Tokyo: The story begins with a confession.

Page 4

"Okay, I'll help you right away..."

"Buzz cut???" The barber responded with a smile, but his expression suddenly froze after realizing what the boy had said. Something seemed off. You, looking like this, actually want a buzz cut? Even if you're handsome, you can't ruin your looks like this.

Chapter Nine: It felt pretty good to touch it.

"Hello, did I hear that right? You mean a buzz cut?" The barber carefully checked again, thinking he might have misheard. Otherwise, why would anyone want a buzz cut these days?

"That's right, a buzz cut, the shorter the better." Uesugi Kenichi was really fed up. He refused to believe that getting a buzz cut wouldn't lower his damn charm level even a little.

"Why don't you reconsider? I'll definitely give you a super cool haircut." The barber tried to resist, but even if you have good natural features, you can't pull off a buzz cut. Only a very small number of people can make a buzz cut look decent, and even then, it's just not bad.

Asking Uesugi Kenichi to cut his hair into a buzz cut was practically putting him in a difficult position. If it were anyone else, he would have done it without hesitation, quickly and easily cutting the hair with the razor. But this guy was different. If such a handsome young man were ruined by this haircut, all the women around him would want to kill him. Who would dare to get their hair cut by him after that?

"No need, I've already thought it through. I want a buzz cut. If you can't cut it, I'll find someone else." Uesugi Kenichi was getting a little impatient. Was it really that hard to get a buzz cut?

"Alright, but let me make this clear: if it doesn't look good, you can't blame me." Since the customer had said that, the hairdresser didn't care anymore. If it really turned out badly, he had already said so beforehand.

"The uglier the better, this is troublesome."

Uesugi Kenichi chuckled. Wasn't his purpose in getting a buzz cut precisely to look ugly? The uglier the better!

???

Although he didn't know what Uesugi Kenichi was thinking, he couldn't care less. He picked up the razor, brandished it a few times, and then started working.

As the razor continued to whistle, strands of hair fell from beside Uesugi Kenichi's ears, tickling him slightly. He closed his eyes and waited quietly for the haircut to end.

Before anyone knew it, as the barber continued his work, a crowd had gathered around him. The crowd grew larger and larger, even blocking the road. However, no one complained; all eyes were fixed on the boy sitting in the chair.

Under such scrutiny, the barber also felt a bit of pressure, but his professional skills honed over a decade prevented his hands from trembling even slightly.

Kenichi Uesugi closed his eyes, feeling a little strange about the whispers around him. He wanted to open his eyes to take a look, but then felt some hair in front of his eyebrows and gave up the idea.

"Okay...okay!" The barber looked at the person inside him and said in a trembling voice, barely able to contain his excitement.

Upon hearing the barber's voice and feeling that the hair around his ears had been cleaned, Uesugi Kenichi opened his eyes.

Before I could even take a good look at myself, a loud clanging sound rang out.

He looked up at the sound and saw that the barber's scissors had fallen to the ground.

"Your scissors."

"?"

Kenichi Uesugi looked at the barber who was staring at him with fervor, but didn't take the scissors the barber offered, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

He turned his head in confusion, and when he saw himself in the mirror, he was suddenly stunned...

The man in the mirror had a buzz cut, almost revealing his scalp. A scar on his upper left forehead added a sharp edge to his already handsome appearance. Unlike his previous long-haired look, he himself thought he looked even better this way, possessing a wild charm, like a volcano about to erupt, radiating immense energy. Even his breath seemed to radiate a fiery light…

Then a series of chaotic sounds arose.

"Wow~ This is so handsome! Anyone want to slap me? Am I dreaming?" A girl next to her murmured, her eyes shining as she looked at the boy in front of her with an extremely infatuated gaze.

"Could this be some kind of celebrity?"

"No, impossible. If this were really a celebrity, I would definitely recognize him, especially one this handsome. The buzz cut suits him perfectly, giving him a very masculine and sharp look. Oh no, I don't even know how to describe it."

"Wake up, wipe your drool." A girl shoved her companion in annoyance, disapproving of her pathetic behavior. But then she secretly swallowed, thinking that the boy in front of her was indeed someone she wanted to devour whole.

Even though she thought her standards were already very high, she couldn't help but feel a little smug.

"If only this were my boyfriend, I would stick to him 24/7 and never let go for a moment."

