Chapter 8: A New Home, A New Fight

Liang Wei stood before a sleek villa in Yunhai City's upscale district, its glass walls reflecting the neon skyline. The Destiny's Dividend 2.0 system glowed in his vision—its golden interface, visible only to him, confirming his latest move: a 15,000,000-yuan purchase for a permanent home, funded by his 34,359,000-yuan balance from the last task's 30-million-yuan reward. After months in a crumbling apartment, the villa was a statement—a base to rebuild his life. But Zhou Ran's threat to "ruin" him at the gala tonight, and his pursuit of Lin Xia, Xu Fei, and Zhao Jing, loomed large. The system flashed a new task: Invest 10,000,000 yuan in a city-wide initiative with favorability 75+ by tomorrow midnight. Reward: Sevenfold return (70,000,000 yuan).

With 19,359,000 yuan left, Liang Wei could cover the 10-million-yuan task, but the system's Penalty Safeguard warned: High-risk encounter imminent. Zhou Ran's gala, set at his skyscraper penthouse, was a trap to undermine Liang Wei's alliances with Lin Xia, Chen Mei, Zhao Jing, and Xu Fei. Their favorability—Lin Xia (88), Chen Mei (82), Zhao Jing (67), Xu Fei (69)—made them key to the task, a city-wide arts and health initiative tying their dreams to Yunhai's community.

The villa's doors opened to Lin Xia, Chen Mei, Zhao Jing, and Xu Fei, who'd started visiting often, drawn by Liang Wei's vision. Nights were filled with planning—Lin Xia sketching art program ideas, Chen Mei mapping her clinic, Zhao Jing pitching fashion showcases, Xu Fei coding her tech platform. They stayed late, sometimes crashing in guest rooms, their laughter and trust a stark contrast to Liang Wei's old, lonely life. Mornings saw them leave for their jobs—Lin Xia to the café, Chen Mei to the hospital, Zhao Jing to her studio, Xu Fei to her startup—each glance back sparking warmth in Liang Wei's chest. The system noted: Collective favorability: 76. Sincerity strengthens bonds.

"We need a big play," Liang Wei said, gathered in the villa's sleek lounge. "Ten million yuan for a city arts and health hub—your clinic, Mei; your mentorship, Jing; your platform, Fei; and Lin Xia's academy programs." The system chimed: Task viable. Sincerity critical.

Lin Xia nodded, her favorability ticking to 90. "This could change Yunhai." Chen Mei's hit 84: "My clinic could save lives." Zhao Jing's rose to 69: "My brand needs this exposure." Xu Fei's reached 71: "My tech can scale it globally."

The gala loomed. Dressed in a tailored suit, Liang Wei arrived with the women at Zhou Ran's penthouse, a glittering cage of wealth. Zhou strode forward, his billionaire aura suffocating, eyes raking over Lin Xia and Xu Fei. "Liang Wei, bringing your fan club?" He smirked, offering Lin Xia a diamond bracelet. "Join my empire, darling. You too, Fei, Jing." His favorability plummeted: Lin Xia (3), Xu Fei (45), Zhao Jing (20), Chen Mei (5).

Lin Xia tossed the bracelet back. "I'm with Liang Wei." Xu Fei and Chen Mei stood firm, but Zhao Jing's gaze lingered on Zhou, her favorability for him at 22.

Liang Wei stepped forward, anger flaring. "They're not your toys, Zhou. Back off." The system warned: Hostile intent critical. Counteraction needed.

Zhou laughed, venomous. "I'll buy the academy, crush your project, and take them all. You're nothing." He announced to the crowd: "Liang Wei's a fraud. His 'charity' is a scam."

The system flashed: Reputation at risk. Invest now. Liang Wei wired 10,000,000 yuan to the city council, linking the arts-health hub to his allies' projects. The system chimed: Task complete! 10,000,000 yuan invested. Reward: 70,000,000 yuan. Check your account. His balance soared to 79,359,000 yuan.

The crowd murmured, swayed by Liang Wei's move. Zhou's face twisted. "This isn't over," he hissed, storming out. Lin Xia gripped Liang Wei's hand, her favorability at 92. Chen Mei, Zhao Jing, and Xu Fei stood closer, their bond solidifying.

Back at the villa, the women stayed late, planning the hub's launch. As they left at dawn, Lin Xia's smile lingered. "You're changing everything," she said. With Zhou's wrath, a 70-million-yuan fortune, and Destiny's Dividend 2.0, Liang Wei faced a neon-lit war—but his allies made it worth fighting.