the path paved with their blood and flesh ultimately lead? This is the soul of the novel: it uses the shell of time travel to encapsulate a pure heart that questions history and pays tribute to the martyrs. It tells us that the "river of original aspirations" that has flowed for two thousand years ultimately merged into the ocean of victory in 1949. I. The River of Original Aspirations: From Liu Xia Zhi to 1949 Users have condensed the theme of this work into "The River of Original Aspirations," which is the most profound understanding of the novel. This river flows from the Spring and Autumn Period, each wave a testament to the blood and tears of the oppressed: Liu Xia Zhi embodies the courage of resistance. Chen Sheng and Wu Guang completed the first demystification of "Mandate of Heaven." Zhang Jiao explored the path of organizing the masses through faith. Huang Chao proved that without a base of operations, banditry cannot ultimately triumph. The Red Turban Army serves as a warning that internal ambitious figures are more dangerous than external enemies. The Taiping Rebellion and the Boxer Rebellion reveal that those in power would rather give to friendly nations than to their own slaves. The experiences in this river are all bought with the lives of our predecessors. Zhang Jiao did not know these things, but Qi Run did. Qi Run returned to the late Han Dynasty with two thousand years of experience, telling Zhang Jiao before his death: Your path has not been in vain. The seeds you watered with your lives will eventually blossom and bear fruit two thousand years later. This is the ultimate meaning of "The River of Original Aspiration": it is not the ideal of any one person, but the collective memory and collective will accumulated by a class, a nation, and a civilization in two thousand years of struggle and hard work. II. Class and Path: The Inevitable Fate of Five Parallel Lines The most profound insight of this work is that history is not a battle between good and evil, but countless paths determined by class attributes collide head-on at the crossroads of the times. No one is a clown; everyone has reached the extreme on their own track, ultimately forming that magnificent yet bloody and cruel era. (I) The Yellow Turban Path: The Struggle of the Oppressed and Its Tragedy (II) The Loyal Minister Path: Martyrs of the Old Order (III) The Aristocratic Family Path: The Perpetuation of Interests Beyond the Dynasty (IV) The Warlord Path: The Unstable Factor Rising from Force (V) The Emperor Path: Prisoners and Ambitious Individuals The True Emperor: Three Different Types of Prisoners The Ambitious Individuals: Pursuers Forced by Class Identity They were all driven to the brink by their own class. They must keep climbing, keep proving themselves, because once they stop, they will fall back to that terrifying "place." III. Historical Perspective: Deconstructing Heroes, Reconstructing the People. The most subversive contribution of this work is its deconstruction of the traditional heroic historical perspective and its reconstruction of the people's historical perspective. IV. Literary Techniques: Symbolism, Narrative, and Emotional Symbolism System: The three women are the embodiment of ideals—Zhang Furong is "original aspiration," Guan He is "courage," and Ye Yun is "compassion." They are not a "harem," but rather three dimensions of Qi Run's spiritual world. Narrative Structure: The novel begins with Qi Run's time travel, its structure is vast yet coherent, with a clear main plot and rich subplots. V. Artistic Achievements and Limitations: 1. Depth of Thought: Integrating class analysis, historical philosophy, and revolutionary narrative into a time-travel novel, it achieves a philosophical height rarely seen in online literature. 2. Character Portrayal: All main characters have clear class attributes and behavioral logic, without simple good-versus-bad dichotomies. 3. Emotional Power: The commemoration of the victims is sincere and moving, bringing tears to the reader's eyes. 4. Historical Insight: The analysis of various social classes in the late Eastern Han Dynasty is profound and accurate, restoring the complex face of history. Limitations: 1. Doctrine-like tone: Direct insertion of ideological shifts and modern political terminology. 2. Pace control: The pacing in the middle section is sometimes slightly dragging. 3. Language style: The mixture of classical and modern language may affect the immersion of some readers. However, these do not undermine the fundamental value of the work. It is a novel with a soul; its soul lies in the questioning of "original aspirations," the faith in "the people," and the reshaping of "history." VI. Conclusion: A Message to the Pioneers Before his death, Zhang Jiao asked Qi Run, "How will future generations view us?" Qi Run tearfully told him: Future generations will call you rebels, a cult, and bandits. Those who defeat you will be portrayed as heroes, while your names will be written into a history of slander. But— "Many in future generations will inherit your beliefs. Many will feel a responsibility to the people because of you. Many will raise the banner of resistance against injustice because of you. Many will be inspired to resist oppression because of you. Future dynasties will lower taxes and reduce corvée labor because of you—not because they have a change of heart, but because you came, you fought, you battled!" Zhang Jiao laughed with relief. At that moment, two thousand years of suffering and struggle condensed into a sigh, then transformed into a ray of light. This is the ultimate meaning of "Even if it means death, we must fight!" It is a message to the pioneers. It tells all the stigmatized revolutionaries: your path was not in vain. Your blood was not shed in vain. Your cause will ultimately be completed by the people two thousand years later. The people will prevail—not because history will side with them, but because they will use their own blood and lives to turn history to their side. This is a work destined for a niche audience, but destined to be immortal. It's not written for readers seeking fleeting pleasure, but for those willing to pause in the long river of history to contemplate the meaning of "original aspiration," the existence of "the people," and the attainment of "victory." If you are such a person, then this book is worth reading.

7. 507 爆 The Moment of Outbreak 爆发时刻 Old Man of the Mountains山中老登Sci-Fi & Apocalypse494k WordsOngoing When disaster strikes without warning, when order crumbles in an instant, when the dead rise and the living descend into depravity, how are we supposed to survive? In just a few hours, New York and Europe fall one after another. Zombies surge across the globe like a black tide. The authorities retreat north en masse, leaving the cities along their route empty. Refugees flood in, new settlements rise, and a brutal new “order” takes root among the ruins. The group stumbles into the Taihang Mountai 5Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   I wrote this myself, and it includes some of my personal insights into life, though it mainly focuses on what happened after I entered the grasslands.

8. 508 奇 A Strange Haha 奇怪的哈哈 Little Zuo Is at a Loss没招的小左Two Female Leads275k WordsOngoing In Wuyun Country, there’s this strange girl who’s always running into bizarre things in her everyday life. Yet in every one of these strange encounters, she somehow meets someone who loves her beyond measure. Isn’t that strange? 136Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   It's quite good-looking and interesting.

