The sommelier arrived with the Château Lafite Rothschild, presenting the bottle with reverent care as if it were a sacred artifact. Chen Wei watched as the man performed the opening ceremony with practiced precision, pouring a small amount into a crystal glass for tasting.
Chen Wei had no idea how to properly taste wine. A week ago, his most expensive drink had been bubble tea. But the system seemed to have other plans.
[Temporary Skill Activated: Wine Connoisseur (Beginner)]
[Duration: 30 minutes]
Suddenly, knowledge flooded his mind. How to swirl, how to smell, how to identify notes and body. Chen Wei picked up the glass with newfound confidence, swirled it gently, inhaled the aroma, and took a measured sip.
"Excellent year," he said smoothly. "The tannins are well-balanced, and I can taste hints of blackcurrant and cedar. Perfect."
The sommelier's eyebrows rose with genuine respect. "An excellent assessment, sir. You have a refined palate."
Wang Lei stared at Chen Wei like he'd grown a second head.
After the sommelier poured their glasses and departed, Wang Lei leaned forward. "Since when do you know anything about wine? Last month you thought red wine and white wine were the only two types!"
Chen Wei just smiled mysteriously. "People change, Lei."
The system chimed again.
[Task 2 Progress: 45%]
[Note: Target Xiao Yue observed your wine knowledge. Impression upgraded from "Intrigued" to "Impressed"]
Over the next hour, course after course arrived. The Emperor's Lobster was succulent perfection, the Wagyu beef melted on the tongue, and the Peking duck was prepared tableside with theatrical flair. Each dish was a masterpiece, and Chen Wei found himself genuinely enjoying the experience.
Wang Lei, after getting over his initial shock, dove into the food with enthusiasm. "Bro, I take back everything. If your uncle wants to send more money, tell him I'll be his nephew too!"
Xiao Yue returned multiple times to check on them, and each time, Chen Wei noticed her lingering just a bit longer. He made sure to compliment the food, ask her opinion on dishes, and treat her with genuine respect—not the condescending way many wealthy customers treated service staff.
[Task 2 Progress: 60%]
[Target Interest Level: Genuinely Curious]
"Is everything to your satisfaction?" Xiao Yue asked, refilling their water glasses.
"More than satisfied," Chen Wei said, meeting her eyes. "Though I have to say, the service is even better than the food."
A faint blush colored her cheeks. "You're very kind, Mr...?"
"Chen. Chen Wei. And you don't need to call me 'sir' or 'Mr.' We look about the same age."
"I'm twenty-two," she admitted, her professional demeanor softening slightly. "Are you a student?"
"Jianghai University, third year," Chen Wei said. "Business administration."
Surprise flickered across her face. "Really? I wouldn't have guessed. You seem... different from most college students."
"I get that a lot lately," Chen Wei said with a slight smile.
[Task 2 Progress: 75%]
Before Xiao Yue could respond, a commotion near the entrance caught everyone's attention.
"I don't care if you're fully booked!" a loud, arrogant voice echoed through the elegant restaurant. "Do you know who I am? My father owns half the commercial district! Get me a table now!"
Chen Wei's blood ran cold. He knew that voice.
Zhang Hao.
And clinging to his arm, dressed in a new designer outfit that probably cost more than Chen Wei's old monthly allowance, was Liu Meng.
Wang Lei noticed them at the same time. "Oh shit," he whispered. "Bro, we should—"
"Stay exactly where we are," Chen Wei said calmly, though his heart was pounding. He took a sip of his ¥38,000 wine. "Let them come."
The hostess was trying to maintain her composure. "Sir, I understand, but we truly have no available tables tonight. If you'd like to make a reservation for tomorrow—"
"Tomorrow?" Zhang Hao scoffed. He was everything Chen Wei expected: expensive suit, slicked-back hair, a Patek Philippe watch that cost more than a car, and the entitled sneer of someone who'd never heard 'no' in his life. "I want a table now. Move someone. Kick someone out. I don't care."
Liu Meng tugged on his arm. "Hao, maybe we should just go somewhere else..."
