Chapter 385

The semester had just started, and the coursework wasn't too intense yet.

University was actually a very relaxed environment, especially a private one like Enhua University - it was ridiculously laid-back.

With all the various club and student council activities in full swing, there was hardly any time left for studying.

However, the students of Xiao Qi's dorm had become more diligent this semester.

Mieer wasn't constantly running off for student council work anymore and had actually settled down to study. Something had happened in her family, but unusually, she managed to keep it to herself for several days before finally opening up.

Her family owned a factory in their hometown, making them quite influential locally, but her father had secretly fathered a child with another woman. A young widow had shown up with her son, causing a huge scene that the entire town gossiped about.

In the end, Mieer's mother had chosen to forgive him.

Mieer had always had a fiery temper, so she couldn't understand her mother's decision at all. She felt her mother should have divorced him instead, no matter how difficult that would have been financially. How could they go on living like that?

She didn't understand, but then again, she did. Just her tuition fees alone were no small sum - her mother couldn't afford to make such a stubborn stand. Before this, she had thought her parents' favoritism toward sons was her biggest problem, but now she realized she too had to worry about making ends meet. She only told Xiao Qi about it, and even Xiao Qi didn't know how to console her - it wasn't something one could fully understand without being in that situation themselves. The best thing was just to focus on her studies while at university and take care of her own responsibilities before trying to help others.

Wei Cheng, on the other hand, had become much more determined this year, no longer drifting aimlessly and balancing her studies with part-time jobs.

Yun Shu still read novels, but not to the point of staying up all night anymore. She would only read during mealtimes and had allocated most of her time to studying.

They had no choice - with a studious monster like Xiao Qi in their dorm, the others unconsciously felt compelled to work harder too.

Xiao Qi had somehow finished all the courses for years one and two already and was now studying year three content. It was just freakish.

If it had just been Xiao Qi, they could have dismissed it as a genetic anomaly, but even Zaizai, who used to rank in the 60s and had to retake multiple courses, was now studying hard. The others began to reflect on their own lack of effort.

They also felt bad for poor Zaizai - he must have been the student at Enhua University who had the hardest time dating.

Xiao Qi was an impulsive sort - whatever idea popped into her head, she would act on it immediately.

It had all started with a shadow, her own transformation stemming from that system. Although she didn't rely entirely on the system, she couldn't deny that her success was largely due to it. While her effort now exceeded her past self by hundreds of times, the system had played a key role.

Xiao Qi wondered what would happen if everyone had such a system. The thought had been on the tip of her tongue before, but she hadn't fully grasped it until it crystallized, at which point it seemed only natural - this was something she should have done long ago.

She would create a system, an app that earned money simply by walking, simulating her own progress system. Of course, it couldn't be that generous - the base reward could be smaller.

For instance, earning one dollar for every 10,000 steps, with constant upgrades.

Xiao Qi's mind raced as she meticulously planned and analyzed the feasibility.

She found the concept of this walking-for-money system fascinating. If ordinary people had access to such an app, changing their habits would simply be a matter of perseverance. The changes might start small with walking, but they could gradually encompass all aspects of life.

It had been the same for Xiao Qi herself at the beginning when she started running - initially just for the money, but through running, her perspectives broadened. She no longer viewed the world so narrowly, obsessed over gains and losses, or cared too much about others' opinions. A small habit like running, persisted in daily, had brought about such immense changes.

She believed others could achieve the same.

From then on, everyone could sense Xiao Qi's busyness.

She was determined to develop this system, designing the program herself as a practical application of her studies.

Xiao Qi planned to involve her roommates and Zaizai, leveraging their resources through mutual assistance and shared growth, even though she could have done it alone.

She had Mieer conduct customer surveys and gather feedback on desired features if such an app existed. She asked Yun Shu to research any similar existing apps and their functionalities.

Zaizai assisted with coding.

Wei Cheng was tasked with user experience testing, identifying issues and suggesting improvements.

Xiao Qi also consulted Li Weijin, viewing him as an advisor thanks to his entrepreneurial experience, to analyze potential problems. It was a rather rudimentary, slapdash team formed on a whim by Xiao Qi.

