It was a dim evening.
The city's main road glowed beneath neon lights—bars, boutiques, cafés, and car headlights merging into a bright, restless stream. The hum of traffic, the chatter of pedestrians, the distant beat of music from open doors—all of it blended into one living pulse.
This was the kind of place where night never truly arrived; it only shimmered in color.
Li Wei walked alone through the crowd, hands tucked in his pockets. The corner of his lips curved faintly as his eyes darted from sign to sign, taking everything in with a spark of curiosity. It was his first time here, and already, the street's charm wrapped around him like perfume.
'Yep. This is the place.'
For a moment, he completely forgot about the couple he'd run into earlier—the irritation, the heartbreak, even the classroom scene. All of it melted away under the buzzing lights and laughter.
Everywhere he looked, there were beautiful girls—different styles, different temperaments—each one shining beneath the glow of the city. Their laughter floated through the air like music.
'This place smells like money,' he thought, smirking to himself. 'And with this system, maybe a materialistic girlfriend isn't such a bad deal. If she only sees money, then it'll be easy to make her see me instead—addicted to it, addicted to me.'
"Hehe! That's good."
He didn't even realize he'd said it aloud until a few passersby glanced at him warily and took a step away.
Li Wei coughed lightly, forcing down the grin tugging at his lips. 'Calm down, idiot. You're not a maniac. Yet.'
As he strolled further down the street, a familiar name caught his eye—Club Aurora, one of the trendiest bars around. He'd heard about it from a friend before but never had the chance—or money—to visit.
Now, though…
He couldn't help the smile that rose again.
The place was massive, its glass exterior glowing with strips of color. A long line of people stretched before the entrance, all waiting for their turn under the soft neon haze.
'Yeah, no way I'm waiting in that line.'
His gaze shifted slightly—and that's when he saw them.
A group of girls standing near the VIP section, each dressed to kill, their laughter spilling freely as they chatted among themselves. Their perfume mingled with the night air—sweet, sharp, and expensive.
'Those… are my ticket.'
Li Wei straightened his posture, slipped on an easy smile, and walked toward them with the kind of confidence only a man with ten trillion dollars could fake—or own.
"Hey there, beauties," he said smoothly, stopping just beside them. "Mind letting me tag along with your group? Drinks tonight are on me."
He pointed casually at the long waiting line, grin widening just enough to show charm rather than arrogance.
The girls exchanged surprised glances. For a second, they looked ready to dismiss him—but then one of them giggled, her eyes flickering with amusement.
"Well, that's bold. Are you sure you can handle it?" she teased. "We might just end up emptying that shiny wallet of yours."
Li Wei chuckled softly, meeting her gaze. "Of course. You can try."
His voice carried a quiet self-assurance that caught them off guard.
Another girl, slightly older and clearly the leader of the group, smiled as she folded her arms. "Don't tease him too much. Alright, little bro—come with us. We'll let you in this time."
Her tone was light, but her eyes glimmered with curiosity.
The security guard by the entrance noticed their exchange and could only sigh helplessly. The group had a special VIP entry pass—good for up to ten people. With Li Wei joining, that made exactly five.
He stepped aside with a polite nod. "Enjoy your night."
Li Wei smiled faintly, slipping in behind the group as the velvet ropes parted.
The bass from inside the club thumped in rhythm with his heartbeat, and the scent of alcohol and perfume hit him as the door opened.
'Well,' he thought, his lips curving as the lights painted his face in shifting colors, 'time to see just how much fun ten trillion can buy me tonight.'
"You will treat this sister tonight, little brother."
Li Wei felt a faint tingle from Xiao Yu's teasing embrace, but he maintained a composed expression, masking his slight thrill.
"Just order your drink," He spoke with a confident tone. "Of course, I'll cover the cost for everyone."
Li Wei grinned, pulling out his smartphone. He opened the payment app and checked if the new system-linked account would work.
'Alright… let's order something big tonight.'
