The next day was Sunday, so Eli didn't have to go to his first job. Feeling happy about having 5,000 yuan more, he quickly took a shower and put on his best outfit—even though it had cost him less than 200 yuan.
Just as he was about to start his day, his phone rang. When he saw the caller ID, his smile disappeared. It was the loan shark.
Five months ago, he had borrowed 12,000 yuan to pay for his mother's medical treatment. And now, it was time to pay up.
Eli hesitated before answering, his fingers trembling slightly. He took a deep breath and pressed the accept button.
"Hello?" He said, trying to keep his voice steady.
"You still remember me, don't you?" a rough voice sneered on the other end. "It's been five months, Eli. Where's my money?"
Eli swallowed hard. "I... I don't have it all yet. But I can—"
"I don't want excuses," the man interrupted. "You had plenty of time. I was kind enough to wait. Now, I want my money. With interest."
Eli's heart pounded. He knew how these people worked—if he didn't pay soon, things would get ugly.
"How much do I owe now?" he asked, dreading the answer.
The man chuckled coldly. "With interest? You owe me 24,000 yuan. And I expect payment in full. You have five days, Eli. Don't make me come looking for you."
The call ended, leaving Eli to stare at his screen blankly
"Five days" Eli muttered to himself
He had only 6000 yuan with him and he needed 12000 to fully pay back the debt
Eli knew that all he needed was to sign in for two days to make the money. He wasn't worried about how he would earn it; what troubled him was that it would disrupt his plan to save for his mother's medical treatment.
Eli decided to use the money he collects from signing in two days to payback the loanshark .
Eli decided to visit , so he took his electric bike and made his way to the hospital, on his way he saw a porsche cayenne and he said to himself "one day I be driving a car better than this"
Eli soon made his way into the hospital and went towards his mothers ward
Eli walked into the hospital room, his heart heavy. His mother lay in the bed, her frail body barely covered by the thin hospital blanket. The beeping of the monitors filled the silence between them.
She turned her head slowly and smiled, though it took all her strength. "My son," she whispered. "You've done enough."
Eli sat beside her, taking her cold hand in his. "Don't say that, Ma. I'm still saving up. We'll get you better."
She shook her head weakly. "No, Eli. My time has come." A tear slipped from the corner of her eye. "I don't want you to keep fighting for me when I know... I know it's almost over."
Eli's throat tightened. "Don't say that," he pleaded.
"You are young," she continued, squeezing his hand with the little strength she had left. "Use the money for yourself. Build your future. That's what I want."
Eli bit his lip, his vision blurred with tears. "But I—"
"Promise me, Eli." Her voice cracked. "Promise me you'll keep going. No matter what."
He wanted to argue, to tell her he wasn't ready to let go. But looking into her tired eyes, he knew—she had already made peace with it.
With a deep breath, he nodded. "I promise."
His mother smiled one last time, then closed her eyes to rest.
Eli sat there for a long time, holding her hand, letting silent tears fall. But in his heart, something shifted.
He would not waste another moment. If completing the system's tasks was what he needed to do to save enough money for her sugerythat his what he was going to do, then he would do it. No hesitation. No fear.
For her. For himself.
It was time to move forward.
Eli left the hospital room around six pm, after spending his time in the hospital room with his mother.
The first thing he decided to do was to start his second job as he still needed to save up for his mother's sugery.
With a determined heart he rode off into the sunset looking to make more money to help pay for his mother's sugery.