Chapter 1: and translation of title, then ===GLOSSARY=== list of named entities appearing in these lines

Lu Xin's alternative life

When Lu Xin left the office, his coworkers were already mostly checked out.

It made Lu Xin feel proud; it was another day of working overtime until ten o'clock, and it looked like his promotion and raise were inevitable. Yet, as he reached the company gate and looked back, he couldn't help feeling a bit guilty. The whole office area had its lights off, except for Department Head Chen Jing's office, where the light was still on—this company's most famous white‑collar elite was probably still working crazily.

The whole company knows Department Head Chen Jing for her slender waist, long legs, and sexy looks; she is a well‑known business backbone, decisive and responsible, often leading her team through the night to tackle high‑difficulty projects. Many employees fear her, yet they also respect her, because when she makes people work overtime she truly pushes them, and when she helps her subordinates apply for subsidies or salary raises she will even slam the table with the boss.

Colleagues often say they don't know if she can get married, but Lu Xin never said anything.

Because he is a good employee and receives special care from Department Head Chen, when it comes to overtime, besides her, he is the most diligent.

That is also why he has been a model employee for several consecutive years and his salary has risen quickly.

Logically, the leaders were still working overtime today, so he shouldn't have left so early, but thinking it's the weekend, never mind, he decided to go home as soon as possible.

His father and mother were probably getting anxious waiting, and besides, he had promised his good brother Bi Hu to play games together!

He quietly closed the door, Lu Xin slung his black backpack and left the office building, weaving through the bustling skyscraper complex below, catching the last subway.

When he got home, before even entering, he smelled a whiff of meat; Lu Xin smiled, pushed the door open, knowing there would be a feast tonight.

Warm light fell on his face; Lu Xin dropped his backpack, changed into slippers, and as he heard the sound of the door opening, his father poked his head out of the kitchen, displeased, and said:

"Why are you working overtime so late again?"

"Hurry and wash your hands; we agreed to have dinner together tonight."

"..."

He turned back to the stove, still complaining, "With this amount of work, we can just make do, it's like living in the company every day."

Lu Xin smiled awkwardly, quickly put on his shoes and walked toward the dining table.

His father is a chef who loves experimenting with all kinds of dishes, but as his son, Lu Xin has no talent for cooking and would rather work a nine‑to‑five job at the company. This displeases his father, who often laments that his talent has nowhere to go and scolds Lu Xin whenever he can. Yet after years of living together, Lu Xin has long become accustomed to his father's sharp‑tongued but soft‑hearted nature.

"Alright, Sister Zhang, it's settled for tomorrow night—we'll go shopping together; I've had my eye on that sweater for a long time."

Mother was leaning by the windowsill, on the phone, smiling brightly: "I can't play mahjong today; our family agreed to have dinner together."

As she said that, she hung up and pointed at Lu Xin; though she didn't scold him, it was as if she warned him not to work overtime so late again.

Mother is a university professor specializing in psychology. To outsiders, the family seems odd; it's hard to imagine a delicate, gentle, caring psychology professor married to a rough, wild chef. Their appearances don't seem compatible, nor is there obvious spiritual communication, yet they've lived together for many years and share a rapport no other family has.

Perhaps that's just how a family is.

"Seventeen is still watching TV?"

【5】 Lu Xin was scolded by his father and nudged by his mother; he didn't dare retort, so he turned his frustration toward his younger sister.

Lu Xin was scolded by his father, then his mother gave him a light tap; he didn't dare talk back, turned his head and took out his anger on his younger sister.

He rubbed the little head curled on the sofa, deliberately lifted her, shoved her to the dining table, and said: "Dinner's about to start, come sit down already."

"I don't want to eat, I want to watch TV..."

His younger sister, still angry, wriggled out of Lu Xin's arms like a little wild cat.

"Don't provoke her again, she'll get scolded..."

Mother went into the kitchen, helping father carry dishes out, and said:

"Why are you getting scolded again?"

Lu Xin had already noticed his sister's bad mood, but regardless of how she felt, his reaction was to keep holding her; her arms were short, she couldn't reach to scratch herself.

"She hit a kid at school and snatched someone's lollipop."

Mother, recalling it, got angry: "That bad habit can't be nurtured; who knows what she'll become when she grows up!"

"He tore my teddy bear first and was flaunting the lollipop..."

Although his sister was angry at Lu Xin, having her brother as a shield gave her some boldness, and she retorted to mother.

However, mother gave them a stern look, and the siblings immediately sat down obediently.

"Alright, alright, eat—eating is the most important."