Xiao Yu didn't hesitate. With a confident flick of her wrist, she ordered a bottle of exquisite wine—one Li Wei had never heard of, but judging by the label and style, it easily cost a few thousand RMB.
'This sister sure knows how to make someone bleed,' he thought, inwardly amused.
But at the same time, he felt a strange thrill. The scanner beeped as he paid—and just like that, the transaction was completed instantly.
He glanced at his original bank account—barely 2,000 RMB. Tonight, he had just spent 20,000 RMB for four bottles of wine.
A rush of excitement boiled within him. This was something his previous self could only dream of, even in his wildest fantasies.
"Wow! That's so cool, brother," Xiao Yu said, eyes sparkling. "I never thought you were rich. But don't worry, we'll pay you back; we were just joking."
Li Wei chuckled softly. "Well, okay. But if you insist on repayment… how about I ask for a beauty there for a date?"
He gestured casually toward Mei Lin—the girl at the center of the group, radiating elegance and charm, standing out effortlessly among them.
All the girls froze for a moment. Xiao Yu's eyes lit up, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "Brother! You're confident, huh? Already trying to hit on our Mei-Mei..."
Li Wei shook his head with mock regret. "Is that so? Well… it's a pity I won't have another chance to see beauty like her again. Not to mention date her in the future."
He lifted a glass of wine and took a slow sip, savoring its flavor. Rich, smooth—it was far better than he expected. He noted mentally that the girls had excellent taste.
Mei Lin's cheeks flushed at his words, a soft pink blooming across her face. Perhaps it was the wine, perhaps it was the compliment—Li Wei didn't notice either way, his focus entirely on the thrill of this moment.
Li Wei took a slow sip of his drink, letting the warmth spread through him, and let his gaze drift across the group. His eyes naturally settled on Mei Lin, the undeniable centerpiece of attention.
Mei Lin moved with an effortless grace, each step measured yet fluid, like water sliding over polished stone. Her dark, glossy hair cascaded over her shoulders, catching the neon lights and glinting with faint streaks of red and gold.
Her eyes were captivating—a warm, clear brown that seemed to take in everything without judgment, soft yet piercing at the same time. They drew attention without trying, holding a quiet power that lingered in the mind. Her lips curved into a delicate smile, one that could shift from playful to serious in an instant, leaving anyone who looked at her guessing.
There was a quiet confidence in her presence—not loud, not flashy, yet magnetic. Even amidst the laughter and chatter of her friends, she made the space around her feel smaller, more intimate, as if the world subtly adjusted to her.
Perhaps sensing Li Wei's gaze, she finally turned her eyes toward him. The shimmer in her dress caught the light without ever appearing gaudy, and her accessories hinted at taste rather than extravagance. Every detail—from the gentle tilt of her head to the way she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear—spoke of poise, intelligence, and charm.
Li Wei felt a faint pull in his chest. Even in this crowded, vibrant room, she seemed to exist on a plane of her own, drawing him in without a word.
"Well, we can be friends," Mei Lin said as they were leaving, her tone light but carrying a hint of warmth.
Li Wei, of course, had paid for the entire night's drinks. Mei Lin had wanted to repay him somehow, feeling it unfair to leave things as they were. She quickly pulled out her phone, ready to give him her LIME ID.
But when she tried, a small frustration struck her: his account was private. Only those with explicit permission could transfer funds. Her plan to return the money instantly collapsed.
Li Wei, standing a few steps away, caught her hesitation and grinned mischievously from the side.
"See you soon, beauty Mei-Mei," he called over, his tone casual, almost teasing.
As he walked away, he glanced at the system floating in his mind. +5 favorability flashed brightly on the display, marking his reward for the night.
A thrill ran through him—a heady mix of excitement and satisfaction. It wasn't just about money anymore. Each point felt like a move in a game, each interaction a step closer to mastering it. And for the first time, he truly felt the intoxicating rush of being in control.
'This… this is going to be fun,' he thought, grinning to himself.