Huo Qubing was twenty-two when he was ennobled for defeating the Xiongnu.
Xiang Yu was twenty when he broke the cauldrons and sank the boats.
Sun Ce was eighteen when he conquered Jiangdong.
Li Shimin raised an army and succeeded at fourteen.
Compared to all of them, Jing Yu was older when he started trying to rise. He was twenty-four this year—and yet he often found himself on the verge of starving to death in his rented room.
Well, at least until this blind date today.
In a mid-range restaurant, two women sat with no interest in the food in front of them.
Their eyes were fixed on the profile of one man—Jing Yu.
Name: Jing Yu
Gender: Male
Height: 178cm
Weight: 69kg
Age: 24
Alma Mater: Lancheng University, Department of Screenwriting
Work Experience: 2 years
Current Employment: Lancheng Jinhui Television Station (Part-time screenwriter)
"Part-time screenwriter? That basically means... he's not even a full-time employee, right?"
"Like, labor dispatch? Or maybe just doing odd jobs—when the TV station needs help, they call him in, and when they don't, he can go chill somewhere else. Kinda like those aunties handing out flyers on the street. Honestly, factory work might be better."
The woman sitting by the window on the right asked softly, eyes full of curiosity.
Her name was Yu Youqing—fair skin, a sleek ponytail, black-rimmed glasses perched on a tall, delicate nose, and soft pink lips. Compared to the woman actually on the blind date, Yu Youqing was clearly more attractive.
Even in Lancheng, a city full of beautiful women, she stood out. After all, superficial beauty was common; what was rare was someone with elegant bone structure and a pure, refined temperament.
Some women looked pretty at first glance, but after a few conversations, you'd start to find them tacky. That was the difference.
Yu Youqing, on the other hand, exuded a natural purity—something no internet influencer could replicate with makeup.
"But... he's hot!"
The one actually on the blind date, Zhao Xin, was a decent-looking woman. Though her eyes held some disdain as she read through Jing Yu's job details, she couldn't maintain the same expression when it came to his looks.
"Seriously handsome," Zhao Xin exhaled deeply.
"Hey, Zhao Xin, this is already the third time I've accompanied you on a blind date this year. Didn't you say that guy Zhou Jie from last time was great? Polite, generous, refined? You even dated him. Why did you break up?"
Yu Youqing looked annoyed, seeing her best friend—a proud member of the Appearance Association—enter fan-girl mode again.
"That guy?" Zhao Xin played with the car keys in her hand.
"Total scumbag. I dumped him last night."
"Wait, what? You only dated him for a month! He already showed his true colors?" Yu Youqing looked shocked.
"Shouldn't you be roasting me for coming to a blind date the day after dumping someone?"
Zhao Xin gave a little self-deprecating chuckle.
"Anyway, the reason I broke up with him... it's 'cause he kissed way too well."
"???" Yu Youqing blinked, confused.
"I mean, if he's that good at kissing, he's obviously a player!"
"Good at kissing? How good?" Yu Youqing's eyes widened.
She had never dated anyone before, so this kind of topic made her a little shy—but mostly curious.
"Out of all my exes, he's top ten for sure."
Zhao Xin said while checking the glass reflection beside her.
"Shh, quiet. He's back from the restroom."
"Sorry about that," Jing Yu said as he returned, smiling politely.
Twenty-four years old, decent build—but that face... straight out of a model catalog. Handsome and refined.
"Nature calls. No need to apologize," Zhao Xin replied with an elegant smile.
Jing Yu didn't say much else. He immediately picked up his chopsticks and began to devour the food with speed and grace.
Ever since the original owner of this body—his "predecessor"—lost his father last month, debt collectors had been pounding at the door. The loans he had co-signed three years ago also came due. The family's house, car, and all their assets were gone. Now he wasn't just broke—he owed tens of thousands.
And for someone two years out of college with no real job, that was no small debt.
The blow from losing his family, the crushing weight of reality, and his girlfriend leaving him at his lowest—these things made the "original" Jing Yu realize something:
He was just an ordinary guy.
Of course, it wasn't just about being ordinary—it was about being emotionally fragile. Most people wouldn't take their life over this kind of hardship. But this guy? He did. Took too many sleeping pills.
Which was how Jing Yu, the soul now inhabiting this body, arrived in this world—along with a mountain of inherited debt.
Starving, broke, and desperate, he had zero interest in Zhao Xin. He was here for the free meal.
