Chapter 1: Betrayal and Awakening
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The bustling streets of Jiang City shimmered under the neon lights.
It was a typical evening in modern China, where the ancient heritage of the land blended seamlessly with the skyscrapers that clawed at the heavens.
Here, amidst the millions going about their busy lives, Ye Tian walked alone, his figure lost in the endless sea of people.
Tonight was supposed to be a celebration.
Ye Tian had carefully chosen a small, elegant silver bracelet — saving up his meager monthly allowance just to buy it — for someone he thought was his future.
Lin Qingxue.
His girlfriend of three and a half years.
They had been together since high school, weathering exams, family pressure, and financial struggles.
Ye Tian, from an ordinary middle-class family, had no luxury to offer — only his time, sincerity, and unwavering love.
He thought it was enough.
Clutching the tiny gift box tightly, Ye Tian made his way to Aroma Café, a popular meeting spot for young couples and office workers in Jiang City.
Lin Qingxue had called him earlier, her voice curt and strange.
"Maybe she's just tired," Ye Tian thought optimistically.
"Internships are stressful after all."
He inhaled deeply, steeling himself, and pushed open the glass door of the café.
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Warm lighting spilled over plush seats and neatly dressed waiters.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee and desserts filled the air.
But Ye Tian's heart sank the moment he saw her.
Near the window, Lin Qingxue sat close — too close — to another man.
Zhou Bin.
Rich, arrogant, the so-called "prince" of their university.
Ye Tian froze on the spot.
Zhou Bin's arm casually rested around Lin Qingxue's shoulders as they laughed over some private joke.
Lin Qingxue's face — once filled with shyness and warmth when she looked at Ye Tian — now glowed with an unfamiliar, almost greedy happiness.
Finally noticing him, Lin Qingxue's smile faded.
She stood up, her heels clicking sharply on the wooden floor, drawing the attention of nearby customers.
"Ye Tian," she said loudly, "you're here?"
There was no tenderness in her voice — only impatience.
Ye Tian forced a stiff smile and walked forward.
"I… I bought you something," he said quietly, offering her the small box.
Lin Qingxue took it with two fingers, as if it were dirty, and opened it lazily.
A silver bracelet with tiny sapphire stones glimmered inside.
For a brief second, Ye Tian hoped — just hoped — she would smile.
But Lin Qingxue merely scoffed.
"A cheap little thing from a poor loser like you," she said mockingly.
Before Ye Tian could react, she tossed the box carelessly into a nearby trash bin.
The bracelet landed with a faint, heart-wrenching clink.
The café fell silent.
Every pair of eyes turned toward them, some filled with ridicule, others with pity.
Zhou Bin stood up and wrapped an arm around Lin Qingxue, smirking.
"Bro, wake up," Zhou Bin sneered. "Qingxue deserves better. Not some broke, useless guy with no future."
"After all," Lin Qingxue added sweetly, resting her head on Zhou Bin's shoulder, "love without money is just pathetic."
Ye Tian stood there, feeling like the world had collapsed around him.
Three and a half years — gone like a cruel joke.
Shame, anger, heartbreak twisted inside him, but no words came out.
Turning stiffly, Ye Tian walked out of the café.
Behind him, laughter erupted like thunder, slicing into his already bleeding heart.
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Outside, the rain began to fall.
It came suddenly, soaking the streets, washing away the warmth of the city under a cold gray curtain.
Ye Tian wandered aimlessly under the storm, each step heavier than the last.
Was everything a lie?
Was he really that worthless?
His mind buzzed with a thousand questions.
He didn't see the speeding black car coming around the corner.
By the time the headlights flashed into his rain-blurred eyes, it was too late.
The sound of screeching tires.
A sharp, gut-wrenching pain.
The world spun violently before everything went black.
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In the darkness of unconsciousness, a voice echoed:
> [Binding Host: Ye Tian.]
[Detected: Host's Unyielding Will to Live.]
[Infinite Wealth System Activating.]
[Welcome, Ye Tian.]
Golden runes danced before his mind's eye, imprinting themselves deep into his soul.
Every second he breathed: +10.5 yuan.
Every step he walked: +10.5 yuan.
Every breath he inhaled: +10.5 yuan.
Completing tasks granted extraordinary rewards: Skills, Technologies, Company Shares, Master-level Techniques, and more.
A burning warmth spread through Ye Tian's battered body.
It wasn't death that embraced him.
It was a second life — a second chance.
He wasn't going to die.
He was going to live — live brilliantly.
The boy who had loved sincerely, who had been betrayed without mercy, who had been crushed under the wheels of fate — that Ye Tian was dead.
What would rise from the ashes…
was someone new.
Someone unstoppable.
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Far away in the starry sky, Blue Star continued to spin quietly in the vastness of the universe.
A new king had just opened his eyes.
And the world would never be the same again.
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End of Chapter 1
Word Count: 1,109 words