In the dead of night, a dim room held only one faint glow—from the computer desk tucked in the corner.

A teenage boy sat there, dark circles heavy under his eyes, letting out a weary yawn.

On screen, a virtual streamer’s live broadcast still played.

Hearing the streamer yawn just like him, the boy could barely keep his eyes open.

Ah, that’s it. Time to call it a night.

As he moved to close the browser, he casually glanced at the Grand Voyage interface—dozens of new captains added tonight.

Virtual streaming really pays well, huh…

Mouse hovering over shutdown, ready to power off.

Suddenly, as if possessed, his body twitched. His foot kicked the power strip.

His hand jerked. The cup toppled. Then—

A strange buzz filled the air: *Zzzzt—*

…

Darkness swallowed everything.

Lin Lin felt a bizarre sensation—his soul ripped free, floating above the room, watching his own body slump over the desk.

Mouth agape, he stared in disbelief.

Th-this…?

Is this…?

Dead?

Just like that… I died?

Shock melted into confusion, then reluctance, finally quiet acceptance.

How surreal.

He offered a bitter smirk at his motionless form below.

His life flashed by: shadowy days, no friends, shut in after school, strained family ties.

Dying alone in the dead of night… truly the ultimate otaku ending.

Heh… heh.

I…

If I had another life—I wouldn’t be an otaku again!

If I were a girl, I’d definitely be popular!

【Oh? Really?】

…

*Buzz—!*

Ears ringing, Lin Lin groaned, pushing herself up from the desk.

Blinking open heavy lids, the girl dazedly ran fingers through her hair. She stared at the intact computer, then out the window at the hazy night, blinking in confusion.

What… what’s happening to me?

Still foggy, she grabbed her phone to check the time—

But…

Reflected in the black screen: a delicate, flawless face, sharp features softened by youthful charm. She blinked, utterly bewildered.

Then.

Her fingers brushed the silky hair framing the reflection. The texture felt undeniably real.

Trailing downward along the collar—brushing against a surprisingly soft, full chest…

She snatched her hand back, rubbed her cheeks, then unlocked the phone and opened the front camera.

On screen: a chestnut-haired girl, eyes wide with shock, mirroring her exact expression.

Mouth hanging open.

Th-this…

I turned into a beautiful girl?!

The earlier memory flashed—she shivered.

Wait… I woke up at the desk…

Didn’t I… die?

Th-this…?

Is this… me?

Lin Lin made quick gestures. The screen girl copied every move perfectly.

Denying it now would be like a cat fighting its own reflection.

Trembling, she set the phone down. Her mind raced—then froze.

Wait—let me confirm!

Hand swept downward through empty air.

H-Hey… where’s my little brother? Where’d it go?!

Wait… wait, think straight!

I’m Lin Lin, right? Ordinary high schooler. No friends. Home all day. Obsessed with virtual streams and gaming.

Clutching her head, memories flooded: kindergarten hand-holding, half a year in high school without speaking to a girl…

But now—she stared blankly at the screen.

How did I become a girl…?

How…?

Wait!

*Hss—*

A memory surfaced: just before waking… *he* had made a wish. Then—a cold electronic voice.

【Ding dong. Host detected. Lin Lin online. Initializing: Ultimate Virtual Idol Training System. Loading: 10%… 20%…】

Huh?

The voice echoed in her skull. Lin Lin shuddered.

This is…

A… system?

She fell silent, then smirked.

No way… a web novel-style system?

Wait—hold on! Why “Ultimate *Virtual Idol* Training System”?

Hah?

【80%… 90%… 100%】

【Ding dong. Binding successful! Welcome to the Ultimate Virtual Idol Training System. Mission: become the top virtual idol. Goal: one million followers in one year.】

【Success grants one wish. Failure transforms Host into a trash can.】

【Full support provided: punishing failed tasks, a shop of useless items… and turning you into the most perfect, popular girl—online and IRL!】

Huh? What… what did it say?!

One million *active* followers in a year—or become a trash can?!

Lin Lin fell silent.

Yikes. Sure, getting a system’s exciting… but *one million*? In a *year*?

How insanely popular is that?!

Way too hard!

Yikes!

After a long moment, she stood, collapsed onto the bed, and yanked the blanket over her head.

I’m dreaming. Must be dreaming…

Stupid system, turning into a girl—definitely a dream!

Mmph—!

*Slap—!*

【Ding dong. Friendly reminder: hiding under blankets or slapping your snowy**soft little butt won’t change the fact—you’re awake, and you’re a girl now.】

“Waaahhh—! DON’T SAY IT OUT LOUD!”

Lin Lin peeked out, face crimson, shaking her head frantically. The system waited calmly—until:

【Ding dong. Alert: First live stream begins in 10 minutes. Complete debut successfully: receive 20,000 credits startup fund.】

【Fail? System auto-switches to: Ultimate Lewd Idol Training System! The 18+ kind!】