"No," Zhang Hao said firmly. "I told you I'd bring you to the best restaurant in the city, and I meant it." He pulled out his phone. "I'll call my father. He'll have the owner—"
"Zhang Hao?"
Everyone turned. Chen Wei had stood up, wine glass in hand, looking every bit the wealthy young master in his tailored Armani suit.
The recognition took a moment. Zhang Hao squinted, then his eyes widened slightly. "Chen Wei?"
Liu Meng's face went pale. "Chen Wei?!"
The shocked silence that followed was delicious.
Chen Wei walked toward them with measured confidence, Wang Lei trailing behind. "What a coincidence. Celebrating something?"
Liu Meng's eyes darted between Chen Wei's expensive suit, the wine glass in his hand, and the premium table by the window. Chen Wei could see the calculations running through her head, the confusion, the disbelief.
"What are you doing here?" she blurted out. "You can't afford—this place is—"
"Enjoying dinner," Chen Wei said simply. He turned to Zhang Hao. "I heard you need a table. Unfortunately, they seem to be fully booked." He paused, letting a small smile play on his lips. "Though I suppose when you're truly important, reservations aren't necessary. They just know to make room."
The implication was clear: Zhang Hao, despite his bluster, wasn't important enough.
Zhang Hao's face reddened. "What the hell are you trying to say? And what's with the suit? Did you rent it for the night to impress people?"
"Rent it?" Chen Wei laughed softly. "No, I bought three this evening. This is just one of them."
"Bullshit," Zhang Hao snapped. "Those are Armani suits. Each one costs at least ¥20,000. You expect me to believe—"
"Whether you believe it or not doesn't really matter to me," Chen Wei interrupted, his voice calm but with an edge of steel. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an excellent meal getting cold. And unlike some people, I don't need to shout about my father's money to get respect."
He turned to leave, but Liu Meng grabbed his arm.
"Wait," she said, her voice strange. "Chen Wei, I... how do you have money? Where did this come from?"
Chen Wei looked down at her hand on his arm, then met her eyes. Up close, he could see her expensive makeup, her new designer dress, her freshly done hair. She'd transformed herself into exactly what she thought Zhang Hao wanted.
And yet, her eyes held something else now. Regret? Confusion? Greed?
"Does it matter?" Chen Wei asked quietly. "A few hours ago, you told me I couldn't give you the life you wanted. That being 'good' doesn't pay for designer bags and luxury apartments. Remember?"
Liu Meng flinched.
"You made your choice, Liu Meng. You chose money over... whatever we had. So why do you care how I spend mine?"
"I just—" She faltered. "You never had money before. How could you suddenly—"
"Life changes fast," Chen Wei said, gently removing her hand from his arm. "Sometimes all it takes is one moment for everything to be different. You taught me that."
Zhang Hao stepped forward, puffing up his chest. "Listen here, Chen Wei. I don't know what scam you're running or what credit cards you've maxed out, but don't think putting on an expensive suit makes you anything special. Liu Meng is with me now because I can actually provide for her. Not pretend to for one night."
"Credit cards maxed out?" Chen Wei smiled. He pulled out his phone and opened his banking app, tilting the screen so only Zhang Hao could see.
[Current Balance: ¥32,547.00]
It wasn't much—he'd spent most of the ¥100,000—but it was real money, and the transaction history showed the massive deposits and purchases.
Zhang Hao's smug expression faltered.
"That's just my walking around money," Chen Wei said casually, putting his phone away. "But you're right about one thing. Liu Meng is with you now. And I sincerely hope you two are very happy together."
The words were polite, but the tone made them sound like anything but a genuine wish.
Before anyone could respond, Xiao Yue appeared, her professional mask firmly in place. "Mr. Chen, is everything alright?"
Chen Wei's expression softened when he looked at her. "Everything's fine, Xiao Yue. Just ran into some... old acquaintances. We're heading back to our table now."
"Of course," she said, then turned to Zhang Hao and Liu Meng with a polite but distant smile. "I apologize, but we truly are fully booked tonight. I can offer you priority reservations for next week if—"
"Forget it," Zhang Hao snapped. "This place isn't even that special anyway. Come on, Liu Meng."
