Working Is Impossible—I'll Never Work a Day in My Life!

So for this last card, Lu Chen stopped scratching it bit by bit.

He simply went all out and scratched it clean in one go.

With wealth luck on his side, he left it to fate.

Then...

The smiles on everyone's faces in the shop froze stiffly once more.

On the card, three [Prosperity] symbols lined up in a row, like a beautiful woman waving at them.

Beautiful enough to take their breath away!

Someone immediately let out a shriek.

"My god, he won again! Another hundred thousand!"

"Heavens! He bought four cards, and all four won! Two first prizes and one second prize. What kind of heaven-defying luck is this?!"

"Brother, please tell me—which god is this awesome? Even if I have to sell everything I own, I'll go worship them!"

When Lu Chen saw that he had scratched out another first prize, he could not hold back his laughter either.

Holy crap, this feeling of being blessed with wealth luck is insanely good!

He did not keep them guessing and honestly told them, "I worship Lord God of Wealth!"

"Lord God of Wealth? Which Wealth God is that?"

"Is there even a Wealth God like that?"

The older guys looked utterly baffled, as though their knowledge was simply too limited.

Even Deng Jiajia furrowed her brows. "Is there really one? Aren't the Wealth Gods Zhao Gongming and Emperor Guan?"

"There is, brothers. There really is."

Lu Chen briefly explained the origins of Lord God of Wealth.

Only then did everyone understand.

"So that's how it is. I've really learned something today. Alright, I should give it a try. You guys coming?"

"Forget it, I'm not going."

"Why not?"

"A god this obscure—if someone can receive their blessing, that person is already incredibly lucky. I probably don't have that kind of fortune."

"I think so too. I'll stick to studying lottery tickets."

Unexpectedly, as soon as they heard about Lord God of Wealth's origins, two of the older guys immediately lost interest.

They clearly had no enthusiasm whatsoever for obscure gods.

Only one of them decided to go and give it a try.

Lu Chen was not surprised by this.

It was like buying clothes at a mall.

A famous brand cost a thousand.

An unknown brand also cost a thousand.

Which would you choose?

A God Temple would not charge less Incense Fire money just because its god was obscure.

Since the price was the same, why would many people not choose a popular god?

That way of thinking was perfectly normal and reasonable.

So Lu Chen had no intention of persuading them. Whether they believed or not was their own business; why force anyone against their will?

Just as Lu Chen was mulling this over.

His entire body suddenly convulsed violently again.

In that instant, he felt as though he had been drained dry.

"Oh no, my wealth luck... has run out?"

Lu Chen hurriedly said, "Old classmate, give me another scratch card."

Deng Jiajia took out one for him.

Sure enough, this time he did not win even a cent.

Lu Chen laughed. "Looks like this wave of wealth luck has come to an end."

But he had traded one hundred yuan for more than two hundred and sixty thousand.

What more could he possibly ask for?!

"How much did you make in total?" Deng Jiajia asked curiously.

"Counting these, around two hundred and sixty thousand in total. I made fifteen thousand yesterday."

Lu Chen did not hide anything.

"Amazing!! I once met someone else who worshipped a Wealth God and won third prize in the lottery. That was only a hundred thousand."

Deng Jiajia had calmed down as well. "Looks like your Wealth God may be obscure, but his blessings are pretty generous."

Lu Chen smiled breezily without confirming or denying it.

Burning a cold stove was all about fewer people competing and bigger returns, wasn't it?

Lu Chen then pointed at the scratch cards on the table. "Old classmate, what about these cards?"

Deng Jiajia picked up the scratch cards and worked at the computer for a while. "Wait a moment. Once I enter them into the system, I'll transfer the money to you."

A moment later, a total of two hundred and sixty-one thousand yuan was transferred into Lu Chen's account.

"Did you get it?"

"Got it."

Deng Jiajia smiled. "It's only because it's early morning. If it were closer to noon, I'd definitely make you treat me today."

With the huge sum of money in hand, Lu Chen was delighted. He pulled five hundred yuan in cash from his pocket and slapped it onto the counter. "Here, a red packet. Let's celebrate together."

Deng Jiajia waved her hands repeatedly and naturally refused to accept it.

The two chatted across the counter.

Deng Jiajia said, "Old classmate, how have you been lately? The Divine Service Rating competition is next week. What are your plans?"

Lu Chen shook his head. "No plans. It's just an ordinary competition. What plans could I have?"

Deng Jiajia shook a finger at him. "You're thinking too simply this time, old classmate."

Lu Chen frowned. "What do you mean?"

Deng Jiajia looked around. Only after confirming that no one was paying attention to them did she lean closer and lower her voice. "I'll let you in on some news. Starting with our class, the academy is changing its system!"

Lu Chen said, "Changing its system?"

Deng Jiajia said, "I heard that the passing line for this competition is 2%. Any student whose Divine Service Rating is below 2% will be forcibly graduated."

Lu Chen was stunned. "Where did you hear that?"

Deng Jiajia said, "I have a relative at the Education Bureau. They just found out about it a couple of days ago."

Lu Chen was rather shocked. "Why change it?"

Deng Jiajia curled her lips. "Pressure from the outside situation, I guess. I heard that several more SSS-rank terrifying dungeons have appeared around the country, and there are more and more demons, monsters, ghosts, and freaks. Even the country can't hold on much longer.

