The faint light of a summer dawn spilled over the triple-hung carved gates. A breeze swept through the winding corridors, while frogs in the pond and birds in the trees competed to release the first cries of morning—you finish your tune, I take the stage. Amid the lively clamor, from within the painted beams and ornate rafters, came a barely audible sigh.
“Ah…”
A sixteen-year-old young woman lay on a gilded, intricately carved canopy bed. Beneath her were three layers of brocade quilts; on her body, a light, plain gauze robe; over her, a soft silk blanket. She stared blankly at the ceiling.
She vaguely remembered that last night, after scrolling on her phone, she had muttered before sleep, “Can this world love me the way it loves men?”
Then, in her dream, she was bound to a “male-lead system.” The system’s customer service—well, it should be called customer service, right? Anyway, it was an elderly woman’s voice, sounding aged and impatient, informing her in her mind that the system would send her to a world that loved women the way other worlds loved men, and grant her the treatment of a male protagonist in a male-oriented novel.
In a moment of impulsiveness, she agreed. At the time, she had even been curious, thinking: Let me see what kind of world loves women that much.
Only after transmigrating did she realize that the system had fused tens of thousands of male-oriented web novels into a single gender-swapped version—a female-protagonist story operating under male-novel logic. In this world, the power, status, social roles, and even physical strength of women and men were completely reversed.
And she had gone from a lonely, twenty-four-year-old civil servant in her original world to Lu Jinlan, the eldest daughter of Lu Jinchao, a wealthy merchant of the State of Hua.
Lu Jinlan felt a surge of joy. Not a bad starting setup!
Just as she was about to celebrate, a fragment of backstory was suddenly shoved into her mind.
In her memories, a blood-soaked woman clutched a swaddled infant in her arms, fighting desperately amid flashing blades and swords. Though she slew every attacker, she herself was gravely wounded.
At the brink of death, a richly dressed and valiant-looking woman came rushing over.
“Feiqing!” The newcomer gathered the injured woman into her arms, tears pouring down instantly. “What happened to you?”
But the woman could no longer speak. Her lips moved, blood spilling from the corner of her mouth. With great effort, she raised a finger and pointed toward the swaddled infant.
The newcomer immediately understood and retrieved a slip of paper from the infant’s wrappings. Whatever she saw made her expression change in shock, yet she clasped the injured woman’s hand and said firmly, “Rest assured.”
The memory ended there. Lu Jinlan pondered: that infant must have been her.
She reasoned that she was the protagonist of this system-generated book. There were three people in that scene, and neither of the two women was her. The system wouldn’t stuff an irrelevant memory into her head, would it?
If she was being hunted as an infant, then her background was probably problematic. Could it be that she wasn’t Lu Jinchao’s biological daughter?
She immediately asked the system for help. “Please check my true identity.”
“Sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Unknown suspense must be explored by the host herself.”
Lu Jinlan frowned. “Then what exactly is your system for?”
“Please click the user manual for detailed information.”
When she did, she broke out in a cold sweat.
The manual stated that the host must complete system missions to accumulate life points. If life points dropped to zero, the experience would end, and the host would die both in the book and in the real world.
Lu Jinlan gritted her teeth in anger. This rotten system wants my life? Why didn’t you mention something this important earlier? One wrong move and I could die young!
Her initial life points were 5. She could see five tiny green bars pitifully displayed in her mind.
The system had a reward-and-punishment mechanism. The host could trigger rewards and earn life points through “male-novel behaviors.” Life points not only represented her lifespan but also functioned as the system’s universal currency. Once life points reached a certain threshold, she could contact human customer service to unlock the system shop and exchange them for needed items.
Human customer service was available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Outside those hours, in case of system malfunctions, she could contact intelligent customer service.
Well, well. The system was surprisingly user-friendly.
Lu Jinlan was naturally optimistic. She thought: Since I’m here, I might as well make the best of it. No matter what, it can’t be worse than my original world. After all, this is a world that loves women.
Five days should be enough for her to figure things out.
Just as she was thinking, someone knocked softly at the door. A clear, gentle male voice asked, “Eldest Young Lady, are you awake?”
