Sector 4, Xian Road. Old Building 5.
Lin Kai's apartment sat in the kind of district that never slept—half-residential, half-commercial. Neon lights flickered outside convenience stores, cheap food stalls cluttered the sidewalks, and the constant murmur of voices blended with the growl of passing scooters. The rent was dirt-cheap, but that wasn't generosity—it was punishment.
The walls were paper-thin, the pipes rattled at random hours, and the neighbors… well.
If the traffic noise didn't keep you awake, the "soundtrack" next door surely would.
Every night, like clockwork, moans and bedframe creaks would slip through the walls, loud and relentless. Free adult entertainment, whether he wanted it or not. Sometimes, Lin Kai genuinely considered knocking on their door to tell them to tone it down.
But that was before he saw her.
One accidental encounter in the hallway had explained everything. She was the kind of woman who could make a monk drop his vows after a single glance—glamorous, effortlessly seductive, her confidence radiating in every casual step. Her perfume lingered long after she passed, sweet and sharp.
Since then, Lin Kai hadn't complained once.
Tonight, as he walked back to the old building, tired from work but buzzing with thoughts of the system, fate played its little joke. A familiar silhouette stood outside the doorway of the building, leaning lazily against the wall with a cigarette between her fingers.
Her.
Smoke curled upward around her face, the dim streetlight painting her features in a sultry glow. For one irrational second, Lin Kai's heart thudded. His brain practically shouted, It's destiny!
But then reality walked in—literally.
A broad-shouldered man with a bodybuilder's frame strolled over and wrapped his arms around her from behind. She leaned into him without hesitation, her lips curling into a smile that Lin Kai could hear in his mind even if he couldn't see it.
Lin Kai froze mid-step. "...Figures."
The pair vanished into her apartment, the door shutting behind them with a dull click.
Lin Kai trudged toward his own unit, jaw set. As he changed into fresh clothes, his mind replayed the scene like a cruel highlight reel.
One day, he swore, he'd stand in that man's place. He'd have women draped around him, women who clung without hesitation, who made other men grind their teeth in envy.
But then came the nagging doubt. Could I even attract a woman like her?
It wasn't like he was clueless. Women like her didn't come cheap. They weren't swayed by casual smiles or earnest hearts. They were swayed by luxury, by power, by the glitter of money and the status that came with it.
He sat on the edge of his bed, the sleek black system card heavy in his hand. The faint gold trim gleamed under his apartment's flickering ceiling light.
Lin Kai narrowed his eyes.
He didn't want to believe that all women could be bought. Surely, some had depth, layers, defenses that money alone couldn't crack. That was what he told himself, anyway. A convenient lie to protect his ego.
But even if that was true… for the moment, it didn't matter.
Because compared to that broad-shouldered boyfriend next door, Lin Kai was already leagues ahead. He wasn't just carrying a wallet. He was carrying a bottomless vault—999 trillion credits, renewed every single year.
He smirked. "Buddy, you're not even in my league."
Still, he shook his head and muttered, "Let's just focus on the blind date."
After all, the couple next door were probably already halfway through round one by now. No point stewing over it.
Later that evening.
Lin Kai arrived at the meeting spot with time to spare. He'd scouted the restaurant earlier—not to check the food or atmosphere, but for one thing only: to make sure it screamed wealth.
And it did.
Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead, polished marble floors gleamed under soft lighting, and the faint scent of expensive wine hung in the air. Every chair, every table, every little detail was designed to remind diners that eating here was a privilege reserved for the elite.
The menu prices alone could make an ordinary office worker break into a cold sweat.
Lin Kai adjusted his shirt collar, his lips twitching into a half-smile.
This wasn't about impressing her with his money. The money wasn't his to begin with—it was the system's.
In fact, the more she spent, the better.
The logic was simple:
The system reimbursed him once he hit 90% favorability.
If she was the type who thrived on lavish meals and glittering gifts, he could fast-track her affection bar straight to the top.
The more outrageous the spending, the bigger his eventual payout.
He didn't need to pinch pennies. He didn't even need to care about the bill.
Every swipe of the card, every signature on a check, every diamond necklace—it was all just another step toward his reward.
So why not? Why shouldn't he let her indulge?
Lin Kai leaned back in the plush seat he'd reserved, fingers idly brushing against the sleek black card in his pocket.
For once, money wasn't the obstacle.
It was the weapon.
Evening came faster than Lin Kai expected.
