In July, the scorching sun blazes down, and the blazing sunlight pours down like scalding golden liquid, tightly enveloping the city.
The streets and alleys are filled with suffocating heat waves.
People seem to be in a huge furnace, and every inch of their skin is enduring the intense heat.
Alex is wearing loose shorts and is bare-chested. Under the only patch of shade in his small yard, he finds a moment of coolness.
He sprawls casually on the wicker chair.
Under his weight, the wicker chair makes a slight "creaking" sound, as if protesting against this sweltering weather.
His forehead is beaded with fine sweat that slowly slides down his cheeks, drops to the ground, and is instantly swallowed by the scorching ground.
His tongue sticks out from time to time, trying to relieve the thirst and discomfort brought by the summer heat.
A slight wheezing sound comes from his throat, as if every breath is engaged in a difficult struggle with this sweltering air.
His stomach feels as if an invisible hand is kneading it wantonly, causing a dull pain.
Yesterday at Kevin's graduation banquet, he was forced to drink a large amount of alcohol.
The spicy liquid churned in his stomach until he vomited twice.
Now, the uncomfortable aftereffects still linger, tormenting him intermittently.
Although a hint of hunger quietly rises in his stomach, when looking at the food in front of him, he has no appetite at all.
He just feels that the whole person is enveloped by an indescribable discomfort, as if his body no longer belongs to him.
Just then, the mobile phone placed on the stone table beside him is like a startled beast, suddenly emitting a sharp ring.
Alex frowned slightly and listlessly reached out to grab the mobile phone and swiped the screen to answer the call.
"Hello?" His voice is hoarse and tired, as if all his energy has been drained by the intense heat.
"Alex! Ellie's graduation banquet is scheduled for the 5th. You must go, right?" David's unique voice came through the receiver, filled with uncontainable excitement and anticipation.
It seems that he is about to step into not just a graduation banquet but a grand and luxurious carnival party.
Alex narrowed his eyes slightly, and Ellie's appearance emerged in his mind.
Among the graduates of Experimental High School this year, Ellie is like a dazzling star.
Her beauty is enough to make all the boys turn their heads.
Her slender waist is like a willow branch swaying in the wind, light and soft;
her long and straight legs seem to measure the steps of youth with every step;
her skin is as white as jade, emitting a charming luster under the sunlight;
her face is exquisitely flawless, her eyes are bright as stars, her nose is straight and pretty, and her red lips are delicate and alluring.
She is like a work of art meticulously crafted by heaven and is the object of admiration that many boys dream of.
However, the corner of Alex's mouth slightly curled up, revealing a cold smile.
The words he uttered were like a basin of cold water, instantly dousing David's enthusiasm:
"No!"
"Ah?" David's voice was filled with surprise and confusion.
"Really? That's Ellie, the beauty! Such an opportunity, once missed is one less. What are you thinking?"
"We are not on the same path. What's the point of going?" Alex's tone carried a hint of impatience.
His gaze looked into the distance, as if through the layers of heat waves, he saw the insurmountable gap between himself and Ellie.
"Tsk tsk... Alex, did you get stimulated at Kevin's graduation banquet yesterday? Don't be so petty. It's not a big deal..."
As soon as Alex heard this, a surge of anger welled up in his heart.
He tightly held the mobile phone, and his knuckles turned slightly white due to the force.
He thought to himself: It's not you who was wronged. You are standing by and saying sarcastic remarks, so of course it's easy for you to talk!
Yesterday at Kevin's graduation banquet, Alex had been reluctant to attend.
He had no intention of stepping into that "prosperity" that didn't belong to him.
Although he and Kevin are classmates, in the class, they are like two parallel tracks.
They each have completely different social circles.
In ordinary days, there is almost no intersection between them.
Everyone in the small group where Kevin and Ellie are all from wealthy families with abundant resources and no worries about food and clothing.
Their lives are full of luxury and showiness.
While Alex is just an ordinary student from an ordinary family.
Every day, he faces the trivialities of daily life and the pressure of living.
He has a straightforward personality, like a pine tree standing proudly on the edge of a cliff.
He doesn't like flattery and is even more disdainful of currying favor with the powerful.