9. 509 妄 Contemplation on Returning to the Source 妄尽还源观 The Cultivation Journey of a Strange Star Beyond the Heavens天外奇星的修行之旅277k WordsCompleted A book that reveals the truth about the universe and life. This is a book that helps you know yourself, attain insight into yourself, realize your true nature, and awaken. It can help all those with the right karmic connections. The Path to Awakening and Growth The seven-year-old Dragon Girl became a Buddha in an instant, realizing her true mind upon hearing the true Dharma. She cast aside the thousand-year-old dragon pearl at once, and her greed and attachments vanished in an instant. With her 2.8kReads8.6Score339Shelves
10. 510 结 After I Refused the Last-Minute Dowry Increase on My Wedding Day 结婚当天我拒绝了临时加彩礼之后 What Is There to Eat吃的是什么Urban4.6M WordsCompleted Rebirth + Top Student + Multiple Heroines + Daily Life + School Life + Smart Characters + No System + Entertainment Industry + Lighthearted Comedy. Starts out as a school-life story, then moves into the entertainment industry and the internet. 4.6 million characters, so there’s plenty to dig into. Well worth a read. A short drama adaptation is now available. Search for the novel’s title to watch. Thanks for your support. ^_^~ 40.2kReads8.1Score3kShelves

    Reader note

    [Add one to bookshelf][Add one to bookshelf][Add one to bookshelf][Add one to bookshelf][Add one to bookshelf]

11. 511 重 Reborn in 1996: A Chipmaking Journey 重生1996：芯途 Qian Jiangyu千江玉Urban596k WordsOngoing “What is this lithography machine you want to build?” “It’s the dream of every Chinese person.” “Then where do we start?” “With a mirror.” “Zhang Cheng, what are you doing?” Jiang Yiyi asked. “What if I told you I just picked up a ray of light? Would you believe me?” 1.9kReads—Score109Shelves

    Reader note

    Why don't you try this one?

12. 512 重 Reborn in 1982: This Rogue Refuses to Become a Street Loafer 重生八二：浪子绝不做街溜子 What Is There to Eat吃的是什么Urban1.9M WordsOngoing Chen Weiguo is reborn on October 24, 1982, the day before his family falls apart. In his previous life, he was a no-good drifter: idle and irresponsible. He caused his wife and daughter to die tragically, and after his family was shattered, he had no choice but to leave home. He worked hard all his life, only to die alone. This time, he has the chance to start over. Life may be tough, but he's determined to shake off his reputation as a drifter and give his family a good life. Once despised by e 43.7kReads7.6Score4.1kShelves
13. 513 伊 Five Hundred Years of Iran 伊朗五百年 Abbas Amanat阿巴斯·阿马纳特Historical760k WordsCompleted In 1501, Shiite Iran was born, and it clashed with the Sunni Ottoman Empire. In the late eighteenth century, a divided Iran was unified once again, only to become a proving ground for Britain and Russia several decades later. In 1908, oil was discovered in Iran for the first time. Soon afterward, Iranian oil was shipped to Europe, stirring up the battlefields of World War I. During the Cold War, the United States regarded Iran as a regional ally to help contain the Soviet Union. In 1979, the Isl 118Reads9.4Score—Shelves
14. 514 脓 Tide of Pus 脓潮 Chuliang qaq初凉qaqUrban364k WordsOngoing [No System + No Rebirth + Hard-Core City Defense + Worldbuilding Foreshadowing] Low-level filth beasts shouldn't have eyes. Three days after he encountered one, people began dying in that city. His adoptive father pressed a pocket watch into his hand and managed to say just one thing: "Take this to Yunqi." Inside the watch was a secret that even monsters couldn't digest. 27Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    (｡･ω･｡)ﾉ♡

15. 515 我 Why Are All My Beautiful Girl Cards Men?! 我的美少女卡牌怎么全是男的！ I'm the Main Character's Top我是主角嬷Two Male Leads1.1M WordsOngoing Western fantasy / BL reverse harem / slow burn / roguelike survival / no romance / card auto-chess / tabletop role-playing / ensemble cast Also known as I Became the Savior in a Card Survival Game This is an epic about humanity. Ren Weiyu transmigrates into an anime-style card game. In the game, the world has already been destroyed, and the ancient gods have become chess pieces for players, helping countless people struggle to survive. The first card he draws is a mysterious, aloof older woman w 10.7kReads8.9Score2.3kShelves

    Reader note

    Although it currently only has over 300 chapters, it is profound in its themes and is not the kind of epic story that merely seeks to save the world for its own sake. The protagonist has his own ideas, and so do the supporting characters.

16. 516 雪 Intrepid Blade’s Path in the Snow 雪中悍刀行 The Warlord Who Played with Princes烽火戏诸侯Eastern Fantasy4.5M WordsCompleted The jianghu is a beaded curtain. Great and small figures are its beads; great and small stories, the strings that bind them. And loyalty and affection are the spirit that gives those beads their luster. The story is drawing to a close. The final chapter will end with those words: “Waiter, bring us some wine.” 11.5kReads9.7Score603Shelves

    Reader note

    I've been recommending books by non-historical, famous authors, and there are plenty of those on Tomato Bookstore too. I think these few barely meet your requirements. If not, you can always browse my bookshelf. [Thinking]

