Chapter 1: Reincarnated as a Failure, Forced to Sell Pre-Packaged Meals

“Who says pre-made dishes aren’t delicious? They’re absolutely mouthwatering!”

Qiao Xin had started a private home kitchen, inspired by a popular stall owner at the market who made their own pre-prepared meals. She specialized in delivering these meals to customers within her community.

Thanks to fresh ingredients and nutritious combinations, she quickly became a sensation in the neighborhood.

But fame often breeds envy, and what she hadn’t anticipated was how ruthless her rivals would be—not only stealing her money but also threatening her very life.

She did regret it, of course, but with no one left to care for her in this world, she only wished to be born into a good family next time—maybe in Rome!

“Ding! Suitable host detected. Initiating transfer.”

A sudden voice echoed, and in an instant, Qiao Xin found herself in a different place.

“The Qiao family has truly disgraced themselves this time!”

“Indeed. Cherished and pampered for sixteen years, only to turn out useless!”

“The vast Qiao family fortune will surely fall into others’ hands now!”

Mocking laughter filled the air, dripping with malice. Qiao Xin’s eyes widened in disbelief.

She was clearly twenty-six years old—how could she be sixteen?

Glancing at her hands, once worn from hard work but now smooth and delicate, she touched her face in astonishment.

She searched for a mirror, but all around were people dressed in elegant attire. Before her stood a high-tech device, which clearly displayed the words: “No supernatural ability.”

Hmm?

Supernatural ability?

Was this the kind of ability she thought it was?

“Darling, don’t worry. With our family’s strength, even marrying into another family isn’t a problem!”

Two well-dressed adults approached, shielding her from the prying eyes.

“Dad? Mom?” Qiao Xin stared at them in disbelief—it was really her parents!

But her parents had died unexpectedly when she was twenty!

Could it be that she had been reborn?

Yet everything around her did not resemble the world she had known.

“Welcome, host, to the Interstellar Era. I am your culinary system, Xiao i. Because your pre-made dish series is so beloved, the main system has brought you here.”

“Your primary mission is to promote pre-made dishes throughout this world.”

A voice echoed in her mind, explaining, but Qiao Xin was too overwhelmed with joy at seeing her parents again to pay it any mind.

“Step aside! A useless person blocking the way here?”

A man and woman approached with a young girl, their eyes filled with disdain and triumph as they looked at Qiao Xin’s family.

“Big brother, since your Qiao Xin’s useless, why not invest more in our Xiaoru? Better to let your hard work benefit our family than outsiders,” the man sneered, pushing Qiao Xin’s father.

But the push had no effect.

Qiao Xin’s father sneered, “If you lack ability, don’t always covet what’s not yours! Our darling has the backing of her parents, unlike some who have to rely on their daughters.”

Qiao Xin’s mind faltered as long-forgotten memories assailed her.

Her second uncle’s family had indeed seized her inheritance—but that was after her parents’ death.

Why was it happening now, prematurely?

The second uncle’s family looked grim. His wife shoved them aside and patted the girl she was protecting.

“Xiaoru, let this useless cousin see what true talent looks like!”

Proudly, Qiao Xiaoru stepped to the machine, which scanned her and quickly displayed the result: Fire affinity, Grade A.

“Hahaha, big brother, sister-in-law, please forgive us!” the aunt laughed, standing beside her husband. “We may lack, but Xiaoru is capable!”

Unlike her parents’ arrogance, Xiaoru smiled modestly at Qiao Xin’s parents. “Uncle, aunt, if you support me, I will surely care for you in return.”

“Wait! This is the Interstellar Era, yet there are still shameless people trying to steal family wealth? Are my parents dead or disabled? Am I dead or disabled? Why should I, a stranger, care for you?”

Though confused about how she had been brought here, Qiao Xin remembered this was a more advanced technological era. How could anyone dare freeload shamelessly?

She had no supernatural ability, but her parents were alive. Why should she be the one to support others?

“Cousin, you do understand how important supernatural ability is to a family, don’t you? Even if uncle and aunt have money and can arrange a marriage for you, it’s still better to keep the inheritance within our family than let outsiders benefit,” Xiaoru said, envy burning in her heart as she looked at her pampered cousin.

But she held her tongue, knowing there were better schemes ahead and no need to appear overtly malicious just yet.

“That’s for later. You’ve only just discovered your ability. Who knows if you’ll even live longer than us? Thinking people owe you investment—are you out of your mind?” Qiao Xin quickly raised a hand to stop her.

She hadn’t even grown yet—on what grounds did she dare speak so boldly in front of her parents?

Investment for her?

Was she worthy?

With her parents’ character, investing in her was worse than investing in a dog!

“Keyword detected, triggering storyline analysis. Host’s parents will encounter misfortune in six months. Host lacks supernatural ability and cannot protect the vast family fortune. Please prepare accordingly.”

Qiao Xin froze, her eyes instantly misting over.

Even in another world, would her parents still leave her?

Smack!

Qiao Xin’s mother, seeing her daughter’s reddened eyes, slapped Xiaoru without hesitation.

“The things of our family are none of your business! If you have the guts, surpass me first. If not, don’t covet what isn’t yours!”

“Xiaoru!” the aunt shrieked, shocked.

The second uncle glared fiercely at Qiao Xin’s mother, but Qiao Xin’s father stepped in front of the two women.

“Second brother, instead of plotting so much, why not think about where Xiaoru’s future cultivation resources will come from?”

The second uncle, subdued by the powerful presence of his elder brother, looked miserable but thoughtful.

Grade A aptitude was decent but not top-tier. Combined with their poor circumstances, raising Xiaoru would be a struggle.

Still, recalling the promise the old man had made, he straightened his back.

“Big brother, you have a debt to Xiaoru. If the old man intervenes, it won’t be a favor anymore.”

Qiao Xin’s father understood his arrogance immediately and sneered, “We shall wait and see.”

With that, he left with his wife and daughter.

Onlookers lingered, pointing and whispering about the second uncle’s family. The Qiao family was truly a laughingstock.

“Host, although Xiao i is a culinary system, if your pre-made dish series becomes popular, you can accumulate favor points. One hundred favor points will unlock the system shop.”

“Once activated, you can purchase any items you desire from the system shop!”

Qiao Xin’s heart grew heavy, but the system in her mind continued to gently coax her.