L
The dorm room was dark, lit only by the pale glow of Lin Feng's phone screen. The bed creaked as he shifted, his stomach growling again. Instant noodles and stale bread—that was all he'd eaten for the past two days.
On the phone screen, a new message appeared:
> [Xue'er: Feng, have you eaten?]
Lin Feng's heart softened. He quickly typed back.
> [Lin Feng: Not yet, busy studying. You?]
[Xue'er: Don't lie. I know you skipped dinner again. I'll bring you something tomorrow.]
Zhao Xue—his girlfriend for the past six months. She was gentle, caring, and beautiful. She had chosen him despite his poor background, despite his worn-out shoes and empty wallet.
He wanted to give her the world. But reality chained him.
Just that afternoon, the university finance office had given him a final notice: pay his tuition fees tomorrow or be expelled. His part-time job barely covered rent. His parents, farmers from a remote village, had already sold their last cow to help him last semester.
He clenched his fists. If I lose even my chance at studying… how can I face Xue'er?
As if fate wanted to mock him, another notification appeared in the class group chat.
> [Chen Hao: Everyone, join me in celebrating! Zhao Xue is officially my girlfriend!]
Lin Feng's breath caught. His fingers trembled as he reread the message.
Photos followed. Zhao Xue, smiling shyly, standing beside Chen Hao—the arrogant rich heir of a real estate company. Chen Hao's arm was draped around her shoulders like he was showing off a prize.
Lin Feng's vision blurred. His heart felt like it was being ripped apart. He desperately called Zhao Xue, and after several rings, she picked up.
"Xue'er… what is this? Tell me it's fake."
There was silence, then her soft voice came through. "Feng… I'm sorry."
"No… no, we love each other. You told me—"
"I do love you," Zhao Xue whispered, her voice breaking. "But love can't fill an empty stomach. You can't even pay tuition, Feng. How can we talk about the future? Chen Hao… he can give me stability. I don't want to, but… I have to."
The call ended.
Lin Feng sat frozen, his phone slipping from his hands. The room was silent, but inside him, something had shattered.
At that very moment, a cold, majestic voice echoed in his mind, like a decree from the heavens:
> [Ding! Host detected. Supreme Life System binding…]
[Binding complete. Welcome, Lin Feng.]
Lin Feng's head snapped up. His tear-streaked face twisted in confusion.
"Who's there!?"
> [First Mission: Solve the following equation.]
[Reward: 100 yuan deposited into host's bank account.]
[Equation: ∫(2x² + 3x + 1) dx]
A glowing equation appeared before his eyes, as if carved into the air itself. His pen moved almost instinctively, his mind clearer than ever.
"Answer: (2/3)x³ + (3/2)x² + x + C."
> [Correct Answer! Mission complete.]
[100 yuan has been transferred to host's account.]
Lin Feng's phone buzzed. Hands shaking, he checked his banking app.
[+100 yuan]
The number was real.
He laughed bitterly, his voice hoarse. "Xue'er… you left because I was poor. But from now on, I'll never be poor again."
His eyes turned sharp, burning with a new resolve.
"Zhao Xue, Chen Hao… one day, you'll both regret this."
The voice of the Supreme Life System returned, calm yet carrying a boundless majesty:
> [Congratulations, host. The path to supreme life has opened before you.]
[Do you wish to continue?]
Lin Feng's fists clenched. Heartbroken, humiliated, yet more determined than ever, he spat out one word:
"Continue."
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