Suddenly, I Am Rich

[Congratulations!]

[Quest Completed.]

[$10,000 has been added to your wealth.]

[5% rebate for all of your purchases has been activated.]

”Woah! A 5% rebate...” Gray leaned back on the bench, looking at the floating screen only he could see. He was sitting alone on a bench inside a public park.

Gray and Lily had gone out to relax for a while and get some fresh air. It was probably one of the first that the two went out after years of slaving in work.

In the past, Gray never had time to enjoy days like this. He was always working, and his time was spent juggling between his work. However, despite that they remained to be penniless.

But who would have thought that now that he was jobless, he could do everything at ease.

Look at him. Right now, he was sitting, but he just received some money. And it was even more than his combined monthly salary from his previous work.

’So how does the 5% rebate work, System?” Gray questioned out of curiosity.

[Ding!]

[The Rebate feature will allow the Host to earn back 5% of your money spent. This will automatically be added to your [Wealth]. However, this feature will only be applicable to bought products and goods. Giving money or making donations wouldn’t be included.]

’Oh, I see... That’s understandable.’ Gray slowly nodded as the system’s message faded away.

’That means if I play smart... I can actually earn while spending.’ A grin tugged at the corner of his lips.

’This system is really something else.’ He chuckled lightly.

Gray leaned back a little more, letting the soft breeze hit his face. Now that his focus wasn’t on the system, he could hear again the sound of kids playing echoed in the background.

It felt peaceful since there was no annoying sound of kids crying.

As Gray sat alone, a familiar voice called out to him.

”Brother!” Lily called softly as she walked toward him. She was wearing a bright yellow dress, with messy ponytails and yellow shoes.

It was one of the clothes that they bought yesterday.

”Hello, brother~” Lily called softly as she walked toward him. She was hopping on one foot, clearly happy that they were able to go out.

Gray stood up right away. He was attentive to his sister.

”Are you tired already, Lily?” he asked, followed by a soft laughter.

”Just a little, brother,” Lily said as she rubbed her eyes. ”I played a lot with other kids, and it was fun.”

”That’s good,” Gray smiled and patted her head gently. From the plastic bag beside the bench, he took out a cold bottled water and a small pack of chocolate treats that he had bought.

”Here. Go have a snack first then you can play again afterward.”

Lily’s face lit up when she saw it.

”Yay! Thank you, brother!” She sat beside him on the bench, swinging her legs slowly as she munched on the chocolate.

Lily was minding her world. It was evident that she had become tired and just wanted to eat and rest in silence. However, it wasn’t even long before Lily spoke again.

”Brother, those sisters from yesterday... they were really pretty, aren’t they.”

Gray’s forehead creased at the suddenness of it. He lightly chuckled and looked down at her.

”Two sisters? Emily and Chloe?”

”Mm-hmm,” Lily nodded with her mouth full of chocolate. ”Their hair was shiny. They smelled like flowers, and they were really pretty.”

”Yeah... they were something, right?” Gray uttered, knowing that everything that Lily had said was true.

”Yes, brother. They also looked interested in you.” Lily innocently said.

”Really?”

”Yes,” Lily nodded.

Gray chuckled softly, his eyes narrowing with amusement.

”Well, you sure notice a lot of things, huh?”

”Of course, brother! I’m smart, you know.” Lily smiled cheekily; her chocolate-covered mouth was stretching into a proud smile.

”You little one.” Gray shook his head. He didn’t say anything further, letting silence befall on them.

Gray leaned back on the bench once again and stared up at the soft blue sky above him. The sun was gentle today. It wasn’t hot, and the air was cold. It was just perfect.

’Emily and Chloe...’ Gray thought of the two as he tapped his fingers lightly on the bench.

For his mission, the two sisters were his best chance since he had already met them. Whether through friendship, work, or something else, he had to find another way to get close to them.

Gray sat up straighter, his hand reaching into his pocket. He pulled out the two elegant cards. He had kept it close to him. It was still clean and smooth despite having been with him since yesterday.

Emily Lancaster.

Chloe Lancaster.

Just staring at them made Gray’s heart beat a little faster. It was not out of fear or love, but rather excitement.

Gray stared at their names for a moment longer. He was thinking of something. A plan that he had crafted in his mind yesterday. Whether it’s a stupid or a genius plan, he’d only find out once he actually tried to do it

”So should I...?” he muttered under his breath.

”Should you what, brother?” Lily glanced up at him, her mouth was still full of chocolate. She was already on her second packet.

”Nothing, Lily. I’m just thinking,” he said with a small smile.

’They gave me their numbers. That means it’s okay to contact them, right?’ Gray thought to himself. ’I don’t want to waste time. The mission says I have seven days so I can’t sit around and just wait.’

Gray stared at the cards again, then let out a long breath.

’Yup. I’ll do it. I’m done being a coward,”’he said firmly.

In the past, Gray would always hesitate on things. He would overthink, doubt himself, and decide not to move until it was too late. Maybe that was the reason why his hard work didn’t pay off.

But not this time.

This time, he’d allow himself to be a simple man.

Gray looked at Lily as she licked chocolate from her fingers and smiled to herself. That one simple sight reminded Gray exactly why he couldn’t afford to fail.

He got a sister to take care of.

Aside from that, he wants to enjoy this life without worrying.

”Lily, I’ll just call someone. Stay here, alright? I’ll come back sooner.” Gray said as he stood up from his seat.

Lily looked up at him with wide eyes, then gave a big nod.

”Okay, brother! I’ll stay here and finish my chocolate!”

Gray smiled and ruffled her hair before walking off to a quieter part of the park, just a few steps away beneath a tree.

Gray pulled out his phone and sighed.

The plan was simple for him. He knew that finding a way towards the Lancaster family wouldn’t be easy. He could only think of 3 ways, to befriend the two, make one of them fall in love with him, or have a job in their family.

And, obviously, the easiest among those choices was the last one. Though the first two weren’t bad at all.

Gray’s tactic was to be direct.

He wouldn’t try to lie or pretend to be someone he’s not.

After all, the worst that could happen to him was to get rejected.

”Let’s start with Emily...” he muttered.

With the help of the system’s description, he already knew that she was an approachable one. She was also the one who got a connection in their family’s business.

Gray took a deep breath and typed her number into his phone.

The dial tone began to ring.

Once...

Twice...

Then—

”Call failed. Your current balance is too low to make this call.”