Lu Cheng died at the age of twenty.
It was an abrupt and sudden death, but Lu Cheng couldn't know the aftermath that occurred after his passing away, but he for one, personally could care less.
Lu Cheng was adopted by a fifty-year-old man who used to be a background actor, somewhat similar to those props you would see in a movie. The old man had always wanted to be an actor, but he was unable to, so he wanted to live his dream through Lu Cheng and imposed his ideals and dreams upon Lu Cheng.
Lu Cheng hated his father. Sometimes, he wanted to even kill him.
But, that was in the past. Lu Cheng had already died, and the reason behind it may be unprecedented.
Lu Cheng never had an aspiration to become an actor, but he was forced to attend acting classes, take precautions about his appearance, then finally when he was about to major in acting in college, he had failed his entrance exams with a line of straight Cs. The results weren't that bad and could probably get him into some crappy university, but his father didn't want that. So, when Lu Cheng came back home, he was beaten to death by that very same man.
Again. Lu Cheng had no hard feelings, but obviously, he wanted the man to suffer a thousand times more than him. That was when he met a metallic orb calling itself a system.
The system made an offer, "Work for me and I will grant you another chance at a better life," in other words, this was a reincarnation into a better family.
Naturally, Lu Cheng didn't object. He wasn't once skeptical about the sketchy offer. His thought process went like, I'm already dead so why do I need to care about getting scammed?
Though, he didn't know how he, a dead man, could work for a supernatural talking metal ball. But, he accepted without a moment of hesitation. If this was his key to reliving a life as himself, then he'd take it in a heartbeat.
"What do I need to do?" Lu Cheng asked thoughtfully, "Am I to go work at a purgatory until my karma is restored and I can reincarnate? Hey, system, make sure I become the heir of some company!"
The system replied monotonously, "Of course, the higher-ups will grant you the chance to pick whichever family you want to be born into. But first, you have to work hard to accumulate misery points."
"Misery points?" Lu Cheng furrowed his eyebrows, "Why don't you take a pity on me and give me a head start of 100 karma points, hm? I think my life's already been as pathetic as a dog's. I lived like a soulless doll for twenty years! Take pity on me."
The system: ...shameless!
Eventually, without any fluctuations still in its robotic tone, it mechanically said, "Do not associate pity with work. I am only the relayer of the message and the assistant who will help you as you try to gain karma points, I naturally will not have any tender feelings for you because we are on the same boat. Host, please take this more seriously."
Lu Cheng's face changed, wiping out the cheery atmosphere from before. The system was shocked. Surely, even when Lu Cheng wasn't interested in acting, he had a talent for it. It could rival the ostentatious acting displayed by those newbie actors in the swooning, romantic comedies.
Lu Cheng said darkly, "System, I don't think you know what kind of person I am. I lived life like a dead dog. No one works harder than me. You telling me I don't take this seriously correlates to the president not caring about his people!"
The system was flabbergasted. How did the concern for his lack of work attitude correlated to the president's responsibility? It felt as though he had picked the wrong person to be its host. If he didn't achieve system points along with his host, then he'd be dismantled! Even if it were a robot, it still feared death. After all, all systems were made to feel like humans so that it could better convince (cough, scam) people into working for the system.
Suddenly, the host's face changed. It was like a glacier melted to reveal magma underneath. Lu Cheng was favored by many people because of his sunny, handsome and neat looks that screamed 'second male lead.' If he had passed the entrance exams and pursued the career of becoming a full-time actor, there was no doubt he would be cast as the second male lead.
Lu Cheng's eyebrows were slanted upwards, thus nurturing an amicable, gentle look. While the shape of his eyes were elongated and long but drawn up, it only served to make him look kinder. His whole bearing was noble and cheerful which evoked a good feeling in others. There was no doubt that Lu Cheng was a good-looking man. He was not attractive to the point nations would fall at his feet, but he had the kind of aesthetic that girls nowadays were so attracted to like the gentle and kind senior type.
But, then, the 'gentle' senior's mouth was extremely big and brazen.
