C1 System Announcement!

In the sweltering heat of July, Haiqin City was like an oven. Lin Feng, fresh out of university, disembarked from the bus and trudged a considerable distance to his temporary abode in the Orchid Garden District. Despite having cast a sea of resumes into the job markets of Haiqin City, not a single interview call had come through. Without a job by month's end, he wouldn't even manage to scrape together the rent.

On this particular Saturday, the district buzzed with activity, as no one had work. As Lin Feng entered Orchid Garden, snippets of conversation from passersby reached his ears.

"What? Stolen again?"

"How many times is that now?"

"Has anyone called the cops?"

"Even they can't find a clue!"

"What do we do now? I'm too scared to even leave my clothes out on the balcony!"

With a wry smile, Lin Feng plodded on to his tiny rental, a snug space under 20 square meters. The rent was affordable, and it came with a separate bathroom and a small balcony—perfect for a bachelor like him. Yet, with his finances dwindling, Lin Feng faced the grim prospect of eviction.

Feeling claustrophobic, he lay on his bed for a moment before stepping out onto the balcony for air. But then, something extraordinary happened that would alter the course of his life forever.

"Snap!"

The object in his hand could've doubled as a makeshift bowl. As Lin Feng stood there, mortified, a digital voice rang out, and two lines of text materialized before his eyes.

"Host Lin Feng detected. System binding in progress."

"Ding! Data initialization complete. All treasure chests reset. The treasure hunt begins now!"

Was he seeing things? Lin Feng blinked hard, but the glowing words remained, suspended like a hologram from a sci-fi film. He scanned the vicinity, ensuring there were no devices that could project such an image. Finding none, he stood rooted to the spot, dumbfounded.

Could it be...

Lin Feng's hands trembled as he touched his chin, an unbelievable thought springing to mind.

Was this the legendary Golden Finger?

Could it be that he, who had led a mundane life for twenty-two years, was about to become the protagonist?

But how exactly should he use this Golden Finger?

While Lin Feng was lost in confusion, the scene before him flashed, and the two lines of text vanished, replaced by a brand-new electronic screen.

Host: Lin Feng

Money: 0

Inventory: 0/10

Daily Treasure Chests available: 3/3

The straightforward information caused Lin Feng's eyelids to quiver. He hadn't even begun to delve into the details when two dazzling green lights suddenly caught his eye.

A treasure chest?

A Bronze Treasure Chest?

So that's how it's done!

As Lin Feng's mind raced, an unexpected event unfolded. The sound of a door opening came from the neighboring balcony, followed by the appearance of a striking figure in Lin Feng's view.

The woman's long hair was loosely tied back, her alluring features quickening the pulse, particularly the beauty mark by her eye, adding a touch of seductive charm.

Such an enchanting beauty!

True to her name, Su Mei was both tender and captivating.

Lin Feng's eyes met Su Mei's in midair, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.

Talk about awkward!

Instinctively, Lin Feng withdrew his hand, and the countdown in his ear abruptly ceased.

Huh? The treasure chest wasn't added to the system inventory?

Was the pickup process not to be interrupted?

As the thought crossed his mind, Lin Feng's hand involuntarily reached out again.

"Ding! Retrieving treasure chest, please wait..."

"10, 9, 8..."

Before the countdown finished, an irate bellow filled Lin Feng's ears.

"Lin Feng, what on earth are you doing?!"

Su Mei, her face twisted with fury, was glaring daggers at Lin Feng, her bewitching eyes nearly spitting fire.

"Let me explain, the wind blew this thing over, and I just..."

Lin Feng resorted to stalling tactics until the treasure chest in his grasp transformed into a streak of light and vanished, and only after the system's prompt chimed did he breathe a silent sigh of relief.

"Here, take it back!"

Damn it! Did she not hear my explanation earlier?

Is she deaf, or did I not make myself clear?

It was the wind that blew that thing over here, the wind! Not me, Lin Feng!

...

Frozen in disbelief, Lin Feng watched as the neighboring balcony door swung open once more, and Su Mei made an unexpected return.

"Swish, swish, swish..."

In a flurry, Su Mei snatched up every item from the clothes rack and darted back into her room. She didn't spare Lin Feng a single glance throughout, much less afford him the opportunity to explain.

Was she acting like he was some kind of thief?

Lin Feng was on the verge of tears, but none would come.