The night in Shanghai was alive with light.Towering skyscrapers shone like stars fallen to earth, their neon signs and glowing billboards turning the Huangpu River into a ribbon of liquid gold. Luxury cars hummed past on the streets below, their polished bodies reflecting the city's brilliance.
But for Li Wei, none of it mattered.
The bright city looked distant, untouchable — a world for the rich, not for someone like him. The cold air bit at his cheeks as he sat on a cracked wooden bench in People's Square, staring at the steam rising from a paper cup of instant noodles.
It was supposed to be an ordinary day.Instead, it became the day his life shattered.
That morning, Li Wei woke to the sound of dripping water.It was coming from the leak in his bathroom ceiling — the one his landlord had promised to fix for months but never did. His tiny one-bedroom apartment smelled faintly of mildew, and the winter chill seeped in through thin windows that rattled whenever the wind blew.
He glanced at the old alarm clock beside his bed.6:45 AM.
Another day at Zhenhua Auto Parts Co., another day of doing work no one appreciated for a salary barely enough to survive in Shanghai.
He pushed himself out of bed, brushed his teeth with a toothbrush that was starting to fray, and dressed in his usual cheap shirt and black slacks. His reflection in the cracked bathroom mirror showed a man in his early twenties, with black hair that always seemed slightly messy no matter how much he combed it. His eyes were sharp, but the tiredness in them made him look older than he was.
Before he left, his phone buzzed.It was a message from Mei Lin, his girlfriend of three years.
Mei Lin:Let's meet for lunch today. I have something important to tell you.
He smiled. She had been busy lately, avoiding his calls. Maybe this was her way of making it up to him. He thought about the last gift he had saved for — a small necklace he bought from a street vendor. It wasn't expensive, but he hoped she'd like it.
They met at Jade Pavilion, a high-end restaurant in the city center. The kind of place Li Wei rarely stepped into, where the chandeliers sparkled and waiters wore suits. He had to check the menu twice to make sure he could afford at least a drink.
Mei Lin was already there, wearing a red designer dress he had never seen before. Her hair was styled perfectly, and her makeup looked like it had been done by a professional.
But the thing that caught his attention wasn't her beauty — it was the man sitting beside her.
He was tall, with neatly combed hair, a luxury watch peeking from under his sleeve, and the kind of confidence that came from knowing you were rich.
"Li Wei," Mei Lin said, her tone strangely calm. "This is Zhang Hao. From today on… he will be my boyfriend."
Li Wei froze. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm saying we're breaking up," she said, smiling faintly as if she was doing him a favor. "You and I… we're from different worlds. You can't give me the life I want."
Zhang Hao leaned back in his chair, smirking. "It's nothing personal, buddy. It's just reality. You're still young, but without money or status… you can't keep a woman like her."
Li Wei clenched his fists. "Mei Lin, I—"
She cut him off. "I'm tired of waiting for you to succeed. Three years, Li Wei. Three years and you're still stuck in that pathetic job, living in a rundown apartment. I want more."
Other diners were glancing at them now, some whispering. Li Wei's face burned, but he forced himself to stand tall. "If that's what you want… fine."
She didn't even look guilty. In fact, she seemed relieved.
Zhang Hao chuckled. "Don't take it too hard. Maybe you'll find someone more… suitable for your level."
The humiliation still stung as Li Wei walked into work that afternoon. His coworker, Chen Bo, noticed immediately.
"Hey, you look like hell," Chen said quietly. "What happened?"
Li Wei shook his head. "Nothing."
But before he could sit at his desk, his supervisor appeared. "Li Wei, the boss wants to see you."
The "boss" was Director Wu, a short man with thinning hair and a permanent frown. His office smelled faintly of cheap cigarettes.
"Li Wei," Director Wu began, "you've been a decent worker, but the company is downsizing. We have to let you go."
Li Wei's chest tightened. "Sir, I—"
"It's not personal," Wu said, though his tone was dismissive. "Here's your severance. Good luck."
And that was it. Years of loyal work dismissed in under five minutes.
By evening, Li Wei was wandering the streets aimlessly. The city felt colder now, the neon lights mocking him. He passed a dealership window, where a black Rolls Royce Phantom was displayed under bright showroom lights. Its polished surface reflected perfection.
He couldn't help but stop and stare. "If I had a car like that…" he murmured.
It was then that it happened.
A crisp, mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
[Ding!]"Hello, Host! I am the Car Industry System — your personal guide to building the greatest automobile empire!"
Li Wei froze. "What… the hell?"
