1: Chapter 1: Subscription Count Can Buy Life

The smell of disinfectant was like a cold needle, piercing straight into the depths of his consciousness.

Su Zhe snapped his eyes open to see a white ceiling and fluorescent lights emitting a faint hum. He tried to sit up but felt a violent wave of dizziness as two sets of memories collided in his mind like opposing floods—

One memory ended in 2025.

His name was Su Zhe, thirty years old, working as a content planner for an MCN agency in China. Overtime was the norm, and his dreams were distant. The last image was by a lake in a park on a weekend; a child had fallen into the water, and he jumped in without a second thought. Cold, suffocation, and then boundless darkness.

The other memory remained vividly in 2010.

Alex Su, eighteen years old, mixed-race Chinese-American, had just received his admission letter from the University of Southern California. His parents had both passed away a week ago in a plane crash while flying to Asia. They left him a small but cozy detached house by the beach in Santa Monica, a trust fund sufficient to finish college after inheritance taxes, and... the IV needle currently stuck in his arm.

“So...” Alex, or rather Su Zhe, struggled to move his eyes, looking at his clearly much younger, well-defined palms. His skin was a healthy tan, with clear needle marks on the back of his hand. “Not transmigration, but... rebirth? And it's the freaking USA in 2010?”

A sense of absurdity washed over him like a tide, nearly drowning him again. He didn't regret dying to save someone, but that feeling of a sudden halt, of emptiness, remained. And now, this “gift” felt so surreal.

The ward door was pushed open, and a slightly plump, kind-faced middle-aged nurse walked in, holding a clipboard. “Oh, you're awake, Mr. Su,” she said in English with a slight West Coast accent. “How are you feeling? Any dizziness?”

Alex instinctively answered in English, as fluently as if it were second nature: “I'm okay, just... a bit confused.”

“That's normal,” the nurse walked over to adjust the IV drip rate. “You were in bad shape when you were brought in—extreme dehydration, emotional collapse, and a slight tendency toward self-harm. Young man, losing loved ones is hard to bear, but life is precious. You have to look forward.”

Self-harm tendency? Alex quickly searched the memory fragments of this body—right, after hearing the news of his parents' death, the original host had locked himself in his room without eating or drinking, trying to use a broken glass picture frame... No wonder he was sent to the hospital.

“I know, thank you,” he whispered, his gaze falling on the nightstand. Some personal items were there: a deep blue wallet, a house key with a USB flash drive keychain, and a phone—a classic rounded design with a small screen and only one button on the front.

iPhone 3GS.

A hallmark of 2010.

He reached out and took the phone, its cold touch making him more alert. Pressing the Home button, the screen lit up, clearly displaying: Monday, March 15, 2010, 10:37 AM.

He was really back. On the eve of the mobile internet explosion, social media was in its infancy, YouTube was still in its wild growth phase, and there wasn't even a shadow of TikTok. And he, a content professional from 2025, had fifteen years of future internet memories, viral formulas, and cultural trends in his head...

Just then, as if in response to his “thoughts,” a pale blue, semi-transparent light screen unfolded without warning in his retina... no, directly in his “consciousness.”

The screen design was simple, with a cold technological feel, and several lines of clear text appeared on it:

【Multidimensional Popularity Exchange System: Loading Complete】

【Bound Host: Alex Su (Soul Compatibility: 99.7%)】

【Core Rule: The host gains ‘Popularity’ through actions. Popularity can be used as currency to exchange for anything in the system mall.】

【Current Popularity: 89 points (Source: Recent attention and discussion from medical staff, police, and social workers)】

【Mall Unlocked: Initial Zone】

Below was a simple list, like a primitive e-commerce website:

1. 【Basic Chinese Writing Mastery】 - Price: 100 points

· (Description: Allows you to master Chinese narrative and web novel techniques that align with modern aesthetics.)

2. 【Introductory Video Editing (Final Cut Pro 7 Specialization)】 - Price: 50 points

· (Description: Proficiently master the core operations of the mainstream professional editing software of 2010.)

3. 【Basic Driving Skills (California, USA)】 - Price: 200 points

· (Description: Makes you as familiar with local traffic rules and driving as someone with three years of experience.)

4. 【Physical Coordination Fine-tuning】 - Price: 300 points

· (Description: Slightly optimizes the nervous system, improving motor learning efficiency and appearance.)

