Liang Wei paced his cramped apartment, the neon glow of Yunhai City seeping through the cracked window. His phone, now a gateway to the Destiny's Dividend System, sat on the rickety table, its holographic interface taunting him with the latest task: Spend 500,000 yuan on someone with a favorability of 60 or higher by tomorrow night. Reward: Triple the amount. Hint: Sincerity fuels dividends. Deceit triggers penalties.
"Five hundred thousand," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "That's a luxury sedan. Or a deposit on a decent flat." His bank account, freshly padded with 103,000 yuan from the first task, was a far cry from what he needed. The system's 50,000-yuan stunt at Moonlit Brew Café had been a leap of faith—maxing his credit and draining his savings—but it had paid off. Now, 500,000 yuan felt like jumping off a skyscraper without a parachute.
He opened the Favorability Tracker. Uncle Zhao, his family's old driver, still led at 75. Lin Xia, the barista, had climbed to 70 after his café stunt. A few old friends hovered around 60, but none felt like safe bets. "Sincerity," the system had warned. Cai Lin's betrayal had burned him—trusting the wrong person could tank this task, and "penalties" sounded ominous.
His phone buzzed with a text from Lin Xia: Thanks for the café thing. Everyone's still talking about it. You okay? Her words carried a warmth he hadn't felt in months. He typed back, Just keeping it real. You working today? Her reply was quick: Morning shift. Come by if you're not too busy being a mystery philanthropist.
A plan sparked. Lin Xia's favorability was high, and she'd seemed genuinely touched last night. Maybe she was the key to this task. But 500,000 yuan? He needed a way to raise the cash—and fast.
By morning, Liang Wei was at Moonlit Brew, the café's warm lights a stark contrast to the city's cold bustle. Lin Xia was behind the counter, her apron dusted with flour, a smile breaking through her usual reserve. "Back already?" she teased. "Don't tell me you're buying out the place again."
He grinned, nerves buzzing. "Not today. Just… needed coffee." He glanced at the Favorability Tracker—Lin Xia's score held steady at 70. "Hey, you ever talk about your plans? Like, after college?"
She paused, wiping her hands. "Why the sudden interest?"
"Just curious. You're always here, but you seem like someone with bigger dreams."
Her eyes softened, but a shadow crossed them. "I'm saving up. Art school, maybe. It's stupid—too expensive, and my family's not exactly rolling in cash." She laughed, but it was brittle. "Why, you offering to sponsor me?"
Liang Wei's heart skipped. The system chimed: Opportunity detected. Sincere investment in Lin Xia's aspirations may fulfill task requirements. He leaned forward. "What if I did? How much is art school?"
She blinked, caught off guard. "Like… 400,000 yuan for the first year. Why?"
His mind raced. 400,000 was close to the task's 500,000. If he could cover her tuition—or part of it—and add something extra, it might work. But his account had 103,000, and his credit was tapped out. "Hypothetically," he said, "if someone helped with that, would you take it?"
She studied him, wary. "I don't take handouts, Liang Wei. What's this about?"
"Sincerity," he said, half to himself. The system's voice cut in: Sincerity confirmed. Favorability: 72. He took a breath. "Look, I'm trying to… fix things. My life's a mess, but I want to help someone who deserves it. No strings."
Her gaze softened, but before she could reply, the café door swung open. A man in a tailored suit strode in, his presence commanding. Mid-30s, sharp jaw, eyes like a hawk. The system flashed a new name: Tang Hao. Favorability: 30. Status: Rival Host. Liang Wei froze. Rival Host?
Tang Hao smirked, tossing a black card on the counter. "Espresso, double shot. And make it quick." He glanced at Liang Wei, his eyes narrowing. "You're the guy from last night. Big spender, huh?"
Liang Wei's gut tightened. The system chimed: Warning: Rival Host detected. Competitive task overlap possible. "Just buying coffee," he said, voice steady. "You?"
Tang Hao chuckled, low and dangerous. "Oh, I play bigger games." He leaned closer, voice dropping. "Word of advice: systems like ours don't share. Watch your back."
Lin Xia handed Tang Hao his coffee, oblivious to the tension. As he left, Liang Wei's mind spun. Another system user? The stakes just got higher. He needed 500,000 yuan by tonight, and Tang Hao's presence screamed trouble.
"Lin Xia," he said, turning back. "If I could help with art school, would you let me? Not a handout—a partnership. You chase your dream, I back you up."
She hesitated, then nodded slowly. "If it's real, maybe. But I don't get you, Liang Wei. What's in it for you?"
He smiled, the system's golden glow flickering in his vision. "A dividend, maybe." He had no cash, no plan, and a rival breathing down his neck. But for the first time in months, he felt alive. He had until midnight to find 500,000 yuan—or lose everything.