Reborn as Fan Shengmei: Becoming an Influencer to Change My Fate

Fan Shengmei, a thirty-year-old woman living in the Ode to Joy apartment complex in Shanghai, experiences a sudden rebirth. She finds herself seated at a dining table during a villa gathering, facing the same humiliation from her past life. Qu Xiaoxiao, a neighbor with a cruel streak, mocks Shengmei’s father’s humble origins while sitting beside Wang Baichuan, the man Shengmei once worshipped and broke up with. In her previous life, Shengmei had panicked and revealed that Wang’s car was rented to save face, causing him to storm off. This time, however, she remains calm. She invites Qu Xiaoxiao to continue her mockery and then publicly admits that she does not own the luxury apartment she claimed, revealing instead that she shares a rental with her neighbors, Guan Ju’er and Qiu Yingying. Wang Baichuan, who had also lied about renting his car, becomes flustered as Shengmei exposes the mutual deception. She leaves the dinner, rejecting Wang’s attempts to chase her, and resolves to change her life.

Back in Shanghai, Shengmei undergoes a significant transformation. She sells her collection of luxury goods, including high-quality replicas and genuine items, to raise capital. Her friends Andy, Guan Ju’er, and Qiu Yingying are initially worried, fearing she is in financial trouble, but Shengmei explains that she no longer believes material possessions bring respect. She decides to pursue independence and self-improvement. Utilizing her knowledge of future trends, she invests in Bitcoin and purchases professional lighting equipment to start a side hustle as a beauty influencer. She records detailed makeup tutorials, focusing on foundation application and skin type analysis, filling a gap in the market at that time. Her videos gain traction quickly, attracting a growing audience and generating income.

Shengmei’s new attitude confuses and impresses those around her. When Qu Xiaoxiao confronts her in the elevator, accusing her of jealousy, Shengmei turns the tables by suggesting that Qu Xiaoxiao is the one obsessed with her. She also advises Andy, who is dating the manipulative Wei Wei, to recognize and resist psychological manipulation. Shengmei helps Andy see that Wei Wei’s critical comments are a form of control. Meanwhile, Shengmei cuts off financial support to her exploitative family in her hometown, reducing her monthly remittance and refusing to be guilt-tripped by her mother. She asserts her boundaries, deciding to stop supporting her brother’s household expenses.

As her influencer career progresses, Shengmei attends a banquet with Andy, using the opportunity to film content that enhances her image. She encounters Qu Xiaoxiao’s relative, Qu Lianjie, who attempts to flirt with her under the mistaken impression that she is a gold digger. Shengmei uses Andy as a shield to avoid him, demonstrating her growing confidence and strategic thinking. She continues to refine her content, planning seasonal color analysis videos and low-fat diet accounts. Her neighbors support her endeavors, with Guan Ju’er and Qiu Yingying offering to model for her tutorials. Shengmei’s journey reflects a shift from seeking validation through men and material goods to building a career and identity on her own terms. She navigates social dynamics with newfound assertiveness, rejecting the roles imposed on her by society and her past self.

The story follows Shengmei as she balances her day job with her burgeoning online career. She meticulously plans her videos, studies market trends, and engages with her audience. Her relationship with Wang Baichuan remains distant, as she no longer seeks his approval. Instead, she focuses on financial stability and personal growth. The narrative highlights her interactions with the other residents of Ode to Joy, particularly the evolving dynamics with Qu Xiaoxiao, who remains a source of conflict but is increasingly outmaneuvered by Shengmei’s composure. Shengmei’s rebirth serves as a catalyst for her to shed old insecurities and embrace a future defined by her own ambitions and resilience.