Chapter One: System Booting…
When Yu Zian opened his eyes, the first thing he noticed was that the ceiling was… pixelated.
Not metaphorically pixelated — literally. Like someone had programmed it with 8-bit textures straight out of a retro video game. He sat up with a jolt, only to find himself in a strange, sterile white room, wearing a skin-tight bodysuit that looked like something out of a sci-fi cosplay convention.
“Initializing Host Compatibility Scan...”
A mechanical voice echoed in his head.
“Subject: Yu Zian. Age: 26. Status: Deceased.”
“What the hell?” Zian muttered, rubbing his temples.
The last thing he remembered was slamming his laptop shut at 3 a.m., having just pushed a massive code update for his company's love simulation game — PerfectMatch.exe. Then the coffee machine exploded. Or maybe it was the server room. Either way, everything had gone black.
“Cause of death: electrical overload. Regret index: 97%. Reincarnation denied.”
“Wait, wait! Who said anything about reincarnation?”
“Activating Love.exe System...”
A glowing blue screen appeared before his eyes, floating in midair:
> [LOVE.EXE SYSTEM BOOT SUCCESSFUL]
Welcome, Host Yu Zian.
Your mission is to complete love-based quests across various worlds in order to accumulate 1,000,000 Love Points and escape permanent system integration.
Failure will result in permanent deletion. :)
Would you like to begin your first mission?
[Y/N]
Zian stared at the screen.
"...Is this a joke? Who programmed this?"
A pause.
“You did.”
"...Shit."
---
[World One: Imperial Court Intrigue – Difficulty: Medium]
Role Assigned: Lowly Eunuch
Mission Objective: Win the heart of the cold and ruthless Emperor within 30 days.
Reward: +100,000 Love Points
Penalty: Castration.
---
Zian barely had time to scream before the world warped again. The sterile white faded into gold — towering pillars, silk curtains, and incense-laden air.
“Get up, you useless thing!”
A hand smacked the back of his head. Zian looked up to see an older eunuch glaring down at him.
“You’re late for His Majesty’s bath! Do you want to be flogged?”
Still dazed, Zian got to his feet. He was now in layered silk robes, hair tied back in a bun. A bronze mirror caught his eye. Same face. Still him.
“System Tip: Your charm level in this world is +15 due to natural beauty. Don’t waste it.”
Zian gritted his teeth. “At least give me a weapon.”
“Your only weapon is love.”
---
The Imperial bathhouse shimmered with steam, warm candlelight reflecting off jade tiles. Servants bustled quietly as Zian knelt at the edge of the bathing pool.
He tried not to stare as Emperor Li Han entered — tall, broad-shouldered, hair like obsidian and expression sharper than any sword. His eyes landed on Zian, who felt an immediate chill.
“That one,” the Emperor said. “Stay. Dismiss the rest.”
The others bowed and scurried away. Zian stayed kneeling, hands shaking slightly. Li Han stepped into the water with elegant grace and sank in with a sigh.
Then his voice echoed:
“Why are you shaking?”
“I… I’m cold, Your Majesty.”
“Hm.” Li Han stared at him for a long moment. “Come here.”
Zian approached cautiously. He reached for the scented oils, trying to remember what he was supposed to do.
“Closer,” Li Han said, voice smooth like silk wrapping around a blade.
Zian hesitated — then slipped, falling forward and splashing right into the bath.
For a moment, time stopped.
Then water dripped from his bangs as he stared up into golden eyes, face inches from the Emperor’s.
Ding!
> System Update: Unexpected Contact!
Favorability: +5
Li Han is intrigued.
Good job, Host.
