Tuesday, September 15th.
Lin Feng's eyes fluttered open.
He glanced around the room. His roommates were still asleep, their breathing slow and steady.
It felt good not having to wake up at four.
He checked the time. Just a few minutes past six.
He slowly climbed off the bed, careful not to make any noise. There was no real need to disturb them. After all, military training was over, and official lessons wouldn't begin until next Monday. They deserved the rest.
After washing up and getting ready for the day, he summoned his system.
[Infinite Money System]
[Total System Balance: ¥415.00]
[Available System Balance: ¥0.00]
[Personal Balance: ¥5,175.00]
Now that military training was over, he needed to find a way to increase the system balance.
His current theory was that it increased based on the amount of money he earned. But he had yet to put it to the test.
Before that, however, there was somewhere he needed to go.
…
A while later, Lin Feng arrived at the bank.
He walked in slowly, his heart already beginning to race.
As he stood in line, he felt extremely nervous. Doubts crept into his mind, one after another.
He was worried about how the system was interacting with his money. What if something illegal was happening behind the scenes? What if he was unknowingly committing some kind of financial crime?
That's why he had come - to check on the status of his account and see if anything suspicious was going on.
A few minutes later, he found himself standing face to face with a bank teller.
"Good morning," she said with a professional smile. "How can I help you today?"
"I'd like to check on my account," Lin Feng said, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Of course. May I have your account number?"
He recited the number from memory.
The teller typed it into her computer.
Then she paused.
She looked at the screen. Then back at him. Then at the screen again.
"I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"
Lin Feng felt his stomach drop. He repeated the number.
She typed it in again, slower this time.
Her expression shifted. The professional smile faltered, replaced by something that looked almost like nervousness.
"Sir, are you... are you sure this is your account?"
Lin Feng began to sweat.
Is something wrong?
His mind raced. Should he deny it and bail? No - that would be even more suspicious.
He swallowed hard and nodded. "Yes. That's my account."
The teller's fingers hovered over her keyboard. She glanced around, then leaned slightly closer to her screen, as if double-checking something.
"Please wait one moment," she said.
Then she picked up the phone.
Lin Feng's heart nearly stopped.
Is she calling the police?
He began looking around nervously, mapping out the exits. His palms were clammy. His legs felt weak.
The teller spoke quietly into the receiver, her words too soft to make out. After a moment, she hung up and turned back to him.
She smiled.
"Someone will be with you shortly to take care of you."
Lin Feng stared at her.
How can she say such ominous things with such a straight face?
Before he could respond, a well-dressed woman appeared beside him. She was young, probably in her late twenties, wearing a crisp blazer and a polite expression.
She bowed slightly. "Good morning, sir. Please, follow me."
The teller just smiled at him.
Lin Feng was confused, but he didn't see any other option. He followed.
…
The woman led him through a door he hadn't noticed before, down a short hallway, and into what could only be described as a VIP lounge.
The difference was staggering.
The waiting area outside had been just functional - plastic chairs, fluorescent lights, the faint smell of printer ink. But this place was something else entirely.
Soft leather seats. Warm lighting. A small coffee table with a vase of fresh flowers. The walls were decorated with tasteful paintings, and the air carried a subtle, pleasant fragrance.
Lin Feng looked around, bewildered.
"Please, have a seat," the woman said, gesturing to one of the chairs.
He sat down slowly, still trying to process what was happening.
"Would you like tea or coffee?" she asked.
"Umm..." He blinked. "Just green tea will do."
She nodded and disappeared through another door.
Lin Feng sat there, alone in the luxurious room, completely lost.
What is going on?
A few minutes later, the woman returned carrying a tray. She set down a porcelain cup of tea and a small plate of donuts.
"Please help yourself," she said with a warm smile. "The manager will be with you shortly."
"Manager?" Lin Feng repeated.
But she had already left.
He stared at the tea and donuts.
What's the worst that could happen?
He picked up the cup and took a sip.
His eyes widened.
This is really good.
It didn't taste like normal tea. There was a depth to it, a richness he'd never experienced before. The donuts were equally impressive - soft, perfectly glazed, practically melting on his tongue.
He was just finishing the last of his tea when the door burst open.
A man came rushing into the room.
Lin Feng instantly shot to his feet.
The man was middle-aged, probably in his late thirties, and slightly on the larger side. His suit was expensive but slightly rumpled, as if he'd thrown it on in a hurry. Sweat beaded on his forehead.
He stopped just inside the doorway, bent over slightly, hands on his knees as he caught his breath.
After a moment, he straightened up.
And then he smiled.
It was a bright, almost dazzling smile - the kind usually reserved for important clients or visiting dignitaries.
"Welcome, welcome!" he said, walking forward with his hand extended. "I'm the branch manager here. It's an honor to have you visit us today."
Lin Feng shook his hand, still completely confused.
The manager gestured for him to sit, then took the seat across from him.