Jiang Yuyan stared at the cracked ceiling of her dimly lit apartment, her thoughts as chaotic as the clutter around her. Another rejection letter sat on the table beside her—a grim reminder of how far she had fallen. Once a top student with dreams of a bright future, she was now a 28-year-old nobody, struggling to make ends meet.
Her face, once radiant with youthful glow, was now marred by acne scars and dark circles from sleepless nights. Her cheap, off-the-shelf skincare products had done more harm than good. The once-confident woman who believed she could conquer the world was now a shadow of herself.
"Maybe I'm just destined to fail," she muttered bitterly, tossing the rejection letter into the overflowing trash can.
Her phone buzzed, breaking the heavy silence. She glanced at the cracked screen, half-expecting another rejection email or an overdue bill notification. Instead, an unfamiliar notification blinked across the screen:
[Congratulations! You have been chosen to bind with the Rich and Beautiful System. Would you like to accept? Yes/No.]
Yuyan blinked, wondering if she was hallucinating. "What… is this? Some kind of scam?"
Out of sheer curiosity—and a lack of anything better to do—she tapped "Yes." The screen immediately went dark, and for a brief moment, she panicked, thinking her phone had finally given up on her.
Then, a soft chime rang in her ears, and an unfamiliar voice echoed in her mind:
[Binding successful. Welcome, Host, to the Rich and Beautiful System. Your journey to wealth and beauty begins now.]
"What in the world?" Yuyan whispered, sitting upright. Her heart raced as she looked around her empty apartment, half-expecting someone to pop out and say it was all a prank.
[As the chosen Host, you will be given tasks designed to help you rise to the top of society. Complete tasks to earn rewards, which can be used to improve your appearance, skills, and financial status. Failure to complete tasks will result in penalties.]
"Wait, wait, wait," Yuyan said, holding up her hands as if she could stop the voice. "Who—what are you? A system? Like in those novels?"
[Correct. This is a system designed to help you achieve your full potential. Your current state has been analyzed. Initial assessment: below average in appearance, finances, and social standing.]
Yuyan's mouth dropped open. "Excuse me? Below average?"
[This is not an insult, Host. It is a fact. However, with my assistance, you can transform into a queen admired by all. Shall we begin?]
Despite her initial disbelief, a spark of curiosity ignited within her. If this system was real—and that was a big if—what did she have to lose? She had hit rock bottom; there was nowhere to go but up.
"Fine," she said, crossing her arms. "What's the first task?"
[Task 1: Transform your appearance by applying the provided Skin Cleansing Serum. Reward: Confidence Boost (Level 1) and ¥10,000. Penalty for failure: Persistent dull complexion for one month.]
Yuyan's brow furrowed. "Skin Cleansing Serum? What serum?"
Before she could finish her thought, a small vial materialized out of thin air, hovering in front of her. It shimmered faintly, as if bathed in starlight. She reached out hesitantly, half-expecting it to vanish, but her fingers closed around the cool glass.
"This can't be real," she murmured, examining the vial.
[Reminder: Task must be completed within 24 hours.]
Yuyan took a deep breath. If this was some elaborate scam or hallucination, she would deal with it later. For now, curiosity outweighed skepticism. She unscrewed the cap and carefully applied the serum to her face, following the system's instructions.
The moment the cool liquid touched her skin, a tingling sensation spread across her face. It wasn't unpleasant—in fact, it felt oddly refreshing. Within minutes, the sensation faded, and she rushed to the mirror.
Her breath caught in her throat.
The dull, uneven complexion she had grown used to was gone. Her skin looked radiant, as if it had been airbrushed to perfection. The dark circles under her eyes had vanished, and even the stubborn acne scars had faded significantly.
"This is… incredible," she whispered, touching her face in disbelief.
[Task Completed. Confidence Boost (Level 1) activated. ¥10,000 has been added to your account.]
A notification buzzed on her phone. She opened her banking app, and her jaw dropped. The money was there—real, tangible, and hers.