Lu Cheng finally had his share of teasing the stressed-to-death system, then inquired with a serious expression and tone of voice, "Okay, fine, you'll compensate for my hard work. But, what is this 'hark work' anyways? I'm a failure at lessons, and I can only act. Surely, I can't do things like accounting. I'm practically...useless!"
The system's frayed nerves finally eased at its host's interest in work. It was explained hurriedly so as to draw Lu Cheng's attention. The man already seemed uninterested except for the part about redeeming a better life.
"Oh, you don't have to use your brain, but your good looks and acting skills. You're to be assigned a mission to travel into worlds and occupy the body of a top-notch man. Your mission is to become the scummiest, the shittiest, the most brain-dead gong of all time! You have to cause the little shou pain and misery so that the little shou can meet a better man and you die a painful death!"
Lu Cheng's already curved eyebrow curved even further, and he summarized quickly, "So, you mean I have to become the 'scummiest, the shittiest, the most brain-dead' gong and live to die a miserable death?"
Lu Cheng spat in anger, "Then how is it any different from the life I previously lived!?"
The system was at a loss for words. It truly wondered about the heart-wrenching life Lu Cheng lived as a scum wannabe actor. But, no, it couldn't give up easily! Who knew how long it would take for him to meet another compatible host albeit his host was somewhat of a surly and miserable man? It also pitied Lu Cheng, and wished to help him so that the two of them could survive.
"Host, you will live the life of a man who has it all!" The system comforted, "Luxury, pretty bottoms, money and admiration, you will have it all! Besides, don't you wanna reincarnate into a good, well-off family!? Just complete the mission and you will live a fulfilling life next time."
Lu Cheng opened his mouth but no words came out. He grumpily closed his lips and his eyes, rubbing his chin pensively and weighing the pros and cons. The thing was, there were more advantages than disadvantages! Obviously, this was a once-in-a-lifetime offer and Lu Cheng would just be a brainless person if he didn't accept it. So, he harrumphed and turned back to face the system.
"What's your name?" He asked imperiously.
"I'm system 3435," the system was a little shy introducing himself, or Lu Cheng imagined it to be. There was really no emotion on its metallic face or robotic voice.
"What does 3435 stand for?" Lu Cheng's eyebrow twitched, feeling that there was a deeper meaning behind those numeric numbers.
"3435 stands for 69, host! And, 69 means that you, as a perfect gong, will have everything!" The system was quick to praise Lu Cheng. Lu Cheng imagined this was the system being cute to rake in a good feeling, but he didn't expose its wicked intention of using flattery to gain his heart.
"Alright," a bright smile bloomed on the fair, handsome face, "Start the operation to be the scum gong!"
"Hai!"
By the time Lu Cheng regained back his consciousness, he found himself on a spacious bed, as any other normal person would wake up to. Usually, they would be half asleep, but Lu Cheng's eyes were as wide as saucers, round and piercing through the dim-lit room. The pair of round black eyes stared up at the white crevice of the ceiling.
"System~" a deep voice echoed. A hiccup followed. "Why the hell is my voice so fucking deep!?"
Lu Cheng sat up on the bed subsequently, clamping a big, white, veiny hand over his mouth. He stared down at the slender hand incredulously. On the back of the incredibly good-looking hand embellished blueish-green veins that seemed like it could crush a cup into powder. When he flexed his fingers, the well-defined knuckles protruded like a tidal wave.
"Get used to it," the system replied calmly. It continued to explain further afterwards, "You're now a gong in the BL world which means that you'll have the finest qualities except a decent personality. But, since you are a starter, I thought that you should start with an easier world. The difficulty is only one star. Do you want the information of your first mission now, or would you like to admire yourself first?"
"Aye," Lu Cheng waved dismissively. His white hand seemed especially eye-catching, "I'm a busy man, system. Drop the TMI bomb."
Lu Cheng didn't need to repeat himself before a wave of nausea washed over his mind. It felt like a faraway dream but by the time the headache faded, lines appeared inside his brain. He noticed that what he was seeing looked awfully similar to an actor's or actress's script. These were his line. Wow, this meant that the whole purpose of the mission was to act. That was easy.
