25. A Generous Gift

Can a person's sense of morality grow stronger? Ding! The higher the value of one's

morality, the more likely others will be willing to trust one. The system explained this to

Aiden, although no one else could hear. With John K here to clear his name, it seemed

that anything that could have negatively affected the reputation of Aiden or Midnight

Snack Corner had been defeated or resolved.

Barbara, however, was apparently determined to hold her line until the bitter end. Her

sarcastic voice once again rang out. Ha! Such a convenient story! Who knows if he

invited that little brat here to put on a big act? Seems pretty likely to me.

This time, even the onlookers couldn't stand listening to her. To be so stubborn in the

face of such obvious facts. The woman had to be crazy, right? Pah! Suddenly, a sharp

crack pierced the air as a bright red handprint appeared on Barbara's face.

Barbara covered her burning face with both hands. She looked at old Joe in disbelief. Y-

you hit me? She sputtered.

You crazy woman! Old Joe's face darkened as he continued to scold her. Even if Aiden

did lie, did you think someone like Mr. K would lie to our faces too? Yet you accuse them

of putting on an act? What kind of sense does that make? You crazy woman! Hurry up

and get back inside! Stop embarrassing yourself out here! You... you... you... Barbara

had never been lectured by old Joe like this before. She began to tremble uncontrollably

with intense rage.

Unable to contain her emotions any longer, she collapsed onto her knees and burst into

tears. Old Joe, you idiot! She sobbed. How dare you slap me in the face! I've given my

life to your lousy old barbecue shop and this is how you repay me? You're too generous.

You give them your shop, even your favorite tricycle you let them use and destroy for

nothing! All for their businesses! But what about ours? What's going to happen to us

after pouring blood, sweat, and tears into this sinking ship for how many years now? For

all we've worked for to be given away to a pack of liars and thieves, given away for

nothing! Well, maybe you'll finally learn your lesson now. With your precious electric

tricycle gone, how are we going to get the food we need to keep the shop open? How are

we going to live? Barbara's heart-wrenching yet surprisingly sensible words were like

daggers through Joe's heart. Without anywhere to vent his rage, he simply kept

repeating to himself, How humiliating! This is so embarrassing! As he listened to their

argument, Aiden realized that the exchange revealed flaws in his own behavior.

Although he had devoted himself to improving his own shop, he had ignored the feelings

of his lovely neighbors who were constantly helping him whenever he asked. If Barbara

felt this way, the other neighbors probably did too, at least on some level. It seemed it

was finally time to expand the store.

As he watched the couple fight through his cold, cat-like eyes, Anthony K. waved his

hand at someone standing off to the side. Noticing the signal, a woman in a professional

suit proceeded to walk toward him. The woman, who wore a pair of red-rimmed glasses,

had a seductive yet cold look on her face.

Despite that, she still seems extremely capable. Mr. K., what are your orders? Ava, send

someone to our subsidiary and tell them to bring the best electric tricycle they can find

here at once. Yes, sir.

Noticing that he seemed to be in a daze, John pointed at the business card in Aiden's

hand and smiled. You still don't know what Anthony does, do you? Aiden took another

look at the business card and strained to read the tiny, abrased black text. K Group.

Main business. Vehicle sales. Including cars, motorcycles, agriculture vehicles, etc.

Ho ho! He might not be able to get his hands on anything else, but the one thing he isn't

lacking is vehicles, John said with a smile, stroking his beard. In less than ten minutes, a

brand new electric tricycle had suddenly pulled up to the entrance of Midnight Snack

Corner. In contrast to the old pile of junk, this electric tricycle was much larger and had a

rather intricate design on its exterior.

Its sapphire blue body was dazzling in the bright sunlight. When the electric tricycle

arrived, it naturally attracted the attention of the people gathered in the area. Old Joe

and Barbara were dumbfounded.

