Liang Wei leaned against the rusted railing of his rooftop shack, the neon glow of Yunhai City's skyline mocking him from afar. Three months ago, he'd been the crown prince of this metropolis, heir to Liang Enterprises' real estate empire, with a penthouse, a fleet of sports cars, and a fiancée, Cai Lin, whose beauty turned heads at every gala. Now, at 25, he was nobody—a tenant in a crumbling apartment, his bank account holding a pitiful 10,000 yuan, and his pride shattered by Cai Lin's parting words: "You're nothing without money." She'd left him via a cold WeChat message, probably pawning his million-yuan engagement ring before the ink dried on their breakup.
The collapse had been swift. A shady partner, a market crash, and a media frenzy had gutted his family's fortune. His father was dodging creditors in Macau, his mother was selling heirlooms up north, and Liang Wei was one bad day from hawking his last suit. "Rock bottom," he muttered, kicking a loose tile. "Might as well busk for noodles."
His cracked phone flared with golden light, startling him. The screen morphed into a sleek, holographic interface, like something ripped from a sci-fi blockbuster. Bold text pulsed:
Welcome to the Destiny's Dividend System. Host: Liang Wei. Objective: Reshape your fate through acts of favor. Spend boldly, gain exponentially. Ready to rise? [Accept / Decline]
Liang Wei scoffed. "Crypto scam, huh?" He tapped Decline, but the screen flashed red: Error: Fate is non-negotiable. System binding initiated. A jolt shot through him, like static from a live wire. A playful female voice echoed in his mind. "Congratulations, Liang Wei! You're the host of the Destiny's Dividend System. Spend generously on those who value you, and your wealth will multiply. First task: Spend 50,000 yuan on someone with a favorability of 60 or higher by midnight. Reward: Double the amount in cash."
He stared, heart pounding. "Fifty grand? I'm practically homeless!" But the interface hovered mid-air, unshakable, displaying a Favorability Tracker. Names appeared: Cai Lin at a measly 5, Uncle Zhao (his family's old driver) at 75, and Lin Xia, the barista downstairs, at 65. "Favorability? What is this, a dating app?" he muttered, but his mind raced. He had 10,000 yuan and a credit line—maybe 40,000 if he maxed it. If this was real, 50,000 could become 100,000. If it was a delusion, he'd be eating regret for dinner.
The clock showed 9:45 PM. Liang Wei grabbed his worn jacket and sprinted to Moonlit Brew Café, a trendy spot he'd once frequented when money flowed like water. Lin Xia was behind the counter, her ponytail bobbing as she cleaned the espresso machine. She was a college student, quiet but kind, who'd once snuck him a free dumpling when his wallet was light. If anyone didn't hate him, it was her.
"Hey, Lin Xia," he said, catching his breath. "Busy night?"
She looked up, her smile soft but guarded. "Liang Wei? Thought you'd vanished into some billionaire bunker." Her tease carried no venom, just warmth.
He forced a grin, nerves jangling. "Nah, just keeping it low-key. Look, I'm feeling generous. How about I treat everyone here? Drinks, desserts, the works. On me."
Her eyes widened. "The whole café? That's, like, thirty people. You sure you're not drunk?"
"Dead sober." He prayed this wasn't a mistake. The system chimed: Lin Xia's Favorability: 70. Task conditions met.
Lin Xia rang up the order: 3,000 yuan for drinks and pastries. Liang Wei's stomach lurched, but he went bigger. "Add gift cards for everyone—1,500 yuan each. For future visits." The total soared to 51,500 yuan. He drained his 10,000, maxed his credit line, and held his breath as he confirmed the payment. The café erupted—students cheered, a businessman toasted him, and even a grumpy auntie grinned over her latte. Lin Xia stared, awestruck. "Liang Wei, that's crazy. What's gotten into you?"
"Just spreading some light," he said, pulse hammering.
The system's voice returned: Task complete! 51,500 yuan spent. Reward: 103,000 yuan. Check your account.
He fumbled for his phone, opening his banking app. His balance, once 10,000, now read 103,000, credited from "D.D. System." His knees wobbled. "No way…"
"You okay?" Lin Xia leaned closer, concern in her eyes. "You look like you saw a ghost."
"Yeah, uh, strong coffee." He forced a laugh, mind spinning. This was real. He'd turned scraps and debt into six figures. But 50,000 was pocket change compared to his old life—billions, not thousands, defined Liang Enterprises.
As he stepped into the neon-lit street, the system spoke again. "Nice start, host! Next 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."
Liang Wei froze, the city's pulse thrumming around him. "Five hundred thousand? That's a damn car!" But the math was intoxicating: 1.5 million yuan. Enough to clear debts, rent a real place, maybe start a business. Yet "sincerity" echoed in his head. Cai Lin's betrayal had taught him trust was a luxury he couldn't afford. Could he risk it again?
He glanced back at the café, where Lin Xia was laughing with a customer, her warmth cutting through the city's cold glow. For the first time since his world imploded, Liang Wei felt a flicker of hope—not just for money, but for something more.