Lu Cheng heehee-ed. He was good at acting like a scum since his personality wasn't so far from it. He didn't bother to read the narration lines and directly asked the system to summarize it for him.
If the system were a cat, its fur would have already stood straight and tall from anger. But, for the sake of the mission, the system was elucidated.
"You're to act as Gu Jing, the playboy gong who abuses the little shou, Kuanlin's feelings again and again and go drink with other people while you're dating him. The setting is at a high-school where Kuanlin first catches your attention when he was talking to his childhood friend and the supporting gong Lai Wenxing who has been in love with him since childhood. You then seduce Kuanlin and begin to date him. Even though you're the scum that cheats on the little shou again and again, you begin to fall in love with him. Then, the little shou catches you with a woman and breaks up with you. You start to regret it but when you try to get back with him, the supporting gong, who's also the heir of the rivaling company, swoops in and starts to date the shou. Your role is to act as the vengeful, regretful and scummy playboy!"
The system finished this all in one breath. Lu Cheng mindlessly applauded the little system, already acting like a scum and successfully angered the system to death. It remained quiet and Lu Cheng laughed, a breezy and heartful and deep chuckle that would strike one's heart after one listen.
"How do I die then? Is it grand? Am I like a noble falling from grace?"
The system gritted its teeth if it ever hand them. Finally, it spat out, "Lai Wenxing hired skilled hitmen to kill you, then after your family was grieving your death, he completely crushed your father's company and made the Gu family a disgrace. He and the little shou continued to finish school, then married after two years, even adopting a child."
"Hm, is that so~?" Lu Cheng tapped his chin teasingly once or twice. An excited glint flashed in his eyes, and he narrowed them down wickedly, "That means I'm very rich, yeah?"
The system: Roll!
Lu Cheng chuckled deeply, surveying his surroundings pensively. He observed, "Judging by the bed I sleep on and the amount of empty space in the room, that means I'm extremely rich."
Lu Cheng appeared proud as though the two words 'extremely rich' were tattooed on his forehead. He rose to his feet and gingerly picked up the alarm clock which indicated 7:02 in neon red words. The sunny man sighed regretfully, setting down the clock onto the bedside table with a gentle gesture. Every movement of his seemed to be filled with a gentle yet undisguised indifference and defiance as if he himself could challenge a god.
(A/N: We'll be referring to him as Gu Jing from now on)
Since Gu Jing had only woke up, his hair was sticking out in all directions. He lifted a palm to press down the stray strands but couldn't quell the mess. He dropped his hand and grimaced, stalking to the entry of his door which was a single, long piece of wood yet when he pressed his palm against the door, he could feel its fine, smooth texture. This kind of wood was worth thousands, if not even more.
Gu Jing shivered, his eyes going cha-ching literally.
The coils creaked eerily as Gu Jing pushed the door open. He poked his head out like a child stealing cookies in the midst of the night. The hallway was long and almost endless, and no person was in sight. It was like a haunted house with its ancient yet grand orientations. If Gu Jing ever saw a castle, he thought it would look similar to this interior.
"Gu Jing!" A high-pitched and shrill voice alerted Gu Jing. It was so unexpected and so sudden that Gu Jing instantly swung the door back into place. Unfortunately, his face wasn't free from the impact of his brash action and he knocked his forehead against the wood.
Gu Jing gritted his teeth. Feeling a bit light-headed, he stumbled back and held his forehead in a daze. He felt like he literally knocked seven years of his life away just like that.
"What!?" Gu Jing barked, well, not really, but his voice was full of irritation that it even made one feel self-conscious. Coupled with his deep voice, it was like a volcano eruption over Pompeii, or the one that wiped out all the dinosaurs.
The door was slowly pushed open and unveiled a beautiful foreigner woman. Her hair looked as if made from the finest golden threads and her cerulean blue eyes were that of corals beneath the gentle sea. She was enchanting like a siren out in the ocean, lulling sailors not with her voice, but her enamoring appearance. She looked a little worn-down by age with faint crinkles around her eyes and her cheeks with smile lines, but other than that, she was a peerless beauty.
