Alex lay sprawled on the bed, staring blankly at the glowing numbers on his phone screen. ₵10,099,000. It should have been comforting. It should have felt like security, freedom. Instead, all it did was remind him of the impossible mission looming over his head.
He closed his eyes, exhaling slowly. Maybe I can just ignore it. Pretend the system doesn't exist for a while.
Just then, his phone buzzed. Not the golden glow this time—his normal ringtone.
"Mom…" Alex muttered, glancing at the caller ID. He hesitated, then swiped to answer.
"Hello?"
"Alex!" His mother's cheerful voice burst through the speaker. "How are you, my son? Eating properly? Studying well?"
Alex smiled faintly despite his mood. "Yeah, Mom. I'm doing fine."
"That's good, that's good," she said warmly. Then her tone shifted, softer but more serious. "Listen, there's something important I wanted to talk to you about."
Alex sat up. "What is it?"
"Well," she began, "you know my best friend from back home, right? Her daughter is about your age now. Such a sweet girl, well-mannered, from a good family. I was thinking… if you both meet and like each other, maybe—"
Alex's eyes widened. "Wait, Mom. You mean… marriage?"
"Of course," she said brightly. "If you two like each other, then why not? I only want the best for you."
Before Alex could respond, another voice cut in—his father.
"Alex, your mother isn't the only one making arrangements," his father said firmly. "I also have someone in mind. The daughter of my closest friend. A smart, capable girl. If you get along, she could be a wonderful wife."
Alex felt his stomach twist into knots. "Dad, seriously? Both of you… already picked girls for me?"
"We didn't decide for you," his mom insisted. "We just… found good candidates. The rest is up to you."
"Yes," his father agreed. "If you like them, then it's settled. If not, no problem. But at least meet them, son."
Alex rubbed his forehead, feeling the beginnings of a headache. "I… I don't know what to say right now. Can we… talk later?"
There was a pause on the line. Then his mom sighed. "Alright, but promise me you'll think about it."
"I will," Alex muttered.
"Good boy." His father's voice softened. "Don't stress too much, son. We just want to see you happy."
"Yeah… I know," Alex said quietly. "I'll… I'll call you later."
He hung up before either of them could add more.
For a long moment, he just sat on the edge of the bed, gripping his phone tightly. His mind buzzed with chaos. Two girls? Both chosen by my parents? One from Mom's best friend, the other from Dad's?
He buried his face in his hands. "This is insane. First the system… now this. How am I supposed to deal with all of it?"
[Ding!]
His stomach sank. He didn't even want to look, but the golden glow forced his eyes to the screen.
[New Suggestion: Why not use your wealth to make both girls your mistresses?]
Alex nearly dropped the phone. "WHAT?!"
The words pulsed mockingly on the screen.
[Money solves everything. Affection can be bought. Love can be nurtured. Why settle for one, when you can have them all?]
Alex's face turned pale. "You've got to be kidding me. Mistresses?! They're—my parents' friends' daughters! That's not just insane, that's suicide!"
But the screen didn't fade. The suggestion lingered, golden and tempting, like poison wrapped in silk.
Alex slammed the phone face down on the bed, his heart pounding. "This system… is going to ruin my life."