[Note: In The Ballad of Mulan, there is the line ‘I do not hear Father and Mother calling their daughter’s voice.’ The terms for father and mother are used on equal footing. Therefore, in this text, the term traditionally used for father is replaced with ‘mother’ as an honorific.]
Lu Jinlan was startled. “Eldest Young Lady? Is this a matriarchal novel?”
Customer service replied coolly, “A gender-swapped male-oriented novel.”
She curled her lips and called toward the door, “I’m awake. Come in.”
The door opened, and a handsome young male servant of sixteen or seventeen hurried in with a basin of water.
Next to his head floated the system’s identity prompt: First-Class Male Servant, Qing’er.
Following the principle of speaking and doing as little as possible, Lu Jinlan cautiously sat up in bed. Just as she was about to put on her shoes, she was suddenly struck hard in the back.
“Ow!” she cried out in pain, clutching her aching shoulder and knitting her brows.
Qing’er jumped in fright. The basin fell to the ground as he rushed over nervously. “What’s wrong?”
Lu Jinlan waved her hand repeatedly. At that moment, the system’s customer service reminded her: “Host has triggered a beginner mission. You must carefully look over the newly introduced male character and fix your gaze on his key parts for a moment.”
Lu Jinlan was speechless. “Isn’t that a bit perverted?”
Was this what the system meant by “male-novel behavior”—this kind of sleazy act?
Before she could think further, one of the five green bars in her mind disappeared with a ding. Then, out of nowhere, another punch struck her back.
The two blows felt as though they had shattered her arteries. Her life points plummeted rapidly—from 5 to 2 in an instant.
With her life hanging by a thread, Lu Jinlan stopped caring about anything else. She quickly sized Qing’er up from head to toe and completed the mission of staring at his “key parts.”
It had to be said—Qing’er was good-looking. His eyes were watery, carrying a hint of innocent charm. His belt was tied tightly, outlining a slender waist. Though he was only about 175 centimeters tall, his proportions were excellent.
Noticing her frank gaze, Qing’er grew embarrassed. “Y-Young Lady… what are you looking at?”
“Nothing…” Before she could finish speaking, Lu Jinlan let out another wail, clutching her other shoulder as she collapsed onto the bed.
She had triggered a second beginner mission. The system required her to casually flirt with the opposite sex and achieve the effect of making him blush and his heart race.
This system was impatient—issuing missions urgently without giving her time to react. Before she could even figure out how to flirt, the system judged her to have disobeyed orders and both beat her and deducted points.
Customer service sternly reminded her: “Your current life points are 1. Please proceed with caution.”
Looking at the tiny flickering sliver of her life bar, Lu Jinlan had ten thousand curses she wanted to shout. On the verge of tears, she thought: I’m not good at flirting. This is impossible.
Flirting? Isn’t that basically teasing? I’m not some Wei Xiaobao.
Wait… scenes from greasy TV dramas flashed through her mind. Got it!
Gritting her teeth and forcing herself past the mental hurdle, Lu Jinlan spoke with difficulty:
“Qing’er, someone hit me. Hurry and hold me.”
“Who hit you? I don’t see anything!” Qing’er was frightened as well. In a fluster, he wrapped his arms around Lu Jinlan’s back and waved his arms at the air like he was driving off ghosts.
Seeing his anxious expression, Lu Jinlan burst out laughing. “I was lying. No one hit me. I just wanted you to hold me for a moment.”
“You…” Qing’er’s face flushed red, and he quickly got up and left.
Watching his flustered retreating figure, Lu Jinlan shook her head with a wry smile.
Ding! The system chimed with a pleasant notification.
“Detected that the host has completed two beginner missions. However, as both were completed under system supervision, no rewards have been triggered…”
Lu Jinlan’s temper flared instantly. “Hey! Are you kidding me? Don’t push it too far!”
Customer service hurried to explain: “Please calm down. The above two missions have now been incorporated into your daily behavior category. You may use these behaviors at any time to earn life points.”
