Morning sunlight poured through the wide windows, spilling across the suite in a golden glow. Lin Feng stretched lazily on the bed, the softness of the mattress still clinging to his body.
After a few minutes of quiet, he rose and made his way to the bathroom. Warm water cascaded from above and from the sides of the shower, enveloping him in a steady stream that washed away the last traces of sleep. By the time he stepped out, the steam had left his skin warm and his mind refreshed.
He dressed neatly, packed his things, and gave the room a final glance. Everything was as spotless as when he had entered, yet a small smile curved on his lips. So this is how it feels to live properly.
Checking out was simple. Lin Feng carried his bag down to the lobby and approached the counter. Behind it, the same receptionist from the night before was tidying some papers. She noticed him immediately and straightened, her lips curving into a polite smile.
"Good morning, sir. Checking out?"
Lin Feng nodded, sliding the keycard across the counter. Up close in daylight, he realized she was even prettier than he had thought—long lashes, clear skin, and a gentle air that suited her uniform perfectly. She wasn't glamorous in the exaggerated way of models but rather refined, with a natural grace that drew attention without trying.
"Yes," Lin Feng said lightly. Then, after a pause, he tilted his head slightly. "Your shift ends now, doesn't it?"
The receptionist blinked, surprised. "Yes… it does. How did you know?"
Lin Feng's lips curved faintly. "Lucky guess. In that case… would you like to join me for a coffee? There's a good café near campus."
For a moment she hesitated, her professional mask flickering with uncertainty. But then, seeing his calm expression and steady gaze, she gave a small smile.
"…Alright. I suppose one cup won't hurt."
Lin Feng chuckled softly, sliding his hands into his pockets. As they walked out together into the crisp morning air, he couldn't help but think—
How his life is starting to take an interesting turn; with cash in his pocket, Lin Feng was feeling more and more confident about it.
And for him, the day was just beginning.
The two of them stepped out of the hotel into the fresh morning air. The streets were already alive with the bustle of commuters, but Lin Feng walked at an easy pace, hands in his pockets, while the receptionist kept stride beside him.
Her name, as he soon learned, was Su Qingyi. She was a second-year student at the same university, working part-time at the hotel's front desk to cover her living expenses.
The information came casually—her staff badge, her school ID card tucked into the lanyard when she changed out of uniform, and the small details that an observant eye like Lin Feng's never missed. He didn't press her with questions; he didn't need to.
A faint smile curved his lips. So she's also from the campus… a beauty hiding in plain sight.
As they turned the corner toward a quiet café with outdoor seating, Lin Feng thought about how fate played its cards differently in this second life. In his past life, he would never have even noticed a girl like Su Qingyi, much less walked beside her like this.
Now, it all came as naturally as breathing.
The café they stopped at wasn't large, but it was tasteful—dark wooden tables, warm yellow lights, and the smell of roasted beans filling the air. Su Qingyi ordered something light, a latte and a croissant, while Lin Feng casually told the waiter to bring him a full breakfast set.
When the bill arrived, he paid it without hesitation, sliding his card through the reader. For most students, dropping nearly two hundred yuan on a simple breakfast would sting. To Lin Feng, it was just another investment.
Not long after they were seated, his phone vibrated softly in his pocket.
[Bank Alert]
Your account **** **** **** 3827 has received a deposit.
Amount: ¥404.00
Date: 15/09/2025
Time: 8:46 AM
Transaction ID: 9ZX2J4P5T7
Balance: XXXX,XXX.00
Lin Feng glanced at the screen, his eyes calm. Double again.
He slipped the phone back, not letting even a flicker of expression betray his thoughts. Across from him, Su Qingyi was stirring her latte, her profile outlined by the morning light streaming through the window.
This system really lives up to its name… a scumbag's dream skill. Spend freely, live lavishly, and the world pays you back. The more outrageous, the more rewarding.
Lin Feng cut into his eggs with a faint smile. He didn't need to speak much; the quiet company, the warm food, and the steady climb of his balance spoke loudly enough.
By the time breakfast was done, the morning felt like it had only just begun. Lin Feng stood, leaving the café with Su Qingyi beside him, his mind already spinning with possibilities.
If a simple meal can turn into profit… what about cars, watches, or even real estate?
The thought lingered like the aftertaste of the coffee—rich, sharp, and addictive.
They sat by the window, steam rising from their cups, the morning sunlight painting soft patterns across the table. For a while, neither spoke—simply enjoying the quiet clatter of cups and the aroma of roasted beans.
It was Su Qingyi who finally broke the silence. She tilted her head slightly, studying him with a curious look.
"…I've never seen you around campus before," she said. "But if you're from the same university, how come?"
Lin Feng stirred his coffee slowly, his expression calm. "You probably just didn't notice me."
"That's impossible," she replied with a small laugh. "I know most faces in our year, at least by sight."
