The sound of rain hitting plastic echoed through the alleyways of Jiangcheng City. Lin Yi crouched beside a row of overflowing trash bins behind the university cafeteria, a thin plastic poncho barely keeping the downpour from soaking through to his skin. His fingers, cold and pale, dug into garbage bags in search of plastic bottles.
Clink. Clink.
He dropped two more into the large sack tied to the back of his old mountain bike.
This was his after-class routine. While other students went on dates or played video games in their dorms, Lin Yi worked—cleaning tables at a noodle shop, delivering food on foot, and collecting recyclables to scrape together enough for rent, tuition, and the occasional cup of instant noodles.
Today, though, everything felt heavier.
He had just failed to land a tutoring job.
The student's mother had taken one look at his ragged clothes and turned him away. "Don't waste my son's time," she said, slamming the door.
But what hurt more was the message from his girlfriend, Zhao Qing.
Meet me behind the library. Now.
Rain drizzled steadily as Lin Yi pedaled across campus, the bag of bottles bouncing behind him. When he arrived, his heart sank.
Zhao Qing stood beneath a wide umbrella, her pristine white coat untouched by the weather. Beside her was a tall, cocky-looking guy in a leather jacket leaning against a sleek black sports car. His Rolex glinted under the grey sky.
"Qing… what's going on?" Lin Yi asked, stepping into the rain, already soaked through.
Zhao Qing didn't even look at him. "Let's not waste time. I'm breaking up with you."
Lin Yi's breath caught. "What?"
"I'm tired, Lin Yi," she said coolly. "Tired of walking everywhere. Tired of pretending that love can pay for meals. You're poor, and frankly… pathetic."
The man beside her chuckled. "He's still picking up trash, huh? Bro, you need to let that hustle go. It's embarrassing."
Lin Yi clenched his fists, but didn't speak. His fingers trembled—not from fear, but from helplessness.
Zhao Qing pulled something from her pocket—a cheap necklace with a faded "L&Z" heart pendant. The gift he gave her on their one-year anniversary.
She threw it at his feet. "You can keep your trash."
The pendant splashed into a puddle. His chest ached as if something inside him shattered.
"I found someone who can give me the life I deserve," she said, stepping closer to the rich guy. "You can go back to your garbage now."
The umbrella turned. The two of them walked off, laughing.
Lin Yi stood there, rain dripping from his hair. Around him, a few students whispered and pointed. Some even took pictures.
He bent down, picked up the pendant from the mud, and stared at it for a long moment.
"I really thought… love was enough," he murmured.
Then, suddenly—
Ding!
Shenhao Life System detected a compatible host.
His vision blurred for a moment, then cleared. A translucent gold screen floated in front of his eyes.
[Shenhao Life System Activated]
Scanning Host...
Condition: Poverty Level - Severe
Motivation: Heartbreak, Rejection, Hunger
System Initialization: 100% Complete
Lin Yi blinked. He looked around. No one else seemed to see the golden panel.
[Welcome, Lin Yi.]
You have been chosen as the sole host of the Shenhao Life System.
Starting Bonus: ¥10,000 deposited in bound digital wallet.
First Mission:
Recycle 10 more bottles — Reward: ¥50,000
Lin Yi's heart pounded. "This… This has to be a dream."
He opened the system wallet.
¥10,000.
Real. Accessible.
Tears welled up in his eyes, but this time, they weren't from pain.
Is this my chance?
He looked down at the muddy necklace, then clenched it tightly.
He wouldn't forget today.
The humiliation. The betrayal. The cold stares.
But he wouldn't get revenge immediately.
He would wait.
Quietly.
Grow silently.
And when the time came, they would all know.
The man they discarded like trash would rise above them all.