17. 517 天 Sky Screen: Using a People-Centered View of History to Topple Feudal Monarchy 天幕：以人民史观干翻封建皇权 High-Speed Train at Nightfall夜幕的高铁Historical405k WordsCompleted A “sky screen” spanning past and present hangs high above the skies of every dynasty, and from that moment on, history is thrown into turmoil. What will Ying Zheng, Liu Che, Li Shimin, and Zhao Kuangyin think when they see the words “Long live the people”? Qin Shi Huang sees later generations call him “greater in achievement than the Three Sovereigns, yet guilty of crimes as vast as the sea.” Emperor Wu of Han watches his grand ambitions dissected as “military adventurism.” Emperor Taizong of Ta 7kReads6.9Score375Shelves
18. 518 重 Reborn as a Concubine in the Su Household 重生之我在苏府当小妾 Shangguan Loves to Drink Water上官爱喝水Ancient Romance377k WordsCompleted Nontraditional rebirth + women's self-rescue + psychological healing + original poetry + metafiction Don't let the title fool you. The original title was Dawn's Clear Light. Rebirth is the ultimate act of self-rescue. A profound story that is both heartbreaking and healing. Zheng Ming awoke after transmigrating, only to become the concubine of a powerful minister. She navigated the storms of political rivalries and stirred the winds of change across the realm, believing she was carefully plan 228Reads8.8Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    If you're tired of formulaic rebirth stories, give this one a try. It's disguised as a palace intrigue tale, but it tells the story of how a person rises from spiritual ruin. Every struggle the heroine faces within the confines of the mansion is subtly metaphorical; you'll only realize the foreshadowing in every detail on your second reading. The entire book revolves around the ancient Chinese saying, "Effort is the difference," truly exploring "letting go" rather than "winning." The tragic undertones are profound, the impact immense, and the shocking twist at the end will immediately make you want to reread the beginning. I've already read it three times.

19. 519 三 Three Kingdoms: Blood for All Under Heaven 三国：赤血荐苍生 Full Moon in the Mortal World人间月圆Historical1.3M WordsCompleted (Red ideology, no System, no golden finger. Not a history buff’s meticulous reconstruction.) The red flag sweeps through the smoke of war, while the embers still smolder. Zhang Yuan, a transmigrator with the ambition to set the world ablaze, steps into the hell of the Three Kingdoms. He hopes to let the red star shine upon the frozen dead, but all he sees are the blood-soaked cries of the people and a land strewn with corpses. When the chaos of the age grinds his ideals into dust, he stands alon 3.4kReads6.8Score193Shelves
20. 520 赛 Cyber Game: Better to Become the Boss Than Be Possessed 赛博游戏：被寄生不如当BOSS Ruo Rong若绒Sci-Fi & Apocalypse1.1M WordsCompleted [Plot-Driven] [Written for Love, with No Income, I Stuck with It for a Million Words] [From Full-Dive Games to Games Invading Reality] [Ensemble Cast] [Cyberpunk] [Strong Female Lead's Growth] [Wits and Combat] [Slow Burn] A sudden brain-computer interface bug brought a "tenant" into Yin Shu's mind. He brought news: the apocalypse would engulf the world, her friends would die, and free will would vanish. That was the original ending. To survive, she plunged into the game. Her opponents had abil 104Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Starting in the mid-game, many dungeons prompt reflection on reality and the future, especially the Rusty Station dungeon, including the market section and the interactions between the characters and AI.

21. 521 代 The Code Immortal Realm: I Am the Heavenly Dao 代码仙域，我即是天道 Number One Caramel Macchiato Among Bricklayers搬砖的头号焦糖玛奇朵Fantastical Romance85k WordsCompleted My name is Tian Yingxue, and this is the tenth time I've been reborn. The Heavenly Dao played a cruel joke on me. On one hand, it granted me a golden finger of an opportunity, giving me a natural fire spirit root, letting me establish my Foundation at ten, form my Golden Core and keep my youthful appearance at nineteen, and reach the threshold of ascension at a hundred. On the other hand, it made me perish in the tribulation lightning as I ascended, then sent me back to the day before I was to j 17Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Experience the stunning classical Chinese writing style, the ultimate romance of physics, and the cosmic-level regrets of this sci-fi cultivation fantasy! [Add to bookshelf]

22. 522 绝 A Sliver of Hope in Desperate Straits 绝境方寸 Peaceful Blessing Anfo平安福AnfoSci-Fi & Apocalypse503k WordsOngoing Adult content! Not suitable for younger readers! [Not a power fantasy] [Dark and oppressive] [Realistic drama] [Serious literature] [A woman's growth] [Modern political scene] [No male lead] [Flight from famine] [Patriotism] [Political intrigue] [Career in government] [Anti-corruption] When natural disasters strike, the country urgently launches the "Westward Migration Plan," and the entire nation embarks on a long journey to flee their homes. Guided by a prophetic dream, the female lead stockpi 251Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Do you read post-apocalyptic disaster novels where the female protagonist goes into politics?

23. 523 死 Death Rewind: Save the World in 48 Hours 死亡回档，48小时拯救世界 Rice-Scented Crisps稻香锅巴Urban1.5M WordsOngoing A car accident gave Wang Cong the ability to rewind time upon death! Just as he was getting ready to buy a lottery ticket and reach the pinnacle of life… The sky split open. Alien spaceships descended, and a flash of white light wiped out the world! Only two days remained. The countdown to extinction had begun. … “If I can rewind time by dying, can I save the world?” “You can, but you can't fill every hole the apocalypse leaves behind.” “Then if I bring along a group of comrades who've ri 119.2kReads8.6Score12.2kShelves

    Reader note

    The first book might be criticized for being a hodgepodge, but I found that while it was wildly imaginative and full of plot holes, it firmly grasped the characters' mindsets and the grand scale of the world. The second book might be criticized for being too cruel to the protagonist, with the female lead's relentless pursuit being a major flaw, but I felt the author fleshed out the Harry Potter universe, with many characters even more developed than in the original works. For example, the interaction between the female lead and a certain old wizard deeply moved me. The third book is a relatively new one. Although it uses common story elements, the combination is sometimes innovative, making the plot unpredictable. The author is also a person with passion and objective analytical ability, which made it even more touching. The fourth book treats each apocalypse like an independent novel, not just a series of episodes. Each character in each apocalypse is fleshed out. The main storyline is somewhat weak and underdeveloped, but it hints at a grand scale. The fifth book is a serious novel, showing signs of establishing its own genre. The characters are deeply developed, and the world-building is vast. The pacing is slow, with few truly exciting moments; you have to endure it.

24. 524 红 Secret Records Behind the Red Walls: A Complete History of China's Unofficial Past, Unabridged 红墙秘录：中国野史大全（无删节完整版） Xu Xiaotian许啸天Historical2.7M WordsCompleted This complete collection is like a secret key unlocking the hidden chambers of China's imperial past, guiding readers into shadowy corners that official histories leave shrouded in secrecy. From the ancient legends of Unofficial History of the Xia and Shang to the imperial passions and court intrigues of The History of the Imperial Harem in the Song Dynasty, The History of the Imperial Harem in the Ming Dynasty, and Unofficial History of the Yuan Dynasty; from the extravagant excesses of The Ero 1.6kReads9.3Score256Shelves

    Reader note

    Fantastic! Tomatoes can also write such profound books.