Father had to bring the round table, set a full spread of dishes, and pull out a bottle of wine, but before opening it, he glanced secretly at mother.

Don't be fooled by his big, fierce-looking stature; he's actually quite afraid of mother.

Fortunately mother didn't stop him from drinking today, so the family sat down happily. Lu Xin had already begun eating, and his younger sister eagerly grabbed a big rib, gnawing the bone, which squeaked, leaving Lu Xin constantly amazed. She especially loves sweets, to the point mother has to limit her, yet her teeth are perfectly straight and strong—truly unreasonable.

"Son, don't be so dutiful every day, only thinking about working overtime at the company; you should consider the big things in life."

Mother, after a while of eating, brought up the topic deliberately yet casually.

"Here we go again..."

Lu Xin felt a sudden pang of helplessness; actually he deliberately came home late to avoid this subject.

He's only twenty‑four, yet his parents are already urging him to find a partner; according to them, at twenty‑four, shouldn't the virtual age be thirty?

But he truly doesn't have a girlfriend right now...

"Yes, you're not that young anymore; we should be having grandchildren..."

Father hurriedly agreed, interested in the topic: "So, you don't have a girl you're satisfied with now?"

"Don't just spend every day goofing off with Bi Hu; that kid won't learn properly..."

"..."

"It's just that there hasn't been any chance..."

Lu Xin's chopsticks were almost too heavy to lift.

"Brother, haven't you always liked Sister Xiaolu? Have you confessed to her?"

His sister seized the chance to interject, and unceremoniously extended her small hand to Lu Xin: "Give me a favor, and I'll help you chase her."

"I'll eat your rice."

Lu Xin grabbed a piece of pork knuckle and quickly shut her mouth.

His sister was talking about their neighbor, Zeng Xiaolu, who grew up with Lu Xin; they attended the same elementary and middle schools together, only separating in high school. They used to play together often; now she's become increasingly beautiful, and many neighbors tease that they're a little couple. She has now graduated and works as a kindergarten teacher; Lu Xin still often meets her downstairs, and sometimes the two families dine together.

Even father and mother's eyes lit up when they heard Xiaolu's name.

"I think Xiaolu is actually quite nice..."

Mother lightly nodded and said, "Although she's a bit stubborn, her heart is good, and she's very patient with children."

Father kept nodding and said, "Her stubbornness, you should indulge her more in the future, look at me..."

Mother glared at him, and he immediately lowered his head to eat.

"Don't speculate wildly, I'm very familiar with Xiao Lu, it feels like she's my sister."

Lu Xin saw them immediately start to imagine, and he instantly felt so embarrassed he could barely eat, hurriedly explaining: "I really don't feel any spark, we can't get together!"

Father and Mother exchanged a glance, both looking somewhat helpless.

Only the younger sister loudly broke the helpless silence, solemnly announcing: "You only have me as your sister!"

"Okay okay okay..."

Lu Xin could only agree, feeling relieved that the topic was finally over.

But it's obvious Father and Mother don't intend to let him off so easily, continuing to ask: "If Xiao Lu doesn't feel anything, what about others?"

"You're at the company every day, haven't you met anyone you like?"

"..."

"Someone you like..."

Lu Xin listened, and really froze for a moment, thinking of a girl.

She's called Han Bing, from the Human Resources Department, a gentle‑tempered, pretty girl; many in the company secretly admire her, and Lu Xin, due to work, has interacted with her a few times. Earlier, the company organized some team‑building outings, and he happened to be placed in the same group as Han Bing. During the games they coordinated very well, exchanged contact info afterward, and felt their impression of each other was quite good.

But actually, nothing came of it after that...

Normally, after two people meet, they go out a few times, gradually get to know each other, and if they develop feelings, they pierce that layer of window paper.

But after I met Han Bing...

... after meeting her I've just been busy with projects!

"Look at this reaction..."

Mother was very perceptive, exchanging a glance with Father: "Do you have a target at the company?"

Father immediately looked over expectantly; if Lu Xin answered yes, he would promptly celebrate by drinking a cup of wine.

After raising pigs for so many years, not going to cabbage would be unsettling...

... especially since he's always playing with that kid called Bi Hu; what if he learns bad habits!

"No no..."

Lu Xin hurriedly shook his head.

It's baseless, but if I let slip even a word, they could dig up Han Bing's ancestors three generations deep.

"Sigh..."

Everyone in the family sighed; Mother also frowned: "You're this old and still haven't found a partner—what will we do in the future?"

"If all else fails, go on a blind date; I heard from a friend in psychiatry that she has a daughter named Wu Gege, and her family is also worried about finding her a match..."

