14:I Wish I Had A Mother Like You

"You want me to create an app within three months? This means that it has to be on the market before I graduate." 

"Are you kidding me?" Evan exclaimed aloud, rubbing even his eyes a few times to make sure that the system wasn't playing a prank on him. 

According to the data collected, a small-sized app requires 10-12 weeks to develop, while the larger ones could even take more than 23 weeks. This estimate was taken into account that the company was well-established with a lot of developers and testers under its command. 

He didn't have company, and he definitely didn't have a server. 

"Hell, without backing and a patent, the very next day multiple apps might pop out similar to mine, and I wouldn't be surprised if a random son a bitch filed a lawsuit claiming that the app was his and I stole the idea from him."

[That's your problem. The system assigns tasks according to your potential and your future prospects.] 

"Future prospects," Evan muttered, rubbing his chin and pondering over the system's words. 

What he needed the most was the support and influence, but since he had none, he had to build it himself.

"If I can manage to gain influence, I might be able to negate any of the effects from the attacks Suri might throw on me. Things have calmed down for now, but when the date of the trial approaches, she will strike back." 

Instead of stressing himself out, Evan decided to organize his chaotic life first. He had been running without a proper schedule akin to a headless chicken.

DING! 

Evan pulled out his phone and saw a message from his bank: 

[Rs 2,050,000 have been credited to your Accnt 2500XXXX.] 

"They gave me an extra 10%." 

"It took me just 7 hours to clear the vulnerabilities and I earned 2 million in one day. Isn't this too profitable? If one manages to find bugs in major E-Coms, Social Media, or Internet engines..." 

While he thought about it, Evan's eyes lit up. 

"I can earn money from them and invest in real estate and buy a shop." 

GRRRR

Evan's stomach grumbled, reminding him that he hadn't stocked up on groceries. 

"With this money, let's go and get breakfast. I am gonna have a scrumptious breakfast."

_____

[....] 

[Host, you have opened my eyes to a new world. What a rich breakfast! You spent a huge amount of Rs 60.] 

"Just because I have money doesn't mean that I should just throw away my money. The same pasta that would not even cost a hundred is sold for thousands of dollars. And it's better to not talk about the spoonful portions which definitely aren't enough to fill one's stomach." 

Evan sat on the street stall and cheerfully said, "Aunt, make it grand. I have earned a bit, so I have an ample amount of money to spend." 

"Ohh! It seems our little Evan had struck it big." 

The shopkeeper, Celina, smiled and prepared a bowl of noodles, added a thick chicken broth and put five dumplings on top of it. 

While Celina was preparing the noodles, a large shadow loomed over, followed by a loud sound. 

TANG! 

A teacup slammed on the table, startling Evan a bit. 

He glared at the short, brown-haired girl in front of him and said.

"Just how long are you gonna act like a ruffian? I am telling you, no boy likes a girl who acts like this, Maria." 

"What did you say, bastard?" Maria rolled up her sleeve and was about to pounce on Evan, but Celina stopped the two.

"Why do you two always fight? Maria, take a seat. Let Auntie boil a bowl of noodles for you." 

"No, Auntie…I need to help my parents," Maria said and glared at Evan. 

"This tea is free. I thought you might be sad with everything that has been going on but it seems it didn't have any effect," Maria snorted and walked away, making Evan chuckle. 

"This girl just can't be honest." 

Despite her sharp tongue, Evan had a good relationship with this girl. 

The current place was a hotspot of street stalls and there were many universities and colleges nearby. 

Maria was a bit older than him and was studying for an MBA, but despite this, she helped her parents who had a tea stall nearby. 

Evan respected her from the bottom of her heart. The girl was studying MBA and yet worked at a tea stall in a place where her friends would often come to drink tea without getting embarrassed. 

Celina took the hot bowl of noodles and placed it in front of Evan before raising her hands and ruffling his hair a bit. 

"Eat to your heart's content and don't worry about the money. Consider it as a treat from your aunt for earning big." 

Evan smiled back, but as she turned around, his expression froze. He noticed red lines on her forearms, which looked fresher than yesterday. 

His good mood was ruined instantly, leaving him with a heavy feeling. 

As far as he could remember, he had encountered only three people who had ever looked out for him.

The first was Uncle Max, the second was Aunt Celina and the third were Maria and her family. 

One rainy day, he was late to reach the college after a great struggle and the guard didn't allow him to pass without a few hundred rupees, but since he didn't have a penny Evan was forced to leave. 

It was during that time when Aunt Celina noticed him and gave him a bowl of noodles for free. From then on, Evan frequently visited her stall when he had money to spend. 

He often noticed bruises on her and suspected that it was due to domestic abuse, but what could he do? 

He even urged her to file a complaint, but she was reluctant to do so. He couldn't intervene when he wasn't sure if he could take care of the mess they might fall into. How would Aunt Celina manage to take care of her and her daughter just with the stall?

Evan stared at Celina back and a random thought came up in his mind. 

Sooner or later, he would have his own house or apartment and he would need a housekeeper. And with the money, he can investigate her situation further and then. 

Feeling a bit gloomy, he shook his head and took a sip of tea from the but just when his lips touched the warm cup, akin to lightning, an idea suddenly struck him.

"System, can I buy the vitalizing tea from the shop once I unlock it?"

[Yes, host. Not only you can buy tea directly but you can even buy the recipe and produce it.] 

Evan took a moment to process this information and the next moment a wide smile appeared on his face. 

"For my first business, I could open a tea house or cafe and sell the tea. I am sure once someone takes a sip of it, they won't be able to stop the urge to come again." 

After thinking for a moment, he called Celina and asked curiously. 

"Aunt Celina, I am thinking of buying a place to open a cafe or tea house. Do you know any suitable locations?" 

"Huh! You want to buy a teahouse?" Celina stared at Evan with a confused look on her face before raising her hand and placing it over his forehead. 

"Little Evan, do you have a fever?" 

"Aunt Celina, I neither have a fever nor am I joking," Evan chuckled. 

"Do you have that much money to buy the tea house?" Aunt Celina asked with a frown. 

"I don't. It will be a joint collaboration with a group of friends. So, do you know anyone who wants to sell their shop?"

Evan decided not to tell her the truth lest she got worried and started thinking that he was involved in something illegal. 

Celina rubbed her chin and started to think. 

Evan asked her just in case if she had known someone and if she didn't know then he would contact Shawn. 

"Evan, as an elder, I suggest that instead of buying a whole tea house you should rent one. You would likely save money and wouldn't suffer much of a loss if your business fails." 

Evan frowned upon hearing her suggestion, not because it was bad, but rather because it was good. 

And she spoke because she had enough experience with it. Thinking this, Evan activated the insight skill. 

Name: Celina Rey

Skills:

Intermediate Business management [212/250]

Intermediate Cooking [240/250]

Intermediate Marketing [82/250] 

Intermediate Accounting [12/250]

Intermediate Leadership[ 8/250]

Impression:64 

Evan was surprised by her skill panel and almost swallowed his saliva. 

After shaking his head, he tried to reassure her, "Aunt, please believe in me. I might be inexperienced, but I am not an idiot. So please, can you help me?" 

Celina was a bit puzzled by the sudden development but seeing Evan's determined eyes, she finally agreed. 

"I know some people so I will ask around a bit."

"Thanks, Auntie, you are the best!"

'I wish you were my mother alas...'