Lu Jinlan’s stubborn streak kicked in. “I’m not earning anything. Why are you treating me like this? You set all the rules—I don’t even have room to maneuver. You didn’t even give a beginner a chance to make mistakes. Right off the bat you’re trying to kill me. Even black-hearted capitalists aren’t this ruthless. I quit. If you want my life, take it. What’s the worst that could happen—death? If you’ve got the guts, kill me now.”
After saying that, she lay stiffly on the bed, looking utterly resigned, waiting for death.
She admitted there was some gambling involved in her attitude. But this feeling of being completely oppressed, with no room to resist, struck directly at her reverse scale. If she had no freedom at all, she might as well die.
“Aren’t you able to read my thoughts? Go ahead and read them. See if I’m bluffing. What kind of trash system is this? I didn’t get a single reward, and I got beaten up instead. Is this what you call loving me the way men are loved? This feels more like abusing women the way women are abused.”
“Misunderstanding.” The old lady’s tone softened. “That was not the intention. It’s just that this new system has only just begun running, and perhaps certain aspects of the host’s experience were overlooked. I’ll apply for three painkillers for you. Each pill will restore 0.5 life points.”
“That’s it?”
“I will also submit feedback to extend your reaction time and reduce mission difficulty to some degree. Additionally, while I’m online, you may seek guidance and assistance from customer service at any time.”
Lu Jinlan pursed her lips. The terms weren’t bad—but she wanted to push her luck a little further.
“What about the life points I just lost?”
The old lady fell silent for a moment, as if she had never encountered such a difficult host before.
Just as Lu Jinlan was about to compromise—
Ding!
A pleasant chime rang out.
System notification: Beginner Compensation Gift Pack received. Life points +10!
Her life bar extended tenfold in an instant. She sprang off the bed like a carp leaping from water. “Thank you, Auntie. I’m all adjusted now.”
The old lady inhaled sharply through gritted teeth. “Once you’re past the beginner stage, there will be no more bargaining. Remember—only by performing male-novel behaviors can you earn life points. Acting one step ahead of the system gives you a chance to trigger high-value rewards and win generous prizes.”
Got it. Acting ahead of the system meant understanding its spirit. So far, she knew that the male gaze and casual flirting could earn life points. Following that line of thought…
Lu Jinlan vaguely formed a strategy in her mind, though it would need testing in practice.
She now had 11 life points, but a single punishment could wipe them out in a blink. The mystery of her background could wait—survival came first.
Steady and cautious. She’d aim to accumulate a month’s worth of life points first.
Lu Jinlan stepped into the courtyard. She had no mind to admire her spacious, luxurious residence. After a brief glance around, she resumed pondering what exactly counted as “male-novel behavior” and the so-called “male-novel spirit.”
Suddenly, something settled on her shoulders. Qing’er had returned at some point and draped a cloak over her, gently advising, “Though it’s summer, the early morning is still a bit chilly. You should put this on.”
Lu Jinlan muttered an apology in her heart. Qing’er, oh Qing’er—you delivered yourself right to me. I can only use you as my test subject.
She raised a brow and smiled. “You care about me that much? Then help me tie it.”
Qing’er felt that the Eldest Young Lady seemed different today—strangely good at teasing.
He smiled as he deftly tied the cloak. But just as his fingers moved, Lu Jinlan suddenly grasped them. Qing’er froze, his heartbeat instantly falling into chaos.
Ding! Congratulations! Behavior unlocked: Lusting after beauty and taking advantage on impulse. Life points +15!
Lu Jinlan felt both delighted and guilty, wanting to compensate Qing’er somehow—when suddenly a cough sounded from behind her.
Qing’er, who had just been smiling warmly, quickly withdrew his hand upon seeing the newcomer and stepped back in a panic.
Experienced now, Lu Jinlan held her position, still facing away, and quietly consulted customer service: “Who is it?”
________________________________________
Author’s Note:
Ding! The novel has begun! This work is written purely out of passion. Everything I want to say is in the story. I’ll do my best to keep it logical and maximize the satisfaction factor. I hope all my sisters enjoy reading it. My writing skills are limited, but I can guarantee two things: the female lead will neither suffer humiliation nor hardship. She’ll be strong, cool, and if she can show off, she definitely will. If she takes advantage, she’ll do it confidently. What she wants, she gets. She deserves the very best of everything.