But Liu Meng was still staring at Chen Wei, her expression complex and unreadable.
"Liu Meng!" Zhang Hao said more sharply.
She flinched and followed him toward the elevator, but not before casting one last look back at Chen Wei.
As they left, the other diners—who had been watching with barely concealed interest—returned to their meals, though Chen Wei caught several approving nods from older businessmen who'd clearly enjoyed watching young Zhang Hao get put in his place.
"Holy shit, bro," Wang Lei whispered as they returned to their table. "That was the most savage thing I've ever seen. Did you see their faces?"
Chen Wei sat down, feeling his hands shake slightly now that the adrenaline was fading. "I think I need more wine."
Xiao Yue poured for him, and their eyes met. "That was impressively handled," she said quietly. "Most people would have gotten angry or made a scene."
"Not worth it," Chen Wei said. "She made her choice. I just wanted her to see it from the other side for once."
[Task 2 Progress: 95%]
[Target Interest Level: Deeply Intrigued + Emotionally Invested]
[Final push required!]
"Xiao Yue," Chen Wei said, making a decision. "When do you get off work?"
She blinked, surprised. "I... around 11 PM. Why?"
"Would you like to get coffee afterward? There's a late-night café I know. My treat. And before you think this is about the meal or some rich guy trying to impress the server—it's not. I just... would like to talk to someone who doesn't know the old me. Someone I can be honest with."
Xiao Yue studied his face for a long moment. Chen Wei held his breath.
Then she smiled—genuinely, warmly. "I'd like that. Meet me at the employee exit?"
[Task 2: COMPLETE!]
[Target Interest Level: Romantically Interested]
[All Mission Requirements Met!]
[Congratulations! You have completed your first mission!]
The system notifications exploded in Chen Wei's vision.
[Mission Complete: Prove Your Worth]
[Calculating Rewards...]
[+¥500,000 deposited to your account]
[Mystery Gift Box x1 acquired]
[Skill Unlocked: Intimidating Aura (Passive)]
[Level Up! You are now Level 2!]
[New Title Acquired: "Rising Dragon"]
[Additional Bonus: First Mission Perfect Completion - All tasks finished in under 12 hours!]
[Bonus Reward: +3 Charisma, +2 Confidence, "Silver Tongue" skill (Beginner)]
[Current Stats:]
Level: 2
Charisma: 20/100 (Average → Above Average)
Confidence: 18/100 (Low → Average)
Wealth: ¥532,547
Skills: Intimidating Aura (Passive), Silver Tongue (Beginner), Wine Connoisseur (Temporary - Expired)
[Open Mystery Gift Box?]
[Yes / No]
Chen Wei mentally selected "Yes," his heart pounding with anticipation.
[Mystery Gift Box Opening...]
[Congratulations! You have received:]
1. Supreme VIP Black Card (Unlimited Credit Line - All Major Luxury Brands)
2. Luxury Villa Property Deed - Jianghai Bay Area (Estimated Value: ¥45,000,000)
3. Rare Skill Book: "Business Genius (Intermediate)"
4. One-time use Item: "Perfect Opportunity Card" (Creates a perfect chance encounter with a destined person)
Chen Wei nearly dropped his wine glass.
A black card. An unlimited credit line. A ¥45 million villa.
His phone buzzed with multiple notifications. Bank deposits. Property transfer documents. Digital card credentials.
It was all real.
Wang Lei noticed his expression. "Bro? You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Chen Wei looked at his best friend, then at Xiao Yue who was serving another table, then out at the glittering city that suddenly felt full of infinite possibilities.
"Better than okay, Lei," he said, raising his wine glass. "I just became someone who can't be looked down upon anymore."
They clinked glasses, and as Chen Wei drank the expensive wine, he allowed himself a small, satisfied smile.
Somewhere in the city, Liu Meng was probably questioning her choices.
Zhang Hao was probably fuming about being shown up.
And Chen Wei?
Chen Wei was just getting started.
[New Mission Available: "Build Your Empire"]
[Accept?]
He mentally selected "Yes" without hesitation.
The old Chen Wei had died today.
The new one was going to conquer the world.