Lian Wei's heart thudded as the man in the black coat loomed in the diner, his Eclipse Corp logo glinting like a warning. The *Fortune's Gambit* system's alert pulsed in Wei's vision: **Warning: Hostile entity detected. Influence: 80/100. Favorability: 5. Quest progress at risk.** Xiao Lan's Favorability had dipped to 65, her posture tense as she faced the man, who'd called her name with an unsettling familiarity. Wei's 5,000 yuan and his plan to spend 10,000 on a VIP Night Market tour with Xiao Lan hung in the balance. He couldn't let this guy derail everything.
"Xiao Lan, you're needed at the counter," Wei said, stepping forward with a forced grin. His voice cut through the diner's uneasy quiet, drawing her attention. "Got a customer dying for more of those dumplings."
She hesitated, glancing between Wei and the man. "Right, uh, one sec," she said, hurrying behind the counter. Her Favorability ticked back to 66, a small win.
The man's cold gaze shifted to Wei, sizing him up like a predator assessing prey. "You're bold, kid," he said, his voice low. "But you're playing a game you don't understand." He turned and left without another word, the door jingling in his wake. Wei's system pinged: **Threat Level Reduced. Monitor for future interference.**
"Who was that?" Wei muttered, his mind racing. Eclipse Corp had gutted his family's company, but why target him now? He pushed the thought aside—midnight was an hour away, and he needed to secure the 10,000-yuan spend to complete *Heart's Wager* and net 30,000 yuan in cashback.
Wei pulled up his phone, confirming the Night Market tour booking: 8,000 yuan for a private street food experience, plus 2,000 for a luxury cab. His 5,000 yuan wouldn't cut it. He opened the system's **Fortune Store**, hoping for a lifeline. His 5 Fortune Points were pitiful, but a new option caught his eye:
- **Micro-Loan: Receive 10,000 yuan (no cashback, repay within 24 hours) – 5 Fortune Points**
"Perfect," Wei whispered. He activated the loan, and his phone buzzed with a notification: 10,000 yuan deposited, bringing his balance to 15,000. The system updated: **Fortune Points: 0. Debt: 10,000 yuan due in 24 hours. Warning: Failure to repay may lock system features.**
Wei swallowed hard. The 30,000-yuan cashback would cover the debt and leave him with a tidy profit, but it was all or nothing. He finalized the tour booking, locking in the 10,000-yuan spend. The system chimed: **Quest Progress: 80%. Complete the activity with Xiao Lan to finalize Heart's Wager.**
As the clock neared midnight, the diner emptied out. Xiao Lan untied her apron, eyeing Wei with a mix of curiosity and caution. "You weren't kidding about the Night Market, were you? I checked online—those VIP tours are insane. How're you pulling this off?"
"Let's just say I'm betting on a comeback," Wei said, flashing a grin. "Cab's outside. Ready to see that Circuit Dragon up close?"
Her Favorability hit 70, and she laughed. "You're either crazy or a genius. Lead the way."
Outside, a sleek black sedan waited, its driver nodding as they slid into the leather seats. Xiao Lan's eyes widened. "This is… way fancier than my usual bus ride."
"Only the best," Wei said, though his stomach churned at the stakes. The cab whisked them through Xinshou City's neon veins, skyscrapers blurring into a kaleidoscope of light. The Night Market's glow loomed ahead, a chaotic sprawl of stalls, lanterns, and murals that pulsed with life.
The tour guide, a wiry man with a megawatt smile, greeted them at the market's edge. "Welcome to the VIP experience! We've got exclusive tastings lined up—truffle-infused skewers, artisanal bubble tea, and a private viewing of the Circuit Dragon mural."
Xiao Lan's face lit up, her Favorability climbing to 75. "This is unreal," she said, nudging Wei. "You're full of surprises."
As they wove through the market, sampling delicacies and laughing over shared stories, Wei felt a spark he hadn't in months. Xiao Lan wasn't just a quest target—she was sharp, passionate, and real. When they reached the Circuit Dragon, its neon scales shimmering under the moonlight, she traced the mural with awe. "I want to create something like this someday," she said softly.
"You will," Wei said, meaning it. "Maybe I'll back your first exhibit."
She raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Big talk for a guy who looked like a drowned rat an hour ago."
The system pinged: **Quest Complete! Heart's Wager fulfilled. 30,000 yuan deposited. +50 Fortune Points. New Quest Unlocked: Empire's Foundation – Spend 100,000 yuan on a high-Favorability target (70+) to unlock a strategic asset. Reward: 400% cashback + 200 Fortune Points.**
Wei's phone buzzed, confirming his new balance: 35,000 yuan after the tour and cab costs. He repaid the 10,000-yuan loan instantly, leaving him with 25,000 yuan and 50 Fortune Points. The numbers were dizzying, but the new quest's 100,000-yuan requirement made his head spin. Four hundred percent cashback meant 400,000 yuan—a fortune that could change everything.
"Earth to Wei," Xiao Lan said, waving a hand. "You zoned out. What's next, Mr. Big Spender?"
Before he could answer, a shadow fell over them. The man from the diner stood at the mural's edge, flanked by two burly figures in dark suits. His coat's Eclipse Corp logo gleamed. "Lian Wei," he said, his voice cutting through the market's din. "You're harder to pin down than your father was."
Wei's blood ran cold. Xiao Lan stepped closer, her Favorability dropping to 70 as tension spiked. The system flashed: **Critical Alert: Hostile encounter. Influence disparity detected. Recommended Action: Leverage Fortune Points or Charm to de-escalate.**
"Who are you?" Wei demanded, his voice steady despite the fear clawing at him.
The man smirked. "Call me Kang. Eclipse Corp has an interest in… lost assets. Like you." He glanced at Xiao Lan. "And your new friends."
Wei's mind raced. With 25,000 yuan and 50 Fortune Points, he had options, but a fight wasn't one of them. He needed to outsmart Kang and protect Xiao Lan. The Night Market's crowd offered cover, but Kang's men were closing in.
"Xiao Lan, stay close," Wei whispered, his hand brushing hers. To Kang, he called, "If you want me, let's talk—alone. No need for a scene."
Kang's eyes narrowed, but before he could respond, Wei's system pinged: **Opportunity Detected: Spend 20 Fortune Points to activate Charm Surge (+20 Charm for 2 hours). High Charm may sway bystanders or de-escalate.**
Wei didn't hesitate. He burned the points, feeling a surge of confidence as his Charm stat hit 85. The crowd around them stirred, drawn to his sudden charisma. Xiao Lan's Favorability ticked back to 75, and even Kang's men seemed less certain.
"Let's take this somewhere private," Wei said, his voice commanding. "Unless Eclipse Corp wants their dirty laundry aired in public."
Kang's smirk faltered. "Bold move, kid. We'll meet again." He signaled his men, and they melted into the crowd.
Xiao Lan exhaled, gripping Wei's arm. "What was that about? Who are you, really?"
Wei forced a smile, his mind already on the 100,000-yuan quest and Kang's threat. "Just a guy trying to win a bet with fate. You still up for bubble tea?"
As they walked away, the system's golden text glowed: **Fortune's Gambit escalates. Choose your allies wisely.**