5. 【Memory Fragment Organization (Limited Time Offer)】 - Price: 150 points

· (Description: Assists in organizing and merging memories from two lives, reducing confusion and discomfort.)

Alex held his breath. It wasn't a hallucination. Those words existed steadily, and with his thoughts, the list could even scroll slightly. Below the “Initial Zone,” there were large gray areas displaying 【Conditions not met, not yet unlocked】.

A cheat. And such a... straightforward, “utilitarian” cheat.

Popularity was money. Money could buy skills, knowledge, and even... he noticed at the very bottom of the list, outside the Initial Zone, several gray but terrifyingly titled categories: 【Physical Enhancement】, 【Transcendent Prototype】, 【Life Transformation】.

Buying lives? He remembered the end of his previous life. Could it really be possible?

The ecstasy lasted only a moment before being suppressed by cold reality. These 89 points came from others' “attention and discussion,” mostly sympathy and concern. What kind of popularity was that?

“You need rest, Mr. Su,” the nurse's voice pulled him back to reality. “The social worker will come to talk to you again this afternoon about your living arrangements after discharge. You need help.”

“I... I want to look at my phone, is that okay?” Alex asked.

“Of course, but not for too long.” The nurse nodded and left the room.

Alex opened the Safari browser on his iPhone, his fingers sliding across the not-so-sensitive touchscreen. He first searched for news of his parents' plane crash, confirming the reality of the memory. A dull pain hit his chest; this pain belonged to the original host and also to him, the “fusion” who inherited everything.

He shook his head and tapped the red icon—YouTube.

The interface was primitive, and the resolution of the recommended video thumbnails was low. He glanced at the trending list; it was all life snippets, funny pet videos, and poorly produced music covers. A familiar name jumped into his sight: “PewDiePie.” This future global number one in subscribers had only a few funny gaming videos on his channel right now, with a subscriber count likely just over a hundred thousand.

Alex's finger stopped.

A crazy idea, like a poisonous vine sprouting from the ground, instantly entangled his entire mind.

What was in his head? “Charlie Bit My Finger”? That seemed to go viral around these years. “Gangnam Style”? Still had to wait two years. Countless viral structures, contrast-based creativity, and emotional hooks that were proven later...

And all of these could turn into “Popularity.”

Popularity could buy skills, and with skills, he could create better content to gain more popularity... a perfect cycle. Perhaps he could even buy more incredible things, making up for the regrets of his previous life's abrupt end and taking control of an absolutely free future in this life.

He focused his consciousness on that blue light screen again. 89 points of popularity.

He turned his gaze toward the ward door, looking at the medical staff occasionally passing by in the corridor. He needed attention; he needed that initial bit of “fuel.”

He took a deep breath, pulled out the IV needle from the back of his hand (carefully, no bleeding), threw back the covers, and stood up. His body was a bit weak, but he had a good young foundation. He walked to the small bathroom attached to the ward and looked in the mirror.

The teenager in the mirror made him startle slightly.

Black hair, soft and slightly curly, deep-set eyes, a high bridge of the nose, but the lines of the lips carried the softness of an Easterner. It was indeed a face that perfectly fused the advantages of East and West. Even though his face was pale now and his eyes were bloodshot, it couldn't hide a startling handsomeness. He was tall with long legs and excellent proportions.

“Good looks.” Alex curled his lip. In this hellish start, this was the only gift that could be called a “cheat.”

He went back to the bed, picked up the phone, opened the camera, and switched to the front-facing one. He needed to do a test.

He straightened his hospital gown, adjusted his facial muscles, and faced the camera, flashing a practiced smile—one that belonged to Su Zhe the self-media professional, full of approachability yet tinged with a hint of fragility.

Then, holding the phone and pretending to take selfies and check messages, he slowly walked out of the ward.

In the corridor, a young nurse pushing a cart passed by. Seeing him standing at the door, she cast a curious and concerned glance.

【Popularity +1】

On the light screen, the number ticked up: 90.

A passing doctor nodded to him.

【Popularity +1】

91.

Alex's heart was pounding. He pretended to casually walk toward the nurse station, where two nurses were talking in low voices. He approached and spoke with a somewhat hesitant, perfectly confused voice: “Sorry, excuse me... could you tell me where the water dispenser is?”

