C4 The Change in His Life

Someone once posed the question on a forum: "What's it like to have hundreds of thousands in your bank account?"

Xiao Nan wouldn't have known the answer before, but now he could sum it up in two words: Absolutely thrilling!

Coming from a poor family, he used to balk at the idea of a meal costing more than ten yuan. But now, he was sitting on a cool three hundred thousand!

"I really hit the jackpot!"

Xiao Nan never imagined he could sell a jade pendant for a whopping three hundred thousand yuan!

He had always been poor and felt inferior, but with this windfall, he felt his spine straighten with newfound confidence.

"My destiny is about to change."

Xiao Nan's fists tightened, a sign of his shifting mindset.

Just like those born with a silver spoon, reaching life's pinnacle, this treasure-hunting system was his golden ticket!

So what's the first thing to do with money in hand?

Indulge in a feast, of course!

He strode into the once-intimidating Haidilao hotpot restaurant, claiming the largest table amidst astonished stares, and doubled down on every dish.

One to savor, one to spare – because now, I can afford it!

After basking in the attentive service and gorging himself, Xiao Nan's next stop was the movie theater, where he booked an entire screening for himself!

In the past, he'd have to subsist on instant noodles for days to afford a cinema date with his girlfriend.

That's the plight of the penniless.

But now, the script had flipped. Xiao Nan didn't have to pinch pennies anymore. He had enough to live it up for a whole year as a student!

And the system promised more than just this bounty.

"Time to hit the bar scene! I've never even set foot in one before!"

He left the cinema with a sly grin and headed straight for Suzhou's most renowned live bar, reserving the priciest booth.

The minimum spend was 5888 yuan – what used to be months of living expenses for Xiao Nan.

"What's the popular drink around here?"

"Boss, it's the Ace of Spades Gold."

"Bring me ten bottles of the Ace of Spades Gold!"

"Also, a round of drinks for everyone present, please."

"Sure thing, boss. What's your last name?"

"Xiao."

Xiao Nan was playing the part to the hilt. Currently inflated with pride, he addressed the bartender directly.

"Let's hear it for CEO Xiao at table 688, treating everyone to a round!" the bar's DJ bellowed into the microphone, his tone laced with exaggeration. To the bar, a high roller like Xiao Nan was a cash cow, and it was all about the prestige.

"This guy's loaded!"

"Big spender!"

Basking in the waves of envy and the smoldering looks from the ladies, Xiao Nan was on cloud nine.

He used to be poor and insecure.

But now, he had risen above the rest!

The thrill was indescribable. He was determined to leverage the system to rake in even more cash and bask in the glory of his newfound status every single day!

"Hey, handsome, how about buying me a drink?"

"Do you mind if I take a seat next to you?"

Xiao Nan's lavish display had the bar's women eyeing him, from the bar's own promoters to the regular club dancers.

These women were all quite attractive; after all, only the young and beautiful dared to frequent LIVE bar, much like only the wealthy men dared to patronize it.

"Help yourselves."

Xiao Nan gestured magnanimously, reveling in the sensation.

"If Xiaoyan knew I was wealthy now, she'd be over the moon, right? I can finally make good on all the promises I made to her!"

For a guy who once had nothing, there was nothing sweeter than making grand promises to his girlfriend and dreaming of a bright future. Those goals used to seem so distant to Xiao Nan.

But now, it wouldn't be long before he could afford a house and a car, providing Xiaoyan with the life she deserved.

Xiao Nan sipped his drink with the beauties of the bar, his gaze drifting to the stage.

To the beat of the DJ's music, several young women in scanty attire danced, one in particular with a figure so stunning, she captured the entire room's attention.

In the dim lighting, Xiao Nan couldn't quite make out her face, but something about her figure struck a chord of familiarity. He found himself irresistibly drawn to look her way a few times more.

The girl had already spotted the flashy big spender, and now her gaze drifted his way.

But as their eyes locked, her movements faltered, a flicker of astonishment crossing her face.

"Is that him?"

Chen Mengqi was floored to find herself face-to-face with a classmate at the bar, especially the once penniless Xiao Nan.

Wasn't he supposed to be broke? How on earth could he afford the high-roller booth 688?

She had often mocked the poor guy, and now, Chen Mengqi's head spun with dizziness. She felt the exposed parts of her skin searing with heat, her cheeks flushed crimson, wishing she could just vanish into thin air.

Xiao Nan, too, recognized her.

As the belle of their department, Chen Mengqi was the object of many a guy's daydreams, and Xiao Nan's mouth went dry at the sight of her.

He had once fantasized about Chen Mengqi himself, and now, after years, the once unattainable department belle stood before him, humbled.

"Chen Mengqi!"

The name escaped Xiao Nan's lips before he could stop himself.

Chen Mengqi's face burned hotter with each syllable he uttered. She feigned deafness and kept dancing.

Xiao Nan watched her dance with a newfound interest, a feeling of contentment washing over him.

Being wealthy was truly fantastic.

He sighed to himself.

After her dance, Chen Mengqi stepped down, her face awash with embarrassment, leaving onlookers puzzled at her demeanor.

Meanwhile, Xiao Nan's phone buzzed with a new WeChat message.

"Xiao Nan, you better not breathe a word about today," followed by a crying emoji.

The department's flower, usually so aloof with the boys, was now pleading cutely through WeChat.

Xiao Nan chuckled at the message. It seemed the so-called goddess wasn't quite so lofty after all.

"Sure," he replied, then left it at that.

Chen Mengqi let out a relieved breath upon reading his response.

But her curiosity was piqued – how had Xiao Nan suddenly come into money?

As the night went on, several girls approached Xiao Nan, some asking for his WeChat, but he didn't entertain any further advances.

He was a man hopelessly in love, a fact known by everyone in the class: Xiao Nan's heart belonged solely to Xiaoyan.

"Xiaoyan, just wait for me. I've struck it rich!"

After reveling in a night out at the bar, Xiao Nan left amidst the envious stares of onlookers.

Exiting the bar, he checked into Su Hang's most luxurious hotel, splurging on a room that cost thousands per night, and promptly drifted into a deep, blissful sleep. Whether it was the room's steep price or some other comfort, Xiao Nan slept exceptionally well that night.

Come morning, he was up and about, purchasing a new phone and selecting a gift for his girlfriend Xiaoyan, whom he hadn't seen in ages.

In the past, his pockets were shallow. A simple tube of lipstick meant subsisting on instant noodles for a month. Treating Xiaoyan to a hot pot dinner was an extravagance he dared not even dream of, fearing the expense.

He had always felt he was shortchanging Xiaoyan, but those days were over. Now, he was ready to compensate for lost time.

He strode into an LV boutique and dropped a cool 100,000 yuan on the latest LV handbag.

Before the break, Su Xiaoyan had mentioned she was off to work in Carrimon, and it had been two months since Xiao Nan last saw her.

Armed with the new bag, he was determined to hand-deliver it to Su Xiaoyan in the classroom the following day, ready to surprise her with the grandest of gestures!