For the first time in years, a genuine smile spread across her face.
The next morning, Yuyan woke up feeling lighter than she had in months. Her skin still glowed, and the Confidence Boost seemed to be working wonders. For the first time in ages, she didn't dread leaving her apartment.
As she walked to the local market, heads turned. People who had ignored her before suddenly took notice. A few even smiled at her.
"Wow, did you see her skin?" she overheard someone whisper.
Yuyan's cheeks flushed with pride. This system might actually be her ticket out of misery.
Her phone buzzed again.
[New Task Assigned: Attend the charity gala hosted by the Lin Group and make a memorable impression. Reward: Facial Enhancement (Level 1) and ¥50,000. Penalty for failure: Confidence Boost revoked.]
"A gala?" Yuyan frowned. "How am I supposed to attend a gala? I don't even have an invitation!"
[Beginner's Luck has been activated. The Host will receive an invitation shortly.]
As if on cue, her phone buzzed with an email. It was an invitation to the Lin Group's annual charity gala, addressed to her by name.
"This system really doesn't waste time," she muttered, staring at the screen.
But her excitement quickly turned to anxiety. She had no idea how to dress for a high-society event. Her wardrobe consisted of cheap, outdated clothes that would make her stand out for all the wrong reasons.
[Reminder: The Host must prepare appropriately for the task. A ¥10,000 budget has been provided for attire.]
Yuyan exhaled in relief. With the system's help, she might just be able to pull this off.
The next few hours were a whirlwind. Yuyan visited one of the city's high-end boutiques, a place she had only ever dreamed of entering. The staff initially looked at her skeptically, but their attitudes shifted when she confidently selected a sleek, emerald-green gown that perfectly complemented her glowing complexion.
"You look stunning, Miss," one of the attendants said as Yuyan admired herself in the mirror.
For the first time, she felt like she belonged.
The evening of the gala arrived, and Yuyan stood outside the grand ballroom of the city's most luxurious hotel. Her heart raced as she adjusted the hem of her gown.
As she stepped inside, the grandeur of the event took her breath away. Crystal chandeliers, soft music, and the murmur of wealthy elites filled the room.
Heads turned as she entered, and whispers followed her.
"Who is she?"
"Is she a celebrity?"
Yuyan held her head high as she stepped further into the ballroom, her emerald-green gown swishing elegantly around her legs. She could feel the weight of countless eyes on her, but instead of cowering like she might have in the past, she allowed the system's Confidence Boost to guide her.
[Tip: Confidence is key, Host. Walk with grace and maintain eye contact. You are the queen of this moment.]
The system's voice was steady, almost comforting. Yuyan let out a small breath and began to weave her way through the glittering crowd. Every corner of the room was filled with influential people—business tycoons, socialites, and even celebrities.
She felt like an imposter among them, but she reminded herself of the task at hand.
"Make a memorable impression," she murmured under her breath.
Her eyes scanned the room, searching for an opportunity to introduce herself to someone important. It wasn't long before her chance arrived.
A tall, elegant woman with a striking presence approached her. She was dressed in a white designer gown that seemed to shimmer like snow under the ballroom lights. The air of authority around her was unmistakable—this was someone who commanded respect.
"Hello," the woman said, her voice smooth and measured. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Lin Rui, the organizer of this gala."
Yuyan's heart skipped a beat. Lin Rui was a name she had only heard in passing—she was the CEO of the Lin Group and one of the most powerful women in the business world.
"Good evening, Ms. Lin," Yuyan said, keeping her voice steady. She extended a hand with what she hoped was the right mix of confidence and humility. "I'm Jiang Yuyan. Thank you for hosting such a wonderful event."
Lin Rui's sharp eyes seemed to assess her in a single glance. "Jiang Yuyan… I don't think I've seen you at one of these gatherings before. Are you new to the scene?"
Yuyan hesitated for a split second. She didn't want to lie, but she also couldn't reveal that she was a nobody who had been plucked from obscurity by a supernatural system.
