Chapter 3: A New Family, A New Beginning
A frozen man stood on the dirt path, a shiny silver spoon held in the sun as if poverty were mocking him. A system, a real system! His heart sank.
"Okay, take it easy." He took a deep breath. "I need to think about this. If I'm not careful, this might be lost. "
He couldn't speak, and the little boy's voice cried out in the air.
"Brother, what are you standing for?"
Adam turned to see a thin boy with sallow cheeks staring at him. The boy's bright eyes held a mixture of concern and admiration, even as his thin frame hinted at starvation and stress. Something stirred inside Adam—a connection that wasn't his own.
"Zhang Chen?" The name fell from his lips, and then a flood of memories came to mind: his brother, a wicked but loyal spirit who had been protecting him.
"Yes, I am! Are you okay, big one." Brother? You were talking nonsense to yourself!" Zhang Chen pulled Adam's hand, his eyebrows furrowed in concern.
< System Alert: Family Found - Job Confirmed.
Mission Support Unlocked: Help your family out of poverty.
Completion Cost: Unlock Level 2 Return Rate System >
words lingered in Adam's mind, the meaning slowly sinking in. His eyes lit up with thought. "Support mission, right?" he whispered. It wasn't just that For himself
"Brother, Close the Gap!" Zhang Chen pulled harder to the road. "Mom and Dad are waiting for you at home. Have you forgotten that it's dinner time?"
Adam blinked in confusion and laughed loudly. "Yes, lead the way."
The road to the house was rough and uneven, covered with broken ground and small patches of wild grass. The air was filled with the smell of fire smoke and the smell of animals. All around them, the villagers wore ragged clothes, their faces scarred by the sun and years of war. Every now and then, you would see suspicious glances. It seemed that this was a place where trust was a rare commodity.
When they arrived, Adam's heart sank. The house before him could hardly be called a house. The crooked wooden beams supporting the roof were full of holes, and the walls were made of mud and rotting boards. every wind The wind made everything groan as if it had fallen.
"This... this is home," Adam whispered. A mixture of love and guilt swirled in his chest.
Inside, things didn't look much better. A wobbly table occupied most of the narrow space, surrounded by oddly shaped chairs. Her parents, Zhang Li and Mei Hua, sat at the table, their eyes fixed with fatigue. Her father's shoulders were hunched, his hands stiff, and hardened from years of work. Although Mei Hua was weak, she managed She smiled when she saw him
"You're late, Adam," Adam said softly. His voice was full of warmth, despite the strain on his face. "Sit down. We've saved some porridge for you."
Adam's eyes turned to the small pot on the table. There were only a few ingredients in it. Zhang Ling, his younger brother, pressed the menu towards him with a shy smile.
"Eat, brother. I'm not hungry." he said, his voice above a whisper.
Adam's chest heaved. This family - his family - gave little, but it was heartless. He slammed his hands under the table, his resolve hardened. I won't let you live like this
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The words
in the system drove Adam out of his mind. His gaze swept over his surroundings: the broken wooden containers, the tattered table, his family's tattered clothes. A thought began to form.
"Mom," Adam said, his mind racing, "what if I could get some better clothes and shoes?" Isn't that good?"
His mother laughed and shook her head. "Silly boy. Still dreaming."
Zhang Li's expression darkened. "Son, pine cones don't fall from the sky. If you think of stealing—"
"I would never do that, Dad," Adam said quickly with a reassuring smile. "Trust me."
Without waiting for an answer he grabbed one of them The bowls break and come out. His heart skipped a beat as he focused on what was in his hands.
bounce rate for selected item...>
Container disappears in the light. completed. Return factor: 3x activated. >
Three untouched clay pots emerged. Their smooth surfaces gleamed in the fading sun, looking like works of art from a royal dining room.
Adam laughed heartily. "This The system... is amazing."
When Adam returned with the fresh cakes, the family's reactions were priceless.
"Adam! Where did these things come from?" Mei Hua muttered, her hands shaking as she hugged one of the bowls. The arts were completely foreign to their poor lives.
"I was lucky," Adam replied clearly. "Don't worry. That's how many things came out."
Zhang Chen's eyes lit up with joy. "Brother, that's you Amazing! Can you get something else? Maybe a new pair of shoes?"
Zhang Ling held his jar like a treasure, his face shining with joy. "It's so beautiful..."
But not everyone was so sure. Zhang Li's expression was still angry and his gaze was sharp. "Health doesn't explain," he said quietly. "Man, don't be so stupid."
Adam saw his father's eyes, his thought was burning in him. Dad, I promise, I won't do anything to get us in trouble.
hei The family marvels at the bread, and Adam sits back, his mind racing. The system has proven its worth, but it has also raised questions. Will others notice these changes? Can he protect his family by raising the stakes?
He looked at the creaking door, the sound of wind rushing through the cracks. He was sure there would be trouble somewhere out there.
This is just the beginning, Adam thought as he shook his hands. "And I'm ready. "