once upon a time for free

After Jim Yates, the leader of the Dragon Clan, conquers the underworld, he hides his identity and runs a barbecue restaurant. At the same time, Yvonne Lane, the CEO of Lane Group, with whom he had a one-night-stand five years ago, was being bullied by Matthew Todd, the second son of the Todd family. One day, she arrives at Jim's barbecue restaurant with her twin children, Daryl and Quincy, and is saved by him. Jim recognizes Yvonne at first glance and suspects he is the father of her two children. The two children quickly warm to Jim and wish he could be their father. Meanwhile, in an effort to stifle the Todd family and Lane Group, Yvonne decides to marry Jim. Jim summons his subordinate, Nadia Yates, to run a DNA test, which confirms the two children are indeed his. In light of this revelation, Jim vows to protect his new family. At the banquet, Jim stands up for Yvonne and fights the Todds. The Todds call upon Simon Gray, the chief officer of the Dragon Clan, for reinforcements. Jim defeats him, and through his subtle manipulation, has Nadia promise a favor to Yvonne in the name of the Dragon Clan. Yvonne uses this favor to become the chairman of Lane Group. As Jim Yates continues to support and protect her and the children, their relationship grows even deeper.

The short drama follows the lives of Sandy Wood and Dave Carter, shedding light on the complex and often conflicting aspects of family duty. Before their marriage, Dave is hailed by everyone as a reliable, dutiful man, someone who embodies devotion and is expected to become the perfect husband. Yet, once married, Sandy begins to see another side of him. His so-called "honesty" masks a deeper flaw - blind, unquestioning obedience to his parents. Dave sacrifices their marriage and Sandy's happiness, putting his parents' wishes above all else. His submission leaves him helpless in the face of family tensions, and it forces Sandy to endure constant injustice and pressure from her in-laws. Over time, this silent suffering builds until Sandy reaches her breaking point and finds the courage to break her silence, seeking change and her own liberation.

Ten years ago, the once optimistic Sam Rider was forced to leave his family and venture to a distant land due to a misunderstanding. He lived alone, experiencing life's trials and tribulations. During this time, Sam encountered a life-threatening accident, hanging by a thread until he was saved by a girl, Helen Foster. Grateful for her rescue, he silently stays by her side and protects her to repay the debt of saving his life. The two eventually become lovers. However, life after marriage isn't a happy one. The burdens of life and various misunderstandings place immense pressure on both of them, dealing a huge blow to their relationship. Nevertheless, Sam doesn't give up. In the end, through his efforts, Sam earns approval from Helen's family and ultimately lives a happy life with Helen.

When the biological daughter of the White family returns, Sabrina Thompson ends up suffering humiliation as her parents have mistakenly taken her for their real daughter. After being told to return to her family in the countryside, she is left dumbfounded upon discovering that the seemingly ordinary village is, in reality, the prestigious abode of the world's top billionaire.

Five years ago, Su Li and the fugitive Fu Jiuchen shared a whirlwind, passionate night that led to an instant and deep connection. But they were soon separated. Now, five years later, Li has a sickly son and is at her wit's end. Desperate, she decides to pawn the jade pendant Jiuchen had left her. However, fate takes a strange turn when Jiang Ting acquires the pendant and, using it as a key, infiltrates the Fu household pretending to be Li, bringing her son along. In order to raise money for her son's medical treatment, Li takes up a job as a maid in the Fu residence. Unknowingly to Jiuchen, the woman he has been searching for all this time is living right under his nose. Unable to resist his intense attraction, he finds himself drawn to her once more, repeatedly taking what he desires by force...

Jennifer was originally a wealthy young lady who mistakenly thought Eldridge had helped her and fell in love with him. She concealed her identity, silently supporting the poor Eldridge. However, just as Eldridge was about to achieve success, he abandoned Jennifer to marry a wealthy young lady in order to advance his career. Eldridge and his family treated Jennifer as a thorn in their side, insulting and defaming her in front of numerous dignitaries. Once Jennifer understood the truth, she revealed her identity as the daughter of the richest man, humiliating Eldridge back. Eldridge and his despicable family regretted their actions and tried to appease her, but it was too late. Jennifer loudly proclaimed to the world that Eldridge was unworthy of her. At the same time, Herschel, the man who was engaged to Jennifer in their childhood, found her and spared no effort to seek revenge on her behalf, fulfilling his wish and eventually winning her heart.

