Reborn with Consumption System

Today's update covered the fallout from the self-defense incident.

To summarize: the thugs' families used public opinion to twist the facts, a powerful backer secretly destroyed the surveillance footage, and then pressured the local police station to charge Han Lieye with causing death by fighting.

The Public Security Department resisted the pressure and handled the case strictly according to regulations.

However, because the male lead's major business rival intervened promptly, the evidence became very unfavorable for the male lead.

Meanwhile, thanks to the instigation of paid online commentators, public opinion on the internet was just as turbulent.

In such a difficult and complex situation, the female lead confessed her feelings to the male lead.

Followed by a timely cliffhanger.

Heh, can't let the traditional skills get rusty.

Little Cucumber's talent for conveying emotion is quite good. Coupled with Ham Bro's twenty years of cliffhanger mastery, the review section exploded yet again.

The engagement was exceptionally high, leaving Little Cucumber overjoyed.

LonelyGherkin: "Master! Master! Are we going to strike it rich?!!!"

HamForGherkin: "You little money-grubber. In your eyes, how much would the first month's royalties have to be to count as striking it rich?"

LonelyGherkin: "I was originally thinking 6,000 yuan; getting 2,000 would be enough for me. But today, I suddenly realized that amount doesn't seem to go very far. So... how about 15,000 yuan?"

Sigh! How embarrassing!

Han Lie hadn't expected the current Xi Luting to be so naive, so easily satisfied.

But on second thought, it's not that surprising, is it?

The national average monthly wage for urban employees this year was apparently less than 2,700 yuan. If she could get 5,000 yuan, she'd almost match the median income in Magic Capital.

In fact, not many recent graduates in Magic Capital were starting at 5,000 yuan this year.

For graduates from humanities-focused universities, a typical salary was probably 2,200 yuan during probation, rising to 3,500 yuan after becoming permanent.

HamForGherkin: "You can definitely look forward to it. I think there's a good chance."

HamForGherkin: "Did something happen? Why do you suddenly feel like money's tight?"

LonelyGherkin: "I spent the entire day with that Black-hearted White Lotus yesterday, giving her a hard time all day, and then today she asks my dreamboat out to dinner! It's infuriating!

Luckily, I found out in time and rushed to the scene, making her break down and cry her eyes out!

But get this, she spent 3,000 yuan treating my dreamboat to hairy crabs, and apparently, that's just her average spending level—can you believe it?

Her mom gives her 100,000 yuan in pocket money every month!

Her dad gives her an unlimited amount, whatever she asks for!

And the most infuriating part is, she has her own private stash; all the New Year's gift money she's gotten since she was a kid is hers to keep!

I've grown up without ever even seeing what New Year's gift money looks like! It's so unfair!"

HamForGherkin: "You're not alone in that; I've never seen it either, actually..."

LonelyGherkin: "Stop messing around! Quick, help me come up with a plan. I suspect that Black-hearted White Lotus is after my dreamboat too. What should I do?"

HamForGherkin: "Are you afraid your dreamboat can't resist her money?"

LonelyGherkin: "Exactly! That's why I really want to make big money, fast! Why should *she* get to lavish money on *my* dreamboat?"

HamForGherkin: "But you're just starting to earn money now. How long will it take you to catch up to what her parents have achieved?"

LonelyGherkin: "Sigh..."

HamForGherkin: "You definitely can't outspend her. Try a different angle!"

LonelyGherkin: "Like what?"

HamForGherkin: "If you're prettier than her, seduce him with your looks. If you're not as pretty, then be more flirtatious. If you can't out-flirt her... well, you could always try drugging him?"

LonelyGherkin: "Pah! I oughta beat you up! What kind of rotten ideas are those?!"

HamForGherkin: "Then tell me, what advantages do you have?"

LonelyGherkin: "I have... Wait a minute! I just want to win him over. I want a sweet romance, not just a one-night stand!"

Heh, she caught on...

Han Lie felt this attempt at instigation was a complete failure, but at least he'd gained 138 experience points for his skill. It wasn't a total waste of effort.

HamForGherkin: "Then forget it. Maybe you should just keep pursuing that Black-hearted White Lotus. Perhaps you two would be even sweeter together, eh?"

Xi Luting, fuming, sent a volley of hammer emojis before logging off.

Han Lie wasn't bothered. He checked the financial news, took a shower, and went to bed.

「The next morning, the 4th, Monday.」

During his run, Xi Luting appeared as usual, her expression a little brighter than normal.

She was truly stunning when she maintained a cold demeanor and quite charming with a slight smile. But when she laughed too freely, she tended to look a bit goofy.

She was leaning that way today.

So, Han Lie glanced at her and asked bluntly, "What's with the huge grin, gums and all? Did you finally hook up with Pan Ge last night?"

Xi Luting's expression instantly turned icy. She shot that damn man a vicious glare, then turned and ran off.

Damn it! I never should have been nice to him!

Han Lie skipped his morning classes, as usual.

In the afternoon, he had a Securities Investment class. Listening to Old Wu shoot the bull was actually quite interesting, so Han Lie brought his laptop to the classroom.

The first half of the class proceeded smoothly. However, in the second half, things took an unexpected turn.

Old Wu made a "Special" announcement on the spot.

"Students, I've repeatedly emphasized that Securities Investment is primarily a theoretical subject. To truly achieve something, you must enter the market to battle and gain practical experience.

But most of you lack the capital for that—not now, and likely not for the next few years either.

So, what's to be done?"