Empire of Shadows

The small-loan business was booming.

Federation citizens had abandoned the habit of saving money, or rather, years of rapid economic growth had shifted their mindset toward spending instead of saving. In the past, people did save, but with the booming economy, experts constantly reminded them: money left sitting in the bank would depreciate.

Five years ago, when people earned only twenty dollars a month, fifteen dollars could buy a bicycle. Now, a bicycle cost more than twenty dollars. That five-dollar depreciation reflected inflation, making saving seem futile. Spending promptly was seen as a way to maintain the value of one’s wealth.

A bicycle purchased for fifteen dollars five years ago could now sell for seven or eight dollars in the second-hand market—essentially, one dollar per year for riding it.

You couldn’t say the experts were wrong; their examples were valid. As the economy flourished, more cash circulated in the market, and the Federation printed more money to meet demand, leading to price changes.

However, to say they were entirely correct wasn’t accurate either. Measured by purchasing power, spending three-quarters of one’s monthly income versus half showed the actual value of goods like bicycles was declining.

But people didn’t care about that; they only saw that bicycles had become more expensive.

This mindset of living for the moment, coupled with a proliferation of finance companies offering installment plans and loans, nurtured a culture of immediate consumption. It also fueled the Federation’s rapid economic growth. Factories never lacked customers for their products, and experts predicted this economic prosperity would last another ten years or more.

Everything seemed perfect—except when unexpected expenses arose.Many dockworkers at the port were fans of the “live for the moment” philosophy. A typical evening involved a drink at the bar, admiring the optimistic and energetic strip dancers who worked there for the love of performing, and tossing them a few coins in approval.

By the end of the month, little remained in their pockets. When they needed money urgently, things got tricky.

Borrowing from coworkers? Forget it—they were just as broke.

Asking their employer for a loan? That wasn’t an option, and it risked disputes.

Finance companies were a possibility, but without assets or valuables, and with a monthly income of just thirty dollars, finance companies wouldn’t lend them money. The steep interest rates also deterred borrowers.

This was where the “Wanli Financial Consulting Services” stepped in, quickly becoming a hot topic among the working class in the port area.

For loans under a hundred dollars, they offered same-day full disbursement, accepting both cash and checks, with reasonable interest rates and installment options.

One man borrowed a hundred dollars and only needed to repay one hundred ninety over six months. That broke down to just thirty-eight dollars per month—significantly lower than standard finance company rates.

The key difference? Wanli really lent out money. They didn’t worry about default because work cards were rising in value—averaging eighteen or nineteen dollars, sometimes even twenty. Workers could lease their work cards for extra shifts and pay off loans without working themselves. A single full-time job brought in even more income.

Many workers considered their future before borrowing. Would this decision make life unbearably hard? Would they default?

The answer was no. If they couldn’t repay, Wanli’s policy allowed them to hand over their work cards temporarily. The company would hire replacements to work off the debt.

With no major risks, even those who didn’t need money borrowed twenty or thirty dollars just to try it out.

Some people, realizing that merely owning a work card enabled loans, took advantage of the system. For them, borrowing from Wanli was better than dealing with illegal immigrants, which had become taboo following recent anti-immigration movements. Renting work cards to immigrants was seen as unpatriotic by some “Old Federation” citizens. ŗÅ𝐍Ȫ𝐁Ěs̈

Instead, letting a company use their work card to pay off debt caused no such concerns. This arrangement became a solution for many.

Amid this success, Lance considered opening a second business: a labor services company.

In just a few days, Wanli had issued over two hundred loans, ranging from twenty to one hundred dollars, totaling more than thirteen thousand dollars.

With an average term of three months, this would bring in about nine thousand dollars in profit. Moreover, the loans and vouchers allowed Lance to secure sixteen thousand dollars from the bank. The more he lent, the more he held.

This was the secret of wealth: money begets money.

Sometimes life is ironic—financial success doesn’t necessarily depend on hard work or noble character. That’s the cruel truth.

