Liam Zhang was no stranger to struggle. Growing up in an underfunded orphanage on the outskirts of Nanjing, his days were a monotonous routine of study, odd jobs, and ensuring he stayed out of trouble. Life had never been kind, and Liam learned early that the only person he could rely on was himself.
Yet, deep inside, he carried a flicker of hope—a belief that one day, his perseverance would pay off.
On his 20th birthday, Liam walked back from the electronics repair shop where he worked part-time. His meager paycheck barely covered his living expenses in the cramped shared apartment, but he kept grinding, believing in a better future. As he trudged through the crowded street, dodging bicycles and street vendors, he heard a voice in his mind.
> "Welcome to the Sign-In System. Please confirm activation."
Liam froze. "What?" he whispered, looking around. Had he lost his mind?
> "Host detected. Activation pending. Please confirm."
He hesitated for a moment, but curiosity got the better of him. "Activate."
A glowing screen appeared before his eyes, visible only to him.
---
Sign-In System Activated
Daily Mission: Sign in at your current location.
Reward: Beginner's Gift Pack.
---
Liam blinked in disbelief. "This... this must be a hallucination." Yet, something compelled him to follow through. He clenched his fists and muttered, "Sign in."
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Sign-In Complete
Reward: Beginner's Gift Pack Received!
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As the message flashed, Liam felt a surge of energy. A small holographic chest materialized before him, and with a thought, he opened it.
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Beginner's Gift Pack Contents:
¥10,000 Transfer (Bound)
Knowledge Module: Financial Basics
Skill Module: Intermediate Negotiation
---
Liam staggered backward. "Ten thousand yuan? Is this... real?"
The system chimed in.
> "Funds transferred to your bound account. Modules are now accessible."
Pulling out his battered phone, Liam checked his bank app. His balance had indeed increased by ¥10,000. His heart raced. "This is no dream!"
---
For the rest of the evening, Liam explored the system. The Knowledge Module filled his mind with information about finance—investment basics, money management, and accounting principles. The Skill Module refined his speaking ability, making him persuasive and confident.
The next morning, Liam quit his part-time job. He didn't know where this system would take him, but for the first time, he saw a path out of poverty.