It was around 4:30 in the evening. Despite Li Ziqing having already curated an entire new wardrobe for Li Jianfang, the system still hadn't triggered the mission completion signal. That lingering silence gnawed at her—had she overlooked something?
They were now seated in an elegant restaurant, enjoying a late lunch after a marathon day of shopping. While nibbling on a delicate pastry, Li Ziqing reopened the system's mission interface, her eyes scanning the glowing text with deliberate precision. Her gaze halted on a single word: Drive.
A sudden realization struck. The system wasn't just asking her to transform her mother's wardrobe—it wanted her to own a car as well.
Without hesitation, she set down her fork. "Mom, we're going to the car dealership after this," she declared with quiet authority.
Li Jianfang looked startled. "A Qing… we've already spent nearly twenty-five million yuan today alone. Is it really necessary to buy a car right now? We could make do for the time being." There was concern in her tone, but also the faint, lingering instinct of a woman who had lived her whole life counting every coin.
Li Ziqing smiled warmly but her voice was firm. "Mom, you can't keep traveling around the city by taxi every day. Remember—you're now the president of a company. You'll have meetings, events, and unexpected visits. A car isn't a luxury for you anymore, it's a necessity."
She paused, then added with a glint of mischief, "Besides, we also need a car for Mr. Zhou. It's one of the benefits promised to him by the company. He's been running errands all day using taxis. I've already called him—he'll meet us there to pick his up."
An hour later, they arrived at the largest luxury car dealership complex on the outskirts of the Southern District. The moment they stepped inside, a distinct scent enveloped them—richer, more intoxicating than the refined aroma of the Central Shopping Plaza. This was the scent of power, privilege, and precision engineering.
Almost instantly, heads turned. Sales butlers—immaculately dressed in tailored uniforms reminiscent of European aristocratic households—took notice of Li Jianfang. Clad head-to-toe in luxury brands, she exuded a quiet, elegant authority. Her beauty, polished to perfection by the day's transformations, seemed to command the air itself.
One of the butlers, mustering his courage, approached with a slight bow. "Welcome to R Car Dealership, madam. I will be your sales butler today."
Sales butler. In a place like this, even buying a car was an event—one didn't simply browse; one was guided through a curated experience.
Li Ziqing's smile was polite but confident. "Hello. We're looking for a business car, something available for immediate delivery after paperwork. The sooner we can have it, the better."
The butler inclined his head slightly. "Understood. May I ask about your budget?"
"Budget is not a concern," Li Ziqing replied, almost dismissively.
A faint spark lit in the butler's eyes. "In that case, allow me to show you something special. Most of our cars are ordered directly from Shanghai, but yesterday we received a new arrival—an impeccable business model. It was launched only last month."
He led them deep into the showroom, toward a secluded display corner. As they approached, Li Ziqing's breath caught. Beside her, Li Jianping whispered in disbelief, "I… Is that a Rolls-Royce?"
The butler smiled knowingly. "Indeed, madam. This is the Rolls-Royce Phantom VII in midnight black—the pinnacle of British luxury and craftsmanship. Globally recognized as a status symbol, it offers unmatched opulence, exclusivity, and comfort. Beneath the hood lies a 6.75-liter V12 twin-turbocharged engine, delivering 453 horsepower. The interior is bespoke, with advanced noise insulation and a ride so smooth it feels as though the car floats above the road. This is the highest configuration model—priced at nine million yuan."
In her previous life, Li Ziqing had only ever seen a Rolls-Royce on television, and even then, it had seemed like a fantasy from another world. She had grown up in scarcity, lived in quiet resignation, and died still bound by the habit of frugality—sometimes surviving for days on instant noodles just to save a few coins.
But now… here it was. Not an image, not a dream—but a reality within reach. Her fingers curled into a subtle fist. Her family would own this.
"Do you handle license plates?" she asked evenly.
The butler's smile widened; the deal was all but sealed. "Yes, miss. We can arrange everything. After the paperwork, we can issue a temporary plate on the spot so you can drive it away today. Once the permanent plate arrives, we'll inform you in advance."
Li Ziqing gave a decisive nod. "We'll take it. And now," she added smoothly, "show me another business-class model—from a different brand."
The butler appeared momentarily puzzled, but once he placed the SOLD placard on the gleaming Rolls-Royce Phantom VII, he led them a few steps forward, stopping before a wide display window. Gesturing with subtle pride, he said,
"This is the Bentley Continental Flying Spur—Bentley's crown jewel in the luxury sedan segment, a harmonious blend of performance and grandeur. Equipped with a 6.0L W12 engine, it offers a handcrafted interior of unrivaled elegance, powerful acceleration, and a brand heritage synonymous with prestige. The highest configuration is priced at four million yuan."