This whole endeavor was Xiao Qi's brainchild. When she went for her French lessons with Mrs. Su, the latter asked in surprise, "I heard you've already started working on your graduation project? That's quite confident of you."

Xiao Qi nodded firmly, "Yes, I think this concept is great. I'm sure I can make it work!"

Mrs. Su was taken aback by the shift in the young lady's demeanor. To be honest, she had always thought Xiao Qi was outstanding, but there had been a hint of innate insecurity in her manner, even if subtle - something that would occasionally show through her speech.

Yet this time, she exuded unwavering confidence and brilliant radiance, her entire being transformed, as if she had cast off some shackle.

It wasn't just Mrs. Su who felt this way - Xiao Qi sensed the change in herself too.

Developing this walking-for-money progress system felt like a calling, an innate sense that this was something she was meant to do, the process unfolding smoothly.

She wasn't just working on a graduation project - she was deadly serious about creating a system app for everyone to use. To this end, Xiao Qi even sold off all the properties she had bought in Meng City.

Although prices in Xiao'an District had skyrocketed, it wasn't as drastic as a tenfold increase - some had tripled, which was already exaggerated. The entire transaction netted Xiao Qi over thirty million yuan, an incredibly successful investment from just one Spring Festival. At this rate, holding out longer could potentially yield even greater profits.

Li Weijin's brother also learned about his brother's girlfriend selling her properties and was dumbfounded.

Wasn't she supposed to be just an intelligent girl from an average family? Yet she could make money like that? We're talking tens of millions here, not thousands - she didn't even blink an eye before selling it all off to develop and promote a self-made app. Wasn't that a bit too reckless?

He was inexplicably reminded of his own parents' mindset.

In reality, Xiao Qi had recklessly staked everything on this venture, driven by a primal urge to create this system.

The concept itself seemed unthinkable - everyone could have it, everyone would earn money just by walking. But how could such an app be profitable? Where would the funds come from to pay everyone? Otherwise, it would just be a scam.

That was the biggest challenge.

Xiao Qi analyzed that the system upgraded by absorbing positive energy.

While the app she was making couldn't absorb positive energy, she could take a different approach and use something analogous - traffic.

With enough traffic, anything was possible - advertisements, membership base, games, you name it.

The program itself was simple - Xiao Qi completed it, then registered the trademark and content before starting promotion.

With the app ready, she allocated funds for marketing.

Xiao Qi stopped paying attention to the matter and instead entrusted Zaizai's elder brother to help find a staff member to manage things.

Her primary job was still being a student, which was to study.

Li Tangsong: ...

Is she really being so open-hearted? Aren't you afraid that my younger brother might suddenly change his heart and like someone else? Are you sure it's viable to throw so much money into an app made by yourself, your roommates, and his silly brother?

Just listening to the name makes it sound incredibly stupid: 'Walk and Earn Money'. Who would believe that? Yet you invested several million yuan. That might be your entire life's savings, young lady. Perhaps this is the peak of your wealth in this lifetime.

Li Tangsong felt weary. If this young lady really became his sister-in-law, he felt like his list of people to worry about would grow longer.

Initially, when his parents wanted to consolidate all the companies under the name Tang Song Group, he was deeply moved, feeling the heavy burden of reviving the family's legacy. He was determined to be good to his younger brother. However, in the end, everyone else was living leisurely, while he was the only one struggling to death...

It was all due to being misguided by vain glory.

Li Tangsong wouldn't go as far as coveting his future sister-in-law's money. Their spending habits were so in sync that he had the illusion that this was already family. Diligently, he helped Xiao Qi find professionals within the industry to manage the app's subsequent operations.

He even hired them at high salaries. In any case, money flowed like water for Li Tangsong. He hoped this app would succeed and gain popularity. But at the same time, he didn't want it to become too popular. If it really took off, they would have to pay out so much money. Even if it was just one yuan per person per day, with 10,000 people, that would be 10,000 yuan per day, given away for free. No matter how wealthy his family was, they couldn't afford that.

He wondered if his future sister-in-law's brain wasn't working properly, creating a system app specifically designed to give money away to people. Was this charity? Even if his family owned a mine, they couldn't afford it. At this rate, his family would go bankrupt in 896.27 years from giving money away every day. He wouldn't be able to bear it. He would definitely have to find a frugal and thrifty partner in the future.