[First Quest Unlocked]Quest Title:Make everyone regret.Startup Gift:Rolls Royce Phantom.Reward:¥700,000
A glowing, holographic interface appeared before his eyes, showing a 3D model of the Rolls Royce Phantom. He could almost feel the leather seats, smell the new car scent.
"Host, your mission is simple: Show the world you are no longer the man they despised."
Li Wei's lips curved into a slow smile.
Mei Lin. Zhang Hao. Director Wu.They had laughed at him. Looked down on him.
That was about to change.
And this was just the start.
Li Wei was still standing in front of the dealership window when the system spoke again.
[Ding!]"Host, your startup gift will arrive within 10 minutes. Please wait in your current location."
He blinked. "Wait… you're serious? This isn't some prank?"
"Host, your doubt is unnecessary. The Car Industry System operates with 100% reliability."
Li Wei's heart raced. Ten minutes? Was a luxury car just going to… appear?
Sure enough, before he could even process the situation, the sound of an approaching engine caught his attention. It wasn't the harsh growl of a sports car — it was a deep, smooth purr, the kind of sound that made people turn their heads before they even saw what was coming.
A black Rolls Royce Phantom slowly pulled up to the curb beside him. Its paint gleamed under the streetlights like liquid obsidian. The chrome grille reflected the neon signs, and the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy ornament glistened at the hood.
The driver's door opened, and a man in a perfectly tailored suit stepped out. He looked like a professional chauffeur from a movie.
"Mr. Li Wei?" the man asked respectfully.
Li Wei hesitated. "Uh… yes?"
The chauffeur smiled and handed him a sleek black key fob with the Rolls Royce emblem. "This vehicle is now yours, sir. The paperwork is already handled. The system… took care of it."
Li Wei's jaw nearly hit the ground. "The… system?"
But the chauffeur only bowed slightly and walked away into the night, leaving Li Wei alone with the car.
He touched the smooth surface of the hood, his fingers trembling. This wasn't a dream. The leather seats, the polished wood trim, the soft glow of the interior lights — it was all real.
[Ding!]"Startup gift successfully delivered. Funds of ¥700,000 have been transferred to your account."
His phone buzzed. Sure enough, his bank app now displayed a balance that made his old salary look like pocket change.
Li Wei slid into the driver's seat. The cabin felt like another world — the faint scent of fine leather, the whisper-quiet hum of the engine, the smooth grip of the steering wheel.
He pressed the start button. The Phantom came alive with a low, confident rumble.
As he pulled out onto the street, pedestrians turned their heads. Some pointed. Others took photos. In Shanghai, luxury cars weren't rare — but a Rolls Royce Phantom was still something that made people stop and stare.
Driving through the city, Li Wei felt something he hadn't felt in years. Confidence. Power.
It was almost midnight when he decided to stop by a convenience store near his old neighborhood. As he parked, another car pulled in — a bright red BMW.
He didn't notice at first… until he heard a voice that made his stomach tighten.
"Li Wei?"
He turned. Standing by the BMW was Mei Lin, wearing the same red dress from earlier. Beside her, holding a bag of snacks, was Zhang Hao.
She stared at the Phantom, eyes wide. "This… is your car?"
Li Wei stepped out casually, locking the Phantom with a soft click. "Why? Surprised?"
Zhang Hao scoffed, but his voice lacked its earlier arrogance. "Where did you get it? You couldn't possibly afford—"
Li Wei smirked. "You're right. A week ago, I couldn't. But things change fast, don't they?"
Mei Lin bit her lip, looking from the car to Li Wei. "Li Wei, I… maybe we—"
"Stop." His voice was calm, but cold. "You made your choice today. I won't stop you from living with it."
Her face paled. Zhang Hao's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
Li Wei got back into the Phantom, the plush leather swallowing him in comfort. He rolled down the window just long enough to add:
"Remember, Mei Lin — you said I had no future. From now on, you'll be watching that future pass you by… from the sidewalk."
With that, he pressed the accelerator. The Phantom glided away, leaving the two of them standing there, their reflections shrinking in the rearview mirror.
As he drove toward the Bund, Li Wei couldn't stop smiling.
The city lights no longer seemed so far away.He had the car. He had the money. And now, he had the system.
[Ding!]"Host, next mission unlocked."Quest Title:Start A Industry.Objective:Make an Electric Car ¥1,000,000.Reward:Advanced Automobile Manufacturing Blueprint.
Li Wei's eyes lit up.If the first gift was a Rolls Royce Phantom… what would happen when he completed this quest?
Whatever it was, he knew one thing — this was the start of something big.
Mei Lin. Zhang Hao. Director Wu.They had all laughed at him.
Now, it was his turn to laugh.