Wang Lei arrived at the villa gates forty minutes later in a taxi, his face a mixture of disbelief and excitement. When he saw the property, he literally stumbled.
"Bro... this is... you live HERE now?"
"We live here now," Chen Wei corrected, opening the gate with his new key fob. "If you want to move in, that is. Plenty of rooms."
Wang Lei walked through the entrance like he was in a trance, his mouth hanging open as he took in the marble floors, the chandelier in the foyer, the curved staircase leading to the upper floors.
"This is not real," Wang Lei muttered. "I'm dreaming. I ate some bad street food and I'm in a coma having a fever dream."
Chen Wei laughed and pinched his arm.
"OW! Okay, okay, it's real!" Wang Lei rubbed his arm, then his expression turned serious. "Bro, you need to tell me what's really going on. Yesterday you were crying over Liu Meng in the rain. Today you own a mansion. People don't change their lives this fast unless something major happened."
Chen Wei had been thinking about this moment. How much should he reveal? He couldn't tell Wang Lei about the system—that sounded insane even to him. But his best friend deserved some truth.
"Lei, what if I told you that sometimes, when you hit rock bottom, the universe gives you a chance to rise higher than you ever imagined? That's what happened to me. I can't explain all the details—you wouldn't believe me anyway—but I promise you, everything is legitimate. The money, the property, all of it."
Wang Lei studied his face for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "You know what? I don't need to understand it. You're my brother. If you say it's legit, I believe you." He grinned. "Plus, you're letting me live in a freaking mansion, so I'm not going to ask too many questions."
"Smart man," Chen Wei said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Pick any room you want on the second floor. The master suite is mine."
As Wang Lei ran upstairs like a kid in a candy store, Chen Wei pulled out his phone and searched for Starlight Entertainment Agency.
[Starlight Entertainment Agency - Founded 2019]
[Services: Talent management, artist development, event planning]
[Current Status: Financial difficulties, seeking investors]
[Notable Assets: 15 contracted artists (including 3 rising stars), modern office building lease, production equipment]
[Debts: ¥3,500,000]
[Asking Price: ¥8,000,000]
Chen Wei's Business Genius skill analyzed everything instantly. The company had potential—good talent roster, decent reputation, prime location. The problem was mismanagement and cash flow issues. With proper restructuring and fresh capital, it could be worth ten times the asking price within two years.
[System Recommendation: Perfect first acquisition. Low risk, high reward, good learning experience]
[Additional Bonus: Entertainment industry provides natural connections to beautiful women (useful for future missions)]
Chen Wei smirked at that last note. The system really did think of everything.
He found the contact information for the company's CEO, a Mr. Zhou Feng, and dialed.
"Hello, Starlight Entertainment," a tired-sounding receptionist answered.
"Good morning. My name is Chen Wei, and I'm interested in discussing the investment opportunity with Mr. Zhou. Is he available?"
"One moment please."
After a brief hold, a man's voice came on the line—middle-aged, stressed, with an undertone of desperation.
"This is Zhou Feng. You're interested in investing?"
"Not exactly," Chen Wei said smoothly, his new Silver Tongue skill activating. "I'm interested in acquiring the company outright. I understand you're seeking ¥8 million?"
There was a pause. "Yes, that's correct. But may I ask—you sound quite young. Are you calling on behalf of—"
"I'm calling on my own behalf, Mr. Zhou. I'm twenty-one years old, but I assure you, I have both the capital and the vision to turn Starlight Entertainment into something exceptional. Would you be available for a meeting today?"
Zhou Feng's skepticism was audible. "Today is quite sudden—"
"Mr. Zhou, with all due respect, you're running out of time. Your creditors are circling, and if you don't secure funding within the week, you'll lose everything you've built. I'm offering you a chance to salvage your company and potentially continue as an advisor. But if you'd prefer to wait for another investor who may never come..."
[Silver Tongue Effect: +40% persuasion success]
"You make a compelling point," Zhou Feng said after a moment. "Can you come to our office at 2:00 PM?"
"I'll be there," Chen Wei confirmed, then added, "And Mr. Zhou? Come prepared to negotiate. I pay fair prices, but I also expect full transparency on your company's assets and liabilities."
"Of course. See you at two."
After hanging up, Chen Wei felt a rush of exhilaration. His first business deal. Three days ago, the most important negotiation he'd done was haggling over textbook prices.
[New Mission Progress: Build Your Empire]
[Task 1: Acquire a business or start a company - In Progress (Meeting scheduled)]
"BRO!" Wang Lei's voice echoed from upstairs. "This bedroom has a bathroom bigger than our entire dorm room! And there's a JACUZZI in it!"
Chen Wei smiled. At least someone was enjoying the villa.
His phone buzzed with a WeChat message. His smile disappeared.
Liu Meng: "Chen Wei, please. We need to talk. I made a mistake. Can we meet?"
Another message followed immediately.
Liu Meng: "I saw your posts. The restaurant, the wine. I don't care about the money. I just want to talk. Please."