The system rang alarm bells in Gu Jing's head, "Host! That's your mother. She married your father who is a chinese man named Gu Ren. Her name's Alicia. She used to be a businesswoman but after marrying your father, she started a company together with him and gradually accumulated wealth, making the Gu family one of the most prominent families in China."
Gu Jing talked to the system inside his consciousness, "What a terrific woman. It's only just a shame that her son didn't turn out to be as terrific. And now, I'm occupying her useless son's body to turn out to be as equally useless."
The system's brain felt like it was about to explode from the riddle or tongue twister Gu Jing just echoed.
Gu Jing: Heehee.
"Mother," Gu Jing called out without a hint of awkwardness. It was as though he were really Gu Jing and had spent 18 years of his life with her. At the admission, the middle-aged woman smiled upon him kindly.
"Gu Jing. How unexpected. I was just going to your room to wake you up, but you were already awake," Alicia blinked her pretty blue eyes in a stupor. Her long eyelashes cast fans on her pale cheeks. She was as cute as a porcelain doll and Gu Jing could see why Gu Ren fell so deeply in love with her to the point where he would kneel on his legs.
Having never really felt paternal love, Gu Jing found himself at a loss for words. A rosy color came to his white cheeks and although he was such a big, tall and handsome teenager, it seemed to add another sort of charm to the good-looking mixed boy. Back in his original world, Gu Jing was loved by the aunties around his block. He was charming, obedient and gentle, so he was greatly appreciated by the female population, especially among the elderly women.
He bashfully called out again, his cheeks flushed deeply, "M..Mother.."
Alicia was taken aback at the flushed sight of her big bear son. But, afterwards, she only felt warmth flare up inside of her chest and couldn't help but step forward and embrace him in a hug. She felt Gu Jing's whole body, which was far taller than her by two heads tense up like an agitated porcupine. She released him after a few seconds, chuckling to herself. She couldn't help but fawn over her adorable son! No matter how big he would grow, he would always remain that sweet little youth in her heart.
Suddenly, she noticed the big bump on his forehead and found her smile slipping away. A frown etched onto her face and she pulled down his head to take a closer look at the protruding brown bump. She poked at it and heard a hiss from her son.
"This won't do. You need to smear ointment on it," Her voice was laced with concern and helplessness. In a soft voice, she scolded him, "Gu Jing, why are you so clumsy!?"
Gu Jing only smiled dumbly.
"Host, you're OOC-ing! That's minus one point which means you're currently -1 misery point! Think sensibly, host, don't let your mommy issues take over you!"
Hearing the annoying robotic voice in his head, Gu Jing frowned. He didn't hear the system's nagging again which meant that it was perfectly in line with his character. This made Gu Jing think even deeper about the role he was assigned. His character was a person who was currently in his rebellious phase, hence he wouldn't act filial towards his parents. And besides, he was so rich that the heavens could bow down to him, why should he have cared about whatever misfortune he should bring to other people?
Gu Jing thought he must have understood the character he was about to play very well, and was content with the bare minimum of discovery he came up with.
And...that one fucking minus misery point! What the hell did he do? Whose ancestors did he offend in his past life for that one minus misery point to haunt him? From enthusiasm, to indifference, to content and to disappointment, Gu Jing quickly cycled through his mood like a champion biker.
Seeing the different shades of colors Gu Jing's face could turn into, Alicia said in a hushed voice, "Come here, I will apply some ointment for you. It doesn't matter if you're late. Your health is more important!"
Gu Jing could suddenly understand why the original body turned out to be such a carefree and irascible youth. If he were to be spoiled and treated like this, Gu Jing himself would think he was an emperor among men! No wonder this type of person turned out to be a scum gong. He snorted inwardly but followed his mother.
In his original world, Gu Jing had never driven a car or a motorbike, so imagine his despair when he stood in front of a Harley Davidson Rocker with its 37-degree inclined front and rear. The engines and systems were so complex that Gu Jing felt that he was a shame for all the bad boys out there who rode these bikes to school.
