The north gate of Tianhua University was quieter at 6 PM, most students having left for dinner. Lin Chen arrived ten minutes early, his enhanced tactical analysis already mapping escape routes and potential advantages. In his previous life, desperation had made him reckless. This time, he came prepared.
[TACTICAL ANALYSIS ACTIVATED]
[Environment: Moderate foot traffic, good visibility, campus security patrol in 12 minutes]
[Recommendation: Maintain defensive position near main pathway]
A black sedan pulled up, and Lin Chen's heart rate spiked with recognition. The same car, the same license plate. Three men stepped out - the leader was Wei Gang, a local loan shark who preyed on desperate students. In his past life, Lin Chen had borrowed money from him, leading to months of harassment and threats that had destroyed his relationship with Liu Mei.
"Lin Chen, right?" Wei Gang smiled, but his eyes remained cold. "Heard you've got money troubles. Family medical bills, tuition costs... We can help."
"I'm listening," Lin Chen replied, his voice steady despite his racing pulse.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: Analyzing subjects]
[Wei Gang - Threat Level: C-Rank Criminal]
[Subordinate 1 - Threat Level: D-Rank Muscle]
[Subordinate 2 - Threat Level: D-Rank Muscle]
[TACTICAL SUGGESTION: Intellectual dominance, avoid physical confrontation]
"Simple deal," Wei Gang continued. "We loan you 50,000 yuan today, you pay back 80,000 over six months. Very reasonable rates."
Lin Chen's enhanced intelligence immediately calculated the true interest rate - nearly 240% annually. Highway robbery disguised as help.
"That's generous," Lin Chen said, pulling out his phone. "But I have a counter-proposal."
Wei Gang's expression shifted slightly. This wasn't the desperate, grateful response he expected.
"See, I've been researching your operation," Lin Chen continued, his enhanced charisma making every word more compelling. "Unlicensed lending, targeting vulnerable students, connections to the Crimson Dragon triad through your cousin Wei Long. Very interesting business model."
The color drained from Wei Gang's face. "You little punk, what are you trying to-"
"Trying to help you," Lin Chen interrupted smoothly. "Because in about fifteen minutes, campus security will receive an anonymous tip about suspicious activity at the north gate. And in thirty minutes, they'll receive detailed financial records of your lending operation that I compiled this afternoon."
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: Intimidation successful]
[Wei Gang's confidence: Severely shaken]
[Your reputation with criminal elements: +Fear, +Respect]
"Unless," Lin Chen continued, "we come to a different arrangement. You see, I don't need your money anymore. But I do need information about your other clients. Specifically, which students are in deep enough that they might be willing to work for alternative income sources."
Wei Gang's confusion was evident. "What kind of income sources?"
"The kind that makes everyone richer without breaking kneecaps," Lin Chen replied. "I'm building something new, and I need desperate people who are smart enough to recognize opportunity."
[NEW SKILL DISCOVERED: Criminal Network Infiltration]
[HIDDEN QUEST ACTIVATED: Convert criminal assets into legitimate business network]
[WARNING: This path carries significant risks]
Twenty minutes later, Lin Chen walked away with contact information for twelve financially desperate students and a grudging agreement from Wei Gang to redirect his more intelligent clients toward "consultation opportunities." No money had changed hands, but power dynamics had shifted dramatically.
[MISSION COMPLETED: Prevent past mistakes while gaining advantage]
[REWARD: Advanced Enhancement Skill Level 3]
[BONUS REWARD: Information Network Access]
[EXPERIENCE GAINED: 500 points]
His phone buzzed with a text from Liu Mei: "Finished the initial business proposal! Can't wait to show you tomorrow. Thanks for believing in me."
Another message from Zhou Ming: "Dude, I just predicted three stock movements perfectly. Made 2,000 yuan in paper trading. This is insane."
[POWER NETWORK STATUS UPDATE]
[Zhou Ming: Rapid skill development, gaining external recognition]
[Liu Mei: Confidence breakthrough, business acumen emerging]
[Network Synergy: Exponential growth detected]
But as Lin Chen walked back toward campus, he noticed something that made his blood run cold. A figure in an expensive suit was watching him from across the street - someone who definitely hadn't been there in his previous timeline.
