The sun was setting over Qingcheng University — a place where dreams were supposed to begin, not end.
Li Cheng stood by the school gate, clutching a small gift bag and a worn-out wallet that had more loyalty cards than cash. His heart raced as he looked at the girl standing in front of him — his girlfriend of five years, Su Yinyin.
She looked stunning, as always — red heels, designer handbag, and a smile that used to melt his world. But today, her smile felt… sharp. Like the edge of a knife.
"Li Cheng," she sighed, crossing her arms. "Let's break up."
Those three words hit harder than the time he got hit by a basketball during P.E.He blinked, unsure if he heard right. "Yinyin, what… what do you mean?"
"I mean, I'm tired," she said, her tone dripping with boredom. "I'm done eating cheap noodles and waiting for you to 'make it someday.' I've already found someone who can give me the life I deserve."
A black Rolls-Royce pulled up beside her — the kind of car Li Cheng had only seen in dramas. The driver stepped out, opening the door. A middle-aged man with a shiny gold watch smiled smugly at Li Cheng.
"Sweetheart," the man said to Su Yinyin, "let's not waste time with the poor boy."
Li Cheng's fists clenched. He wanted to scream, to ask her why, after all these years. After the birthdays he skipped his own meals to surprise her… after washing dishes just to afford movie tickets… after she promised they'd graduate and build a future together.
"Yinyin, I—"
"Enough," she interrupted, rolling her eyes. "Be mature, Li Cheng. Love doesn't fill the stomach. Money does."
The words stabbed him deeper than any knife could.
As the car door shut behind her, she gave him one last pitying glance. "Don't look for me again. Move on."
The Rolls-Royce drove off, leaving Li Cheng standing there like a statue.The whispers around him burned worse than fire.
"Isn't that the guy who worked at the cafeteria for her?""Five years of free labor for a gold digger. Tragic!""I heard he once gave her his rent money!"
Each voice twisted the knife deeper.
He wanted to walk away — but his legs buckled.His chest tightened, his vision blurred.
"Damn… my heart… hurts…"
And then everything went black.
[Ding! Host's life signs critical. Initializing emergency system activation...]
A cold, mechanical voice echoed in the darkness.
[System detected extreme emotional collapse. Binding process initiated...][Congratulations, Host! You have awakened the "Face-Slapping Sign-In System"!]
"Wha—what?" Li Cheng mumbled, floating in a void that shimmered with glowing text screens.
[Mission 1: Sign in to your account and slap back the pain!][Reward: Beginner's Pack + 'Unbending Dignity' passive skill!]
"Face… Slapping System?" he whispered. "You're joking…"
[No jokes detected. System is fully serious.][Host may begin the path of redemption — and daily face-slapping glory!]
Li Cheng blinked as light poured back into his world.
He opened his eyes to find himself lying on a hospital bed, IV in his arm, heart monitor beeping steadily.
"...A system, huh?" he muttered, sitting up weakly.Then, as the holographic interface floated before him, he grinned for the first time in days.
[Daily Sign-In Available: Would you like to claim your reward?]
He hit YES.
[Congratulations! You have received — 10,000 yuan cash transfer and a Limited Edition Black Card Suit!]
Li Cheng stared at the floating message. Then at his bank app.The balance had actually changed.
"…Oh, Yinyin," he said softly, his smile turning sharp. "You said love doesn't fill the stomach? Let's see how money tastes when it's mine."
The beeping monitor quickened. Or maybe it was his excitement.
[System Notice: New Quest Unlocked — Face-Slap the Gold Digger (Optional: With Style).][Reward: +5 Charisma, +1 Mystery Aura.]
Li Cheng laughed, shaking his head.
"System," he said. "Let's begin."
[Affirmative. Let the face-slapping era begin.]