"Welcome, everyone, to the Exploring Careers program." A clear voice echoed in the recording studio, as if striking the opening gong for this journey into the unknown.
"I'll go over the rules one more time." The host, Wang Tao, adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his fingers sliding over the key points marked on the script, his tone steady and solemn.
"1: Each person may freely choose a profession and complete the assigned tasks accordingly."
"2: Each episode will feature 100 challengers. If someone fails mid-challenge, the production team will randomly select a replacement from the candidates." He paused deliberately for half a second, sweeping his gaze across the uneven rows of participants. "Please treasure this opportunity."
"3: Completing the first challenge will earn you one million yuan in prize money, along with an offer from a top-tier company in the relevant industry…" Before he finished, several young participants in the front row had already straightened their backs, their breathing noticeably heavier.
"4: The final bonus will depend on your evaluation score upon completing the challenge."
"5: Scores will be assessed jointly by professionals invited by the program, observation panelists, and the audience. This ensures absolute fairness, justice, and transparency." He raised three fingers, his voice resolute.
"6: Each profession comes with different demands and timelines. Some may even involve danger. Please assess your limits before choosing." At this point, Wang Tao's brows knitted slightly, as if recalling a nerve-racking moment from a previous test run.
"7: The program will be brast live, 24 hours a day."
"8…"
…
…
Inside the recording studio on the 12th floor of Jinling City Radio and Television Station, ring-shaped overhead lights illuminated the stage as bright as day. Wang Tao, a well-known host in the industry, stood center stage, the second hand of the watch peeking from his suit sleeve trembling faintly, as though preparing for countdown.
Below, a hundred folding chairs were lined up neatly, occupied by a diverse array of challengers—an elderly man with greying temples rubbed his knees, a ponytailed girl repeatedly checked her notes, and a boy in trendy streetwear chewed on a straw while sneaking glances at his rivals. All eyes were glued to Wang Tao, even the sound of a swallow was clearly audible.
In the shadows of the last row, a young woman around twenty-four or twenty-five curled up in a corner. Her apricot-shaped eyes were clouded with confusion. Cold air from the vent brushed her pale fingertips. She unconsciously clenched her coat hem until—two minutes later—her pupils suddenly contracted.
"Did I… transmigrate?" The murmured question escaped her throat, swallowed by the quiet rustling of the crowd. "And… I got selected for a show?"
Countless memory fragments surged through her mind: her parents working on the assembly line in an electronics factory, the dull thud of a resignation letter hitting a manager's desk, the Exploring Careers application box she ticked on a whim… And now, this so-called "living lab of professions" had really dragged her into its vortex.
Exploring Careers, true to its name, brought real-world jobs from hundreds of industries under the camera's gaze—choose Teacher, and you'd be expected to deliver a live classroom lecture; choose Firefighter, and you'd face simulated smoke and high heat. Ever since the promo poster was released, the hashtag #DaretoChallengeAllProfessions# had dominated the Trending Topics, with netizens urging for the show's premiere every day.
"That's all for the rules of Exploring Careers." Wang Tao's voice suddenly rose in pitch, jolting Chen Xuan's head up. "Now, please come up and select the profession you wish to challenge."
The crowd erupted like a disturbed beehive, the sound of chairs scraping against the floor rang in waves. Some sprinted toward the stage, some bit their pens in indecision, while others whispered anxiously to companions. As Chen Xuan began to stand, a mechanical voice rang in her ear—like it was echoing from the depths of her soul.
[All-Profession System has detected host…]
[All-Profession System now bound to host]
[System Starter Pack has been issued. Host, please check immediately]
Her eyelashes trembled violently as light burst in her pupils—was this the legendary transmigrator's "golden cheat"? Her fingers reflexively brushed her palm, as if she could feel the phantom system interface.
After quickly skimming the rules, Chen Xuan confirmed it was a reputation-based lottery "cheat": accumulated Fame Score could be used to redeem Career Cards, skill packs, and even enhance her physical attributes. Unable to wait, she opened the Starter Pack. Four glowing dots burst open in her mind—
"Congratulations, Host has received a [Career Card]"
"Congratulations, Host has received a [Designated Career Purchase Channel]"
"Congratulations, Host has received a [90% Discount Purchase Card]"
[Designated Career Purchase Channel]: Grants purchase access to a profession of your choice.
[90% Discount Purchase Card]: Allows you to buy an item at one-tenth its normal price!
[Genetic Drink]: Drink it and gain miraculous powers!
"How miraculous?" Chen Xuan's eyes swept across the surrounding cameras. She dug her nails into her palm to resist the urge to try it immediately. Her gaze finally landed on the glowing [Career Card]—a slightly narrower-than-poker card with swirling, mysterious patterns on its surface, like a gateway to another world.
"Would you like to use the [Career Card]?"
"Yes."
As her intent landed, the card turned into data streams swirling midair. When the white light dispersed, a line of gold text emerged: "Congratulations, Host has acquired the profession: Chef." Beneath it, a note glinted—[Chef (Beginner+)]—mocking her pitiful cooking skills.
Unwilling to accept defeat, she clicked the skill upgrade button. The pop-up demanding "1 million Fame Score" made her gasp. She switched to the [Designated Career Purchase Channel], and an overwhelming menu unfolded before her eyes—from the "State Banquet-level Knife Skills" worth tens of millions in Fame, to the million-point "Michelin Plating Secrets." Each one made her heart race. But then she looked at her own Fame Score: a glaring, mocking "0".
"But this is a livestream…" She suddenly looked up at the stage, where several challengers were already holding their career cards. The honest smile of the one who chose Farmer, the nervous grip of the one who picked Singer—all reminded her: If you shine bright enough, you'll capture the whole internet's attention and rake in Fame by the bucketl
Chen Xuan took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage in her sneakers. Her shadow stretched long under the overhead light. Her fingers brushed past dozens of cards before landing firmly on Chef—the golden word "Chef" shimmered like destiny's call.
As the last person made their choice, Wang Tao's voice rang out again. "Each profession can be approached in different ways. Please finalize your challenge strategy as soon as possible." He raised his hand to signal the crew to adjust the equipment, camera lights blinked red in sequence. "The livestream begins now, and each of you will be followed by a dedicated camera crew."
Suddenly, his expression turned stern, his voice heavy as iron. "A final reminder to everyone: all forms of cheating or rule violations during the challenge are strictly forbidden." The crowd unconsciously sat straighter, their breaths growing lighter.
"Now, the livestream begins!"
As Wang Tao's gesture fell, the hum of the cameras filled the studio. Chen Xuan clenched her Career Card tightly, its sharp corners biting into her palm—this career survival game of fate had officially begun.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]