Sweat dotted his temples to which he wiped off precariously. He shouted for the help of the system in his mind.
"What the hell, system!? How the fuck am I supposed to ride this shit?" Gu Jing swore heavily, blatantly showing off his distaste towards the confusing machinery.
The system discerned that for such a good-looking face, Gu Jing's mouth was too insensible that not even soap could clean the filth coming out those pretty lips. But, indeed, that one trait was well-matched with the character Gu Jing was supposed to play, so he let it slide for now. It would be a trouble if Gu Jing had to act as those upright and innocent gongs that were so popular with the girls. A gentleman on the streets, a beast in the sheets!
"Ah, well, the 'scum gong' systems were supposed to make perfect, manly gongs as their hosts, which means that they already know what to do most things...however, as for host, even if you're a gong, you aren't perfect. And believe me, I'm only putting up with you because our compatibility is especially high!"
Gu Jing smiled, but that smile seemed especially gloomy. He raised a perfectly arched and trimmed eyebrow, "System, if I'm so lacking, why don't you just drop me and I drop dead instead! Why are you so useless!? I thought systems were supposed to be golden fingers! Forget it, I'll just go die, I guess."
"Host, if you die, I die as well!" The little system wailed.
"We can be Romeo and Juliet," Gu Jing sneered inside his head, "What's more romantic than dying together?"
"Agh!" For the first time in its years of existing, the system had run into its first obstruction - his obstinate host with an inferior complex! It started to sweat heavily. Its host sounded solemn when he said he would go die, and the system knew how hard-headed his host could be since he had obtained a file on Gu Jing's life in which he died. Whilst reading through its host of past events, it felt like crying. Its host was so miserable!
Gu Jing tapped his chin. It was an old habit that died hard but never ceased to fade away. Whenever he was thoughtful, he would scratch or tap his chin. Whenever he was excited, he would tap his chin, and whenever he was up to no good, he would tap his chin again.
"Fine, then," Gu Jing scratched under his chin. He sighed regretfully, wanting to experience the thrill of speeding past police officers. He could always learn how to ride a motorbike if he ever got the chance to reincarnate into a well-off family, so he sucked it up and turned back into the house.
"Host, what are you trying to do now?" The little, frightened system was skeptical about its host's intentions.
"I'm going to do a pro move that is called adaptability. Humans developed this skill to adapt and move on. And I'm so sensible and accommodating that I'm willing to look past your uselessness," Gu Jing replied smugly.
The system: ..should I say thank you?
"No need to thank me. I'll show you just how awesome your host is!"
Relapsing the original body's memories, Gu Jing's feet soon arrived in front of a long metallic film. He bent over his waist and sucked in air as he lifted up the meniscus. The body was originally robust and full of strength so Gu Jing encountered no physical problem. He lifted it up to the top with one hand, his tall figure looking especially handsome and heroic, even if that was an illusion.
The area he was referring to was the garage of the original body's. In here, five or six sportscars, two black motorbikes, and
one red ferocious bicycle with a handsome handle and a comfortable-looking backseat.
Gu Jing smiled triumphantly, thinking that it was good to be born rich, and he asked the system boisterously, "Oi, which ride do you think I should take?"
The newbie system was in awe of all the exorbitant rides that were presented to make a youth's blood boil. It was obvious these were the pride of the original body's just judging by the meticulous maintenance, like repairing the gears, changing the seats every now and then, and repainting everything. The little system hurriedly listed the name of an especially good-looking red open-roof car.
Gu Jing chuckled at the system's naiveness. He talked as he slowly walked towards the open roof car, "Stupid little system, you're so easily impressed! What will happen as we commence onto more difficult worlds?"
Finally, Gu Jing stopped in front of the red car. The system's dead-fish eyes now shone with anticipation but alas, Gu Jing basically passed by the majestic ride, then grabbed the rough handle of the claret bicycle. He snickered, and pulled the bicycle out to the entrance of the garage, astonishing the system who literally cried out in surprise.
"Host, what are you doing with the bicycle?"
Gu Jing scratched his cheek, "Sorry, I only know how the ones with the two circles."