Xu Ming's eyes scanned the tasteful blend of style and functionality in his western-style bedroom.
He couldn't help but smile at the sight of his queen-sized bed with a simple wooden frame and crisp white linens. Dark wood bedside tables adorned with lamps, small plants, and stacks of books flanked the bed, while an inviting armchair with a matching ottoman sat nearby. Opposite the bed, a wooden dresser with a large mirror provided ample storage space for his belongings. The room's art and framed photographs added a touch of personality and charm to the space, and the natural light filtering in from the window illuminated the room with a soft glow.
This charming bedroom was only one part of Xu Ming's cozy western-style abode. With two bedrooms, each featuring an attached bathroom, the house was perfect for a couple. The living room was spacious enough to entertain guests, while the modern kitchen boasted a cozy breakfast nook. The adjacent dining room featured a large table for family dinners, and the backyard offered a tranquil spot for outdoor relaxation, complete with a patio area for grilling and dining. Meanwhile, a spacious garage provided ample room for two cars.
As he surveyed the cozy western-style abode he had acquired, Xu Ming couldn't help but wonder about the previous owner's identity. According to his memories of Nexus Xu, the former owner had purchased the house for a hefty sum of 500,000 yuan, which seemed unimaginable given his short stint as a live streamer, barely scraping by for six months.
A pivotal moment during a live stream changed everything for Nexus Xu. He received an astonishing 450,000-yuan tip, a sum that left no doubt about its legitimacy. As Xu ming watched in awe and jealousy, he realized his own hard-earned 100,000 yuan paled in comparison. However, he had obtained that money through nefarious means, stepping on others' bones to get ahead.
Comparing his own finances to Nexus Xu's lavish lifestyle was a bitter pill to swallow. Xu Ming couldn't understand why Nexus Xu had decided to purchase their current home, which was far from his workplace and resulted in a tedious 40-minute commute. Despite his frustration, there was little he could do about it now. He glanced at the clock, noting he had only an hour and a half until Nexus Xu's work began.
Driven by a boundless ambition to control life and death, Xu Ming concocted a cunning plan to assume Nexus Xu's identity and cover up his misdeeds in the dark. Money equated to power, and Xu Ming was nearly penniless. He realized that thievery was the fastest way to amass wealth, but he had to proceed with caution in this new world where he wasn't fully aware of the power structure and laws.
As Xu Ming gazed at his reflection in the mirror, he knew that his next move would require discretion and cunning. He had a plan to amass wealth through low-profile thievery, and his investigation would begin on the dark web. Despite being unfamiliar with the new world's dark web, he was determined to explore its dark side and gather the knowledge he needed to proceed.
With his waist-length hair as a hindrance to his disguise, he begrudgingly cut it to resemble Nexus Xu's medium-length hair. Donning Nexus Xu's work attire, he found himself in a bit of a breakfast predicament with limited ingredients, settling for a simple yet unsatisfying meal of bread and jam. With a tight schedule ahead of him, Xu Ming had no time to waste, embarking on a grueling 40-minute commute to his workplace via a desolate road and a combination of bus and train rides.
Despite the challenges, Xu Ming's ambition remained boundless. He knew that his lack of wealth equated to a lack of power in this new world, and he was determined to change that. His investigation of the dark web would be the first step in achieving his goals, and he was willing to proceed with caution to avoid detection. As he walked towards the bus stop, he couldn't help but wonder what secrets and opportunities awaited him in the shadows of this new world.
Xu Ming was intimately familiar with Nexus Xu's life, both professionally and personally. He knew about Nexus Xu's relationships with his coworkers and the daily rhythms of his work at the office. What impressed Xu Ming the most, however, was that despite being an introvert who seldom interacted with anyone beyond his immediate colleagues, Nexus Xu managed to maintain cordial relationships with his coworkers.
As an imposter, Xu Ming knew the importance of remaining inconspicuous and avoiding any behavior that might arouse suspicion. Nexus Xu's reserved demeanor was a significant asset in this regard, allowing Xu Ming to continue his mission without any disruptions or risk of discovery.
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
It was hard to believe that someone in Nexus Xu's position, working in customer care and dealing with occasional calls from customers, could maintain such a low profile. Xu Ming couldn't help but joke to himself that Nexus Xu might have gotten his job through a charitable donation. He quickly realized, however, that such a remark was in poor taste and coughed to cover his embarrassment.
