Infinite Bankruptcy Crisis c1.1

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Chapter 1: Moonlight Clan¹

Part 1

In the waiting room, Liang Yan sat on the sofa in her pristine white wedding dress, her palms growing faintly sweaty.

Zhao Qianqian teased, “The wedding hasn’t even started, and the bride’s already impatient?”

“I’m so nervous, and you’re still laughing?” Liang Yan glared at her best friend, playfully scolding, “Quick, check if my makeup is smudged.”

Zhao Qianqian examined her carefully, then after a long moment, gave a reassuring reply, “No, you look beautiful.”

“That’s a relief,” Liang Yan said, feeling slightly more at ease.

To distract herself, she chatted with her friend. “After college, you went back home, and I stayed in this city to make a living. We haven’t kept in touch much lately. When I sent out wedding invitations, I didn’t think you’d come.”

“You’re my friend,” Zhao Qianqian said earnestly. “Of course I’d come to your wedding.”

Liang Yan’s heart warmed. She knew Zhao Qianqian meant it.

The amount of the red envelope proved it.

Many college classmates attended the wedding today. Those in casual relationships gave 300 yuan, while close friends gave 500 yuan. But this silly girl… she gave 5,000 yuan!

Liang Yan felt both touched and helpless.

After college, they had lived in different cities, and by her count, it had been three years since they last saw each other.

She had assumed that even with their close bond, distance would inevitably create a rift. But Zhao Qianqian’s grand gesture proved her wrong.

In an instant, Liang Yan was remembering back to their university days.

“You’ve always been so extravagant,” Liang Yan said, her face softening with nostalgia. “You didn’t need to be so formal. Just showing up would have been enough.”

Zhao Qianqian retorted with righteous confidence, “I’m thrilled my best friend is getting married!”

Seeing Liang Yan about to protest, Zhao Qianqian cut her off. “With our friendship, what’s wrong with giving a 5,000 yuan gift?”

“That’s not the right way to put it…” Liang Yan began, but before she could finish, someone knocked and poked their head in. “The auspicious hour is approaching. Is the bride ready?”

Liang Yan immediately forgot what she had been about to say.

Seizing the opportunity, Zhao Qianqian quickly said, “I’ll wait for you in the lobby,” and made a hasty exit, clearly trying to avoid further lecture.

Before Liang Yan could respond, Zhao Qianqian had already vanished, her speed a clear sign she feared being nagged.

Liang Yan chuckled. “After all these years, her temper hasn’t changed at all.”

Zhao Qianqian couldn’t understand Liang Yan’s joy in saving money, penny by penny. Liang Yan, in turn, couldn’t comprehend her delight in spending freely. After all the arguing, neither could convince the other. On such a happy occasion, why prolong the debate?

With this thought, Zhao Qianqian entered the restroom to tidy her clothes.

The moment she turned on the faucet, a female voice she’d never heard before whispered eerily in her ear, “You’re about to go bankrupt.”

Zhao Qianqian was startled.

She looked up and examined her reflection in the mirror, only to see a palm-sized figure perched on her shoulder. Its skin was as white as snow, its features delicate and lovely. Dressed in a suit, it looked both beautiful and capable, like an exquisite doll.

…Yet the sudden appearance and voice of this miniature figure sent a chill down Zhao Qianqian’s spine, as if she were in a horror movie.

“Who are you?!” she demanded, suppressing the deep fear welling up inside her.

“My name is Yun Luo,” the figure replied, remaining unperturbed on her shoulder, its voice cool and detached. “I’ve appeared before you to help you overcome this crisis.”

Zhao Qianqian suddenly lunged, trying to throw the bizarre little figure off. To her shock, it didn’t move, and her hand passed through empty air—though Yun Luo was clearly visible in the mirror, she couldn’t touch it!

The next moment, Yun Luo vanished into thin air, her voice echoing directly in the host’s mind: “Binding complete. Cannot be unbound. Please remain calm.”

Zhao Qianqian gritted her teeth. “You damn rogue thing!”

“The host is on the verge of bankruptcy. I’m here to help,” Yun Luo said.

“I don’t need your help!” Zhao Qianqian replied coldly. “Only merchants go bankrupt. I’m just an ordinary office worker.”

