Volume One, Chapter One: The System Ran Away to Avoid Evaluation

In a shabby, cramped rental apartment, Jiang Yu sat on the bed, his head pounding with a dull ache. In his hand, he still held his phone, filled with an endless stream of nauseating chat logs.

"Picture."
"Who is this?"
"Who sent you this?"
"Don’t you want to explain it to me?"
"Jiang Yu, I’m sorry. We’ve been together for three years, but I later realized my feelings for you are more like those for a brother. I’ve always thought of you as a sibling."
"Since you’ve seen it, I won’t say more. Let’s break up. I want someone who soars like a dragon."
"Our partnership at the graduation party is over, too. I’m afraid my current boyfriend would misunderstand."

Having just absorbed a flood of memories from the body’s original owner, Jiang Yu’s mind was still clouded. The room was in utter disarray: beer bottles strewn across the floor, cigarette butts floating in puddles of water, all combining to create a choking, acrid stench.

In his memory, he was a senior at Jiangxia Film Academy. Back in his freshman year, thanks to his striking good looks, he was voted campus heartthrob. The first time he attended class, he was smitten with Zhao Yiyi, the department’s beauty, and began pursuing her with unwavering devotion. They got together quickly, and he’d thought they’d marry after graduation. Yet now, in his senior year, after just two internships and before even finishing college, she’d broken up with him.

He’d called her countless times, but she never answered. Her replies on WeChat were nothing more than cold, perfunctory messages like these. To drown his sorrows, he turned to cigarettes and alcohol. After drinking himself into a stupor, his fate became a blur—perhaps his soul drifted away as well.

Whatever the case, Jiang Yu from Blue Star had awakened here in this body.

He opened the window and breathed in several deep gulps of fresh air, clearing his head. Scanning the chat logs on his phone once more, he scoffed at a few biting remarks he’d saved:

"Such a manipulator, calling you ‘brother’? What’s a brother but someone who gives everything, never getting anything in return!"
"This guy’s got the worst luck—three years down the drain, just like that."
"But honestly? He’s got no backbone. Ruining himself over a cheating woman, smoking and drinking himself half to death in one night."

Jiang Yu shook his head at the messages. "Pathetic. A campus heartthrob, and not even a proper playboy—just a lovesick puppy. If you’re going to be a puppy, at least chase a few more; be a wolf, not a lamb! To be wrecked by a single girl like this..."

After a long two minutes, Jiang Yu finally accepted the reality of his transmigration. Though he shared the same name as the original owner, their personalities couldn’t be more different. In his previous life, he’d once stepped in when he saw a group of girls being harassed at a barbecue joint. He’d charged in without hesitation, and within moments, had the thugs begging him for mercy.

And yet, here he was, transmigrated—into the body of a lovesick fool, no less. But now that he’d taken over this body, there was no way he’d remain a doormat. At the very least, he’d be a shark among minnows.

Just then, a series of urgent knocks rattled the door.

"Jiang Yu! Open up! Don’t just hide in there—I know you’re home. Are you renewing the lease or not? If not, you’ve got a week to move out!"

It was the landlady.

"Understood. I’ll give you my answer in a couple of days," Jiang Yu replied.

After she left, he glanced at his phone—his bank balance was a pitiful 123.45 yuan. Seeing that, he finally understood why Zhao Yiyi had dumped him. If his memories were correct, during her internship, she’d joined a girl group survival show and successfully debuted. How did a nobody with no connections manage that? Anyone with half a brain could guess.

Jiang Yu sighed, surveying the apartment again. Despite its tiny size, rent was still four or five thousand a month. That’s the price of living in a big city—it eats people alive.

If he wanted a better life, he had to find a way to make money. The quickest path? The entertainment industry. And in his memories, the music, films, TV shows, and variety programs of this world were completely different from those of his own. That delighted Jiang Yu. While he couldn’t recall every classic song, as an old fan he knew enough.

First, drain every classic from Mr. Zhou until he’s nothing but a wooden man; then do the same to Mr. Xu and turn him into Wu Gao!

And novels—yes, novels could work, too. All those legendary, powerful stories.

“Before us lies Great Daxia, where even gods dare not tread!”
“If Heaven had not birthed me, Li Chungang, the way of the sword would remain shrouded in eternal night.”
“Heaven and earth care nothing for the myriad beings—regarding them as mere straw dogs.”
“Mr. Bai, Principal Gao is waiting for you in his office.”
“Hou Longtao just won five million in the lottery...”

Wait, writing novels might be risky. He’d read them all and remembered the broad plots, but it’s the details that make or break a story. It didn’t feel secure enough.

Wouldn’t it be nice if a golden finger appeared to help him out?

And at that very moment, a grand, resounding voice echoed in his mind.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for binding with the Entertainment System.]
[Detected: System Headquarters requires a KPI audit. Skill tree has been maxed out. After training the final host, the system will unbind, but your space inventory and system items will remain.]
[Unbinding benefit: All works are stored and have had their intellectual property registered under the host’s identity. You may use them freely.]

Unexpectedly, the system, in its rush to complete its KPI, had maxed out his skill tree and then unbound itself from him.

“Damn, that’s solid,” Jiang Yu muttered, trying to communicate with the system. But that heroic voice did not return. After several attempts, only a huge package appeared, filled with every imaginable work from Earth—novels, scripts, songs, music, and countless props.

He hadn’t expected his golden finger to be so overpowered—it had unlocked every skill. The path to stardom was now certain.

But before anything else, he needed to understand the aesthetics of this world’s entertainment industry.

Jiang Yu stepped into the bathroom to wash up before heading out to investigate. Goodness, so this is what it’s like to have a maxed-out golden finger? His eyes gleamed with spirit, his angular jaw was striking, his thick black brows were bold, and his hair was luscious. Not to mention, he now had the eight-pack abs that every reader dreamed of.

His foundation had already been good, but now he was downright dazzling.

Then, as he looked in the mirror, frustration surged once more.

“Look at you—so handsome, and yet you nearly killed yourself for a woman. She debuted in showbiz; you can debut, too. Say, ‘Auntie doesn’t want to work hard anymore,’ make some money, and then find another girl. It’s better than losing your life over this.”

Not only a lovesick puppy, but a foolish one, too! Out of courtesy for using this man’s identity, if the chance arises, he’ll help settle the score with that woman.

No longer dwelling on the former owner’s woes, Jiang Yu considered where to begin.

Right—the answer was obvious. Why bother looking elsewhere? He was still in college—Jiangxia Film and Television University! The very heart of the entertainment world.

Where better to start learning about this world’s tastes and aesthetics than here?