Jason adjusted his watch—9:15 PM. The acquisition celebration had run longer than expected, but everything had proceeded flawlessly.
"Mr. Carter," Manager Smith approached with a respectful bow, his weathered face creased with satisfaction. "The transition paperwork is complete. I've briefed the kitchen staff on your preferences, and the evening shift knows their new protocols."
Jason nodded, impressed. Smith had managed a seamless handover without missing a beat during service. The man clearly understood the delicate balance between authority and adaptability that made restaurants either thrive or crumble.
"Excellent work. I can see why the previous owner spoke so highly of you." Jason clasped the older man's shoulder. "Continue as you have been. I'm not interested in micromanaging a system that already works."
The relief in Smith' eyes was palpable. Too many new owners came in swinging, changing everything just to leave their mark. Jason's approach—hands-off but attentive—would earn him loyalty fast.
Stepping onto the sidewalk, Jason found Megan, Broke, and the others clustered near the entrance, their breath visible in small puffs against the autumn chill. The campus was only a fifteen-minute walk, and the group naturally fell into step together.
"That was incredible, Jason," Megan said, falling into pace beside him. Her cheeks were flushed from the wine and the crisp air. "I still can't believe you actually bought the whole restaurant just to help me."
"Sometimes the most direct solution is the best one," Jason replied with a casual shrug, though he caught the way her eyes lingered on his profile.
Behind them, Chris, Cole, and Miller trudged along like condemned prisoners. Their earlier bravado had evaporated completely, replaced by the bitter realization of just how outclassed they were. Ten million spent as casually as ordering coffee—it was a level of wealth that made their part-time job savings feel like pocket change.
Cole kicked at a loose stone, his jaw clenched. "Must be nice," he muttered under his breath.
The campus gates came into view sooner than Jason would have liked. The evening had been... pleasant. Megan's company was easy, her laugh genuine. But as they reached the fork where the dormitory paths diverged, reality reasserted itself.
"This is where I turn off," Jason said, gesturing toward the engineering building. "Megan, I'm glad everything worked out tonight."
"Me too." Her smile was warm, almost reluctant. "See you around?"
"Definitely."
As Jason's footsteps faded into the distance, the remaining group continued toward the liberal arts dormitories in uncomfortable silence. Chris kept glancing at Megan, clearly wanting to say something but lacking the courage.
Finally, Megan slowed her pace. "Alright, what's wrong with you three? You look like someone died."
The question hung in the air for a long moment before Cole found his voice. "It's just... hard, you know? Being shown up like that by a guy who's supposed to be our junior."
"Jason didn't show you up," Megan said gently, though her tone carried a hint of warning. "He helped a friend. That's what decent people do."
"But the way you two were talking—" Chris started.
"The way we were talking was friendly conversation," Megan cut him off sharply. "Jason lost someone important to him recently. He's not looking to replace her, and I'm not looking to be anyone's rebound. So whatever scenarios you're cooking up in your heads, stop."
The three men exchanged quick glances, relief flooding their features like sunlight breaking through storm clouds. Miller's shoulders visibly relaxed, and Chris managed his first genuine smile of the evening.
"Sorry," Chris said sheepishly. "We were being idiots."
"Yes, you were." But Megan's expression softened. "Just... try to remember that I can handle my own relationships, okay?"
Back in her dorm room, Megan kicked off her heels and collapsed onto her bed with a satisfied sigh. Her phone buzzed almost immediately with a cascade of messages.
Cole:Sorry about tonight, Megan. I was way out of line. Jason's actually a good guy—I should have been thanking him instead of sulking.
Chris:Sweet dreams, Megan. Thanks for being patient with us.
Miller:I know I don't have any right to ask this, but... when you fed Jason that cake earlier, it really bothered me. Could you maybe not do things like that? I'm sorry for even asking...
Megan rolled her eyes and swiped the notifications away without responding. Instead, she opened her chat with Jason.
Megan:Thanks again for tonight, Jason. You saved me from complete humiliation.
