Darkness.
It was cold, silent, and endless — until a faint metallic voice echoed in Li Cheng's head.
[System initializing… host vitals stable… emotional trauma detected.]
Li Cheng's eyelashes fluttered. His chest ached, and every breath felt like glass cutting through his lungs.
He tried to speak, but his throat was dry. "W–where am I?"
[Answer: You are not dead. Yet.]
That voice again. Crisp, mechanical, and annoyingly smug.
"...Who's talking?"
[Congratulations, Host Li Cheng, for qualifying for the "Daily Sign-In & Face-Slapping System." Conditions met: extreme heartbreak, betrayal, and life-threatening despair.]
"Hold on," Li Cheng rasped. "Daily... what now?"
[A second chance. Every day you sign in, you grow stronger, richer, and more irresistible. In short, the universe's way of apologizing for your tragic love life.]
"..."
Li Cheng blinked, staring at the hospital ceiling. "Did God just roast me?"
[Correction: Not God. The System. Superior in every way.]
He groaned and tried to sit up. Tubes dangled from his arm, and his chest burned with dull pain. The last thing he remembered was his ex-girlfriend's laughter as she walked away with that rich, middle-aged man.
A bitter smile twisted his lips. "After all I did for her… I guess I really was just her charity case."
[Host emotional stability: 35%. Suggestion: Initiate first sign-in to avoid depression relapse.]
"Fine," he muttered. "Sign in."
A bright ding! sounded in his mind.
[Sign-In Successful! Congratulations, Host!][Reward: Beginner's Supreme Package obtained!]
Li Cheng blinked. "What's in it?"
[Perfect Physique upgrade, 10 million yuan bank transfer, and an exclusive starter item: The Golden Card.]
He froze. "Ten… million?"
[Transfer complete. Please don't faint again.]
Li Cheng's body suddenly glowed faintly with golden light. Heat surged through his veins. His weak limbs hardened, muscles tightening and bones strengthening. His skin smoothed, his eyes sharpened, and even his once-dull red hair gleamed like fire under sunlight.
In a span of seconds, the fragile, heartbroken boy was gone.What rose from that bed was someone else entirely.
Li Cheng clenched his fist, stunned. "This… this power…"
[Host appearance improved by 32%. Charm level upgraded from 'forgettable' to 'dangerously captivating.']
"Are you calling me ugly before?"
[Observation: Truth hurts.]
Li Cheng rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his grin. "Fine, I'll let that one slide. Now, about that 'Golden Card'..."
A glowing card materialized in front of him. Sleek, black, with intricate gold lines. It shimmered faintly with energy.
[Item Description: Golden Card — One-time "miracle pull." Use it to obtain a random high-value reward. Warning: Probability includes absurd luck.]
"Random reward? Don't mind if I do."
He tapped it mentally, and the card dissolved into golden mist.
[Ding! You obtained: "Ultimate Wardrobe Package." Includes luxury suits, watches, and accessories to enhance face-slapping performance.]
"Ha! You're kidding."
[Style matters when stepping on exes.]
Li Cheng burst out laughing. "You know what, System? I think I like you."
[Flattery detected. No bonus points granted.]
A few hours later, Li Cheng stepped out of the hospital wearing a sharp, fitted black jacket, designer shoes, and an expression that could make traffic lights blush.
Heads turned. Nurses gawked. Even the receptionist whispered, "Wasn't that the sad boy from Room 306?"
He smirked. "The sad boy upgraded his firmware."
[Host ego level: acceptable. Confidence is attractive; arrogance is marketable.]
He stopped at a café across the street, bought a cup of coffee with his new black card, and checked his reflection in the window.
The man looking back at him wasn't weak anymore. His red eyes burned with quiet fire.
For the first time in years, Li Cheng didn't see disappointment. He saw potential.
Then, the System chimed again.
[New Quest Available.][Quest: First Face-Slapping Mission — Attend your ex-girlfriend's birthday party tonight.][Objective: Reclaim dignity through public exposure.][Reward: Luxury Apartment + 100,000 Fame Points.]
Li Cheng froze mid-sip. "You've got to be kidding me. That woman's birthday is today?"
[Affirmative. Target location: StarMoon Hotel, VIP Hall.][Estimated humiliation multiplier if ignored: 900%.]
"Humiliation multiplier?" he repeated, sighing. "You really want me to go there, don't you?"
[Host must complete first face-slapping quest to unlock advanced sign-in rewards.]
He took a long sip of coffee. "All right, System. You want face-slapping? I'll give you face-slapping."
[Excellent. Activating Preparation Protocol: 'Look Cooler Than Everyone Else.']
[Nightfall – StarMoon Hotel]
The party was already in full swing when Li Cheng arrived. Expensive cars lined the entrance, and laughter spilled out of the golden doors. Inside, under glittering chandeliers, his ex-girlfriend Lin Yue basked in attention beside her new sugar daddy.
Li Cheng took one look and smiled faintly. "Showtime."
He straightened his cuffs, pushed the door open, and stepped inside.
Gasps filled the room.
Students whispered."Wait, is that Li Cheng?""No way. Didn't he almost die last week?""He looks like he walked out of a fashion magazine!"
Lin Yue turned, eyes widening. "Li… Li Cheng?"
He smiled softly. "Yue. You look... comfortable. Guess rich uncle's got good taste in jewelry."
Her face darkened. The guests snickered. Even the older man frowned.
[Savage value rising. Audience satisfaction: +40%.]
Li Cheng turned to leave, dropping a sleek black envelope on the gift table. "Oh, happy birthday. It's from someone you'll never forget — your past."
He walked out calmly, his reflection gleaming in the hotel glass like a returning king.
[Quest Completed: First Face-Slapping Mission! Reward granted — Luxury Apartment + 100,000 Fame Points!]
He smirked. "Not bad for Day One."
[Quest Updated: Next Target — 'The Campus Prince Who Mocked You.'][Difficulty: Moderate. Reward: Sports Car + Popularity Boost.]