Reborn with Consumption System

Our School of Humanities' reputation is a bit poor, and it's quite difficult for the External Relations Department to find sponsorships, right? In the past, due to a lack of funds, many projects didn't go very smoothly—it was truly no one's fault. The new student council gets a fixed allocation of 100,000 each semester, along with non-fixed funding requests for various major events. I believe that our work will definitely improve greatly..."

Indeed, Han Lie didn't doubt this at all. There's definitely a world of difference between the attitudes and enthusiasm when working with money versus without it.

But the question is...what the heck does this have to do with me?!

Just as Han Lie was puzzling over this, Director Che suddenly dropped a bombshell.

"Especially the Department of Literature and Arts..."

Han Lie was startled. What's up with the Department of Literature and Arts? He was very sensitive to those words. In his last life, he had been assigned to muddle through his days in the Department of Literature and Arts. Although that wasn't exactly fun, it wasn't the department's fault—it was simply his own lack of ability.

The Department of Literature and Arts itself... was pretty cushy.

Director Che shared his "marvelous" plan with the air of confiding a secret.

"The leaders decided unanimously in the meeting to grant the Department of Literature and Arts more authority and a more significant status. They want to use it as a breakthrough, to play a leading role...

"The specific measures include priority in funding, providing a fixed venue for events, along with priority for taking leave, academic credit rewards, retaining the revenue they generate, and so on and so forth.

"In the end, the school can endorse external activities, easing concerns for students with part-time jobs. My personal external resources, along with those of other school leaders, can also be injected into the department as appropriate...

"Striving to create a department that truly serves the students, establishes a renowned name for Humanities, and values both beauty and quality—an exemplary department!

"Han Lie, are you interested in becoming the first head of the new Department of Literature and Arts?"

What the heck!

Han Lie was totally stunned.

Stroking his chin, he contemplated deeply for a while and finally had a rough understanding of Director Che's intent.

Man, are you guys trying to propel me to the heavens?!

Director Che's meaning wasn't hard to grasp—if Han Lie became the head, then the 100,000 allocated every semester would mainly be for the Department of Literature and Arts.

Han Lie himself didn't lack money, but this way, he could legitimately use the funds to subsidize his department members.

The original Department of Literature and Arts wasn't much, and the members' caliber, enthusiasm for work, and obedience weren't high.

But now...

With academic credits, convenience for taking leave, a fixed venue for activities, subsidies, and the school's endorsement for those wanting to do some Li Yi or modeling work externally...

This is like reaching for the sky!

Han Lie was certain that if these changes were implemented, the first head would be like an emperor crab—strutting sideways across campus.

"So ingenious!" Han Lie gave a thumbs up, genuinely praising.

Director Che chuckled, shedding any semblance of a teacher's dignified composure, and said with a suggestive wink, "Han Lie, this position of the first head is made for you!

"And although we have a plan, if there are issues during the actual execution, we can always discuss and modify it!"

Han Lie had originally thought he could resist any temptation.

This lousy school has nothing; what could it possibly use to test a cadre?

Now, he didn't think that anymore.

I mean, seriously, where else could you find leaders this good, this considerate, and this down-to-earth?

I can't let the leaders who trust me down, can I...

"I really enjoy challenging work."

Brother Lie nodded very gravely and seriously, his words immediately expressing a profound concern for the nation and its people. "As the school takes pride in me, I shall share its burdens. Previously, the work of the student council and the Department of Literature and Arts didn't deeply penetrate the student body; it was overstaffed and inefficient, completely detached from reality. I will profoundly change this situation, making the Department of Literature and Arts a true pearl of Humanities!"

"Excellent! Particularly excellent!" Director Che clapped his hands, shouting his approval loudly. "That settles it then. Prepare an inauguration speech for the meeting tomorrow. As for the current members, feel free to make arrangements; whether transferring or dismissing them is entirely up to you. You draw up the plan for recruiting new members, and the school will offer you support and help..."

A whole bunch of BLAH BLAH BLAH, which actually just meant one thing—the Department of Literature and Arts was his!

Honestly, Han Lie had never encountered anything so fantastical...

But actually, it was understandable. What does the School of Humanities really have, right? If you're not willing to sacrifice the wife, how can you trap... COUGH, COUGH... the wolf?

