How Many Exes Do You Have, Anyway?

November 19 revised version:

Jiang Qiyue, an average-looking senior with middling grades.

Standing at the crossroads of graduate school, civil service exams, and factory work as a wage slave, she looked at her plain features in the mirror and her faded white T-shirt, and felt the future was bleak.

As she sighed at a job-hunting app, something calling itself the Scumbag Girl System found her.

The details are complicated, so here’s the short version:

Scumbag men can make her beautiful and rich.

High-quality scumbag men can make her beautiful and rich even faster.

Jiang Qiyue had plenty of lust but no looks, and her eyes lit up: Wasn’t this a cheat bestowed by heaven?

She quickly zeroed in on her target, Chen Shu, the “jewel” of the mathematics department next door.

A 25-year-old associate professor, rated the System’s highest S rank, yet a beginner-friendly bonus target who was “almost effortless to pursue, with zero hassle.”

In less than two months, after Chen Shu’s affection for her passed 90 and their feelings reached a fever pitch, Jiang Qiyue abruptly dumped him.

At the same time, the System’s notification rang out:

[Congratulations, Host. The mission has been judged a success. Scumbag Girl Points +16]

[Beauty buff unlocked: skin smoothness +30%, eye shape enhancement +20%, gentle and graceful charm bonus!]

[You have received a tip for making money. Click to view.]

Watching herself in the mirror transform from a drab-looking college student into a pretty, graceful young woman, Jiang Qiyue nodded with satisfaction.

Next target: a rising star with a bright future in the business world

[Congratulations, Host. You have acquired “Business Acumen.” You will become an unbeatable legend in the investment world.]

Next after that: a brilliant designer who rose to prominence out of nowhere

[Congratulations, Host. You have acquired “Muse of Inspiration.” From now on, your designs will face no creative blocks, and your work will be adored by hundreds of millions.]

But just as she was trying to win over a powerful big shot, three dates in a row were sabotaged by different people.

Her new boyfriend stared at her darkly, gripping her wrist as he demanded, “Jiang Qiyue, just how many exes do you have?”

With the truth exposed, Jiang Qiyue gathered her hair, her tone nonchalant:

“Sweetie, do you keep count of how many bananas you’ve eaten in your life? Of course I don’t keep track of how many exes I’ve had, either.”

Seeing the man’s expression grow even darker, she smiled slyly. “If you insist on counting, then about as many as the zeroes in my bank account and the designer outfits in my wardrobe: a whole lot.”

Theme: The first thing you have to learn is to love yourself.