The streets were wet from last night's rain, neon signs reflecting off puddles like fractured jewels. Shen Moze walked casually, hands in his pockets, enjoying the quiet rhythm of the city.
Trouble, as usual, found him anyway.
A group of thugs had cornered a street vendor in a narrow alley.
"Payment's overdue," the tallest sneered. "Two days late, huh?"
Shen Moze stopped. Oh, perfect. Street-level intimidation. Just what I needed before lunch.
"Hey," he called out, voice casual, "does anyone want to argue about this over tea?"
The tallest thug squinted. "Who are you?"
"Someone who doesn't like bullies," Shen Moze said. Also someone who has a system telling him exactly how to handle this.
One thug lunged. Shen Moze sidestepped, grabbed the man's arm, and used his momentum to flip him over a crate.
The others hesitated.
[System Notification: Host detected threat. Combat assistance active. Physique +3, Combat skill unlocked.]
Shen Moze smirked internally. Ah, my personal life coach finally speaks. Noted.
A quick pivot, a precise elbow, and the second man went down. The last thug froze, eyes wide, unsure if he should run or join the others on the ground.
Shen Moze tilted his head. Really? That's all you've got?
Moments later, the fight was over. The vendor stared, wide-eyed.
"Th… thank you! How did you—?"
Shen Moze shrugged. "Let's just call it a service fee waived." He handed the man a card with his new contact info. Business casual, even during a fight.
By the time he returned to his apartment, his phone buzzed.
[System Notification: Combat completed. Rewards deposited: ¥10,000. Points +50.]
Shen Moze stared. Ten thousand yuan just for handling a couple of fools? He could get used to this.
He poured himself a coffee, leaning back in his chair, staring out at the streets. Neon reflections danced across puddles. Taxi horns honked faintly, reminding him of a life he'd left behind.
The city hasn't changed. I have.
Money in the bank. Points to upgrade himself. A system whispering strategy, power, and wealth into his head.
He imagined Tang Yuxin seeing him now. Confident, calm, untouchable, executing moves she couldn't predict.
She's going to stew. Slowly. Properly.
After sipping his coffee, Shen Moze decided to test his system again. Minor trades, small investments—nothing risky.
Boutique coffee chain… check.
Rare jade bracelets… check.
Small stake in a logistics company… check.
Notifications confirmed every trade. Money flowed directly into his account.
[System Note: Daily tasks complete. Total profit today: ¥28,500. Current balance: ¥38,500. Points: 270.]
He leaned back and chuckled. Not bad. Not bad at all. And that fight? Barely a warm-up.
Outside, the streets were alive. People hurried past, oblivious to the events of the alley. Shen Moze watched a couple laughing as they passed, and imagined Tang Yuxin scrolling on her phone somewhere, seeing him rise quietly, effortlessly, while she fumed from the sidelines.
He didn't care.
Because I'm not hers. And she knows it.
By evening, he had planned his next moves:
• Further minor investments
• Point upgrades in Physique and Charm
• Social observation: Tang Yuxin, old friends, anyone who had ever underestimated him
Shen Moze poured another coffee, feeling the warmth seep into his hands.
Outside, the city glowed, rain-slick streets reflecting neon signs.
Inside, a man who had once been a taxi driver was quietly becoming something else entirely.