I Rely on the Case-Solving Longevity System to Survive Until I Become Empress

[This story has passed review. Read at your own risk. The "everyone is captivated by the protagonist" tag is meant in a broad sense: both men and women are drawn to her.]

Shen Qingchen, a university law student, transmigrates into the body of a spoiled, arrogant princess of the Yan Kingdom who is doted on by all.

She expects a life of luxury, with three husbands and four lovers at her beck and call. Instead, she finds herself facing pale, unseeing corpses.

Shen Qingchen: How come everyone else starts with two or three husbands, while I start with three dried-out corpses?

System: That's not all. You have less than three days to live.

Shen Qingchen: What? Is that supposed to make any sense?

-

With a cryptic System and a sinister younger brother who hates her to the core, Shen Qingchen manages to turn a terrible hand into a royal flush.

She holds her sword to the throat of the younger brother who murdered their mother and seized the throne, watching him beg for mercy as he suffers a fate worse than death. It gives her great satisfaction.

She wants the throne, and she wants her brother's reputation, too.

His vile deeds in life are too numerous to record, yet Shen Qingchen insists on making him notorious for all eternity, writing every last one into the history books.

Younger brother: You hate me.

Shen Qingchen: You're the one who hates me.

Getting even is a cherished Shen family tradition, and she has mastered it.

-

Shen Qingchen, once a compassionate soul, has become cold and ruthless. All she cares about now is power and schemes.

Reclining on the phoenix throne, with arms around her on either side, Shen Qingchen suddenly hears the original owner's voice:

"See? In the end, you'll be devoured by me and become my nourishment."

Shen Qingchen knows that voice all too well.

It's the System's notification voice.

Reader's Guide:

1. Female lead is not a virgin; male leads are. One woman and two men, with both men competing for her affection. No picking a favorite.

2. Set in a fictional world; no need to nitpick historical details. The focus is on case-solving, with a touch of horror. The main plot unfolds through the cases.

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Also, check out my upcoming fantasy romance about a woman adored by everyone and men competing for her: Can an NPC in a Transmigrated-into-a-Book Story Be Everyone's Favorite?

Zhuang Yao transmigrates into a melodramatic CEO romance novel.

As an NPC psychological counselor, her job is to help NPCs with emotional trauma and provide them with the care they need.

To avoid being erased by the System for neglecting her duties, Zhuang Yao sets up a little clinic on the outskirts of the novel's world.

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At first, Zhuang Yao's business goes smoothly.

A thug NPC who usually serves as background scenery in fight scenes cries dramatically in front of her, clutching her hand and whimpering, "Sis, it hurts."

A bespectacled NPC with gold-rimmed glasses, who met her only once and then switches off at the appointed time, says, "I've finally found you," before launching into a complaint about his insomnia.

A photographer who always dresses like a gentleman from the last century has lost his sense of smell and taste after years of exposure to chemicals in the darkroom, where he insists on using an old-fashioned camera.

To boost her numbers, she also seeks out potential clients who are sick without realizing it.

Like that obnoxious childhood friend who claims he won the jackpot and is a CEO in this world. He looks like he has a serious case of delusion, and he definitely isn't well.

-

As she watches her satisfaction ratings climb, Zhuang Yao thinks she can escape being erased.

Until:

The background NPC drags his bloodied, mutilated body before Zhuang Yao and kneels, his eyes bloodshot and weeping blood. "If I bring in business for you, Sis, you'll like me, right?"

The bespectacled man locks Zhuang Yao in a bedroom. After tormenting her for days and nights, he finally holds her contentedly as they fall asleep, murmuring against her ear, "I can't sleep soundly without you."

The gentlemanly photographer's darkroom is covered in photos of Zhuang Yao, many taken from disturbingly bizarre angles. Even when Zhuang Yao confronts him and slaps him, he just keeps stroking her flushed hand, looking at her with concern. "Does it hurt? Miss Zhuang, why are you so beautiful even when you're angry... May I take another photo of you?"

Her childhood friend repeatedly provides free help to ordinary people, despite opposition from the partners at a top law firm, just to drum up business for her. Even after Zhuang Yao sees through him, he remains unfazed. "...I just worry you won't be able to handle it, and then I'll have to comfort you when you get into trouble again."

Everyone fights and gets jealous over Zhuang Yao, even breaking into brawls.

Watching her numbers start to drop, Zhuang Yao thinks: ...My head hurts.

Theme: Those who love others are always loved in return