Li Tangsong's reaction was still relatively good.

Many of Xiao Qi's classmates thought she had lost her mind.

Throwing so much money into creating such a ridiculous 'Walk and Earn Money' app, did she really think apps were that easy to make and that the internet was that lucrative? If it were that easy, there would be tycoons everywhere. Why would it be your turn?

Chu Yu, in particular, thought Su Xiao Qi was foolish.

She assumed Xiao Qi must have been provoked by her previous comments about marrying into a wealthy family, which led Xiao Qi to stake everything on this venture.

Chu Yu quietly watched the spectacle unfold.

She initially expected Xiao Qi to be in a rush.

However, to her surprise, Xiao Qi remained unfazed, seamlessly returning to her routine of diligent study.

She attended evening self-study sessions on time, maintained her daily jogs, visited the library, the equestrian center, and audited sophomore and junior classes. Her studiousness remained unwavering.

It was as if nothing had happened.

Xiao Qi did feel pressure, but she did her part and left the rest to fate.

She had done what she wanted to do and given what she could afford. The only thing left for her was to study hard, regardless of success or failure. The knowledge she gained from studying belonged to her.

So she maintained her daily study routine, appearing calm and composed in the face of fortune or adversity.

Mrs. Su, being kept informed by the little gossip Su Li about Xiao Qi's situation, was deeply impressed to see the young lady maintain her diligent studies despite the circumstances. Even at her age, approaching forty, Mrs. Su could only now achieve such equanimity.

Even if Xiao Qi failed this time, her future would not be compromised.

On weekends, Xiao Qi still went to Zaizai's home for tutoring. Seeing the young lady's demeanor, Zaizai's parents shared the same thoughts as Mrs. Su. They found Xiao Qi admirable, with an excellent attitude. Even if she failed, it would still be a valuable experience, better than their eldest son.

As for the app's operations, they were not charging any fees and advertising everywhere.

On platforms like Douyin, QQ, WeChat, and various social media, there were ads everywhere.

Even at Enhua University itself, people could see this ridiculously named 'Walk and Earn Money' app everywhere.

Initially, everyone thought it was a scam.

Of course, being poor students, some decided to try it out.

To their surprise, there was actual money involved, directly transferred to their WeChat wallet. Although not a large amount, it was still astonishing to receive free money.

Many people then started walking frantically just for those one or two yuan, and recommended the app to those around them.

Some people downloaded the app but found it quite challenging to earn money. At least 10,000 steps were required each day. However, the step-tracking feature was convenient, displaying the corresponding time periods when the user was walking or relatively stationary throughout the day. This was quite interesting, so some people kept the app as a regular step counter.

Gradually, this ridiculous app became popular. If not elsewhere, at least in a prestigious private school like Enhua University where money wasn't an issue, almost everyone had downloaded it.

More and more people were using this app.

Li Tangsong even spotted employees at his company using it in the elevator.

It wasn't just ordinary staff, but one of the company's high-level managers earning over 700,000 yuan annually was also playing with this silly app. Li Tangsong couldn't help but ask, "You've downloaded this 'Walk and Earn Money' app too?"

"Li, you know about this app too? Yes, I find this app very interesting. Ever since I downloaded it, I've consciously changed my routine to walk more every day. I feel my physical condition has improved, and my work has become smoother."

Seeing the boss discussing this app, a nearby junior employee who had also downloaded it couldn't resist chiming in, "President Li, I've downloaded this app too. You really can earn money by walking. The more you walk, the more you earn. Sometimes, when walking gets boring, it even recommends books, music, audio clips, and news, which is quite interesting."

Li Tangsong's feelings were mixed. Back in his office, he saw the cleaning lady mopping the floor, going back and forth repeatedly over the same area hundreds of times, with an exceptional level of diligence. Adhering to the principle of a good boss recognizing employees' strengths, he complimented her.

To his surprise, the cleaning lady was startled, and her phone fell out of her pocket, revealing the 'Walk and Earn Money' app interface. She had been walking back and forth to increase her step count...