He has never been on good terms with their circle full of money worship and vanity, so he has always kept his distance.
But when an invitation was extended, and David kept urging him on one side.
Thinking of their classmate relationship, Alex thought that such opportunities to gather were indeed fewer and fewer.
In life, one can't be too aloof.
Eventually, he reluctantly agreed to go.
Who would have thought that the whole process was simply a nightmare.
According to his family's economic situation and the normal standards of social interaction, Alex carefully prepared a 200-dollar red envelope.
In his opinion, this is just a normal exchange of courtesy.
As long as the intention is there, it's fine.
But who would have thought that because the banquet was held in a five-star hotel, with the luxurious venue and expensive dishes, this 200-dollar red envelope seemed extremely shabby in the eyes of those rich kids.
As soon as he stepped into the banquet hall, several mean and snobbish guys surrounded him.
Their eyes were full of contempt and ridicule, and there was a sneer on their lips.
They started criticizing Alex. Alex tried to explain, but they didn't listen at all.
Instead, they forcibly poured cups of spicy alcohol into his mouth until his stomach churned and he vomited twice.
The sour smell of vomit spread in the air, mixing with the perfume and dish fragrance in the banquet hall, forming a disgusting odor.
The laughter and ridicule of the people around were like sharp knives, stabbing straight into Alex's heart.
Now, whenever he recalls those taunts and ridicules, Alex feels a raging fire burning in his heart.
The anger spreads wantonly in his chest and is hard to subside.
"Kevin held the banquet in a five-star hotel. Excluding alcohol, a table of dishes costs more than two thousand dollars, and you only gave two hundred? You're really something!"
"That's right. Don't tell me you came just to freeload?"
"I think Kevin doesn't care about your two hundred dollars. Come on, have a drink! If you don't have enough money, at least show some sincerity, right?"
Young people are always concerned about face.
At that time, Alex was held up like a moon surrounded by stars.
His arms were tightly grabbed and he couldn't move. Surrounded by pairs of eyes full of expectation and coercion, he really couldn't get away.
But he knew very well in his heart that he was definitely not the kind of fool who could be easily manipulated.
So after coming back, he secretly swore that he would never attend any of these people's graduation banquets again.
He didn't want to step into that world full of vanity and hypocrisy and suffer those unfounded humiliations and ridicules.
Why?
Just because you got into a good university, you have to show off everywhere as if it's a sign of being superior?
Just because you found a beautiful girlfriend, you have to show off in front of everyone as if it's a symbol of your status?
Now, even when giving a gift according to one's own ability, you have to be trampled and humiliated so wantonly by them?!
Is there nothing else in their lives except showing off and comparing?
They are really a bunch of idle people who have nothing better to do after having enough to eat!
Especially when Kevin hypocritically approached him with that disgusting fake smile on his face and said,
"In fact, the college you applied for is quite a wise choice. Although Xinghu Normal University is only a second-tier institution, there are quite a lot of girls. Boys like you will definitely find a girlfriend and don't have to worry about being single."
Alex felt his fists trembling slightly. He was so angry that he wanted to rush up and slap Kevin hard to completely shatter his hypocritical mask.
Just because you have some money at home?
Do you think having money means you can have everything?
Can you trample on others' dignity at will?
Although I come from an ordinary family, I have my own pride and dignity.
If I had such a wealthy family background, I would definitely pursue Ellie with my sincerity and talent long ago!
Unlike you, who have wealth but no connotation and cultivation.
You are really a fool who doesn't know how to spend money even though you have it!
Having had such an unpleasant experience at Kevin's graduation banquet yesterday, Alex definitely won't go to Ellie's graduation banquet to find discomfort for himself. It's not that he's afraid.
He just doesn't want to deal with those arrogant people anymore.
As for Ellie, let it be a dream from high school. Thinking that his three-year-long secret love is finally coming to an end, Alex feels a bit melancholy in his heart, but he also understands that it's inevitable.
Too lazy to argue with David anymore, Alex directly cut off the other's persuasion: "Stop! If you treat me, I will definitely go.
As for Ellie and them, forget it. I can't afford to associate with them. Bye!" After hanging up the phone, Alex threw the mobile phone aside and shook his head with a sneer.
