Chapter Two: Who Is Stubborn?

[Host, if you plan to keep ignoring me, we’ll simply reclaim your life in this world.] The system’s tone was gentle but laced with warning—this was the first time it had met a host who dared to play the silent treatment.

Almost as soon as the system finished speaking, Jiang Xian put away her phone. “Speak. What’s your purpose in appearing here?”

[First, allow me to introduce myself. I am Little Six, the Fortune System everyone dreams of binding with. So, host, would you like to have even more money?]

“Do you think I need it?” In a world where currency is devalued, having a million is no different from having a hundred million in a normal world.

[Of course you need it! Actually, it was a transmission error. You were supposed to be sent to a normal world, but you ended up in this devalued one. Consider this a compensation. Now, you face two choices: one, you die; or two, complete the tasks we assign, and you can stay here with your million.]

Little Six had barely finished when Jiang Xian chose the second option without hesitation. No matter what, she might as well enjoy the pleasure money brings, right?

[Congratulations, host, you have now bound with the Fortune System. Use your wealth to help those in need, and the greater your good deeds, the larger your rewards.]

“Alright, no problem.” As she spoke, Jiang Xian was already preparing to call her agent to terminate her contract—this was the most urgent matter.

[Host, are you planning to call and terminate your contract? That’s not allowed. You must participate in the variety show.]

“Are you aware that the show I’m supposed to join is ‘Ultimate Escape’? I might not even survive.”

[Well… that’s up to you. But you must participate in the show.]

“Up to me? What do you mean, ‘up to me’? It’s ‘Ultimate Escape’! The most important thing is eating well in that kind of place!”

No response!

“Say something! Don’t play dead on me.”

Annoyed to the extreme, Jiang Xian found herself met with complete silence from Little Six.

Who else was as unlucky as she was? Despite her anger, she had no choice but to take one step at a time for the sake of her own life.

The next day

Because Jiang Ke was also going to record the show, the Jiang household was bustling from early morning.

Mr. and Mrs. Jiang, along with Jiang Cheng, kept giving Jiang Ke all sorts of reminders, afraid she might suffer any grievance.

“Ke’er, don’t be afraid to offend anyone. The Jiang family is your support.”

They all knew that the variety show Jiang Ke was joining was full of rich participants, and worried she’d be too cautious for fear of offending someone.

“Dad, Mom, Brother, don’t worry. I’ve been in the entertainment industry for years—I won’t let myself be taken advantage of, nor will I bring shame to the Jiang family.”

Her words only made everyone feel more sorry for her. In the past, they had doted on Jiang Xian, letting her do as she pleased in the industry, which had tarnished the family’s reputation.

Meanwhile, their real beloved daughter, with no background or connections, had carved her own path all alone.

“We’re the ones who wronged you,” Tang Qionghua said, her voice choked with emotion.

Jiang Tao put his arm around her, comforting her. “Qionghua, our daughter’s back now. We have a chance to make it right, and she doesn’t have to leave us again. She can stay and keep us company—we should be happy.”

“Yes, Mom, I don’t blame you. You meant well. Now our family is finally reunited.”

“Indeed, having Ke’er home is something to be glad about. It’s just me being too sentimental.”

Coming downstairs, Jiang Xian saw the whole family enjoying a warm and harmonious moment.

As soon as the others noticed Jiang Xian, the cheerful atmosphere vanished.

“Xianxian, you’re up,” Jiang Ke was the first to greet her.

Such false enthusiasm—Jiang Xian ignored her entirely and headed to the table for breakfast.

Seeing Jiang Xian so arrogant, directly ignoring Jiang Ke’s polite greeting, Jiang Cheng couldn’t bear it. “Jiang Xian, is this how you were raised?”

Jiang Ke tugged at Jiang Cheng’s sleeve. “Brother, maybe Xianxian just woke up and is still groggy. I’ll go talk to her.”

Approaching Jiang Xian, Jiang Ke spoke gently, “Xianxian, we’re both going to the show today. I wish you the best of luck.” Then, leaning closer so only the two could hear, she whispered, “Heard this round of ‘Ultimate Escape’ is in the wild. You’d better watch yourself—don’t come back missing any limbs.”

This woman who’d enjoyed her identity for over twenty years—Jiang Ke wished nothing more than for Jiang Xian to die immediately. Back in the entertainment industry, she’d lost countless roles to Jiang Xian. Who would’ve thought—the real heiress of the Jiang family was her, and everything Jiang Xian owned should have been hers.

But then she reconsidered. Death was too good for Jiang Xian. It would be better if she came back broken, so she could torment her slowly.

Jiang Xian simply curled her lips in response. “Then rest assured—even if you die, I’ll still be alive and well.”

“Is that so? Keep talking. I’d like to see how long you can keep up your bravado.”

She was determined to use this show to make herself a household name, while Jiang Xian faced an uncertain fate—just thinking about it thrilled her.

“Miss, your car is here.”

Jiang Ke flashed a sweet smile, waved cheerfully, “Xianxian, I’m off. Goodbye!”

Everyone bustled around Jiang Ke—carrying her luggage, seeing her off—as if she were the one about to face ‘Ultimate Escape.’

Meanwhile, Jiang Xian sat at the breakfast table, leisurely enjoying her meal.

The moment Jiang Ke’s car left, the car for Jiang Xian arrived. Unlike the busy farewells for Jiang Ke, Jiang Xian was sent off in silence, everyone watching coldly as she dragged her suitcase out.

The staff loaded her suitcase, and they set off for the filming location.

Today, both ‘Ultimate Escape’ and ‘Unbridled Luxury’ were going live at the same time, as they shared the same director.

‘Unbridled Luxury’—as the name implied—was a show that showcased extravagant, inhuman levels of wealth. The guests were all heirs and heiresses of the rich and powerful, or self-made tycoons. When the first season aired, viewers got a firsthand look at how the wealthy truly lived.

To make this season more exciting, the production team added new tasks. The guests would need to spend money to complete challenges in order to earn food and lodging. All the money spent would eventually be donated to those in need. There were even gift-giving segments funded by the guests themselves, allowing viewers to participate.

Thanks to these new twists, the show became a sensation even before it aired, overshadowing all other variety shows, movies, and dramas.

The guest list featured six: Zheng Jin, young master of the Zheng Group; Li Jiale, heiress of the Li Group; Jiang Ke, heiress of the Jiang Group; Lai Bingfu, CEO of the Lai Corporation; Sheng Ya, vice president of Shengshi Group; and Rong Fan, crown prince of the Rong family, ranked third on the world’s rich list.

Though technically a variety show, it was also a rare opportunity for the wealthy to network and forge new partnerships, so everyone was eager to participate.

As the livestreams began, viewers poured into the broadcast rooms, the numbers climbing steadily, and the comment streams flying by.