An Unforeseen Transformation

“’Simp’s Redemption Plan’? What on earth is this?”

Zhou Yi’s hand trembled, almost sending his phone clattering to the floor.

“I didn’t download this app at all!”

[AI Fortune-telling: Your glabella is darkened, a malevolent shadow lingering between your brows. Your recent fortune aligns with this project with a striking 99% compatibility.]

“Huh?”

Zhou Yi gazed blankly at the cryptic words, wondering if it was his sheer bad luck that had landed him this.

As he stood there, momentarily stunned, a holographic projection interface unfolded before his eyes.

[Player Alert: This system has established a connection to the real dimension. Every action taken within the game will instantaneously impact the real world. Players are urged to proceed with utmost caution and to value their accounts.]

“Impact reality? What a load of nonsense!”

He scoffed, feeling this game’s prank had gone too far, crossing a line into absurdity.

“Though, the special effects are remarkably convincing, almost too real.”

[First Mission: Lower the Target’s Simp Index]

[Target Name: Chen Hao]

[Current Status: Credit card overdrawn, with 20,000 yuan in online loans. Just received final collection text message from online loan platform.]

[Simp Index: 86% (High risk! Immediate intervention recommended!)]

Zhou Yi stared blankly at the suddenly appearing interface.

How could a task be triggered so abruptly?

What left him even more unsettled was the name, Chen Hao.

The same name as his classmate? Could it truly be such a coincidence?

Before he could fully process it, the ghostly blue holographic projection began to display Chen Hao’s recent “glorious deeds” one by one.

Helping her with homework, buying cosmetics, queuing in the early hours for trending cakes, skipping classes to snatch limited-edition handbags…

The sheer volume of entries was staggering, far too many to recount.

The scene shifted, and a gaunt, haggard male image materialized.

Amusingly, an obnoxious, glaring [86%] health bar floated conspicuously above his head.

Zhou Yi gazed at the exaggerated image, letting out three short bursts of laughter, only then did a jolt of realization strike him.

“No… this isn’t funny.”

The person in the image was none other than his real-life classmate, his close brother with whom he often played games.

This couldn’t be right.

How had this game managed to drag his own brother into this, turning him into an NPC?

If this truly connected to reality, as the system had claimed, then when had Chen Hao become a simp?

How had he remained utterly oblivious?

Could it be that this game had fabricated such an absurd storyline merely to trick him?

No, this was too much.

This game was far too bizarre; he absolutely couldn’t continue playing it!

With that thought, he frantically swiped at the screen, forcefully jabbed at the exit button, yet his phone remained utterly unresponsive, as if completely drained of power.

Just as his trembling hand reached to force a shutdown, a line of text suddenly flashed across the screen before him:

[Player Identity Loaded]

Following this prompt, a scorching white light burst forth before Zhou Yi’s eyes, followed by an intense, disorienting whirl.

After a brief blankness of consciousness, she opened her eyes again, finding herself standing in an elegantly appointed coffee shop, exuding a refined, almost bohemian charm.

The rich, mellow aroma of coffee enveloped her, lingering at her nostrils, while gentle piano melodies drifted softly into her ears.

Zhou Yi took a deep breath, astonished to find that even the nuanced scents of caramel and roasted nuts in the air were startlingly authentic.

“This can’t be real, can it? Had she truly been pulled into the game?”

At a booth directly in front of her sat a young man, dressed simply in a T-shirt and jeans, yet appearing noticeably ill at ease.

That familiar face instantly confirmed to Zhou Yi that this was unmistakably the Chen Hao she knew, preserved down to the last detail; even his characteristic nervous habit of curling his thumb into his palm was identical.

“Good heavens, even the live modeling is this realistic?”

A silent gasp escaped Zhou Yi’s lips.

This level of immersion far surpassed any VR experience she had ever encountered; it was entirely unlike the artificial, ‘through-a-screen’ sensation of typical virtual reality.

Had she stumbled upon a hidden gem?

If so, according to the typical progression of an ‘Emotional Anti-Fraud Simulator’ game as she understood it, she should now be awaiting the system’s new player gift package.

An activated unlimited black card, a professional watch appraisal team, and perhaps even a secretary-slash-girlfriend with looks capable of toppling nations…

Yet, after waiting for a considerable time, only the melodious piano music filled the coffee shop.

Neither a system notification sound nor any indication of any cheats or power-ups materializing.

“What is going on?”

Turning her head in frustration, her gaze inadvertently swept past the impeccably polished glass window, and she froze.

!!!!

A breathtakingly beautiful reflection shone back from the window.

Long, raven hair cascaded like a waterfall, delicate features framed by flawless, pale skin, and a pristine white dress accentuated a flawlessly sculpted figure.

This peak-tier beauty was undeniably goddess-like, especially those limpid, autumn-water eyes, which were impossibly wide, mirroring her every movement with an expression of profound shock.

She had never seen such a beautiful girl in her life!

But… where had this girl come from?

As she pondered this, an unsettling chill suddenly emanated from her lower body, sending a prickle of unease through her.

Looking down, her eyes fell upon a pair of long, slender, exquisitely curved calves.

The hem of her dress swayed gently with her slightest movement, revealing delicate ankles.

And moving slowly upwards, the tantalizing curve of a snow-white bosom, almost spilling from her dress…

It was then that a stark realization slammed into her!

This peerless beauty, capable of instantly relegating Xu Yao to a mere background figure, was actually her herself?!

Her hand trembled as she touched her face, the sensation beneath her fingertips was impossibly soft and smooth.

“Wait, wait, wait, there’s absolutely something wrong with this character model!”

This was completely different from the ‘Emotional Anti-Fraud Simulator’ she knew!

Where was the handsome, wealthy male protagonist she was supposed to embody at the start?

What about the bespoke suit?

What about the limited-edition luxury watch that should be on her wrist?

What about the promised flashy, shimmering supercar parked behind her?!

Why had none of these expected amenities materialized?!

At that moment, a cheerful voice chimed:

[Ding dong~ Player loaded successfully! I am your exclusive AI assistant, Xiao Qi!]

“Xiao Qi, is it? You’d better explain to me first, why am I a female character?!”

Zhou Yi exclaimed, angrily gesturing towards the stunning reflection in the glass window.

[Now, now, don’t be hasty, dear~ According to real-time data analysis, high-value ‘young ladies’ complete emotion-based tasks with a staggering 218% higher efficiency!]

“Enough of this nonsense! I’m a steel-straight man! Women only impede my sword-drawing speed!”

[But, dear, being a straight man won’t put food on the table, whereas high beauty can trick… ah, no, *persuade* targets.]

Zhou Yi almost choked on the sheer audacity of such earnest nonsense.

“……Who concocted this logic?!”

[Xiao Qi derived this optimal solution by analyzing tens of millions of cases using the latest quantum system, dear~] A tiny digital firework burst across the light screen. [Friendly Reminder: Please complete the first round of tasks within seven days. Exceeding the deadline will result in a small penalty~]

“Seven days? I don’t want to endure this for even a minute! Get me out now!”

Zhou Yi slammed her palm against the virtual interface, only for her hand to pass directly through the holographic projection.

[Oh dear~ According to User Agreement Article 15.7, a forced exit will also activate the penalty mechanism, you see~]