"What is the problem, ah?" Zhōu Huiliang demanded with knitted brows.
The man was caught between irritation and politeness, disgusted by Chen Xuan's tattered jumpsuit appearance, yet also trying not to appear arrogant in front of others.
Chen Xuan kept his face calm and soft, though he was smiling inside after seeing the system notification of success. 'Haha. It worked,' he thought.
Realizing that the man was still aggravated, needing an answer for the disturbance, Chen Xuan smiled sheepishly before gesturing toward the counter.
"Hello, do they still serve late-night meals here? I wasn't sure if the kitchen closed early."
The man stared at the filthy boy, studying him before he huffed. "I am eating food here, no? You see others eating too. Of course, they still serve. What kind of question is that?" he asked.
Chen Xuan only nodded with an embarrassed laugh, acting the fool. "Right, right. Makes sense."
He thanked the annoyed man before moving to the counter, and everyone was now staring at him. To them, it looked like nothing but a clumsy attempt at conversation. Only Chen Xuan knew he had successfully put the key into the keyhole.
At the counter, he ordered fried rice with egg and vegetables, alongside iced lemon tea.
He made sure that all he ordered were the cheapest because he wasn't sure how reliable Zhōu Huiliang's finances were.
The worker at the counter looked at the customer up and down, doubting his capability to afford a meal. But she didn't say a word as she took the order.
Chen Xuan helped himself to one of the empty tables.
About just two minutes later, the man whom he bonded to brushed the crumbs from his shirt and walked out of the fast-food joint without looking back. Watching, Chen Xuan was unsettled. What if the bond required the target to remain nearby?
'The system had said nothing about distance. It doesn't matter,' he thought, folding his arms in reassurance.
The link wouldn't vanish just because the subject left, so all that mattered now was whether Zhōu Huiliang received a credit alert soon… otherwise, Chen Xuan would be stuck without a way to pay for the food he had just ordered.
Five minutes later, his food arrived. He was served a tray with steaming plates of what he ordered. And just in that exact moment, the system interface flashed before his eyes.
[Ding!]
[Subject: Zhōu Huiliang]
[Account ****-4821 credited: $80.00]
[You have been credited: $800.00. Money sent to your account: ****-0073]
[Account Balance: $800.60]
Chen Xuan froze in the spot, staring at the numbers as his heart skipped several beats.
The system wasn't joking at all. It had truly multiplied the subject's income by ten, handing it to him free of charge.
He only had 60 cents in his account before he entered this fast food joint, but now, he had three digits!
'It works. This cheat actually works!' Chen Xuan jubilated internally, still finding the immoderate rise unbelievable.
He saw more than money with this system; Chen Xuan saw utter liberation of himself. He saw the most valuable thing ever: Power!
Poverty had always been his curse from the moment he was orphaned, dragging him through an unbearable story of humiliation, hunger, and mockery.
The universe had just literally gifted him the token to break away from the chain!
No more being looked down on like he's worthless, no more begging! If a simple worker's transfer could give him way more than his monthly salary, then what about CEOs? Politicians? Billionaires?
This is the path to becoming the richest man alive!
Grinning, Chen Xuan absorbed his future-paced thoughts so he wouldn't get ahead of himself as he promised.
On the table before him was a delicious plate, the savory aroma making his stomach rumble. These were the kinds of meals that Chen Xuan would eat, and it would feel like it was Christmas for him. Now, he could fully afford a meal of this calibre ten times over with the $800 he had.
Digging his spoon into the warm food, he began to eat hungrily, forgetting his table manners. His savage dining drew the attention of the working young lady and the old couple. They stared at him as if he were a foreign refugee.
"Look at the way he eats, like he hasn't seen food in days..."
"Maybe he really hasn't. The poor mechanic must be too hungry...."
Chen Xuan didn't have amplified hearing, so he didn't catch the couple's whisper, not like he would care anyway. The taste of the food was too heavenly for divided attention. Every spoonful was a mouthful, and every gulp filled both his stomach and his soul.
'Today's fried rice. Tomorrow would be what? What fine cuisines am I yet to try....?'
After about five minutes, the mechanic was leaning back in his chair with a clean plate before him.
Seeing that Chen Xuan had eaten to his full, the worker approached his table to clear the dishes. While doing so, she slipped him the bill and a piece of candy.
Chen Xuan picked up the bill with a lazy hand.
Fried Rice (Egg & Vegetables) – $3.20
Iced Lemon Tea – $1.10
Total: $4.30
'Can I afford this...? Yes, I can. Haha.'
Chen Xuan couldn't believe that just an hour ago, such a figure would have been enough to send him into a cardiac arrest. However, things were different now that he had received universal blessings.
With confidence, he slid his debit card from his pocket and placed it on the table, giving the worker the green light to proceed.
The worker still doubted him, but she continued anyway, swiping the card through the payment machine she had with her.
Beep Beep
Payment successful.
The worker was left surprised, staring at the machine's screen as it confirmed the payment had gone through without any issue!
Chen Xuan saw her reaction, and he found it amusing.
To snap her out of the daze, he lifted his index finger. "Excuse me. Could I speak with the owner of this establishment? I'd like to give some… commendations."
The worker looked at him suspiciously. "I don't know... the owner doesn't really, um, come out for customers," she said, leaving Chen Xuan aloof.
Was it a rejection or approval of the request? The worker was shaking her head and nodding simultaneously.
Before Chen Xuan could ask for clarity, she picked up the tray and retreated to the kitchen. Chen Xuan was left sitting with uncertainty, his food digesting in his stomach.
He really thought his request had been brushed aside as he was ready to take his leave, but to his relief, the worker reemerged from the kitchen a few minutes later. With her was an older woman, most likely the owner, as he had requested.
The worker led the way toward Chen Xuan. Once they approached, the older woman stepped forward to take control. "Young man, I hear you asked to see me?" She asked.
"Yes," Chen Xuan answered, rising to his feet.
"Was there a problem with the food or hospitality?" The owner of the fast food asked with genuine concern.
From the way she acted, Chen Xuan bet she valued her establishment's reputation. He respected that, but he didn't request her presence to complain.
"Not at all. Everything was perfect," he said as he and the woman held strong eye contact. "I only wanted to thank you personally. A place like this deserves recognition, and I'll be sure to tell many others how good it is so they can come and enjoy it as well."
The owner found herself staring at the young man. Firstly, it was due to his unexpected handsomeness despite his tattered jumpsuit. Secondly, it was after hearing his earnest words.
The compliment was unnatural and unprecedented given the circumstances. What did he order? Just fried rice?
Has this guy not eaten fried rice before in his life or not?
The owner knew her establishment wasn't the best, but it wasn't the worst either. Thus, this must be a genuine compliment and not a scheme.
"Oh… thank you. I… guess," she said in a tone of surprise and appreciation.
"Oh....." the owner whispered when she noticed the young man extending his hand toward her.
Looking up at Chen Xuan, his eyes were full of innocence.
The owner didn't have a good reason not to accept the gesture, so she placed her palm in his and gave a light shake. The warmth of his grip startled her.
"Thank you again," Chen Xuan said with a smile.