Chapter 36 – Threads of Fortune
After the long morning at the lottery headquarters, Bai Xia and her father stepped out into the sunlight, the soft gleam of the city reflecting off the glass buildings around them. Bai Sung still wore the same bright, almost disbelieving smile that hadn't left his face since their win. Together, they hailed a taxi and headed straight to the bank.
Inside the bank, the cool air carried the faint scent of polished marble and new money. Bai Sung moved quickly, still energized by excitement, as he deposited 100,000,000 yen into his account. He requested another ATM card, his hands trembling slightly from sheer joy. Then, turning to his daughter, he said with fatherly pride, "We should open an account for you too, Xia'er."
With her calm gaze and faint smile, Bai Xia nodded. The clerk helped them open her account, and her father transferred 1 million yen into it. Afterward, Bai Sung withdrew 20,000 yen in crisp notes, folding them neatly before slipping them into his wallet.
When they walked out of the bank, sunlight danced across Bai Sung's bright smile. He looked like a man who had just touched the stars. Bai Xia, on the other hand, remained composed and cool. Her eyes held a quiet confidence, as if all this had simply gone according to plan.
"Dad," she said softly, "can we get something to eat? I'm hungry."
"Of course!" Bai Sung replied almost instantly, his voice full of affection. To him, Bai Xia was the shining star of their family—he wouldn't let her go hungry for the world.
They went to a high-end restaurant near the bank. The building's glass walls reflected the soft afternoon light, and inside, elegant decor shimmered with understated luxury. A hostess led them into a private room draped in silk curtains and golden lanterns. The air was filled with the rich aroma of spices and jasmine tea.
They ordered dishes that spoke of refinement — lobster dumplings wrapped in translucent gold skin, truffle fried rice, honey-glazed short ribs, steamed scallops with ginger soy, and a delicate dessert of osmanthus jelly with silver leaf. Every dish arrived like art — precise, fragrant, and shining under warm light.
They began eating in silence, chopsticks moving rhythmically. For a while, only the faint sound of porcelain touching porcelain could be heard. Then, Bai Xia set her chopsticks down gently. Her tone was calm but deliberate.
"Dad, I heard you wanted to buy a company," she said.
Bai Sung's chopsticks froze mid-air. He looked a little startled. "Ah—yes," he admitted, scratching the back of his neck. "I was thinking about it then. But now… with this money, I plan to buy it and invest properly."
Bai Xia nodded lightly. "Dad, my classmate has a relative who just graduated from Harvard, with a master's degree in business management. He's quick, effective, and disciplined. A master at kung fu, a great chef, and someone who can complete any task you give him. He's looking for a job, and I think he'd make a perfect personal assistant and bodyguard."
Bai Sung blinked in surprise. That sounded like a dream candidate. "Really? Such a person exists?"
"Mn," Bai Xia said softly, her lips curving slightly. "He's trustworthy. I've spoken with him a few times. He's honest and dependable."
Of course, Bai Xia was referring to a human-like robot, one she planned to get from her system later—just like Stella.
When they finished their meal, the afternoon sun was slipping lower, painting the room gold. Bai Xia placed her napkin neatly on the table and looked at her father, her tone turning serious.
"Dad, you know with this lottery win… we'll soon become targets."
Bai Sung's smile faltered slightly. He understood immediately. The Bai family—those blood ties that once suffocated him—would soon come knocking. He wasn't foolish. He'd cut them off for good reason, but a faint flicker of hesitation passed through his heart.
He still remembered Bai Ling, his third brother—the only one who'd shown him kindness.
Before he could speak, Bai Xia's gaze hardened, her voice quiet but cutting like ice. "You can help Third Uncle if you want. But as for the rest… if you lift even one finger for them, I'll abandon this family and move away."
Bai Sung froze, a chill running down his spine at his daughter's sharp gaze. Then, forcing a small laugh, he said, "Don't worry. Dad knows what to do."
The tension in the air faded slowly, replaced by a calm warmth again.
Then Bai Xia added, "Dad, I want to start a business. I'd like you to invest."
Bai Sung chuckled, rubbing her head affectionately. "What business does my Xia'er want to do? Whatever it is, Dad will support it."
"It's a secret for now," Bai Xia said playfully, her eyes glinting. "But I'll need 100,000 yen."