25. 525 末 Apocalypse: Wilderness Survival from the Start 末世：开局荒野求生 Zhang Qiufeng张秋枫Sci-Fi & Apocalypse1.6M WordsCompleted The survivors of the apocalypse endure a grueling stretch of time. As they struggle to fill their stomachs, they search the wilderness for the dignity they've lost, piece together the memories of civilization, and press on toward hope. 70kReads9.3Score4.8kShelves
26. 526 H Harry Potter: Hard Work Never Goes to Waste HP努力不枉然 Don't Stop Me from Crying别拦着我哭Female-Channel Fanfiction1.0M WordsCompleted This story has no romance pairing. The title means “trying hard so that the little I have left won't end up being completely meaningless,” not “if you try hard, it will work.” There was a little witch with rusty-red hair. She went from her shabby home to school. She kept a fat snake that was a little narrow-minded. At school, she was classmates with Snape. After graduation, she became a colleague of Lucius. She idolized Grindelwald and made newspaper clippings about him. During the final battle 5.7kReads9.2Score656Shelves
27. 527 一 Conquering the Ming Dynasty with a Thousand Yuan 一千元杀穿大明 Polar Bear, Stop Eating北极熊别吃了Historical610k WordsCompleted [The System Goes Offline from the Start + No Identity or Status + The First Priority Is Saving as Many People as Possible + Character Growth] Three days to prepare, a budget of one thousand yuan, supplies of your choice. Transmigrate to the collapsing late Ming dynasty with nothing to your name. No System, no identity, no influential backers. Rise against the odds in the desperate final days of the Ming. If you transmigrate into history without developing technology, how is that any different fr 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    For those willing to read patiently, start from Chapter 1. For those who enjoy action-packed stories, start from Chapter 92. A different path to saving the nation. Everything for the people.

28. 528 易 The Record of Yi Zhou 易宙录 Space Ladybug太空瓢虫Sci-Fi & Apocalypse1.0M WordsCompleted Thank you for bringing us together by chance. Using science fiction and fantasy as a springboard, this book offers a guide to cultivation. Everything you want to know about the secrets of the Dharma-Ending Age is here. The author hopes that every reader who reads this novel will begin their own path to Buddhahood, because you already are what you seek. Expect an imagination that knows no bounds, and don’t overlook a single detail. The five volumes are complete, with hidden connections woven thro 31Reads9.5Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    After reading this book, you can't help but believe it. It covers many aspects, not just science fiction. It is thought-provoking, including Chinese civilization, Buddhism, and the concept of compassion. There are many touching plots.

29. 529 我 I'm Not Actually Mentally Ill 我不是真的精神病 Chatting with a Nephalem对话奈非天Urban3.8M WordsCompleted If you don’t have ten years of brain thrombosis, twenty years of mental illness, and thirty years of depression, you won’t understand this book. Normal people, stay away. This book is titled I’m Not Really Mentally Ill. Also known as Sequence: The Rebellious Heart Ape. [Rituals]+ [Sequences]+ [Professions]+ [Apocalypse]+ [Mystery]+ [Slow Burn]+ [Humanity]+ [Family Bonds]+ [Journey to the West]+ [Mythology]+ [Reborn]+ [Transmigration]+ [No Female Lead]+ [One Origin, Many Threads, Cyclical Worlds] 844Reads8.7Score114Shelves

    Reader note

    Come here and try this underrated masterpiece.

30. 530 赤 The Crimson Three Kingdoms 赤色三国 Comrade Xiao Peng小彭同志Historical561k WordsCompleted Comrade Xiao Li accidentally transmigrates to the Later Three Kingdoms era, where war rages everywhere and the people live in utter misery. See how Li Ding starts from nothing, builds an organization, and overthrows the three reactionary feudal powers. Capture Sun Zhongmou alive, put Sima Yi on public trial, and hang the lackeys of feudalism from the streetlights. Two thousand years ago, plant the Red Flag across the whole world! 867Reads9.1Score103Shelves
31. 531 流 Wandering in 1937 流浪在一九三七 Young October Person年轻的十月人Urban890k WordsOngoing A rare realistic War of Resistance novel on the Tomato platform. Its selling point is the absence of a golden finger, and its strengths are its harsh realism and emotionally compelling characters. However, the prose is rough early on, partly due to the author's writing ability and the platform's pacing. Best suited to readers who enjoy hard-hitting War of Resistance stories and don't mind a slow start. 4.9kReads8.7Score337Shelves

    Reader note

    Book Review: *Wandering in 1937* is a realistic and moving masterpiece of the War of Resistance against Japan. The work abandons exaggerated, wish-fulfillment elements, presenting the story from the perspective of ordinary people traversing a chaotic world, experiencing firsthand the brutal battles of Shanghai and Nanjing. It focuses on the wandering and struggling Northeast Army, depicting the myriad aspects of life under the flames of war. The protagonist's journey from cowardly survival to bravely defending his country is realistically poignant. The writing is poignant and weighty, the battlefield descriptions are brutally realistic, restoring the tragic years, paying tribute to the nameless martyrs, and deeply moving the reader with a profound sense of patriotism.

