Chapter 1: Wealth Conversion System
1058 Words
Year 2009
Jingzhou City, Handong Province, Handong University
"Qian, wake up! You're going to be late for class! Today it's the Vice Dean's lecture, and there's a roll call!"
Pei Qian stirred from his sleep, rubbing his eyes in confusion, wondering who was calling his name.
Wasn't I living in a one-bedroom apartment? Who's barging into my room?
When he opened his eyes, a long face nearly filled his entire field of vision.
"Ma Yang?"
Pei Qian was stunned, half-thinking he was still dreaming.
"Hurry up! I did my duty to wake you. If you miss the roll call, don't blame me," Ma Yang said, retreating from Pei Qian's sight and rushing out of the dorm room.
Wait, dorm room?
Pei Qian sat bolt upright. A six-person university dormitory!
He was still in the lower bunk near the door—the same one where, in winter, the door's faulty seal let in cold drafts that he had frequently grumbled about.
The remaining two roommates in the room were also busy packing up, preparing to leave.
"Hurry, Qian! If you run, you might just make it. But don’t expect us to answer for you if you’re late. If the Vice Dean catches you, you're done for."
They left in a rush, leaving Pei Qian sitting in bewilderment.
He slapped himself twice.
The sharp sting on his cheeks brought clarity.
Is this real? Back in college?
The Vice Dean’s class and a roll call? That must mean freshman year.
2009?!
He had returned to a decade ago!
After a brief moment of panic, Pei Qian quickly embraced the situation.
After graduating in 2013, he'd navigated two industries, switched jobs multiple times, dealt with oppressive bosses, and endured the corporate grind of office politics.
A corporate drone, through and through.
To suddenly be granted the chance to rewind ten years and start anew? Who wouldn’t leap at the opportunity!
With no trace of sleep left in him, Pei Qian sprang out of bed.
What now?
Should he report this anomaly to some Time-Space Authority?
What if they silenced him permanently?
Or should his first act upon crossing time be… to attend class?
Ridiculous.
Although his memories from a decade ago were hazy, Pei Qian vaguely recalled skipping numerous classes in his freshman year, including the Vice Dean's. Yet he hadn’t failed that course.
Despite the Vice Dean’s warnings about roll calls, he had never actually taken one.
Ironically, it was a seemingly easygoing young instructor who never called roll throughout the semester but suddenly did so before the final exam, incorporating it into the grade.
"I just wanted to get to know everyone," the instructor had said.
Even now, Pei Qian could still feel the sting of betrayal from that moment—a naive freshman duped by the facade of friendliness.
Just then, a transparent screen materialized before his eyes, with lines of text appearing rapidly:
Wealth Conversion System Binding to Host... Binding Successful.
Host: Pei Qian
Please review the system’s user guide.
"What on earth?!"
Pei Qian jumped in surprise but was soon overcome with excitement.
A system? Of course! Time travel always comes with a cheat!
Calm down. Calm down. This is standard procedure—nothing to be shocked about.
Quickly collecting himself, Pei Qian began reading the text on the glowing screen.
Wealth Conversion System
Profit-to-Personal Conversion Ratio: TBD
System Funds: 50,000
Personal Assets: 443
Beneath the general template was a section resembling a chat box, displaying dynamic information—likely the “user guide.”
Wealth Conversion Rules:
Periodically, the system will provide the host with a set amount of funds, referred to as "System Funds," which can only be used for legitimate business activities and not for personal indulgence.
After a set period, profits or losses incurred from the System Funds will be converted to "Personal Assets" at a specific ratio.
Next step: View detailed rules.
"This system… is amazing!"
"You give me money and let me keep a portion? What a generous system!"
Pei Qian immediately grasped the system's mechanics.
The “System Funds” and “Personal Assets” both represented money but were entirely distinct.
His personal assets—443 yuan—were his disposable income. In contrast, the 50,000 yuan in System Funds was restricted to business use, such as starting a company.
At each settlement period, regardless of profit or loss, a corresponding amount would be converted to personal assets.
“Thrilling! Let’s check the detailed rules.”
Pei Qian eagerly navigated the interface.
Host must engage in legitimate, reasonable, and lawful business activities with a certain degree of technical expertise.
Prohibited Activities:
Profit-oriented:
Large-scale real estate purchases or speculation.
Cryptocurrency trading, Ponzi schemes, or other illegal ventures.
Arbitrage or market manipulation.
Loss-oriented:
Charity work or donations of company assets.
Overpaying for goods, employees, or office space.
Slacking off, leading to prolonged inefficiency or lack of output.
The system reserved the right to interpret all violations.
"Such strict rules…"
Pei Qian's earlier schemes were swiftly dismantled.
Real estate flipping? Banned. Cryptocurrency investments? Forbidden.
Standard investments were allowed, but with modest returns, they wouldn’t meet Pei Qian's ambitions.
Undeterred, Pei Qian clicked to proceed.
Randomizing Profit-to-Personal and Loss-to-Personal Ratios…
Profit Ratio: 1,001:1
Loss Ratio: 1:1
“Wait, what?”
Pei Qian’s eyes widened. The loss ratio was remarkably favorable!
If he squandered all the System Funds, the losses would directly convert to his personal assets. Losing money equated to gaining wealth!
“Such incredible odds? I must be the chosen one!”
As for the abysmal profit ratio? No matter—it’s far easier to lose money than to earn it.
With confidence swelling, Pei Qian proceeded to the final step.
Please name your company:
After a moment’s thought, Pei Qian mentally typed: Tengda Network Technology Co., Ltd.
Its literal meaning: "Soaring to Prosperity."
But in Pei Qian’s mind, it symbolized the company's swift downfall.
With the registration complete, the screen reset to its initial display:
Wealth Conversion System
Host: Pei Qian
Profit Ratio: 1,001:1 | Loss Ratio: 1:1
Next Settlement: 14 days
System Funds: 50,000 | Personal Assets: 443
“So, the task is simple—turn 50,000 into zero while converting it into personal wealth. Easy!”
Pei Qian grinned.
Success stories were rare in the entrepreneurial world, but failures were plentiful. Which path was easier? The answer was clear.
- Writer
