Chapter 8: Three Million in Hand

Chapter 8: Three Million in Hand

Ye Man was momentarily tempted but still thanked the system for its kindness, then steadfastly and softly shared his future aspirations of committing himself to charity work.

Eighteen and into charity—pretty unique.

It seemed like an unusual mix.

Qin Fangrui: "Xiao Man, is that really how you feel?"

It sounded too much like something a child would say to please adults. As far as Qin Fangrui knew, kids this age are into cars, travel, extreme sports, antiques—you name it. But charity? That’s rare.

Noticing the skeptical looks around him, Ye Man barely noticeably tensed up.

Ye Man often played a game of deception; every word was a calculated performance.

The system couldn’t help but sneer: "Your big talk backfired, huh? I told you to just say you didn’t know."

Ye Man muttered to himself, "It won’t backfire, just watch."

After a quick panic, Ye Man steadied himself.

A shadow of sadness crossed his face as he said shyly, with a hint of embarrassment: "I didn’t think this way before, but since I lost my sight, I’ve come to understand the inconveniences and difficulties faced by the visually impaired, and I’ve always wanted to help more people like me." He firmly stated: "Having weathered the storm, I want to shelter others."

He fumbled in the air until he caught a piece of fabric: "You’ll back me up, right?"

Ye Man strategically picked the most influential Chi family member to win over.

Since it’s support, it can’t just be lip service; charity, of course, requires money.

As long as Chi Yan nodded in agreement, Ye Man could get a hefty amount of cash.

He played up his most pitiful and appealing angle, imagining Chi Yan would be somewhat moved and would definitely give something. He was sure of it.

However, silence hung in the air.

Ye Man immediately panicked a bit.

Did he flub his performance? Why was everyone so quiet?

Perhaps sensing his unease, the man whose sleeve he was holding cleared his throat. The middle-aged man’s rough voice carried a hint of embarrassment: "It’s me, Dad."

Huh?

Another similar figure sitting beside him said: "I’m here."

The one beside him was Chi Yan.

Ye Man had mistaken the person and was stunned for a second.

"Brother Tong, I clearly saw Chi Yan sitting here just now. When did they switch places?"

The system: "Dad Chi’s teapot was out of water; he just got up to refill it." When he returned, the positions were wrong.

The three men of the Chi family were sitting in a row opposite, and Ye Man couldn’t tell who was who. When they were speaking earlier, he remembered their positions, relying on his blurry vision to roughly identify them, but he still got it wrong.

Seeing his youngest son pitifully hanging his head, the typically stern Chi father gently rested his hand on Ye Man’s head.

Ye Man’s phone dinged; he had received a transfer.

Three million! A full three million!

Ye Man had never laid eyes on such a sum in his life, and his face instantly turned a bright shade of red.

The Chi Family naturally ensured he had food, clothing, and pocket money, but they also wouldn’t allow him to spend recklessly. The three million was specifically transferred to him for charity.

Chi Yan spoke up: "Start with this. A month from now, show me what you’ve accomplished with your charity work, and you’ll receive the next installment of funds. If you need anything, contact Secretary Li. I don’t want this to be all talk and no action, nor do I want you to simply throw money around for the sake of a good reputation. Understand?"

Ye Man smiled shyly, nodding eagerly like a chick pecking at grain.

In a daze, he stumbled back to his room.

He splashed water on his face repeatedly before finally calming down somewhat.

The system observed the whole scene, completely astonished.

"Ye Man, did you pick the wrong person deliberately or by mistake?"

Ye Man tilted his head: "Deliberately by mistake?"

The system clicked its tongue twice: "You have no idea, their expressions were nearly heartbroken. Just like that, you pocketed three million. Ye Man, with your skills, you’ll conquer anything."

It had assumed that the ridiculous answer of "loving charity" would make Ye Man a joke and lead to a disaster. His follow-up performance and speech weren’t exactly stellar, even a bit exaggerated, with obvious acting. Yet, in the end, he pulled it off with that unexpected twist.

Ye Man smiled calmly: "System, can you figure out if this money’s enough to open a Luosifen shop?"

"It depends on the size you’re aiming for. A small shop would definitely be enough, but a chain... Wait, aren’t you even going to put on an act? Aren’t you afraid Chi Yan will find out?" Weren’t you supposed to do charity?

In the mirror, the pale and thin young man gestured excitedly: "It doesn’t need to be big, just a bit smaller than this room. What’s the point of pretending? Didn’t you say I’d be booted from the Chi Family in a year? Chi Yan’s too swamped to check on my 'homework.' He’s likely just paying lip service."

"Brother Tong, can you check out the housing prices where I plan to fake my death? Can you use this cash to snag a shop for me? I don’t understand these things, and..."

After a moment of speechless silence, the system quietly opened the search interface.

"Look at your lack of ambition. I told you I’d set you up for life after this is over, and all you can think about is opening a Luosifen shop!"

Then it suddenly realized.

Could this be Ye Man’s dream?

The system’s gaze fell on the blind boy happily rolling around on the bed. He smiled beautifully, his eyes curved, and little flowers seemed to bloom around him, making one’s mood brighten just by looking at him.

For a moment, it couldn’t tell if he was genuinely happy or if this was still an act, a performance to win its favor.

"Brother Tong, Brother Tong, you’re not leaving tonight, right?"

"No, why?"

"Nothing, hehe."

I can sleep in the bed tonight! No more sleeping in the closet, yay!

A head popped out from the tangled sheets, pushing his luck: "Brother Tong, can you tell me a story before I fall asleep?"

"Do you think you’re a little kid, needing someone to tuck you in?" The system rolled its eyes.

Ye Man mumbled a few words, then said, "If not a story, just say anything, as long as there’s sound. Talk to me, please!"

"."

As he was speaking, his phone rang again.

Ye Man picked up the call without hesitation.

A stranger’s voice came through the line. Whatever the man said, Ye Man’s smile slowly disappeared, and he gripped the phone tighter.

The sudden change caught the system’s attention, even as it was busy searching for store info for him.

It caught bits and pieces: "Orphanage... Lu... demolish... money..."

The words were fragmented and hard to make out.

After a pause, Ye Man asked, "How much?"

"...I understand."

Once he hung up, Ye Man got straight to transferring the money.

His phone was an accessibility model, with voice prompts that announced every touch. The system heard him transfer exactly three million to an account.

The same Ye Man, who’d been so eager to check store info, now went quiet.

"Who was that?" the system asked.

The system had most of the key info on the main characters but didn’t bother with the minor ones.

Ye Man stayed silent.

After a pause, he asked, "Brother Tong, if I nail my next task, can you front me some of the money I’m supposed to get later?"

"What’s this for?"

Ye Man gave a small smile. "Charity work, you know."

"." Like tricking it was some kind of game?

"By the way, what’s the next plot?" Ye Man asked.

"Two weeks later, at your and Chi Jue’s birthday bash, Meng Yao will give Chi Jue a forty-million-dollar brooch as a peace offering, sparking envy all around. You, jealous of Chi Jue, will corner him in the restroom during the banquet and threaten him to hand over the brooch, or else you’ll make sure this impostor can’t stay in the Chi Family."