From Wage Slave to Tycoon novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Chapter 1: The Wind Must Be Free? Unless You Have Money

Shanghai!

Old Nanshi District!

At 11:00 PM, the shantytown was still bustling with all sorts of noises. Many grunts who had just gotten off work sat at late-night food stalls, drinking, chatting, and venting their frustrations.

Su Chen dragged his exhausted body back to his rented room, which was less than ten square meters.

The moment he entered, Su Chen flopped straight onto the bed without even taking off his yellow battle uniform.

He stared blankly at the dilapidated ceiling.

Su Chen could be considered a veteran Shanghai drifter. After graduating high school, he fell for the "studying is useless" theory promoted by online "pundits," believing his own intelligence and talent would be enough to carve out a bright future.

Despite his parents’ strong objections, Su Chen resolutely embarked on his journey to Shanghai.

When he first arrived in Shanghai, Su Chen dreamed of joining a big corporation, working hard to get promotions and raises, becoming a general manager, then CEO, and marrying a beautiful, rich woman!

Unfortunately... reality always deals a harsh blow to greenhorns just entering society.

Forget joining a big corporation; with just a high school diploma, Su Chen couldn’t even get an interview.

In the end... his youthful refusal to admit defeat made Su Chen put down roots in Shanghai.

And just like that, Su Chen had been in Shanghai for four years!

He’d been a security guard, washed cars, and worked the factory line! Ultimately, he became a "Gastric Hunger Symptom Resolution Expert."

He had gradually been ground down by reality, from a hopeful young dreamer into a wage slave toiling from dawn to dusk.

"In a city of hurried footsteps, I still live alone. I once had dreams, but they came to nothing, with only a song to get me by..."

The ringtone from the phone in his pocket slowly pulled the listless Su Chen back to reality.

Seeing the caller ID on the screen, Su Chen hesitated for a moment... before his finger gently swiped across the screen.

"Hello? Mom, you’re not asleep yet? It’s so late!"

As he spoke, Su Chen glanced at the time on his phone. Exactly 12:00 AM.

"Xiaochen... I’m... not disturbing you, am I?" His mother’s voice came through the phone, tinged with a hint of nervousness.

Su Chen’s heart sank when he heard this.

’Did something happen at home? Otherwise, Mom wouldn’t be calling me at this hour.’

"No, not at all. I just got back from work! Did something happen at home?" Su Chen sat up in bed, his heart starting to race.

He was terrified of hearing bad news over the phone.

"Trouble? No, nothing’s wrong at home! It’s just... isn’t it your grandma’s seventieth birthday next month? Your dad was thinking of throwing a banquet for her, so I thought I’d call and ask... will you have time to come back?" His mother’s slightly trembling voice was tinged with anticipation.

Hearing this, Su Chen fell silent.

It had been over four years since Su Chen came to Shanghai to make his way in the world, and in all that time, he hadn’t been back once. Every Chinese New Year, he’d make the excuse that he was too busy with work and had no time.

But what was the truth?

They were all just Su Chen’s excuses. The real reason was that after several years of struggling in Shanghai, he... hadn’t made any money, and his job... wasn’t very respectable.

If he went back home for the New Year, he would inevitably be bombarded with questions by his relatives. And if they found out about his current situation... they would definitely gossip behind his back.

Comparing their children’s jobs and incomes was a common pastime everywhere, and even relatives were no exception.

His relatives would all say, ’Su Chen has been working in Shanghai for years, but he only makes a few thousand yuan a month? He’s still just scraping by in a big city like that? My son makes more than that in a month!’

Not only would Su Chen lose face, but his parents would be humiliated as well.

After all, what parent doesn’t want their child to have a good job?

Su Chen had also dreamed... of becoming "the kid other people’s parents brag about."

"Hello? Xiaochen, are you listening?" Seeing that Su Chen hadn’t replied, his mother couldn’t help but ask again.

"Mom... I... I might—"

Before Su Chen could finish, a deep, angry voice boomed from the other end of the line.

"Chen Shufen... why are you calling that little brat? Didn’t I tell you... not to call him? The brat’s wings have hardened now; he’s been gone for years and won’t even come home. What’s there to say to him! You women are just so clueless. Hurry up and hang up..."

"I know, I know. But our son hasn’t been home in four years, I miss him! And I don’t even know how he’s doing out there!" his mother retorted irritably.

"If he were doing well... would that brat skip coming home for the New Year? If he had actually made money... he would have been back long ago to show it off. Enough... I’m not talking about it anymore. I have to work tomorrow. Don’t talk to him for too long, it’s not easy for the little brat out there either!"

"Alright, alright, you talk too much. Go to sleep!"

Listening to the faint conversation, Su Chen knew his mother was covering the phone’s microphone, trying to prevent him from hearing.

"Hello... Xiaochen, Mom knows you’re busy with work and don’t have time. You have to take care of your health. It’s getting late, so I’ll hang up now!" Before Su Chen could even react, his mother hung up the phone.

Staring at the disconnected call on his phone, Su Chen’s eyes had already welled up with tears.

Su Chen hated how useless he was. If only he had studied hard and gotten into a good university, his life might be completely different now.

’There’s no turning back in life. All you can do is keep your head down and push forward!’

Wiping the tears from his eyes, Su Chen opened his text messages and looked at his bank account balance.

"88,480.85!"

A bitter smile touched Su Chen’s lips as he looked at the numbers.

This was all the money Su Chen had managed to painstakingly save over more than four years in Shanghai.

After paying for food, clothing, housing, and transportation, he had only managed to save about twenty thousand yuan a year.

Shanghai is vast, but living here is not easy!

This is a paradise for the rich, and a hell for the poor!

"DING! Infinite desire for money detected in Host. The Wealth God System is now binding..."

"10%"

"50%"

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