For example, his foundation in interpersonal relationships was also quite weak. It seemed he had many "friends" along the way, but the level was still somewhat superficial. Most relationships relied on peer connections, lacking some support when going higher.
But clearly, he actually had an upwardly prosperous interpersonal foundation, like Young Master Zhang’s second uncle, Guo Bing’s father, Shao Xiaoqi’s mother, Xia Xiwei’s elders, and even Ding Yi...
In short, the path Zhou Wang walked during this time seemed more like aimless and wild growth. Although he grew, hidden dangers were abundant.
Even though he hasn’t had the system for long and is limited by his vision and cognition, he is bound to walk many crooked paths. But this should not be a reason for him to continue indulging himself in this manner.
After a night of summarization and reflection, it was now time for harvest. Zhou Wang glanced over the draft papers and finally picked up a new sheet, writing down two words.
"Industry" and "Integration."
Just as some idea vaguely emerged in Zhou Wang’s mind, the system’s notification suddenly rang.
...
Ding!
[Climbing over a mountain, you will be higher than a mountain]
[Host mindset changes; thought leaps, successfully triggering the fourth action round]
...
The fourth action round?
Zhou Wang was slightly stunned. He never expected the fourth round to suddenly trigger at this time. After all, the so-called benefit "selection round" had only just finished, and Zhou Wang thought it would take some time.
However, Zhou Wang soon relented. There is no principle about this. He remembered when he triggered the first action round, it was simply because of a sudden thought to ’get a haircut,’ also a momentary thing.
But this time, before the specific task of the round appeared, Zhou Wang suddenly received some unusual notifications, which seemed more like system warnings.
Ding!
[Please note, from the beginning of this action round, the ’failure penalty’ mechanism will be introduced. When the action round fails, the host will suffer certain penalties.]
[Penalties may include ’decrease in wealth value,’ ’disintegration of interpersonal relationships,’ ’decline in luck value,’ among many facets.]
[If the corresponding action round is not completed before the countdown ends, it will be considered a failure.]
...
Failure penalty?
Zhou Wang’s complexion turned somewhat serious.
He remembered during the first three action rounds, the system never explicitly mentioned the consequences of failure. Moreover, as Zhou Wang himself never failed, he always thought the system only provided benefits.
Now, it seems the first three action rounds might have been some kind of novice protection period?
...
Ding!
[Please host utilize the limited startup capital, personally attempt industrial establishment, and expand the principal scale by at least a hundredfold.]
[At the node of industrial and commercial registration, when the round begins, the host will not be able to use previously accumulated assets, and the system store and warehouse will also be disabled.]
[Startup capital: 100,000 yuan]
[Round countdown: 180 days]
[Core reward mechanism—wealth leverage: Depending on the expansion degree of the principal, different levels of jackpot rewards will be triggered.]
[According to different settlement scores, possible rewards in this round are as follows:
1. Group Construction Gift Pack (Basic, Intermediate or Advanced) x1
2. Industry One-Yuan Acquisition Card (Basic, Intermediate or Advanced) several
3. Random Term Halo (Divine Luck, Peach Luck, Grand Luck, etc.) x1
4. Kieran’s Time Gear (random number) several
5. Cui Si’s Gambler Box (containing lead dice, universal card, etc.) x1
6. Random Little Character Card several
7. ...]
...
Zhou Wang took one glance at the specific task of the fourth action round and truly gasped.
Just give me 100,000 yuan, and let me restart entrepreneurship as an ordinary person, required to multiply it a hundredfold or more?
100,000 yuan by a hundredfold, that’s 10 million...
The key is, the period is only 180 days, meaning just about half a year.
Moreover, the system specifically stated it could only be "industries," closing off possibilities like investing and stock trading for quick principal expansion...
Is this something ordinary people can achieve?
While Zhou Wang was gritting his teeth, seeing the advance layout of the reward pool by the system, he couldn’t help his eyes lighting up.
The entire reward possibilities contain dozens of options. Crucially, all rewards greatly attract Zhou Wang.
Especially that "Group Construction Gift Pack," precisely what Zhou Wang needs now, coinciding with his plans after a night of reflection.