Well, this certainly isn't what I was expecting. Walter Gilmore of the Feyteng Company

clicked his tongue. Excuse me, young man.

What kind of electric tricycle is this? Old Joe and Barbara longed to run their fingers

across the slick surface of the shiny new trike, but they were so afraid of damaging it

that they contended themselves with merely gazing at it admiringly. Walter Gilmore said in a disdainful tone, Hillbillies, do you all live under a

rock? This electric tricycle is a sea god. It's the latest model developed by the K Group.

Each part is meticulously crafted using the latest technology. It's the best there is. The

surrounding crowd drew in a sharp breath when they heard this.

I guess this electric tricycle is very expensive then, asked someone from the crowd. Mr.

Gilmore smiled contemptuously as he stretched out five fingers. Five hundred? Five

thousand? Someone guessed.

Five thousand? Do you think you're looking at some kind of piece of junk? Mr. Gilmore

looked as if he had been humiliated and shouted, this will cost you at least fifty thousand

dollars. The crowd gasped. When Barbara heard this astronomical figure and counted the

number of digits with her fingers, she clutched her chest and felt her knees buckle.

Mr. K said coldly to Old Joe and Barbara, this electric tricycle is for you. You better not

bother Aiden again in the future. You're, you're giving it to us? Old Joe, pointing at the

electric tricycle and back at himself, looked at Mr. K in disbelief and trembled in

excitement.

At her husband's side, Barbara was on the verge of fainting. After asking for confirmation

a few more times, Old Joe finally accepted that the tricycle was really his. He shook Mr.

K's hand in gratitude.

Thank you, Mr. K. Thank you so much. No need. You should be thanking Aiden instead.

Mr. K looked at the couple in disgust. If it wasn't for Aiden, he wouldn't have even

bothered giving a second of his time to such people. The couple turned to Aiden and

expressed their utmost gratitude.

Aiden said lightly, I don't think I'm worthy of receiving your thanks. After all, I'm just a

poor student. The two recalled how Barbara had yelled at Aiden and felt a rush of

embarrassment.

Unsure how to respond, they laughed meekly. After everything calmed down, Aiden

wasn't in the mood to continue selling chicken noodle soup. So he apologized to the

customers and announced that the restaurant was now closed.

Loud grumbles of disappointment issued from the people who were still waiting in line.

Visibly disappointed, they reluctantly started to turn and leave. Aiden invited John K and

his family into the shop to sit down.

Morris quickly brought out a tray of coffee and crackers to offer their guests. Viola and

Mia were nervous wrecks as they helped Clara clean the place. From time to time, they

would glance at Aiden as he talked to Mr. K, their eyes filled with admiration.

Even though they were the same age as Aiden, they didn't have the courage to speak to

a person like Mr. K. And yet Aiden was able to remain so calm, they couldn't help but be

impressed. Ding! Having a conversation with the tycoon of the business world. Vigor,

plus one.

Aiden, still carrying Dora in his arms, noticed that she had already fallen asleep. Who

knew what dream she was having to put such a bright smile on her face. As saliva

dribbled down her chin and onto Aiden's chest, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Ding! Looking after a child. Caregiving ability, plus one. Current progress, one out of ten.

Current level, beginner. Her grandfather looked at the sleeping child and shook his head

with a smile. I don't know why this little girl likes you so much.

Even after arriving back home yesterday, she kept talking about you non-stop. Aiden

laughed. After observing the interior of the restaurant, Mr. K frowned and suggested,

Aiden, your restaurant is far too small.

Have you ever considered moving to another place? Aiden's expression became serious

and thoughtful as if he had already considered this. He nodded and said, Indeed, I have

considered that as an option. Do you have any suggestions for a location? Mr. K waved

his hand and answered casually, There's currently a vacant store owned by our group

over on East Street.

I would be willing to offer it to you as a gift, Aiden. Clara, who was wiping a table nearby,

almost dropped the towel from her hands in shock when she heard these words.