Really, you have no sense at all. What are you going for?
To be ridiculed like a clown and then go home and fantasize with her fragrance?
Gu Jiao is a mining city filled with nouveau riche.
The extremely expensive commercial center and the scar-like urban villages stand in contrast.
Our families are the epitome of thousands of urban farmers, living in low shantytowns where there is no sunlight even during the day!
In such a money-driven society full of impetuousness, the gap between you and Ellie cannot be filled by just being classmates!
When people are poor, even breathing is wrong.
You don't understand, but Alex does. There seems to be a fire in his chest.
He is angry and restless. Just at this moment, a crisp notification sound suddenly rang in his mind.
"Ding! Congratulations, host. You have been selected by the tycoon system."
"As the owner of the tycoon system, your every breath is power."
"Current system level: Level 1."
"With every breath, you will receive a cash reward of 5 cents."
"Upgrade experience: 0/10000."
"Note 1: Investing, giving, or spending one yuan will earn one experience point. Lending, repaying, or transferring savings will not generate experience."
"Note 2: The system money can be withdrawn and transferred instantly, unlimited times and accounts, absolutely safe."
"More functions will be opened after the system is upgraded."
The tycoon system?!
Alex was stunned for a long time.
After repeatedly confirming that it wasn't an illusion, his face slowly turned red.
Fortune takes turns. This year, it's my turn!
Am I finally going to be the coolest guy in the village and reach the pinnacle of life?
After being excited for a long time, Alex gradually accepted this unexpected luck and turned his attention back to the system itself. Breathing is power?
Alex's heart moved. He stared at the panel and started breathing rapidly.
"Puff, puff, puff, puff!"
Sticking out his tongue and breathing rapidly like a dog.
Sure enough, the money number on the system panel started to soar.
+5+5+5+5... On average, it's ten cents per second.
When he had earned ten yuan with great effort, Alex rolled his eyes and fell onto the wicker chair, half dead.
Damn it!
Doing this is like joking with his life.
When he earns his first ten thousand yuan in his life, he might as well prepare for his funeral!
After resting enough, Alex changed his train of thought and prepared to test the number of breaths per minute under normal conditions.
He calmed his breathing and counted silently.
As a result, all of a sudden, he couldn't breathe properly.
Either it was too fast or too slow. After a while, his face turned red again.
Alex was really helpless. As soon as it's related to money, breathing becomes a high-difficulty skill?
"Relax, relax naturally!" Alex muttered to himself to cheer himself up and started trying again.
He tried to empty his mind and not focus on breathing.
After a few minutes, he finally got an approximate number.
He breathes about 20 times per minute.
That means he earns one yuan per minute. Although the number seems not high, after a simple calculation, Alex was shocked. About 1440 yuan per day!
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Alex jumped up, ran around the yard, and kept punching the air.
It took him a long time to calm down.
Finally, he rushed to the kitchen, scooped up a basin of water, and poured it over his head.
So refreshing! After wiping his body briefly, Alex lay down again and slowly regained his thinking ability and started thinking randomly.
The system can be upgraded, and its functions should become more and more powerful.
10000÷1440 = 6.94.
It will take seven days to accumulate enough upgrade experience.
The speed is not slow.
Moreover, the mechanism of the system is very clear - it doesn't matter where the money comes from. What matters is how to spend it.
If you don't spend it, you won't get any experience at all. Is it asking me to be a big spender?
I like it! On June 8th, Alex just stepped out of the college entrance examination room, ending three years of arduous struggle.
On June 10th, Alex got the largest sum of money in his life, 5000 yuan.
He used 2200 yuan to sign up for a summer driving school class and 2800 yuan for giving gifts at classmates' banquets.
Now he still has 1983 yuan left.
A day ago, he was ridiculed because his red envelope was only 200 yuan and came back drunk. Ten minutes ago, the most expensive luxury item on his wish list was an iPhone.
Now, a taciturn and aloof system tells him: Your every breath is power. What kind of feeling is that?
Life is like a box of assorted chocolates. Until you put it in your mouth, you never know which one is milk-flavored and which one is shit-flavored.
Alex is quite sure: From now on, in my life, it will always be milk-flavored! What kind of milk?