This time, Li Ziqing didn't rush into the purchase. She took her time, letting her eyes glide over the immaculate lines of the white exterior, the sophisticated sheen of its paintwork, and the exquisite craftsmanship of the interior. It was a car that exuded both power and grace.
Pulling out her phone, she dialed Zhou Yichen. After a brief description and a few approving words from him, she said smoothly,
"Don't waste the trip coming here—it's not in stock yet."
The moment the call ended, she turned to the sales butler with quiet authority.
"We'll take this one as well."
For a fraction of a second, the butler's composure slipped, surprise flickering across his face, but he quickly recovered.
"Miss Li, we don't have this model in stock at the moment. However, if we place the order immediately, it can be delivered within two days."
Li Ziqing gave a slight nod.
"That's fine. Now, I also need another vehicle—for my uncle. Something suitable for his daily use, commuting to the university and running errands in the city. Show me something that fits his needs."
Her gaze shifted toward Li Jianping.
He blinked, startled.
"Me? No… A Qing, that's not necessary," he said quickly, shaking his head in protest.
Ziqing's pleading eyes turned, as they landed on Li Jianfang, and without needing further explanation, her mother took over.
"Why wouldn't you need one? Are you planning to take a taxi to Wuhan University every single day?"
Turning to the sales butler, Li Jianfang said firmly,
"We'll take one for him as well. Please recommend something that suits my brother's age and personality."
The butler's discerning gaze swept over the young man—no older than twenty-four or twenty-five—and a knowing smile touched his lips. He led them to another floor, stopping before a sleek silhouette framed by the glass.
"This is the Porsche Panamera Turbo—a perfect marriage of sportiness and luxury. Powered by a 4.8L twin-turbo V8 engine producing 500 horsepower, with all-wheel drive, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds, reaching a top speed of 303 km/h. Ideal for a young man with a taste for speed and sophistication. The highest configuration, Turbo, is priced at 2.05 million yuan."
Li Ziqing simply glanced at her uncle, leaving the decision to him. Despite his initial reluctance, the allure of the car was undeniable. What man could resist the siren call of precision engineering and refined luxury?
He stepped forward, running his fingers over the smooth curve of the exterior, then slipped into the driver's seat. The interior embraced him in a cocoon of Yachting Blue Metallic elegance, complemented by rich Cognac Natural Leather. After a few more questions, his mind was made up.
"I'll take it," he said quietly, as though committing to a personal indulgence he'd long denied himself.
Within the hour, the paperwork for all three vehicles was signed and sealed. Li Ziqing paid 15.05 million yuan without so much as a flicker of hesitation. The temporary licence plate number was provided to Rolls Royce Phantom VII and the other two cars were already ordered and will be delivered two days later.
An hour later, they glided out of the dealership in the deep, commanding presence of the Rolls-Royce Phantom VII, its polished black surface reflecting the city lights.
[Ding... The Daily Mission completed
The reward has been assigned...]
The mechanical chime made Li Ziqing finally sigh in relief. Finally, she thought, but she didn't immediately looked into the reward.
Li Jianping took the wheel; he knew how to drive, once he had worked a year as a driver as well. At first, he drove cautiously, adjusting to the Phantom's weight and power. But soon, with the deep purr of the engine, it effortlessly glided over the asphalt.
The city seemed to part for them, the air shimmering with an unspoken announcement of power and wealth. Heads turned instinctively as the midnight-black Rolls-Royce Phantom VII glided down the road, its presence a living embodiment of prestige. In Wuhan, the wealthy were not uncommon—but a Rolls-Royce was another matter entirely. Such a sight was rare enough to make people pause mid-stride, turn down their music, and whisper among themselves.
----
Meanwhile, in the northern district, Li Zian was making his way home. It was already past 7 p.m., the sky washed in the deep blues of evening. Earlier that day, he had spoken to his friend about leaving his job at the internet café, and had also successfully transferred his entire game-development progress onto his brand-new MacBook.
Ever since he got it yesterday, sleep had become a luxury he was willing to sacrifice. The night before, he had stayed awake until dawn, exploring every feature, every menu, and every polished detail. Compared to the bulky, dust-gathering desktops at the café, his sleek MacBook felt like a window into the future. Game development would be faster, smoother—almost effortless.
He was just a few narrow alleys from home when the hum of a powerful engine and a sudden stir of voices reached his ears. Frowning, he turned toward the source—and froze. "R… Rolls-Royce?"
The iconic silver "RR" emblem gleamed under the harsh neon streetlights, the Spirit of Ecstasy poised at the edge of the bonnet like a guardian of opulence.