[SYSTEM ALERT: Unknown Observer Detected]
[WARNING: Subject possesses unnatural presence]
[POSSIBLE THREAT: Another system user]
The figure made no move to approach, but Lin Chen felt the weight of that gaze like a physical pressure. When he blinked, the person was gone.
[EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION: Your rapid progress has triggered attention from higher-level players]
[RECOMMENDATION: Accelerate power network development]
[NEW OBJECTIVE: Identify and assess other system users in area]
Back in his dorm room, Lin Chen found Zhou Ming frantically working on multiple laptops, surrounded by financial charts and economic models.
"Chen! Perfect timing," Zhou Ming looked up with bloodshot but excited eyes. "I've been analyzing the university's financial structure, and I found something massive. The cafeteria contracts, the bookstore monopoly, even the housing assignments - everything's designed to extract maximum money from students while providing minimum value."
"And?"
"And I think we can disrupt the entire system. Not just with Liu Mei's food delivery idea, but with a comprehensive platform that gives students real choice and fair pricing. We could revolutionize campus life while making serious money."
[ZHOU MING'S TALENT EVOLUTION DETECTED]
[Current Level: Strategic Analysis - S-Rank]
[Projection: With continued support, potential for SSS-Rank achievement]
[YOUR ENHANCEMENT BENEFIT: Problem-solving ability increased 500%]
Lin Chen's enhanced mind immediately saw the brilliant scope of Zhou Ming's vision. Not just a business, but a complete economic ecosystem that could eventually expand beyond campus.
"Zhou, what if I told you we could get funding and resources without going through traditional channels?"
"You mean like angel investors?"
"No, I mean like students who are desperate enough to work for equity instead of cash, and smart enough to see long-term potential."
Zhou Ming's eyes widened as he understood. "The people Wei Gang was targeting. We turn their desperation into opportunity."
"Exactly. We build a network of the most motivated people on campus, give them real skills and real ownership, and create something that benefits everyone instead of exploiting them."
[ADVANCED STRATEGY DETECTED]
[SYSTEM EVOLUTION: Basic Enhancement → Organizational Leadership]
[NEW ABILITIES UNLOCKED: Group Coordination, Mass Talent Development]
A knock on the door interrupted their planning. Liu Mei entered carrying a thick folder and a laptop bag, her face glowing with excitement.
"I couldn't sleep, so I kept working," she announced. "Chen, I don't know what you did to me today, but it's like someone turned on lights in my brain. Look at this."
She spread out detailed business plans, market analysis, and financial projections that would have impressed professional consultants. Her food delivery concept had evolved into a comprehensive campus lifestyle platform.
"Liu Mei, this is incredible," Lin Chen said, and meant it. "But what if we thought even bigger?"
"Bigger how?"
"What if instead of just competing with existing campus services, we created an entirely new economic model? Student-owned, student-operated, with profits shared among everyone who contributes?"
Liu Mei's eyes lit up with understanding. "A cooperative structure, but with modern tech integration and scalable systems. We could start here and franchise the model to other universities."
[LIU MEI'S TALENT EVOLUTION DETECTED]
[Current Level: Business Innovation - SSS-Rank]
[ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: Perfect Strategic Trinity]
[POWER NETWORK SYNERGY: All abilities enhanced by 50%]
As the three friends worked late into the night, refining their vision and creating concrete plans, Lin Chen felt a satisfaction he'd never experienced in his previous life. Not just personal success, but the joy of helping others discover their own potential.
But in the back of his mind, he couldn't forget that mysterious observer. Other system users were out there, and his rapid rise wouldn't go unnoticed forever.
[SYSTEM WARNING: Major event approaching in 72 hours]
[THREAT LEVEL: Unknown]
[RECOMMENDATION: Prepare for accelerated timeline]
His phone buzzed with a new message from an unknown number: "Impressive work with Wei Gang. We should meet. Tomorrow, 3 PM, old library reading room. Come alone. - Someone who understands your situation"
Lin Chen stared at the message, his enhanced tactical analysis working overtime. Another system user, definitely. But ally or enemy?
[CRITICAL DECISION POINT APPROACHING]
[WARNING: Next choices will determine trajectory of entire timeline]
As Zhou Ming and Liu Mei continued planning their revolutionary campus platform, Lin Chen began preparing for a confrontation that could change everything. The game was evolving, and the stakes were about to get much higher.
Outside their window, the city lights twinkled like stars, hiding secrets and dangers that would soon come to light.