Change a brand every day, take a sip and spit it out! Lying on the wicker chair, Alex suddenly had an idea that even startled himself.
"Is there any way to upgrade the system faster?"
He thought for a moment and then decided to take action.
Alex opened his phone's shopping app and started looking for items to purchase.
He figured that using borrowed money to make purchases should still count as experience points for upgrading the system.
He found a discounted pack of paper tissues.
Each pack had 300 tissues, and 30 packs cost only $29, which was even cheaper than toilet paper.
He quickly made the purchase using his credit card.
As soon as the payment was completed, he checked the system panel.
The experience value showed as... 29/10000!
It really worked! Alex was overjoyed. Looking at his credit card account with a remaining limit of $7171, he suddenly felt that the credit card company was very可爱 (cute).
"Sorry, credit card company.I was wrong about you. I used to think that as a poor student, you giving me such a high credit limit was just trying to make me work for you.
So I never cherished it. Not only did I never use installment payments, but I always found opportunities to take advantage of you. Now I know I was wrong. Daddy, please love me again!"
He thought about asking for a credit limit increase, but he knew it was impossible.
However, after a simple calculation, he found that he had just enough funds.
His credit card had a total limit of $7200, and he also had $1100 in another credit line. Plus, he still had $1983 in savings. Not only was it enough for his planned purchases, but there would even be $283 left over.
Since he had some extra funds, Alex decided to do another experiment.
He opened a private chat with Ellie and sent her a $200 red envelope along with a message.
"Ellie, sorry, I might not be able to make it to your graduation banquet. Anyway, I wish you happiness every day and become more and more beautiful."
The red envelope was quickly opened, but soon after, she sent back a red envelope.
"Thank you. I might also not have time to go to your graduation banquet. We're even now." Alex was taken aback.
Was Ellie so independent that she didn't want to take advantage of this $200 or did she just not want to have any connection with him?
Well, it didn't matter. He didn't care.
From now on, things would be different.
In the future, who was superior and who was inferior would be determined by time.
Looking at the experience value that had increased by 200 and now showed as 229/10000, Alex casually smiled, opened the returned red envelope, and took back the $200.
He didn't send any more messages. Next, it was time to think about how to spend the money.
To be honest, Alex had never had so much money that he could freely spend.
The urban village where he lived was basically like a rural area.
Alex's parents used to be farmers. After suffering a business loss once, they had been working as laborers ever since.
Alex had never had much pocket money growing up.
Now that he suddenly had $10,000 to spend, he was so excited that his whole body trembled.
The highest limit on his credit card seemed to be over $9,000, but Alex had never dared to use it before.
Even though he had been longing for an iPhone, he had never dreamed of owning one.
But now... it was just like five days' worth of wages.
Buy it! Today is July 26th, 2015.
If nothing unexpected happens, a new model of the iPhone will be released in two months.
Even so, the official store still hasn't reduced the price.
The 128GB version still costs $6888 and only comes with an additional tempered glass screen protector.
In the past, Alex would have thought it was a huge loss to buy it now when it was bound to be cheaper in two months.
But now... he would give $7000 for it!
And he would also get an aluminum alloy phone case! While communicating with the customer service representative, Alex's fingers were trembling.
"Brother, you're really extravagant! Just five minutes ago, you were calculating that 300-tissue packs of paper were 18 cents cheaper than toilet paper.
Now you dare to buy an alloy phone case.
Tsk tsk..." After buying the big-ticket item, Alex used the remaining small change to top up his phone bill and then spent the rest using his other credit line.
For $1100, he really didn't know what to buy. So he casually clicked on a large advertisement on the homepage.
"Oh my! Is that thing so expensive?" Alex's eyes widened.
CK classic boxer briefs, guaranteed authentic.
Three pairs for $550, available in black and white.
And now, when you buy them, you get a box of three pairs as a gift...
Since the price was just right and he could spend exactly $1100, he silently placed the order.
Only after spending the money did Alex realize how extravagant he had become.
Wearing a $20 short, an $18 T-shirt, and a $10 belt, he now dared to pair it with $183 boxer briefs!