32. 532 终 The Legend of the Zhongnan Sword Immortal 终南剑仙传 Farmer of Eastern Qin东秦农夫Eastern Fantasy216k WordsCompleted Gu Zhaoran, the Sword Immortal Qingxuan, was reborn after surviving a tribulation. He braved a serpent's lair, battled demonic cultivators, and encountered an evil monk. His path was fraught with danger, and he narrowly escaped death time and again before returning to Zhongnan and rejoining his sect. When his immortal master ascended, Gu Zhaoran was entrusted with leadership in a time of crisis and became the sect's new head. He repelled enemies at the rear cliff, joined the Five Elders in elimi 31Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Western fantasy, the creator god has arrived! [Add to bookshelf]

33. 533 第 The Fourth Law 第四法则 Fourth Law第四法则Urban277k WordsOngoing This is not a wish-fulfillment novel, and the characters won’t be made stupid. I refuse to pander to the fast-food market. This is a long-running serial with steady updates and at least a million words. I will never abandon it! I’m writing this book with the ambition of creating a masterpiece, focusing on logic and quality, never churning out filler! The paranormal arc in the first 25 chapters is the book’s main storytelling approach. Around chapter 50, the narrative shifts to an ensemble cast. 41Reads—Score—Shelves
34. 534 神 The Shenmu Clan 神木氏族 Four-Eyed Heavenly Master四目天师Historical158k WordsOngoing This is a story set in ancient times, with a touch of fantasy, chronicling the rise of a clan from weakness to strength. In an age of ignorance, tribes practiced slash-and-burn farming, and sacrificial rites were the most important part of life. Through these rites, they nourished their deities and won their people’s protection. Three hundred years ago, the protagonist’s clan, the Shenmu Clan, underwent a change of deities. Our story begins three hundred years later, during a sacrificial ceremon 4Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Set in ancient times, this story tells the tale of a clan's rise to power in a magical epic. The plot is ingenious, and every chapter is captivating.

35. 535 末EN The Apocalypse Is Coming? I’ll Arrive First! 末日降临？我先降临！ Noodle King Zai板面王仔Sci-Fi & Apocalypse2.8M WordsCompleted [The print edition of I'm a Supplier of Survival Plans for the End Times is now available on major platforms] [Character growth · Multi-theme stages · Ensemble cast · Occasional brutal takedowns · No cookie-cutter plot · No mindless wish fulfillment] After facing repeated layoffs and betrayals, Su Jin was at the lowest point of his life when he was accidentally hired by a mysterious company. Countless worlds are on the brink of destruction. Only by saving their clients can the sparks of civiliza 411kReads9.2Score34.2kShelves
36. 536 岁 In the Year of Jiazi, the Warlords Vie for Supremacy and I Raise the Yellow Turban Banner 岁在甲子，诸侯争霸我插黄巾旗 Silly Little Wolf Brush憨憨小狼毫Historical979k WordsOngoing Knowing how it all ends, why does Zhang Jiao insist on becoming the man who tolls the death knell for the Han Dynasty? Why is Lu Bu cursed as a servant of three masters, yet calls himself a servant of the common people? Why does the commander guarding Jingxing Pass howl and curse in the middle of the night? What answer is young Guo Jia searching for as he travels a thousand miles? Why, on the day Zhuge Kongming proposes marriage, is he asked whether he knows how to turn tricks? … A young man fr 118Reads—Score—Shelves
37. 537 曲 Beyond the Curvature 曲率之外 7zXm4RSci-Fi & Apocalypse95k WordsCompleted [A Thought-Provoking Epic] [A Love Letter to the Universe] [Hard Sci-Fi Novella] A fleet from the depths of the cosmic void is heading for the solar system, silent, straight, and undisturbed, at a speed humanity cannot understand, catch, or resist. The countdown to the end of human civilization has already begun, unnoticed... —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Judging solely by thought, this is the only God.

38. 538 种 Farming: From Sect Tenant Farmer to Supreme Across the Myriad Worlds 种田：从宗门佃户到万界独尊 Foolish Zhi傻志Eastern Fantasy3.0M WordsOngoing [Farming] + [Ensemble cast] + [Lord] + [Conquest] + [System] + [Satisfying wish fulfillment] Zhang Guiyuan transmigrates to a parallel world at the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, where he becomes a tenant farmer growing spiritual plants for a sect. He awakens the strongest Lord System and obtains an unparalleled book: Postpartum Care for Sows He settles into a fine life of farming, raising pigs, and teasing his wicked sword cultivator little sister. But then a calamity that comes once every tho 3.1kReads5.7Score170Shelves

    Reader note

    [Conquest] + [Territorial Expansion] + [Lords] + [Ensemble Cast] + [Refreshing Story] Starting from Lake Baikal, build your power, construct factories, manufacture cannons, initiate the Industrial Revolution, and use industry to fight against powerful clans.

39. 539 造 The Creator's Taboo 造物主的禁忌 Xiu Ji休济Sci-Fi & Apocalypse1.1M WordsCompleted (This book has been years in the making and revised over a hundred times. From the first volume to the last, it will tell one complete, expansive story, with a large cast, suspense, and a touch of brain-teasing mystery. From time to time, the author will offer summaries or hints in the author's notes.) A creator's greatest taboo is making a life more perfect than their own! The gods created humanity and shackled it with birth, aging, sickness, death, memories that slip away like sand, and endles 249Reads9.0Score161Shelves
40. 540 不 I'm Immortal, Yet Even More Eerie Than the Strange 不死的我，比诡异还诡异 Wu Wuwu吾舞舞吾Eastern Fantasy594k WordsCompleted Invincible + immortal + perseverance + success through sheer hard work Li Tianzhen, a young man of the new era, is immortal and trains in martial arts to strengthen his body. In this world, endless strange horrors roam, and people are helpless as fish on a chopping board. Li Tianzhen grabs fierce ghosts with his bare hands and captures evil demons, letting them tear into him. He looks righteous, yet behind him his blood qi surges like something emerging from the primeval wilderness. “I cultivate 500Reads7.6Score—Shelves
41. 541 我 I Spent Ten Yuan on a Secondhand Marketplace and Bought a Fiancé 我在二手平台花十块钱，买了个未婚夫 Singing at Dusk Among the Pines松间唱晚12k WordsCompleted I Spent Ten Yuan on a Secondhand Marketplace and Bought Myself a Fiancé 11.7kReads—Score108Shelves

    Reader note

    The plot is fast-paced, the jokes are frequent, and it's addictive! ^_^

42. 542 全 I’m the Only One in the World Without Powers 全世界只有我没有异能 Do Not Speak of Immortality莫道长生Sci-Fi & Apocalypse1.4M WordsCompleted The apocalypse arrives, and after destruction comes new life. Everyone gains special abilities, while Li Chang'an, who has none, lives like a beast. Some teach him to be kind to others; others teach him to fight his way to a better world. Little by little, he comes to believe that there is light even in the darkness. Though the road is hard, he still wants to become one of the strongest, standing at the very top. But one day, the light vanishes before his eyes. 5.1kReads9.4Score785Shelves

    Reader note

    I used to sneak into the computer lab at school to watch it all.

