On his first day transferring to a new school, Lok felt the difference between a small town and the vastness of New York City.
That very day, Lok used up the potential points he had accumulated to increase his levels in math and English. Without doing so, getting high grades and the task rewards would have taken a miracle with his current knowledge.
But…
An investment in oneself is the best investment.
Fortunately, Lok was not one of those frogs who liked to bask at the bottom of a well. He sensed there would be plenty of such surprise exams at Midtown High, and each one would become a task, allowing him to earn more points.
Two exams would recover his spent potential points, and afterward, every other exam would be pure profit.
Three o'clock.
Lok left the teachers' office, where he had submitted his transfer application to the school.
In the U.S., one had to start preparing for college right from middle school up to admission. However, Lok hadn't yet decided which college he'd attend.
"Lok."
"Gwen?"
Lok took his backpack from his locker and was about to leave when he heard a voice and turned around. Behind him stood Gwen with a book in her hand.
He was actually supposed to head to the college prep program, also known as AP courses.
Thanks to these courses, students could earn qualified credits on exams ahead of time, which would later help them get into any college in the country. But overall, it wasn't mandatory to attend these courses.
Since Lok had only just arrived and hadn't yet thought everything over, he was planning to go to his new home instead.
Gwen looked at Lok, who was taking out his backpack, and smiled. "Don't you want to join a club?"
"I don't know. I just arrived; I need to get used to life here first," Lok shrugged.
"If you're interested, you could join our chem club," Gwen said with a smile, nodding.
Lok laughed, "I need to look around first—new environment, and all that. I only arrived today from Texas; I haven't even seen my house yet."
Gwen flinched slightly. "Do you have anyone in New Yo…"
Lok interrupted her, speaking before she could continue. "I'm an orphan."
"Oh, Lok, I'm sorry, I didn't know…" Gwen's expression changed slightly.
"It's alright. Sometimes it's nice—to be alone," Lok smiled.
If you're an orphan, it means you constantly have to work.
Especially in the U.S.
Being an orphan without family is essentially a constant state. You definitely won't risk ending up with a bad family—though growing up without parents might be difficult, but reincarnated people aren't faced with that.
"Do you need any help?"
"Huh?"
Gwen smiled, opened her locker, took out her backpack, and looked at Lok. "I've lived in New York my whole life, and besides, helping classmates is just part of being class president."
Whoa, what enthusiasm.
Lok blinked, looking at Gwen, who flicked her ponytail back and gave him a sympathetic look.
Hey, what's that for?
Maybe I'm an orphan, but I'm far from poor!
But…
Lok looked at Gwen, who stood there with a sweet smile on her face. He opened his mouth to say something but then remembered something.
By the way, where did the little spider go?
Lok snapped out of it, slinging his bag over his shoulder, pondering this dilemma with some curiosity.
Did I remember something wrong? I can't believe he's in a different version of the universe.
"By the way, what's your budget?"
"Budget?"
"Well, your rent budget."
Gwen, who had walked out of school with Lok, eager to help her classmate, said, "The school provides some assistance for renting housing in Midtown for students needing a place. They offer a good discount."
"Uh, I picked a place even before I arrived in New York," Lok admitted, slightly confused.
He had chosen an apartment before transferring to the New York school, intending to arrive early, but some events delayed him, and he only reached the city this morning.
And since it was his first day at school, skipping classes was out of the question.
Just like that…
"Yeah?"
Gwen asked with some curiosity, "Where is it, Oak Apartment?"
Lok shook his head and hailed a cab. "What was it called… ah, Star Building."
"What?" Gwen asked, blinking and looking a little puzzled at Lok, who helped her open the back door.
Star Building?
Isn't that the one on Fifth Avenue?
Fifteen minutes later.
Fifth Avenue.
Lok stepped out of the car, pulled out his phone, and called the agent he had contacted.
Gwen, who had been sitting next to him, looked at the building before her—the legendary Star Building in New York. She blinked, then glanced at Lok, who had just ended his call.
Isn't he an orphan?
Gwen was utterly bewildered.
Soon, an agent in a neat suit with slicked-back hair appeared a short distance away, spotted Lok immediately, and approached him with a smile already in place. "Mr. Broughton."
Lok looked at the agent and shook his hand. "Hello, Mr. Oren."
A smile appeared on the agent's face. "No problem; let's go upstairs, Mr. Broughton."
Though Lok was young.
But…
Oren checked the account and confirmed that Lok wasn't an ordinary student. He had the means, and his interest alone was enough to buy an apartment in the Star Building.
If he ended up selling this apartment, the commission would be astronomical.
Lok looked at Gwen, who stood beside him. "Shall we go?"
Gwen looked around and nodded.
It seemed her understanding of the word "orphan" had shifted somewhat.
The twenty-eighth floor!
"The interior area is two hundred square meters. Two full floors. Also, the previous owner installed a complete Stark Smart Home system six months ago, so all furniture and appliances are connected. If the contract is signed today, you can move in immediately. It fully meets the requirements you mentioned on the phone, Mr. Broughton."
Lok set his bag of books down on the luxurious sofa, opened the windows in the living room, and stepped out onto the terrace, where there was a private pool.
Across the street lay Central Park.
Gwen stood in the living room, surveying the furnishings and technology, then looked at Lok standing on the terrace, his back turned to her, his hands behind his back, gazing out at Central Park.
Are all orphans so wealthy these days?
Lok looked at the triangular building in the distance and gave it a dark look.
He'd been somewhat unsure before, but for some reason, after stepping into the Star Building, that hesitation vanished.
Lok turned, looked at Oren, took out a bank card from his pocket, and handed it to him. "I'll buy it."
Oren's eyes lit up.
Meanwhile, Gwen's mouth fell open wide.
He was actually paying for this apartment…
A beep sounded.
Suddenly, a receipt emerged from the terminal. Gwen was completely baffled.
Oren, on the other hand, respectfully returned the bank card to Lok. "Very well, Mr. Broughton. I'll head back and prepare the documents as soon as possible. I'll send them to you in three days."
Lok nodded.
This transaction had completely exhausted his savings, accumulated over years of struggle in Texas.