Chapter 2: The Magnate System That Grants a Hundred a Day

Chen Shuya instinctively glanced at Lin Bai, tightened her grip on her bag, and said nothing.

Sometimes, not refusing is the same as acquiescing.

At that moment, Lin Bai felt as if his heart had skipped a beat, a tight and uncomfortable sensation washing over him. His hand holding the chopsticks trembled uncontrollably.

Just then, a mechanical voice sounded in Lin Bai’s mind.

“Ding! Conditions met. Congratulations, host Lin Bai, for successfully activating the Urban Tycoon System.”

“Tycoon System loading…”

The abrupt voice left Lin Bai’s mind blank for a moment, followed by overwhelming joy!

Lin Bai didn’t have many hobbies—reading novels was one—and he certainly knew what a system was, and more specifically, what a Tycoon System meant!

It meant money!

There was no need to explain the importance of money. As evidenced by the present situation, Li Yu had effortlessly stolen away the love Lin Bai had painstakingly cultivated, simply with the gift of a handbag.

Seeing Lin Bai hang his head in silence, Chen Shuya shot Li Yu an annoyed glare, and under the table, her hand pinched his arm lightly.

Li Yu only smiled, saying nothing.

Qin Ruowei observed the entire scene, then put down her chopsticks and dabbed at her lips with a napkin.

“I’m done. I have things to do. You all go ahead and enjoy your meal.”

With that, Qin Ruowei stood, picked up her tray, and strode away, her long, captivating legs drawing eyes until she vanished from sight.

Li Yu’s gaze lingered on Qin Ruowei for a long time.

In terms of looks alone, Qin Ruowei far surpassed Chen Shuya. After all, Qin Ruowei was the acknowledged belle of the college, and her long legs were the envy of many.

But…

Li Yu was well aware of his own worth, and knew exactly who he should and shouldn’t pursue.

“I’m full too, Li Yu. Let’s go,” Chen Shuya said to Li Yu, her tone gentle.

To outsiders, she and Li Yu looked like a perfect couple.

“What about your friend…” Li Yu’s gaze flicked toward Lin Bai, who still sat in silence with his head down.

Chen Shuya cast Lin Bai a complicated look. “Let’s go.”

With that, the two of them picked up their trays and left, leaving Lin Bai sitting alone.

At that moment, Lin Bai had no attention to spare for anything else—he was engrossed in studying the Tycoon System that had just appeared.

“Ding! Tycoon System fully loaded.”

“Host: Lin Bai”

“Strength: 3”

“Speed: 2”

“Endurance: 3”

“Overall rating: Extremely poor”

“System level: Level 1, 0/100”

“Host’s current daily cash subsidy available: ¥100”

“Note: All system funds are legal and compliant. The host may use them with confidence.”

Staring at the system’s prompts, Lin Bai’s eyes widened.

One hundred?

What kind of Tycoon System is this? Just a hundred a day? That’s pitiful!

The Tycoon Systems he’d read about in novels always handed out millions, even billions. How did it end up at a mere hundred for him?

Where’s the justice in that?!

It was like cold water poured over Lin Bai’s head.

“Ding! Host can raise the system’s level by completing tasks. The higher the level, the larger the cash subsidy.”

Fortunately, the system’s timely reminder put Lin Bai at ease.

And, thinking about it, a hundred a day meant three thousand a month—six times his current monthly living allowance of five hundred! What was there to complain about?

He looked up. Chen Shuya was already gone.

Even though he’d stayed silent, he’d seen everything between Chen Shuya and Li Yu.

He had given up a spot at a top university just to attend the same school as Chen Shuya, and yet, right after military training ended, this was the result.

Lin Bai turned his head; Chen Shuya and Li Yu had already reached the cafeteria’s ground floor entrance, chatting and laughing together.

He drew his gaze back and ate his rice with determination.

“Ding! Host’s resentment value detected—main quest triggered!”

“Main quest: Make Chen Shuya regret her decision and beg for reconciliation.”

“Quest points: 100”

“Ding! Host’s malnutrition detected—side quest triggered!”

“Side quest: As a tycoon, one must of course have a healthy body.”

“Side quest details: Run 1,500 meters daily; perform 4 sets of 30 push-ups and 4 sets of 70 sit-ups daily for one week.”

“The host may choose to accept or decline the side quest. Please select: A) Accept and complete for the reward of the latest Huawei foldable phone, MateXT; B) Decline and receive the title ‘Little Prince of Laziness.’”

The system’s voice in his mind made Lin Bai forget to chew for a moment. He asked in confusion, “Little Prince of Laziness? A title?”

“Beep! The title ‘Little Prince of Laziness’—if acquired, host’s endurance will be permanently reduced by 5.”

Lin Bai paused. “Endurance? What kind of endurance?”

“Beep! …”

A sudden fit of coughing overtook Lin Bai. Sensing the strange looks around him, he hurriedly grabbed a napkin to wipe his mouth, picked up his tray, and headed for the dish return area.

“I accept!”

“Beep! Host’s acceptance of the side quest detected. Side quest begins. Please complete all check-in items before midnight tonight.”

“Wishing the host a pleasant life!”

After putting down his tray, Lin Bai returned to the Snow Castle Milk Tea Shop, changed back into his work uniform, put on a smile, and skillfully went about his job.

Two hours later, at half past four in the afternoon, Lin Bai finished his part-time shift for the day and received thirty yuan in pay.

“Thank you, Brother Luo.”

After bowing in thanks, Lin Bai neatly folded his work uniform and placed it in his locker.

Brother Luo, the owner of the milk tea shop, lit a cigarette, swept his artistic long hair behind his ear, and smiled as he asked, “It’s the holidays—aren’t you going out to have some fun?”

Without turning around, Lin Bai replied while changing his clothes, “No, I’m not.”

Brother Luo pursed his lips and patted the stain on his floral shirt. “Short on cash? If you are, just ask me for an advance. I trust you.”

Lin Bai finished changing, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and, lips pressed together in a smile, shook his head.

“Thank you, Brother Luo. I’ve got money. I have something to do, so I’ll head out first. See you tomorrow.”

As he watched Lin Bai walk out the shop door, Brother Luo exhaled a long plume of smoke, nodding quietly with admiration in his eyes.

…

Jiangcheng University had four athletic fields: the East Field, West Field, South Field, and Central Field.

The largest was the Central Field, which also had the most people.

Lin Bai chose the most remote and least crowded—the South Field.

Because of the holidays, most students had already left campus, and few remained.

Arriving at the field, Lin Bai set down his backpack, stretched his ankles briefly, and began jogging laps on the rubber track.

Lin Bai’s physical condition was indeed poor; though he stood at one meter eighty, he weighed barely one hundred and twenty pounds.

The track was four hundred meters per lap. After a lap and a half, Lin Bai was already out of breath and drenched in sweat.

He had thought 1,500 meters would be easy, but now it was clear he’d underestimated the challenge. Unable to go further, he plopped down on the grass, gasping for air.

“Beep! Reminder: The 1,500 meters must be completed within fifteen minutes, otherwise it will be considered a failure.”

The system seemed to know exactly what Lin Bai was thinking, and its reminder followed promptly.

“Damn it, why didn’t you say so earlier!”