In the center of the residential compound stood an open-air fitness zone—a simple setup of slides, seesaws, and pull-up bars for residents’ leisure.

Past midnight, the area was deserted. Jiang Xuehan hauled her suitcase and cardboard box here, then flopped onto a seesaw, staring silently at the sparse stars above.

Thankfully, Eastern Sea City still sweltered in early September. Even at night, temperatures hovered around 30°C, sparing her worries about catching a chill. She’d tough out the night right here on this seesaw.

Just three months ago, she’d been the most celebrated game streamer online, showered with praise. Gifts from viewers alone neared a million yuan. The platform had even offered her a 5-million-yuan signing bonus and a three-year, 100-million-yuan contract to stay.

But in the blink of an eye, it all vanished like mist. Now, she was a supermarket clerk using a fake ID, working 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. for meager pay. She pinched every penny, yet still got kicked out for missing rent by a few days.

Anyone else might’ve snapped—or worse—after such a fall.

But Jiang Xuehan was different. She’d already died once in the Ganges, then spent a month under the guidance of a wise Indian elder. Her spirit had matured beyond measure.

So what if she faced hardship now? If Meng Han could rise from a nobody to the internet’s top streamer in half a year, why couldn’t the reborn Jiang Xuehan do the same?

No matter how twisted the path ahead, I’ll never give up!

After this self-motivation pep talk, she closed her eyes, trying to sleep early—tomorrow’s shift at the supermarket awaited…

---

Next morning, dark circles under her eyes, Jiang Xuehan dragged her luggage to a corner of the supermarket.

"Xiao Han? What happened last night? You look exhausted," the shopkeeper asked, concerned.

"I… uh… mosquitoes were bad."

It was true. Wild mosquitoes had been relentless, attacking just as sleep crept in. She’d waged an all-night war against them.

"Tsk, be careful, girl. Don’t stay up late. Buy some mosquito coils. And why bring your suitcase?"

"I’m… moving today. Changing places."

"Oh? There are plenty of rentals around here."

Jiang Xuehan didn’t tell Aunt Chen the truth. Her pride refused pity.

Another ordinary workday. During quiet moments, she scrolled through nearby housing listings on her phone.

But with barely a hundred yuan to her name, even a hostel was out of reach—let alone rent and deposits.

Would she sleep on that seesaw again tonight? Ugh… another all-night battle with mosquitoes…

By noon, sleep deprivation hit hard. Yawns escaped her constantly; her eyelids felt like lead. Yet she forced herself to stay upright.

Then, a familiar figure entered—not to shop, but to lean conspiratorially over the counter: "Xiao Han, got a minute? Important matter to discuss."

Jiang Xuehan blinked, recognizing him. "Wu De? Just say it here."

"No, no—this needs privacy."

The shopkeeper, restocking shelves nearby, overheard and smiled. "Go ahead, dear. Don’t wander far."

Wu De led her to a quiet alley near the supermarket. "Xiao Han, want to enroll at Eastern Sea University? Join our e-sports club?"

Jiang Xuehan blinked, doubting his sanity. "I told you—I dropped out in sophomore year."

"I know! But I can get you in as a freshman in the School of Economics and Management next week!"

"Huh? How?"

"Listen. My cousin’s also named Jiang Xuehan. She aced the college entrance exam and got into Eastern Sea’s econ program. But last night, she told me an American university finally accepted her. She’s flying out, dropping her spot here."

Jiang Xuehan frowned. "What’s that got to do with me?"

"You can take her place! Same name, similar age and height—just different faces. We’ll figure out a cover. She won’t cancel her enrollment before leaving, so no one will know it’s you."

Such impossible coincidence left even the unflappable Jiang Xuehan stunned.

Wu De pressed on, excited: "I’ll recruit you into our club the moment you enroll. Our teammate Lao Li’s unavailable—we need you for the national PUBG college tournament in two weeks. First prize is 80,000 yuan. I’ll give you 20,000."

*20,000 yuan!* Her heart leaped.

Three months ago, 5 million meant nothing to her. Now? Her monthly wage was barely 3,000 yuan after grueling shifts. Twenty thousand was half a year’s salary. Of course she was tempted.

Reading her expression, Wu De grew bolder: "Xiao Han, drifting through society so young isn’t right. A degree opens real doors. This is your chance for a proper life."

After a pause, Jiang Xuehan asked abruptly: "Dormitory included?"

"Of course!"

"Deal."

Her swift agreement stunned him. "You… don’t need to think it over?"

"I have. You’ve never struggled—you don’t know how much just *having a dorm bed* saves. And 20,000 yuan? That’s six months of my life."

Her offhand words pierced him. "I… I didn’t realize you were this…"

"Don’t you *dare* pity me!" she snapped, chin lifted, glaring like a hissing kitten. "I’ll win that tournament for your club. You get glory; I get paid. Mutual benefit—not charity!"

Flustered, Wu De apologized fast. "Sorry! Truly—I didn’t mean it like that!"

Satisfied by his sincerity, she nodded. "Better. When’s enrollment?"

"Freshman registration’s today through the 9th. If you’re free now…"

"No delays. Let’s go."

She didn’t quit her job—just took half-day leave, claiming illness. Trust, but verify. This scheme had risks; she needed a fallback.

But Wu De didn’t head straight to campus. First stop: a beauty salon.

"Ah… you and my cousin don’t look alike. We’ll need makeup camouflage."

"Fine. Hurry up."

The stylist worked meticulously for over an hour, layering products. Jiang Xuehan realized for the first time how tedious makeup could be.

Yet when she opened her eyes, she gasped at the magic.

Her face now mirrored Wu De’s cousin’s photo at 80% similarity—yet still held traces of her own delicate features.

"Perfect," Wu De approved. "Even without makeup later, no one will suspect. Girls change a lot in college anyway." He handed her a document. "Your acceptance letter. I’ll take you to registration—you submit it yourself. Oh, and I’ll brief you on my cousin’s details en route. Avoid slip-ups…"