C2 - The beginning

Before we proceed, you might find yourself perplexed by the unfolding events and my role in them. Let's rewind a few years to illuminate the context.

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Within a modest abode nestled by the serenity of farmland, a family of five gathered around a wooden table built for six, partaking in their morning meal.

Alistair Aiyaret, the family patriarch, absorbed the morning news with unwavering attention emanating from his vintage radio. The weathered lines etched across his face bore witness to the trials of hardship, yet his handsomeness endured. His light grey hair, tinged with traces of white, framed his strong, icy light blue eyes, their full brows imparting an air of indifference. Beneath his beard, his prominent cheekbones still asserted their presence.

Beside him sat his wife, Lien Aiyaret, accompanied by their twins. Lien, a striking young woman, possessed a pale complexion and lips reminiscent of ripe cherries. Her slender nose accentuated her delicate visage and bone structure. However, it was her distinctive pair of blue eyes, mismatched in shade – the left darker than the right – that captivated attention. Adorned with her short white hair, her beauty surpassed the ordinary.

I, on the other hand, sat quietly, contemplative thoughts swirling in my mind. Uncertain of my next steps, I consumed breakfast hastily before departing for school.

"What's bothering Lei?" inquired Yara, the younger of the twins. Though merely five years old, her bedtime stories had imparted enough linguistic skill to voice queries. Despite her claims to being the eldest, her childlike demeanor often betrayed this assertion. Her pouting lips conveyed her emotions, perturbed by the absence of a parting kiss from her beloved sibling before my departure for school.

"Nothing, just navigating through the vagaries of puberty," my mother nonchalantly responded.

"..." Perplexed by my mother's response, Yara redirected her focus elsewhere.

Walking neither with haste nor leisure, I strolled to school, my pace attuned to the rhythm of the riverside scenery. Abruptly, I paused in my tracks, captivated by the peach blossoms. Gazing around, I ventured towards the nearest lottery outlet, my steps measured and unhurried. The school had momentarily vacated my thoughts.

A vacant stare met the lottery ticket, bearing a jackpot of 70 million, until the sun's gentle caress greeted the horizon.

"May Lady Luck favor me still," I muttered. Adrift in a sea of abstraction, I returned home, staying awake until late hours to witness the televised announcement. But when I awoke, I found myself confined to a hospital bed, an IV infusion sustaining me, with my mother's tearful eyes fixed upon me."MY LOVE! MY PRECIOUS! MY LUCKY CHARM!"

It seemed Lady Luck had not forsaken me.

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With the prize secured, an audacious notion surfaced in my mind, leading me to ask my father an exceedingly unconventional request. "Allocate 70% of the funds to me."

Seventy percent of seventy million dollars – a proposal seemingly borne from childish whimsy. What use could a soon-to-be eleven-year-old possibly have for such a staggering sum?My father regarded me sternly, his indifferent expression undisturbed. His countenance conveyed an air of seriousness.

After articulating the reasoning behind my request and its intended purpose, my mother's disbelief rendered her incapable of recognizing me. Her puzzled gaze seemed to inquire my identity if not her child. In contrast, my father, comprehending the weight of my words and their implications, considered the situation more lucidly.

He inquired, "Do you possess knowledge about this matter?" Without hesitation, I responded, "Yes."

A shared gaze ensued, an unspoken understanding enveloping the room. He perceived my truthfulness, aware that falsehoods weren't my forte. A gentle sigh escaped him as he averted his gaze.

"Your age?" His eyes bore into mine with an intense gravity. Numerous considerations lay ahead, but age emerged as a foremost challenge. Yet, its magnitude wasn't as insurmountable as he depicted. "Create an account for me."

A faint smile played upon my lips as I regarded him. My father, known for his stern demeanor and no-nonsense approach, proved an unwavering support when it came to his children's growth.

I caught a glimpse of it in his eyes – a mixture of hesitation and hope. Post account establishment, my needs extended to a laptop and a phone. In that era, the inner workings of devices like laptops and computers remained a mystery to many. Their technicality discouraged exploration. However, this didn't hold true for me, leading us to the present juncture.