The commotion rippled through the neighborhood in an instant.
It was a scene eerily similar to the arrival of the Hongqi sedan just days ago. Children darted toward the road, pointing and giggling in awe. Elderly residents leaned out of doorways, turning down their old radios to get a clearer look. Street vendors paused mid-transaction, customers craning their necks to see.
The Rolls-Royce, however, remained unbothered, gliding forward with a kind of unhurried dominance, until it came to a smooth stop directly in front of Li Zian.
For a moment, he just stood there, stunned. He'd never seen a Rolls-Royce up close before—only on television, or in glossy magazine spreads where its ownership was synonymous with unimaginable wealth. To see one here, in the worn streets of the northern district… and stopping for him? His pulse quickened.
He instinctively stepped back—two careful paces—afraid that even his shadow might somehow mar the perfect paintwork. But then, the driver's window slid down with a whisper, followed by the rear passenger window.
"Xiao An, get in," Li Jianping called, a faint smile tugging at his lips at his nephew's wide-eyed, almost comical expression.
From the back seat, Li Jianfang leaned slightly toward the open window, her voice warm but insistent.
"What are you doing standing there, Xiao An? Get in."
The shock of seeing them—his mother and his uncle—inside this car was almost more jarring than the vehicle itself. He quickly moved forward and slipped into the seat, suppressing the dozen questions bubbling in his mind. Now was not the time to ask—not with half the neighborhood staring like he'd just been summoned into the emperor's carriage.
"That… that was Li Jianping, wasn't it?" a middle-aged man whispered to his companion, disbelief in his tone. "The same one who's been jobless for years?"
"Hah! Maybe he hit the lottery," another snorted.
"Lottery? Don't be stupid," a woman with sharp eyes interjected, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "It's his sister, Li Jianfang. You know how she is— looking like a beauty stepped out of some painting. Maybe she's finally hooked a rich man."
"Tch. I wouldn't be surprised," an older auntie muttered, folding her arms. "A car like that isn't bought with pocket change. Whoever it is must be rolling in it."
Others had more imaginative theories.
"You remember her twins, right? That boy and girl—good-looking enough to be in movies. Maybe their father came back. And rich, too. Explains the car."
"Could be. I always said they didn't look like kids from around here. Too polished. Too… well-fed."
Some were envious, some spiteful, and some genuinely intrigued. But all eyes remained fixed on the sleek, imposing Rolls-Royce, as if it were a rare creature that had strayed too far from its natural habitat.
The Spirit of Ecstasy caught the glow of the streetlights once more before the car eased forward, taking with it not just its passengers, but every whispered speculation that would, by morning, ripple through every corner of the northern district.
---
"Wow, A Qing, so the car will belong to Mom?" Li Zian blurted out, his eyes wide in disbelief. The words tumbled from his lips before his mind had fully processed the shock.
But then, a thought struck him—something his sister had mentioned earlier about their uncle owning a Porsche Panamera Turbo. He remembered it was a sports car. The allure of a Rolls-Royce was undeniably jaw-dropping, yet the thrill of a true sports car… that was an entirely different kind of temptation.
His gaze darted eagerly to his uncle.
"Uncle, your Porsche Panamera Turbo—is it the top configuration? Does it hit 100 km/h in just a few seconds? The top speed is around 300 km/h, right?"
The barrage of questions, fired in rapid succession, brought a smile to both his mother and uncle. Li Jianping, patient and good-humored, answered each one in turn. After all, Li Zian—despite being a young scholar and something of a tech prodigy—was still only fourteen. Beneath the responsibility and maturity he carried, his heart remained as pure and excitable as any boy his age.
By the time Li Jianping finished explaining, Li Zian was nearly bouncing in his seat.
"Uncle, you'll take me for a ride, won't you? In the Turbo? Please?" he asked again and again, unable to contain his excitement.
The car rolled smoothly toward their courtyard, the quiet hum of the engine filling the otherwise still night. In the passenger seat, Li Ziqing's gaze sharpened. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a cluster of faint silhouettes standing in the unlit courtyard—their side profiles barely distinguishable in the darkness.
She turned her head slightly toward her mother.
"Mom… there's someone in our courtyard."
Her words drew immediate attention. Everyone in the car looked toward the shadowed figures, their earlier smiles fading into frowns.
In the driver's seat, Li Jianping's expression darkened as recognition set in.
"Jie," he said slowly, his voice carrying both surprise and displeasure, "it's Mom, Dad… and our two elder brothers."
A tense silence filled the car. The warmth of moments ago evaporated, replaced by an undercurrent of unease. The night air suddenly felt heavier, as if the darkness itself was waiting for the inevitable confrontation.