"Okay, please assure the leaders, I will be in my best form to help the department members adapt to society as quickly and as well as possible, ahead of time..."

Brother Lie's commitment was resolute; he seemed to almost glow, looking incredibly earnest and righteous.

Director Che grew even more solemn, continuing with more high-flown rhetoric for a good while before leaving, satisfied.

And so, it was settled.

Han Lie didn't mention this matter to anyone. However, when he received calls for external collaborations, his refusals became increasingly decisive.

No one will make me leave Humanities!

Transfer student exam?

Transfer me where?

I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying right here in Humanities and playing emperor!

Initially, Han Lie had been leaning towards transferring. Although the majors offered by the two 985 universities he could transfer to were nothing special—mostly bottom-tier subjects within those schools, like biology, chemistry, environmental science, and materials—the only one worth mentioning was Chinese Literature.

But the major wasn't that important, really; the platform was key. Passing the transfer exam and becoming a student at one of those universities meant access to their alumni network.

When you're a nobody, the alumni network isn't much use. However, once you've achieved something significant, it can be quite a boost.

No normal person stays in the secondary market forever. Eventually, they turn to the primary market, or even start their own enterprise. At that point, alumni connections become incredibly significant for opening doors. Once the door is open, everything else depends on your own abilities.

Then again, Han Lie wasn't a normal person but a financial deity with limitless potential for improving his abilities. He didn't need an alumni network; using his private equity fund to knock on doors could be even more effective.

Aren't financial interests far more reliable than alumni sentiment?

So, while the platform of the 985 universities was very important to average students, for Han Lie, it was just so-so. Taking the exam or not hardly mattered.

Now, he felt that staying at Humanities might be more suitable for him.

The school had shown him too much sincerity, so much that a regular man wouldn't last six months without staggering under the weight of it.

What kind of fine, upstanding man could resist the temptation to go a little wild with an offer like this?

But Brother Lie decided to accept the challenge.

Of course, I'm not doing it to play emperor crab. I'm just too moved. A man will die for a patron who truly appreciates him, understand?

That very night, Han Lie invited Wang Tianqing to a hotel to discuss work.

Their opinions differed greatly, leading to a fierce argument.

As a result, Brother Lie ripped up a pair of black silk stockings, and Wang Tianqing left numerous bite marks on his body.

Finally, when they calmed down and started discussing actual business, Little Wang was stunned.

"Oh my God! The school's giving you the Department of Literature and Arts to play... play... play dictator with? Are they insane?!"

She put it rather politely.

Actually, given Han Lie's personal abilities and the resources he controlled—all far beyond those of any normal student—it was about much more than just being a dictator.

Brother Lie shrugged and countered, "What was the Department of Literature and Arts before?"

"Er... it truly was nothing, and it did nothing."

"So, what's the problem with me taking over?" Han Lie smiled faintly. "If I don't do well, it won't be any worse than before. If I do well, everyone benefits. What's wrong with that?"

Wang Tianqing asked with a sneer, "The question is, do you *want* to do it well?"

"Of course!" Brother Lie spread his hands. "Only by achieving results can one build personal prestige. And with enough prestige, one can... AHEM."

Wang Tianqing suddenly became interested. She rolled over and propped herself up on him, batting her eyes as she asked, "So, what do you plan to do?"

Han Lie curved his lips into a wicked smile.

"You help me win over Tan Xuan and Yin Qin, have them switch over to help, and I'll be responsible for securing enough significant external resources. How about it?"

Wang Tianqing suddenly looked up, her eyes wide. "You're thinking of..."

"No," Han Lie immediately interrupted her guess, replying with feigned integrity, "It's just 'offering a high price for horse bones'—a gesture to attract talent. They aren't my direct targets, understand?"

Wang Tianqing didn't quite get it, and she wasn't too keen on the idea either. But she couldn't refuse Han Lie's request, even though she was going to be the next president of the student council.

What Han Lie offered was too much, and too weighty. One has to admit defeat when it's due.

And so, that's how it was settled. The dastardly duo plotted for half the night, figuring out how to create their grand toy.

Serving the students? Bullshit. This is all about having fun.

And like this, a new day dawned at the College of Humanities.