She hesitated for a moment, then switched to her notes app. The screen displayed what looked like an innocuous shopping list, but a closer examination would reveal something far more calculating.
Hidden beneath grocery reminders and class schedules was her carefully maintained ranking system. Every male friend, classmate, and potential romantic interest was listed with meticulous detail: compatibility scores, financial prospects, emotional availability, and overall "investment potential."
Chris, Ryan, and Mike had been hovering around the middle tier—useful for companionship and minor favors, but lacking the resources or ambition for anything serious. After tonight's display of jealousy and entitlement, she demoted all three to the bottom category: "Emotional Support Only."
Jason, however, had just earned himself a dramatic promotion. She moved him from the lower-middle tier straight up to second place, assigning him a score of 85—higher than anyone except Marcus, the heir to a pharmaceutical empire she'd been cultivating since freshman year.
Megan stared at Jason's new ranking, tapping her stylus against her lips thoughtfully. His sudden wealth was impressive, but more importantly, he'd demonstrated the kind of decisive action that separated leaders from followers. That restaurant purchase hadn't just been about money—it was about power, influence, and the confidence to wield both.
The question now was how to position herself in his orbit without seeming too eager. Men like Jason were drawn to challenges, not convenience.
Meanwhile, Jason padded back from the communal showers, a towel draped around his shoulders and steam still rising from his skin. His roommate was already asleep, leaving the room blissfully quiet.
The system interface materialized in his peripheral vision as soon as he settled onto his bed.
[MAIN QUEST 2: COMPLETED][REWARD: 2x PREMIUM LOTTERY DRAWS][STATUS: READY TO CLAIM]
Jason's pulse quickened. The last lottery had given him attribute points that had genuinely improved his physical capabilities. He was curious to see what other surprises the system might offer.
The first draw activated with a satisfying chime. The wheel spun rapidly, cycling through dozens of potential rewards before gradually slowing. When it finally stopped, Jason grinned.
[REWARD: +5 ATTRIBUTE POINTS]
He distributed them immediately: two points into physique, two into charisma, and one into intelligence. The changes were subtle but noticeable—his reflection in the darkened window seemed somehow more defined, more confident.
Current Stats:
Physique: 16 Strength: 13 Agility: 13 Intelligence: 14 Charisma: 15
The second draw yielded something far more intriguing.
[REWARD: ELIXIR OF ENHANCEMENT][DESCRIPTION: Permanently optimizes physical appearance by eliminating imperfections, enhancing natural features, and improving overall attractiveness. Effects are subtle and natural-looking.][NOTE: Can be used personally or given to increase favorability with target individual.]
Jason studied the small, crystal-clear vial that had appeared on his nightstand. The liquid inside seemed to shimmer with its own inner light.
The system's suggestion was obvious—use it as a gift to win someone over. But Jason had learned to think several moves ahead. A temporary boost in one person's affection wasn't worth sacrificing permanent personal improvement.
Without hesitation, he uncorked the vial and drained it in one smooth motion. The liquid tasted like nothing at all, but warmth spread through his body almost immediately.
His phone buzzed. Three new messages.
The first was a reply from Megan: Sleep well. followed by a cute emoji that made him smile.
The second notification made his expression harden. Emma had sent a friend request with a message that made his stomach turn: Jason, please don't ignore me. I know things ended badly, but I need your help. Josh is demanding I pay him back the 5,000 I borrowed, and I don't have it. You know how much our relationship meant to me...
Jason didn't even finish reading. He declined the request and blocked her number. Some bridges were meant to stay burned.
The third message was from Quinn: Don't forget about the auto show tomorrow! I'll send your VIP ticket in the morning. It's going to be amazing!
Jason smiled, setting his phone aside. The auto show would be the perfect opportunity to test his enhanced appearance and see what other doors might open.
As sleep began to claim him, one thought echoed in his mind: in a world where everyone was playing games, the key to winning was simply playing them better than anyone else.
And Jason was becoming very, very good at this particular game.
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