Betrayed and killed by her fiancé, Jake Carter, and the scheming Tiffany Wells, Emma Foster is reborn with a chance to rewrite her fate. She rejects Jake, helps Alex Shaw rise in a prestigious competition, and watches as Jake faces humiliation and financial ruin. When he and Tiffany attempt to sabotage her birthday banquet, she turns the tables, exposing their schemes. Finally free from the past, Emma finds love and happiness with Alex, proving that success is the best revenge.

Karina's stepson's birth mother returns, threatening to take the boy Karina raised and helped heal from a congenital leg disability. After a heated argument, Karina realizes her husband and stepson saw her only as a free nanny. Desperate, she then discovers John, her silent protector, ready to help her restart her career and shine again as a cybersecurity queen. When her ex-husband and stepson regret it, it's too late.

Orphaned Yvonne and her childhood friend Samuel pledged to marry. When Samuel's leukemia relapsed, Yvonne donated bone marrow, but his health didn't improve. His family took him abroad, leaving her their family's heirloom ring, promising to reunite in fifteen years. As an adult, Yvonne became a reporter at Landon TV, and Samuel returned, intending to divorce her upon his arrival.

After returning to her biological family in her past life, Ava Devin was severely mistreated by the fake heiress and her three brothers. They even poisoned her and married her off to a dead person. Upon being reborn, Ava uses her past knowledge to send the fake heiress and her brothers behind bars. Eventually, she becomes the chairman of Nash Corp, with absolute authority in her hands.

Misunderstanding his father, Topher, to dislike his mother, Rain, six-year-old adorable child Hulk yearned to reunite with his biological mother. Upon finding Rain, he endeavored to forge a strong connection between his parents, aiming to mend their relationship. However, fearing renewed discord if their true identities were revealed, he covertly assisted in concealing their pasts, playing a role in uniting them and bringing their family back together.

The true heiress, Jane, was abandoned by the adopted daughter of the Thomas family, leading her to wander alone. Upon her return, Ruby felt jealous of the affection Jane received from their parents and deliberately targeted her. However, Jane revealed her many hidden identities, attracting the attention and adoration of three powerful brothers. Additionally, she captured the heart of Lucas, the rumored hot-tempered heir of the Gordon family, who cherished her a lot.

For three years, Cecilia Nixon had been in a loveless marriage with Nat Gold, untouched by him, and her mother-in-law insisted she leave empty-handed. In a sudden act of defiance, Cecilia managed to force Nat to sleep with her and then vanished, pregnant. Six years later, upon her return to her homeland, the first person she bumped into was Nat. As they engaged in a chase, her rage got the better of her, and she confronted him, demanding a proper distance between them.

Business legend Zara Sorrel is betrayed by a scumbag and transmigrates into the body of Cassie Young, who grew up in the countryside with the Young family. Cassie is then forced by her stepsister to take her place in a marriage alliance, wedding the disabled eldest son of the powerful Moser family.Looked down upon by everyone, Cassie thrives within the privileged family and the business world! She not only bankrupts the abusive Young family but also ensures her treacherous ex meets a gruesome end.

Quinn Anne, a design prodigy, faced rejection from her fiancé due to her appearance and was subsequently ousted from her home by her stepmother's family, who treated her as worthless. In her darkest hour, Timothy Ford came to her aid, rushing her to the hospital after she was poisoned. Upon her recuperation, Quinn and Timothy swiftly tied the knot, uniting to seek justice against those who had wronged her.

On a fateful Valentine's night, Vanessa, a struggling actress, stumbles upon Daniel Jones, a dashing and wealthy entertainment mogul from Los Angeles, who is pretending to have amnesia after an accident amidst an inheritance dispute. As fate would have it, Vanessa unknowingly takes him in and they begin an unexpected cohabitation... As their bond deepens, Daniel's fears the day Vanessa discovers his feigned amnesia, which could unravel everything, including their blossoming romance. Will their love withstand the truth?

James was imprisoned after being falsely accused of causing his grandfather's coma. Upon his release, he found his family cold and indifferent—they even pressured him to sacrifice his own leg for Jasper. Overwhelmed by despair, he resolved to cut all ties with the Lynn family. But a twist of fate led him to Zoey. With her unwavering support, James not only cleared his name but also made sure the true culprit, Jasper, was brought to justice.

Amelia Russo has loved Shawn Butler for many years, but his heart remains steadfast in its longing for his first love. Determined, Amelia gracefully steps aside to make room for that woman.Shawn deludes into believing his happiness lies in Amelia's absence and jolts by an unexpected revelation upon receiving her medical card. "Shawn Butler, as the final days of my life trickle away, I no longer choose to waste my love on you."