Chapter 16: 16. Old friend

[You have successfully completed your third mission today, and you have earned a 30×30 meter plot of land near the Arcelia River and a +3 bonus to all stats.]

Riki looked at Evan, who was helping him distribute the food and drinks he had bought to those in need.

The people smiled and thanked Evan and Riki.

After finishing, Evan approached Riki and put his arm around his shoulder.

"You’re getting taller, Riki, even taller than me!" Evan said with a wide smile, which quickly faded afterward.

Riki immediately avoided his senior at the campus by moving his shoulder to make Evan’s hand slip off him.

"Why are you still angry with me, Riki? I’ve apologized to you so many times, haven’t I?" Evan said.

Riki turned around, glaring at Evan with an annoyed expression.

"Do you think it’s easy for me to forget what you did to me? You know I hate Anton, but you still chose Anton back then, Evan! And do you think I don’t know that you introduced Hannah to Anton, right? Are you happy now? The only person I trusted and considered my own brother chose Anton, and then my girlfriend also dumped me and chose Anton too. So why are you here? Now that you know I have money, you’re coming back to me?"

"Riki—"

"Shut up! I don’t need your explanations. We’re strangers now. Don’t come near me again."

Riki turned around and left Evan.

However, Evan chased after him with his long legs.

"Alright, forgive me, Riki, and I’ll be honest with you now! Anton threatened me!"

Riki stopped, turned around, and glared at Evan with anger in his eyes.

"Huh, you’re saying that so I’ll trust you again, right? That’s a pretty good trick, Evan."

Evan ruffled his hair in frustration, "Aargh! Look at all this! Proof of my chat with Anton, I even recorded our phone conversation so you’d believe me."

Actually, Riki was very reluctant to trust Evan again, because such evidence could be manipulated.

However, Riki knew, deep down in his heart, he still missed Evan. The only good friend who embraced him when he was in trouble. Even Evan used to help him find good jobs so Riki could earn money to pay off the debts left by his older brother.

If Riki could get a second chance from the system, why wouldn’t Riki give Evan a second chance too?

Riki took Evan’s old smartphone, which had a nearly cracked screen.

Evan didn’t come from a wealthy family. His parents were farmers in the village, and Evan lived in the big city with his uncle. Evan himself often worked part-time at various places. The difference was, Evan worked for himself, had no debts, and didn’t have a girlfriend. So, he was more relaxed than Riki.

Riki carefully read the messages from Anton from a few months ago.

It was true.

Anton threatened Evan to harm Riki if Evan refused to leave Riki. Anton also said he could get Evan’s uncle fired from his job.

There were also other chats after Riki and Evan’s friendship ended.

Anton threatened Evan not to approach Riki again. If Evan continued to approach Riki, Anton would make Evan’s uncle lose his job. Anton also said he wanted Evan to introduce him to Hannah.

Riki knew Evan couldn’t refuse Anton because Evan was in the same position as Riki.

A loser with no power at all.

Riki returned the nearly broken smartphone to Evan.

"Alright, I trust you. But why did you come to me now? You know I’m going through a tough time with Hannah and Anton—oh, forget it."

Evan patted Riki’s shoulder, "Sorry, Riki, I just returned to my village. My parents passed away."

Riki was very surprised at that moment.

"Really?"

Evan smiled bitterly, "Yeah... I’m alone now. But they left me a piece of land, so I can use it. Since I can’t manage the land, I sold it. I got a good price, so I might be able to start a business with that money. Do you want to help me, Riki?"

[Your fourth mission is to help Evan find a suitable business for him]

[Your reward is one random skill that is very useful for you and also +3 to all stats]

[Your deadline is until 5 AM; if you fail, you will spend the day with Anton and Hannah]

Riki felt nauseous just thinking about what the punishment would be if he failed.

Who would want to see Anton and Hannah’s faces for a day? Besides, he had a date with Liz, Angeline, and Kaivan tomorrow.

"Of course I’ll help you. Oh, have you had dinner yet, Evan? Want to eat at my apartment?"

Evan nodded, "Sure, I haven’t eaten yet."

"Do you want fried rice with shrimp?"

"Sure!"

To be honest, Riki was happy that his friendship with Evan was back to normal. Because before, before Anton meddled in everything Riki did, Evan was the friend who always helped him, even though he was older than Riki. Evan also often taught Riki many things, because Evan was someone who could learn things easily and master them quickly.

The older brother figure Riki always admired.

After buying shrimp fried rice and sweet martabak for a late-night snack, they returned to Riki’s apartment.

"You’re such a mess, Riki!" Evan was surprised to see Riki’s apartment filled with large boxes or paper bags scattered on the floor.

But he was quickly distracted by Riki’s new, state-of-the-art computer.

"Wow! Did you buy this? But where did you get the money, Riki?" Evan asked.

Riki swallowed hard as his throat suddenly felt dry. He didn’t know what to say at that moment. His forehead began to sweat.

"It-it..."

"Could it be that you also received an inheritance like me?"

Riki quickly nodded his head, "Yes! It suddenly came out that my father had been saving an inheritance for me. So, I was able to pay off my debts, and I could buy all of this."

"I’m happy for you, Riki. Finally, you’re not suffering anymore. Your father is really amazing."

Riki smiled faintly. If only Evan knew that what Riki had received wasn’t from his father.

In fact, Riki still didn’t know who had caused his father, mother, brother, and himself to suffer. The person who had accused his father of corruption in the past.

"Let’s eat while we figure out a good business for you, Evan. I’m hungry." Riki said, changing the mood to make it warmer again.

"Oh, sure! I’m hungry too."