Chapter 02 - Sister Qian
As I open my eyes, I found myself under an unfamiliar ceiling. There is continuous but mumbled chatter going on in the background.
Besides me, there are others sleeping in the room on separate single beds. The only sense of privacy is the curtains between each bed.
"Looks like I am in a hospital."
Probably Aunty Qian called them, as from the last memory of Uncle Qian crying, it seems to be the logical conclusion.
My memories of both lives have merged to give me a comprehensive view of the situation I am in currently. I have transmigrated to my 18-year-old self just 2 months before my college entrance exam, and that is not even the most bizarre part.
From what I can gather from my memories, it looks like I am in a world where roles of women and men have reversed. Women go out to work for the family and men take care of the house.
But how did this world become this way?
Like in my original world, women stayed at home not because we men wanted to earn the bacon ourselves, but because men were stronger than women, so we could fare better against the odds thrown our way since ancient times.
Does it mean that the men are weaker here? Am I weaker here as well?
Oh, that does not sit right with me. I have been bullied when I was young, and I have learned despite all the rules there to protect you, one has to protect oneself with his own strength. Otherwise, you will always be the victim of circumstance.
There was no Uncle or Aunty Qian in the village. How much has the world changed?
Wait, what about babies? How does reproduction and pregnancy work here? Why does myself in this world not have any memories related to it?
Was he dumb?
No, it's not that. He just had zero sex education. Seriously, how innocent can someone be? To live 18 years and not know a single thing about sex?
*sigh*
Looks like I have to figure it out myself. I just hope it is at least the same here as it was in my other world. Otherwise, I'd rather stay celibate my whole life than go through that psychological horror.
As I was thinking this, a nurse came to check up on me — more specifically, a male nurse.
Oh right, reverse world.
Even though there were male nurses in our world, they were rare. Personally, I have never seen one in real life, only on TV.
"How are you feeling?" asked the nurse with a cheerful, professional smile.
"I am feeling fine," I replied, trying to hide my unease on seeing a fellow man being so flowery.
"Hmm, your test results came in. Dr. Wu took a look at them. It looks like you fainted because of dehydration and lack of food. Remember to take care of yourself, especially in this heat," said the nurse while taking a look at the clipboard in his hand.
"I will take care of myself, it's just been a stressful day. So when can I be discharged?" I asked.
"You can be discharged in an hour at most. Your guardians are in the waiting area. I will let them know that you woke up," he said, then left.
[Ding]
Just as he left a blue screen of light appeared in front of me.
what is this ?
[Ding! The Singing System is being loaded.]
[Ding! As long as the host evokes emotion of people with his songs, the Host will receive heaven-defying rewards.]
Huh, so system has arrived ? I was worried about the world changing and my previous knowledge not being useful, but it looks like I don't have to worry about those thing now.
"System, status", I muttered and a blue screen with my stats appeared.
[Name: Zhi Nian
Age: 18 years
Physique: 13/100
Face: 7/10
Singing: 0
People moved: 0
System points: 0
** 0-3: Amature singer
** 4-6: Professional singer - most only go till 5
** 7-10: Legends and myths
]
[Ding! Begginer gift detected!]
[Would you like to redeem it ?]
"Redeem"
[Ding! 300 system points given.]
[Best of Luck Host! Sing well and earn system points.]
I thought for a moment for what to do with this system points.
'Let's reserve 100 points for now and upgrade his singing. After all this is a singing system.,
"Add 200 system points to singing", I muttered under my breath.
[Ding! 200 system points to singing added.]
The stats screen refreshed.
[Name: Zhi Nian
Age: 18 years
Physique: 13/100
Face: 7/10
Singing: 2
People moved: 0
System points: 100
** 0-3: Amature singer
** 4-6: Professional singer - most only go till 5
** 7-10: Legends and myths
]
100 points per level huh ? Just as I was tinkering with the system uncle Qian entered the room.
"Xiao Nian, how are you feeling?" Uncle asked, coming near me.
I could feel the worry in his voice. Even though he is behaving girly by my standard, I don't feel as repulsed as before — mostly due to the memories, but also because I haven't had anyone truly care about me in a long time.
"I am feeling fine, Uncle Qian. Where is Aunty?"
"Your Aunty went to get the paperwork done for your discharge," Uncle Qian said.
In my original world, I didn't have anyone to rely upon but myself, despite having relatives on both sides of my family — except the uncle whose funeral I was at.
"Okay."
"Listen, I have talked with your Aunty. You should move in with us at least till the entrance exams. Otherwise, how will you manage cooking, laundry, and other chores with your studies? I will not take no for an answer," blurted out Uncle rapidly.
"Thank you, Uncle Qian. I will be in your care."
Uncle and Aunty are good people. Even though we are not related by blood, they have never treated me badly in this life. So it should be fine to stay with them till I get things going on my own.
"Good. We have Xiao Qian's room empty. I will tell your Aunty to move your stuff into that room," he said with a smile.
Seeing that he genuinely cared for me made me a little happy.
"It would have been nice if she could have come, you were so close when you were younger.", said uncle Qian with a sigh.
"It's fine uncle. Sister is working hard in the city it is hard to get leave in this economy, who knows what will trigger them to layoff people.", I try to reassure her.
Then his smile returned to his face again. This time he even looked extra happy. weird. But I didn't think much of it as I knew them for a long time in this world already.
I wonder how Sister Qian is doing? We used to play when we were children, but then as we grew up, the distance between us grew. After she went to college, she never came back to visit. So it's been nearly 4 years since we last met.
I hope she is doing fine.
---
The sun is shining brightly upon Yan City with clear skies and not a cloud in sight. It's currently 3:30 pm.
Two girls are working hard moving furniture from a truck to a house. One of them is 5 foot 8 inches, and the other is 5 foot 10 inches.
"Sister Qian, can't we rest a little before moving this one?" said the tall girl, looking at a large sofa.
"No, I don't have time today. My second job starts in 1 hour. How about this, Sister Ling: let's finish the work early, and I will treat you with a beer and two skewers at the BBQ restaurant I work at?" I said, not wanting to delay any longer.
If I get to the restaurant late, while the boss might not be angry, she will not let me go home at the same time as I normally do.
While treating Ling will cost a little money, I can't go home late today. I have to prepare for tomorrow's interview after getting home.
"Well, now that you have requested so earnestly, let's get this finished and go to that restaurant of yours," said Ling.
"Okay, let's get to work," I said, while looking at the home we are moving the furniture into.
'One day, I will also have a place to call my own'