In a dark room, the curtains were stained with dust, while the walls were crusty and dark.
The air was stuffy and misty, and had a scent of unwashed clothes.
The bed creaked, as a figure slowly rose up.
He looked around with bewilderment. Last night, he was mysteriously knocked down and fainted on the streets.
How did he come back to his home? Who had brought him back?
Just then, the door opened, and an adorable looking girl entered the room.
She wore ordinary clothes that looked like they were bought from the streets, but failed to mask her endearing appearance.
Her large round eyes were as bright as the stars in the starry sky, her nose dainty and small, while her lips were a shade of rosy red.
As he turned her head to look at her, his gaze revealed a warmth and adoration that came from the bottom of his heart.
This was his younger sister, Xiao Meng.
He and his younger sister could be considered as orphans. They had no parents they knew of, mercilessly abandoned to the streets.
They can only count for support from each other, living every day in constant darkness, as they worried about food and shelter.
For youths like them, how much money could they possibly make?
Xiao Meng was only 14 years old, while he was 16.
He was still in High School, and had to focus on his studies too, along with making a living.
His life, was very difficult.
"Xiao Meng." His raspy voice croaked out, as his lips curled up to reveal a smile.
His sister hurried over to his bedside, as she covered his mouth with her small hands, while saying in a lecturing tone, "No speaking. Eat your medicine first."
With that, she took out a wrapped plastic from her pockets. The medicine pill was covered in many layers, as if it was very precious.
Although the cost of this common medicine could be considered low and affordable to many, to them, it was many weeks of hard work.
Xiao Meng had definitely spent the money she had saved in a week just to pay for this pill.
He deeply sighed, "Xiao Meng, isn't your brother useless? I can't even give you a comfortable life, and even need you to use your savings to pay for my medicine."
He glanced at Xiao Meng in lamentation.
"Don't you dare say that! Big brother is not useless. He is the greatest brother in the world!" Xiao Meng shouted, giving his arm a hard pinch in anger.
Her eyes glared at him menacingly.
Then, taking the advantage of his mouth wide open in pain after her pinch, she quickly stuffed the pill within his mouth, not giving him a single chance to reject.
"Take this glass of water and drink it so that you will feel more comfortable." Xiao Meng placed a glass of water at the bedside, then looked at him caringly before she opened the door and left.
Glancing at the fading shading of Xiao Meng's back, along with the glass of water that contained all the care she had for him, raging emotions flooded his heart.
At this moment, he felt as if his heart was stabbed by a thousand knifes, mercilessly pierced and broken apart.
He couldn't control the tears that started to flow down his cheeks.
He cried.
For the one time in his entire life, he cried.
He only cried two times in his entire life.
The day when he and his sister was abandoned, and now.
Never once through his life of eternal darkness and hopelessness, of the numerous difficulties and pain he had experienced, had a tear flow down his cheek.
The contempt, the disdain, the derision and mockery that he had received, he always buried them within his heart, and endured it all by himself.
He grieved not for himself, but for his sister.
His cute and adorable little sister, who was supposed to be living in happiness and cheerfulness, enjoying the greatest period of her life, her childhood.
Now, she was reduced to living in a dilapidated home, constantly worrying about the problem of food.
Toys? Beautiful clothes? Delicious meals?
She had never seen, or touch a single one before.
And it was all because of him.
Because it was so useless, so useless till the point where he was unable to earn enough money.
It was never enough. No matter how hard he tried, he could never give his little sister a good life.
He hated himself for being so useless.
He ruthlessly dug his fingers into his own hands, feeling the excruciating pain, but ignoring it.
Along with the tears that flowed down the ground, the dripping red blood mixed with it, and turned it into a dreadful fresh red liquid.
Staring at the perfect mixture, a thought flashed past his mind.
A very dangerous thought
No! This was not the time for him to feel despair.
He still had a little sister to take care of! What will happen to her, if he had left?
Just like how their parents abandoned them, he will abandon her?
