The first thing Bai Lingxi registered upon waking was disorientation. Her body ached, and for a brief moment, she struggled to recall where she was. Then, like a crashing tide, the memories of the previous day returned—her rebirth, the realization that she was no longer in her own body, and, most importantly, the presence of the system.
As if on cue, a crisp chime echoed in her mind.
[Ding! First mission unlocked… Host, it's a brand new day! Time to set up your very first business.]
[Rewards: Locked.]
Bai Lingxi's eyes narrowed slightly. Right—she had a system now. Sitting up, she let her thoughts drift, recalling the life of the former Bai Lingxi. The memories painted a picture of a world vastly different from her own—an imperial-era society where copper, silver, and gold were the standard currency.
She exhaled slowly, her mind already working. If she wanted to rebuild her empire, she needed information. And what better place to gather information than a restaurant or bar? A small smirk formed on her lips. A place where people ate, drank, and talked freely was the perfect starting point.
But there was a problem—money.
Judging by the state of her surroundings, it was clear that neither she nor her mother had much to spare. She slumped back onto the thin mattress, her mind racing through possibilities.
Then, a thought struck her.
"System, don't I get some kind of newcomer's package?" she inquired.
A brief pause. Then—
[Correct, Host. Would you like to claim it?]
Bai Lingxi clapped her hands together, a small spark of excitement lighting up her expression. "Of course!"
[Ding! Congratulations! Host has received 1000 copper coins from the system.]
She waited, expecting to see the money appear before her, but nothing happened. With a furrowed brow, she quickly pulled up her system stats.
---
── TYCOON SYSTEM ───
Host: Bai Lingxi
Age: 16
Wealth: 0 yuan
Reputation: Nonexistent
Business Skills: 4/10
Leadership: 5/10
Negotiation: 6/10
Market Insight: 3/10
Available Funds: 1000 copper coins
Active Missions: One
---
She let out a breath, eyes scanning the updated balance. How exactly was she supposed to use this money? Did the system expect her to carry invisible currency?
As if sensing her confusion, the system chimed again.
[Would Host like to withdraw the money?]
Relief flooded her. "Yes."
A moment later, a small cloth bag appeared before her. She untied it, revealing neatly stacked copper coins bound with string. Weighing them in her hands, Bai Lingxi sighed. She had always been a modern woman, accustomed to sleek bank accounts and digital transactions. Now, she was back to carrying pouches of metal.
Just then, the door creaked open, and a small head peeked inside.
"Big Sis, it's time for breakfast," a young boy called softly.
Bai Lingxi turned her gaze toward him. He was thin—too thin—and his clothes were worn from frequent washing. He didn't look any better off than she did.
She hummed in response, watching as he hesitated for a moment before slipping away.
Bai Lingxi quickly stashed the cloth bag under her pillow before rising from the bed. Her eyes swept across the room—bare walls, a wooden basin in the corner, the faint scent of old wood lingering in the air. She moved toward the basin, splashing her face with water before heading out.
The house was simple, consisting of only two rooms—a sitting area and a kitchen. Outside, a small outhouse served as the toilet and bath. Her father, she recalled from the body's memories, had built it before marrying her mother.
Entering the sitting area, she spotted a small wooden table in the center, set with a modest breakfast—some plain buns, a bowl of watery white porridge, and a single egg shared between three people. Two young children sat at the table, their round eyes fixed on her as she approached.
Twins. Her siblings.
She barely held back a sigh. Did she forget to mention she hated kids?
The little girl perked up first. "Good morning, Jie Jie!" she chirped.
Bai Lingxi hummed in reply, making no effort to engage further. The girl turned to her brother, who only shrugged in response. Their mother had told them to be quiet since their older sister wasn't feeling well.
Just then, their mother entered the room. She cast Bai Lingxi a glance before sitting down. "Are you feeling better now?" she asked, reaching out to check her daughter's temperature.
Bai Lingxi instinctively flinched away.
Her mother's hand hovered in the air for a second before she pulled it back, the atmosphere between them growing slightly tense.
Neither said anything after that.
Bai Lingxi simply picked up her chopsticks and began eating, while her mother stood, retrieving an old cloth bag from the corner.
"I'm leaving for work," she announced, slinging the bag over her shoulder. She looked at Bai Lingxi. "Take care of your siblings." Then, turning toward the twins, she added, "Don't disturb your sister, you hear me?"
The two murmured their agreement as she walked out the door.
As the sound of her footsteps faded, Bai Lingxi chewed her food slowly, gaze flickering toward the two children across from her.
Bai Lingxi barely reacted, her mind already racing with thoughts. Great. Now what?
She had things to do. Things that didn't involve playing babysitter.
She absently chewed on the tasteless bun, barely swallowing it down. The food lacked any real seasoning, and the porridge was just sad. Even she, who was no chef, could do better than this.
After the meal, her younger siblings got up and started clearing the table without being told. Bai Lingxi simply watched them work, her gaze lingering on their small hands as they carefully moved the dishes.
Afterward, they each grabbed small wooden buckets and headed toward the door.
"Where are you both going?" Bai Lingxi asked, stopping them in their tracks.
"To the stream to fetch water," Bai Yun answered simply.
She raised an eyebrow, glancing at their tiny arms. With what strength, exactly?
"And you're both going alone?" she questioned.
"Do you want to come with us?" Bai Yun asked curiously.
"But Mother said you weren't feeling well," Bai Lan quickly added, concern evident in her voice.
Bai Lingxi hesitated. The kids looked like they had done this before, which meant it was probably safe…right?
She mentally shook off her doubts. "Actually, I'm heading into town," she said instead.
The twins exchanged a glance. "Are you going to find Mother?" Bai Lan asked.
"No." Bai Lingxi shook her head. "I need to buy some things."
"Alright then, bye!" Bai Yun said cheerfully, turning back around without another thought.
Bai Lingxi stood there, watching them walk away. What kind of children were these? They acted like grown adults!
She exhaled and shook her head before heading back into her room. She grabbed the cloth bag containing her system-given copper coins, secured it tightly, and left the house.
Her destination? Town.