Chapter 5: Allies and Enemies

Liang Wei sat in Moonlit Brew Café's backroom, the neon hum of Yunhai City filtering through the window. The Destiny's Dividend 2.0 system glowed in his vision—its golden interface, visible only to him, pulsing with a new task: Spend 2,000,000 yuan on a collective cause with favorability 60+ by midnight. Reward: Fivefold return (10,000,000 yuan). His account held 1,509,000 yuan from the last task, but Old Liu's loan—400,000 yuan, repay 600,000 in a month—tightened like a vice. Zhou Ran's words at the café stung: You're nothing. Now, Zhou's pursuit of Lin Xia made it personal.

The system's upgrade to Destiny's Dividend 2.0—triggered by his 500,000-yuan success—had unlocked Dual-Host Mode, Wealth Multiplier, and Penalty Safeguard. The task's collective focus pushed him toward a scholarship program for Yunhai Art Academy, inspired by Lin Xia's dream. But 500,000 yuan short, he needed allies—and fast.

Lin Xia sat across, wiping flour off her apron, her favorability glowing at 85 in Liang Wei's private view. "You're serious about this scholarship thing?" she asked. "Two million yuan's no joke."

"Dead serious," he said, hiding the system's role. "But I need help. People I can trust." The system chimed: Collective task viable. Seek high-favorability allies. His Favorability Tracker lit up with new names from his past, stirred by his recent comeback.

Chen Mei, his childhood friend, now a nurse, glowed at 75. They'd grown up in Yunhai's slums, sharing dreams before his family's wealth pulled him away. Zhao Jing, a former high school classmate, sat at 60—a rich girl who'd mocked his ambitions but now eyed his café stunt with interest. Xu Fei, his high school crush who'd coldly rejected him, hovered at 62, her entrepreneurial success making her curious about his return. All were tied to Yunhai Art Academy, either as alumni or locals.

Liang Wei texted them, arranging a meeting at the café. Chen Mei arrived first, her nurse's scrubs creased, her smile warm. "Liang Wei? You're back?" Her favorability ticked to 78. "Heard you're funding scholarships. That's… you."

Zhao Jing swept in, designer bag in hand, her smirk familiar. "So, the fallen prince rises?" Her favorability rose to 63. "What's in it for me?".

Xu Fei entered last, her confidence magnetic. "Didn't expect you to bounce back," she said, eyes appraising. Her favorability hit 65. "What's this scholarship talk?"

Liang Wei pitched: "Two million yuan for art school scholarships. For students like Lin Xia, or your dreams, Mei, Jing, Fei." The system chimed: Sincerity detected. Collective favorability: 68. He proposed investing in their goals—Chen Mei's community clinic, Zhao Jing's fashion startup, Xu Fei's tech venture—to tie into the scholarship program, ensuring sincerity.

Before they could respond, Zhou Ran strode in, his platinum watch glinting, bodyguards trailing. His gaze locked on Lin Xia, then Xu Fei, a predatory grin spreading. "Liang Wei, still chasing baristas and old crushes? Stick to the slums." His favorability plummeted to 5. He turned to Lin Xia. "Join my company, sweetheart. I'll make you a star." To Xu Fei: "Your startup needs my funding, Fei. Ditch this loser."

Lin Xia's favorability for Zhou dropped to 10. Xu Fei's held at 60, wary. Chen Mei glared, her favorability for Zhou at 15. Zhao Jing hesitated, her favorability for Zhou at 30, tempted by his wealth.

Liang Wei stood, anger flaring. "They're not your pawns, Zhou. Back off."

Zhou laughed, cold. "I buy what I want—businesses, loyalty, women. You're a relic, Liang." The system warned: Hostile intent escalated. Penalty Safeguard active.

Lin Xia grabbed Liang Wei's arm. "Ignore him. We're doing this, right?"

Chen Mei nodded. "I'm in—for the clinic and scholarships." Xu Fei agreed, intrigued. Zhao Jing smirked. "If you're legit, I'll play." The system chimed: Alliance formed. Lin Xia designated co-host. Collective favorability: 70.

A text from Old Liu hit: Pier 8, 7 PM. Bring my money. The system flashed: High-risk encounter imminent. Liang Wei needed 500,000 yuan to hit 2 million. With Zhou's schemes, Liu's goons, and new allies, the stakes were sky-high. Lin Xia's trust, and the sparks from Mei, Jing, and Fei, fueled him. Destiny's Dividend 2.0 was his edge, but Yunhai's neon jungle was a battlefield.