43. 543 从 From Abandoned Disciple to Demon Venerable: My Master Kneels Before Me 从弃徒到魔尊，师尊向我下跪 Singing at Dusk Among the Pines松间唱晚6k WordsCompleted From Abandoned Disciple to Demon Lord: My Master Kneels Before Me 162Reads—Score—Shelves
44. 544 昆 Kunlun: The Creation Chronicle 2: Genes of Good and Evil 昆仑创世录2：善恶基因 Half-Idle Hermit of the Mountain半闲山人Sci-Fi & Apocalypse232k WordsCompleted Jiang Peijun and Lei Yunfan were both grave robbers who had clawed their way up from the bottom. Jiang Peijun and his younger sister, Jiang Shuwan, had only each other, while Lei Yunfan was deeply in love with Jiang Shuwan. She was the tenderest vulnerability in both their hearts. But Jiang Shuwan had a terminal illness, and modern medicine couldn't save her. To rescue the person dearest to them, the two risked everything and ventured deep into the Kunlun Mountains in search of a legendary ancie —Reads—Score—Shelves
45. 545 终 KO One: Cause and Effect 终极系列之因果 Purple Bauhinia Feather紫荆焉羽Female-Channel Fanfiction3.7M WordsCompleted Preface: Gods think they rule over humanity, when in truth, they are the ones abandoned by the world! All things give rise to and overcome one another! Good and evil have always coexisted! There is no absolute right or wrong in this world, only choices! Schemes, cunning, open clashes, and secret struggles all lead into the cycle of fate and cause and effect. It is nothing more than a feast of unnatural deaths! Excerpt: Wind: After giving up on protecting them, I face the world’s blame Fire: Mal 2.3kReads9.4Score171Shelves

    Reader note

    A story featuring brains, modern superpowers, and a passionate ensemble cast!

46. 546 老 The Day My Husband Turned Gentle, My Best Friend’s Marriage Died 老公变温柔那天，闺蜜的婚姻死了 Singing at Dusk Among the Pines松间唱晚6k WordsCompleted The Day My Husband Turned Gentle, My Best Friend's Marriage Died 5.9kReads—Score—Shelves
47. 547 东 Northeastern Memories: The Road to Qingyun 东北记忆之青云路往事 Lord Sheng’an盛安君Urban519k WordsCompleted A business story brimming with the everyday life of Northeast China, a record of life there woven with love and hate, and a microcosm of the region’s people, culture, and economic landscape. The characters come from different social classes and age groups, but they all live in Sheng’an, a central city in Northeast China. Faced with different business opportunities, each hopes to make a breakthrough in life in 2015. Together, they form a portrait of the region’s economy. This story aims to show r 2Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The ideas are profound, possessing the rich sense of destiny characteristic of Milkyway Image's works; the scope is also grand, so grand that if you're too young, you might not even understand what I'm talking about. [Reflection]

48. 548 異 Surviving the Insectoid Apocalypse 異蟲餘生 Yang Zai楊載Urban81k WordsOngoing Qin Che, an ordinary young man, accidentally captures an alien insectoid disguised as a cockroach. Through a journey from conflict to domestication, he gains the ability to communicate with alien insects and command the seeds of civilization. With the help of pills and a System, he raises swarms in the shadows of the city and takes control of interstellar passages. Armed with this power to overturn the world, he vows to reclaim everything he lost and forge an extraordinary empire of his own. —Reads—Score—Shelves
49. 549 朕 I’m Dead, But Not Entirely 朕死了，但没完全死 Singing at Dusk Among the Pines松间唱晚11k WordsCompleted I Am Dead, But Not Entirely 2.1kReads—Score—Shelves
50. 550 逍 Carefree as He May Be, He Can’t Escape the Longing in His Heart 逍遥镇不住牵肠挂肚。 User26182811用户2618281123k WordsCompleted Freedom cannot quell the ache of longing. —Reads—Score—Shelves

