The thin wooden walls couldn't block out the noise of the city that reached his ears, but none of that would matter much longer to Su Xiaobai. He seemed calm, staring silently at the ceiling.
He was about to die; he was suffering from terminal lung cancer. His lungs had almost completely lost their function, and his savings had long since run out. Without the help of a respirator, his body couldn't survive much longer.
"Ugh… gasp…"
With a violent gasp, the scene before Su Xiaobai's eyes gradually blurred.
He was going to die.
Those words floated in Su Xiaobai's mind. Even though his eyes were closed, he could still faintly see flickering images on the ceiling.
That was his life — not a very long one…
School, exams, work, a short period of dating.
Until he fell ill, everything seemed to vanish overnight: friends and family, classmates, work, social life…
His parents had passed away long ago. Now he was alone — perhaps it could be said… without any ties.
Was he really going to die?
There was a hint of reluctance. He hadn't yet built a successful career, nor had he ever seen the ocean…
The pain throughout his body had long since gone numb. His diaphragm, moving mechanically back and forth, forced his ruined lungs to work, but the oxygen reaching his body was no longer enough to sustain the next breath…
Was this how he would finally be released…?
That was fine too…
But what a pity…
He hoped there might be a next life. If there was, he would build a small wooden cabin by the sea, waking each day to the sight of the ocean — or perhaps he'd live on a boat…
"Instead of clinging to the illusion of a next life, perhaps you have another option?"
At the moment of his death, a voice suddenly echoed in his mind. Su Xiaobai thought it was a messenger coming to guide his soul to the underworld.
"I am not a messenger. For convenience, you may call me the System."
The System?
Su Xiaobai was slightly stunned. Was this the kind of power people had in novels — something that could defy fate?
As if to confirm his thoughts, a warm energy suddenly emanated from the source of the voice in his mind, making him feel a bit better.
His consciousness, which had been rapidly fading, immediately solidified under that power. Instinctively, he could feel the strange, almost tangible energy within him.
"The full name is: Star Rail Life Simulator."
Star Rail?
It sounded like the name of a game he had enjoyed once, though he hadn't touched it much since he got sick.
"Correct. It is the world of the game you know. The System can take your soul there, where you will become an entirely new individual. You can live your life there."
"Once the simulation ends, the System will reward you based on your simulated experience. It can not only restore your damaged health but even grant you extraordinary powers."
Su Xiaobai understood.
So, what was the System's criterion for evaluating his life?
"A life without regrets is a perfect life."
The System's emotionless voice revealed little. After thinking for a moment, Su Xiaobai grasped the scoring standard.
No regrets…
That was the System's standard.
"Then, choose."
Two options appeared before Su Xiaobai.
Green: Start Simulation…
Red: Die Immediately…
He didn't hesitate and chose the green option to start the simulation.
After all…
If one could live well, who would give up such a beautiful life?
After selecting the button, Su Xiaobai felt time stop, and then his vision went black.
When he opened his eyes again, his form was light, ethereal, and dreamlike. Was he… a soul?
He curiously looked at himself but was quickly captivated by the scene before him.
Before him appeared a giant Rubik's Cube, slowly rotating. Each small square of the cube seemed like a miniature world, showing different scenes.
There was a red-haired woman standing on tiptoe, gazing at a worn-out train; a silver-haired child babbling in her mother's arms; a white-haired girl repairing a robot; and three men and two women sitting together, drinking and celebrating aboard a massive spaceship…
Su Xiaobai was dazzled.
The Rubik's Cube stopped spinning, and the image froze on Zhanlan Star. Within it appeared a figure that seemed strangely familiar…
A girl who looked seventy to eighty percent similar to the puppet from the space station.
"World count self-selection: 0."
"Randomly selecting a world node…"
"Node selection successful: Zhanlan Star. Identity: Abandoned baby."
A wave of confusion washed over Su Xiaobai. Zhanlan Star?
Before he could process it, the System's voice drew his attention again.
"Entering participant selection phase. Host, please choose your preferred participation set based on your simulated identity."
"The entries are divided into three levels: One, Two, and Three. You may select three entries from different levels."
"Level 1: Impeccable Character. You are incredibly handsome, possess exceptional temperament, and Luck favors you."
"Level 1 Path Entry: Power. You can easily attract the gaze of the Eons."
"Level 2 Entry: Singing. Your Singing holds the infectious charm of harmony, deeply touching people's hearts."
"Level 3 Entry: Martial Prowess. You possess some Martial Prowess, allowing you to handle dozens of ordinary people with ease."
"Level 3: Economic. You have great, legitimate wealth ensuring a comfortable life."
Su Xiaobai pondered. If he were to reincarnate as an abandoned baby…
For Level 1, he could only choose [Impeccable Character]. After all, without luck, it was uncertain whether an abandoned baby could even survive.
As for the Level 2 Entry…
Su Xiaobai looked at the System's offered Level 2 entry, a bit puzzled. Why was there only one — [Singing]?
"The entries are not random. They are personalized to the host according to the conditions of the simulated world."
Su Xiaobai was slightly startled. It could do that? Then this System really had substance.
For Level 3, Su Xiaobai chose [Martial Prowess]. After all, he had been bedridden for years. He longed desperately for a healthy and strong body. With Martial Prowess — the ability to take on dozens of normal people — his physique shouldn't be bad, right?
"Participant selection complete. Simulation initializing…"
"You are born. You become an abandoned baby in a hospital."
"However, by luck, a kind couple takes you in. They plan to raise you as their own."
"This couple already has a daughter. The girl was extraordinary from birth… she never cried."
"Even when the doctor gave her a strong slap, she merely looked calmly at him with her violet eyes until he grew uneasy and stopped."
"The couple named the girl Herta… And you, wrapped in your blanket, had a delicate wooden tag with your name carved on it: Su Xiaobai…"
"Herta's parents brought you home."
"They cared for you diligently, treating you as their own son."
"The girl didn't cry until, slowly, you reached out and gently touched her face with tenderness matching your own."
"Puaj…"
"You softly touched the baby's cheek, and your underdeveloped vocal cords let out a faint sound — 'ugh'…"
"Your innate Singing ability seemed to have an extraordinary effect on the baby; she gradually drifted into a deep sleep…"
"The couple was very pleased by this, feeling that bringing you home was indeed the right decision."
"It seems Herta really likes you, dear."