Chapter 26: The King's Payment

It was a quiet, cool evening as Lin Feng sat at his desk, reviewing his notes and the subtle fluctuations of the system interface. The newest update—the "Bonded Endeavors" quest—had challenged him to forge deeper, more significant relationships. But the rewards of these quests were not entirely emotional; they contained real, tangible benefits. One of the prompts still burned at the edge of his consciousness: a ¥5,000 bonus cash injection upon successful completion of the quest.

He had been working diligently on his relationships and clinging to his steady progress of the last few days. It was not an easy balance—between studies, his side jobs, and the gentle, persistent thrum of the system. But he had managed it. And this evening, alone with the soft whir of his computer fan, the reward notification came.

[SYSTEM REWARD – Relationship Insight Bonus Achieved]

Congratulations, Host. As a reward for demonstrating controlled growth and for establishing significant relationships, a bonus of ¥5,000 has been credited to your account.

Lin Feng's heart skipped a small, hopeful beat. He glanced at his account balance, now showing the credited amount. It was a reminder that little victories could be accumulated into something valuable.

But as the joy of this monetary good fortune sank in, a thought intruded—one that made his heart heavy. His mother, the perpetually quiet linchpin of his disorderly life, had been waiting, as always, for any good news that might alleviate the constant worry regarding his father's health and their meager finances.

He pulled out his phone and opened his banking app. With calculated slowness, he transferred ¥5,000 to his mother's account. The decision was swift—almost instinctive. This was not just about fulfilling his obligation; it was his silent promise that, regardless of the arctic pace of progress, he would never falter in doing what was right for his family.

The confirmation screen flickered momentarily, and the transaction was completed. He placed the phone down and shut his eyes. His lips formed a brief smile, only to vanish as the weight of his double life closed in once more.

A Questioning Call

Later that evening, when the dorm hallways quieted down and the night became an almost perfect stillness, Lin Feng's phone rang again. The caller ID flashed with the name of his mother. His heart constricted for a split second, a mix of duty and dread conflicting inside him.

He answered reluctantly. "Hello?"

"Feng'er… " her voice started, as tentative as always, "I just saw the transfer. Where did you get so much money, dear? I thought you were still struggling."

Lin Feng paused. The question was gentle, but it was full of concern and interest, as ever. He knew that if he told her everything about it—the system rewards, the investments, the risky decisions—it would only make her worry more. And she already had enough on her plate with your father's treatment.

"It's nothing, Mom," he said, his voice soft and flat. "I just. managed to scrounge it up from my part-time job and some. savings."

There was a silence on the line.

"I'm proud of you, but I'm worried," she finally said. "I don't want you working too hard. You need to be careful."

"Don't worry, Mom," he said, choosing his words carefully. "I know what I'm doing. I'll talk to you again soon, okay?"

"Alright, but please, stay safe," she whispered, and hung up.

Lin Feng looked at the phone in his hand for a while. He had dodged the question—not out of dishonesty, but to save her more stress. His life was complicated now, and he was not ready to explain the dynamics of a system that was almost otherworldly in its rewards.

A Sudden Turn of Fortune

He set his phone aside and returned to work at his desk. The system still hummed quietly in the background, its alerts reassuring yet insistent. As he refreshed the interface for routine updates, a new message flickered onto the screen:

[SYSTEM UPDATE – King's Action Recognized]

Congratulations, Host. As a reward for your unwavering commitment to personal and familial responsibilities, and for your exemplary discretion in development and sacrifice, the system has granted you a grand reward."

Lin Feng stared for a long while, his eyes widening as he read on:

Reward: Premium Vehicle Package

Reward Details: A fully-paid vehicle, market value ¥200,000, sent directly to your current address.

This reward is a reflection of your kingly deeds—prioritizing family while moving forward on your journey to success.

May this car be a reminder of your strength and the road ahead.

The room seemed to spin as the reality took hold. A car. Not just any car, but a luxury vehicle—a tangible, valuable possession that would change how he moved through the world. The image on the screen was clear—a sleek design, gleaming silver under studio lights, the kind of car that turned heads on city streets.

Lin Feng's heart quickened, a mix of disbelief and cautious hope. He knew better than to get carried away with unforeseen windfalls. Yet this was not mere chance. This was the system recognizing his sacrifices—his consistent, reasonable decisions to prioritize his family while still working towards his own dreams.

He stared at the reward for what felt like an eternity, then hesitantly reached out to click "Accept." The system affirmed his choice with a gentle chime, and the delivery and registration information began populating.

The Dawn of a New Chapter

Later that night, Lin Feng was at his desk with the car reward details open on his laptop. He went through the details methodically—pickup point, delivery time, and even a personal message that read:

"For the one who puts duty before self, may this car be the chariot to take you to a future marked by resilience and honor."

It wasn't just a reward. It was a milestone—a justification of all the long, sleepless nights, all the silent sacrifices he had undertaken. And yet even as his mind raced ahead to the plans of the future, he could not disregard the buzz of responsibility that had got him thus far.

His phone vibrated with another message while he was immersed in thought. It was from Liu Xiaoyu.

Liu Xiaoyu: "Hey, I heard something big might be happening. Can you meet up later? I need to talk."

Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat. In the maelstrom of activity, the car incentive, and the heavy questions from home, the soft tug of Liu Xiaoyu's concern brought him back to the fact that he did not go through the process alone.

He typed a quick reply:

Lin Feng: "Okay, let's meet at the campus coffee shop at 7 PM.".

As he hit send, he sat back and let the weight of the day wash over him. His mother's voice, gentle but wary, mixed with the thrilling promise of a new beginning. The car, a symbol of this strange and wonderful system, was a bitter reminder that in the blackest of days, there could be whispers of promise.

He closed his eyes, whispering softly to the empty room, "I won't let you down, Mom. I'll keep moving ahead—one step at a time."

The path forward was uncertain, and the journey was far from over. But tonight, for the first time, Lin Feng felt like a king—one whose actions, forged from sacrifice and determination, were finally recognized by a world that had once turned its back on him.