An Atypical Simulated Life

[Updates will be slow while I'm working on the romance!]

On her birthday, Lan Yan transmigrated to an abandoned planet in a remote corner of the Star Federation.

The mysterious patient she rescued left her a spatial bracelet before he died. Inside was a gaming helmet.

It was for the wildly popular full-dive game Second Life.

Lan Yan thought it was just an ordinary life simulator. But as soon as she logged in, she saw two ominous red-and-black labels!

[Plagued by Illness]

[Effect: A random serious illness in every game]

[Points: -5]

[Envy of Heaven's Talent]

[Effect: You will certainly die on your thirtieth birthday in every game]

[Points: -5]

Lan Yan: Ovo? She hadn't even figured out the game yet, and she'd already been hit with two permanent debuffs?

But Lan Yan soon discovered the usefulness of these two permanent negative-point labels.

Other players avoided the minus-five-point labels like the plague, but she loved them.

Lan Yan stared bright-eyed at the two innate talents she'd been given, worth a combined total of "minus 10 points."

Should she choose [Born with an Extraordinary Gift], worth 1 point, [Beauty with a Tragic Fate], worth 2 points, [Survival Against All Odds], worth 3 points, [One in Ten Thousand Lucky], worth 5 points, or [Watched Over by the God of Light], worth 8 points?

There was even a unique, full-score talent worth 10 points: [The Creator God's Script].

Lan Yan: There are so many high-point talents. I can barely choose!

Forum players who had yet to roll a label worth more than 7 points: ? Listen to yourself!

A highly customizable full-dive game called Second Life had taken the Star Federation by storm, with 99 percent of the entire universe's registered players. Its graphics and characters were so lifelike they felt like transmigration, and countless people were hooked.

The game seemed to hold deeper secrets as well. The Star Federation had even organized its first Interstellar Cup, with prizes so incredible they were hard to believe. Countless players signed up eagerly.

Someone made a list of predicted champions.

Naturally, Lan Yan was in first place.

After all, there was already a consensus on the forums: whether you could become a top player depended on one thing, whether the name [Lan Yan] was in your contacts!

Bonus Scene:

Entering a game scenario,

[The Creator God's Script]: The main plot this time is to become a beloved actress in the interstellar entertainment industry.

Lan Yan: I don't like this marshal or this emperor. Change them.

Entering a game scenario again,

[The Creator God's Script]: The main plot this time is to become the adored wife of a deranged zombie king in the apocalypse.

Lan Yan: Can this alien be eaten? Let's find out.

Entering a game scenario,

[The Creator God's Script]: The main plot this time is to become the king of mercenaries, reincarnation of a god of slaughter, in a cyberpunk city.

Lan Yan: Ah, I rolled [Watched Over by the Dao Ancestor]! I want to cultivate immortality!

...Entering a game scenario yet again,

Lan Yan: What's the main plot this time?

[The Creator God's Script]: How about... you write the script this time?

After all, you never follow it!

(Sad) (mushroom) (aggrieved)

Reader's Guide:

1. The heroine is a gambler who loves risks and surprises (but she's not crazy!).

2. The CP is a love-hate pairing with an exceptionally level-headed, mature man. Whether they end up together is up to fate.

3. This isn't an infinite-flow story, but a game scenario story, a bit like The Sims. Still, there's room for a little horror element (what?) if anyone wants it.

4. Feel free to make suggestions or requests. You're welcome to urge me to update!

***Preview: "Why Didn't You Say You Were the Chairman's Daughter?"

Recently, everyone in Division Two had been spreading the word that a new employee had joined the neighboring department, someone who could set the workplace straight.

The first to confirm it was Human Resources: On the day of her interview, she said she would only accept a nine-to-five job with weekends off. She'd turn on Do Not Disturb as soon as she clocked out, and overtime was out of the question. She wouldn't stay a second longer in the office!

Division Two colleagues: Damn! That's so cool!

Business Division Four chimed in right away: That idiot manager next door was at it again, yelling at the client liaison in the group chat because they hadn't addressed him with his proper title. She stepped in and didn't let him get away with it. He may not need the client, but we do, and Division Four just got a huge new contract. Our performance bonuses have quintupled this month!

Division Two colleagues: I'm so jealous!

Even a cleaner passing by joined in: I just saw your director giving a lecture this morning. He said you had to work hard and do overtime to live a good life, then pointed at a luxury car and said that people like you couldn't even dream of touching one. Then she got out of the car and let everyone take a turn sitting in it.

Division Two colleagues: ??? Where? They want to ride in a luxury car too!

*

Lan Yan applied for a job at her family's group.

The company's chief partner, Mr. Pei, had to go abroad to handle an urgent deal. He forgot to inform the staff, so nobody knew the chairman's daughter, their young lady, had arrived. They hired her as an ordinary employee.

Lan Yan, immediately faced with workplace abuses on her first day: Whatever. I can always fire everyone!

After that, people at every level started getting into trouble one after another. Some were fired, some were sent to prison, and one even tried to take a desperate gamble, failed, and ended up barely alive. Nobody knew why.

In the end, they found out who Lan Yan was, and were furious.

You're the chairman's daughter. Why didn't you say so earlier?!!!

Meanwhile, workaholic Pei, triumphant after returning from overseas, didn't care about the subordinates who'd been fired. He only wanted to know who would take over the huge cross-border project he'd just secured.

Lan Yan: I'll take over both the project and you. (A 158-centimeter woman attempts to back a 185-centimeter man against the wall.jpg)

Mr. Pei, heart racing: C-could it be... you like me too...?

Lan Yan glanced at the time: Oh, it's five o'clock. I'm clocking out~

Mr. Pei, reaching out like a lovesick fool: W-wait! I'm clocking out too!

#What idiot would choose overtime over his wife!#

Reader's Guide:

1. A feel-good story about clocking out, giving this overworked author a dream.

2. Workplace fiction, not much romance (after all, Mr. Pei is away on business).

Theme: Endure hardship and rise above the rest.