While the opening was in full swing, Lucien also received a notification that he had completed the recovery mission. He had finally fully healed from the physical toll of his injuries. As he basked in the excitement of the day, the reward for the mission appeared.
Lucien was quite pleased with his reward, having received a new skill called "Pain Tolerance." Though he wished he had gained it earlier, he was still happy to have it now. At level one, the skill reduced his pain by 10%, which he felt was a decent start, especially with room to grow as it leveled up to five. Now that he had fully recovered, he could finally tackle his daily fitness mission without worrying about prolonging his recovery. He had deliberately put it off until he felt fully healed, but now he was ready to do his fitness mission.
Lucien had also received several calls from his aunt and uncle regarding the $1,000 he had sent them. They insisted on returning the money, but Lucien firmly refused, urging them to keep it. After some back and forth, they eventually relented, though they told him they'd set the money aside in case he ever needed it back. While Lucien didn't like the idea, he knew they wouldn't change their minds. Deciding it wasn't worth pushing further, he let it go and moved on.
His aunt, uncle, and Lizzie had all asked him where the money had come from, but for now, Lucien simply told them he had landed a well-paying part-time job. He knew they wouldn't believe him if he revealed the truth—that he was now the owner of a newly successful convenience store, which was still growing. For now, it was easier to keep things simple, especially since the reality of his rapid success might be too hard for them to grasp.
But Lucien didn't really mind. They accepted his explanation without pressing him for more details. He decided it was better this way—he wanted to stabilize his business first before sharing everything with his family. There was no rush, and once things were more secure, he'd feel more comfortable telling them the full story, excluding the part with the system.
It was Sunday, and Lucien had just received the latest report for both the store and online sales. As he read through the numbers, he was astonished. Even after the grand opening, the traffic at the convenience store remained high, with people continuously coming in to buy groceries. The online sales were equally impressive, and while the membership sign-up rate had started to slow, it was expected after the initial surge. Still, the numbers were better than he'd hoped for, and the momentum was strong.
By the end of the week, Lucien's store had welcomed around 5,800 customers, with 1,155 new Membership Sign-Ups and a total revenue of $273,300. The demand had been so high that some days the delivery drivers from the storage unit had to make multiple trips to restock products.
After the first day, Lucien instructed Tom to reach out to the various suppliers and place large orders for restocking. With the increased demand, he wanted to ensure that the products were delivered directly to the storage unit in bulk, keeping the store well-stocked and ready for the ongoing rush of customers.
The website's success was even more remarkable, with a staggering 197,382 views over the week. Lucien couldn't believe it when he saw the numbers: a total of 25,200 orders had generated $885,000 in revenue, alongside 11,125 new Membership Sign-Ups. He was astonished by how many people were purchasing online, especially considering the delivery service was currently limited to just Starcity.
It was clear that a significant portion of Starcity was intrigued by the products Lucien offered, especially with his store trending on various social media platforms. The buzz had undoubtedly piqued curiosity and attracted a steady stream of customers.
With the success of the store, Lucien had taken decisive steps for the upcoming week. He hired more delivery drivers to expand his service beyond Starcity, responding to the numerous requests for delivery to nearby cities. He understood that establishing a good reputation was crucial, and this move would not only meet demand but also ensure a consistent increase in profits.
Since he had hired more drivers, Lucien also needed to bring on additional personnel for packaging the orders. Tom had decided to give Benjamin a position in the packing team, thanks to his previous experience in the field, which made the process smoother.
Benjamin was thrilled to receive the job offer. He expressed his gratitude repeatedly, showing genuine excitement about the opportunity. It seemed like he had made a decision to turn his life around, ready to work hard and regain his footing. Lucien felt a sense of pride knowing he could help someone in need while also strengthening his business.
The last Lucien heard about Benjamin was that he had reestablished contact with his wife and daughter, especially his daughter. While his wife still seemed hesitant, Benjamin had managed to talk to his daughter, expressing how much he missed them and how he had changed. He reassured them that he wouldn't rush anything and would respect their feelings, no matter how long it took. He knew he had caused them pain, but he was determined to make up for his past mistakes and hoped for another chance.
Seeing Benjamin genuinely strive to improve himself made Lucien feel proud of his decision to trust the system and give him this opportunity. It reinforced Lucien's belief that everyone deserves a second chance. He was rooting for Benjamin, hoping he would slowly rebuild his life and find the happiness he sought.
While his employees, including Tom, were busy working, Lucien wasn't just sitting back. He took it upon himself to compile all the feedback he received online, aiming to enhance the store. The critiques and positive comments sparked many ideas in him.
After organizing his thoughts, he wrote everything down and handed the list to Tom, encouraging him to see how they could implement these improvements. Lucien emphasized the importance of doing their best to fulfill the suggestions, knowing that every little enhancement could make a difference for their customers.
Lucien also discovered that he could accumulate his earnings before activating the first effect of his title, "Hard Work Pays Off." Excited by the possibility, he decided to save all his earnings until the end of the month, planning to multiply them for an even greater boost. While he suspected this might not be the intended use of the system, he felt it was too good an opportunity to pass up.
He considered whether to hold off even longer, but the reality of ongoing expenses loomed large. Expanding his businesses required significant funds, and he needed to keep cash flow steady. So, he settled on one month, confident that even with this timeline, he would end up with much more than he usually would.
It was the last day before his final semester began, and Lucien felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. This was the first year he could almost fully focus on his studies without the constant worry of money. He had worked hard to reach this point, and he was eager to finally experience what it meant to be a university student, embracing all the opportunities that came with it.
He didn't want to say that his university life had been bad, but he couldn't deny it had been exhausting. The constant stress of juggling multiple part-time jobs while keeping up with a wide array of topics in his classes had really drained his energy.