On the weekend, Lance invited Patricia for an outing. The girl, though shy, wasn’t as rebellious as some might expect.

In this era, most Federation citizens still valued “virtue.” Conservative women remained the majority, and even holding hands could make them blush.

Lance had chosen the amusement park in Jingang City for their date. Its attractions brought laughter from young people and children alike.

While the Empire’s impoverished struggled with daily survival, Federation citizens were already riding roller coasters.

In a way, they weren’t so different—they all experienced heart-pounding highs and lows.

“That was so intense!” Patricia clutched her chest, leaning against Lance. “My legs are shaking! I swear I’ll never get on one of those again!”

It was clear the ride had terrified her.

The roller coaster at Angel Amusement Park in Jingang City wasn’t the most extreme, but it still brought joy—and fear—to many. The numerous signs reading “Please Do Not Vomit Here” testified to its polarizing effect.

Patricia leaned heavily on Lance, her trembling legs barely supporting her. Despite the layer of clothing between them, he could feel the heat radiating from her body.

“I thought you’d like it. Look around; most of the visitors here are young people,” he said, helping her to a nearby bench.

Her breathing steadied as her heartbeat slowed. “This was my first time on a roller coaster, Lance. When I was little, I told my father I wanted to try one.”

“But he said it wasn’t ladylike.” She rolled her eyes and took a deep breath. “He was such a rigid man, like a block of stone.”

“So...” she exhaled, flashing a small smile. “Even though I was scared, you made my life more complete.”

“If it were just me, I wouldn’t have dared to ride it. Thank you, Lance.”

Lance chuckled. “You’re my angel, and I’m your genie in a bottle, here to grant all your wishes. So, my angel, what’s your next wish?”

Patricia laughed, her radiant smile outshining the summer sun. “You’re too sweet, Lance. Sometimes I wonder if this is all just a dream!”

Looking into her eyes, Lance leaned closer. The distance between them shrank, and Patricia’s face turned red as her breathing quickened.

She felt his breath near hers and grew dizzy. It was all too fast.

Her traditional upbringing reminded her that she wasn’t one of those loose women who could share a bed with a man after the first date. She still held to those values.

“Your collar’s a bit off. Let me fix it.” Lance adjusted her hair and collar. She exhaled in relief but also felt a trace of disappointment.

Just as she opened her mouth to say “thank you,” Lance leaned in and kissed her.

Her mind went blank.

Having attended a strict church school with female teachers and nuns, Patricia had been taught that such intimacy was only for marriage.

Perhaps this repression fueled the feminist movement sweeping the Federation, with women rallying for voting rights and equality.

But for Patricia, this kiss was so contrary to her upbringing that she froze, unsure of what to do.

Fortunately, Lance’s kiss was brief—no tongue, just a simple connection. The warmth of his face against hers left her heart trembling.

She felt sticky, like the damp weather from the day before.

“Forgive me. It was spontaneous,” Lance said, pulling back slightly. “I’ll make it up to you with an extra wish.”

Patricia covered her flushed face, feeling both shy and wronged. “I didn’t agree to that kiss.”

Lance scratched his head. “You’re too beautiful. How about you kiss me back?”

She couldn’t help but laugh, her initial annoyance melting away. “You’re the boldest man I’ve ever met!”

Lance shrugged, unashamed. “It’d be shameful to not express my feelings for a girl I like.”

Patricia rolled her eyes but couldn’t deny his words filled her with sweetness.

“How many girls have you used this on?” she teased.

An easy question. “You’re the first.”

“I don’t believe you!”

Lance didn’t miss a beat. “I wasn’t like this before, but after meeting you...” He spread his hands like a flower blooming. “It’s like God opened a window, and now I have endless sweet words just for you!”

Before she could respond, he grabbed her hand. “Let’s try the carousel!”

She didn’t refuse. After all, the carousel was every girl’s favorite.

And as for putting his arm around her waist? That was a move reserved for amateurs!