Tang Song followed Zhao Yaqian’s skincare routine to the letter: lathering up the amino acid cleanser, applying it evenly on his T-zone, chin, nose, and cheeks, massaging thoroughly before rinsing off with water—all within four minutes. He then patted on a gentle toner for hydration, applied lotion and cream to lock in moisture, and finally sprayed on a layer of sunscreen due to today's strong UV rays.

Looking after fair and healthy skin wasn’t easy.

Following Zhao Yaqian’s guidance took about twenty minutes. Next, he styled his hair into an American front spike as taught by a hairstylist. He changed into a spring outfit recommended by netizens: a long-sleeve shirt with a floral jacket, straight-leg pants, and sneakers. The entire outfit cost about 500 to 600 yuan from online shopping, and the quality was excellent.

Standing in front of the mirror, Tang Song admired his reflection. He had undergone a significant change compared to day one of his transformation. He looked quite fashionable now, almost like a trendy guy.

Satisfied, he put on a 3D mask and took a full-body selfie in the same spot as his first post. Using the Jianying app, he stitched together the photos, including the weight changes over the past 14 days, daily meal plans, and exercise logs, and added some smooth transitions and inspiring background music. In no time, a 90-second summary video was ready, marking the official end of his first phase of transformation.

Watching the video several times, Tang Song felt a surge of satisfaction. He had accomplished so much without realizing it. After a moment of reflection, he shared the video on Little Red Book.

Title: Transformation Vlog Phase One Summary.

Just after posting, his phone buzzed with several WeChat messages. In the company chat group, Guo Peng was sharing photos of his car and his recent driving experiences. It was clear that Brother Peng truly loved his Honda Civic. Despite being a homebody, he had driven it to a suburban park on a Saturday morning and taken many picturesque photos.

Soon, other colleagues joined in, enthusiastically discussing cars. Tang Song, who was about to get his first car, couldn’t resist chiming in. Official source is NoveI(F)ire.net

[Guo Peng: "Tang Song, it’s almost time. Get ready to head out! We’ll meet at the repair shop."]

Checking the time, it was 9:10 AM. Thinking about meeting his future car, Tang Song couldn’t sit still and quickly replied, "On my way! See you soon!"

[Wang Chaoyang: "Tang Song, Guo Peng, share the potential cars in the group so we can give you some advice!"]

[Li Zhichao: "Buying a car is a big deal. We should all contribute."]

Tang Song laughed and sent an OK emoji. This small group had only five members—all close colleagues who often ordered takeout and played King of Glory together. They were genuinely interested in his car purchase.

...

Mingjun Auto Repair Shop was located on Taijing Road in the Qiaoxi District. The street was lined with old two-story buildings, auto parts shops, and small restaurants, giving it a rural town vibe.

Tang Song got out of the taxi and walked through the simple iron gate into a spacious yard. The first thing he saw was about a dozen cars, some neatly parked, others being disassembled or repainted. The surrounding red-brick houses were filled with various equipment: lifts, tire repair machines, polishers, paint buckets... Overall, it was an unsightly but legitimate repair shop.

"Beep beep beep—" A short honk sounded.

Guo Peng got out of a small car, accompanied by a man in a blue mechanic suit. Approaching Tang Song, Guo Peng patted his shoulder and exclaimed, "Man, you’re looking trendy today! I never noticed before, but you clean up nicely. You’re as good-looking as Du Shaokai."

"Well, buying a car is a big deal. Gotta dress the part."

"It seems you’re determined! Let’s go pick your car. I even have a balloon in my car and will pick some flowers by the roadside later. Let’s make it a real car delivery ceremony, just like the 4S dealerships!"

"You’re so thoughtful, Brother Peng. That’s a great idea!"

After some light-hearted banter, Guo Peng introduced, "This is my cousin, Li Mingjun. And this is Tang Song, the tech genius I told you about."

Li Mingjun, in his late twenties with a buzz cut and thick lips, smiled warmly. They exchanged greetings and got to business, checking out the cars.

Five cars were in the yard that met Tang Song’s criteria: priced under 40,000 yuan, fuel-efficient, and in excellent condition. Although he had seen the pictures and descriptions on WeChat, seeing the cars in person was different. He thoroughly examined the exterior, interior, space, and major components.

Having rarely driven since getting his license, Tang Song was cautious during the test drives. After trying all five cars, Guo Peng asked, "So, have you made any decisions yet?"

Tang Song, unsure, asked, "Brother Peng, which one do you think is best?"

Having never owned a car, Tang Song liked them all but couldn’t decide on the one that felt just right.

"My favorites are the Arrizo 5 and the Fit. One’s newer with an automatic transmission, and the other retains value and offers driving pleasure. You won’t regret choosing either."

"They are nice." Tang Song opened the group chat and shared the test drive videos, seeking his colleagues' opinions.

[Li Zhichao: "The Swift is perfect. Small cars are more fun to drive."]

[Wang Chaoyang: "Go for the Fit! Great engine, spacious. You can even haul a fridge with the rear seats down. Best choice for young people!"]

[Liu Mingfang: "For space, the Wuling Hongguang is unbeatable. Tang Song, that white Wuling in your video looks great. Customized headlights, rims, stickers, and a roof rack—perfect for outings."]

Everyone laughed at the last comment, making jokes about the Wuling Hongguang.

[Li Zhichao: "Definitely Wuling! Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, supercar layout, unmatched power!"]

[Wang Chaoyang: "It might not shine in your moments of glory, but it’ll be there for your humble beginnings."]

Tang Song glanced at the white Wuling Hongguang in the corner. The car had a black and gray pattern, round headlights, blackened rims, and looked very spirited in the sunlight.

Noticing Tang Song’s interest, Li Mingjun smiled, "This is a 2020 Wuling Hongguang S, 1.5L manual high configuration. The owner is a loyal customer of mine, who maintained and customized the car here. It’s a five-seat version, with amazing rear space when the seats are folded down. Plus, the owner is a beautiful lady who runs a clothing store. The car has less than 50,000 kilometers on it. She had to sell it because her business wasn’t doing well, and her family urged her to return home for work."