To become a true "big shot," this step is indispensable.
Other rewards were also eye-catching. Whether it’s the [Industry Acquisition Card] or [Halo], both had been great bonuses for Zhou Wang in the past. All in all, the specifications of this reward pool are far higher than any previous action round.
Even adding up the five wishing magic lamps from the third round can’t compare to a hint of this reward pool.
"So, is this like the bigger the storm, the more valuable the fish?"
Zhou Wang muttered, his expression slightly resigned.
After living comfortably for too long, the sudden need to "start from scratch" again, Zhou Wang naturally had some resistance.
But he actually had no choice.
Once a round is triggered, the countdown begins. Rather than purely evading, better to adjust the mindset, face it positively.
Moreover, Zhou Wang thought through, the situation isn’t as dire.
Though system restrictions equate to reducing him to "original form," unable to leverage previous assets, with the system effectively hidden, but he is no longer the he of before.
Be it mindset, cognition, or vision, he has long transcended an average twenty-year-old youth.
And, the system did not ban his connections.
There’s much to do therein.
The only troubling factor is he only has 100,000 yuan principal, virtually with no room for error, making the choice of industry crucial.
"Half a year’s time isn’t abundant, but there’s no rush these few days, think about it some more."
Zhou Wang rubbed his temples, ceasing to ponder it further for now.
...
"Boss!"
As Zhou Wang stepped out of the study, squinting to adapt to the daylight, Xu Wenqian, who had been keeping an eye on the movement from here, immediately raised her head from the living room and exclaimed in surprise.
Glancing down over the railing, Zhou Wang noticed in the living room besides Xu Wenqian, were three women, Zhong Huilan and Linlin mother and daughter.
After a moment of astonishment, Zhou Wang recalled it was he who asked Xu Wenqian to bring them over. He descended the stairs, took the moderately warm honey water Xu Wenqian handed over, sipping it while gesturing for the women to sit.
Only Lin Ran sat down, but Linlin and her mother still stood stiffly. Linlin wasn’t too bad, having had two encounters with Zhou Wang already, hugged by Zhao Yu, and peered at Zhou Wang with blinking dark eyes, seemingly wanting to speak but stopped.
Yet Zhao Yu was meeting with Zhou Wang for the first time after waking up.
Sizing up Sister Xiao Yu before him, Zhou Wang also felt a bit emotional.
In his memories, Sister Xiao Yu had a laughing oval face, always bundling her hair to one side, squatting by the river doing laundry, enthusiastically inviting Zhou Wang to her house for meals as he passed by.
During his adolescence, Zhou Wang’s deepest impression wasn’t actually her smiling face, but rather those tightly stretched jeans that seemed ready to burst at any moment, and the moonlight tantalizingly spilling from her neckline when she bent down...
As for now, Zhou Wang glanced at Sister Xiao Yu, who was slightly lowered her head, even somewhat afraid of meeting his eyes... Well, due to the loose hospital gown, her figure didn’t reveal much, though her cheeks seemed noticeably haggard.
Yet, it seemed improved compared to the village days, perhaps due to the month or more spent in bed brightening her skin?
"Boss..."
While Zhou Wang was lost in thoughts, Xu Wenqian softly reminded him from the side.
In her view, seeing Zhao Yu still tense due to Zhou Wang’s silence and constant scrutiny, Xu Wenqian felt some sympathy.
"Sorry, Sister Xiao Yu, we haven’t seen each other in a while, seeing you brought back many old memories, so I got lost in thought..."
Zhou Wang snapped out of it, smiled, and explained.
Hearing Zhou Wang speak, Zhao Yu relaxed slightly but still unsure how to respond, simply nodding timidly, "Zhou... Mr. Zhou, thank you, thank you for saving me..."
Zhou Wang knew she was still nervous, did not rush closeness, and casually added:
"Sister Xiao Yu, you and Linlin can feel at ease staying here later. I’ve already instructed Wenxi to prepare rooms for you two."
"Ah, this... how can it be!"
As Zhou Wang anticipated, Zhao Yu hurriedly shook her head, somewhat flustered, rejecting.