Chapter 2: The Most Crucial Step to Becoming a Heartthrob—You Must Have Money

On a sweltering midsummer night, the incessant drone of cicadas filled the air. A sultry woman in a camisole, her waist and hips swaying enticingly, emerged from the residential complex. Not far behind, perched on the flowerbed, several elderly ladies were fanning themselves and whispering conspiratorially, occasionally pursing their lips or shaking their heads. One could easily guess that, in their eyes, the woman’s reputation had already been shredded beyond repair.

No sooner had the woman left in a taxi than Lin Ran returned, sipping on a sweet iced drink from Mixue and walking Wangcai, who was thoroughly satisfied after a good romp.

“Back from walking the dog, Lin Ran?” one of the ladies called out.

“Yes, ma’am. You all enjoy the evening. I’m heading in,” Lin Ran replied, hastily leading his dog away. Once he was out of earshot, the women’s gossip began in earnest.

“She graduated from a 211 university, so I thought she’d have no trouble finding a job. Now all she does is walk the dog every day. What a waste.”

“My son didn’t get into college, but Lin Ran did. The Lins from East City were so proud. My son became a carpenter after high school, though, and four years later, he’s so busy with his renovation business he can barely keep up. Just bought another place, too—talk about spending money like water!”

“Your boy’s impressive. These days, you need real skills.”

“Lin Ran’s got skills too. I saw loads of pretty women sending him photos and money on his phone the other day. He says he makes money doing some kind of photo editing for women.”

“Editing? For women? For money? You don’t think he’s resorted to that kind of business because he can’t find a job, do you?”

“Why not? Even his dog’s a rascal, always chasing after females. Half the mixed huskies in Jinjiang District are probably its offspring!”

So Lin Ran’s reputation was in tatters, and his dog’s along with it.

Lin Ran’s sharp ears had caught every word.

He was sorely tempted to retort with one of Xiao Yan’s classic lines. Eight bucks for a photo edit—how does that make it indecent work? He neither steals nor cheats, earning his living fair and square—what’s wrong with that? Using a carpenter’s four years of experience to belittle a fresh graduate, as if to prove a college education is worthless?

Lin Ran was not one to swallow insults.

“Mrs. Wang, just yesterday I saw your son posting about how happy he is in his new apartment. He had an upset stomach, and his boyfriend took care of him all day. Looks like you’ll be a grandmother soon—congratulations.”

A stunned silence fell over the group.

The others knew Mrs. Wang’s son’s career was thriving, thanks in no small part to his diligent partner’s unflagging support.

“We’re a pretty open-minded city here in Sichuan,” Lin Ran said. “You all carry on—I’ll be going.”

Turning to his dog, he snapped, “Wangcai, stop zigzagging. Walk straight!”

Mrs. Wang’s lips twitched, her face clouded with embarrassment.

Once, before his divorce, Lin Ran had stepped gingerly around rumors, always choosing the high road, believing wisdom would silence gossip.

“To hell with wisdom!” he muttered. “Who still believes that nonsense? These days, rumors only stop if you strike back immediately. Otherwise, your reputation is gone for good.”

He understood this simple truth: if you don’t love yourself, if you’re always yielding and sacrificing like a pushover, no one will care about you. If you want to be loved, you must first love yourself.

Divorce had awakened him; he’d been reborn, finally living with clarity. He could see the potential to become a true man among men.

What does it mean to be a man among men?

First, you must possess qualities others envy.

Second, women must be willing to offer you their Valentinos.

Most important of all: you must have money.

“That’s the truth!” Lin Ran wholeheartedly agreed.

To speed up his transformation, the Man Among Men Mall was now open. He could enter and buy products as he pleased.

He entered and saw only two items on the shelves.

Item One: Man Value
Type: Development, Upgrade, Earning
Details: This value is a composite index of looks, charisma, presence, career, etc. It upgrades through ascending levels, with generous daily cash rewards.
Duration: Permanent
Price: Free

It made sense that the foundational function was free. Without hesitation, he claimed it.

Purchase successful. Man Value acquired.

Daily cash reward: 1,000 yuan

Wealth: 7,300 yuan (today’s reward already received)

Man Level: 1

Experience to upgrade: 10 general recognition points.

The higher your level, the larger your daily cash reward.

Recognition points came in two types: general and special.

General points were the easiest to earn—broad public approval.

Special points were harder, requiring specific circumstances—one-on-one or one-to-many recognition.

No matter the type, each completed upgrade was a step in his growth as a man among men.

…

Item Two: God-Tier Cleanser
Type: Appearance
Description: A man among men must have a fresh, clean, handsome face. After divorce, a man must care for his looks—the better he looks, the more his ex-wife will regret it. Let her see that without her, you only grow younger and more attractive.
Effect: Improves skin condition, removes dark circles, roughness, etc. After purchase, your appearance is gradually optimized each day and maintained at its best, greatly enhancing your looks and image.
Duration: Permanent
Price: 800,000 yuan / Newcomer offer: 8,000 yuan (price returns to normal after 24 hours)

Truth be told, Lin Ran was known as the “Little Daniel Wu” of Jade City. But that was a small pond—he needed to shine across Jinjiang, Chenghua, and Wuhou districts. At the very least, he had to be the “Handsomest in Sichuan.”

How could he be a man among men without a stunning face? How could he upgrade his value?

Eight thousand yuan for this was a steal.

Besides, the system insisted he had to be handsome enough to make his ex-wife regret it. For the sake of all ex-husbands, this purchase was essential.

But he only had 7,300 yuan.

If he missed this 24-hour window, the price would skyrocket to 800,000. Who knew when he’d have that kind of money?

He was short 700 yuan. No problem.

He couldn’t wait for tomorrow—he’d buy it today.

Lin Ran immediately messaged his university friend Wang Hao: “Mouse, I’m 700 short. Lend it to me till tomorrow.”

Five seconds later—

Ding! Wang Hao transferred 700 yuan.

“So fast?” Lin Ran replied.

Wang Hao: “I was just about to book a hotel online for a night with my girlfriend. But if you need it, go ahead.”

Lin Ran: “I don’t need it urgently. You take your girlfriend out. I’ll send it back.”

Wang Hao: “Don’t worry. I already told her something urgent came up. I can't be with her tonight. Take it, quit fussing. I’m off to play Black Myth: Wukong.”

Now that’s a true brother!

Four years sharing a dorm, and this was the bond they’d built.

A girlfriend could wait—a brother could not.

Lin Ran felt both moved and a bit guilty. Had he known, he’d have waited until tomorrow to buy it. Still, he’d remember what Wang Hao did for him today.

Purchase successful: God-Tier Cleanser.

Bonus: Add 3CM Anywhere

“What the heck?”

Type: Growth

Description: May be added to any area—height, hair, fingers, tumors, spinal discs, etc.

“Really? They give this as a bonus? Mercy!”

Lin Ran smirked.

“Add! Give me the full three!”

And thus, Lin Ran now had two 183s—though in very different units.

Back home, Wangcai crawled into his bed, exhausted from the day.

Lin Ran showered, lay on his bed, and began studying the Man Value system.

A thousand a day—thirty thousand a month?

Not enough—not nearly enough. He was anxious, afraid the system might unbind at any moment.

He had to level up fast.

But where could he find ten general recognition points?