"Ningguang, time to come home."
Elliot called out with a gentle smile, just like how most parents call their kids in for dinner.
What Ningguang once dreamed of had now become part of her daily life.
She was never particularly fond of playing with other kids, but after spending more time with them, she grew to understand them—and their different personalities.
Some were shy, some timid, some lively, and others quick-tempered.
Getting along with them wasn't easy.
Playing with the other children had become part of Ningguang's investment strategy.
Their ability to gather information had been proven multiple times through Elliot, so building good relationships with them was nothing but beneficial.
"Elliot, I'll play a little longer. You go on ahead."
Her response made Elliot pause for a moment.
Normally, when he came to call her home for dinner, she would come running happily.
Today, she was being a bit... rebellious.
"Alright, I'll go start dinner. Be back soon."
"Got it!" Ningguang waved at him cheerfully.
Elliot didn't think much of it and headed home.
As he left, the kids around Ningguang started chiming in, full of envy.
"Ningguang, your brother's so nice. He doesn't even make you go home to eat!"
"Yeah! I'm so jealous. My mom always drags me home and won't let me play until I finish dinner."
"Same here! You're so lucky to have such a good brother."
All the kids around her sang her praises.
With a soft smile, Ningguang replied, "Yeah, I have a brother who loves me very much. He's the best brother in the world."
"I've got something to do. Let's play again tomorrow," she said, waving goodbye.
"Huh? Weren't you gonna stay and play longer?"
"Yeah, your brother said you could."
The kids didn't understand her sudden change.
"Tomorrow. We'll play tomorrow." Ningguang was firm—their pleas didn't sway her at all.
Then, she headed off on her own to the teahouse Elliot often visited.
...
"Little Ningguang, your package arrived," the teahouse owner said as soon as she stepped in.
"Let me see!" Ningguang beamed with excitement.
The owner pulled out an ornate, square box from under the counter.
Ningguang took it carefully. The moment she opened it, her eyes lit up.
"It took a lot of effort to get that, you know. Pretty fancy—bet it's for your brother, Elliot?" the owner teased.
"Yep! How much, boss?" she asked.
The owner held up five fingers.
Ningguang blinked in surprise.
Then, with big, glistening eyes, she reached out and gently grabbed three of his fingers with her small, pale hand.
"Boss~ Give me a little discount~"
"Ningguang, this material's really rare. I pulled a lot of strings just to get it. I can't go any lower."
"Pretty please~ Just a little? We visit your shop every day, don't we? Come on, boss~ You're the best~"
No man could resist a pleading Ningguang.
Those bright eyes, that soft, sweet voice—it was a deadly combo.
After half an hour of back-and-forth, the owner finally caved and sold it to her at a massive loss.
"This is the last time I'm doing this!" he grumbled.
"Hehe, thank you, boss! You're the best. I just know you're gonna strike it rich one day!" Ningguang grinned.
"You little rascal…" the owner muttered, helpless.
Fifty thousand Mora—slashed down to twenty thousand.
A total bloodbath.
Since Ningguang and Elliot were regulars, and she was clever, sweet, and adorable, the boss had already quoted a steep discount.
If it were any other customer, the price would've started at one hundred twenty thousand.
But Ningguang? She went for the jugular.
Twenty thousand was the exact cost price.
On paper, no loss. But considering how rare the material was, the boss had burned through a lot of favors to get it—earning nothing and owing people.
Calling it a bloodbath wasn't an exaggeration.
...
Ningguang hugged the box tightly, a big smile on her face.
From a distance, she saw the warm glow of their little home, steam rising from the windows.
She froze for a second.
Usually, she went home with Elliot.
Today was one of the rare times she returned alone.
Seeing the warmth inside made her hold the box even tighter as she ran back.
...
"Elliot, I'm home!" she called out as she pushed the door open.
"Good. Wash up—dinner's almost ready," he replied with a smile, turning to look at her. His eyes quickly landed on the box in her hands.
"Ningguang, what's that?"
"Take a guess~" she said playfully.
"Did you get some desserts?" he asked.
Ever since that first bite of teahouse pastry, Ningguang had been hooked.
Whenever she earned some Mora, she'd treat herself.
She was no longer that timid, cautious girl who wouldn't spend a single Mora.
"Hehe, wrong~"
"No? Then what is it?"
Seeing his confusion, Ningguang finally handed over the box.
"This is for you, Elliot," she said, her cheeks flushing red.
"For me?" he asked, puzzled, as he accepted the elegant square box.
He slowly opened it—and his eyes narrowed slightly.
...
"Elliot, today marks one year since we met. I'm so lucky that I found you."
"You taught me how to live with dignity, how to earn more Mora."
"You taught me how to invest wisely, how to read people, how to understand so many things I never knew."
"Before I met you, my life was nothing but darkness. I was like a walking corpse—living without purpose, without meaning."
"The world felt like a frozen lake—cold and merciless, drowning me, swallowing me whole. I couldn't feel even a shred of warmth."
"I thought about ending it all so many times. I wanted to give up."
"But I couldn't. I wasn't willing. I didn't understand what I'd done wrong to deserve all that."
"Thankfully... thankfully, I held on long enough to meet you."
"You pulled me out of that abyss."
"Thank you... for showing me what it means to truly live."
"I used to be scared, weak, insecure, sloppy... afraid to speak up."
"Thank you... for never looking down on who I used to be."
"If it weren't for you, I can't imagine what kind of life I'd be living now. Maybe... I'd be dead in some dark, forgotten corner."
"You gave me a second life. You gave me a second home."
"I used to envy kids who had loving parents, warm families, hot meals."
"But I don't envy them anymore—because I have you. You gave me everything."
"Now they envy me. And why wouldn't they? I have the best brother in the whole world, hehe."
"Elliot... meeting you has been the greatest blessing of my life."
"From now on... let's keep walking this path together."