Chapter 3: The Troubles of Happiness

Ji Boxiao and Liu Ruyan were strolling along a quiet path on campus.

“Boxiao, why did you give that Lin Xiao guy so much money? That country bumpkin has probably never seen such a sum in his life,” Liu Ruyan remarked.

Boxiao chuckled. “If he knows what’s good for him, I’ll leave him alone. If not and he courts trouble, he’ll have no one to blame but himself. As for that trifling five million, it’s nothing to me.”

Hearing him speak so casually, Liu Ruyan’s eyes sparkled with admiration. Only a man like this was worthy of her.

...

Meanwhile, Lin Xiao was staring down at the check in his hand.

Were it not for the crowd around him, he would have planted a kiss or two on it right there. This was a check with an upper limit of five million. In this life or his past, he’d never seen so much money.

Since the limit was five million, he might as well fill in four million nine hundred ninety-nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine and ninety cents. Otherwise, he’d be letting down the body’s original owner.

“Thank you, everyone, for standing up for me. You can all go now,” he said to the onlookers.

There was a ripple of envy among them. None had expected Ji Boxiao to be so generous, handing Lin Xiao such a fortune.

“Hey Lin Xiao, we helped you out big time—aren’t you going to do more than just say thanks?”

Lin Xiao instinctively took a step back and tucked the check away. No way. A few words of thanks were fine, but if they thought he’d share even a scrap of his windfall, they were dreaming.

“Haha, the money hasn’t hit my account yet. Let’s all disperse. Next time, I’ll treat everyone properly.”

Even as he spoke politely, Lin Xiao’s resolve was firm: not a penny would leave his pocket.

The crowd saw there was nothing to be gained and drifted away, disappointed.

Once they’d gone, Lin Xiao prepared to leave as well. He didn’t entirely trust the check—he’d feel safer once it was money in the bank. He also needed to check that it was genuine. If it wasn’t, he’d have to confront that pair of scoundrels.

He still had classes today, but he could skip them.

With a spring in his step, he headed for the gate, already daydreaming about the future, when a girl’s voice called out behind him.

“Um, Lin Xiao?”

He frowned and looked back to see a shy, unfamiliar girl gazing at him.

He was puzzled—he didn’t know her, did he?

“Is there something I can help you with?” he asked.

“I’m Zhao Qian from Class Four, Senior Year. I’ve been following you for a while. Could you give me your Green Bubble?”

Lin Xiao instantly understood what she was after.

Damn it! This charm of mine is simply too much!

Wait—could it be she’s after my money?

No way! Absolutely not!

“Zhao, I still need my Green Bubble, but I can help you register your own.”

The girl pouted.

“That’s not what I meant. I was hoping I could scan your code?”

“Oh, that’s what you meant. Sure, go ahead.”

He pulled out his battered phone, found his QR code, and offered it to Zhao Qian. Once she’d scanned it, he flashed her a dazzling smile and waved goodbye.

Zhao Qian watched him go, lovestruck. She couldn’t fathom why Liu Ruyan would give up such a handsome boy for Ji Boxiao.

Only after Lin Xiao had disappeared did she realize she’d forgotten to add him as a contact—she’d only scanned the code. Looking at her phone, she was dumbfounded.

Lin Xiao had given her his payment code!

Irritated, Zhao Qian realized she’d been played.

Outside the school gates, Lin Xiao had already forgotten the brief encounter. Women only ever slowed his hand when it came to drawing his sword.

Now, at last, he found time to reflect. He’d only absorbed part of the memories; many things remained unclear. With a moment to breathe, he began to grasp his situation more fully.

This was a world where spiritual energy had revived, and every person would awaken a superpower. The types and levels of abilities determined one’s future.

People like Liu Ruyan and Ji Boxiao, who awakened A-rank or higher abilities, were sought after by every major power, wherever they went.

Liu Ruyan was right—they belonged to different worlds now.

Most, however, awakened only low-tier abilities like himself. Not every power was suited for combat; even those who awakened often remained ordinary.

Lin Xiao’s own ability was F-rank: Enhanced Vision. From the memories, all it seemed to do was give him exceptional eyesight—nothing more. That was why it was rated F.

He sighed. It seemed unlikely he would ever shake the heavens in this world.

Still, he was philosophical. Life wasn’t so bad. He didn’t need grand ambitions. As long as he stayed in the city, he’d be safe—no wild spirit beasts would threaten him.

Soon he found a bank that could cash the check. He’d researched online and double-checked with the staff. Only after repeated confirmation did he believe it was real.

Without hesitation, he filled in his chosen amount.

Then he opened a new account and deposited all the money. Only then did relief flood through him—now, the money was truly his.

Nothing could make him happier.

Already, he was pondering how to spend it.

A house? A car? Maybe find a wife?

No, no need to rush into property or marriage. A wife would just spend his money with him—not worth it. Far better to enjoy it alone.

Ah, the sweet troubles of sudden wealth!

...

Ji Boxiao’s phone vibrated. He picked it up, Liu Ruyan leaning in to see.

When he saw the withdrawal notification, his gaze grew cold and sharp.

He’d never expected Lin Xiao to actually fill in such a staggering amount.

Liu Ruyan’s expression soured as well. Ji Boxiao had courted her for ages, buying her many gifts—but never anything approaching five million.

How did Lin Xiao deserve such a sum?

“Ruyan, your childhood friend is certainly greedy,” Ji Boxiao said darkly.

Liu Ruyan caught the implication and quickly distanced herself. “Boxiao, we’re just acquaintances, not close at all. Do whatever you want with him—I don’t care.”

A glint of cruelty flashed in Ji Boxiao’s eyes. “Don’t worry. My money isn’t so easily taken.”

With that, he made a call.

Five million wasn’t much, but not just anyone could walk away with it.