The cracked sidewalk outside Shen Fu's newly acquired VR arcade was already drawing curious eyes.
The name hadn't even gone up yet, but the buzz had started. People stopped by to take photos. The word on the street was simple:
Something real is happening here.
Inside, Shen Fu stood next to Zhenzhen and Xiaodie, the dusty air swirling around them as workers peeled off rotting wall panels.
"Two more days and this place will have walls that don't leak," Xiaodie muttered, scanning the site with crossed arms.
Zhenzhen tapped her tablet. "We're already getting press. A local reporter's putting together an article for the Dongyuan Gazette. She said it's about 'urban renewal driven by grassroots initiative.' That's us."
Shen Fu gave a quiet nod. The kind of coverage you didn't have to buy was the most dangerous—because it was real.
Meanwhile… In Qin Han's Camp
On the top floor of a luxury high-rise, Qin Han hurled a crystal paperweight against the wall.
It shattered on impact.
His assistant flinched.
"You said the permit freeze would slow them. Two days later, the damn arcade has fresh paint and they're being called heroes in the papers!" Qin Han's voice was cold steel now.
"Sir, someone's helping him," the assistant stammered. "It's like they're two steps ahead every time."
Qin Han turned slowly, his tone low and dangerous.
"They're making me look like an amateur. While I work through politics, Shen Fu is building momentum."
He narrowed his eyes.
"Find the leak. And remind the press who pays their printing bills."
Back in Dongyuan
Later that evening, Shen Fu met with Zhang Wei in a dim bar behind a pawn shop.
The place smelled like old smoke and broken dreams.
Shen Fu leaned in. "Check everyone who's suddenly too helpful. Vendors. Officials. Anyone sniffing around too often."
Zhang Wei nodded. "You thinking a mole?"
Shen Fu's voice was low. "Not thinking. Knowing."
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION – MISSION UPDATE]
Hidden Mission Activated: "Trust No One"
Objective: Identify and neutralize the mole in your camp.
Time Limit: 7 days
Penalty: -10% System Efficiency if Failed
Reward: Skill Upgrade Opportunity
That night, walking the neon-lit alleys of Dongyuan, Shen Fu activated the system with a thought.
The now-familiar voice echoed in his mind, clean and sharp.
"Qin Han is no longer attacking. He's reacting. This is your edge."
"Push it further," Shen Fu thought.
"Then you need volume. Influence. Territory."
"Give me the next move."
[SYSTEM MISSION UNLOCKED]
"Eyes on the Empire"
Objective: Acquire or partner with 3 more strategic businesses in Dongyuan District
Reward: ¥1,000,000 (Credited upon completion)
The next morning, the Dongyuan Gazette released a piece titled:
"The Quiet Rebirth of a Forgotten District"
The article highlighted Shen's VR arcade, the revitalization of dead zones, and his hands-on approach.
There were no names. Just blurred photos, quotes from neighbors, and a threadbare but powerful headline:
"They said it couldn't be done—until someone did it."
The buzz in the community was real now.
Back in Qin's Office
Qin Han stood by the window, watching the sunrise paint the horizon blood-orange.
He reread the article. Not once. Three times.
A name stuck out.
Reporter: Liu Qingmei.
She wasn't a social media puppet. She was old-school. Respected. And that gave the article power he couldn't smother.
He ground his teeth. "It's not just buildings anymore. It's perception."
His assistant hovered by the door, hesitant.
"Sir… what should we do?"
Qin Han stared out the window.
"Make a list. Every journalist, every vendor, every official we've ever paid off."
That Night
Zhenzhen messaged Shen Fu privately.
A guy pretending to be from the Gazette called today. Said he was 'fact-checking' Liu Qingmei's report. I asked for credentials—he hung up. Someone's fishing.
Shen Fu sat in his apartment, lights off, system glowing softly before his eyes.
He opened the updated interface.
[SYSTEM STATUS]
Name: Shen Fu
Age: 26
Wealth: ¥1.3M (passive flow climbing)
Skills: Negotiation Lv3, Urban Strategy Lv2
System Store: (1 new item available)
Mission:
Trust No One (6 days left)
Eyes on the Empire (0/3 Acquired)
He smiled faintly.
"Let them keep searching for answers in the open."
"The real war is silent."