Morning sunlight spilled through the dormitory window.
The faint smell of instant noodles filled the room.
Zhang Hao sat cross-legged on his chair, scrolling through his phone while slurping noodles loudly.
"Man," he said between bites, "I swear this semester is going to kill me."
Lin Tian leaned against the desk quietly.
His attention was still fixed on the translucent blue panel floating in front of him.
WORLD BUILDER SYSTEM
Mission: Complete 25 five-star taxi rides
Time Remaining: 6 Days 18 Hours
Reward: Shanghai Commercial Land Plot
Estimated Value: 450,000,000 RMB
The numbers looked unreal.
Lin Tian had built companies in his previous life. He knew the value of real estate in Shanghai.
Even a small plot in the business district could be worth hundreds of millions.
And this system was offering one as a reward for something as simple as driving passengers around the city.
Lin Tian rubbed his temple.
If this thing is real…
His heart beat faster.
Then everything in my previous life can change.
Zhang Hao suddenly spoke again.
"Hey, are you really thinking about driving a taxi?"
Lin Tian turned toward him.
"You heard that?"
"Of course I heard it," Zhang Hao said, raising an eyebrow. "You literally just asked me about my driver's license five minutes ago."
Lin Tian chuckled softly.
"I'm serious."
Zhang Hao nearly choked on his noodles.
"Wait… what?"
"I want to try driving for a few days."
Zhang Hao stared at him like he had just grown a second head.
"You skipped class to become a taxi driver?"
Lin Tian shrugged.
"Money is money."
Zhang Hao burst out laughing.
"You know taxis barely make anything, right?"
Lin Tian simply smiled.
You have no idea.
Ten minutes later, the two of them walked down the dormitory stairs.
The campus was lively.
Students rushed between buildings.
Bicycles rolled across the pavement.
Groups of friends laughed while discussing upcoming exams.
Lin Tian paused for a moment.
Eight years.
Eight long years had passed since he had last walked here.
Back then, he had been poor, anxious, and constantly worried about the future.
He had taken countless part-time jobs just to survive.
Yet now…
He had another chance.
Zhang Hao nudged him.
"Why are you standing there?"
Lin Tian blinked.
"Nothing."
They began walking toward the campus gate.
Zhang Hao kept glancing sideways at him.
"You're really serious about this taxi thing?"
"Yes."
"But why?"
Lin Tian thought for a moment.
Then he answered honestly.
"I want to try something different."
Zhang Hao snorted.
"You're weird."
They reached the campus gate.
Across the street stood a small parking lot where several old taxis were parked.
Lin Tian's gaze lingered there.
The system interface flickered again.
Identity Activated
Temporary Profession: Taxi Driver
Skill Bonus:
• Driving Skill +20%
• Navigation Efficiency +15%
• Customer Satisfaction Insight +10%
Lin Tian blinked.
"…Skill bonus?"
He suddenly felt something strange.
A wave of unfamiliar knowledge rushed into his mind.
Traffic routes.
City shortcuts.
Optimal driving patterns.
Passenger behavior.
It was as if years of taxi driving experience had suddenly appeared inside his brain.
Lin Tian exhaled slowly.
So that's how it works…
Zhang Hao waved a hand in front of him.
"Earth to Lin Tian."
"Hmm?"
"You zoned out again."
Lin Tian laughed lightly.
"Sorry."
Zhang Hao pointed across the street.
"My cousin works at that taxi company. If you really want to try it, he might lend you a car."
Lin Tian's eyes brightened.
"That would be perfect."
Zhang Hao scratched his head.
"You're serious…"
They crossed the street and entered the small taxi office.
Inside, an older man sat behind a desk reading a newspaper.
Zhang Hao called out.
"Cousin!"
The man looked up.
"Oh, Hao. What brings you here?"
Zhang Hao pointed at Lin Tian.
"My friend wants to drive a taxi for a few days."
The man raised an eyebrow.
"A college student?"
Lin Tian stepped forward politely.
"Just temporarily."
The man studied him carefully.
"You have a driver's license?"
"Yes."
"Any accidents?"
"No."
The man nodded slowly.
"Well… we're short on drivers today."
He reached into a drawer and pulled out a key.
"Take car number seventeen."
Zhang Hao blinked.
"…Wait, that easy?"
The man shrugged.
"As long as he doesn't crash it."
Lin Tian accepted the key.
"Thank you."
A few minutes later, Lin Tian sat behind the wheel of a slightly worn yellow taxi.
The engine hummed softly.
The city stretched endlessly before him.
Shanghai was already awake.
Traffic moved steadily.
Pedestrians filled the sidewalks.
Lin Tian placed his hands on the steering wheel.
The unfamiliar knowledge in his mind guided him naturally.
Every road seemed familiar.
Every intersection felt predictable.
He smiled slightly.
"Let's begin."
He slowly pulled the taxi into traffic.
The system panel appeared again.
Ride Count: 0 / 25
Lin Tian drove toward a busy commercial district.
Within minutes, a woman standing near a bus stop raised her hand.
Lin Tian stopped beside her.
She opened the door and climbed into the back seat.
"Central Plaza, please."
"Sure."
Lin Tian pressed the meter.
As he drove, the woman looked at him curiously.
"You're new, aren't you?"
Lin Tian glanced at the mirror.
"What makes you say that?"
"You don't look like a taxi driver."
Lin Tian chuckled.
"What does a taxi driver look like?"
She laughed.
"Fair point."
The car moved smoothly through traffic.
Thanks to the system's navigation boost, Lin Tian avoided several congested roads.
The trip was surprisingly fast.
Ten minutes later, the taxi stopped outside a tall office building.
The woman checked the meter.
"Oh, that was quick."
She paid the fare and smiled.
"Five stars."
Lin Tian's eyes flickered.
Ding
Five-star ride recorded
Ride Count: 1 / 25
Lin Tian watched the number change.
A strange excitement filled his chest.
Twenty-four more.
He pulled the taxi back into traffic.
Across the vast city, millions of opportunities waited.
Lin Tian didn't know yet that this simple taxi mission would be the first step toward a journey that would eventually reshape the entire world.
For now, he simply focused on the next passenger.
The meter reset.
The road stretched ahead.
And somewhere in the distance, destiny quietly began to move.