Chen stood in front of a quiet gated property on the outskirts of the city. It once belonged to a bankrupt tech billionaire—now up for auction. But Chen didn't wait for the bid.
He called the listed agent.
"I'll pay in full. Today."
The man nearly stuttered. "S-Sir, the estate is ¥9.5 million…"
> Ding! Purchase of abandoned villa property successful – ¥9,500,000 spent.
Triggering 100x cashback event!
You've received ¥950,000,000. Deposited to your ICBC account.
New Balance: ¥959,687,000
Chen's hand trembled—not with fear, but with power. Almost a billion. He could now buy influence, build an empire… or tear one down.
> System Update: Host has unlocked "Base Management" tab.
Renovate, upgrade, hire staff, automate defense…
Chen selected full renovation with AI-integrated security, luxury interior, and a modern tech lab.
> Cost: ¥120,000,000
Cashback: ¥12,000,000,000!
New Balance: ¥12,839,687,000
The villa was his now—a fortress in the shadows. And soon, more than a fortress.
---
Later that evening, Chen stood on the third-floor balcony of his upgraded base. The city lights glimmered far away, like stars beneath his feet.
"Sir, you have a visitor," a guard informed him.
Chen turned. "Who?"
"She says her name is... Lin Shuying."
His eyes narrowed. That name echoed from high school—a quiet girl, always bullied. Her parents were framed by Liu Hao's family and destroyed.
He went to the main hall.
There she stood—grown, elegant, and sharp-eyed. No longer weak, but full of something else… purpose.
"You remember me?" she asked, her voice soft but firm.
"I do."
She bowed slightly. "I heard what you did to Liu Hao. I want in."
Chen raised a brow. "What's in it for me?"
"I'm an accountant. Hacker. Strategist. And…" She took a step closer, "I don't betray people who save me."
> Ding! Hidden Event Triggered: 'First Ally – Potential Harem Candidate!'
Compatibility Level: 85%
Unlock bonus reward: Loyalty Bond (Passive) – Lin Shuying will never betray you.
Chen smiled faintly. "Welcome to the empire, Shuying."
She smiled too, eyes glowing with vengeance and something more—admiration?
---
Outside, a car watched from the road. Inside, a man in dark shades spoke into a phone.
"Target has awakened the system. He's not just a threat. He's the storm."
---