5 | First Chance Encounter

Sage grinned as she heard the system depositing her **50 credits**. But her emotions quickly stabilized, and she couldn't help but sigh. "10,000 minus 5,051… hm, that leaves 4,949, divided by 50. So I need to complete 81 acts of service with sincerity. That's… torture," Sage murmured with a hint of disappointment.

Sage's father observed his daughter's slumped posture. He mentally scrolled through phrases he had heard throughout his life, seeking the right words to advise his daughter. But knowing Sage's personality, he refrained from speaking.

"Why can't you give me missions?" Sage complained to the system in her mind.

_____At home_____

The moment Sage dismounted from the motorcycle, she heard the system assigning her a mission.

[Mission: Show filial piety to your mother once.

Reward: 10,000 destiny credits

Penalty: -10 Destiny Credits/hour for 100 days]

Sage's brows furrowed even more. She and Mother Everest had been at odds for more than a decade, and the times they had spoken could be counted on one hand. They were like strangers living under the same roof. Her aversion to her mother was so intense that she would rather perish than confront her or even speak a single word to her.

Her stomach churned, and a wave of dizziness swept over her.

Sage's animosity towards her mother was not without cause. Before regressing and before her mother's passing, Sage had desperately sought her mother's affection. She would have done anything, even subjected herself to servitude, just for a morsel of that love. But her mother had consistently abused, insulted, and repulsed her throughout that timeline.

Tears brimmed in her eyes. She took deep breaths to steady herself, but the anxiety caused her to lose control of her emotions.

"P-pa, cough. I need to go to Xyle's house for a bit," Sage stammered, then dashed away to her hideout. There, she crouched in a corner and wept silently.

She feared further disappointment. She had already exhausted every avenue to bond with her mother, but all had been in vain. It felt as though millions of ants were gnawing at her insides.

"Found ya, Sage!" A loud voice jolted her. Sage quickly looked up, blinking back tears. She stealthily wiped away her runny nose, hoping the young man hadn't noticed.

But the young man approached her slowly and greeted her warmly, "Congrats, my Sage~ Where are you planning to study for Senior High?" He enveloped Sage in a hug.

His actions seemed normal, and his familiarity with Sage was so profound that it stirred a peculiar sensation in her heart.

The young man hugged her for a few minutes, as if he was preventing Sage from running away. But when he noticed that Sage did not even make a fuss, he let go.

Who is this guy? Sage stole a glance at the young man embracing her intimately. He was tall; from her vantage point, Sage could only see his lips and nostrils. Their proximity meant that was all she could discern. "I don't remember this person," she concluded with suspicion.

The young man stepped back and studied Sage's face. "My Sage, have you gone mute? Should we call a doctor? Do you need to go to the hospital?" he asked with concern, though his expression appeared somewhat comical to Sage.

She scrutinized him carefully. The young man had thick, sharp brows, mesmerizing drowsy eyes that seemed to draw her soul into the abyss, and cherry-red, pouty lips. His skin was flawless, free of blemishes and pimples. His visage was a masterpiece, as if his very existence was a figment of someone's imagination.

"W-Who are you?" she stammered.

That question struck the young man like a bolt of lightning. "Stop joking, Sage," he said, releasing her and folding his arms. He searched Sage's eyes for any sign of deceit, but found none. She genuinely did not remember him.

"I don't know how you got here, but you're invading my privacy," Sage declared, feeling her heart pound against her chest. A rush of excitement and a ticklish sensation filled her heart, which she found unsettling.

"I'm your lover," he replied playfully, yet his eyes were filled with anticipation of her reply. He believed Sage was playing along with him.

Sage could see a distant memory at the back of her mind, but it was too faint, unclear, and confusing. It felt as though the answer was within reach, yet far. She had never had a boyfriend or anything of the sort though.

"What's your name?" she inquired.

"Khal'el Richard. But are you serious, Sage? You promised to buy a set of pocket knives from me," he said, his lips forming a pout.

"I did? Why would I be interested in your knives?" Sage pondered, finding his presence oddly comforting, as if he were a talisman warding off negative energy.

[You have triggered a Chance Encounter!]

[Description: Purchase the set of knives you promised to buy from Khal'el Richard within one week.

Rewards: 35% Rebate; $500,000; 5 System Sponsored Searches in Shop; Memory Ball containing Khal'el Richard; and 10m³ Inventory.]

Sage's eyes sparkled with anticipation. This was an opportunity to make money. She quickly asked Khal'el, "How much are they again? Haha, I seem to have forgotten."

She was willing to feign filial piety and sacrifice her emotions for a substantial sum. She couldn't afford to be choosy now. Such a fortuitous chance was a gift from the heavens, and only a fool would pass it up.

Khal'el was taken aback by the shift in Sage's demeanor. A smile spread across his face as he replied, "Only $39,499."

In truth, the knives cost only $4,499, but Sage had been avoiding him like a plague for nearly a year. This was her retribution. He had some ideas why he evaded him like a virus, after all, he had been watching her since they were young.

"Then, I'll be on my way," Sage said, excusing herself, but Khal'el halted her.

He cradled her cheeks and wiped away the lingering tears on her face.

"Alright, you can go now," Khal'el said, waving his hand.

Sage's cheeks flushed with warmth. Are we that close? she wondered as she fled from her hideout— former hideout.

"Girl, congrats on finishing Grade 10," people congratulated her as she passed by. She bowed and expressed her gratitude to each of them.

A few minutes later, she arrived home. Gathering her courage, she entered the house.