Chen Wei stared at the messages. Twenty-four hours ago, he would have been overjoyed. Liu Meng wanting him back? It would have felt like validation, like proof that he was worth something.
Now? Now it just felt pathetic.
She didn't miss him. She missed the opportunity she'd walked away from.
He typed a response.
Chen Wei: "There's nothing to talk about. You made your choice. Live with it."
Liu Meng: "Chen Wei, please don't be like this! I know I hurt you, but—"
Chen Wei blocked her number and deleted the conversation.
Done.
[System Alert: Emotional Closure Achieved]
[Reward: +3 Confidence, +2 Mental Fortitude]
[Status Effect Removed: "Heartbroken" - You are now completely free from past emotional baggage]
Chen Wei felt something lift from his chest—a weight he hadn't realized he'd been carrying. The pain, the humiliation, the lingering "what ifs"—all of it evaporated.
Liu Meng was his past.
His future was waiting.
[1:45 PM - Starlight Entertainment Office Building]
Chen Wei arrived fifteen minutes early, dressed in his charcoal Armani suit. The office building was in a decent part of Jianghai's business district—not premium, but respectable.
The reception area showed signs of financial strain: slightly worn furniture, outdated magazines, a receptionist who looked stressed and overworked.
"I'm Chen Wei. I have a 2:00 PM appointment with Mr. Zhou."
The receptionist's eyes widened slightly as she took in his expensive suit and confident demeanor. "Of course, Mr. Chen. Please, have a seat. I'll let him know you're here."
Chen Wei sat, observing everything with his enhanced Business Genius skill. The office had good bones—decent location, adequate space, modern enough infrastructure. The problem was clearly cash flow and leadership.
[Business Analysis Complete]
[Recommendation: Acquire company, replace CEO with professional manager, invest ¥2,000,000 in marketing and talent development, restructure debt. Projected profit within 6 months: ¥5,000,000+]
"Mr. Chen?" The receptionist smiled. "Mr. Zhou will see you now. Third floor, corner office."
Chen Wei took the elevator up, his new Intimidating Aura passive skill activating automatically. When he walked into Zhou Feng's office, the older man actually straightened in his chair instinctively.
Zhou Feng was in his late forties, with graying hair and the worn look of someone who'd been fighting a losing battle for too long. His office was cluttered with papers, and dark circles shadowed his eyes.
"Mr. Chen," Zhou Feng stood, extending his hand with visible surprise. "I must admit, I expected someone... older."
"Age is just a number, Mr. Zhou," Chen Wei said, shaking his hand with a firm grip. His Silver Tongue skill made his words sound more authoritative than they should. "What matters is vision and capital. I have both."
They sat, and Zhou Feng slid a folder across the desk. "Here's everything you need to know about Starlight Entertainment. Financial statements, asset lists, contracts, debts—all of it."
Chen Wei spent the next twenty minutes reviewing everything, his Business Genius skill processing information at remarkable speed. Zhou Feng watched nervously, occasionally answering questions.
Finally, Chen Wei closed the folder.
"Your company has excellent potential, Mr. Zhou. Your talent roster is impressive—I'm particularly interested in the three rising stars you mentioned. However, your debt situation is worse than advertised, and your management structure has significant inefficiencies."
Zhou Feng's face fell. "So you're not interested—"
"I didn't say that," Chen Wei interrupted. "I'm very interested. But not at ¥8 million. Given the true state of your finances, I'm prepared to offer ¥6 million for full acquisition, with the following conditions."
He pulled out his phone and showed Zhou Feng a document he'd drafted during the review.
"First, I'll immediately inject ¥2 million in operating capital to stabilize the company. Second, I'll pay off your debts in full—but that comes out of the purchase price. Third, you'll stay on as a consultant for six months at a generous salary to ensure smooth transition. And fourth, I get complete operational control."
Zhou Feng read through the terms, his expression complex. "This is... generous, actually. More than I expected. But ¥6 million is—"
"Fair," Chen Wei said firmly. "Mr. Zhou, you and I both know that if you wait another week, you won't get ¥6 million. You'll get nothing except bankruptcy proceedings. I'm offering you a way to save your life's work and keep your dignity. Take it."
[Negotiation Master Activated: +50% success rate]
[Silver Tongue Activated: Target is 85% likely to accept]
Zhou Feng stared at the document for a long moment, then at Chen Wei, then back at the document.
"You're quite something, Mr. Chen. Twenty-one years old and negotiating like a seasoned businessman." He picked up a pen. "I accept your terms. Where do I sign?"
[Mission Progress: Build Your Empire]
[Task 1: Acquire a business or start a company - COMPLETE!]
[Reward pending full mission completion]
Two hours later, after lawyers had been called, documents had been signed, and money had been transferred, Chen Wei walked out of the building as the new owner of Starlight Entertainment Agency.
[Achievement Unlocked: Business Owner]
[New Title: "Young Entrepreneur"]
[Reward: +10 Status Points, +5 Business Acumen]
[Your reputation in Jianghai business circles has increased!]
