Chapter 18 A Multi-Million Dollar Mansion

The system's cold notification tone remained as emotionless as ever, patiently explaining (but actually warning):

[Host, please note: stock speculation and lottery speculation are fundamentally different.]

[Stock speculation requires the Host's vision, judgment, and market awareness; it belongs to 'active gaming'.]

[Lottery speculation requires no ability and relies purely on luck; it belongs to 'opportunistic behavior for unearned gains.' This contradicts the system's core goal of 'cultivating the Host to become self-made wealthy and a top-tier God-level Tycoon Scumbag'.]

[Final Choice: The Host may choose to abandon lottery speculation, adhere to the system rules, and retain the system binding and all rewards; or choose to persist in buying the lottery, unbind the system, and lose everything.]

[Countdown begins: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6...]

The cold countdown sound rang through Lin Chen's mind repeatedly like a death knell.

His mind instantly fell into chaos, and cold sweat immediately soaked the clothes on his back.

On one side was sixty million within easy reach, achieving financial freedom in one go, no longer needing to answer to the system or worry about trading stocks.

On the other side was the system binding. Although he couldn't get sixty million immediately, the point reward the system gave last time was nearly a million, and there would be more unknown gift packs and points in the future.

It could even help him realize his dream of a 'Double Counterattack as a Scumbag and a Tycoon'.

His brain worked at high speed, and the mediocrity and embarrassment of his past life instantly flashed before his eyes.

In his past life, he had worked hard for decades and couldn't even afford a small apartment.

Let alone river-view mansions, luxury cars, and famous watches; he didn't even dare to pursue the girls he liked, living a cowardly and mediocre life.

"Sixty million is a lot, but it's a one-time gain after all. Once it's spent, it's gone."

Lin Chen took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. The restlessness in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a bit more rationality.

"But the system is different. The system can give me long-term benefits, things I could never get in my entire past life, and help me completely turn my life around."

The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, and he felt secretly proud of himself.

"As expected of someone with an investment background. My analysis is logical and well-founded. This little temptation can't handle me."

At this point, the countdown grew more urgent, reaching the final few seconds:

[5, 4, 3, 2...]

Lin Chen no longer hesitated. He grit his teeth, his gaze becoming incredibly firm, and shouted into the air:

"I choose the system!"

"I give up on buying the lottery and will adhere to the system rules!"

The moment he finished speaking, the countdown stopped. The warning prompt on the system panel instantly turned into a light green reward prompt. The cold mechanical voice even gained a rare hint of 'gentleness':

[Congratulations to the Host for making the correct choice and successfully adhering to the core system rules. Reward: one 'Super God-level Tycoon Gift Pack'. It has been issued to the Host's system space and can be opened immediately.]

"There really is a reward?"

Lin Chen's eyes lit up, and the frustration from earlier vanished instantly. He couldn't wait to click on the system space.

Finding that shimmering golden gift pack, he tapped it with his fingertip, and the pack burst open instantly.

When the contents of the gift pack were clearly displayed on the system panel, Lin Chen's eyes widened into circles.

His mouth hung open wide enough to fit an egg, and his entire body froze in place.

It took a few seconds before he suddenly snapped back to reality.

He couldn't help but let out a shocked exclamation:

"Holy crap!"

"This... this isn't just a gift pack. This is basically winning the lottery!"

"No, it's even better than winning the lottery!"

On the system panel, the gift pack details were written clearly:

[One 545㎡ river-view luxury flat in Dingjiangyang, Beichen Delta, Star City (payment fully settled, no mortgage).]

[Additionally, a bank card with 10 million for specialized renovation funds is gifted (limited to house renovation use only, no expiration date, can be used for direct card payments).]

Lin Chen's mind went blank. He subconsciously opened his phone to search for the property information of Dingjiangyang.

The more he calculated, the more excited he became, his heart beating so fast it felt like it would burst out of his chest.

"In 2014, the housing price at Dingjiangyang in Beichen Delta is a full 20,000 yuan per square meter!"

"For a 545㎡ luxury flat, the total price is 545 times 20,000, which is 10.9 million!"

"Add to that the 10 million renovation fund, and it's nearly 21 million in total!"

"21 million! It's a bit less than the 60 million I was thinking about just now, but this is solid real estate and cash!"

"And it belongs to me permanently. I don't have to worry about people targeting me after winning, and I don't have to fear it being gone once spent!"

Lin Chen grinned from ear to ear. The gloom from not buying the lottery ticket had long been swept away.

In its place was an extreme sense of satisfaction and excitement.

"Wow, the system is still the most reliable!"

He couldn't help but cheer, chuckling to the air, his tone full of relief.

"Luckily I wasn't stupid enough to give up the system. This isn't just compensating my hurt feelings; this is directly gifting me a 'ten-million-dollar fortune'!"

Just as he was immersed in joy, planning how to renovate this river-view mansion, the phone in his pocket suddenly rang.

An unknown number was flashing on the screen.

Lin Chen quickly answered the phone, his voice still carrying a lingering smile.

"Hello?"

From the other end came a gentle and respectful female voice, her tone full of apology and urgency:

"Is this Mr. Lin Chen?"

"Hello, hello."

"I am Su Wan, a property consultant from the sales department of Dingjiangyang in Beichen Delta, Star City."

"Our finance department just found that the payment for the 545㎡ river-view luxury flat under your name has been received in full."

"We also received your contact information. I would like to ask Mr. Lin, when would it be convenient for you to come and see the house today?"

"We have arranged for me to be your exclusive consultant to accompany you throughout the process, and also to hand over the property certificate and house keys to you."

"Is it okay if I head over now?"

Lin Chen's eyes lit up. He had already taken the morning off anyway, so he had plenty of time.

He had long been impatient to see his ten-million-dollar river-view mansion.

In his past life, he wouldn't even have dared to enter the gates of Beichen Delta, let alone own a luxury flat here.

This was the top luxury residential area in Star City. Those who could live here were either rich or powerful.

In the past, even if he worked for a lifetime, he wouldn't have been able to afford a single balcony here.

"Of course!"

Su Wan quickly responded, her tone becoming even more respectful.

"Then I will wait for you at the entrance of the sales department. Mr. Lin, please be safe on the road."

"Alright, thanks for the trouble."

Lin Chen hung up the phone, feeling even more refreshed. He looked up and just happened to see a taxi slowly approaching.

He quickly waved and shouted:

"Taxi! Taxi!"

The taxi stopped steadily in front of him. The driver leaned out and asked with a smile:

"Young man, where to?"

Lin Chen pulled the door open and sat inside, saying loudly with an undisguised sense of pride and pleasure:

"Master, to Dingjiangyang in Beichen Delta."