After completing the purchase and thanking the shop owner, Rian and Lila stepped out with their new phones in hand, feeling satisfied. As they walked along the street, looking for something to take home, they noticed a crowd gathered in front of a food stall. The sign above read "Famous Rice Dumplings."
Lila's eyes lit up as she pointed toward the stall. "Why don't we take rice dumplings for Mom and Dad?" she suggested excitedly.
Rian, lost in thought as he debated what would truly make their parents happy, snapped back to reality at the sound of Lila's voice. He gave her an amused glance and said, "Alright, alright, no need to shout. Let's go and get some."
They joined the line, and as they waited, Lila looked up at Rian with a more serious expression. "Brother, I hope you'll make things easier for Mom and Dad, like you promised."
Rian smiled at her, feeling a sense of responsibility in her words. "I will. Just watch. This is only the beginning."
As the line slowly got shorter, Lila busied herself setting up her new phone, downloading apps, and figuring out its functions. Suddenly, her phone rang, and it was one of her friends calling. She answered excitedly, "Hey! Guess what? My brother just bought me a new phone!" She went on, chatting happily about the surprise gift.
Rian, meanwhile, was setting up his phone while listening to his sister's enthusiastic conversation. As their turn at the dumpling stall finally came, he stepped forward and said, "I'll take 10 plates of the famous dumplings."
The stall owner smiled and replied, "That'll be $50, sir."
Rian paid without hesitation, and they were handed the steaming plates of dumplings. Lila, still on her call, suddenly looked up in surprise. "Brother, why did you buy so many dumplings?"
Rian chuckled and replied, "Well, I thought I should give 2 plates to Marcus, you know since he's been asking about them for ages."
Lila's eyes lit up with recognition. "Oh! Marcus would love that! He's always talking about these dumplings!"
Rian nodded, feeling content. "Exactly. It's a small gesture, but he's been a good friend since forever."
Rian turned to Lila and said, "Alright, once we drop off the dumplings, you can head home." Lila beamed at him, replying, "Okay, brother!"
They hopped into a cab, and after a quick 15-minute ride, they arrived at Marcus's house, which was conveniently close to theirs. Rian paid the driver the $50 fare and stepped out, carrying the warm plates of dumplings. He glanced at Lila, who was bubbling with excitement, and together they walked toward the building where Marcus lived.
As they approached the door, Rian rang the bell to announce their arrival. A moment later, the door swung open, revealing a middle-aged woman with a warm smile. Rian's face lit up as he greeted her, "Aunt Lisa! How are you? I came to see Marcus and bring him a little surprise." He held up the plates of dumplings, their delicious aroma wafting into the hallway.
Aunt Lisa's eyes sparkled with gratitude as she stepped aside to let them in. "Oh, Rian! That's so thoughtful of you! Marcus will be thrilled to see you and those dumplings! Come in, come in!"
As Rian stepped inside, Aunt Lisa asked, "How are your parents, Rian?" Just then, her gaze shifted to Lila, and her smile widened. "Oh, Lila! You're here too! How surprising! How have you been lately?"
Lila replied, "I'm doing fine, Aunt Lisa! How is Marcus doing?"
Aunt Lisa sighed softly. "He's been resting a lot, but he's eager to get back on his feet. Come, let me take you to him."
As Aunt Lisa led the way to Marcus's room, they walked quietly down the hall until they entered. Rian immediately noticed Marcus lying on the bed, bandages wrapped around his legs. The sight made him wince a bit, but before he could say anything, Marcus looked up and was surprised.
"Hey, buddy!" Marcus greeted, his tone teasing. "How'd you finally figure out your brother got into an accident and didn't even bother to visit for a week, huh?"
Rian chuckled, trying to lighten the mood, "I guess I needed the excuse of your favourite dumplings to come see you." He held up the plates with a grin.
As Marcus looked at Rian, a genuine smile spread across his face. He was touched by the gesture, knowing how hard things were financially for both of them. Seeing Rian, who had always been like a brother to him, brought some comfort in the middle of his bedridden days.
Then, catching sight of Lila standing quietly behind Rian, Marcus's expression shifted to one of surprise. "Yo, Lila came too?" he said, teasing again. "I didn't know you even left the house! Every time I see you, you're buried in your studies."
Lila rolled her eyes but smiled, "Well, I had to make an exception for my brother's favourite friend. Plus, I wanted to make sure you were doing okay."
"Man, you didn't have to do all this," Marcus said, gesturing to the dumplings. "You know how things are for us. But I'm really glad you came."
Rian waved it off with a grin. "I know how much you love dumplings. Besides, it's been a rough week for you. Consider this a treat from your brother."
Lila chimed in, smiling from the corner. "We couldn't leave you hanging, Marcus. Plus, it's been a while since I saw you. You're usually buried in your books just like me."
Marcus laughed softly, his voice filled with gratitude. "You guys are the best. I don't even know how to repay you for this."
Rian shook his head. "You don't owe me anything. Just get better soon."
Aunt Lisa walked in with plates in hand and smiled warmly at Rian. "Rian, give the dumplings to me and go sit beside Marcus. There's enough space, and Lila, you can join them too."
