“This year’s projected number of graduates is 12.5 million, and over the next ten years, an estimated 120 million college students will graduate.”

As a regular junior-year undergraduate who had recently lost a close family member in a tragic accident, **Ethan Cole** felt completely hopeless when he heard this news.

But after unexpectedly binding with the Daily Intel System, Ethan found himself filled with hope and excitement for what might come next.

**[Today's Intel]:** A scratch-off lottery ticket called “Endless Rainbow,” sold at the corner store on Maple Avenue, contains a winning card worth $8,000.

**[Today's Intel]:** At the upcoming flea market on Elmwood Drive, one stall will sell an old copy of *Journey to the West*, with a rare “British Black Penny” stamp hidden inside the cover. Suggested resale price: $12,000.

**[Today's Intel]:** In a second-hand furniture shop on Oak Street in the Riverside neighborhood, there’s an old sofa stuffed with two gold bars, each weighing 200 grams.

…

At first, Ethan just wanted to make a little extra cash with the system to help his family get through their tough times…

Chapter 4 - Author