Sunday Morning – Bai Chen's Apartment
The sun peeked through the blinds, casting golden light on Bai Chen's desk.
A glowing screen hovered silently before him.
[System Notification – Empire Path Unlocked]
Task: "Use Your Investment Voucher Wisely"
Reward: Ownership of First Company + Business Management Skill Boost
Objective: Acquire a rising business with potential for exponential growth
Side Bonus: Use the company to boost school status, crush rivals economically
Bai Chen tapped the [Accept] icon.
Immediately, five holographic files appeared, each detailing a struggling but promising local company:
ByteNest Tech – An AI startup with strong code, poor marketing.
AromaCloud Café Chain – Growing fast, poorly managed finances.
Spark Motion Studios – Indie animation brand with viral potential.
BlueBridge Logistics – Stable contracts, outdated tech.
NovaWear – A local streetwear brand adored by students, but mismanaged.
He scanned the files swiftly, then stopped on the last one.
NovaWear.
Location: two blocks from Donghua High.
Popular with students.
Fashion-forward, influencer-friendly.
Cheap today. Gold tomorrow.
[System Suggestion: NovaWear — Best synergy for school-based domination + personal image growth]
[Estimated Growth Potential: 420% in 3 months]
[Click to Acquire – Cost: ¥850,000 Voucher]
Bai Chen clicked Acquire.
[Acquisition Complete – NovaWear (100% Ownership)]
[Skill Gained: Beginner Business Management]
[Title Gained: "Young CEO" – Reputation Boost in all social settings]
2 Hours Later – NovaWear HQ, Rooftop Office
The manager, a sloppily dressed guy in his late 20s, stared wide-eyed.
"You… you bought the company?!"
"I saved it," Bai Chen corrected. "Now you work for me."
The manager stammered. "W-What do you want me to do?"
"Simple," Bai Chen said, placing his phone down. "Rebrand everything. By tomorrow morning, NovaWear will sponsor Donghua High's annual Cultural Festival."
The manager blinked. "That's in two days!"
"You'll get it done," Bai Chen said. "Or I'll find someone who will."
[Side Objective Triggered: "Make Your Brand Go Viral at School"]
[Reward: +500 Reputation + Su Yiran Loyalty Event + Liu Yuxi Regret Event]
Donghua High – Next Day
A giant delivery truck rolled up to the gates.
Inside were crates of custom NovaWear uniforms, streetwear, and event banners.
"W-What is this?" the student council leader asked.
A calm voice answered from behind.
"Your new sponsor."
Bai Chen stepped forward, dressed in a slim-fit white NovaWear hoodie and black jeans. Clean, confident, unstoppable.
Every student stared.
"NovaWear?" a girl gasped. "That's HIS brand?!"
"Did he really sponsor the festival?"
"He's not just rich—he owns companies now?!"
[Reputation +700]
[System Passive "Social Shockwave" Activated]
Liu Yuxi, watching from the hallway
Her fingers trembled.
Her heart pounded.
He owns a brand now...
He used to ask me if he could borrow money for lunch.
Now he sponsors our school.
I… I threw away a king.
[Liu Yuxi Regret Level: 82%]
[New Event Flag: "Attempted Reconnection" Available Soon]
Later That Evening – Private Chat Room
Su Yiran:
"So, CEO Bai… sponsoring your school? Smart move."
Bai Chen:
"Everything's a move. I just play the game better."
Su Yiran:
"You're playing with fire. Zemin and Zhao are angry."
Bai Chen:
"Let them burn."
Su Yiran paused for a moment, then sent one final message:
"I like this version of you."
[Su Yiran Interest: 90% → 97% – Loyalty Event Incoming]
[Unlocking Potential Relationship Perk: "Corporate Power Couple"]
[Warning: Rivals Preparing Counter-Attack – Next Target: NovaWear]
System Message:
[Task Complete: First Company Acquired]
[Unlock Next Path: "Crush Their Legacy" – Outperform Zhao Ming's Family Business in Public]
[Next Major Event Countdown: 3 Days – Donghua Cultural Festival]
[Bonus Objective: Have 3 girls wear NovaWear at the event. Reward: +Charm, +Fashion Authority Trait]
Bai Chen stood atop the NovaWear building that night, city lights glimmering below.
He didn't start rich.
But now?
He was owning everything they thought he never would.
And it had only just begun.