"..."

"I've heard you say that."

Father thought a moment and said, "That girl isn't very old, is she? She just graduated high school not long ago?"

"Indeed."

Mother said, "But her drinking capacity is already huge; the girl is smart and pretty, though I don't know where she learned to drink, now she can down a jin and a half of white liquor a day, which the old folks love."

"Can you imagine that scene?"

"A high‑school‑graduate girl, spending her days with a bunch of old men playing chess, drinking, doing tai chi, teaching them games, and reading comics."

"It's annoyed quite a few old ladies, who often go to Gege's house to complain, saying, 'Keep your daughter in check—you're dragging our old men into neglecting their duties.'"

"..."

"Impressive..."

The whole family joined in praise, feeling this was actually quite remarkable.

Even Lu Xin joined in the praise, feeling somewhat relieved that talking about such a remarkable person shifted the family's focus and rescued him at that moment.

After finally finishing the meal, Lu Xin, under family pressure, promised he wouldn't work so hard anymore, wouldn't overtime, would quickly focus his energy on finding a partner, and would soon bring back a beautiful, gentle, thoughtful girl; only then, amid the family's leniency and his sister's schadenfreude glance, did he escape the table, return to his room, and turn on the computer.

"Brother, let's play chicken..."

"I can't wait to go on a crazy killing spree with you..."

"Why does eating take so long?"

"Brother, I've waited for you till the seas run dry and rocks rot; brother, if you're not eager to play chicken, what are you eager for?"

"..."

Bi Hu had been waiting impatiently and bombarded Lu Xin with messages.

"Okay okay, I'm online."

Lu Xin hurriedly replied: "Just finished eating, and now the family's pressuring me to marry, pushing me to find a partner..."

"Huh? You also have this kind of trouble..."

Bi Hu quickly replied: "I should be a bit better off than you—you have no target in mind, while I've already made big progress toward mine."

"Who?"

Lu Xin grew wary, suddenly recalling someone he'd mentioned before: "Tie Cui?"

"What Tie Cui? That sounds awful."

Bi Hu said, "I gave her a name called Lin Da; doesn't that sound cute and pretty?"

"..."

Lu Xin helplessly, with a hint of concern, said: "Your distance has gotten a big step closer?"

"Exactly!"

Bi Hu calmly said: "We've already progressed to holding hands, cheek to cheek, although the progress is only fifty percent."

"Holding hands, cheek to cheek?"

Lu Xin instantly felt admiration, thinking that Bi Hu was still the most experienced in this area...

But then he suddenly had some doubts: "What does fifty percent progress mean?"

"It's just that when I went to her house, I casually pushed the door open and happened to see her changing clothes, and then she backhanded me a slap."

Bi Hu said: "Her hand touched my face—don't you think that's fifty percent of holding hands, cheek to cheek?"

"……"

Lu Xin was momentarily full of things he wanted to say but didn't know how to voice; upon deeper thought, he actually found it quite reasonable.

However, this topic was getting nowhere, so the two quickly entered the game and began a merciless slaughter. In a three‑person team, Lu Xin and Bi Hu landed and discovered that their temporary third teammate had vanished, leaving only the two of them to face an entire enemy squad. Relying on slick movement and solid marksmanship, they carved a bloody path and successfully won the chicken dinner.

Bi Hu sighed: "I really love the feeling of wildly slaughtering together with you..."

Lu Xin had grown accustomed to it; his "wild slaughter" was basically split fifty‑fifty—he handled the slaughter, while Bi Hu only handled the "gaga" and flirting with all the female skins in the game.

Gaming, lazy naps, lavish meals.

This weekend, Lu Xin only felt it was very enjoyable, but seeing that workday was approaching, the important task of finding a partner was once again brought up sternly by his father and mother.

"Hurry up and find someone—you're already over thirty in traditional age; if you don't hurry, no one will want you!"

Mother's expression was stern: "If you really can't find someone you like, then go on a blind date for me."

Lu Xin was truly helpless: "Can you just find someone like that? Where in the world are there so many pretty girls waiting for you?"

"How about you go look for her, brother?"

Moreover, because he had hit a classmate, his younger sister—who was supposed to be personally taken to school by their mother—didn't forget to make a sarcastic remark, pointing at the TV and saying, "Look how pretty this is."

Lu Xin looked and laughed angrily.

On TV was the current hottest idol, stage name Wawa.

