From Trash to Tycoon: The Shenhao Rise

Location: Lin Estate, Singapore

The Lin Estate wasn't a mansion.

It was a private kingdom.

Golden gates. Hanging gardens. A helipad on the marble roof.

Guards in black suits lined the walls, faces unreadable behind glasses.

Tonight, the most powerful heirs, investors, and influencers of Southeast Asia gathered here—under the invitation of Lin Yuwei.

Theme: "The Future Belongs to the Bold."

Uninvited: Weak men. Old money. Clones.

System Notification

🧭 Mission Continuation: "Heiress Gala – Lin Yuwei Route Phase II"

🎯 Objectives:

– Impress Lin Yuwei's father, Lin Tianhe (S.E. Asia's Iron Investor)

– Outshine rival heirs at the gala

– Trigger emotional vulnerability in Lin Yuwei

💡 Optional: Build romantic tension, trigger rare bonus "Dance of Power" scene

🔥 Risks: Presence of Black Nine scout, rumored to infiltrate through a rival guest

8:00 PM – Arrival

Bai Chen stepped out of a matte-black NovaWear SUV, clad in a minimalist obsidian tux lined with phoenix-red silk. At his side: Su Yiran, in a deep violet gown.

"Yiran," he said quietly, "if things go sideways, follow the 'Mirror' protocol."

"You expect trouble?"

"Not trouble. Competition."

Dozens of eyes followed him as he entered.

Some with envy.

Others with fear.

Inside the Grand Ballroom

Orchids floated in crystal bowls. Violins whispered over candlelight.

Every guest wore power like perfume.

Then she entered.

Lin Yuwei.

A shimmering jade gown, her hair tied in an elegant twist, high heels clicking like war drums.

Cold. Composed. Commanding.

And yet—for one heartbeat—when her eyes met Bai Chen's, she faltered.

[Lin Yuwei Interest +7% → 42%]

[New Mood Trigger: "Unexpected Warmth"]

[Route Flag Detected: Dance of Power Available]

Gala Begins – Icebreaker Challenge

"Ladies and gentlemen," a voice echoed, "as is tradition at the Lin Gala, each young entrepreneur will make a single bold proposal in front of the council and Lord Lin Tianhe himself."

Whispers. Sweat. Panic.

One by one, sons of CEOs and heirs of tycoons offered the same thing: new payment apps, cloud storage systems, influencer management AI…

Lin Tianhe remained unimpressed, swirling his wine glass.

Until—

Bai Chen stepped forward.

Bai Chen's Proposal: NovaVerse

"Your empire funds products, sir.

Mine will create a universe.

I propose NovaVerse—a fusion of fashion, finance, AI, and identity.

A platform where every piece of clothing is also a digital asset,

tradable, wearable, and profitable.

The age of passive consumers is dead.

The next era? Wear to earn. Live to own."

Silence.

Then slow applause.

From Lin Tianhe himself.

"Well," the iron investor said, eyes narrowed.

"At least one of you dares to build a world, not just a product."

✅ Gala Objective 1 Complete: Impress Lin Tianhe

📈 Public Investment Interest: +1,000%

💎 Reward: Chance to negotiate with Lin Financial Group in Chapter 22

Later – Balcony Scene with Lin Yuwei

The lights of Singapore sparkled like stars trapped in glass.

Lin Yuwei stood alone, arms resting on the marble railing, sipping champagne.

Bai Chen approached silently.

"No bodyguards?" he asked.

"I am my own protection."

He smirked. "Of course you are."

She looked at him, her voice softer than usual.

"My father never praises. But he acknowledged you. That's… rare."

"Then you must be rare too," Bai Chen said. "You're the only one who doesn't seek his approval."

She didn't smile—but her eyes flickered.

Then:

"You owe me a dance."

Ballroom – The Dance of Power

The violins shifted to a dark, elegant waltz.

All eyes turned as Bai Chen and Lin Yuwei took the center floor.

Their movements: precise, smooth—each step calculated like a merger.

He led with silent confidence.

She followed… but only to test his strength.

Their bodies drew closer, tension like electric fire under silk.

Then she whispered against his ear:

"I don't dance with men I don't respect."

"And now?"

Her lips brushed his cheek—just once.

"You might be the first."

💘 [Lin Yuwei Route Progression: 42% → 61%]

🔓 Bonus Trait Gained: "Elegance Under Fire" – All public reputation gains doubled during formal events

🧠 Emotional Crack Detected: Lin Yuwei may open up if alone again

System Alert

⚠️ Foreign Infiltrator Detected – Gala Guest: Daniel Voss (Black Nine Scout)

🎯 Side Mission Activated: "Expose the Shadow"

Objective: Publicly corner and discredit Daniel Voss before he makes an offer to Lin Tianhe

💀 Failure = NovaWear Singapore shares may drop 40% overnight

As the dance ended, and guests clapped around them, Bai Chen turned to see Daniel Voss approaching Lin Tianhe, briefcase in hand.

Time slowed.

This wasn't just a party.

It was a battlefield in tuxedos.

And Bai Chen?

He was already moving in.