This year, that wouldn't be the case anymore, and he felt genuinely happy about it. He was finally able to focus on what he had always wanted: to finish his university journey on a strong note, achieving good grades and making the most of his time there.
Tomorrow, the employee he'd gotten through the system was set to arrive in the afternoon. Lucien was looking forward to meeting her after his first day of university. It felt like another step forward in building his business, and he was eager to see how she would fit into his plans.
Lucien had also heard from Lizzie that she would be streaming again tomorrow. She always made it a point to let him know beforehand whenever she went live. It had become a comforting routine for him; even if he was busy with other tasks, he would tune in, letting her stream play in the background. He loved hearing her voice—it was like a familiar soundtrack that eased his mind and lifted his spirits.
There was something special about watching her interact with her followers. The joy she radiated was infectious, and he often found himself smiling along with her laughter. Her enthusiasm had a way of breaking through his stress, creating a sense of connection that made him feel less alone in his hectic life. Even during his most chaotic days, just hearing her chat and share stories brought him a sense of comfort and happiness.
He had also noticed that with each stream, her viewer count and donations were steadily increasing. It didn't surprise Lucien; more and more people were discovering Lizzie, and it was easy to see why. She was genuinely beautiful, both inside and out. Her kind and charming personality had a magnetic quality that naturally drew people in.
She wasn't doing anything too extravagant in her streams; sometimes she'd just draw while chatting with her viewers, and other times she'd play mobile games alongside them. It seemed that the drawing streams were especially popular. Not only was Lizzie incredibly talented at drawing, but she also kept the conversation flowing, interacting with the chat, which her subscribers clearly enjoyed.
Lucien had occasionally chimed in during her streams, chatting with some of the viewers and asking questions. They always responded, likely because he was still her top donor with that $1,000 donation. He noticed that her donations were increasing, both in number and in the amounts being sent.
What stood out to him most was how supportive her community was. They genuinely seemed to care for Lizzie as a person, rallying around her with heartfelt encouragement. That warmth and camaraderie among her followers was something he truly appreciated.
_____
It was still dark outside his window when Lucien found himself wide awake. With his alarm set to ring in just about half an hour, he decided it was pointless to stay in bed. He quickly got up, freshening up with a fast shower before dressing in a nice shirt, black pants, and white sneakers. The clothes were new, a recent purchase from his shopping trip, but he realized he hadn't bought enough; he'd need to go shopping again soon.
Once he finished getting ready, Lucien took a moment to look in the mirror. His snowy white hair was styled in a center-part mullet, framing his face, while his brown-red eyes shone with newfound confidence. He wore the long red earring and the black ring with an insignia passed down from his parents—items he never took off. They were the last tangible connection he had to them, and he didn't dare to lose that. His body was no longer as thin as before; with the ability to afford better food, he had started to develop a more defined figure.
Lucien had often received compliments about his looks. His unique hair and eye colors didn't seem out of place; instead, they lent him a certain charm that made him appear more mysterious. In elementary school, he was one of the most popular boys, attracting many admirers. However, as they grew older, perceptions shifted. The awareness of his background as an orphan with limited means altered how some viewed him. It was just the way the world worked—an uncomfortable truth that he had come to accept, but it still stung.
Though he was still popular because of his looks, and some continued to show interest in him, Lucien never let it get to his head. Even in elementary school, he dedicated most of his time to studying or working part-time at a café. His determination to excel academically often set him apart, leading most to leave him alone. He didn't mind; he preferred it that way. There were, of course, exceptions—occasional friends who would engage him, but they were few and far between.
Lucien shook off the memories and turned away from the mirror, focusing on the present. He grabbed his notebook, slipped it into his bag, and headed out of his apartment. The excitement of the day ahead pushed aside any lingering thoughts, fueling his anticipation for what was to come.
With his new motorcycle, Lucien enjoyed the freedom of not having to rely on public transportation. The ride was quick and exhilarating, and as he arrived at the university, he caught the attention of several students. Whispers and glances followed him as they admired his bike, a rarity among the sea of expensive cars typically parked outside this prestigious institution.
Lucien could sense their curiosity, but he brushed it off, focusing instead on parking his bike. The attention was flattering, but he preferred to keep his head down and concentrate on his studies. With a final glance at the gleaming machine, he stepped away, ready to face the day ahead.
As soon as Lucien took off his helmet, a wave of excited exclamations surrounded him. He caught sight of a few girls who gasped and even squealed, their eyes wide with surprise and admiration.
Kyyaah!
"Wow, look at him!" one whispered, while another nudged her friend, clearly taken by both his striking appearance and the sleek motorcycle.
Lucien felt a flicker of confusion at the strong reaction, catching snippets of murmurs as he walked past the gathering crowd.
Lucien realized the girls' reaction stemmed from their surprise at his looks, a mix of curiosity and admiration evident in their wide eyes and whispers. He felt a bit out of place but couldn't help but acknowledge the attention, even if it was unexpected.
Lucien caught snippets of conversation drifting from the crowd, phrases like, "Isn't that Lucien Wilson? He's always in the top ten for scores," and "Wow, yeah, you're right." The mention of his academic achievements filled him with a sense of pride, but he was also acutely aware of the whispers about his motorcycle.
"Is it even his?" one voice questioned, while another speculated about how he could afford such an expensive bike, given his background as an orphan. The speculation buzzed around him like an electric current, fueling both curiosity and doubt among the students.
Though he felt the weight of their scrutiny, Lucien chose not to engage with the gossip. Instead, he focused on navigating his way through the campus, determined to keep his mind on his studies and the new opportunities ahead.
They didn't know how much of it was true and how much was mere speculation, but that didn't stop them from gossiping.