She had just debuted; reportedly the company had given her strict training in singing, dancing, and performing, hoping she would become a nationwide sensation right away. Unfortunately, she disappointed the company—because as soon as she debuted, she hadn't shown any ability in singing, dancing, or performing, yet she instantly became a sensation across the country due to her extraordinary beauty, attracting countless fans.

How could someone like her possibly be mentioned in the same breath as me?

Lu Xin still had a bit of nerve for this idea.

"Lu Xin, the company has taken on a new project—the overall planning and promotion of a large‑scale concert."

But Lu Xin didn't expect that, having just arrived at the company, Supervisor Chen would call him to the office and push a document in front of him: "You'll handle the project liaison."

"Huh?"

Lu Xin took over the project, curiously glanced at it, and couldn't help but be stunned: "Wawa?"

It turned out to be that big star?

He also couldn't help but marvel at how many things are so strange—just heard a second ago, and in a very short time they appear before him in another form.

As an outstanding employee of the company, he doesn't pick and choose tasks; he readily agreed.

Next came the busy submission of proposals, listening to the various demands of the difficult professional team surrounding Wawa and doing his best to meet them. Lu Xin handled the work very well; the other side also gladly signed the contract. Both felt they recognized each other's professionalism, and they agreed that the other's company would send someone the next day to formally sign the contract with Lu Xin and his team.

On that day, Lu Xin wore a suit specially to look more formal, following Supervisor Chen Jing around like a eager puppy, busy before and after.

Just as he was thinking that signing this big deal might net him an extra bonus, he heard a cry of surprise from others in the company.

"She actually came in person……"

"So beautiful……"

"My goodness, she looks even better than her online photos……"

"……"

Lu Xin was somewhat surprised; turning around, he saw that the people from the entertainment company had already arrived. The agent was a tall woman who looked capable and was constantly vigilant of those around her, as if also taking on bodyguard duties. The person she was protecting—or rather, the figure who had elicited the gasps and praise from everyone—was the girl in a black dress trailing behind her.

She was retracting the black sun umbrella in her hand, wearing huge sunglasses on her face, yet still unable to hide her astonishing beauty.

In the company, countless people were excited at that moment, instinctively grabbing notebooks or cameras, wanting to take a photo with her.

But they were a bit intimidated by the tall agent beside Wawa, feeling a little uneasy.

"Indeed she's quite pretty—no wonder she's so popular……"

"……"

Lu Xin also made an evaluation in his mind, while smiling faintly as he looked her way.

This is a big deal that will bring who knows how many rewards; in his eyes, is she just a pretty girl?

No, she's a rich lady!

And just as Lu Xin was happily looking at her, he saw the pretty girl glance around the crowd, then suddenly break into a flower‑like smile and happily run toward him.

She reached out with her two little hands, grabbed Lu Xin's arm, and giggled affectionately: "I found you……"

"Huh?"

Everyone around suddenly widened their eyes, showing an incredulous look.

"……"

"……"

The scene suddenly froze; all surroundings began to ebb away like a tide—the slacking employees in the office vanished, the spacious office building disappeared, Lu Xin rose from his recliner, and saw Wawa quietly sitting on the sofa not far away, waiting for him, and sitting opposite him was a psychological counselor with a dejected expression, as if she wanted to say something but dared not……

"Is this the life I would have lived if there had been no red moon?"

Lu Xin smiled at the psychologist and said: "It's quite amazing; in this dream I didn't feel anything unreal."

"That's only because you're willing to cooperate; otherwise I wouldn't have the ability to drag you into a dream……"

The psychologist, somewhat dejected, said: "But you've also seen my ability—can you issue me this special psychological therapist qualification certificate?"

"Okay, I'll sign it."

Lu Xin agreed, smiling: "But I also never imagined that even without the red moon incident, I would still end up with Wawa—could this be fate?"

The Wawa sitting on the nearby sofa, hearing this, turned her head and gave a sweet smile.

The psychologist shuddered, then quickly nodded and said, "Yes, yes, my ability is to help you evolve different life paths, each of which is with her."

Seeing those two people smiling at each other, she now just wanted to open the window and jump out.

Anyway, judging from how his ability evolves, in a world where the Red Moon incident never happened and everything is perfectly normal, he—or rather, the god of this world—might truly live an ordinary yet fulfilling life; he would of course meet all sorts of different people, have a warm family, and marry a gentle, beautiful girl, who could be Teacher Xiao Lu or Han Bing…

……No, impossible!

The psychologist immediately shook his head, driving those thoughts away.

When the doll turned its head and glared at him with displeasure, he realized that, in that world, if the doll wasn't with him…

In this world, he would surely be terribly unlucky…