When the next day's sun rose and his phone's death-alarm rang out, Li Yan jerked awake, then closed his eyes and reached out from under the covers, randomly tapping his phone screen.
Once that damned alarm stopped, Li Yan kept his eyes closed but frowned slightly, then smoothed his expression.
Just as he was about to pull his arm back under the covers and continue sleeping, Li Yan's eyes snapped open.
'Wait...'
System, ten thousand yuan, welfare institute, tycoon—all these words popped into his head.
He was still tired, but now mostly awake. Li Yan softly laughed when he confirmed the system tasks and interface still existed in his mind.
The system was real. Still there.
When there was money to be made, Li Yan got up effortlessly.
None of his usual work-day reluctance, no "five more minutes," no "just three more minutes" of lying around.
He swung his legs out of bed, changed underwear, put on light-colored jeans.
Checking the weather outside, he grabbed the black hoodie he'd bought from Uniqlo last week for over 180 yuan.
After washing his face, brushing his teeth, and shaving with his razor, Li Yan wet his hands and casually ran them through his short hair.
Coming to the still-quiet living room—his three roommates were definitely sleeping at this hour.
Only the high heels and sneakers by the door proved anyone had come home last night.
Without wasting time on breakfast, Li Yan grabbed his phone, dragged his suitcase, and carried the shopping bags. He struggled out the door and took the elevator downstairs.
Green Town Haitang Garden definitely wasn't a luxury community in Hangzhou, but housing prices here started at least thirty thousand per square meter due to location.
While waiting for his Didi ride at the roadside by the community entrance, Li Yan looked back at the complex and found himself unconsciously considering Hangzhou's housing prices.
Before the system, Hangzhou property had never even entered Li Yan's fantasies.
His biggest dream was working a bit longer, then jumping to a higher-paying company.
Then saving some money to return to his small hometown county in Shandong and put down a deposit on a house.
Find a girl he might not love passionately but who was definitely suitable for marriage.
Everyone was ordinary people without many opportunities or conditions for sudden wealth, but everyone was still trying their best to live.
Luxury living, beautiful companions, business empires, world travel—these only existed in the lives of a tiny elite.
For ordinary people, novels and movies were enough for fantasy.
Still had to pay mortgages, still had to pay rent, still had to work in factories. Life kept the same rhythm.
When a BYD pulled up, it interrupted Li Yan's random melancholy.
After putting his suitcase in the trunk, Li Yan got in the car heading to the welfare institute.
...
"Please fill out this donation form..."
"Thank you so much for your kindness..."
By the time Li Yan finished everything, it was already 10:30.
Leaving the welfare institute, Li Yan's first thought wasn't about the task's ten thousand yuan reward, but a small sense of satisfaction in his heart.
As social attitudes shifted, many originally simple things had become complicated.
But good deeds, regardless of era or social influence, Li Yan still considered tremendously meaningful.
Li Yan's donated clothes weren't just unwanted items he'd tossed out.
He'd made initial selections, excluding clothes with permanent stains or damaged items.
Standing at the welfare institute entrance, recalling the staff's sincere gratitude, Li Yan exhaled softly before checking the interface in his mind.
[Task completed. Reward transferred to host's Industrial and Commercial Bank of China account. Funds sourced from foundation returns, all sources verifiable]
[Life and existence complement each other. Kindness toward others, kindness toward the vulnerable—these are necessary steps to help the host truly understand the essence of life and wealth]
Your savings account ending in 5288 received a wire transfer of 10,000 yuan on April 28th at 10:39 AM. Current balance: 28,232 yuan. [ICBC]
No wild excitement like Li Yan had expected.
No excessive internal drama.
The money just arrived.
The task was just completed.
Just ten thousand yuan. Li Yan didn't have anything particular he wanted to buy right now.
Task done, ten thousand earned—time for breakfast!
He'd lived in Hangzhou for years but rarely had authentic Hangzhou breakfast.
Instead of calling a taxi, there was a market nearby surrounded by restaurants.
Leisurely enjoying the slightly cool April breeze, Li Yan hummed Wang Leehom's "Sun Washed by Spring Rain" while checking his mind for the system's new task.
The initial system surprise was gone. No more excessive mental commentary.
Just enjoying life.
[Complete replacement of bedding and thoroughly clean the entire house within one day. Task completion reward: 20,000 yuan]
[Whether a room is tidy needn't be given excessive meaning. It's simply part of your life]
I'm sunny after a downpour
That's the sun washed by spring rain~
...
At the famous Hangzhou chain restaurant Xinfeng Snacks, the timing didn't quite match breakfast, but Li Yan didn't care.
He ordered delicate xiaolongbao with paper-thin skin, plus a bowl of pian'er chuan that wasn't quite as authentic as Kuiyuan Restaurant's version.
The xiaolongbao had rich, sweet broth.
The pian'er chuan had chewy noodles with delicious pickled vegetables, bamboo shoots, and pork slices.
Breakfast cost 45 yuan—not cheap.
But Li Yan was used to Hangzhou prices. Though before today's ten thousand yuan windfall, he usually kept meals under thirty yuan.
But life was about trying new things.
After eating his fill, Li Yan didn't continue wandering outside.
No work morning or afternoon—better to go home and complete the task.
Earn money faster, buy a car faster, buy a house faster, buy things he actually wanted.
Though leisurely living was nice, Li Yan was twenty-five—the age to live boldly.
Driving sports cars at twenty-five versus thirty-five? Totally different experiences.
...
Looking at his room, which he occasionally cleaned and maintained at "barely acceptable" standards, Li Yan was filled with energy!
Hell, give anyone twenty thousand yuan to clean their room, they'd get to work immediately.
"First, strip the sheets and blankets for washing..."