The next morning, Lin Feng's eyes fluttered open.
Around him, the other roommates were stirring awake as well, groaning and stretching in their bunks.
Lin Feng sat up slowly and stretched his arms above his head. He felt much better now after resting the entire day yesterday, though a lingering tiredness still clung to him.
Before anything else, he summoned his system.
[Infinite Money System]
[Total System Balance: ¥415.00]
[Available System Balance: ¥415.00]
[Personal Balance: ¥1710.00]
Nothing has changed.
He frowned.
Was his idea wrong?
He decided not to dwell on it and headed to the showers.
Throughout the day, Lin Feng remained distracted - not from exhaustion this time, but because his mind was elsewhere, trying to understand how the system truly worked.
That night, he lay on his bed, staring at the floating interface.
Finally, a new idea formed.
Maybe it gets credited based on the money I earn?
During the day, he had withdrawn cash from his bank account, but nothing had happened to the system. So he could confirm it didn't just absorb any cash he touched.
The only explanation that made sense was that the system recharged based on money he actually earned. The earlier recharge had occurred because he'd invested in Chen Ming's business and made a profit.
He needed to put this theory to the test.
Though... it probably wasn't possible at the moment. Not with military training taking up all his time.
Maybe after it was over.
He sighed.
Now that he couldn't overflow the balance, keeping the money sitting there would be a waste. He transferred the Available System Balance to his personal account.
His total personal balance was now 2110 yuan.
He had more than doubled the money his mother had sent him.
Not bad.
He dismissed the system and closed his eyes.
Quickly falling asleep.
…
The next morning, Lin Feng's eyes fluttered open the moment his alarm rang.
Before anything else, he summoned his system and transferred the Available Balance to his personal account.
[Personal Balance: ¥2,510.00]
He dismissed the interface and got ready for the day.
Training proceeded as usual - drills, marching, formations.
During the break, Lin Feng noticed something interesting.
The number of people copying their business had increased even more.
Makeshift stalls had multiplied across the field. Students hawked water and snacks from every corner, their voices overlapping as they competed for customers.
Lin Feng exchanged glances with his roommates.
They didn't need to say anything. The relief was written on all their faces.
If they had really proceeded with their business, they would have been drained dry competing with all these people.
…
Wednesday.
As always, the first thing Lin Feng did upon waking was transfer his system balance.
[Personal Balance: ¥2,910.00]
The morning drills were the same as before. Nothing new.
But when break time came, everything changed.
The number of people selling had increased so much that the entire area looked like a makeshift market. Students crowded around stalls, voices rising over one another, transactions happening out in the open with zero subtlety.
It was chaos.
And chaos drew attention.
The group leaders noticed first. Then the instructors.
With so many sellers operating without any strategy - no lookouts, no discretion - the leaders and instructors had no trouble approaching them and catching them in the act.
One by one, the sellers were rounded up and brought together at the center of the field.
"You think military training is a joke?" the main instructor's voice boomed across the grounds. "You think this is a marketplace?"
The punishment was swift.
Those caught selling would do push-ups after dismissal. A lot of them.
As for the rest of the students who had watched it all happen and didn't report it?
They would also receive punishment - push-ups as well, though fewer than the sellers.
Lin Feng's arms burned that evening.
…
Thursday.
[Personal Balance: ¥3,310.00]
Lin Feng stared at the number with a hint of satisfaction.
He had tripled the initial money his mother had sent him.
During break, he noticed that some stubborn people were still trying to sell. They operated more carefully now - hushed voices, quick exchanges, nervous glances.
It didn't matter though.
After being punished as a collective last time, some students weren't willing to risk it again. The moment they spotted a seller, they reported it.
The sellers were held back during dismissal once more.
…
Friday.
[Personal Balance: ¥3,710.00]
As for the snack-selling business?
It had completely died down.
Lin Feng scanned the break area. Not a single stall.
It seemed even the stubborn ones had finally realized there was no hope.
After the day's training concluded, the instructor made an announcement.
"You've all worked hard this week. You can rest tomorrow."
A collective sigh of relief rippled through the crowd.
…
Saturday passed quietly.
Lin Feng and his roommates spent most of the day in their room, recovering from the week's exhaustion. Li Jun gamed. Zhang Wei studied. Chen Ming scrolled through his phone, probably researching his next business venture. Lin Feng continued his own research, noting down everything he could remember about the coming months and years.
Sunday was different.
The four of them decided to hang out together.
They wandered through the streets near campus, exploring the shops and food stalls that lined the roads. Chen Ming insisted on checking out a bubble tea place he'd heard about, claiming the owner was a friend of a friend. Zhang Wei seemed content just to walk and observe, occasionally pointing out interesting storefronts. Li Jun remained his usual reserved self.
They ended up at a small park by the lake, chatting away as the sun moved over them.
"Hard to believe training's almost over," Chen Ming said, stretching his arms.
"One more day," Zhang Wei added.
Li Jun just nodded.
Lin Feng looked out at the lake.
One more day.
And then university would truly begin.
…
Monday. The final day of military training.
All the groups gathered on the main field for one last assembly.
The main instructor stood at the front, his expression as stern as ever.
"Over the past two weeks, you have learned discipline. Endurance. Teamwork." He paused, letting his gaze sweep across the rows of students. "Some of you struggled. Some of you complained. But all of you made it to the end."
He clasped his hands behind his back.
"Today, we conclude with a final review and ceremony."
The morning was spent on last-minute drills - polishing formations, perfecting marching synchronization, ensuring everyone knew their positions for the closing ceremony.
After lunch, they gathered once more.
Briefings were given. Rules for the upcoming semester were explained. Academic expectations, dormitory regulations, campus conduct - all of it delivered in rapid succession by various faculty members.
Then came the ceremony itself.
Groups marched in formation across the field, demonstrating what they had learned. Commands were shouted. Movements were executed in unison - or at least, as close to unison as exhausted freshmen could manage.
When it was finally over, the main instructor took the stage one last time.
"Congratulations," he said. "You have completed military training."
A cheer erupted from the crowd.
"Starting tomorrow, your real journey begins. Don't waste it."
With that, they were dismissed.