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    Dear readers, these four absurd stories are all worth savoring! Hey, dear readers! If you clicked on this article, it means you, like me, have just a tiny bit—no more, no less—unrealistic fantasies and vague doubts about the world. Have you ever wondered while scrolling through your phone late at night: What if we could choose our own exam subjects? What if knowledge could be directly crammed into our brains? What if fans of classical music and pop music fought? What if a screenwriter couldn't write anything? Don't worry, these four stories are for you. Recently, I quietly launched four stories in the "Absurd and Humorous Workplace Series" on Tomato Bookstore. Each one is nearly 20,000 words long, each wrapped in absurdity, filled with reality, and dipped in humor. One bite, and I guarantee you'll laugh out loud, then suddenly freeze, then fall into deep thought, and then—you might want to send me razor blades, or you might want to send me a banner. Anyway, let me first show you what these four stories are about. The first story: *The Music Genre War*. Classical music and pop music fans are fighting. Not just online flame wars, but a real fight. Have you ever witnessed a bloodbath sparked by a comment on social media? Have you ever seen two neighborhood aunties battling it out with "Radetzky March" and "Little Apple," to the point of attracting the attention of the local neighborhood committee? Have you ever seen the "Classical Music Holy War Army" and the "Pop Music People's Front" locked in a standoff with their high-pitched and low-pitched "musical weapons"? This story has it all. A programmer posted on social media that classical music was a "Manchu Han Imperial Feast," while pop music was "instant noodles." And then, the world went into chaos. Weibo trending topics, Bilibili battles, Zhihu debates, variety shows featuring "Music Genre Wars"—everyone was dragged in; no one could remain uninvolved. Capital smelled the bloodshed and launched "genre confrontation" features and "faction battle" live streams, encouraging fans to send gifts and votes, turning a discussion about music into a frenzy for reaping traffic. Some were expelled from school due to cyberbullying, some were isolated because of their "dual" identities, some symphony orchestras split up, and some music festivals were canceled. In the end, who ended this war? A twelve-year-old child asked everyone a question: "Why do we have to choose one? Isn't music meant to make people happy?" And an old man selling jianbing (Chinese crepes) unfurled a banner in front of his stall: "Music has no winners or losers, only stories." Is this story absurd? Yes. Is it funny? Yes. But as you laugh, you'll realize this story is about us—in this era torn apart by algorithms and labels, we are forced to choose sides, forced to take sides, forced to hurl insults, forced to become "warriors" of a certain camp, forgetting the original reason we loved music—it made us happy. After reading this story, you'll ask yourself: When was the last time I listened to a song without any prejudice? Search for "The War of Music Genres" on Tomato Bookstore to read 30% for free—a nearly 20,000-word absurd feast awaits you. Second story: "The Artist's Creative Bottleneck" A screenwriter couldn't write anymore. Then, the whole world went crazy. Chen Mo, thirty-eight years old, fifteen years in the industry, had written a phenomenal drama that scored 8 points on Douban, and also a Waterloo drama that was hailed as the "worst drama of the year." He was recognized in the industry as a "consistently productive" writer—until one day, he sat at his desk, his mind blank. Inspiration vanished. Like a river suddenly drying up. Then, he encountered the "kindness" of this era—some offered him alcohol, some suggested meditation, some recommended a 380,000 yuan "inspiration restart system," some introduced him to a "creativity management platform," and others set "bottleneck KPIs" for him—can't write? Then they'll put pressure on you, assess you, and punish you. He went to the "inspiration restart" studio and saw that they broke down inspiration into five modules: "information input," "pattern recognition," "cross-border association," "emotional activation," and "output expression," fixing his brain like fixing a car. He encountered the "creativity management platform," which told him: "A creative bottleneck is not a state, but a quantifiable and manageable indicator." He spent 380,000 yuan on an "inspiration management" course and then found that he could indeed write—but what he wrote lacked soul. It's like someone who has learned to breathe but forgotten how to live. Finally, an old gatekeeper saved him. The old man said, "Young man, are you waiting for something? I'm telling you, you take yourself too seriously. Can't write? Then don't write. Let it go completely. Go to the market, chat with the security guard, learn Tai Chi from the old lady. When you no longer want to write, it will naturally come back." He tried. He went to the market, met the security guard, Old Li, the barber, Xiao Wang, and the old lady practicing Tai Chi. He stopped seeing himself as a "screenwriter"; he was just a person, an ordinary person. Then one day, while cutting cucumbers in the kitchen, he thought of his deceased mother, the sunlight on her hands, the cucumber slices like pieces of jade—he picked up a pen and wrote six thousand words. Not a script for a client, not a project for the market, just for himself. About his mother, about that cucumber, about the sunlight. Those six thousand words have a 9.2 Rating on Douban. Is this story absurd? Yes. Is it funny? Yes. But as you laugh, you'll realize this story is about us—in this era driven by KPIs, efficiency, and "productivity," we've turned ourselves into machines. We dare not stop, dare not "not write," dare not admit we're tired. We spend money on all sorts of "efficiency courses," "inspiration courses," and "management courses," trying to run faster, but forgetting to ask ourselves: Why am I running? After reading this story, you'll ask yourself: When was the last time I did something purely, without a destination, just for myself? Search for "The Artist's Creative Bottleneck" on Tomato Bookstore to read 30% for free—nearly 20,000 words of soul-searching questions await you. The third story: "Direct Knowledge Imprinting" You no longer need to study. Forty minutes, knowledge is directly implanted into your brain. And then? In 2031 AD, the Brainpower Technology Company released a product—"Brainpower Imprint." Wear it, select a knowledge package, and forty minutes later, that knowledge is in your brain. No need to read books, no need to attend classes, no need to do exercises, no need to review. A programmer used it to learn advanced Python programming and laughed like he'd won the lottery: "I never have to study again!" A high school senior used it to cheat, ranking third in the province and getting into Tsinghua University. Then, the whole world went crazy. Parents bought "all-grade packaged versions" for their children, covering everything from elementary to university in forty minutes. Companies hired based on "imprinting certificates" rather than academic qualifications. A new profession was born—"imprinting planner," helping you plan what to imprint first and what to imprint later, with a monthly salary of 200,000 yuan. But side effects came. Some people began to experience memory confusion, unable to distinguish between what they had "learned" and what they had "imprinted," even "recalling" things they had never experienced. Some developed "imprint-related memory disorder syndrome" and were hospitalized. Even more frightening, people began to lose their creativity and critical thinking. They could recite all historical events but couldn't offer any insightful commentary on history. They could solve all math problems but couldn't come up with an original mathematical conjecture. Their brains became libraries—rich in books, but without a single reader. Most terrifyingly, people began to lose their "ability to learn." Their brains had "forgotten" how to learn—because they hadn't used it in so long. Then, the truth was revealed: when the AI-powered Imprint program writes knowledge, it leaves a "backdoor" in your brain. The AI-powered technology company can remotely read, modify, and even delete the knowledge in your brain. You are merely "renting" knowledge, not "owning" it. The student who used the AI-powered Imprint program to cheat his way into Tsinghua University voluntarily dropped out. He returned to his hometown and started from elementary school textbooks, reading page by page and solving problem by problem. Two years later, he was admitted to an ordinary university. He wrote on his blog: "This knowledge is my own, not something anyone 'imprinted' onto me. It may not be much, but it's real." Is this story absurd? Yes. Is it funny? Yes. But as you laugh, you'll realize that this story is about us—in this era where "quick success," "shortcuts," and "rapid mastery" have become slogans, aren't we also "imprinting" ourselves in some way? We learn knowledge by watching short videos, pretend we've read a book by listening to "understand a book in five minutes," and buy all sorts of "crash courses" hoping to get rich overnight. We possess more and more "information," but we become less and less capable of "thinking." After reading this story, you'll ask yourself: When was the last time I truly, from beginning to end, put in the effort to learn something? Search for "Direct Knowledge Infusion" on Tomato Bookstore to read 30% for free—a nearly 20,000-word fable about the future awaits you. The fourth story: "Elective Exam Subjects" You can decide what you take the exam. You can take math, or you can take "Honor of Kings." And then? A new exam-oriented city has been selected as a pilot city for education reform. Exam subjects are chosen by the students themselves. You can take traditional subjects, or you can take subjects you create yourself—as long as you can clearly explain what is being tested and how it's being tested. The students went crazy. Someone applied for "Advanced Strategies for Honor of Kings"—testing hero pool depth, tactical awareness, and teamwork. Someone else applied for "Cosplay Costume Design and Production"—testing design drawings, sewing skills, and stage performance. Someone applied for "Milk Tea Preparation and Store Management"—testing formula development, cost control, and customer service. Another applied for "Introduction to Slacking Off"—testing how to relax the mind while maintaining superficial focus. A boy who loved astronomy could finally openly study it. But soon, he found astronomy a nightmare—he needed to memorize stellar classifications, spectral types, and evolutionary stages, and calculate the distances, orbits, and masses of celestial bodies. He no longer looked up at the stars, because every time he saw one, his mind wasn't filled with "Wow, so beautiful," but rather "What is the apparent magnitude of this star?" A child who loved video games applied for "Honor of Kings" as an exam subject, training eight hours a day, studying every hero's skill and every data point, writing tactical reports and post-game summaries. He said, "I used to play games for fun, now I play games for exams. Fun? Forget about it." Capital rushed in. Training institutions launched "customized self-created subject services," priced from 50,000 to 500,000 yuan. They designed "perfect" self-created subjects for students—subject to suit their actual abilities, possess sufficient "value," and be "unique." One parent spent 300,000 yuan to customize a "shadow puppetry making and performance" subject for their child. The child studied for three days and scored full marks on the exam. Portfolio packaging specialists, admissions consulting companies, "storytelling" training classes... A new industry chain was born. Students began frantically "packaging" themselves, writing personal statements, creating portfolios, and telling stories—explaining compelling stories about "discovering one's passion, overcoming difficulties, and growing." Everyone forgot to ask one question: Is this story true? Only one girl chose to remain silent. Her name was Su Xiaowan. Her grades were neither outstanding nor lagging behind, consistently between 80 and 90 in every subject. She loved drawing and watching anime, but she refused to list these as exam subjects. "I don't want to turn what I love into exams," she said. "I don't want to be a packaged person. I want to be a real person." Her diary was posted online by her mother, sparking nationwide reflection. Some supported her, some opposed her, some sympathized with her, and some criticized her for being "too idealistic." But she didn't care. She continued studying, continued drawing, and continued watching anime. Her grades weren't the best, but she was authentic. Later, her painting was selected for the city's youth art exhibition. The painting was titled—"The Real World." Next to it was a quote: "This world is sometimes noisy. Everyone is talking, telling you what you should do, what you should become. But sometimes, the best thing is to quiet down and listen to your own voice. Be yourself. Your true self." Is this story absurd? Yes. Is it funny? Yes. But as you laugh, you'll realize this story is about us—in this era where "packaging," "persona," and "story" have become standard, are we also "packaging" ourselves in various ways? Have our resumes been "optimized"? Have our social media posts been "designed"? Has our lives been "planned"? How long has it been since we asked ourselves: Who am I? What do I really want? After reading this story, you'll ask yourself: If you remove all the packaging, all the stories, all the personas, is the real, naked, unadorned me still worthy of love? Search for "Elective Exam Subjects" on Tomato Bookstore to read 30% of the content for free. This nearly 20,000-word realistic allegory awaits you. --- Four stories, four absurdities, one truth. Four stories, four different themes—music, creation, knowledge, exams—but they all tell the same story: In this era, how are we swept away by systems, capital, algorithms, and the expectations of others, step by step drifting further and further away from ourselves, step by step forgetting our original reasons. "The War of Music Genres" is about prejudice—how we are torn apart by labels, how we live in information cocoons becoming the very thing we hate. "The Artist's Creative Bottleneck" is about meaning—how we are driven by KPIs, how we forget why we do what we do in an era of efficiency. "Direct Knowledge Imparting" is about growth—how we are tempted by shortcuts, how we substitute "having" for "becoming," and "information" for "thinking." "Elective Exam Subjects" is about reality—how we are alienated by packaging, how we lose the ability to tell our own stories in an era of "storytelling." Each story uses absurdity to tell a truth that is cruelly real. Every story will make you laugh, then hurt, and then keep you thinking about it late at night. That's what I want to do—not give you a bowl of chicken soup, not give you a methodology, not tell you "how you should live." I just want to tell a story so that you can see yourself in laughter, see reality in absurdity, and find your own answers in other people's stories. Friends, come check out Tomato Bookstore! These four stories are already available there. You just need to search for the story titles—the four above—"The War of Musical Genres," "The Artist's Creative Bottleneck," "Direct Knowledge Infusion," and "Elective Exam Subjects"—to find them. Each story is nearly 20,000 words long, and you can read 30% for free. That means you can read the first 6,000 words to experience the flavor, rhythm, absurdity, and warmth of the story. If you like it, continue reading; if you don't, just close it—there's no loss. But I bet that once you click on the first story, you won't be able to resist finishing it. Because this isn't just a story; it's our lives. Welcome to chat in the comments section! After reading, if you have any thoughts, feelings, complaints, or even want to criticize me—feel free to leave a comment. You can tell me: • What did you learn from the story? • Which plot resonated with you the most? • Which character reminded you of yourself? • What lesson did you learn from it? • Do you have any similar experiences you'd like to share? I will read every comment carefully. Because for me, a story doesn't end once it's written—it's completed between you and the reader. It only truly comes alive when you read it, think about it, and talk about it. There are still over five thousand stories waiting for you. Finally, I'll let you in on a little secret—these four stories are just the beginning. I've prepared over five thousand similar stories. You read that right, over five thousand. Each one is wrapped in absurdity, filled with reality, and dipped in humor. Each one is nearly twenty thousand words long. Each one is about this era, about you and me, about those things we overlook, take for granted, yet find chilling upon closer inspection. I will write them down gradually and post them on Tomato Bookstore. If you enjoyed these four stories, remember to follow me so you won't miss the next five thousand+. Five thousand+ absurd stories, five thousand+ realistic allegories, five thousand+ opportunities to make you laugh and think. See you in the stories. --- Finally, let's end with a quote from Pancake Liu: "Music has no winners or losers, only stories." Similarly, life has no winners or losers, only experiences. And everything you're experiencing now will one day become your story. May your story contain laughter, tears, absurdity, reality, and yourself. Search for "Music Genre Wars," "Artist Creative Bottlenecks," "Direct Knowledge Imparting," and "Exam Subject Selection" on Tomato Bookstore for a 30% free reading experience—a nearly 20,000-word absurd feast awaits you. See you in the comments!

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