Xu Ning sat cross-legged in the system space, arms folded, pouting like a grumpy teen who just lost a game.
He had completed his first task perfectly. 100% success rate. Heartfelt memories, blooming romance, and even a family. If this were a game, he deserved an SSS rank, ten rare loot boxes, and a standing ovation.
But no. Instead, he was now back in this bland, timeless white space with nothing but silence and soul fatigue hugging him like a second skin.
"System," he muttered, rolling his sore shoulders. "At least give me a bed next time. Or a massage chair. Is that too much to ask?"
The system, ever-so-silent, remained unbothered.
So Xu Ning did the only thing he could—he began to meditate. His soul was still dim and unstable, like someone had left the lights on but dimmed them way too low. Trying to possess a new host like this was a one-way ticket to an emotional rollercoaster hijack.
And Xu Ning? He wasn't about to cry over someone else's dead cat again just because their original soul was that dramatic.
He sat for an unknown amount of time—maybe hours, maybe years. There was no time here. But at last, he felt something. His soul wasn't fully solid, but now when he poked it, it felt less like fog and more like pudding. Progress.
He cracked an eye open and grumbled, "Alright, I'm good enough. Hey system, I want to start the task."
Silence.
Then—
WHOOOOOSH.
His soul was yanked forward like someone had hit the eject button on a plane seat. Xu Ning didn't even get a chance to curse.
"HEY—! At least count to three before—!"
Bonk.
Darkness swallowed him whole.
When he next woke up, everything hurt. His eyelids fluttered open to a blindingly beautiful bed canopy, embroidered with dragons and clouds in gold thread. Fancy. His body, however, felt like a wet noodle. No strength. His brain? Completely blank. Soul fatigue, again.
"...Ugh," Xu Ning croaked.
A choked sob echoed beside him.
"Your Highness! You're awake!" a girl cried, voice thick with emotion. She immediately knelt beside his bed, tears rolling down her cheeks. "You mustn't do this again—this servant was so scared!"
Xu Ning blinked at her. She looked young—maybe fifteen—dressed in elegant ancient attire with a gauzy outer robe. The swell of her chest peeked out from beneath the layers. Ancient fashion was... quite revealing.
Well, hello to you too, cleavage. He coughed internally.
His stomach rumbled like thunder.
"Get me food," he croaked, barely able to lift a finger.
The girl lit up like a festival lantern. "Yes, Your Highness! Right away!"
She lifted her skirts and dashed off like she was in a relay race. Xu Ning stared after her in disbelief.
"System," he muttered, glaring at the ceiling. "You couldn't even give me a tutorial? A pop-up? Maybe a 'Welcome, You Are Now a Prince!' screen? What kind of trashy beta test system is this?"
Still no response.
Xu Ning groaned and slumped back. He was starving. Was this body on a hunger strike before he arrived?
Before he could spiral deeper into royal self-pity, the maid returned with a bowl of steaming congee. The aroma of soft rice and rich meat stock punched him straight in the nose.
The girl gently helped him up and spooned the porridge to his lips. Xu Ning moaned—quietly, of course.
He only ate one bowl before his body tapped out. The girl helped him lie back down again, tucking him in gently like he was made of glass.
As he lay there, finally full and warm, he took stock of the situation.
He was a prince. He had a devoted maid. And very revealing robes were apparently in fashion. Honestly, things could be worse.
Still.
"System," he muttered again. "Next time you blast me into a new life, at least give me a damn countdown. Something like '3, 2, 1, prepare to suffer!' You know? Like a civilized execution."
The system, as always, ghosted him.
Xu Ning sighed.
"Fine. Let's see what kind of drama I walked into this time."