Chapter 6: The Final Push

Liang Wei stood on the edge of Yunhai City's pier, the salty wind cutting through his jacket as the Destiny's Dividend 2.0 system glowed in his vision—its golden interface, visible only to him, counting down: 4 hours until task deadline. Spend 2,000,000 yuan on a collective cause with favorability 60+ by midnight. Reward: 10,000,000 yuan. His account held 1,509,000 yuan, leaving a 491,000-yuan gap. Old Liu's text burned in his mind: Pier 8, 7 PM. Bring my money. The 600,000-yuan loan repayment loomed, and Zhou Ran's taunts—his pursuit of Lin Xia and interest in Xu Fei—fueled Liang Wei's resolve. The system's Penalty Safeguard warned: High-risk encounter imminent.

Lin Xia, now his co-host, had rallied Chen Mei, Zhao Jing, and Xu Fei to support the Yunhai Art Academy scholarship program. Their favorability—Lin Xia (85), Chen Mei (78), Zhao Jing (63), Xu Fei (65)—formed a collective score of 70, meeting the task's threshold. Liang Wei had pitched investing in their dreams—Lin Xia's art school, Chen Mei's community clinic, Zhao Jing's fashion startup, Xu Fei's tech venture—to tie into the scholarships, ensuring sincerity. But Zhou Ran's threat to "buy loyalty" and Old Liu's deadline pressed hard.

At Pier 8, Old Liu waited, flanked by two burly goons, his shark-like grin glinting under the dock's lights. "Money, Liang," he said, tapping his briefcase. "600,000. Now."

Liang Wei's stomach knotted. "I've got 1.5 million," he said, voice steady. "Give me until midnight, and I'll clear it—plus interest." The system chimed: Negotiation detected. Sincerity viable.

Liu's eyes narrowed. "You've got guts. Midnight, or you're fish food." He left, goons trailing, giving Liang Wei a window.

Back at Moonlit Brew Café, Lin Xia, Chen Mei, Zhao Jing, and Xu Fei gathered, the air tense with purpose. Lin Xia spoke first. "Dean Wu's ready to sign the scholarship contract. We need 2 million tonight."

Chen Mei nodded, her nurse's compassion shining. "This could fund my clinic too—help kids who need it." Her favorability ticked to 80.

Zhao Jing, flipping her designer scarf, smirked. "My fashion line could sponsor student designs. I'm in if you deliver, Liang." Her favorability rose to 65.

Xu Fei leaned forward, her confidence sharp. "My tech startup could add a digital art platform. Make it happen, Liang Wei." Her favorability hit 67.

The system chimed: Collective favorability: 72. Sincerity confirmed. Liang Wei needed 491,000 yuan. A risky idea hit—selling his family's last asset, a derelict warehouse from Liang Enterprises, listed at 500,000 yuan. He texted a broker, pushing for a quick sale.

As they finalized plans, Zhou Ran stormed in, his billionaire aura suffocating. His eyes raked over Lin Xia, then Xu Fei, his grin predatory. "Liang Wei, still peddling dreams to pretty girls?" He tossed a black card on the table. "Lin Xia, Xu Fei—my company's hiring. Millions, fame, power. Leave this loser."

Lin Xia's favorability for Zhou dropped to 8. "I'm not your trophy," she snapped. Xu Fei's favorability for Zhou fell to 55, her gaze cold. Chen Mei glared (favorability for Zhou: 10), and Zhao Jing hesitated (favorability for Zhou: 28), her ambition wavering.

Liang Wei stood, fury rising. "They're not for sale, Zhou. This is bigger than you."

Zhou laughed, venomous. "I own this city, Liang. Cross me, and I'll crush your little charity—and you." The system warned: Hostile intent critical. Penalty Safeguard active.

The broker texted back: Warehouse sold. 500,000 yuan transferred. Liang Wei's account hit 2,009,000 yuan. He rushed to Yunhai Art Academy with Lin Xia and the others, meeting Dean Wu. "Two million for scholarships," he said, transferring the funds. "For students like them." The system flashed: Task complete! 2,000,000 yuan spent. Reward: 10,000,000 yuan. Check your account.

His phone showed 10,000,000 yuan, credited from "D.D. System." Relief surged, but Zhou Ran's shadow and Liu's midnight deadline loomed. Lin Xia squeezed his hand. "We did it," she said, her favorability glowing 88.

Chen Mei smiled, Zhao Jing nodded, and Xu Fei's gaze softened. "You're not the boy I rejected," Xu Fei said. But Zhou's pursuit and Liu's threat burned. With Destiny's Dividend 2.0 and his allies, Liang Wei was ready to fight—but Yunhai's neon jungle was unforgiving.