Jiang Hao stood frozen in the middle of his 12-square-meter tomb of a room, the blue glow of the Fate-Editing System painting his face in cold light.
The countdown in the corner of his vision kept ticking.
364 days, 23 hours, 41 minutes, 12 seconds…
He forced himself to breathe. In through the nose, out through the mouth. The way the cheap self-help audios on Douyin always said to do when you were about to have a panic attack.
It didn't help much, but it kept him from hyperventilating.
"Tutorial," he croaked. "Start the damn tutorial."
The System obliged instantly.
The walls dissolved into black void. He was floating—no, standing—on an endless glass floor that reflected the glowing panels orbiting him like planets around a very confused sun.
A soft female voice, not quite human, not quite machine, spoke directly into his mind.
"Welcome to the Fate-Editing System, User Jiang Hao. Version 0.7.3-β. Local reality shard: Earth-Prime-2024-CN.
You currently possess Level-0 Administrator privileges.
Three core functions are available at this time."
Three massive icons materialized in front of him, each the size of a billboard.
1. SCAN FATE
2. EDIT FATE
3. DOWNLOAD SKILLS
The voice continued, patient, almost kind.
"We will now walk through each module. Please pay attention. Mistakes at this stage are permanently recorded and may attract early Auditor attention."
Jiang Hao swallowed. "Got it. Keep going."
The first icon lit up.
MODULE 1 — SCAN FATE
"Scanning reveals quantifiable parameters of any conscious entity or event within line of sight or recent memory recall.
Basic scans (Level 0) are free for the first 24 hours after binding. After that, detailed scans cost 1 Fate Point each.
Parameters include, but are not limited to:
- Luck Value
- Health Vector
- Wealth Trajectory
- Relationship Web
- Hidden Intentions (surface layer)
- Fatal Nodes (events that will kill the target if not altered)
- Affinity toward Host
- Concealment Rating (how hidden the target is from other fate-viewers)"
A dummy human silhouette appeared in front of him—featureless, gray. As the voice spoke, glowing numbers and tags bloomed across its body like tattoos.
"Example," the voice said.
The silhouette morphed into someone Jiang Hao knew very well: his direct superior at the Meituan station, the fat, perpetually sweaty station manager Zhao Delong.
A panel unfolded.
[Name: Zhao Delong]
[Age: 38]
[Occupation: Meituan Station Manager – Tangshan New Village Sector]
[Luck: 31/100 (Above average)]
[Health: 44/100 (Fatty liver Grade 2, Early hypertension)]
[Wealth Trajectory: Rising – 18% yearly]
[Hidden Intentions (surface): "Squeeze riders harder this quarter to hit bonus target."]
[Hidden Intentions (deep, locked): Requires 5 Fate Points to unlock]
[Affinity toward Host: –27 (Dislike + Exploitation)]
[Fatal Node: None detected within 5 years]
[Special: Minor fate entanglement with Host – will indirectly contribute to Host's death flag if left unchanged]
Jiang Hao's fists clenched without him realizing it.
That bastard. Of course Zhao Delong was part of the chain that killed him.
"Scanning living beings is passive and undetectable below Concealment Rating 40," the voice continued. "Scanning objects reveals durability, ownership chains, and hidden functions. Scanning locations reveals aggregated fate density and upcoming events."
The silhouette dissolved.
"End of Module 1 demonstration."
The second icon ignited like blue fire.
MODULE 2 — EDIT FATE
"This is the core administrative function.
You may modify numerical parameters within your current Authority Limit.
Current Authority Level: 0 → Maximum single edit magnitude: ±10 points.
Cooldown between edits on the same target: 24 hours (reduces with level).
Every edit consumes Fate Points proportional to the deviation created."
A new screen appeared—an actual editable spreadsheet, floating in space.
It showed Jiang Hao's own fate panel again.
[Career Potential: 3/100]
[Social Standing: 1/100]
[Luck: –12/100]
[Charm: 7/100]
[Intelligence: 79/100]
[Physical Constitution: 64/100]
Sliders glowed next to each value. A cost calculator hovered on the right.