Yun Luo pulled up the host’s profile. “Zhao Qianqian, 26 years old. Salesperson at a 4S car dealership. Monthly salary of 4,000 to 5,000 yuan.”

“Grew up in a single-parent family, living with her mother, who is now retired.”

“Worked for three years, spending every penny of her salary each month. No savings. Only during the annual bonus do her finances briefly improve, but the money is gone within a month.”

“Heard a college friend got married, so you took time off to attend the wedding. Coincidentally, the company paid out the annual bonus early. You prepared a generous red envelope and planned to enjoy the city after the wedding.”

“So what if it’s true?” Zhao Qianqian asked defensively. “I’m young, single, with no dependents. I earned this money myself. Can’t I spend it how I want?!”

“Your paid annual leave is already zero, and you’ve taken unpaid leave. Your salary will be deducted accordingly,” Yun Luo reminded her. “I recommend canceling your vacation plans and returning early.”

“I won’t,” Zhao Qianqian stubbornly insisted. “I decide how to live my life—no one else has the right to interfere!”

Just then, someone entered the restroom. Hearing Zhao Qianqian’s declaration, she was startled. She glanced at Zhao Qianqian curiously before quickly walking away.

“Host, there’s no need to get agitated,” Yun Luo said. “I only offer suggestions. Whether you follow them is entirely up to you.”

“While residing in your mind, I can communicate telepathically to avoid raising suspicion.”

“Bankruptcy refers to an individual or company’s inability to repay debts or when liabilities exceed assets. The System’s definition is broader, encompassing but not limited to…”

I just wish you’d shut up and pretend you don’t exist, Zhao Qianqian thought bitterly.

After a moment of silence, Yun Luo promised, “Unless you summon me, I won’t speak again.”

“That’s more like it.” Hearing the hall host announce, “The wedding is about to begin,” Zhao Qianqian hurried out.

The groom was handsome, and the bride was beautiful, creating a joyous and harmonious atmosphere at the wedding.

Zhao Qianqian wasn’t a bridesmaid, so she only needed to accompany the newlyweds during their toast, after which she could eat, drink, and enjoy herself.

Though she maintained a composed facade, her heart was troubled.

Why had the System chosen her?

She worked diligently at her job and relaxed during her free time. What could possibly be wrong? Why had it made her cut her leave short and return early?

And this talk of impending bankruptcy was even more baffling. She wasn’t in business and didn’t owe anyone money. How could she go bankrupt?

After much deliberation, Zhao Qianqian concluded that either the System had made a mistake, or it was just a trash system spouting nonsense.

With this thought, she felt a sense of relief, and her expression softened accordingly.

After the wedding, Zhao Qianqian stuck to her plan and spent three days having a blast in the local area.

Only when her wallet was down to a hundred yuan did she reluctantly decide to head home, even though she still wanted to stay longer.

Three days passed without incident, and Zhao Qianqian gradually pushed the wedding’s strange events to the back of her mind. As long as the trash system kept its mouth shut and didn’t act up, she could pretend it didn’t exist.

The journey home took over three hours.

When she arrived home, Zhao Qianqian was laden with shopping bags. Though physically exhausted, she felt her spirit refreshed.

“Mom, I’m back.”

No answer.

“Went for a walk?” Zhao Qianqian muttered to herself as she went to unpack.

Just as she opened her suitcase, her phone rang. “Hello, this is First People’s Hospital. Are you a family member of Ms. Wang Yan?”

A sense of foreboding washed over Zhao Qianqian. “Yes,” she answered hesitantly, “I’m her daughter.”

“Ms. Wang came in for a routine check-up and suddenly collapsed,” the voice continued. “Initial assessments indicate a benign tumor in her brain is pressing on a nerve, causing the syncope.”

“In this situation, immediate surgery is recommended. We’ve already admitted her. Could you come to the hospital now?” the voice asked.

Tumor? Collapse? Surgery? Zhao Qianqian was stunned.

Forgetting her luggage, she blurted out, “Which ward? I’m on my way right now!”

Footnote:

1. Moonlight Clan (月光族, yuèguāngzú): A Chinese slang term for young working professionals who spend their entire monthly salary before the next payday, living paycheck to paycheck ↩︎

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