Chapter One: Reborn as the Foil and Condemned by the Entire Internet

Rong City, Yunshen Resort.

The morning sunlight streamed down the forest path. Song Waning, dressed in a white long dress, her waist-length black hair tied high, appeared in the shade of a tree.

After stifling a yawn, she resumed her lazy repose on a lounge chair, cradling a cup of hot tea in her hands. She sipped occasionally, the very picture of someone who had entered a life of elderly leisure before her time.

All around her, staff bustled to and fro.

They were filming a variety show, “Let’s Fall in Love.”

Even as Song Waning caught up on sleep, her sharp senses still caught the whispers among the crew on set.

“That’s Song Waning? I heard she was all over the trending topics yesterday—it was a real spectacle.”

“I happened to be off yesterday. What happened?!”

“Didn’t you see the trending news? This lady here has quite the temper. Relying on her connections as an investor’s relative, she started bossing everyone around as soon as she arrived. Even her fiancé, Wen Jingxing, got a good scolding from her!”

“Wen Jingxing? Oh my! Who gave this woman the nerve to order him about?”

“Exactly! The other guests waited quietly for the director. But she alone made herself right at home.”

“Hmph, just wait. The whole internet is watching, expecting Wen Jingxing to break off the engagement!”

As one staff member finished speaking, he looked up to see Song Waning walking over, and was startled.

Song Waning glanced at her watch, noting it was almost time. She looked over coldly, then made her way to the open area where the guests had gathered.

Once she was out of earshot, the staff started up again. “Just wait. The Wen family is wealthy and influential—they’d never allow a rude and arrogant woman like her to marry in.”

Song Waning paid them no mind. After all, none of those deeds had been committed by her.

For Song Waning did not belong to this world—she was once a female emperor from a thousand years ago.

In her previous life, her family had been destroyed by treachery, their nation overthrown, and only she and her younger brother survived the massacre. The siblings depended on each other, scraping by in hiding.

At fifteen, political upheaval rocked the enemy nation, plunging the people into misery and spawning uprisings everywhere. For vengeance, Song Waning joined the rebels herself, fought in countless battles, and slew her enemies without number, ultimately becoming a general who overturned the enemy dynasty and wiped out its ruling house.

For more than a decade, she ruled as emperor, yet died of illness with none ever knowing she was a woman.

Song Waning never married, devoting herself wholly to her country. Only that sacrifice brought her people peace and prosperity. She herself, however, fell ill from years of toil and suppressed grief.

She had foreseen her fate and, after leaving her will and passing the throne to her brother, departed this world in peace.

Yet when she opened her eyes again, she found herself transmigrated—cast into a novel, waking in a world a thousand years in the future.

She had hoped at last to live a quiet, idle life, only to discover the original owner of this body was a mere stepping stone in the story—a pitiful side character.

A single appearance on a show had her torn apart online, driven into a mental breakdown. Worse, she became a foil for the protagonists’ romance, and, sinking into despair, soon died as well.

Alas, the damage had already been done the day before the show began, and the newly transmigrated Song Waning was powerless to change it.

All she could do now was be herself, and that would suffice.

At this moment, the director, Li Weiwei, arrived right on cue.

She greeted them, “Good morning, everyone! All departments ready, let’s start filming!”

As her words fell, the livestream equipment switched on.

Yesterday’s broadcast had merely been a warm-up; today was the official first day.

Yet even the pre-show had sparked plenty of buzz, thanks to the delicate Miss Song Waning and her various complaints upon arriving at the resort.

The reason was simple.

Yunshen Resort was no ordinary retreat; it was a playground for the wealthy. Every imaginable entertainment could be found within its grounds. The architecture, with its rustic elegance, featured pavilions, towers, gardens, and winding streams—a paradise straight from the dreams of countless people.

Yet to Song Waning, it was nothing but a rural backwater, a place full of dirt.

That had ignited the fury of the entire internet.

Li Weiwei, ever astute, had arranged for most of the day’s camera focus to be on Song Waning, hoping to stoke discussion and boost viewership.

As the broadcast began, viewers flooded into the livestream.

“At last! ‘Let’s Fall in Love’ is officially airing! I wonder who our adorable An’an will be partnered with?”

“Wow! Is it really the angelic Jian An’an, with her beautiful looks and sweet voice?!”

“Is anyone else here to see what this arrogant Song Waning will do?”

“Me! Did you see her bossy attitude yesterday? It made my blood boil.”

“Has anyone noticed there are only seven guests—notably missing is Young Master Wen. He must’ve seen Song Waning’s bad temper and quit the show.”

“After all, their engagement was an arrangement since childhood. There’s no way her family or she herself could ever match up to the Wen family.”

“Waiting for Young Master Wen to call off the engagement.”

“+1”

“+100”

“+10086”

...

Watching the lively discussion in the chat, Li Weiwei narrowed her eyes in satisfaction and continued, “As you all know, we’ll be filming at the resort for a month. Every three days, you’ll draw an identity card.”

“Your task is to experience ordinary work. Complete tasks successfully and you’ll earn points, which can be exchanged for food, furniture, and other necessities.”

“Accommodation is provided by the show. Couples must live together in the same cottage, and you’ll need to earn points to support yourselves. There will also be random challenges.”

“This season, there are eight guests: two engaged couples, two simulated couples. Wishing you all a happy romance!”

“Happy romance? Ha, I suspect the director is hinting at Young Master Wen.”

“At least our Jian An’an is gracious—she hasn’t complained once since arriving yesterday.”

“+1111”

“Hasn’t anyone noticed? Compared to yesterday’s outfit, Song Waning’s dress today is plain, but somehow it looks even better.”

“That’s nothing—the director just said they’ll be experiencing an ordinary life. Song Waning despises even a place like Yunshen. Who knows what kind of drama she’ll stir up!”

The show’s main hook, after all, was inviting the scions of wealthy families to simulate ordinary life and romance.

Now, all eyes were on how the pampered Miss Song Waning would cope with a down-to-earth lifestyle. Everyone was eager for the spectacle.

To boost popularity, the show had invited two trending celebrities, one of whom was Jian An’an—most of the audience was here for her.

At this moment, Jian An’an was eyeing Song Waning at the end of the line, puzzlement flickering briefly across her delicate face before she schooled her expression.

Seeing the broadcast’s popularity soar, Li Weiwei pressed on, “Now, would all the guests please step forward and draw your identity cards.”