Minute on it

第4話 Recruit a "fashion consultant"

The towering skyscrapers, vibrant billboards, and bustling streets were reminiscent of Earth, but the brands, logos, and even the jingles blaring from speakers felt like an alternate universe’s take on capitalism.

When the taxi stopped at the gates of Jingbei University, Gu Chen stepped out, his suitcase in tow. The university's sprawling campus stretched before him, an architectural blend of modern and traditional designs. He couldn’t help but take a deep breath and feel a sense of accomplishment. "At least one of us made it here," he muttered, thinking of the previous Gu Chen.

But his reverie was interrupted by a ding in his mind.

[Ding! Side mission detected: Recruit a "fashion consultant" to assist with your women's clothing endeavors. Reward: 5000 yuan and 5 goddess coins.]

Gu Chen almost choked on his own spit. "Recruit a consultant? What am I, running a boutique now?"

Ignoring the new mission, he decided to focus on settling in. He found his dorm easily—Room 302 in the International Students’ Wing, thanks to the original Gu Chen’s excellent grades. As he entered, he was greeted by his roommate, a tall, gangly boy with glasses so thick they could magnify ants.

"Hi! You must be Gu Chen! I’m Zhao Ming, your roommate!" Zhao Ming beamed, extending a hand.

"Hey, nice to meet you," Gu Chen replied, shaking his hand. Zhao Ming’s enthusiastic grin suggested he was the kind of person who would greet mosquitoes with a smile.

As they unpacked, Zhao Ming’s voice buzzed like a radio stuck on a talk show. "So, do you play games? I’m into Glorious Warriors 5! Or are you more of a fitness guy? Your frame looks like you could be a runner! Oh, and what do you think of Beijing food? Have you tried—"

Gu Chen tried to focus, nodding and smiling at appropriate intervals, but Zhao Ming’s chatter was relentless. "If the system gave me rewards for patience, I’d be rich by now," he thought.

Finally, Zhao Ming stopped mid-sentence. "By the way, there’s a freshman mixer tonight. You coming?"

Gu Chen hesitated. Social gatherings weren’t his thing in either life. But then he remembered the system mission. Public area... over a hundred strangers... The mixer was a perfect opportunity. He nodded. "Yeah, I’ll go."

As night fell, Gu Chen found himself standing in front of a mirror, holding up the women’s bracelet from his mother. His reflection stared back, an amalgamation of hesitation and determination. He put the bracelet on, the system chiming immediately:

[+1 cent, +2 cents...]

Encouraged by the steady flow of income, Gu Chen rummaged through his suitcase and found a silk scarf—one of the original Gu Chen’s random purchases. He draped it over his shoulders like a shawl. The system chimed again.

[+5 cents...]

Satisfied with his low-key approach, Gu Chen headed to the mixer, which was held in the campus’s multipurpose hall. The room was already packed with students, the air buzzing with excitement and awkward introductions. Gu Chen stepped in, his scarf fluttering slightly in the breeze from the AC. Heads turned.

“Hey, isn’t that the new guy from 302?” whispered a girl to her friend.

“Why’s he wearing a scarf? It’s not even cold,” her friend replied, puzzled.

Gu Chen ignored the murmurs and grabbed a plate of snacks. His mission was to blend in and rack up points. He was halfway through a particularly crispy spring roll when someone tapped his shoulder.

“Excuse me,” said a melodious voice. Gu Chen turned to see a stunning girl with short, dyed-pink hair and a mischievous glint in her eye. She pointed at his scarf. “Bold choice. Are you making a statement?”

Gu Chen blinked. “Uh... yes?”

“What kind of statement?” she pressed, smirking.

"Think, Gu Chen, think!" he thought. Then he replied with a grin, “That fashion is about confidence, not convention.”

The girl burst out laughing. “I like that. I’m Lin Yue. What’s your name, fashion guru?”

“Gu Chen,” he said, extending a hand.

As they chatted, Gu Chen noticed his system counter ticking steadily upward. "Maybe this women's clothing thing isn’t so bad," he mused.

By the end of the night, Gu Chen had not only completed his mission but also made a new friend. As he walked back to his dorm, scarf fluttering, he couldn’t help but smile. "If I’m going to conquer this world, I might as well do it in style."