The morning fog still clung lazily to Qinghe Village when Jiang Yanyan stepped out of the small mud house, carrying two wooden buckets.
Cold dew dampened the ground beneath her worn cloth shoes, and the distant crow of roosters echoed through the valley.
In the past, Liu Meilin would still be sprawled on the bed at this hour, snoring loudly, her hair tangled, her clothes greasy, and her reputation already dragged through the dirt before the sun even rose.
But today, she was different.
Her movements were steady. Her breathing calm.
Inside her mind, the system panel floated quietly.
[Daily Task: 10,000 steps — Reward: Fat-burning acceleration +1]
She adjusted the cloth tied around her waist, lifted the buckets, and began walking toward the well.
Every step made her thighs rub together, causing discomfort, but she gritted her teeth and continued.
Sweat quickly gathered on her forehead. Her arms trembled. Her breath became heavy.
Yet she did not stop.
Because she knew this body would not change without pain.
The well was already crowded with women drawing water.
The moment Jiang Yanyan appeared, whispers erupted.
"That fat girl is out this early?"
"She's probably trying to chase some man again."
"Disgusting."
Jiang Yanyan kept her head down, her face calm.
She drew water carefully, avoiding splashes, and turned to leave.
But suddenly
"Hey! Liu Meilin"
A young woman deliberately stuck out her foot.
The heavy bucket slipped. Water splashed all over Liu Meilin's clothes, soaking her from chest to hem.
Laughter erupted.
In the past, Liu Meilin would have screamed, cursed, and caused chaos.
But Jiang Yanyan simply froze for a moment then slowly straightened.
Her gaze was calm.
So calm it made the mocker uncomfortable.
She quietly bent down, lifted the bucket, and walked away.
Behind her, laughter slowly faded into awkward silence.
For the first time
They didn't get the reaction they
By noon, her entire body was drenched in sweat.
She cleaned the yard.
Fed the chickens.
Chopped firewood.
Walked back and forth between the house and vegetable patch.
Her calves burned.
Her back throbbed.
Her lungs screamed.
She collapsed onto a stool, panting heavily.
Her shirt clung to her skin, revealing the ugly bulges she hated.
For a brief moment despair surged.
"Will I ever really change…?"
Then her mind flashed back to her previous life.
Spotlights.
Applause.
Silk gowns hugging her perfect figure.
Flashing cameras.
Crowds chanting her name.
Her eyes hardened.
"I climbed once. I can climb again."
She stood up.
Days turned into weeks.
Her appetite was controlled.
Her steps increased.
Her routine never broke.
Every night, she soaked her aching legs in warm water, biting her lips to endure the pain.
And slowly
Her face became smaller.
Her neck slender.
Her arms thinner.
Her belly no longer protruded forward like before.
One afternoon, as she washed her face, she froze.
The reflection in the water startled her.
The bloated cheeks were receding.
A delicate jawline was emerging.
Her eyes… were beautiful.
For the first time since transmigrating
She smiled genuinely.
The Market Shock
The real shock happened on market day.
She wore a simple pale-blue dress she had sewn herself plain, but neat.
As she stepped into the crowded market street, the noise slowly softened.
Heads turned.
Eyes widened.
"She… she's not ugly anymore."
"Isn't that Liu Meilin?"
"That's impossible…"
She walked calmly, spine straight, eyes forward.
People unconsciously made way.
The girl once avoided like plague
Now commanded attention.
The Man Who Couldn't Look Away
Lu Jianfeng stood beside the grain stall, carrying two heavy sacks effortlessly.
When his eyes lifted
His breath stopped.
The woman walking toward him…
Her skin glowed.
Her steps were light.
Her gaze calm yet confident.
For a second, he thought he was dreaming.
Liu Meilin…?
His voice came out hoarse.
She turned.
Their eyes met.
Time froze.