Just as Mei and Lily were enjoying their ice cream, Ethan's system pinged.
DING!
New Task Received: Spend money on the beauties.
Task from the author(goddess)
Notre: How can a future ultimate tycoon spend so little money, at least spend more than 5 million dollars.
Time-limited bonus: 3x reward multiplier for 1 hour.
Eh! Task from the goddess herself.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Three times the reward? Heh, let's splurge a little."
He turned to the girls. "Alright. You two want to shop properly this time? Jewelry, heels, makeup—anything."
Mei blinked. "Eh?"
Lily looked worried. "Won't it be expensive?"
They both were worried. Ethan has already given them a place to live, solved their problems, they already shopped enough, but now he wants to spend more on them and he doesn't even want anything from them.
They don't even know what he does? How does he have so much money? They were both only a burden for him, but now if people find out, they will say they were gold diggers, taking advantage of Ethan.
Ethan waved it off. " You both are thinking too much. Money's not a problem."
They wanted argue, but they were practically pulled into the nearest store by Ethan.
"It is a return gift for both of you showing me the gates of heaven." Ethan winked at them.
They browsed together, Ethan walking behind them, arms crossed like a loaded sugar daddy.
"Try those earrings," Ethan pointed.
Mei picked them up and giggled. "Too shiny."
"Perfect," Ethan said. "We'll take it."
Lily hesitated at a bracelet. "This one's… a bit too much."
Ethan said, "If you like it even one percent, we're buying it."
At one point, Lily held up two similar earrings and asked, "Which one's better?"
Ethan leaned in, pretending to examine. "This one matches your eyes when you're judging me."
She snorted. "So all the time?"
Mei just smiled, silently enjoying the chaos while her hands held four shopping bags.
They moved from jewelry to heels.
Mei tried a pair. "Oh! These are cute but... high."
Ethan knelt and tapped the heel. "Looks like they're designed to trample hearts."
She blushed. "Stop flirting!"
Lily, on the other hand, quietly picked out a pair of soft pastel wedges.
"You like those?" Ethan asked.
She nodded. "They look comfy. How do I look?."
"Dangerous," Ethan said.
She blinked, caught off guard. "You're smooth."
"Wrap it up," Ethan chuckled, telling the assistant.
God, why am I single? Please give me a boyfriend like him too. The assistant cursed her fate.
As they were walking through the kids section near the arcade area, Lily stopped looking at all the plushies.
"Ohh! Look at that giant teddy bear!"
Suddenly alarms blared.
"FIRE ALERT! Please evacuate immediately!"
"Fire?!" Mei gasped.
Screams. Smoke. Panic.
Parents grabbed their children.
Lily dropped her shopping bags. "What's happening?!"
"Smoke in the west corridor!" a guard yelled.
"Get out now!"
Ethan quickly pulled Mei and Lily behind him, shielding them. But then—
The staff began ushering people out. "Everyone, evacuate calmly!"
Kids screamed and ran past them. Panic set in like wildfire.
From nearby, an old man stumbled forward, yelling hoarsely.
"My granddaughter! She's still inside! She was playing with those claw machines!"
The staff grabbed him. "Sir! It's too dangerous!"
"Let me go! She is just seven years old, she can't escape from there " the old man shouted.
Ethan froze. He turned back toward the arcade, eyes narrowing.
Just barely, through the glass wall, he saw it,a tiny hand reaching near the claw machine.
Without a word, he sprinted inside.
"Ethan!" Mei shouted.
"Wait!" Lily called.
Ethan didn't stop.
The smoke was thicker inside. Visibility was trash. He covered his mouth with his sleeve, ducking low.
There, by the claw machine,. He spotted her—a little girl curled up in a pink dress, coughing and crying.Curled up, clutching a teddy bear.
Ethan rushed to her.
"Hey, hey. It's okay," Ethan said softly, kneeling beside her.
She looked up, eyes teary and red. "I can't… I can't move…"
"Don't worry. I'm here."
He picked her up gently. She clung to his shirt without a word.
Sparks fell from a broken light above. Smoke stung his eyes, and a small display stand collapsed behind him. He covered the girl's head and sprinted through the chaos, ducking under fallen signs, past melting plastic.
He kicked open the glass side door and stepped into fresh air.
Gasps rose around them. Medics rushed over. The old man stumbled forward.
Outside, Mei and Lily ran toward him,both almost teared up.
"Are you okay?!"
"Yes," Ethan said, breathless.
"Mina!"
"Grandpa!" the little girl cried, reaching out.
Ethan carefully passed her over. The girl clung to her grandfather's chest, sobbing.
The old man's eyes welled up. He quickly took her into his arms and checked her over. "Are you hurt? Are you okay?"
"I was scared…" she mumbled. "But Big Brother came…"
The old man turned to Ethan, bowing deeply. "Young man… Thank you. Thank you for saving my world."
Ethan smiled a little, wiping his forehead. "Just did what anyone would do."
"Not everyone would've run into a fire," the old man said softly.
The old man looked like he wanted to say more, but his eyes welled up and he just nodded. "Thank you… truly, thank you."
Mina turned back toward Ethan. Her big eyes sparkled as she ran over again and tugged on his sleeve.
"Big Brother," she said shyly. "You're really cool."
Ethan scratched head. "Am I?"
"Mhm!" she nodded firmly."So… from now on, I've decided."
"Decided what?"
"You're my Big Brother now! Forever!"
Ethan blinked. "That's a big honor…"
She grinned. "Then don't forget me, okay?"
Ethan knelt down and gently ruffled her hair. "How could I forget my brave little sister?"
Her eyes lit up. "Pinkie promise?"
He smiled, hooked his pinkie finger with hers, and sealed the deal.
Her face lit up like a Christmas tree, and she gave him a tight hug around the neck before skipping back to her grandfather's side.
The old man smiled through his tears. "She's never opened up to anyone like that. You really made an impression."
"Take care of her." Ethan said, giving a casual wave.
As he turned to walk back, the old man shouted,"Wait! At least tell me your name—"
"Bond— Ethan bond."
The trio walked away.
"What an interesting young man…" The old man whispered.
As they turned the corner, another man ran up to the old man and girl, panting.
"Father! Is Mina alright?!"
"She's safe," the old man replied, nodding toward the young man's back. "Because of him."
The man looked over, eyes narrowing as he watched Ethan casually chatting with two beautiful women.
Mina nodded. "He was cool."
"Anyway," the old man said, regaining his usual composure. "Is it done?"
"Yes. We finished the paperwork. Orchid Mall is officially ours."
The old man looked back toward the direction Ethan left.
"Good. Then your next task is simple."
"What?"
"Find out about that boy."