Contrary to Xu Ming's expectations, Nexus Xu had no enemies and had developed friendly relationships with his colleagues. As Xu Ming searched for his next target, he was surprised to find an introvert who managed to maintain a positive rapport with others. Although Xu Ming was disappointed that Nexus Xu's job as a customer service representative in the beauty industry would involve minimal interaction with customers, he was also relieved that this meant less work for him.
As he made his way to the office, Xu Ming reflected on his memories of Nexus Xu. He easily navigated the one-minute walk from the train station to the office building. Once inside, he made a beeline for the customer care department, which was a small yet efficient space within the company.
The office was impeccably organized, with several cubicles arranged around a central area that facilitated collaboration and meetings. The walls were adorned with motivational posters and colorful graphics that showcased the company's beauty products. The addition of potted plants brought a touch of nature into the otherwise sterile environment, infusing the space with a sense of vitality and freshness that was impossible to ignore.
As Xu Ming entered the bustling customer care department, he couldn't help but feel impressed by the organized chaos that filled the air. Each cubicle was meticulously equipped with essential tools for communication and customer service, from computers to phones and headsets. The gentle hum of polite conversations between the representatives resonated throughout the room, as they diligently attended to client inquiries and concerns. At the far end of the office, a supervisor's desk provided a clear view of the entire space, ready to intervene if needed.
Xu Ming made a beeline for Nexus Xu's desk, his allocated workspace, without bothering to greet anyone. However, before he could fully settle in, a melodious voice calling his name caught his attention. Turning around, he was met with the stunning sight of Liu Xinmei, a fellow colleague at the customer care department. With an oval face, minimal makeup, and captivating eyes, her cheeks glowed with a faint blush that only added to her beauty.
As Xu Ming delved deeper into his inherited memories, he learned that Liu Xinmei had started her career as an intern under Nexus Xu's guidance. Despite Nexus Xu's introverted nature, he had been cordial and cooperative towards her, ensuring a smooth transition during her time there. As she observed Nexus Xu's dedication towards his job and caring demeanor, admiration for him blossomed within her, eventually transforming into love. Unfortunately, Nexus Xu remained oblivious to her feelings, as his introverted nature kept him closed off from the outside world.
"Miss Liu," Xu Ming spoke in a calm and collected manner, "I've told you before that you don't have to prepare breakfast for me every day."
"Sir Xu," Liu Xinmei responded with a shy smile, "Please don't be so polite. I actually enjoy cooking meals, so I always make extra. Please take it."
"Very well, if you insist," Xu Ming nodded with a charming smile as he accepted the lunch box from her hand. His already trustworthy and handsome appearance was only enhanced by the smile, causing Liu Xinmei’s heart to skip a beat and her cheeks to flush with warmth as she quickly returned to her desk.
Every morning, Liu Xinmei would prepare breakfast for Nexus Xu, and he would graciously accept it without much conversation. To maintain his cover, Xu Ming had to play the role of Nexus Xu flawlessly, not wanting to engage in any unnecessary talk that might expose his true identity. However, despite his aloofness, Xu Ming recognized the value of Liu Xinmei's loyalty and commitment to her work and will use it to his advantage.
Romance was not a priority for Xu Ming, who approached his relationship with Liu Xinmei with a pragmatic mindset. His focus was on utilizing her to achieve his own goals, rather than on developing any romantic feelings. In his previous life on Earth, he had also not sought out love, and his current situation was no different than before.
As he opened his lunchbox, the aroma of delicious biryani[1] tempted him to dig in without hesitation. Satisfied after his meal, he seamlessly transitioned into his role as Nexus Xu and began sifting through the backlog of emails, ensuring that all customer inquiries were promptly addressed. With his keen attention to detail and adeptness with words, he also deftly handled incoming calls, meeting the daily demands of the customer care department with ease.
With the memories of Nexus Xu at his disposal, Xu Ming was able to handle various customer inquiries and complaints that came his way with ease. His exceptional communication skills and ability to manipulate served him well in his role as a customer service representative. He understood that, as a representative of the company, it was his job to leave a positive impression on customers and win them over with his charm and professionalism. With this expertise, he was able to handle each situation with ease, deftly addressing customer needs and keeping them satisfied.
[1] Biryani is a mixed rice dish originating among the Muslims of the subcontinent. It is made with spices, rice, and usually some type of meat (chicken, beef, goat, lamb, fish) or in some cases without any meat, and sometimes, in addition, eggs and potatoes.