The key problem was that big brands were recognizable when worn on the outside, but when worn on the inside...
Do you have to unbutton your pants to show off your wealth?
Eh... He didn't think much when buying it, and he didn't care after buying it.
Anyway, it was just to make up the amount and spend exactly $1100.
Whatever. With this thought in mind, when spending the last $1500, Alex directly purchased a pair of beige Converse Chuck 70 on Tmall.
After the discount, it cost exactly $1499, and the store also gave two pairs of boat socks.
He had always worn $20 or $30 pairs of Warrior sneakers. Now he could finally try the "high-end version of Warrior."
When the experience value reached 9999/10000, he topped up his phone bill with $1, and the system successfully upgraded.
"The life tycoon system has been upgraded to level 2."
"With every breath, you will receive a cash reward of 10 cents."
"When tasting delicious food, there is a 1% chance of obtaining a mysterious reward related to eating."
"Upgrade experience: 0/30000."
"The system mall is opened. A new product is updated every Monday at zero o'clock. If not purchased within the week, it will be refreshed."
Alex noticed the new attribute first - the food reward. Tasting delicious food?
It should have certain requirements for food quality...
Eating a bowl of instant noodles when extremely hungry is just to meet survival needs and is not really enjoyment.
True delicious food may not be very expensive, but at least it should be made with care and bring people a pleasant experience.
So, the system is really considerate. T
asting delicious food is already a pleasure, and there is even an additional reward?
Awesome!
But the probability is a bit low and makes people frustrated.
With a 1% probability, having a hundred meals in three months might only result in one mysterious reward...
Well, leave it to chance. Alex hoped that when the system upgraded again, the probability would increase.
Next came the main event - the cash reward doubled!
Now, he could earn $120 per hour and $2800 per day! Alex was so happy that he couldn't stop grinning.
He felt that life had reached its peak.
Waking up from one sleep and getting nearly $3000, and then waking up from another sleep and getting another nearly $3000... Why go to school if you can be such a slacker?
What job can a second-tier normal university student find that pays as much as two days' salary now?
Of course, not going to school is impossible.
Otherwise, his parents would definitely beat him to death. Abbreviation: facebook. In fact, Alex was even more looking forward to college life now.
Because a carefree college life without any pressure would definitely be amazing!
No endless homework, no need to worry about survival, and no need to rack one's brains to find excuses to ask parents for money.
There is plenty of time and plenty of senior and junior schoolmates...
Tsk tsk! What a wonderful life! After being happy for a long time, Alex suddenly remembered: Oh, there's also a mall? He opened it and saw only one product lying alone in the mall.
" Habit Cultivator."
"Quantity: 1."
"Usable times: 33."
"Price: $30,000."
"Function: Each use instantly takes effect and helps the host cultivate a deep-rooted good habit."
"Note: When the mall is opened for the first time, the product price is 10% of the original price."
Oh my! Wouldn't the original price be $300,000?
Well, considering its function, it's not expensive.
In fact, aside from those freaks who easily get into top universities, there probably isn't a huge gap in intelligence between ordinary first-tier and third-tier university students.
Many times, poor grades are due to bad study habits.
Alex deeply felt this.
Not being focused in class, not understanding problems thoroughly when doing exercises, and getting bored after a few minutes of reviewing...
Thus, the grades gradually拉开 (diverge).
Eventually, quantitative changes lead to qualitative changes.
If he could have gotten this thing earlier and cultivated some good habits, it would not only help with studies but also have important implications for his entire life.
Well, it's not too late now. Spending $30,000 to cultivate three good habits is definitely a great deal. Oh?
Wait! I don't have $30,000! Alex suddenly thought of the system mall's setting.
It was like a bucket of cold water poured over his head, making him feel completely chilled.
"If not purchased within the week, it will be refreshed." Today is Sunday, the 26th.
At midnight, the mall will be refreshed.
In just half a day, there's no way to get the money even if he sold a kidney.
Damn it! There's no point thinking about it anymore! Alex looked at the "Habit Cultivator" with reluctance and sighed.
Once there was a magical item in front of me, but I didn't have the money.
There is nothing more painful in this world.
If there was a chance to do it over again...
I still wouldn't be able to get $30,000!