Chapter 14 — The PA Robot
Standing before the bank, the fading sunlight painted everything gold. Bai Xia turned to her parents, her voice soft but earnest.
"Mom, Dad… could you please give me five hundred yen? I promise I won't spend it recklessly."
Chu Sun exchanged a glance with her husband. Bai Sung looked back at his wife; they didn't need words. Their eyes spoke of quiet understanding — and trust.
"Xia'er," Bai Sung finally said with a small smile, "your mother and I planned to keep this money aside for your sister and your diary fund. But since it's yours anyway… we'll give you a thousand yen instead. Spend it however you like."
Before Bai Xia could even respond, he stepped back into the bank, returning moments later with a small bundle of crisp notes. When he pressed them into her hands, warmth flooded her chest. Her parents' faith and kindness… it moved her deeply.
"Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Mom," she said softly, her eyes shimmering.
They boarded a motorbike and rode through the quiet roads back to the village. By the time they arrived, dusk had fallen — the air cool and tinted with the scent of earth. The bike stopped at the village entrance.
Before they could reach the Bai compound, Bai Xia turned to her parents.
"Mom, Dad, I'll be back soon. I want to check on a classmate."
Chu Sun nodded easily. "Alright, but don't stay too long."
Bai Sung frowned slightly. "Come back soon, Xia'er. It'll be dark before you know it."
She smiled, waving. "I will."
Turning down a narrow dirt path, Bai Xia headed toward a modest house on the east side of the village. The soft knock she gave on the wooden door was soon answered by a woman in her fifties.
For a second, the woman just… stared.
The light from inside fell upon Bai Xia's face — delicate, calm, almost ethereal. Her clear eyes and quiet grace made the older woman momentarily forget herself. She blinked hard, regaining her composure.
"Ah— it's you, child. How can I help?"
Bai Xia bowed slightly. "Hello, Auntie. Sorry for disturbing you, but I wanted to ask… did your son leave behind any of his old high school books? I'd like to borrow them if that's okay."
Recognition dawned on the woman's face. So she's the granddaughter of the Bai family… A hint of pity flickered in her eyes — she had heard of the cruel treatment the girl's grandmother gave her parents.
"Yes, wait here a moment."
A few minutes later, she returned with a tall stack of textbooks, notebooks, and exam papers.
Bai Xia's eyes widened. "Auntie, this is too much! I only needed a few notes—"
"Nonsense," the woman interrupted gently. "They're just collecting dust here. What use does an old woman like me have for them? Take them, dear. They'll be of more help to you."
Bai Xia hesitated before quietly slipping two yen into the woman's hand.
The woman frowned and pushed it back. "No, child. Keep it. I'm giving them freely."
But Bai Xia was stubborn. She quickly folded the money back into the woman's palm, closed her hand around it, and with a small laugh said, "Then I'll be taking these as my lucky charm, Auntie!" — before running off down the dirt road before the woman could protest again.
By the time she returned home, the sky had turned deep orange. The moment she stepped into the yard carrying the heavy stack, Bai Ai and Bai Gin's eyes flickered with greed.
"Well, well," Bai Ai said with a sneer. "Look who's come home with treasure."
Bai Gin crossed his arms. "You should hand those over if you know what's good for you. We can sell them at the market — get some good money."
Bai Xia set the books down calmly, her eyes icy. "These are school materials. You don't need them."
"School materials?" Bai Ai mocked. "As if you're some big scholar! Don't act like you're better than us."
Bai Xia's gaze hardened. "Move aside."
Bai Gin scoffed. "You think you can just order us around, huh? You might have that pretty face, but it won't save you if we take those books by force."
"I said," Bai Xia replied, voice cold and cutting, "move."
"Make us," Bai Ai snapped, stepping closer.
The air turned tense — the twins' faces twisted with greed and jealousy. Bai Xia's patience snapped. With a sharp shove, she pushed both of them aside. They stumbled, crashing onto the dirt floor with startled cries.
Without another glance, she picked up her books and walked past them, her steps steady and silent.
Near her room, she saw her mother washing clothes by the well. Chu Sun looked up, frowning slightly.
"Xia'er, where did you get all those books? Didn't you say you were going to see a classmate?"
"Don't worry, Mom," Bai Xia said smoothly. "They're from an old senior. He left them behind after getting into college."
Chu Sun sighed with relief. "Alright, just don't tire yourself too much."
Bai Xia nodded and entered her small wooden room. As soon as the door shut, she took out the bag of books and whispered, "Enter space."
The world around her shimmered — she appeared in her vast inner space, calm and endless.
"Status."
A glowing screen appeared before her.
---
Host: Bai Xia
Height: 5'5
Stamina: 10
Strength: 10
Intelligence: 10
Charisma: 10
Beauty: 13
Skills: Business Tycoon, Frost Eyes, Reaper Tears
Knowledge: Master of All Tongues (M.A.T)
EXP Points: 40
Mission Points: 40
Space Size: 2000 Acres
Money Bag: ¥20,000
Missions:
Accumulate a net worth of ¥100,000,000
Reward: +100 EXP, +50 Mission Points
Buy an item from the System Store
Reward: +10 EXP, +50 Mission Points
Notifications:
Mission Completed — Bought Item from Space
Reward: +10 EXP, +10 Mission Points
---
Bai Xia frowned slightly. "A hundred million yen in one month…?" she murmured. "Even if I sold more ginseng, I'd have to sell a hundred of them. And if Grandmother notices that much money flowing into this house…" Her expression turned grave. "No. I'll have to move carefully."
"System, open store."
With a soft chime, a golden screen unfolded before her. Rows upon rows of items appeared — mystical, strange, and powerful.
---
[System Store — Item Catalogue]
Beauty Rebirth Pill — restores skin and aura to perfection.
Body Modification Pill — enhances physique and charm.
Heavenly Silk Robe — self-cleaning and indestructible fabric.
Whispering Blade — a sword that hums with its master's emotion.
Jade Spirit Ring — stores spiritual energy and protects its owner.
Eternal Ink — used to sign contracts that can't be broken.
Time Dew — a drop that grants one extra hour of youth each day.
Soul Lantern — reveals the truth hidden in hearts.
Phoenix Feather Fan — calms storms and fires alike.
PA Robot — Personal Assistant Robot (AI humanoid servant).
---
Bai Xia blinked at the last one. "System, what is the PA Robot?"
"Answer: A PA Robot stands for Personal Assistant Robot. It is an AI-based humanoid assistant capable of carrying out all tasks, obeying every order, and fulfilling the host's needs."
"How much?"
"Cost: 20 Mission Points."
"Twenty?!" she sighed. "That's expensive…"
But after a pause, her lips curved into a faint smile. "Still… it might be worth it."
Her eyes gleamed with determination. "I'd like to buy it."
A soft chime echoed in her space.
"Purchase confirmed."