"Don't be silly. If this were really your boyfriend, wouldn't you be living in constant worry, afraid that he might be snatched away by some other vixen if you're not careful for even a moment?"

"But even so, it's worth it. Now I want to know if it's illegal for a boy to do that to a girl? It's like making a huge profit by taking three years off the bank, even if it means facing the death penalty."

……

The boy watching nearby twitched his lips when he heard what the girl next to him said.

Indeed, even by their own standards, this man is incredibly handsome, but isn't that going too far? Can we wait until we're a little further away before we start talking?

"I never knew a buzz cut could look so cool. I guess I've never been getting the right haircut before. I've decided, I'm going to get a buzz cut too."

"Holy crap, you're not serious, are you? You don't really think it's the buzz cut that makes this guy so handsome, do you?" Kitahara Isshin looked at his companion with surprise. While he was still in a daze, someone had already sat down.

"Give me a buzz cut too, just like his."

"And I!"

Kitahara Isshin looked at the row of boys who were suddenly getting buzz cuts and felt a little confused. Could it be that they were really this handsome because they got buzz cuts? Maybe I should try it too?

Kenichi Uesugi refused the barber's offer to pay him to help with the advertising and walked out somewhat dejectedly. Although he was indeed short of money, he wouldn't get it this way. He was already annoyed enough, and posting the photos would only cause him more trouble.

Isn't it said that shaving your head will make you look several levels less attractive?

But why do I look even more handsome after getting a buzz cut? I just finished shaving my head and looked at myself in the mirror. Even I couldn't help but glance at myself a few times, let alone others. This is just too unfair! I really wanted to look this handsome...

He touched his short hair, feeling the sensation of the short hair rubbing against his hand. To be honest, it felt quite satisfying.

In a daze, he arrived at the foot of his rented apartment building. Looking at the dilapidated building that looked like it was about to be demolished, he sighed inwardly.

Chapter Ten: A Different History

This building in front of us could be used as a scene in a horror movie without any further decorations; it naturally exudes an eerie atmosphere, like a monster with its jaws wide open, waiting for people to come to it.

Although the apartment building is dilapidated and remote, with a poor environment and inconvenient transportation, entertainment, shopping, and dining, it has one huge advantage: it is cheap enough for him to afford.

The fact that the building is almost full is the best proof of this.

This bustling city, which ranks among the top in Asia, also carries immense pressure on its inhabitants beneath its glamorous exterior.

It's worth noting that during Japan's economic boom, Tokyo's housing prices were said to be enough to buy half of the United States. Although the bubble burst, housing prices there remain frighteningly high even now.

If a ranking of low prices were conducted across Asia, Tokyo would undoubtedly be among the top three!

He opened the door, changed his shoes at the entrance, and sat down on the chair.

The house that the body previously rented was approximately 30 square meters in size.

Although it's a bit small, it's still quite well-equipped, with at least a separate bathroom and a small balcony.

He was quite satisfied, if not for the fact that the walls around him were already somewhat blackened.

Back in high school in China, he didn't have such good treatment as being able to rent a house outside. He lived in the school dormitory, which was a bit bigger than this place, but it housed 12 people, so he didn't have any complaints.

At most, he'll find some time to buy some paint and repaint the walls himself. Besides, he doesn't plan to stay here for long; he'll definitely move out when he has more money in the future.

After changing out of his school uniform and putting on a T-shirt, he began to think about his future plans.

His real name is Zhao Qian. He was born in a remote mountain village in China. His family was not well-off when he was a child. It would not be an exaggeration to say that they had a difficult childhood.

After his parents passed away from illness while he was in college, he earned his tuition for four years by working part-time and graduated with excellent grades.

Because of poverty, he suffered a lot of contempt and hardship when he was young. In particular, his experience of working during college gave him a real taste of the difficulties of life.

Such life experiences have made him extremely resilient, and he will not be defeated by minor difficulties. Most people with his experience would have dropped out of school to work or gone astray in society, spending the rest of their lives behind bars.

Perhaps from birth, he was already at a disadvantage compared to most people, but he rarely complained. Some things are just how they are from birth, and no matter how much you complain, it's useless. It's more practical to think about how to improve the situation than to complain.

Who says that losing at the starting line means you'll always lose? With your own efforts, you can keep running. You run when others are resting, you run when others are playing, and eventually you run faster and faster.

