The holographic screen in front of Li Wei shimmered in the night air as he pulled the Phantom into his small apartment's parking lot. The system's voice was clear and mechanical, yet oddly filled with authority.
[Ding!]
"Host, next mission unlocked."
Quest Title:Start a Car Industry.
Objective:Make an Electric Car worth ¥1,000,000.
Reward:Advanced Automobile Manufacturing Blueprint.
Li Wei leaned back in the plush seat, staring at the floating text. An electric car? Worth a million yuan? He wasn't even an engineer, let alone someone with access to a car factory. He could barely afford decent instant noodles last week — and now the system wanted him to manufacture a luxury electric vehicle?
But then again… this was the same system that had just handed him a Rolls Royce Phantom and nearly a million yuan in his bank account overnight. If it said he could do it, there had to be a way.
"System," Li Wei said aloud, "how am I supposed to make a car? Do I even have a factory?"
"Host will receive guidance and necessary resources. The System will unlock blueprints, provide technical knowledge, and assist in locating manufacturing facilities. The Host's role is to make strategic decisions, manage resources, and lead production."
Li Wei exhaled slowly. "So you're telling me I'm… the CEO?"
"Correct. You are the founder and owner of the future number one automobile company in the world."
For the first time in years, Li Wei felt a genuine rush of excitement. The breakup, the job loss, the humiliation — all of it faded into the background. This wasn't just about revenge anymore. This was about building something so big that no one would dare look down on him again.
He stepped out of the Phantom, locked it, and walked up the narrow stairs to his apartment. The building was old, the hallway lights flickering like they might go out any second. Neighbors glanced curiously at the man in the expensive suit who had just driven up in a Rolls Royce. Whispers followed him, but Li Wei didn't care.
Inside, he tossed his jacket on the bed and sat down at the rickety wooden desk by the window. "Alright, System. Where do we start?"
"Step one: Design. Host must create the concept for the electric car. Step two: Secure a workshop or factory for prototype manufacturing. Step three: Acquire materials and workforce. Step four: Assemble and test the prototype."
"And all that has to be worth one million yuan?"
"At least. The higher the value, the greater the recognition and reputation."
Li Wei rubbed his chin. "Alright… show me what you've got."
A new interface appeared in front of him, displaying car designs from sleek futuristic sedans to aggressive-looking sports coupes. Each had stats: battery capacity, range, top speed, luxury features. Some looked like they belonged in sci-fi movies; others were practical, but still elegant.
One in particular caught Li Wei's attention — a streamlined electric sports car with smooth curves, hidden door handles, and a metallic midnight-blue finish. Its specs were impressive: 0 to 100 km/h in under 3 seconds, a range of 650 kilometers, and an AI-assisted driving system.
"That one," Li Wei said. "That's the one."
"Confirmed. Design selected: 'Aurora X'. Estimated production cost for prototype: ¥300,000. Estimated market value: ¥1,500,000."
Li Wei's heart skipped a beat. The numbers were good — but he had to figure out how to actually build it.
"System, where am I supposed to find a factory? I don't own one."
"Factory location detected. A small but unused automobile assembly plant is available for lease on the outskirts of Shanghai. Current owner is willing to rent at ¥50,000 per month."
Li Wei's mind raced. He had the capital. He had the design. Now he just needed a team. But who in their right mind would work for an unknown company run by a guy with no track record?
Then he remembered someone — Chen Bo, his old coworker. Chen wasn't flashy, but he was one of the smartest guys in the company's engineering department, always tinkering with machines in his free time. If anyone could help, it was him.
He picked up his phone and dialed. "Chen, it's Li Wei."
"Li Wei? You okay, man? I heard about what happened today. Mei Lin's a—" Chen caught himself. "Never mind. What's up?"
"I've got a job for you," Li Wei said, his voice steady. "Better than Zhenhua. Better pay, better future."
There was a pause. "Li Wei, are you drunk?"
"No. I'm serious. I'm starting a car company."
Chen actually laughed. "A car company? You can't be serious. Do you know how expensive that is? The equipment alone—"
"I've got the money. And the design. I just need someone I can trust to help me build it."
Chen went quiet for a long moment. "…If you're telling the truth, I'm in. But I want to see it for myself."
"Good. Meet me tomorrow at 10 AM. I'll pick you up."
The next morning, Li Wei rolled up to Chen's apartment building in the Phantom. Chen stepped outside, his jaw dropping.
"You weren't kidding," he muttered. "Where the hell did you get this?"
Li Wei smirked. "I told you. Things have changed."
They drove to the outskirts of Shanghai, where the old assembly plant stood. It was a large building with rust on the metal gates, but the structure itself was solid. Inside, the equipment was dusty but usable.
"This place hasn't seen production in years," Chen said, walking around the floor. "But it's got potential. The machinery will need calibration, and we'll have to order specialized tools for EV production."
"Do it," Li Wei said. "Money isn't a problem."
That earned him a raised eyebrow. "Alright, boss. First, we'll need a team — welders, battery specialists, designers, quality control. I know a few guys we can call."
By noon, Chen had already contacted three former colleagues. By evening, Li Wei had signed the lease for the factory, transferred the first month's rent, and paid for cleaning crews to prepare the space.
The system chimed in again.
[Ding!]
"Progress: 15% toward quest completion. Factory secured, initial workforce hired."
Li Wei spent the next several days learning everything he could about electric vehicles. The system provided tutorials in the form of immersive simulations — he could take apart virtual motors, install battery packs, and even run wind-tunnel tests without touching a real car. Every hour he trained, his understanding deepened.
Soon, parts began arriving: carbon-fiber panels, high-capacity lithium-ion battery cells, state-of-the-art electric motors. The workers, though skeptical at first, began to respect Li Wei's vision when they saw the blueprints for the Aurora X.
By the second week, the factory floor was alive with activity. Welding sparks lit the air, tools whirred, and the scent of fresh paint filled the workshop. The Aurora X was taking shape — its low, aerodynamic body gleaming under the bright assembly lights.
One evening, as Li Wei and Chen stood beside the nearly complete car, Chen crossed his arms. "You know… if we pull this off, we're going to make history."
Li Wei's lips curved into a confident smile. "Not 'if,' Chen. When."
The system chimed again.
[Ding!]
"Prototype completion: 70%. Estimated value: ¥1,200,000."
Li Wei ran his hand along the smooth fender of the Aurora X. It wasn't just a car — it was proof that he was no longer the man Mei Lin and Zhang Hao could laugh at. And soon, the whole world would know his name.