Dark clouds loomed over the sky, casting a somber shadow over the cemetery. A cold wind howled, rustling the trees and sending chills down Zhao Yifen's spine. He stood alone, his lean yet toned body trembling slightly, not from the wind, but from the grief weighing on his heart. His cheap yet clean clothes clung to him as he gazed at the gravestone before him, his vision blurred by tears.
A choked sob escaped his lips. His hands trembled as he touched the cold stone.
Suddenly, a translucent blue window appeared before his eyes.
> System Notification:
"Don't be sad. Remember what you promised him. He told you to enjoy life even when he wasn't here. He cared for you. He wanted to see you happy."
Zhao Yifen clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.
"My name is Zhao Yifen…" He whispered, his voice hollow.
His thoughts drifted back to that day, just a few weeks ago—when everything changed forever.
---
A Few Weeks Ago
The air inside the hospital room was thick with tension. The scent of antiseptic filled Zhao Yifen's nostrils as he sat beside his grandfather's hospital bed. His grandfather, Zhao Weng, looked frail, his once-powerful presence reduced to a weak figure struggling to breathe.
Around the room, Yifen's uncles and aunts stood, their faces filled with a mix of concern and hidden greed.
A man in a suit, the family lawyer, stood at the foot of the bed, holding a thick stack of documents. His expression was professional, but even he could sense the storm brewing in the room.
Zhao Weng's weak yet resolute voice broke the silence.
"Lawyer, I have made my decision. My children have received enough from me over the years. They are wealthy beyond measure, living comfortable lives with their own fortunes. But Yifen… he has nothing."
The lawyer nodded and continued reading the will.
"As per Master Zhao Weng's final decision, an inheritance of 10 million yuan shall be transferred to Zhao Yifen, ensuring he can live a stable life."
A sharp intake of breath.
"What?!" Yifen's eldest uncle roared, his face twisting in anger. "Father, what are you talking about? Are we nothing to you?!"
"That's right!" another uncle chimed in. "Why are you giving him money? He's not even your blood-related grandson!"
Zhao Weng's tired eyes slowly opened, sharp despite the weakness in his body.
"Where was my so-called blood when I needed them? While you all were busy making fortunes, Yifen was the one by my side, taking care of me. Did you even visit me once in the past few years?"
His words struck like a blade, and silence filled the room.
The eldest uncle scoffed. "Father, we were working hard to secure our children's future. Do you not want your own sons to succeed?"
Zhao Weng chuckled weakly. "Your success has already been guaranteed. Hundreds of millions, nearly a billion yuan in wealth—what more do you need? This isn't about money. It's about responsibility. Yifen stood by me when none of you did. He deserves this."
The eldest uncle's face darkened. He turned to his wife. "Pack our things. We're leaving. If father thinks we're worthless, then we have no reason to stay!"
Zhao Yifen immediately shook his head. "Grandpa, please, give it to them. I don't need anything."
His grandfather's wrinkled hand grasped his tightly. "No, Yifen. This is my last wish. Will you not fulfill it for me?"
Tears welled in Yifen's eyes, but he nodded.
The lawyer placed the papers in front of Zhao Weng. "Sir, please sign here."
With shaking hands, Zhao Weng lifted the pen and signed.
Ding!
A screen flashed before Zhao Yifen's eyes.
> [Congratulations! The Host is now eligible for the Unlimited Money System.]
[System Binding: 30%… 53%… 79%… 100%. Binding Complete.]
Zhao Yifen's eyes widened. "What… is this?" He turned to his grandfather. "Grandpa, did you see that?"
But Zhao Weng's hand slipped from his grasp.
His breath had stopped.
Silence.
Then, the realization hit him like a crashing wave.
"Grandpa!"
Zhao Yifen's scream echoed through the hospital room. Tears streamed down his face as he clutched his grandfather's lifeless hand.
And at that moment, his world shattered.
---
Back to the Present
Standing in front of the gravestone, Zhao Yifen wiped his tears. The wind howled around him, but his heart burned with a new determination.
His grandfather's last words echoed in his mind.
"Enjoy your life. If you get the chance, move to a first-world. Become stronger—stronger than anyone."
His trembling hands clenched into fists.
"Grandpa… I will."
Somewhere in his vision, the system window blinked again.
> [Unlimited Money System Activated.]
And so, his journey began.