"You could say that," she replied with a polite smile. "I've recently started exploring opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals in business."
Lin Rui raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Instead, she gestured toward a nearby table. "Join me for a drink. I'd like to know more about you."
The two women sat together at a small, private table near the edge of the ballroom. Lin Rui's aura of authority was almost overwhelming, but Yuyan forced herself to remain composed.
"So, Miss Jiang," Lin Rui began, swirling her glass of red wine. "Tell me—what do you do? What's your field of expertise?"
Yuyan's mind raced. The truth was that she was currently unemployed and had no connections in the business world. But she couldn't afford to let this opportunity slip through her fingers.
"I have a strong interest in strategic planning and project management," Yuyan said, choosing her words carefully. "I'm particularly passionate about innovative solutions that drive growth and efficiency."
Lin Rui's lips twitched upward in a faint smile. "A very polished answer. You're either exceptionally well-prepared, or you're bluffing."
Yuyan's stomach tightened, but she didn't let it show. "I prefer to let my actions speak for themselves, Ms. Lin. Words are only as powerful as the results that follow."
Lin Rui's eyes narrowed slightly, but there was a hint of approval in her gaze. "Interesting. Perhaps we'll see what you're capable of in the future."
As the night wore on, Yuyan mingled with other attendees, carefully applying the system's advice. She introduced herself to key figures, listened attentively to their conversations, and made mental notes of every detail that could be useful later.
She was beginning to feel a sense of accomplishment when an unexpected voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Well, well. If it isn't Jiang Yuyan."
The mocking tone sent a chill down her spine. She turned slowly to face the speaker and felt her stomach drop.
Standing before her was Wang Mei, her former classmate and the bane of her existence during her university days. Wang Mei was the epitome of everything Yuyan wasn't—beautiful, wealthy, and endlessly confident.
"Mei," Yuyan said, forcing a smile. "It's been a while."
Wang Mei looked her up and down, her lips curling into a smirk. "I almost didn't recognize you. It seems you've… cleaned up a bit."
Yuyan's cheeks flushed, but she refused to let Wang Mei get under her skin. "And you look as radiant as ever," she replied smoothly.
Wang Mei's smirk faltered for a moment before she recovered. "What brings you here, Yuyan? I didn't realize these kinds of events were your scene."
"I'm here to network," Yuyan said simply.
Wang Mei's laughter rang out, drawing the attention of nearby guests. "Network? Oh, darling, these people don't network with just anyone. You need more than a pretty face to impress them."
Yuyan's hands clenched into fists at her sides, but she forced herself to remain calm.
[Tip: Do not engage in petty disputes. Rise above and let your actions speak for you.]
The system's advice was a lifeline, grounding her in the moment.
"You're absolutely right, Mei," Yuyan said, her voice light and unbothered. "That's why I'm focusing on making meaningful connections. I wouldn't want to waste anyone's time with trivial matters."
Wang Mei's expression darkened, but before she could reply, Lin Rui appeared at Yuyan's side.
"Ah, Miss Jiang," Lin Rui said, her tone warm. "I was just telling Mr. Zhao about your insights on strategic planning. He's eager to hear more."
Yuyan's eyes widened slightly, but she quickly composed herself. "I'd be honored to discuss it with him, Ms. Lin."
As Lin Rui led her away, Yuyan couldn't resist glancing back at Wang Mei. The stunned look on her former rival's face was priceless.
By the end of the night, Yuyan had successfully made her mark. She had spoken with several influential figures, impressed Lin Rui, and—most importantly—completed her task.
As she left the ballroom, the system chimed again.
[Task Completed. Facial Enhancement (Level 1) and ¥50,000 have been added to your account.]
Her phone buzzed, and she saw the updated balance in her bank account. The rewards were real, and so was the progress she was making.
Standing outside the grand hotel, Yuyan looked up at the starry sky and smiled.
"This is only the beginning," she said softly.