The Maybach's interior glowed with soft ambient light as it cruised silently through the city. Bai Chen sat back in the leather seat, watching the golden system screen hover in front of his eyes like a god's whisper.
[Upcoming Task: Attend the Elite Gala — "Heirs of the Golden Circle"]
[Location: Tianyu International Hotel, 8 PM, Friday]
[Access: Invitation Only]
[Bonus Reward: Hidden Investment Opportunity + New Harem Candidate Appears]
"Elite Gala…" Bai Chen muttered.
[Additional Info: Zhao Ming and other top-tier heirs will also attend. Opportunity for massive social dominance.]
Perfect.
Later That Night — Bai Residence
The apartment was still modest, walls thin and air stuffy. But tonight, it felt different.
Bai Chen sat on his bed, legs crossed, laptop open.
His mother knocked gently. "Xiao Chen… I'm off to my night shift. There's leftovers if you get hungry."
He stood, walked over, and pressed a thick white envelope into her hand.
"What's this?" she asked, confused.
"¥100,000."
Her fingers trembled. "C-Chen, this—where did you get—"
"Mom," he said softly, "from now on, you don't need to work anymore."
Tears filled her eyes, but she didn't say a word.
She hugged him tightly.
[System Alert: Hidden Achievement Unlocked — "Filial Son"]
[Reward: +5% System Efficiency, +1 Passive Luck Point]
The Next Morning — Donghua High, School Gate
A black delivery car pulled up and dropped off a sleek black envelope.
To: Bai Chen
The words were engraved in gold foil.
Students nearby gathered, murmuring.
"What is that?"
"An invitation?"
He opened it with one hand, smooth and unbothered.
Inside was a card thicker than a phone, embossed with a diamond insignia:
You are cordially invited to the Annual "Heirs of the Golden Circle" Gala
Tianyu International Hotel, Friday 8PM. Black tie only.
— The Tianyu Consortium
A gasp rippled through the crowd.
Zhao Ming happened to be passing by. When he saw the envelope, his eyes narrowed like knives.
"You? Attending the gala?" he sneered.
Bai Chen glanced at him like he was just background noise.
"You were invited too?" Bai Chen asked, feigning curiosity.
"Of course," Zhao scoffed. "My family's one of the founding members."
Bai Chen stepped forward, eyes locked on his.
"Then I guess I'll see you there."
Zhao Ming's smirk froze. That tone… wasn't humble. It was a threat.
Later That Day — School Parking Lot
A few top students gathered around a sleek BMW.
"Look, Zhao Ming's new car!"
"So cool…"
That's when a deep roar echoed across the campus.
VROOOOOOM—
A jet-black Mercedes Maybach pulled up to the curb and stopped with machine-like precision.
The crowd turned.
Their jaws dropped.
The doors opened automatically, and Bai Chen stepped out—sunglasses on, phone in hand.
He didn't look at the crowd.
Didn't need to.
He was above them now.
Liu Yuxi, watching from a distance, clutched her phone so tightly the screen cracked.
System Notification:
[Elite Gala Entry Prepared.]
[Side Task: Arrive in Style – Reward: Custom Suit from Armani + Reputation Points + VIP Access Upgrade]
[New Harem Flag Incoming… Warning: High Charisma Required]
Bai Chen looked up at the school building, his voice calm but confident.
"Time to show them… what true power looks like."