His phone immediately buzzed with messages—the company's accountant, the HR manager, three of the artist managers, all requesting meetings with the new owner.
Chen Wei scheduled them for tomorrow morning. Tonight, he needed to process what had just happened.
He'd just bought a company. At twenty-one years old. With money from a magical system.
His life had become absolutely surreal.
As he exited the building, he nearly collided with someone rushing in.
"Oh! I'm so sorry, I—"
They both stopped.
The woman was stunning. Mid-twenties, with elegant features, long dark hair styled in waves, and eyes that sparkled with intelligence. She wore a professional dress that screamed "successful career woman," and carried a designer bag that Chen Wei's newly trained eye recognized as Hermès.
"It's alright," Chen Wei said, steadying her with a hand on her arm. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, thank you." She smiled apologetically. "I'm just late for a meeting with the CEO of Starlight Entertainment. Do you know if Mr. Zhou is still in the building?"
"Actually," Chen Wei said, "I'm the new owner of Starlight Entertainment. Zhou Feng is no longer the CEO."
Her eyes widened. "You're... wait, you're the new owner? But you're so young!"
[System Alert!]
[Special Event Triggered: "Perfect Opportunity Card" activating automatically]
[Destined Encounter Detected!]
[Target: Lin Yue - Beauty Rating: 92/100]
[Background: Top entertainment lawyer, daughter of influential family, current status: Single and focused on career]
[Mission Opportunity: Impress her to unlock special business advantages]
Chen Wei's heart rate increased. This was the Perfect Opportunity Card's effect—creating a destined encounter.
"I'm Chen Wei," he said, extending his hand with his most confident smile. "And yes, I'm young. But I'm also the person who just saved this company from bankruptcy. May I ask your name?"
She shook his hand, her grip firm and professional. "Lin Yue. I'm an entertainment lawyer. I was supposed to meet with Mr. Zhou about representing one of his artists, but if you're the new owner..."
"Then you're meeting with me," Chen Wei finished smoothly. "Have you had lunch? We could discuss business over food."
Lin Yue hesitated, clearly trying to reconcile his age with his apparent authority. Her professional instincts warred with her curiosity.
"I... suppose that would be acceptable," she said finally. "But I need to make one thing clear—I don't mix business with pleasure, Mr. Chen."
"Neither do I, Miss Lin," Chen Wei said with a slight smile. "This is purely professional. Though I have to ask—which artist were you hoping to represent?"
"Tang Xin. I heard she's one of your rising stars, and I believe she has potential to be a major actress. With the right legal representation and contract negotiations—"
"She could be the next A-list celebrity," Chen Wei finished, his Business Genius skill feeding him insights. "I agree completely. In fact, I was planning to invest heavily in her career development. Having a top-tier entertainment lawyer like yourself involved would be advantageous for everyone."
Lin Yue's eyebrows raised. "You know who I am?"
"I make it my business to know the best professionals in every field," Chen Wei said smoothly, though in reality the system had just provided him with her information. "Your reputation speaks for itself, Miss Lin."
[Silver Tongue Effect: +40% favorability]
[Lin Yue's impression of you: Skeptical → Intrigued]
"Well then, Mr. Chen," Lin Yue said with a slight smile. "I suppose lunch would be productive. Lead the way."
As they walked toward his car (he'd bought a Mercedes S-Class that morning with his Supreme VIP Black Card), Chen Wei couldn't help but smile.
Yesterday, he was a broke college student crying over his ex-girlfriend.
Today, he owned a company and was having a business lunch with a beautiful, successful lawyer who could help build his empire.
His phone buzzed one more time. A message from Xiao Yue.
Xiao Yue: "Hi! I had a really nice time last night. Are you free this weekend? I'd love to see you again. 😊"
Chen Wei typed back quickly.
Chen Wei: "I'd love that. I have some things to show you. Trust me, you won't believe what's happened in the last 24 hours."
Xiao Yue: "Now I'm curious! Can't wait! 💕"
Chen Wei put his phone away and opened the car door for Lin Yue, who looked impressed by the vehicle.
"Nice car," she commented.
"Thank you. I believe in investing in quality," Chen Wei replied, getting into the driver's seat.
As he drove toward a high-end business restaurant, Lin Yue reviewing contracts on her tablet beside him, Chen Wei realized something profound.
The system hadn't just given him money and opportunities.
It had given him the tools to become the person he was always meant to be.
Confident. Capable. Unstoppable.
And this was only the beginning.
[Mission Progress: Build Your Empire]
[Task 1: Acquire a business or start a company - COMPLETE ✓]
[Task 2: Make a profitable investment - In Progress (Starlight Entertainment will generate profit)]
[Task 3: Gain recognition in Jianghai business circles - 15% Complete]
[Time Remaining: 29 days]
[System Note: You're progressing faster than 99% of previous hosts. Keep this momentum!]
Chen Wei smiled.
He fully intended to.