[Many women, few men; System enabled; multiple heroines; all clean; absolutely no poison]
[Please park your brain here—reward: a matching world and the full VIP protagonist experience. All aboard!]
..."Latest news: the 78th census of Red Star has been completed.
The published results show the global gender imbalance has worsened to 1:3000.
Urgent: we must further safeguard men's lawful rights and continue raising their social status and welfare benefits."
"Dragon Country reports its male-to-female ratio has rebounded to 1:1000—the highest in the world.
This month Dragon Country released eight new regulations, including raising the male college-entrance bonus from 150 to 200 points.
Monthly living subsidies for underage males increased from 25,000 to 30,000 star coins.
The number of legal wives and Concubines an adult man may take has been further increased.
All education and medical costs for every male—from birth to death—are waived; any form of hidden charge will be severely punished..."
"The Dragon Country Husbands' Federation announced 24 additional male-protection clauses this month... If a woman proposes to a man and is rejected three times yet continues, it becomes a crime punishable by at least six months in jail.
Even with the man's consent, any behavior during courtship that makes him feel uneasy or offended is criminal.
Adult men are urged to quit work and focus on health maintenance.
Employed men's salaries must rise 50%; retirement age is lowered to 35.
Marriage-law amendments: if the wife files for divorce or is at fault (including verbal abuse),
she forfeits all marital property and must leave the household with nothing."
"Multiple ministries jointly appeal: men are now as rare and precious as pandas; society must protect them as we protect our eyes.
Cherish men—everyone's responsibility!"
Ding Yang was sleeping groggily while a barrage of voices echoed in his head.
Like nonstop news bulletins, they gave him a splitting headache.
Soon a clear, girlish voice began calling beside his ear.
"Brother Ding Yang, it's my fault for not taking good care of you—I didn't notice your high fever last night. I deserve to die.
I've had the doctor check you; he said you're fine.
He told me to keep talking to you so you'll wake sooner."
"Brother Ding Yang, actually, the day we met at the school gate in our first year of high school, I fell for you.
For three years I've secretly loved and watched you, memorizing every habit and hobby.
Countless times I dreamed and prayed I could become your spouse.
Two months ago I passed the national screening and matching—becoming your trial spouse.
It must be fate the heavens bestowed on us.
I know I'm still not good enough, so you're a bit distant.
But I truly, deeply love you, and I'll work twice as hard to improve.
No matter how long it takes, I'll wait for the day you accept me..."
Though Ding Yang remained unconscious, every word sank in.
He wrestled with the fog in his mind and finally opened his eyes.
He found himself lying on a soft, oversized bed.
The room was clean, tidy, and warmly decorated.
A long-haired girl lay beside him, fully clothed, back turned, resting.
"This is my home, my bedroom, and she's my..."
While he stared, the girl snapped awake.
She leapt off the bed and stammered anxiously,
"Brother Ding Yang, you're finally awake!
Your fever wouldn't break; you've slept a whole day and night. I stayed right here.
I was too tired and dozed off just now... sorry!
But don't worry—I didn't do anything improper while you slept..."
Her bell-like voice trembled with guilt, as if she'd committed some grave offense.
Ding Yang's mind was a mess; he only managed a non-committal grunt.
To her it was a pardon; she exhaled in relief.
"Brother Ding Yang, get up and wash first.
I've made lunch; I'll go check on it..."
She bowed and hurried from the room.
Ding Yang gradually pieced things together.
Yesterday's day-long fever had jolted his memories of a past life.
In that life he'd been an ordinary young man on Blue Star.
After a stroke of luck he was reborn on Red Star.
He grew up from a fetus, living an unremarkable eighteen years.
With the recovered memories he realized Red Star's tech and living standards were much like Blue Star's—
except the gender ratio was staggering: in Dragon Country alone it hit 1:1000.
Here women run society.
The rare men are treasured resources, enjoying sky-high status and privileges.
Law mandates every adult man take at least nine legal wives and up to ninety Concubines.
From adulthood he must register at least one spouse each year.
Otherwise the state will forcibly match him according to his profile and preferences.
Mercifully, the match comes with a three-month trial period.
At its end the man may register the marriage or walk away.
To become a man's spouse, a woman must supply a hefty dowry plus house and car.
"Compared with Blue Star, this world is way more interesting!"
Thinking of Red Star and Dragon Country, Ding Yang smiled.
Before recovering his memories he'd muddled through eighteen years.
Now it felt as if his meridians had been unblocked—everything clicked.
His mindset shifted; he jumped up to wash.
In the bathroom mirror a slightly green face looked back.
Just past eighteen, about 1.85 m tall, well-proportioned and fairly handsome.
Once a stay-home introvert, he now radiated unmistakable confidence.
A knock sounded again.
"Brother Ding Yang, are you done? Lunch is ready.
If not, I'll keep it warm until you're ready to eat."
Her gentle voice carried concern and deference.
"Coming."
Ding Yang opened the door and studied the slim figure before him.
She wore a pink tee and white skirt with cute house slippers.
About 1.70 m tall, waist-length hair, fair oval face—pure Campus Belle beauty.
Young as she was, she was already curvy, truly buxom and leggy.
A cartoon-cat apron circled her waist; she bit her cherry lips.
Her big doll-eyes gazed up, cautiously reading his mood.
[Picture of Ling Xintian →]
Illustration of Ling Xintian
She was his trial spouse, Ling Xintian.
Both attended Dongyang City's No. 1 High School and had been classmates all three years.
A model student, Ling Xintian was the campus role-model and acknowledged Campus Belle.
In the college-entrance exam out of 750 possible points she scored a dazzling 725, ranking first in school, first in the city, second in the province, and earned admission to Qingshan University, one of the nation's top ten.
Ding Yang, aside from being a bit handsome, was average—he scored only 452.
With the 200-point male bonus he reached 652.
Universities use different cutoffs for men and women.
At Qingshan University women needed 680; men needed only 650.
With her score Ling Xintian could have picked a top-three institution.
But because Ding Yang got into Qingshan University, she chose it without hesitation.
The reason: after the exam the government required Ding Yang to select a spouse for registration.
Thanks to her stellar qualifications she won the match and became his trial spouse.
Since then she'd moved in with him.
For two months she had cared for him meticulously, leaving no need unattended.