Example:
Luck –12 → +8 → Deviation: +20 → Cost: 25 Fate Points
Luck –12 → –22 → Deviation: –10 → Cost: 8 Fate Points (negative edits are cheaper)
"Negative edits on hostile entities generate bonus Fate Points upon successful manifestation," the voice explained. "However, excessive cruelty triggers Karma Backlash protocols in higher versions. Your current version has no such restriction."
Jiang Hao's mouth went dry. He could ruin people. Literally reach into their lives and twist the knob that said "Luck" down to zero.
He could feel the temptation crawling under his skin like ants.
"Warning," the voice added, as if reading his mind. "Edits that create timeline branching exceeding 3% probability divergence will emit a Fate Ripple. Ripples above 5% are visible to all Observers within 500 km. Current recommended maximum safe deviation per day: 0.7%."
The third icon unfolded last, simple and elegant.
MODULE 3 — DOWNLOAD SKILLS
"Fate Points may be exchanged for permanent instantiation of skills, knowledge packs, muscle memory, or even minor bodily optimizations.
Skills are divided into Practical, Combat, Social, Intellectual, and Esoteric trees.
Downloads are instant and leave no training trace—perfect for maintaining cover."
A skill shop window opened. Thousands of entries scrolled past.
[Driving Mastery Lv.1 – 15 FP]
[Negotiation Tactics Lv.3 – 80 FP]
[Parkour Essentials – 50 FP]
[Stock Market Intuition Lv.1 – 120 FP]
[Firearm Proficiency (Handgun) – 200 FP]
[Cooking (Sichuan Style) Lv.5 – 40 FP]
[Minor Healing Factor (Regenerate small wounds 10× faster) – 800 FP]
[Language Package: English (Native) – 30 FP]
Jiang Hao's eyes widened at the prices. He had exactly zero points right now.
"Entry-level skills under 100 FP are available immediately upon earning points," the voice said. "Higher-tier skills require System Level upgrades."
The void rippled. The three icons shrank and settled into the corner of his vision like a permanent HUD.
"Tutorial complete.
Current Fate Points: 0
Daily Quest unlocked."
A golden panel exploded into existence.
[Daily Quest #001 – "First Step of Defiance"]
Objective 1: Earn your first Fate Point through any means.
Objective 2: Prevent at least one predetermined minor misfortune scheduled for today.
Reward: 50 Fate Points + Random Bronze Skill Coupon ×1
Failure Penalty: Luck –5 (permanent)
Time Limit: 23 hours 11 minutes remaining.
Jiang Hao exhaled slowly. The void dissolved, and he was back in his cramped room, the smell of mold and old noodles slamming into him again.
His phone buzzed on the table—Meituan dispatch.
Order #A7731 – Pickup from Malatang King, deliver to Tangshan University Dorm 7.
Estimated earnings: 6.8 yuan.
Deadline: 34 minutes.
The first domino.
In his previous life, this order had been the start of everything. He'd been late because his scooter's chain slipped. Got scolded by Zhao Delong. Got assigned the deadly afternoon route as punishment.
He stared at the notification.
Then he opened the system again and focused on the scooter parked downstairs.
Basic Scan (free for 23 more hours).
[Vehicle: Yadi Electric Scooter (2019 model)]
[Condition: 61/100]
[Hidden Defect: Brake cable 41% frayed – full failure in 4–11 days]
[Predicted Event: Brake failure → minor crash → insurance dispute → late penalties → route punishment → death flag reinforcement]
Jiang Hao's smile was thin and sharp.
"Got you."
He grabbed his helmet, slipped on his uniform jacket, and headed downstairs.
The morning air was crisp, laced with coal smoke and the scent of frying dough sticks. Auntie Wang was setting up her breakfast stall as always.
He stopped in front of his scooter, crouched, and scanned it again—this time focusing on the brake cable.
