"This way, sir," the receptionist said brightly, leading Lin Wei and Shen Yiran toward the higher-end section of the store.
As they walked past rows of elegant timepieces, Lin Wei casually glanced at the displays, each watch exuding luxury and craftsmanship. Soon, they reached the second area—clearly reserved for more premium clients—where the previous receptionist stepped aside, and a new attendant took over.
The moment the new receptionist approached, Lin Wei froze for a split second. I've definitely seen her somewhere before, he thought, a faint sense of familiarity tugging at his memory. But he couldn't quite place her.
"Eh! Senior Lin Wei?" the girl's eyes widened in surprise. Her voice helped bridge the gap in his memory, and recognition began to dawn.
"Ah… sorry, I don't remember seeing you in class," Lin Wei admitted with a somewhat awkward smile. "Oh no, it's alright! I'm not from your class. I'm actually from the same club," she said with a light laugh, clearly not offended.
"And… senior is kind of famous on the college forum, so it's hard not to recognize you."
Her shy smile made her look even more endearing, and Lin Wei relaxed a little, his curiosity piqued. "Then, how should I address you, junior?" he asked with a gentle grin.
The atmosphere lightened, while Shen Yiran quietly watched the exchange from the side, noting how naturally Lin Wei handled the situation despite the awkward start.
"Chen Lulu! I'm from the same club," she said with a cheerful smile. "Plus, I was there when that Kelvin guy came to cause trouble and called Stella."
At her words, Lin Wei's eyes lit up with recognition, and a small smile tugged at his lips.
"Ah, I see. Then it seems I owe you a lot," he said, nodding. He remembered how perfectly timed Stella's arrival had been that day. Though he didn't truly need anyone's help—he could've handled Kelvin on his own—the backup gave him room to maneuver and opened up new possibilities.
"So, I'm here to pick out a watch for Xuelin's sister," Lin Wei explained casually. "Her birthday's tomorrow, and I was invited to the celebration, so I want to get something nice."
Lulu nodded knowingly. "Got it. For gifting, right? Then let me show you a few of our premium pieces."
With a soft tap of her heel, she turned and walked toward a more refined section of the display. Lin Wei followed, the glimmering glass cases now filled with elegant, high-end watches—sleek designs and handcrafted detailing clearly setting them apart.
Shen Yiran trailed slightly behind, her eyes observing both the merchandise and the subtle shift in Lin Wei's energy. He seemed at ease—like this wasn't just a shopping trip but part of something larger.
"There's quite a collection here," Chen Lulu said as she led Lin Wei past the rows of gleaming display cases. "But I need to ask—what kind of price range are we working with, classmate Lin Wei?"
Lin Wei thought for a second. "Anything that looks good. Price doesn't really matter—but," he added with a small grin, "keep it low-key. I don't want it to seem like I'm trying to bribe her sister or anything."
Lulu chuckled at his honesty and nodded. She moved toward a mid-range section, pointing at pieces between 50,000 and 70,000 credits—premium quality, but not over-the-top. The kind of gift a well-off student could plausibly give without attracting suspicion.
As they browsed, Lulu caught sight of Shen Yiran walking on the other side of the store. Her sharp suit and composed elegance drew attention naturally.
"Is that your secretary?" Lulu asked, lowering her voice slightly. "She's… really stunning."
Lin Wei gave a slightly awkward smile and nodded. "Yeah. Just met her today, actually. Found out she's my secretary not long after."
"Wow…" Lulu tilted her head, clearly intrigued. "Now that sounds like a story."
"Wow! That's amazing… I can already smell a story behind this," Chen Lulu said playfully, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. Lin Wei glanced at her and couldn't help but notice how bright and lively she was—reminding him, strangely, of Chen Yuxi.
'Wait a second… both are named Chen, and both are gorgeous?' A flicker of realization crossed his face. 'No way… 'Is that a coincidence?'
He stepped a bit closer to her. "Hey, do you know someone named Chen Yuxi?"
"Hmm? Of course," Lulu said, eyes lighting up. "She's my sister! Well, half-sister, technically. Different moms, same dad. We live together in the same apartment. She's super cute, right?"
Her genuine affection was obvious, and Lin Wei could see how much Lulu admired her sister. He stayed quiet, listening as Lulu's tone shifted slightly.
"But… let's just leave it at that," she said after a pause. "We're only able to stay in that apartment thanks to her. It's way out of our budget otherwise. Honestly… if not for that situation, she never would've ended up dating that scumbag Mengkai. He's... ruining her."
Her voice trailed off, her earlier cheer gone. Lin Wei didn't press. For a moment, both stood in silence, the luxurious ticking of high-end watches filling the space between them.
'Mengkai again...' Lin Wei narrowed his eyes at the thought. Looks like I might have to do something about that guy—or I'll end up wearing a green hat, he mused grimly. Even with this app backing me, letting that clown run loose isn't an option.