Bai Sung blinked. "One hundred thousand?" He almost choked on his tea. Still, after a moment's thought, he sighed with a fond smile. Let her try, he decided. "Why don't you use the money in your account?"
"Mn~ okay," she said, smiling brightly and leaning close like a spoiled daughter, her calm mask breaking just a little.
They left the restaurant around 2 p.m., stepping back into the bustling city. A taxi took them home, and as soon as they arrived, they found neighbors gathered at their gate.
"Congratulations!" someone shouted.
"We heard you won the lottery!"
Bai Sung smiled and thanked them one by one, shaking hands, bowing politely. When the last of them left, Bai Yang came running up.
"Dad! Jie Jie! We heard Dad's voice on the radio!"
Right behind him, Bai Xuan skipped over. "Jie Jie! The neighbors said we're a rich family now—is it true?"
Bai Xia knelt slightly to meet her little sister's sparkling eyes. "Yes, young madam," she said with mock seriousness. "You're now a rich young lady."
Bai Xin squealed and spun in delight. "I like that title!"
Bai Xuan puffed her cheeks proudly. "Then call me young madam too!"
"Alright, young madam," Bai Xia said again, her lips curving into a rare, genuine smile as her elder sister hugged her tightly.
Later, Bai Sung gathered everyone in the living room. "Tomorrow, Bai Yan and I will go buy the new company. We'll handle all the paperwork by tomorrow's end."
He turned to Chu Sun. "Get some new things for the house. It feels too empty. And buy new clothes for everyone—we need to celebrate our new beginning."
When Bai Xia heard that, she made a mental note. She wouldn't just buy clothes—she'd buy an entire shop of clothes for her family.
That evening, Chu Sun prepared a grand feast. The table overflowed with dishes—roasted duck with plum sauce, braised sea cucumber, abalone with oyster sauce, stir-fried prawns, lotus root salad, sweet red bean soup, and longevity noodles. The air was filled with warmth, laughter, and the scent of happiness.
After dinner, everyone drifted off to their rooms, full and content.
Bai Xia entered her own room quietly and locked the door. The air shimmered faintly as she entered her space.
"Status," she commanded.
> Host: Bai Xia
Height: 5'6
Stamina: 20
Strength: 20
Intelligence: 20
Charisma: 20
Beauty: 23
Skills: Business Tycoon, Frost Eyes, Reaper Tears, Crystal Tears
Knowledge: Master of All Tongues (MAT), Martial Arts (MA), God of Music (GOM)
EXP Points: 150
Mission Points: 70
Space Size: 2000 acres
Money Bag: 420,000
Missions:
Own five different types of jade
Reward: EXP +100, Mission Points +50
Notifications:
Congratulations on completing mission "Obtain network of 100,000,000."
EXP +100, Mission Points +50
She smirked faintly. "Even if I gave the money to Dad, it was mine first. That should count."
"System," she said. "How do I turn the money in my money bag into actual money?"
> "You just have to say 'withdrawal,' and it will be transferred into your account."
"How many lucky draws do I have?"
> "You have ten."
"Then I'll draw ten times."
The voice echoed:
> "Congratulations—you got nothing."
"Congratulations—you got 100,000 yen."
"Congratulations—you got 50 mission points."
"Congratulations—you got 800,000 yen."
"Congratulations—you got nothing."
"Congratulations—you got nothing."
"Congratulations—you got 10,000 yen."
"Congratulations—you got 500,000 yen."
"Congratulations—you got nothing."
"Congratulations—you got 200,000 yen."
Bai Xia exhaled softly. "No skill? Hmph. My luck's bad today."
Still, she'd gained enough. With her mission points, she entered the Item Shop and bought three PA robots—costing her 60 points.
She modified them one by one: the first, a 25-year-old Chinese man, clean-cut and calm; the second, a foreign man with brown hair and green eyes, same age; and the last, a 45-year-old Chinese woman with a composed, gentle expression.
The men would guard her father and brother, handling business operations. The woman would stay home, serving and protecting her mother and siblings.
When she was done, she reviewed her updated stats:
> Mission Points: 60
Money Bag: 2,030,000
Notifications: None
Bai Xia's eyes lingered on her remaining mission. Own five types of jade...
A faint, mysterious smile touched her lips. "That shouldn't be too hard," she whispered. "In fact… I already have an idea."
And under the soft silver glow of her space, Bai Xia's mind began weaving the next steps of her quiet empire.