A semi-transparent 3D model floated in his vision, the frayed section glowing red.
Edit Fate interface opened automatically.
[Target: Brake Cable Durability]
Current: 41/100
Suggested Edit: +40 → 81/100 (safe range)
Deviation Created: 0.12% (undetectable)
Cost: 12 Fate Points
Insufficient Points → Temporary Credit Available (First-time courtesy)
[Accept Credit? Y/N]
He mentally clicked YES before he could talk himself out of it.
A soft chime.
[Debt recorded: –12 Fate Points]
[Brake cable reinforced. New durability: 81/100]
In the real world, absolutely nothing looked different. No glow, no sound. But when he squeezed the brake lever, it felt… firmer. More responsive.
He swung a leg over the seat, kicked the stand up, and rolled out of the alley.
First objective: earn a Fate Point.
He knew exactly how.
Three blocks away was a small lottery shop he'd passed a thousand times. In his previous life he'd never bought a ticket—too broke, too cynical.
Today he would.
He parked, walked in, and scanned the bored shop owner.
[Luck: 14]
[Hidden Thought: "Another poor kid wasting money."]
Jiang Hao ignored him and stared at the stacks of scratch-off tickets under the glass counter.
Scan activated automatically on anything he focused on.
One ticket in the middle row glowed faintly green.
[Ticket ID: 2024-10-14-0773]
[Prize: 500 yuan]
[Probability deviation if purchased by Host: 0.09% → Safe]
Cost to reveal this information: 0 (basic scan).
He pointed. "That one."
The shop owner raised an eyebrow but slid it over. 10 yuan.
Jiang Hao paid with one of his last paper bills.
He scratched it right there under the fluorescent lights.
Three golden ingots in a row.
500 yuan.
The shop owner's jaw actually dropped. "Kid… you've got some damn luck today."
Jiang Hao felt the rush—the first real one since waking up.
A new notification.
[+18 Fate Points]
Source: Wealth acquisition against probability (500 yuan, 50× investment)
Deviation: 0.09%
First Point Earned → Daily Quest Objective 1 COMPLETE
[Current FP: 6 (–12 debt + 18)]
He pocketed the 500 yuan—real, crisp bills—and walked out grinning like a wolf.
The morning sun felt warmer.
Second objective: prevent a predetermined misfortune.
He knew exactly which one was coming next.
9:42 a.m. – Brake failure was now fixed.
Next in line: 10:07 a.m. – Confrontation with station manager Zhao Delong over yesterday's "late penalty."
In his previous life he'd begged, bowed, accepted the fine. Today would be different.
He rolled into the Meituan station at 9:55 a.m., early for once.
The station was a converted garage: yellow walls, rows of charging scooters, the stench of cigarette smoke and cheap tea. Twenty riders milled around, helmets under arms, waiting for the morning briefing.
Zhao Delong stood on a plastic crate like a petty king, belly straining against his yellow polo shirt, whistle around his neck.
Jiang Hao scanned him the moment he walked in.
Same numbers as in the tutorial.
[Affinity toward Host: –27 → –29 (he noticed you're early and it annoys him)]
Zhao Delong's eyes narrowed the second he spotted Jiang Hao.
"Oi, Jiang Hao! You're here? Thought you'd be late again and give me another excuse to dock your pay."
The other riders snickered. Someone muttered, "Deadbeat Jiang is gonna cry again."
In his previous life he had cried. Not openly, but his voice had cracked, and they'd never let him forget it.
Today he just smiled.
Zhao Delong hopped down from the crate, waddling over. "Yesterday you were three minutes late on order #A7492. That's 50 yuan fine. Pay up now or I'll deduct double from today's settlement."
Fifty yuan was two days' food.
Jiang Hao met his eyes. "Manager Zhao, can we check the app record first? I remember delivering at 11:27, and the time window was until 11:30."
Zhao Delong blinked. That wasn't the script. Jiang Hao was supposed to mumble apologies.
"You questioning me?" Zhao barked, face turning red.
