The smell of fried oil and dying neon filled the air.
Shen Fu stood outside an old coin arcade in south Yuncheng, its cracked sign flickering: "GAME ZONE – 5¥/Token." The place reeked of debt. Half the machines didn't work, the manager looked like he hadn't slept in three days, and the only customers were kids skipping school and local low-level thugs.
Perfect.
Xiaodie stood beside him, her eyes scanning the place like a shark circling blood. She tugged the strings of her hoodie tighter, blending into the shadows. "This the first target?"
Shen Fu nodded. "Business is dead. But its location's perfect—central, low surveillance, good traffic."
She smirked. "Want me to scare the owner into selling?"
He pulled a folded contract from his jacket. "No need. He already signed a soft lease-to-buy agreement last night. He thinks I'm working for a mobile game startup."
Xiaodie grinned. "And you're not?"
He didn't answer. Just walked inside.
Inside "Game Zone"
The fluorescent lights buzzed like angry bees.
Mr. Luo, the owner, was hunched over a busted machine. He jumped as Shen entered.
"Ah! You're back early," he said, eyes twitching. "The funds—will they come this week?"
Shen gave him a slow nod. "I've got the first batch now. But there's a new clause."
Mr. Luo frowned. "Clause?"
Before Shen could respond, the glass door swung open again.
Click. Click. Expensive dress shoes. Sharp cologne. Controlled steps.
A man walked in, flanked by two assistants in black. His blazer was tailored, his hair slicked back. He looked like he belonged at a boardroom in Shanghai—not in a dying arcade.
Qin Han.
He offered Shen Fu a slow, courteous nod. "Fancy seeing you here."
Shen didn't move. "What do you want?"
Qin Han turned to Mr. Luo. "I represent Ark Holdings. We're interested in acquiring this property. I believe you've already signed a non-binding letter of intent?"
Luo blinked. "I—I mean, yes, but—he came first," he gestured at Shen.
Qin smiled without warmth. "Sometimes, Mr. Luo, first isn't best. I'm offering double."
Xiaodie's eyes narrowed.
Shen Fun stuffed his hands in his hoodie pocket. Calm. Cold.
"You're late," he said to Qin Han. "I've already run background on this place. It's five weeks from default, two illegal employees on record, and three active gang protection payments. It's poison."
Qin Han chuckled. "Which is why I like it. There's gold in poison, if you refine it right."
He turned to Xiaodie, gave her a once-over, then dismissed her with a blink. "Recruiting from the streets, I see."
She didn't speak, but Shen Fu caught the twitch in her fingers.
"Back off," Shen Fu said quietly.
Qin Han smirked. "No street goons. Just business, Shen. But let's make this fun. I'll give you a week. If you can make this place show any signs of recovery—traffic, profit, influence—I'll walk away."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"But if not… I'll buy out every dump you set your eyes on. And I'll start by tearing this one down. Brick by brick."
And with that, he left.
Outside – Minutes Later
Xiaodie spat on the ground. "That guy's a scum. You know him?"
Shen Fu stared into the distance. "Used to wash his car for extra money, back when I dropped out."
"Serious?"
"He's nobody."
A lie.
Shen opened his phone. The system interface bloomed to life.
[SYSTEM UPDATE – CHALLENGE TRIGGERED]
⚠️ Rival Detected: Qin Han – Human User (No System Access)
Mission Branch Activated: "Stake the Claim"
New Conditions:
– Generate 5% increase in location foot traffic in 7 days
– Deploy 1 viral marketing campaign using Liu Shuang's media influence
– Secure legal shell ownership before Ark Holdings files claim
Reward Upgrade:
– +30,000¥ Bonus Capital
– Unlock New Skill: Brand Perception Hack
– System Upgrade Progress: 28% → 38%
Failure:
– Rival gains access to Location Node
– Liu Shuang's Influence -10%
– Xiaodie Loyalty -15%
Shen stared at the screen.
He had seven days to turn this rotting hole into a place of interest—or watch it get eaten alive.
Elsewhere – Uptown Yuncheng
Qin Han leaned back in the backseat of his black Lexus ES 350, swirling whiskey in a crystal glass.
One of his aides handed him a tablet. Liu Shuang's recent live stream replayed on the screen.
He watched silently, then whispered, "Beautiful. Unreachable. And yet… now tied to him."
He downed the whiskey in one gulp.
"Let's see how long she stays loyal when the walls start closing in."