Not in his life!
He steadied himself, as he stood up. Stabilizing his emotions, he slowly opened his eyes.
His pair of eyes were like an endless bottomless abyss, dark and deep.
They say the eyes are the windows to your souls.
All the difficulties he had faced, in his life, had shaped him.
He was many times more mature than others his own age.
Although his mind set was there, but his capabilities, were direly lacking.
Just thinking about this made his mind hurt.
At this moment in time, a 'ding' sound resounded within his mind.
He looked around in bewilderment, trying to find out where the sound came from.
[Godly Investment System has been activated]
A cold and monotonous sound once again rang out in his mind.
His eyes searched around the four corners of the room, but all was normal, with no presence of people.
[Host, do not panic. I live inside your brain.]
What the hell?
He anxiously clutched his brain in fear, worrying that he had become crazy and was hearing voices.
If he truly had mental issues, then what was to become of his little sister?
With this thought in his mind, he hypnotised himself, repeating the sentence "I am not crazy, I am not hearing voices" many times within his head, hoping that the voice would go away.
[Host, I am a System which exists within your brain. Even if you try to trick yourself, it would not work]
Go and die!
He repeated the sentence within his mind even quicker after he heard this.
[Host, I am a System meant to help you grow]
He ignored the voice.
[I have many heaven-defying features that can assist you]
He continued to ignore the voice.
[The main purpose of the System, is to help you earn money through Investments, and become the richest man in the Universe]
His ears pricked up at the mention of money.
Money! That was what he desperately need right now.
This was the only thing that he cared about, because only with money, could he give his little sister a good life.
[Host, do you accept the integration?]
"Yes!" He shouted agitatedly.
A few moments later, he was pulled into a strange and mysterious space within his mind.
There was host panel that was clearly displayed
Host: Si Chen
Level: 1
Net worth: 200 dollars
It was as simple as that.
Only three rows of information that showed his name, level, and net worth?
He was quite confused right now, and did not know what to do next.
[First Mission]
To be an investor, you first must have enough capital to invest in businesses!
With you pathetic meagre net worth, even the dogs and cats on the streets are feeling ashamed of you!
Because of this, the System will gift you 10000 dollars out of pity, to start of your investing career!
Mission Target: Invest in Hui Yuan Drink Store.
Mission Target 2: Earn 500 dollars from the Investment. Current Progress: (0/500)
Hidden Target: Raise net worth by 3000 dollars. Current Progress: (0/3000)
Invest in the Hui Yuan Drink Store?
Si Chen wrinkled his eyebrows, his mind in thought.
He had remembered that they were initially booming in business, but because of some capital issues, they were unable to keep up with their production costs, and the quality of the drinks started to drop.
In the end, the once vibrant business had turned into a desolated and empty one.
He was given a credit card that was held within his hands that contained 10000 dollars.
He exited the mind space, and then he realized that the credit card was still in his hands.
This meant that it was not a dream at all! He finally had money!
Before he could become overjoyed, he abruptly realized that the money was to be used in investment.
He furrowed his eyebrows, and secretly thought, 'What if I simply spent the money on something else instead?'
As the idea popped his mind, it became more and more feasible as he pondered on it.
At this moment, the System sent out a notification.
[Using the System's given cash for other untoward purposes, would lead to a high charge electric shock to the brain, and cause the Host to be permanently brain-disabled]
This was like a pail of cold water mercilessly splashed onto his head, as his excitement quickly died down.
There was no need to be too greedy. He could use the money he earned from the investment, right?
Then, he would be able to buy many things for his little sister!
He silently wiped the tears of his eyes, and cleaned up his blood-stained hands.
A passion ignited within his heart, as his eyes burned with zeal and determination.
He was no longer the same person who had just wept in grief a few minutes ago.
Because now, he had an extra something within him.
It was, hope!
He quietly slipped out of the house, still wearing his tattered clothing, as he went towards the Hui Yuan Drink Store.