He stood at the meeting spot, his shirt neatly pressed, hair combed, and shoes polished. It wasn't anything fancy, but he had put in effort—more than he had in years. His reflection in the glass window beside him looked… decent. At least he wouldn't embarrass himself.
Earlier that day, he'd wandered the market district for hours, trying to decide on a restaurant. He didn't want just any place. It needed to feel right—not overly crowded, not too loud, somewhere with a touch of atmosphere.
Eventually, he'd found it. A cozy restaurant with warm lighting and an inviting air, tucked between busier streets. The kind of place where couples spoke in hushed tones, where the food was talked about more for its flavor than its price. He had even stepped in for lunch, ordering a single dish to test the waters. The seasoning had been perfect, the broth rich, and each bite crafted with care.
That was enough to convince him. This was the place.
Now, with the sun dipping low and streetlights flickering on, Lin Kai finished the last sip of water from a plastic bottle and glanced toward the crossing. Just in time, he saw her.
A young woman, early twenties, walked briskly toward him.
She was striking—not in the dramatic way of models plastered across billboards, but in a more natural, effortless sense. Her outfit was playful yet tasteful: a black off-shoulder crop top with ribbon-tied sleeves, paired with dark fitted jeans that complemented her figure without exaggeration. Her chestnut-brown hair curled softly at the ends, catching the evening glow.
And then there were her eyes—light gray with a faint lilac hue, sharp and cool at first glance, yet not unkind.
Lin Kai blinked, momentarily forgetting himself.
She noticed him right away, her gaze locking onto his. With confident steps, she closed the distance.
"Hello! Are you Lin Kai?" Her tone carried polite warmth but also a hint of reserve, as though she was already gauging him.
"Yes, that's me. Li Xianyu, right?"
He'd read the name in the text her mother had sent earlier. Third-year college student, a few years younger than him.
"Nice to meet you," she said, extending her hand.
Lin Kai took it. Her skin was soft, though there was the faintest roughness at the fingertips—evidence of some hobby or activity that wasn't purely academic. Curious, he thought, but didn't comment.
"Nice to meet you too."
For a moment, there was a small pause. Neither awkward nor overly comfortable—simply the silence of two strangers assessing each other.
Then she smiled faintly. "Well then… let's see what this evening has in store."
Her tone was playful, almost teasing, as if to say, "I didn't come here expecting much, but let's make the best of it."
Lin Kai chuckled. "I'll do my best."
The restaurant wasn't far, just a five-minute walk. The golden glow spilling from its windows drew them in, a gentle contrast to the noisy street outside.
As they stepped inside, the receptionist greeted them with a warm smile. "Welcome! Table for two?"
"Yes, please," Lin Kai replied.
They were led to a corner table by the window, where the lighting was softer and the clatter of dishes less intrusive. The atmosphere was cozy—murmurs of quiet conversations, the scent of simmering broth, and the faint strum of music playing from a hidden speaker.
Li Xianyu glanced around as she took her seat. "This place feels nice. Have you been here before?"
"Once, for lunch," Lin Kai admitted. "I liked the food, so I thought it'd be good for dinner too."
She tilted her head slightly, considering him. Then she nodded, the faintest smile playing at her lips. "Good choice. I've actually passed by a few times but never came in."
Lin Kai relaxed a little. At least his gamble on the restaurant had landed well.
They picked up the menus, flipping through the pages. The dishes weren't too complicated—simple names, straightforward descriptions, and a mix of comfort food and local specialties.
"Do you already know what you want?" Lin Kai asked.
"Hm… maybe the duck noodles," she said after a moment, her finger tracing down the menu. "I've heard people say it's good."
"Then I'll try the same," Lin Kai replied. "That way we can compare notes."
Her eyes flicked to him briefly, amused. "Smart move."
The waiter came by, jotting down their order. After handing back the menus, Lin Kai leaned back slightly in his chair. For a second, he wasn't sure what to say.
Li Xianyu, however, seemed content to let the silence linger, sipping at the glass of water in front of her. She wasn't the kind of girl to fill gaps with chatter for the sake of it.
The conversation began to flow more naturally after that.
By the time their dishes arrived, the initial awkwardness had faded into a comfortable rhythm, like two people slowly tuning to the same frequency.
The night was still young, and though neither of them knew where it would lead, one thing was certain—this blind date wasn't turning out as forced or tedious as they had both secretly feared.