Chapter 52: The Gift That Changed Everything and Xio Wens Unexpected Promotion

The day’s work left Yu Liang satisfied but also tired. After finalizing contracts with the last supplier, he parted ways with Lin Meihua and made his way back through the evening streets toward the Moonlight Inn.

The familiar three story building came into view as twilight settled over Jade City. Lanterns had been lit along the entrance, their warm glow spilling onto the stone pathway. Yu Liang pushed through the door and stepped into the main hall.

Xiao Wen was behind the counter, same as usual, organizing scrolls with careful attention. When he looked up and saw Yu Liang, his face brightened immediately.

"Young master! Welcome back. Should I have dinner sent to your room?"

"Not yet." Yu Liang approached the counter. "How have you been, Xiao Wen?"

The question seemed to catch the boy off guard. "I’ve been well, young master. Very well, actually."

Something in his tone made Yu Liang pause. "You sound like something good happened."

Xiao Wen’s smile widened, becoming more genuine.

"Yes, young master. Because of... because of your generosity when you first stayed here, my family’s situation has improved significantly."

He set down the scroll he had been holding, his expression brightening as he continued.

"My father was injured in an accident years ago. He couldn’t work, and my mother was taking odd jobs just to keep food on the table. I came here to help, but my wages were barely enough."

Yu Liang remembered the thousand low-grade spiritual stones he had given the boy months ago, a trivial amount to him, but clearly life changing for Xiao Wen’s family.

"We could afford medicine because of what you provided us," Xiao Wen said. "A genuine medicine rather than some cheap herbs found at the marketplace. The wounds my father had received have healed up well enough for him to go back to work again."

His eyes were shining with excitement, "And my younger sister, she’s eight years old, Young Master. She’s never been able to attend academy because we couldn’t afford it. But now... now she can study and she started two months ago."

Xiao Wen’s voice broke slightly.

"She comes home every day so excited, telling us everything she learned. She’s learning to read, to write and other basic things. Things I never had the chance to learn properly."

Since they did not have any members within their family with good cultivation talent, they ended up working in mortal zones despite living in a very big cultivation city.

He bowed deeply. When he straightened, tears were streaming down his face.

"Young master, I don’t have the words to thank you properly. What you gave me, it wasn’t just money. It was a future for my family. My father can work with dignity again. My sister has a chance at a better life. My mother doesn’t cry herself to sleep anymore."

Yu Liang felt something tighten in his chest. He had given the tip on impulse, barely thinking about it. A thousand stones meant nothing to him after getting the system.

But seeing the genuine impact, hearing the raw gratitude in Xiao Wen’s voice, it felt good in a way he hadn’t expected.

"I’m glad your family is doing better," Yu Liang said quietly.

"It’s all because of you." Xiao Wen wiped his eyes quickly, trying to compose himself. "I’ll never forget what you did for us, young master. Never. And I was going to tell you about it sooner but you were busy with work."

Yu Liang looked at the boy for a moment; his honest face, his loyalty, how he carried himself with newfound confidence. An idea quickly formed in his head.

"Xiao Wen, how old are you now?"

"Sixteen, Young Master."

"And you’ve been working here for how long?"

"Almost four years."

Yu Liang nodded slowly. "Tell me, do you enjoy this work?"

Xiao Wen hesitated. "It’s stable, young master. The inn treats me fairly, like I told you before. I’m grateful for the position."

"That’s not what I asked."

The boy’s shoulders sagged slightly. "It’s... repetitive. The same tasks every day. I’m thankful to have it, but I don’t know if I’ll ever advance beyond this. The senior positions are all filled by people who’ve been here for decades and most of them are cultivators."

"I have a proposition for you," Yu Liang said. "I’m opening a restaurant. A high end establishment specializing in spiritual cuisine. I need someone to help me manage the front of house like greeting customers, managing reservations, coordinating with the kitchen and service staff."

Xiao Wen’s eyes widened.

"It’s a junior management position," Yu Liang continued. "You would d be learning as you go, but I’ve seen how you work here. You’re diligent, attentive, and you understand how to treat people with respect regardless of their status. Those qualities matter more than experience."

"Young master, I... I don’t know if I’m qualified—"

"The salary would be twenty thousand mid grade spiritual stones monthly."

Xiao Wen’s mouth fell open.

For several seconds, no words came out. His fingers tightened around the edge of the counter until his knuckles turned pale, his eyes widening as he stared at Yu Liang.

"Tw—twen... Tw—twenty thousand???!!!!"

His voice cracked on the last word.

"Plus meals and the opportunity to learn a business from the scrap. If you prove yourself, the position and salary will grow with the restaurant."

The number was staggering. Twenty thousand mid grade stones monthly was more than many disciples earned in a year. For someone like Xiao Wen, who had been surviving on a fraction, of fraction of that, it represented wealth beyond imagination.

His future generations could live like pampered nobles for centuries, never lifting a finger, and they still wouldn’t manage to burn through that kind of wealth in a mortal city.

"Young master, that’s..." Xiao Wen’s voice trembled. "That’s too generous. I haven’t done anything to deserve—"

"You’ve been loyal, hardworking, and honest," Yu Liang interrupted. "I’ve seen that for myself. That’s why I’m willing to pay you this much."

Xiao Wen’s tears returned like a tsunami, flowing freely now. He bowed again, deeper this time, his voice breaking.

"I accept, young master. I accept with my whole heart. I’ll will try harder than anyone. I will make you proud. I promise."

"I believe you will." Yu Liang patted his shoulders.

Xiao Wen straightened, wiping his face with his sleeve. "When do I start?"

"Two months from now, the restaurant will be open. Please give your notice here, one month should do. And then come see me. We will start training you."

"Yes, young master. Absolutely." Xiao Wen’s expression now carried fierce determination mixed with overwhelming gratitude. "I won’t let you down. I promise."

Yu Liang nodded and turned towards the stairs. On his way upstairs to his room, he could hear Xiao Wen talking to himself behind the counter while crying in a voice full of shock and joy.

Inside his room, Yu Liang sat by the window and looked out over the city. The lights of Jade City stretched in every direction, thousands of lives moving through their own struggles and triumphs.

His mind traveled to Xiao Wen’s family, the father who could work again, the mother who no longer wept in her sleep, and the eight year old girl who had just learned how to read.

All from a thousand spiritual stones he had given without thinking.

The System offered him wealth beyond imagination, which was more than sufficient to completely redefine his life path. However, it reminded him that wealth was not only an instrument of securing power or resources; it could change people’s lives, give them hope.

He wasn’t sentimental enough to believe money solved everything. The cultivation world was still brutal, still unforgiving to the weak. But within his sphere of influence, he could at least ensure that those who served him loyally were treated with dignity.

That seemed like a reasonable use of resources.

Yu Liang pulled out a jade slip and began reviewing formation diagrams for the restaurant’s kitchen.

There was still much work to be done. However, at this time, he took some satisfaction in his success.

The ripples were spreading, touching lives in ways he hadn’t anticipated.

And for some reason, that meant more to him than any breakthrough or treasure.