Chapter 62: Shopping Spree (1) Noah gave a small smile to Rex before leaving his office. Noah maintained his careful pace down the stairs, and the building’s exit appeared ahead like salvation disguised as urban decay. Only when the main street air hit his face did he allow himself to breathe properly. No one came after me...thank god. Relief flooded through him like warm honey. His shoulders straightened as he realised that he was free. Genuinely, completely free from the financial quicksand that had been dragging him under for too long. I don’t have any weapons with me that I could use to defend myself. That was kind of stupid, i should have brought something with me, just in case things went south. The thought sobered him slightly. He was worrying whether Rex would send people after him, asking where he got the money from, or perhaps wanting to steal money from him. Luckily, none of that happened. His wealth meant nothing if he couldn’t protect it, couldn’t protect himself. ... Noah stood on the sidewalk outside Rex’s street, watching a taxi crawl through traffic like an arthritic turtle navigating molasses. I need to buy a car. This isn’t ideal. I can’t keep ordering taxis and waiting for them—that’s wasting so much time. The realisation struck him with the force of someone who’d suddenly remembered he wasn’t poor anymore. Public transportation belonged to his old life, the one where every purchase needed careful consideration and budget calculations that carried over into the following month. Time to move on. But first, preparation. Noah had read enough web novels to recognise the classic scenario lurking ahead. Walking into a luxury dealership dressed like someone who survived on ramen and hope, only to face condescending salespeople who judged customers by their appearance rather than their bank accounts. First things first, buy some good clothes. I don’t want to be mistaken for a poor person trying to waste the assistants’ time, then have them force me into some face-slapping scene. He shook his head at the absurdity of it all. Real life wasn’t a Chinese cultivation novel where arrogant young masters dismissed protagonists based on their shabby clothing, only to receive devastating comeuppances involving hidden identities and superior martial arts. Too cliché. Gotta be more creative than walking in looking homeless just to prove a point. No, he’d approach this intelligently. Dress the part, act the part, and make the entire transaction smooth and professional. Save the dramatic revelations for people who deserve them, like Rex and Amy. Speaking of that... The thought triggered another thought. His new wealth came with responsibilities beyond mere personal comfort. Aunt Mei and Uncle Smith had supported him through the darkest period of his life, offering emotional sustenance when his bank account couldn’t even provide the nutritional kind. They had also helped him pay the rent many times before. Ethan had become more than a cousin—he’d become a younger brother who deserved nice things. He saw himself in the young man, and he wanted him to live a better life than he did before. And his father... his father, who’d sacrificed everything for Noah’s education and dreams, now lying in a hospital bed, worried about medical bills that Noah could finally, actually afford. Time to return some favours. Noah pulled out his phone, scrolling to Ethan’s contact with the satisfaction of someone about to make a teenager’s day significantly better. Noah: Hey, want to go shopping? I’m buying you and your parents some gifts. The response came back with the speed that only teenagers could achieve when good news arrived via text message. Ethan: WHAT?! Are you serious?! Noah: Dead serious. I’ll pick you up in an hour. Also, find out your parents’ clothing sizes. Discreetly. Ethan: This is insane. You don’t have to— Noah: I want to. Family takes care of family, right? Ethan, in his room, took a long pause before he typed his next message. Ethan: Thank you. Seriously. I’ll get the sizes. Noah pocketed his phone, already mentally thinking about the stops they’d need to make. Clothing stores for himself and the family. Something special for his father—maybe a comfortable robe or premium pyjamas that didn’t smell like hospital disinfectant. Then the car shopping. Maybe something reliable but not too flashy. His business in the other world was generating serious wealth, but wisdom suggested keeping that fact as quiet as possible. The taxi ride to his apartment gave him time to plan. First stop would be a mid-range clothing store—nothing too expensive, but quality pieces that projected competence and financial stability. Dark jeans, button-down shirts, maybe a decent jacket. For the family gifts, he’d aim higher. Aunt Mei deserved something elegant, Uncle Smith something practical but luxurious. Ethan had already received his phone upgrade, but Noah suspected the kid could use some quality clothes. Shopping with family. When’s the last time I could afford to do that? The answer came with uncomfortable clarity, it was never. Even before his financial troubles reached critical mass, Noah had always been the recipient of family generosity, never the provider. Birthday gifts came with apologies about their modest nature. Presents were thoughtful but clearly limited by budget constraints. Today, that changes. His phone buzzed with another message from Ethan. Ethan: Got the sizes. Mom’s going to wonder why I’m suddenly interested in her wardrobe choices, but mission accomplished. Noah: Perfect. See you soon. The apartment building appeared through the taxi window, its familiar shabbiness now seeming temporary rather than permanent. Soon he’d be able to afford better. Soon he’d be able to afford anything he wanted. Noah paid the taxi driver and headed inside his apartment complex. Thirty minutes later, Noah emerged from his apartment wearing his best available outfit, which still looked like something assembled from clearance racks by someone who’d learned fashion from online tutorials. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶 The contrast between his appearance and his bank balance remained comically stark. Last time I’ll have to worry about that. The second taxi ride carried him toward Ethan’s house.