Lin Feng lifted his gaze, meeting hers briefly before letting it drift back to his cup. His lips curved in the faintest smile.
"I kept a low profile," he said evenly. Then, after a pause, his voice trailed off. "But how long…"
He stopped there, as if catching himself. His tone was casual, but the unfinished words hung in the air, carrying a weight Su Qingyi couldn't quite read.
Her lashes lowered as she took another sip of her latte, her curiosity only deepening. There was something different about him—something that didn't match the image of an ordinary student.
Lin Feng, on the other hand, didn't elaborate. He leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee with practiced ease, letting the subject slip away as if it didn't matter.
Outside, the city moved on with its usual rhythm. Inside, a quiet tension lingered between them—not unpleasant, but intriguing, like a secret waiting to be uncovered.
After breakfast, Su Qingyi excused herself with a polite smile. Her shift may have ended, but she still had classes of her own to attend. Lin Feng watched her leave, the faint fragrance of coffee and her perfume lingering in the air for a moment longer before he turned and made his way back toward campus.
By the time he arrived at the lecture hall, the morning crowd had already thinned. The atmosphere was strangely quiet, the rows of seats sparsely filled. His usual deskmate, Zhang Wei, was nowhere to be seen, and Lin Feng slipped into his seat alone, resting his bag against the desk.
He glanced around. A few familiar faces dotted the room, but one in particular stood out.
Zhao Xue.
The acknowledged beauty of their department sat not far away, surrounded by her circle of friends. She wore her hair loose today, sunlight catching against the strands as she leaned close to her desk mate, chatting with that effortless confidence that made her the center of attention without even trying.
Their voices carried easily across the half-empty room.
"I told you, the app is really taking off," Zhao Xue said, a spark of excitement in her tone. "Our follower count doubled overnight. If we keep this up, we might actually get noticed by one of the bigger agencies."
Her friend laughed lightly. "Well, of course. Who wouldn't follow when you're the face of it? You're basically carrying the whole group."
"Don't exaggerate," Zhao Xue replied, though the pleased curve of her lips betrayed her modest words. "We're all working hard. The platform just… it needs more exposure. Once we secure a few sponsors or ads, things will snowball from there."
Another girl chimed in, scrolling on her phone. "Look—our live stream from last night already hit over three thousand views. That's huge compared to last week!"
The small group burst into giggles and excited chatter, the words "idol app," "streams," "fans," and "sponsors" repeating like a rhythm.
Lin Feng sat quietly, resting his chin on one hand as he listened without really meaning to. Idol application, hm? Another world where money flows like water.
His gaze lingered for a moment on Zhao Xue's smiling profile before drifting away. He had no reason to join their conversation—not yet.
The class droned on, the professor's voice like background noise to Lin Feng's thoughts. His hand moved almost unconsciously, pulling out his phone and searching for the app Zhao Xue's group had been talking about.
It didn't take long to find—the splash screen was filled with glitter, pop idols posing with dazzling smiles, and bold letters promising "Where dreams meet fans!"
Lin Feng downloaded it, logging in with a casual flick of his thumb. His eyes narrowed as he explored the interface—live streams, chat rooms, rankings, and paid gifts that could be sent to performers.
Without hesitation, he tapped the recharge option.
[Recharge Credits]
Choose amount:
¥100¥500¥1,000Custom
His finger slid across the custom input.
Amount: ¥100,000
A small ding confirmed the purchase. Most people would have sweated at spending such a sum in one click, but Lin Feng leaned back lazily in his chair.
Just as he was scrolling toward the live performance list, his phone buzzed sharply in his hand.
[Bank Alert]
Your account **** **** **** 3827 has received a deposit.
Amount: ¥1,000,000.00
Date: 15/09/2025
Time: 11:27 AM
Transaction ID: 8Q7MW4J2H5
Balance: XXXX,XXX.00
Lin Feng's pupils shrank slightly.
Ten times?
For the first time since obtaining the system, his composure cracked for a heartbeat. He steadied his breathing, locking the screen as if nothing had happened, though the thrum in his chest was undeniable.
The system's voice hummed faintly in his mind, mechanical and indifferent.
[Rebate Skill Activated]Rebate Multiplier: 10xReason: Random Chance Triggered.
Lin Feng exhaled slowly, a smile tugging at his lips.
A hundred thousand into one million… This system… it's more terrifying than I thought.
Yet another thought flickered across his mind. After all, it was called the Scumbag System. Perhaps the reason he triggered a tenfold rebate wasn't luck alone, but because he had spent recklessly—like a true scumbag—on an idol application, not out of any real necessity.
He slid his phone back into his pocket, masking his excitement beneath a calm façade, though his thoughts churned restlessly.
At the front, Zhao Xue and her friends were still whispering about their growing fanbase, completely unaware that the boy sitting a few rows away had just turned a casual recharge into a fortune.