At least he still has hands and feet, and he can obtain the things he desires and admires entirely through his own efforts.

As long as he doesn't give up, he believes that no matter what difficulties he encounters, they won't defeat him. When he looks back on these setbacks during his growth, they won't seem like much at all.

He was so convinced of this, and he acted accordingly!

After graduating from university, he quickly accumulated the initial capital for his own business by relying on his solid professional knowledge, intelligence, and perseverance. He then started a small company and became his own boss.

However, just as he was beginning to reap the rewards of his success, fate played a cruel joke on him. In a very cliché way, he was hit by a car and killed while trying to save a little girl on the street.

Fortunately, at least the little girl was saved by him.

He then discovered that he had unexpectedly transmigrated to this world, a world somewhat similar to his previous life's Earth but not entirely the same, and he had even arrived in the country of Japan.

After about ten days, he had a general understanding of the world.

The overall trajectory of world history is not much different from that of the previous world: the Celestial Empire's 5000-year history, the Western Renaissance, World War I, and World War II.

However, the main characters have changed.

In the late Qing Dynasty, after the Qing Dynasty's defeat in the First Opium War, a massive wave of uprisings swept across the country. Under the leadership of a great leader, Ying Yi, the Qing Dynasty was overthrown in five years, and a new empire was established, named Qin. Subsequently, the empire vigorously developed industry and carried out a vigorous industrial revolution. Any officials who opposed him were either dismissed or executed. This extraordinary emperor implemented his will with an unyielding attitude.

Scholars and even the entire world were filled with resentment and called him a tyrant!

All dissenting voices were suppressed, but then the country underwent astonishing changes as new vested interests emerged, causing these dissenting voices to gradually disappear.

The defeats of Britain and France in the Second Opium War made the world realize the terrifying power that this awakened ancient Eastern country could unleash.

Thanks to its advantageous geographical location and its formidable strength, the Celestial Empire was able to develop steadily after the victory in the war.

After King Yi's death, the system was changed to a constitutional monarchy, in which the emperor no longer participated in the direct management of the country, but enjoyed the highest status and was a spiritual symbol, with all expenses covered by the dividends from the country's profits.

After World War I, it adopted neutrality, sold arms, and made a fortune from the war.

During World War II, in the face of provocations from Japan, the Japanese completely occupied the island nation in just three months, turning it into a vassal state.

Ultimately, World War II created two of the largest nations in the East and West: the Qin Dynasty in the East, also known as the Celestial Empire, and the United States of America in the West. In terms of national strength, the Celestial Empire surpassed the United States of America.

However, in terms of cultural form, the United States has a better chance of doing so, and its influence should be more widespread.

Even now, although Japan has a great deal of autonomy, in terms of relations, it is a subordinate of China and is deeply influenced by Chinese culture in all aspects.

After reading Ying Yi's biography, Zhao Qian was deeply moved. Putting aside the emperor's great talent and strategy, if he weren't a time traveler, Zhao Qian would have cut off his own head and placed it in front of the Qin Emperor's tomb.

Chapter Eleven Objectives

His rebirth wasn't for nothing; on his very first day in this world, he discovered the existence of this cheat system—a somewhat silent system.

No matter how actively Zhao Qian asked, he received no response. However, when he touched something or stared at something for a long time, the object's specific information would appear, such as "[Name: XXX, Efficacy XXX]".

Moreover, some of the things he came into contact with inexplicably gave him some skills. To be honest, he still doesn't understand the mechanism. Some things he thought would become skills didn't, while others he didn't expect would become skills.

His current high charm level is partly due to the rewards he received after acquiring skills. Although his body was handsome enough, it wasn't the kind of handsome that made people want to stick to him.

It felt like playing a highly realistic online game. He had suspected it was fake, that it might really be a game, but he couldn't find any evidence that it might be an online game. It was too realistic; a game couldn't possibly be this realistic. Moreover, he had cautiously tested Kobayashi Yoshihara and the others, and none of them had the same experience as him.

He had read online novels before, but when this actually happened to him, it still felt somewhat unbelievable.

However, since rebirth is possible, the appearance of the system is not so hard to accept. He has now changed from a staunch atheist to a two-faced person, and is no longer so sure whether there is really no God.

He believed what he had experienced and seen with his own eyes. He didn't know Japanese at all, and his understanding of Japanese was limited to some popular anime, war films, and educational films from Japan.