In the evening, at home.
The moment Neo entered their cage room, his mother and sister asked questions with eager faces.
"Brother, how did you do?"
"Son, are you okay?"
As expected, Mrs. Godson asked about his whereabouts first. And this made Neo feel warm.
In response to their inquiries, he revealed a bright smile.
"I have made it, Mom. I have qualified to join the Oscar Nebula Mercenary. Your son will be among the stars."
Nina clapped happily, while Mrs. Godson's tears streamed down her cheeks.
She looked through the small window, murmuring with her hands crossed over her chest,
"Did you hear that, dear? Your son will be among the stars. He is growing up. If only you were here to see this."
Neo placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "I can tell he is certainly happy, Mom. You don't have to feel so sad."
Nina joined them, swaying her head excitedly.
"Brother, are we finally moving out like you said we would...?"
Neo turned to her and pulled her cheek. "You're too excited, Nina. Calm down. I only got 15 million as a sign-in bonus. After paying all the debt, we will only have 10 million in hand, and this is hardly enough to afford a good apartment in the central district."
Despite that, Nina was stunned.
"15 million?! How much money is that?"
Mrs. Godson's eyes also widened, indicating how shocked she really was.
"15 million? Son, are they really going to give you that much money?"
Neo smiled. "Of course. To those big shots, it's really nothing, Mom. I heard a Beyonder earns millions in each exploration."
"But it should also be dangerous, isn't it?" she asked, getting worried.
Neo nodded, though he didn't want her to worry so much.
"It is. But don't worry, I'm just a junior assistant, and I will have a lot of senior members above me. They will handle most of it."
"I hope so. If something happens to you, we both won't be able to live without you."
"Yes, yes, me too," Neo chimed in, hugging his mother from behind.
Neo watched them with a satisfied smile on his face. He felt content just being able to make them happy like this.
"Knock. Knock."
Just then, the door to their room was knocked on.
"Who could it be at this hour?"
Mrs. Godson said and went to check it out.
However, once she opened the door, the narrow hallway was empty, except for the noise of the neighbors.
She was confused.
But as she looked down, she saw a piece of red envelope in front of their door.
"Mom, who is it?" Neo asked.
Mrs. Godson picked it up and went back inside, shutting the door behind her.
"What's that, Mommy?" Curious, Nina snatched the red envelope from her hand.
Neo also leaned closer to look.
But there was nothing written on the outside.
"A mysterious red envelope?" smiling mischievously, Nina looked at Neo. "Bro, do you think that girlfriend of yours sent you her bridal gift?"
"Smack!" he smacked her head, snatching the envelope in the process.
"Ouch. Brother you're so mean." she added with a pout.
Adonis, unbothered, opened the envelope.
Several neatly arraged documents revealed befoee their eyes. Along with them, a small folded note dropped onto the floor.
All three of them froze.
"Documents?" Nina muttered, confused.
Mrs. Godson leaned closer in curiosity, "What are these, Meo?"
Neo began reading them. As he did, his expression was calm at first.
But as he read through the contents, his eyes widened.
"This, this—"
"Brother, what is it?" Nina asked impatiently.
Neo swallowed before replying,
"It's a property transfer document."
"Property?" both mother and daughter repeated after him.
Neo continued reading,
"A luxurious villa... located in the Central District."
"...."
Nina and their mother's mouth opened in shock.
"Villa? As in a real Villa? Something only wealthy tycoons can afford? "
Mrs. Godson's hands trembled. "Neo, my son, don't joke around."
Neo turned the document toward them.
There it was: A full ownership transfer, stamped and verified.
Owner Name: Neo Godson
Property: Green Vine Villa (Residential Luxury Unit)
Address: Astral Elite Residency
Status: Fully Transferred
Nina's mouth opened wider as if she could swallow an egg.
Mrs. Godson staggered back a step, covering her lips in disbelief.
"This had to be a mistake. These Villas are easily worth hundreds of millions."
Neo thought the same, but the proof was right on his hand.
"No it's official, Mom"
His gaze dropped to the bottom of the document.
Transferred By: Julia Alastasia
"Julia… Alastasia?" he brows furrowed.
He didn't recognise her.
Heck, he had never met anyone like that before.
"Do you know her? Is she same young woman who paid your hospital bill?" Mrs. Godson asked nervously.
"I am not certain, Mom. I don't even recognise her."
Then Nina suddenly remembered something.
"Bro, the note!"
Neo picked up the folded paper from the floor and opened it.
Inside, elegant handwriting greeted his eyes.
---
Neo Godson,
You will not recognize my name, and that is expected.
However, this gift is something you must not refuse.
This villa is not merely a luxury, but a necessity.
It will guarantee your family's safety while you are away.
Please accept it without hesitation.
— Julia Alastasia.
"Son, should we take it?" his mother inquired hopefully, running her trembling fingers over the papers.
She might look like a shallow woman, but after years of hardship, she truly wished to see her son free of worry for them.
Nina was already smiling, imagining the luxurious villa they were going to live in from now on.
Neo pondered over the matter seriously. The most logical solution was to say "Yes."
However, deep within his heart, he felt an invisible burden. His debt was already heavy to this person. He didn't want to owe her too much, fearing he would be told to repay it by some unkind means.
He slowly threw the documents onto the table.
"No, Mom! We can't take it," he said firmly at last.
"Ahh, why not, brother? This could change our lives," Nina replied, her expression downcast.
Neo sighed and sat on the bed. "She has done enough for us. We can't take things for free when we absolutely have no idea who she is."
Nina still grumbled under her breath, while Mrs. Godson nodded.
She understood her son's mindset very well. His pride and self-consciousness were always high. He didn't like to be dependent or indebted to others too much, especially recalling the horrifying experiences with loan sharks all these years.
"We fully support you, Son. We have seen worse conditions. Since we can live in an apartment after paying all the debt, there's no need to be greedy."
"But Mommy—" Nina looked disappointed as she glanced at the documents on the table.
But her brother's decision was final. She knew her brother well. There was no going back once he had spoken.