The diner's dim lights flickered as Lian Wei gripped his coffee mug, the *Fortune's Gambit* system's interface glowing in his vision like a digital lifeline. His phone confirmed the impossible: his bank balance had jumped from a pitiful 300 yuan to 5,000 yuan after his first system quest. The *Heart's Wager* quest now pulsed in his HUD: **Spend 10,000 yuan on someone with Favorability 60+ to unlock a mystery reward. Reward: 300% cashback + 50 Fortune Points.**
Ten thousand yuan. Twice his current funds. Wei's pulse quickened. The system had proven itself with the 200% cashback from tipping Xiao Lan, the waitress, but this was a different league. He needed to spend big, and fast, to keep the momentum going. Xiao Lan, wiping down a table across the diner, was his best bet—her Favorability gauge glowed at 60, a green beacon in his otherwise bleak night.
*Ping.* The system chimed, sensing his indecision. A new tooltip appeared: **Fortune Points (10/100) can be spent to unlock insights or enhance opportunities. Current Option: [Favorability Scan – 5 Points] Reveal one hidden interest of a target to boost Favorability.**
Wei smirked. "Five points to stack the deck? Deal." He mentally selected the option, and the system deducted the points. Text scrolled across his vision: **Xiao Lan is passionate about street art and dreams of showcasing her own murals. Discussing art or supporting her creativity may increase Favorability.**
"Street art," Wei muttered, glancing at Xiao Lan. Her jet-black hair was tied in a messy bun, and her quick smile as she served a customer made her seem like the only bright spot in Xinshou City's rain-soaked gloom. The Night Market district, famous for its vibrant murals and bustling stalls, was the perfect place to make his move. If he could get her there, he might push her Favorability higher and afford the 10,000-yuan spend.
The diner's door jingled, and a group of loud college students spilled in, their designer jackets dripping with rain. Xiao Lan's posture stiffened, her smile turning polite but strained. Wei's system pinged: **Favorability (Unknown Male, Leader): 15 – Low due to entitled behavior.** The guy in front, with slick hair and a gold-chain necklace, leaned too close to Xiao Lan as he ordered, his smirk oozing confidence.
Wei's jaw tightened. He wasn't a knight in shining armor, but the guy's vibe screamed trouble. Plus, he needed Xiao Lan's attention to complete his quest. "Hey, Xiao Lan," he called, loud enough to cut through the noise. "Got a sec? I'm curious about the Night Market murals."
She glanced over, relief flashing in her eyes. "Hold that thought," she said, dodging the slick-haired guy's attempt at a pickup line as she took their orders.
Wei opened the system's **Fortune Store** tab, curious about his options. The list was tantalizing:
- **Charm Surge: +20 Charm for 2 hours – 50 Fortune Points**
- **Opportunity Catalyst: Attract a high-Favorability encounter – 100 Fortune Points**
- **Wealth Seed: Receive 50,000 yuan (no cashback) – 150 Fortune Points**
"Way out of my league," Wei grumbled. With only 5 Fortune Points left, he'd have to rely on his natural charm—rusty as it was. He checked his stats: **Charm: 65/100, Influence: 0/100, Wealth: 5,000 yuan.** Not exactly empire-building material, but it was a start.
Xiao Lan returned, leaning on the counter. "Night Market, huh? You don't seem like the artsy type."
"I'm full of surprises," Wei said, flashing a grin. "Heard the murals there are insane—like that dragon made of circuit boards. You into that stuff?"
Her eyes lit up, and her Favorability ticked to 62. "You know about the Circuit Dragon? It's my favorite. I go there to sketch sometimes, when I'm not stuck here."
"Sketch, huh? You're an artist?" Wei leaned closer, genuinely curious. "Bet you'd kill it painting your own mural."
Her cheeks flushed, and her Favorability hit 65. "Maybe one day. So, what's your deal? Why the sudden interest in the Night Market?"
Wei saw his opening. The system pinged: **Quest Update: Xiao Lan is intrigued. Spend 10,000 yuan on an activity to complete Heart's Wager. Suggested Action: Invite her to an exclusive Night Market experience, covering premium street food and private transport.**
Ten thousand yuan was a fortune for a guy who'd been eating instant noodles for weeks, but the promise of 300% cashback—30,000 yuan—made his head spin. He took a deep breath. "How about this: when your shift ends, we hit the Night Market. I'll cover a VIP street food tour—fancy skewers, craft drinks, the works. Plus, a private cab to get us there in style."
Xiao Lan's jaw dropped. "A VIP tour? Those cost a fortune. You sure you're not some crypto scammer?"
Wei laughed, though his heart pounded at the gamble. "No scams, promise. Just a guy trying to turn his night around. You in? Shift ends at midnight, right?"
She studied him, her skepticism softening into a smile. "You're nuts, but… yeah, I'm in. Midnight. Don't flake, or I'll track you down."
"Deal," Wei said, his confidence surging as her Favorability hit 68. The system updated: **Quest Progress: 60%. Secure the 10,000-yuan spend to complete Heart's Wager.**
Wei's mind raced. A VIP Night Market tour was pricey, but he could swing it with his 5,000 yuan and a quick side hustle—or a leap of faith. He pulled up his phone, searching for a high-end tour operator. The cheapest package was 8,000 yuan, plus 2,000 for a private cab. If he pulled this off, he'd be broke until the cashback hit, but 30,000 yuan would be a game-changer.
The diner door jingled again, and a man in a sleek black coat stepped in, his polished shoes clicking on the linoleum. The air seemed to shift, the chatter dying down. Wei's system pinged: **Favorability: 5 – Hostile. Warning: High Influence (80/100) Detected. Identity: Unknown.**
The man's sharp eyes scanned the room, landing on Wei with a predatory glint. He carried himself like he owned the city, his coat emblazoned with a subtle logo Wei recognized—*Eclipse Corp*, the tech conglomerate that had swooped in to buy Lian Tech's assets after the scandal. Wei's stomach churned. This wasn't a coincidence.
"Xiao Lan," the man said, his voice smooth but cold. "A word, please."
Her Favorability gauge flickered, dropping to 65 as tension creased her brow. Wei's system flashed: **Warning: External interference may disrupt quest progress. Act decisively.**
Wei stood, his pulse hammering. He had 5,000 yuan, a half-baked plan, and a mysterious system pushing him to bet it all. But as the man in the coat smirked, Wei realized this game was about more than money—it was about survival.