Lin Feng opened his eyes to the familiar creaking of the ceiling fan above his bed. For a second, he wondered if everything that happened yesterday was just a dream. A genie, a broken kettle, a system screen floating in front of him—ridiculous. He rubbed his eyes and let out a sigh. "Of course it was a dream… I mean, what kind of idiot wishes for a system instead of mountains of gold?"
[Ding! Good morning, Host! Ready for your first humiliating quest?]
The metallic voice boomed directly into his skull. Lin Feng jolted up, nearly knocking his head against the fan. "Ahh! It wasn't a dream?!"
[Ding! Correction: It was a dream, but I am the nightmare that came true.] The system's words sparkled across his vision, smug and taunting.
Lin Feng slapped his cheeks. No use denying it. He really had a system. He really had a genie. And now he really had—
[Ding! New Quest: Beg for food in the middle of the marketplace.]
Lin Feng froze. "…What?"
[Reward: 1000 yuan, Strength +1. Penalty for failure: Spontaneous explosive diarrhea in public.]
Lin Feng stared in horror. "What kind of cursed system is this?!"
[The funny kind.] The system chimed happily.
Before Lin Feng could argue, a translucent timer appeared in the corner of his vision. [Time Limit: 1 hour.] He nearly choked. "One hour? I haven't even brushed my teeth!"
[Ding! Hygiene irrelevant. Begging effectiveness increases by 12% with bad breath.]
"This system is evil," Lin Feng muttered as he dragged himself out of bed. His mother was already in the kitchen boiling watery porridge. She looked tired, her eyes sunken from sleepless nights. Their debts had grown heavier, and food was becoming scarce. Lin Feng's chest tightened. He didn't want her to know about this madness. Not yet.
He slipped outside before she noticed, clutching his rumbling stomach. The morning sun stung his eyes as he hurried toward the crowded marketplace.
The market was already buzzing with life. Merchants shouted prices, children ran about, and the aroma of grilled buns floated in the air. Lin Feng's stomach growled so loudly people turned to look at him. He swallowed nervously. "Alright, system. Let's get this over with."
He stepped into the middle of the street, raised his arms dramatically, and shouted, "Please! I'm starving! Someone give me food!"
The entire street went silent. A tomato seller blinked at him. A granny dropped her basket. Then, suddenly—
"Oi, isn't that Lin Feng? What's he doing begging like a lunatic?!"
"Did his family finally go bankrupt?"
"Shameless brat!"
Whispers erupted like wildfire. Lin Feng's face burned hotter than the sun. The system was practically giggling in his head.
[Ding! Begging effectiveness increased by 50% due to maximum embarrassment.]
Just when he thought he'd die of shame, a kind old man sighed and tossed him a steamed bun. "Here, boy. Don't starve."
[Ding! Quest Complete. Reward Granted.]
A shower of golden sparkles rained down in Lin Feng's vision. A pouch of money materialized in his pocket, and suddenly he felt a strange heat course through his muscles.
Strength +1.
Lin Feng clenched his fists. His arms felt sturdier, his grip firmer. "Whoa… this actually works."
Before he could celebrate, a familiar puff of smoke appeared beside him. The genie floated out lazily, yawning. "I leave you alone for one day and you're already degrading yourself in public?"
Lin Feng pointed an accusing finger. "This is your fault! If you didn't trap me with this system—"
The genie smirked. "Correction: you tricked me into giving you a system. Actions have consequences, little mortal."
"I thought genies were supposed to grant wishes, not ruin lives!"
"Depends on the genie. Some of us like chaos." The genie shrugged and plucked the steamed bun from Lin Feng's hand, taking a bite. "Hmm, not bad. You embarrassed yourself for this?"
Lin Feng's jaw dropped. "That's mine!"
The genie ignored him, chewing happily. "Ah, humans. Always so dramatic."
[Ding! New Quest: Slap the genie in the face.]
Lin Feng nearly choked. "What?! Are you insane?!"
[Reward: Random treasure chest. Penalty for failure: Nose grows 3 inches longer for 24 hours.]
Lin Feng's nose tingled at the thought. "You're trying to get me killed!"
[Timer: 5 minutes.]
The genie raised an eyebrow. "Why are you sweating, boy? Did you wet yourself?"
Lin Feng balled his fists. His entire life flashed before his eyes. Slap a genie? The same genie who could snap his neck with a thought? But the image of walking around with a ridiculously long nose made him tremble even more. He took a deep breath.
"Forgive me, ancestor." He swung.
SMACK!
The genie's head whipped to the side. The market fell silent again. Every passerby froze, horrified at the sight of a mortal striking a mystical being.
Lin Feng's legs trembled. "I-I didn't mean it—"
The genie slowly turned back, rubbing his cheek. Then, to Lin Feng's shock, he burst into laughter. "Ha! You actually did it! You've got guts, boy!"
[Ding! Quest Complete. Random treasure chest awarded.]
A wooden chest appeared in front of Lin Feng. It glowed ominously. He hesitated, then cracked it open.
Inside lay… a pink frilly dress.
Lin Feng's soul left his body. "What the hell is this?!"
[Ding! Congratulations! You have obtained the legendary 'Crossdresser's Camouflage Robe.' Increases charm by 50% when worn.]
Lin Feng clutched his head. "Charm? I asked for power, not cosplay gear!"
The genie was rolling on the ground, laughing so hard tears streamed down his face. "Oh heavens, this is priceless!"
Just then, Lin Feng's childhood friend, Zhou Hujiang, appeared, carrying a basket of vegetables. He froze, eyes darting from the dress to Lin Feng's pale face. "Lin Feng… why are you holding women's clothing in the middle of the market?"
Lin Feng wanted the earth to swallow him whole. "It's… it's not what it looks like!"
The genie smirked. "Oh, it's exactly what it looks like."
---
When Lin Feng finally escaped the humiliation of the market, he dragged himself home. His mother was waiting at the door, worry etched into her face. "Feng'er, where did you go? We don't have enough food for breakfast."
Lin Feng hesitated, guilt gnawing at his chest. He pulled out the pouch of money from the first quest and handed it to her. "I… found some work."
Her eyes widened. "So much?!"
Lin Feng forced a smile. "Don't worry about it, Mother. Things will get better."
But deep down, he knew things were only getting stranger. The system wasn't letting him off easy. Another notification blinked across his vision.
[Ding! Main Quest Unlocked: Earn 10,000 yuan in three days.]
Lin Feng's heart sank. "Ten thousand?! Are you trying to kill me?"
[Failure Penalty: Baldness for one year.]
Lin Feng grabbed his hair in panic. "No way! Not my hair! I'd rather die than go bald!"
The genie snickered. "Well, looks like you've got your work cut out for you, little mortal."
Lin Feng clenched his fists. He didn't know how, but he'd complete this insane quest. For his mother. For his family. And definitely to keep his precious hair.
To be continued…