"No," Jiang Hao said calmly. "Just suggesting we both look at the official record. Unless you're scared the app will prove you're stealing from riders again."
The garage went dead silent.
Someone inhaled sharply.
Zhao Delong's face passed through red into purple. "You little—!"
Jiang Hao's Scan updated in real time.
[Zhao Delong Hidden Intention (surface): Intimidate → Punish → Make example]
[Emotion: Rage + Fear of exposure]
Jiang Hao had nothing to lose and 500 fresh yuan burning a hole in his pocket.
He pulled out his phone, opened the rider app, and turned the screen so everyone could see.
"See? Delivery photo timestamped 11:27:04. Customer confirmed receipt at 11:27:19. Time window closed at 11:30. According to Meituan's official policy, no penalty."
Then, quietly, just for Zhao: "Or did you think none of us can read?"
Zhao Delong stared at the screen. The proof was undeniable.
The riders started murmuring.
Jiang Hao pressed the advantage. "How many of us have you fined for 'late' deliveries that were actually on time? Maybe we should all start checking."
[Zhao Delong Affinity → –41]
[Hidden Intention unlocked (free due to emotional spike): "If this kid pushes more I'll assign him the worst routes until he quits or dies."]
Jiang Hao felt ice crawl down his spine. Dies. The system literally used that word.
Zhao Delong forced a laugh that didn't reach his eyes. "Fine, fine. No fine today. Happy?"
He turned away quickly, pretending to organize papers.
A new notification bloomed in gold.
[+35 Fate Points]
Source: Public humiliation of hostile entity + prevention of unjust wealth loss
Deviation created: 0.41% (still under radar)
Daily Quest Objective 2 COMPLETE
[Total FP: 41 (6 + 35)]
[Daily Quest #001 COMPLETE]
Reward: +50 FP → Total: 91
Bronze Skill Coupon ×1 issued
Jiang Hao felt the rush again, stronger this time. The other riders were looking at him differently. Some with awe, some with suspicion, one or two with something that might become respect.
He walked out of the garage with his head high, the morning sun blazing like applause.
Back in the alley behind the station, he leaned against a wall and opened the system shop.
First, pay the debt.
[Debt cleared. Current FP: 91]
Then he stared at the Bronze Skill Coupon. It pulsed gently.
[Use Bronze Skill Coupon? Y/N]
Yes.
A roulette wheel of bronze-colored skill icons spun in his vision and stopped on:
[Negotiation Tactics Lv.5 (Instant Download)]
Original cost: 120 FP → Free via coupon
Description: Master-level psychological manipulation, reading micro-expressions, framing, anchoring, and closing. Effective on 99% of ordinary humans.
[Download? Y/N]
He didn't hesitate.
A torrent of warmth flooded his brain—memories that weren't his, thousands of conversations, hundreds of deals, the exact tilt of a head that meant someone was lying, the precise pause that made people fill silence with concessions.
When it finished, the world looked… slower. Sharper. He could almost see the invisible strings people used to pull each other.
He laughed under his breath.
Zhao Delong had no idea what was coming.
But someone else did.
Across the street, inside the same black Audi from earlier, a woman in a charcoal suit lowered her binoculars.
She pressed a finger to her earpiece.
"Sector 7, this is Observer Cadre Unit 19. Minor fate spike detected at 10:11 a.m.
Deviation 0.41%. Subject unknown, but localized to Tangshan New Village Meituan station.
Possibility of early awakening increased from 4% to 17%.
Requesting permission to escalate to active monitoring."
A pause. Static.
Then a cold male voice: "Granted. If it's another premature Admin, terminate before Level 1. No witnesses."
"Understood."
The woman started the engine.
Jiang Hao, oblivious, kicked his scooter to life and rolled toward his first paid order of the new life.
In the corner of his HUD, a tiny new icon had appeared without him noticing—a faint red eye, blinking slowly.
Someone was watching.
And the real war hadn't even started yet.
To be continued…