Rian nodded, handing over the dumplings and settling beside Marcus on the bed. Lila found a spot nearby, listening quietly. Marcus, who had been in good spirits, looked over at Rian and said, "Hey, you know about that Everlasting game, right? I've been hearing a lot about it. Since my college year got dropped, I've got plenty of time now to get into it."
He paused for a second, his expression turning a bit more serious. "But... I need some money to buy a gaming pod, and I can't have my family pitch in for it. You know how tight things are on our end, just like yours."
Rian glanced at Marcus, understanding exactly where he was coming from. "Yeah, I get it," Rian said, his voice thoughtful. He looked at his friend, thinking about his situation and the financial strains both their families faced.
"But maybe I can help," Rian added after a moment. "I've been doing well in the game, and if things keep going like this, I might be able to give you a hand."
Marcus looked at Rian, clearly surprised by what he'd just heard. "Wait, what do you mean you're doing well in the game? When did you even buy a gaming pod? How can you afford that?"
His tone was a mix of curiosity and disbelief, knowing their financial situation. The idea that Rian had managed to buy something as expensive as a gaming pod seemed impossible.
Rian scratched the back of his head, smiling sheepishly. "Yeah, I didn't tell anyone about it… I used all the money I had saved up and bought the pod. It was risky, but I figured it was worth a shot. Turns out, it's paying off more than I expected."
Marcus leaned forward slightly, eyes wide. "Seriously? So, what happened? How's it paying off already?"
Rian glanced at Lila, who was quietly setting up her new phone, then turned back to Marcus. "I've been playing a lot and doing pretty well for myself in the game. I've already made some decent money, and that's how I was able to buy you the dumplings. If things keep going this way, I might even be able to help you get your gaming pod soon."
Marcus stared at Rian in shock, struggling to take it all in. "Dude... that's incredible."
Marcus shook his head in disbelief. "Wait... how much did you earn from it? I mean, the game just launched yesterday, right? I can't believe you've made any real money from it already."
Rian chuckled, leaning back slightly. "I know, it sounds crazy, but I made around $900 in just the first day."
Marcus' jaw practically dropped. "What? $900 already? You're serious?" He blinked, still processing the number. "How did you manage that in just one day?"
Rian grinned, enjoying Marcus' reaction. "It wasn't easy, but I took a few risks, made some smart trades, and it paid off faster than I expected. Honestly, I was just as shocked when I logged out and saw my account."
Rian leaned in closer to Marcus, lowering his voice slightly. "Just wait for a few days, or maybe even just one more day, and I'll help you get a gaming pod. I also want Lila to play the game and start earning some money to help out our family."
Marcus raised an eyebrow, his surprise growing. "Wait... you're serious?"
Rian nodded. "Yeah, you don't know this, but I made a bet with my father. I have six months to earn $10,000, or I'll have to go work with him. So, I'm pushing myself in this game." He smiled confidently. "Trust me, I'm not planning to lose."
As they were chatting, Rian's phone suddenly rang. He glanced at the screen, noticing it was his mother. Answering the call, he heard her say, "Son, where are you? Your uncle and aunt have come over, and they're discussing something with your father about some property."
Rian furrowed his brow in confusion. "Property? Why would they be talking about that?" he thought, and it puzzled him even more that his father had come home early, despite the family visit.
He turned to Marcus with an apologetic smile. "Hey buddy, I'll have to head out. My mom just called my uncle and aunt are at home talking with my dad about some property. I'll come see you again soon, alright?"
Marcus nodded, understanding. "No worries, man. Take care of things at home. We'll catch up later."
With that, Rian and Lila stood up, gathering their things. After saying their goodbyes to Marcus and Aunt Lisa, they left the house. Just a two-minute walk later, they arrived back at their own home.
As they entered, Rian immediately noticed the atmosphere in the living room. His father and mother were seated across from his uncle and aunt, their expressions serious. Beside his uncle sat his cousin, Eric, who had a calm but curious look on his face.
Rian greeted everyone politely, feeling the tension in the air as he wondered what kind of discussion about property could be taking place. Lila, feeling the same, quietly followed him in.
As Rian settled into his seat, he listened intently as his uncle, Adrian Valen, continued, "You know about the plot that our father gave us to split among the five of us, right? Well, I've been thinking it might be a good idea to sell both of our plots. The market is favourable, and with the money, we could invest in something better."
Rian's heart raced at the mention of the plots. The weight of the decision pressed down on him like a heavy stone. Excitement warred with a surge of dread. Would selling it truly benefit his family, or would it tear apart their legacy? His mind raced, but before he could catch his breath, the words burst forth from his lips, louder than he intended. "No! We can't sell both plots!"
The room fell silent, his parents' eyes widening in shock at his sudden outburst. Rian's chest tightened as he continued, his voice rising with emotion. "Those plots are part of our family's history! They connect us to our roots. Selling them feels like abandoning everything we stand for!"
Adrian's expression shifted, surprise mingling with frustration. "Rian, think about what we could achieve! This could change our lives!"
"Change our lives?" Rian shot back, his heart pounding. "At what cost? We risk losing everything that makes us who we are! Money isn't worth it if it means losing our family's legacy!"
The tension in the air crackled, each word hanging heavy as Rian's parents exchanged worried glances. Rian felt the weight of his convictions pressing down on him, but he stood firm, ready to defend what he believed was right, even if it meant standing alone.