The original Jing Yu had already alienated all his friends and relatives by borrowing money and never paying it back. When disaster struck, no one would even take him in. His social circle was a train wreck.
Which meant that when the current Jing Yu woke up in this body last night, he had no money at all—and a stomach growling like crazy.
He munched on the delicious sashimi while cursing the original owner in his head.
"You chose death, sure. But I haven't slept a wink since I transmigrated—I'm starving."
Thankfully, this morning, the phone number the original had left at the matchmaking agency got a call.
Jing Yu wasn't really here for a date—he was here to mooch.
As he gobbled up more food, he glanced at Yu Youqing.
Even in his famished state, it was hard to ignore how beautiful and pure she looked.
She's pretty enough to be a drama lead.
The original Jing Yu had worked as an assistant screenwriter at Jinhui Television, so he'd seen his fair share of actresses. His judgment wasn't bad.
So whose assistant was he?
Naturally, his late father. A terrible gambler, but undeniably talented—he had written several hit shows in his youth. Even as he aged, he stayed on at the station, living comfortably.
But after his death, was there any reason for his son to remain?
Jinhui Television was a commercial company, not a welfare unit. They wouldn't keep someone without connections around. So they didn't fire Jing Yu outright, but they did terminate his long-term contract. Still, they left him with a part-time deal as a face-saving gesture.
TV screenwriting teams often needed temp help during peak season, after all.
Zhao Xin frowned slightly as she watched Jing Yu inhale food like a vacuum.
Is it really that good...?
Oh well, he was paying. He could eat however he wanted. She was hungry too.
"Waiter, another order of king crab sashimi," Zhao Xin said casually.
Jing Yu gave her an approving nod. He couldn't afford to splurge, but if the one footing the bill wanted to—who was he to complain?
Now partially full, Jing Yu looked at Yu Youqing.
"Miss, I heard you say you graduated from Lancheng University's acting department?"
"Yes, same year as you. We were classmates," Yu Youqing replied with a gentle smile. She wasn't swayed by his looks, but she remained polite.
"Then I guess we're in the same industry. Acting and screenwriting go hand in hand. Here's my card."
Jing Yu handed over a handwritten slip of paper with his phone number.
Yu Youqing raised an eyebrow.
A business card...?
It was so simple—just a scribbled note. Ten bucks at a print shop could get you a hundred actual cards. This was barely passable.
"Thanks, here's mine. But honestly, I don't think we'll have many chances to work together."
She paused, then added politely:
"It's hard to break into a production team these days. My family runs a flower shop. I haven't done any acting in the past few months—I've just been helping at the store."
"Life's unpredictable," Jing Yu replied calmly.
He had no special skills in this world.
Given his identity, degree, and the current bleak job market—where even college grads were delivering takeout—and the fact that he couldn't even afford a scooter, switching careers seemed unlikely.
After a night of thinking, Jing Yu had made his decision: he wasn't leaving the screenwriting industry.
Changing fields meant becoming a regular office worker for life. But as a screenwriter, there was still a chance to strike gold with one hit show.
And in the film and TV industry, writers held the power—especially in the Great Zhou Federation. If he ever got the chance to produce something, the info he gathered now—like actor contacts—might prove useful.
Lost in thought—
RING RING RING!!!
His phone rang.
Jing Yu looked at the screen and picked up.
His eyes lit up with joy.
"What?"
"Seriously?"
"You want me to do it?"
"Of course, I'd love to. Thank you—thank you so much, Uncle Chu!"
Five minutes later—
Jing Yu ended the call and turned to Zhao Xin and Yu Youqing with an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, something urgent came up. I have to go."
Perfect—this gave him a chance to slip out before the awkward moment of paying the bill.
He wasn't afraid of side-eyes, but avoiding discomfort was always better.
He planned to repay the meal once he had money. He had Zhao Xin's contact info, and getting Yu Youqing's would give him a backup in case Zhao Xin blocked him.
After all, once he made it big, he couldn't forget this free meal.
Without waiting, Jing Yu stood and dashed off—leaving Zhao Xin stunned and Yu Youqing baffled.
A moment passed.
"Was that guy... really here for a blind date?" Zhao Xin's voice trembled with rare anger.
Her pride had taken a hit.
Not even that handsome face could make up for his outrageous behavior.
"Um, Zhao Xin... I think that guy... Jing Yu, when he left just now..."
Yu Youqing blinked.
"He didn't pay!!!"
"HUH?!"
"WHAT?!"
Zhao Xin's disbelieving voice rang through the restaurant.