The afternoon sun slowly began drifting toward the west, casting long golden shadows across the streets of Shanghai.
Traffic flowed steadily as the city continued its endless rhythm. Office workers hurried between buildings, taxis honked impatiently, and the sidewalks remained packed with pedestrians chasing their daily routines.
Inside the silver Pagani Zonda, Lin Tian drove toward Shanghai University.
The powerful engine hummed beneath him, but his mind was focused on something else entirely.
The floating blue system interface hovered faintly in front of his eyes.
Ride Progress: 3 / 25
Remaining Time: 6 Days 13 Hours
Lin Tian tapped the steering wheel lightly with his fingers.
"Twenty-two rides left."
So far, the mission seemed surprisingly simple.
But Lin Tian knew better than to underestimate the system.
If it could reward a 450-million-yuan commercial land plot for such a small mission, then the system itself was clearly something extraordinary.
His phone vibrated again.
Another ride request appeared.
Pickup location: Shanghai University Gate
Distance: 800 meters
Lin Tian chuckled softly.
"Perfect timing."
He accepted the order and drove toward the campus entrance.
Shanghai University looked almost exactly the same as it had eight years ago.
Tall trees lined the walkways, and students gathered in groups outside the main gate. Some carried books, others chatted while drinking milk tea.
For most of them, life was still simple.
They had not yet stepped into the ruthless battlefield of society.
Lin Tian parked near the curb.
A few students nearby immediately noticed the Pagani.
"Whoa…"
"Is that a Pagani Zonda?"
"No way, that car costs more than twenty million!"
Several students pulled out their phones to take photos.
Lin Tian simply leaned back in the seat calmly.
A moment later, his passenger appeared.
It was a thin young man wearing a hoodie and carrying a large backpack.
The man looked at his phone first.
Then he looked at the Pagani.
Then he looked at his phone again.
"…Did I order the wrong ride?"
Lin Tian lowered the window.
"Are you going to Xincheng Apartment?"
The young man nodded slowly.
"Yes…"
"But… why is it a Pagani?"
Lin Tian smiled.
"Today's special vehicle."
The young man laughed awkwardly.
"I feel like I accidentally ordered a luxury experience."
He opened the passenger door and got in.
"My name's Liu Chen."
"Lin Tian."
The car pulled smoothly into traffic.
As they drove away from the university, Liu Chen kept glancing around the interior.
"This car is insane."
He touched the dashboard carefully.
"I've only seen cars like this in racing games."
Lin Tian chuckled.
"Enjoy the ride."
Liu Chen leaned back in the seat.
"I definitely will."
The Pagani accelerated along the wide road, and the scenery outside began sliding past rapidly.
After a few minutes, Liu Chen suddenly asked a question.
"So… are you some kind of billionaire doing a social experiment?"
Lin Tian laughed.
"Why would you think that?"
"Because normal people don't drive Pagani while working as Didi drivers."
Lin Tian shrugged.
"Maybe I'm not normal."
Liu Chen stared at him.
"…That's fair."
They both laughed.
Fifteen minutes later, the Pagani stopped in front of Xincheng Apartment.
Liu Chen stepped out reluctantly.
"That was the coolest ride of my life."
Lin Tian smiled.
"Five stars?"
"Definitely."
Liu Chen gave a thumbs-up before walking into the apartment complex.
Ding
Five-Star Ride Confirmed
Ride Progress: 4 / 25
Reward: Experience +50,000
Lin Tian stretched his shoulders slightly.
"Not bad."
He had completed four rides already.
But just as he was about to accept the next order, the system interface suddenly flickered again.
Strategic Defense Network Update
Security Personnel Arrival: 1 Hour
Assigned Unit: Chen Luo
Location: Shanghai University District
Lin Tian raised an eyebrow.
"So he's arriving early."
The system rarely gave unnecessary information.
If Chen Luo was arriving here, it meant they would probably meet soon.
Lin Tian decided to park the car near a quiet street beside the campus.
The evening air had begun cooling down.
Students walked along the sidewalks while street vendors sold snacks nearby.
Lin Tian leaned against the Pagani casually.
People passing by kept glancing at the supercar.
Some even whispered among themselves.
But Lin Tian ignored them.
He was waiting.
About twenty minutes later, a tall man appeared at the end of the street.
The man wore a simple black jacket and walked with steady steps.
His posture was straight.
His gaze was sharp.
Anyone with experience could immediately recognize something unusual about him.
This was not the posture of an ordinary person.
It was the posture of someone trained for combat.
The man stopped a few meters away from Lin Tian.
Their eyes met.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Then the man stepped forward.
"You're Lin Tian?"
His voice was calm and deep.
Lin Tian nodded.
"And you must be Chen Luo."
Chen Luo's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise.
"You already know my name."
Lin Tian smiled slightly.
"I know a lot of things."
Chen Luo studied him carefully.
For several seconds, he remained silent.
Then he finally spoke again.
"The system told me I would be working for you."
Lin Tian nodded.
"Looks like it."
Chen Luo glanced at the Pagani.
"A Didi driver with a Pagani."
He shook his head slightly.
"This job is already interesting."
Lin Tian chuckled.
"You'll get used to it."
Chen Luo crossed his arms.
"What exactly do you want me to do?"
Lin Tian thought for a moment.
"For now?"
"Protect me."
Chen Luo nodded.
"That's simple."
But his eyes quickly turned serious again.
"You should know something."
"What?"
"If the system assigned me to you, it means your future will involve serious danger."
Lin Tian didn't look surprised.
"I figured."
Chen Luo's gaze sharpened slightly.
"Kidnappings."
"Corporate sabotage."
"Assassination attempts."
"These things happen more often than people think."
Lin Tian leaned casually against the Pagani.
"That's why you're here."
Chen Luo nodded slowly.
"That's right."
The two men stood silently for a moment.
The evening wind moved gently through the trees.
Students walked past them without realizing that something important had just begun.
Finally, Chen Luo spoke again.
"When do we start?"
Lin Tian smiled faintly.
"We already did."
He pointed at the Pagani.
"I'm currently working."
Chen Luo raised an eyebrow.
"As a driver?"
"For now."
Chen Luo looked thoughtful.
Then he nodded.
"Understood."
Lin Tian opened the car door.
"Get in."
Chen Luo walked to the passenger side and entered the car.
The Pagani's engine roared to life once again.
As the car pulled away from the university street, the system interface appeared quietly in front of Lin Tian.
Strategic Defense Network
Personnel: 1
Status: Active
Lin Tian glanced at the display.
Then he looked at the road ahead.
His journey had only just begun.
But step by step…
The empire he would build was already starting to take shape.