The reform is meant to increase competitiveness.

To put it bluntly, it's about selecting the best.

The promising seedlings will continue to be cultivated.

As for the ordinary ones, they'll be sent straight into society to shine and give off heat."

Lu Chen asked, "Is this information reliable?"

Deng Jiajia said seriously, "The system reform is definitely real!"

Lu Chen sucked in a breath. "Then this is huge! Will those who remain receive any special support?"

Deng Jiajia shook her head. "I don't know the specifics either. My relative didn't say much, but they did reveal one thing: for us, what comes next will be an era where opportunities and risks coexist.

I suspect..."

"Suspect what?"

"I suspect that there's a good chance they'll let us start taking missions from the Mission Hall early."

"What makes you say that?"

Deng Jiajia analyzed, "Think about it. This reform is such a major change, and the country wants to select the best and increase competitiveness. Would they really let us continue living comfortably at school and enjoying ourselves?

They'll definitely turn up the pressure.

And the best way to turn up the pressure is to make us adapt to the rhythm of society ahead of time.

Then getting in touch with all sorts of missions early is the best way to temper ourselves.

That would also fit the purpose of the national reform.

What do you think?"

It had to be said that Deng Jiajia's speculation was highly convincing.

Lu Chen remembered that back in class, Deng Jiajia had rarely answered questions, but whenever she did, she always hit the nail on the head.

Lu Chen nodded. "That makes sense. If it really is like this, then your relative was right—this will be a new era where opportunities and risks coexist."

Deng Jiajia nodded. "I've already decided to develop in martial arts. If we really can take missions early, then whether it's rewards or military merit...

Descending into dungeons to slay demons and exorcise evil, defending our homes and country—that'll be the fastest way!"

Seeing the fiery look in her eyes, Lu Chen could not help teasing her. "You're not afraid of dying? Going into dungeons means gambling with your life."

But Deng Jiajia did not care in the slightest. "Gambling with my life? For people at the bottom like us, if we don't gamble with our lives, how can we succeed?"

Lu Chen froze, then could not help raising a thumbs-up in admiration. "Old classmate, you're something else!"

Deng Jiajia waved her hand and laughed. "I'm joking. If I really ran into a vicious ghost, I'd probably be scared enough to wet my pants too. By the way, what's your Divine Service Rating now?"

Lu Chen said, "My Emperor Wenchang rating is 0.5%."

Deng Jiajia said, "That low? Mine is already 2.6%."

Lu Chen changed the subject. "But my Lord God of Wealth Divine Service Rating is 5%."

Deng Jiajia said, "???!!!"

"Holy shit! You're way too freakish! 5%! No wonder your wealth luck was so heaven-defying today. Tell me! How much Incense Fire money did you spend?"

"Well..."

Lu Chen scratched his head and decided it was better not to say anything, lest it seem like he was showing off.

"Just luck. I didn't spend much."

Seeing that he did not want to say, Deng Jiajia stopped asking. "Alright. I really couldn't tell, old classmate. I never expected you to be so gifted when it comes to wealth luck. I think you could become a Fortune Bearer in the future and specialize in praying for wealth luck on behalf of others!"

A Fortune Bearer was a support profession derived from the Wealth Gods.

Their role was to help people pray for wealth luck and carry fortune for them.

Lu Chen shook his head with a smile. "Forget it. Working is impossible—I'll never work a day in my life. I'd rather start my own business than be someone else's fortune-carrying boy."

Deng Jiajia smiled. "Working for someone else gives you steady income through drought and flood alike, and Fortune Bearers are paid well too. Starting your own business is still a bit too risky in the end."

Lu Chen smiled, chatted a little longer, and saw that it was getting late.

He prepared to leave. "Old classmate, I'll be heading back first. Thanks for telling me so much."

Deng Jiajia waved him off. "It's nothing. It'll be announced next Monday anyway, so it's not some earth-shattering secret. Oh, right. Later, I'll have my dad put up a banner with your name to advertise our shop. You don't mind, do you?"

Lu Chen said, "I don't mind. Go ahead."

"Alright!"

Lu Chen waved goodbye.

Just as he reached the entrance.

A man walked in from outside. When he saw Lu Chen, he suddenly froze.

Lu Chen found it a little strange but did not think much of it.

"Old classmate, take care!"

"Alright, goodbye!"

Lu Chen walked straight out of the lottery shop.

"Jiajia, is that your old classmate?"

The man who had entered pointed in the direction Lu Chen had gone and asked.

"Yeah, Brother Zhang. You know my classmate too?"

Brother Zhang smacked his lips. "That kid is incredible. I ran into him yesterday at the Zhao Clan Temple."

Deng Jiajia did not understand. "What do you mean?"

Brother Zhang sucked in a breath. "He actually received a Wealth God's blessing with just one stick of incense, and his Divine Service Rating rose to 5% in one shot. It completely stunned me."

Deng Jiajia's eyes widened. "What did you say? One stick of incense, 5%?!"

"Yeah, and it was the kind that costs one hundred yuan a stick. Can you believe that?"

Deng Jiajia's mouth fell open wide enough to fit an egg.

A moment later, the roar of the Hedong lioness erupted from the lottery shop.

"Lu Chen, so you were the most heaven-defying one all along!!!!!!"