My Contract Beast Is a Curly-Haired Dog

100 advance notice: the story is underway, and the whole novel has been drafted.

After falling off a cliff while hiking, fitness trainer Ji Chuan discovers that she has transmigrated to the world of the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

Still dazed, Ji Chuan is arrested by a Xiezhi and thrown into the Queen Mother of the West's prison, charged with illegal immigration.

Facing the fearsome Xiezhi, she is weak, helpless, and pitiful.

Once locked up, she has a vicious serpent for a neighbor on her left and a fox-shaped monster on her right. Surrounded by evil creatures, the System finally speaks up, albeit late:

Good news: You've been bound to a business System and can open a shop right where you are to struggle for survival.

Bad news: You've been arrested by a Xiezhi for illegal immigration and have to serve three years in prison.

Ji Chuan looks at the single-person cell, less than ten square meters in size, and swipes through the System's screen, trying to find a business she can run in such harsh conditions.

A milk tea shop? The guards won't allow it.

A hot pot restaurant? There's not enough room.

Ji Chuan's frown finally lifts when she sees the option labeled "gym."

No need to think about it. This is the one!

After a series of loud bangs, the Shanhai Gym opens for business.

Full of confidence, Ji Chuan turns on the speakers and launches straight into an exercise routine. The System tells her that her gym works wonders on the strange beasts: it can help them lose weight, suppress negative abilities, and enhance positive effects.

"One, two, three, four! Two, two, three, four! Let's do it again!"

"Jumping jacks! Steamed clams! High knees! Steamed clams!"

Full of enthusiasm, Ji Chuan launches her promising business in prison.

The gym thrives, soon partnering with the prison administration. With the Queen Mother's endorsement, all the strange beasts within an eight-hundred-li radius hear about the new gym. Sign up now for twenty percent off, with personal trainers to tailor your workout!

They're here! The strange beasts, who've never fallen for modern marketing before, arrive with their rare treasures!

Ji Chuan's eyes sparkle as she stands at the entrance, welcoming each customer, however unusual their appearance.

So what if they're ugly? They're her customers. They don't owe anyone good looks.

As the gym expands, Ji Chuan decides that the workout meal plans need to keep up, too, but she's desperately short on staff and ingredients.

Luckily, she catches the perfect beast for the job: a Jiao, with ox horns and a leopard's body, shaped like a little dog. Wherever it goes, the harvest flourishes.

Jiao: I'm not a dog.

Ji Chuan: What are you mumbling about? Get to work. You signed a contract with me, remember?

Not long afterward, Ji Chuan arrives at work to find a youthful, handsome guy at the gym's front desk, with brown curls and puppy-dog eyes.

Ji Chuan: And you are? Here to lose weight or build muscle?

Jiao: I'm your dog.

Ji Chuan: ??

Also known as The Shanhai Gym, Opening a Gym in the Queen Mother's Prison, and Strange Beasts Gym Business Log.

Theme: Even with nothing, struggle to survive. Build an independent life and start over.