The two nurses looked up, and seeing it was him, their faces immediately filled with sympathy and friendliness.

“Of course, it's just around the corner at the end of the hall. Do you need me to take you there?”

“No, no, thank you. I can manage.” Alex gave a grateful smile.

【Popularity +2】

【Popularity +2】

The number jumped to 95.

Still not enough. He walked to the water dispenser, slowly filled his cup, and scanned the waiting area. Two people, seemingly relatives of patients, were sitting there reading magazines. He walked over and, using the same polite and slightly confused tone, asked if the local newspapers on the rack were available for reading.

【Popularity +1】

【Popularity +1】

97...98...

Alex felt a strange excitement. This was like killing the first chicken in the novice village of a game. He walked back to his ward door, just as the slightly plump head nurse returned to record some data.

“Mr. Su, why are you out? Do you need something?” the head nurse asked.

“I... I wanted some fresh air, so I'm standing at the door for a bit,” Alex said, his eyes timely showing a bit of unease about the future. “Also, thank you. I mean, everyone.”

The head nurse patted his arm, her eyes gentle. “It'll be okay, child. Everything will get better.”

【Popularity +3】

The number finally ticked over: 98 → 101.

Alex almost jogged back to the ward, closed the door, and leaned against it, calming his hurried breathing. His consciousness instantly sank into the system.

【Current Popularity: 101 points】

On the list, 【Introductory Video Editing】 and 【Basic Chinese Writing Mastery】 were both flashing, indicating they could be purchased.

Which one to choose? Chinese writing might be useful, but he was currently in the US in 2010. His first pot of gold and initial popularity had to come from somewhere more direct and visual.

Without hesitation, he focused his thoughts on 【Introductory Video Editing (Final Cut Pro 7 Specialization)】 and chose “Exchange.”

【Popularity Consumed: 50 points】

【Exchange Successful!】

【Remaining Popularity: 51 points】

A cool current of air suddenly surged into his brain. It wasn't pain, but a sensation of swelling as information was forcibly “implanted” and “understood.” Details about Final Cut Pro 7's interface layout, timeline operations, blade editing, transition effects, basic parameters for color balance, key techniques for audio synchronization... countless pieces of knowledge and muscle-memory-like operational instincts became part of his nature within seconds.

He opened his eyes and looked at his hands, as if they were already familiar with the tapping of keyboard shortcuts and the movement of the mouse.

Done. The first skill.

He looked at the system panel again, his gaze falling on 【Memory Fragment Organization】. The friction of soul fusion and occasional confusion were indeed hidden dangers. 150 points—he couldn't afford it right now.

But he had a direction.

Alex sat back on the edge of the bed, picked up the iPhone 3GS, and opened YouTube again. This time, his gaze was no longer a confused browse but a sharp scrutiny, like a hunter assessing his hunting grounds.

“Viral...” he murmured to himself, his finger sliding unconsciously. An idea became clearer and clearer: he couldn't wait. After being discharged, the first thing he would do was go home and start “working” with that Mac computer his parents had left behind—it was likely a Mac.

He needed content; he needed the first flashpoint.

Countless cases from his previous life flashed through his mind, eventually settling on a simple, low-cost, and highly transmissible idea. 2010 was exactly when “reaction videos” and “creative mashups” were beginning to sprout. An idea that crudely combined classical art with modern pop culture to create a strong sense of contrasting humor...

Just then, a notification slid onto the top of the phone screen:

“PewDiePie updated a video: ‘Playing Amnesia: The Dark Descent scared me into screaming for my mom!!!’”

The title had multiple exclamation marks, and the thumbnail featured an exaggerated expression.

Alex looked at the notification, then at the video idea gradually taking shape in his mind, and a smile slowly curled on his lips.

It was the smile of a hunter seeing the tracks of his prey, and the cold excitement of a transmigrator facing a brand-new, fledgling era with absolute control over everything.

“This round,” he said softly, as if to the system and also to the world, “I'm subscribing.”

Outside, the March California sun was just right, spilling over the Santa Monica sea, shimmering. An era belonging to traffic, popularity, and exchanging for everything was quietly turning its first page at the fingertips of a reborn soul.

And in his shopping cart, the first item was already waiting. The next goal was crystal clear: earn enough popularity to buy that 【Memory Fragment Organization】.

Then, truly begin to subscribe to the whole world.