He remembered that Mengkai would be attending the birthday party tomorrow night. A perfect setup. Maybe I should check the system shop. There might be something useful for that occasion.
"Hmm… how about this one?" Lulu suggested, pulling out a sleek, fashionable piece. It looked great—simple, stylish—but the price tag was modest.
Lin Wei glanced at it, then shook his head. "Not bad, but… what about those ones over there?" He gestured toward a more exclusive section, his eyes landing on a watch with a sky-high price tag—1.7 million credits. Its design was elegant yet understated, perfect for someone rich but reserved.
Lulu blinked, stunned. "Uh… that's a great choice, but the price is… kind of crazy," she murmured, unsure whether he was joking. Even Shen Yiran, watching from the side, looked momentarily at a loss.
Bzzt!
Suddenly, Lin Wei's phone vibrated, and a semi-transparent overlay popped up across the screen:
Reality Quest Activating…
Due to the host's action impacting three distinct targets simultaneously, a special event has been triggered.
Reward: MARK OPTION UNLOCKED.
For the duration of your visit to this store, all rebates are increased x10.
Lin Wei's eyes widened slightly as he stared at the notification. Wait—x10 rebate…? His lips curled into a subtle smirk.
'Now that's what I call a good investment.
"Hmm! This is good. Pack it up for me." Lin Wei handed over his card without a moment's pause.
Chen Lulu, still slightly dazed from the price, nodded and began to carefully wrap the luxury watch. The total—1.7 million credits—flashed across the screen.
Swipe.
Payment complete.
Standing to the side, Shen Yiran's brows twitched ever so slightly. Lin Wei didn't miss it.
He turned toward her, arms casually folded, his voice calm but sharp:
"You think it's wasteful, don't you, Secretary Shen?"
Shen Yiran flinched, just a bit. "…It's not that," she replied carefully. "I just believe money like this… could be invested more wisely. Long-term planning always trumps impulsive spending."
Her tone was measured—professional—but Lin Wei could tell what she really meant. Trust, after all, could erode faster than it was built.
He didn't look offended. If anything, he seemed thoughtful.
"Fair point." He smiled faintly. "But sometimes, spending isn't about waste. It's about strategy."
A pause.
"And sometimes, it's about sending a message."
"Right. But look at this…"
Lin Wei held up his phone just as a notification popped onto the screen — a credit of 17 million.
Before Shen Yiran could process it, he added, "I'll transfer 15 million to you. Use it for any investment you think is wise."
His tone was calm and confident—the words dropped like thunder.
"Just imagine," he continued, "this is what I can earn in a single day… without even breaking a sweat."
There was no arrogance in his voice — only precision. Two goals guided his actions:
One, to shift her perception — because she would be working closely with him from now on.
Two, to send a message — to anyone who might have planted her by his side or intended to test him. With this kind of wealth at his fingertips, Lin Wei wasn't someone to be underestimated.
Shen Yiran stood frozen, her breath caught in her throat. Her phone buzzed with the transaction alert—15 million transferred just like that.
"…I'm sorry!" she finally blurted, bowing her head slightly. Her voice was shaken but sincere.
The number alone rattled her, but more than that — she realized her new master was far more enigmatic and capable than she'd ever imagined.
Lin Wei simply smiled. "It's alright. I'm glad to see you care."
For the first time in years — maybe since his mother's death — he felt it again: the warmth of genuine concern.
"Is that so…" she murmured, almost to herself.
Her gaze lingered on Lin Wei, whose expression held something deeper — a complicated quiet, the kind seen in those who had endured far too much too early.
She remembered the whispers: he had lost his mother young, grown up in a house where warmth wasn't guaranteed, and learned to fend for himself in silence. Everything he had now — the calm demeanor, the calculated strength, the hidden wealth — hadn't come by chance.
He must have struggled. Fought, quietly.
Even now, in college, he hadn't flaunted his riches or connections. He stayed under the radar, unnoticed by many — until now, when it mattered. When the time came to begin weaving himself into the fabric of influence, status, and power.
Looking at him now, Shen Yiran suddenly understood:
Lin Wei didn't rise by luck.
He survived, and now, he was choosing to ascend.
Though most of her thoughts were heartfelt, they weren't entirely true.
Because the truth was far simpler… and more absurd.
It all began with a single application.
An app Lin Wei downloaded by pure chance — a random tap, a moment of curiosity — and then forgot about entirely. It stayed on his phone like digital dust, unassuming and quiet.
Until one day, it changed everything.
Not years of planning.
Not tireless struggle.
Not inherited brilliance.
Just luck.
And yet, wasn't that the most terrifying part?
Because now, with that application in hand, Lin Wei was playing a game with rules only he could see. And the rest of the world? They were watching a player, not the system behind him.