One embodiment provides a system that facilitates efficient processing of requests related to a database. During operation, the system receives, by a server, a request to transfer an amount in to an account of a user, wherein the account is visible to the user and corresponds to a record in a database. The system selects one of a plurality of shadow accounts that correspond to the account, wherein a shadow account is not visible to the user. The system locks the selected shadow account, which prevents any changes to be made to the corresponding record in the database. The system modifies a balance of the selected shadow account by adding the amount to be transferred in to a current balance of the selected shadow account.