Chapter 4: The Rise of NovaTech
The fluorescent lights buzzed gently as they illuminated the pristine interior of the store. Clean white shelves, chrome display units, and a red-and-silver banner read:
"NovaTech Electronics – Grand Opening!"
This was the second location Chen Rui had launched in under three weeks.
Unlike the modest family shop back home, this one sat on a bustling commercial street near Jiangcheng University. It was the kind of space most small businesses couldn't afford to lease—but Chen Rui hadn't leased it. He had bought it.
To outsiders, it looked like pure madness.
"Why buy property for a shop? Just rent like everyone else," muttered the old watch repairman next door. "What if business fails?"
Chen Rui offered a polite smile. "Then I'll fail in style."
Only he knew the truth.
He wasn't trying to build a business empire. Not yet.
He was trying to lose money.
✅ Property Purchased – -¥280,000
[Reward: Real Estate Appraisal +5]
✅ Second Store Opened
[Business Insight +2 | Management Talent +1]
⚠️ Caution: Expansion pace risks triggering unintended profitability.
Chen Rui sighed as he closed the system panel.
Despite his best efforts, things were starting to pick up.
The NovaTech brand, with its clean aesthetic and friendly service, was drawing foot traffic even in areas that were supposedly dead zones. He'd deliberately chosen failing districts, betting that location alone would sink his investment.
But foot traffic grew. Locals came to browse. University students stopped by. Some bought headphones, chargers, or tools. Others came back with friends.
Worse, real estate prices in the area—especially near the schools—had quietly begun ticking upward.
In less than two months, NovaTech Electronics had expanded to seven locations, each owned outright, not leased. From Dongcheng to Xigang, Chen Rui had snapped up crumbling storefronts, investing heavily in renovations, staff, and interior upgrades.
He overpaid his staff. Hired people with no experience. Gave them uniforms. Installed air conditioners. Ran ads in local papers.
Everything he did was meant to bleed capital.
And yet…
⚠️ Store 3 has reached regional sales break-even.
⚠️ Property in Dongcheng has appreciated by 6.2%.
⚠️ Public perception of NovaTech: "Up-and-coming, clean, trustworthy."
He stared blankly at the screen.
"This isn't how it's supposed to go…"
He wanted to fail. He was meant to fail.
And yet the system, in its twisted way, kept giving him rewards and upgrades for expanding—whether he wanted them or not.
No matter. He still had a plan.
If seven stores wasn't enough to hemorrhage money, he'd open seventy. He'd keep buying property, keep overhiring, keep stretching logistics and supply chains to their breaking point.
Once he hit the 100-store mark, he'd take the next step: building an electronics factory under the NovaTech banner. Manufacturing his own parts. Sinking more capital into machinery, warehousing, and research.
A perfect money pit.
Or so he thought.
What he didn't realize was that NovaTech's name was already echoing through local business networks. Investors were whispering. Local suppliers were offering better terms. And somewhere, someone influential was starting to take an interest in the young man who didn't seem to care about profit—yet kept building something big.