Chapter 1: The Cold Asphalt

The rain in Jiangcheng didn't just fall—it bit.

​At twenty-one years old, Li Zitan was intimately familiar with the cold. He stood on the edge of the pedestrian crossing in the commercial district, his thin, water-logged hoodie doing little to block the piercing autumn wind. Around him, a sea of commuters marched forward under black umbrellas, their faces buried in sleek smartphones, completely oblivious to his presence.

​They moved with purpose. He stood like a ghost caught in the current.

​In his pocket, Zitan’s hand tightened around a crumpled eviction notice and a banking receipt that read: Remaining Balance: ¥6.50.

​‘Is this where it ends?’ he thought, staring at the wet pavement reflecting the neon glare of luxury brand stores along the avenue. ‘No matter how hard I work, no matter how many double shifts I pull at the restaurant… the interest from those young master loans just keeps growing.’

​A sleek, midnight-black Maybach pulled up to the curb beside him. The rear window rolled down just an inch, exposing the crisp scent of leather perfume and warm air. Inside sat a young man roughly Zitan’s age—a golden child of a local conglomerate—wearing a tailored suit and casually adjusting a watch worth more than Zitan’s entire lineage would earn in a lifetime.

​The young master didn't even glance at Zitan. He simply rolled the window back up, shutting out the dreary world outside.

​Zitan closed his eyes, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. I want power. I want the kind of wealth that makes these arrogant bullies bow their heads.

​【SYSTEM INITIALIZATION: 100%】

​A sharp ding echoed directly inside his head, soundless yet deafeningly clear.

​Zitan snapped his eyes open. Floating right in front of his face—invisible to the bustling crowd pushing past him—was a translucent, glowing golden interface.

​[FINANCIAL REBIRTH SYSTEM ACTIVATED]

​User: Li Zitan (Age: 21)

Net Worth: ¥6.50 RMB

Status: Absolute Bottom

​[First Time User Starter Pack Acquired!]

​Passive Skill: Market Eye (LV. 1) — View real-time valuation, hidden profit margins, and trajectory charts of any physical or financial asset.

​Starting Capital: ¥50,000 RMB deposited into primary account.

​Bzzt.

​His phone vibrated in his pocket. With trembling, rain-slicked fingers, Li Zitan pulled out his cracked screen.

​[Industrial and Commercial Bank of China]

Notification: Your account ending in 4091 has received a transfer of +¥50,000.00 RMB. Current Balance: ¥50,006.50 RMB.

​Zitan’s heart hammered against his ribs like a trapped bird. He stared from the glowing text message to the golden status window hovering in mid-air.

​[Main Quest 1: The First Step]

​Objective: Turn your ¥50,000 RMB starting capital into ¥500,000 RMB within 48 hours using [Market Eye].

​Time Remaining: 47:59:59

​Failure Penalty: Permanent System Erasure.

​The crowd continued to surge forward around him, oblivious to the shift in the universe. But Zitan didn't move. He stood straight, turning his back on the bustling street of ordinary lives, his eyes glowing with an unmistakable, sharp flame.

​The penniless boy was dead.

​"Forty-eight hours," Li Zitan whispered into the cold rain, a confident smirk breaking through the chill. "Let's see how much this city costs."

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***