Chapter 11: A Warm Return
Ye Tian returned home in the late afternoon, the soft glow of the setting sun casting long shadows across the courtyard. He stepped out of his newly acquired M8, the engine humming to a gentle stop behind him. The vehicle gleamed under the sunlight—a symbol of change, of rising fortune. His system had leveled up to Level 2 after the purchase, and his earnings had skyrocketed: 100 yuan per second of sleep, 100 yuan per walking step, and 100 yuan per breath. With each moment, money poured into his account like a silent tide.
To level up again, the system required him to spend 10 million yuan. It was no small sum, but given his current income rate and the lucrative rewards from system tasks, it felt more like a challenge than a barrier. As always, he reminded himself to check the Daily Special section before the day ended. That section refreshed every single day, and missing out on it could mean passing up on incredibly rare skills, shares, or items.
The iron gate creaked softly as he entered the courtyard. The familiar sounds of family life floated toward him—the laughter of children, the occasional clatter from the kitchen, and the low hum of a television playing indoors. The courtyard house, though modest, was filled with warmth.
As Ye Tian walked in, his pregnant third sister, Ye Qinqin , peeked out of the kitchen. Her round belly was obvious now, and yet she still insisted on cooking despite everyone's protests.
"Tian! You're back! Come, dinner is almost ready. I made your favorite—braised pork," she said, wiping her hands on her apron.
Ye Tian smiled, touched by her gesture. "You should be resting, Third Sister. Let me help."
"Bah, you're the one working hard out there. Besides, cooking helps me relax. Just sit and wait."
Inside the living room, his second sister, Ye Qingling , was sitting on the couch with her five-year-old daughter. The little girl sat in her lap, clapping as cartoons played on the screen.
"Tian gege!" the girl exclaimed upon seeing him, jumping off her mother's lap and running toward him.
Ye Tian knelt and opened his arms. "Ah, there's my favorite niece! Come here, Miaomiao."
Ye Meng chuckled. "You spoil her too much."
"She deserves to be spoiled," Ye Tian said, hugging the child.
Miaomiao—whose full name was Ye Miaomiao—giggled as she climbed into his arms. Her presence warmed him in ways even money couldn't. She reminded him of what mattered most.
Their eldest sister, Ye Qingmei, soon joined them with her twin daughters trailing behind. The girls, both seven, ran over to hug Ye Tian's legs, giggling.
"Big Uncle is rich now! Big Uncle is the best!" they chanted in unison.
"Don't flatter me too much or I'll forget to bring you candy next time," Ye Tian teased.
Ye Lin smiled but looked a bit weary. Her husband, who had left his own wealthy family behind to support her and move into the Ye household, was currently away on business, trying to set up something new.
Dinner was warm, loud, and filled with laughter. Everyone gathered around the table—parents, sisters, children. Conversations overlapped and plates were passed from one side to the other. The atmosphere was chaotic but joyful.
After dinner, Ye Tian stepped into his room and sat on his bed, triggering the system panel.
[SYSTEM PANEL]
Level: 2
Earning Rate: 100 yuan/second (Sleep), 100 yuan/step (Walking), 100 yuan/breath
Next Level Requirement: Spend 10,000,000 yuan
[Daily Special – Refreshes in: 04:12:35]
Today's Item: Beginner Culinary Mastery (Skill) – 8,000 yuan
Rarity: Common
Status: Not Purchased
He bought the skill on impulse. Cooking was a good life skill, and perhaps he could use it to surprise his sisters sometime. The system chimed as the purchase completed.
[Skill Acquired: Beginner Culinary Mastery]
He also checked his recent rewards. His 10% stake in the Moon Hotel Group, worth approximately 1.28 billion yuan, remained the most significant gain so far. The mission that granted it had been completed days earlier, and the shareholder meeting had solidified his status.
Everything felt surreal. Just a week ago, he was broke, heartbroken, and mocked. Now, he was a wealthy shareholder, earning hundreds of thousands passively, and surrounded by a family that genuinely loved him.
Ye Tian closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The cool night air drifted through the open window. Somewhere in the house, his nieces were giggling, and pots clinked softly in the kitchen as his sisters cleaned up.
Tomorrow, he'd check the Daily Special again, maybe take a walk to stack up some steps—and income. A new day meant new opportunities, and Ye Tian was no longer the man who let life pass him by.
He was moving forward. And this time, the world would have to keep up.
End of Chapter 11..