Infinite Cashback System

Chapter 179: 179 | My Business Partner Can’t Be This Cute?

"It is not annoying." Brooke picked up her fallen pen and aligned it precisely with the edge of her legal pad. "It is. Disorienting. I am not accustomed to being valued in financial terms. Academic praise is common. Monetary compensation for services rendered is not."

"Well, get used to it." Jordan leaned back in his chair and grinned. "You’re my secret weapon now. Weapons get maintenance budgets."

Brooke made a sound that might have been a laugh if it had been slightly louder. Her cheeks were pink again, but this time she did not look away.

"Your metaphor comparing me to a weapon is technically dehumanizing." A tiny smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "However, I find I do not object to the characterization."

Jordan’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and checked the notification.

KYLE: leaving in 30. you still coming to iron coast or did you find something better to do?

Jordan glanced at the time. Already twelve forty-five. They had been talking for over an hour.

"I need to wrap up soon," he said. "Boxing gym at four-thirty. Kyle and Leo are counting on me."

Brooke nodded and began gathering her materials with quick, efficient movements. "I will have the LLC paperwork prepared by tomorrow morning. The operating agreement draft will follow within forty-eight hours. Do you have a preference for communication method regarding updates?"

"Text is fine."

"Noted." Brooke tucked her folders into her bag, a sensible leather messenger that looked significantly more professional than the backpack she usually carried. "I will also begin preliminary negotiations with web design contractors for the Nova Network website. Several credible options exist within a two thousand dollar budget. Higher investment would yield superior results but is not essential for initial launch."

Jordan stood and stretched, his back popping in a way that felt satisfying after sitting hunched over the table. Brooke rose as well, her height putting her eye level with his chin.

"Thank you for today," Jordan said. "Seriously. I couldn’t do this without you."

Brooke’s throat worked as she swallowed. Her crimson eyes flickered to his face and then away.

"You are welcome." She clutched her bag strap with both hands. "I. Enjoyed this interaction. More than most of my social encounters. You are easy to. To be around."

Coming from Brooke, that was practically a declaration of eternal friendship.

"Same here." Jordan grabbed his empty Starbucks cup and the documents Brooke had printed for him to review. "We should do this again. Regular meetings. Keep the project on track."

"I would find that agreeable." Brooke’s smile was small but genuine. "Perhaps. Next time. I could acquire pastries in addition to caffeinated beverages. The bakery on South Hall has croissants that I have been told are exceptional, though I have not personally verified this claim due to social anxiety regarding ordering procedures."

"Tell you what." Jordan tucked the documents under his arm. "Next time, I’ll buy. You’ve earned it."

Brooke’s face did something complicated. Joy and discomfort and something else flickered across her features in rapid succession.

"That would be. Acceptable." She ducked her head, her ponytail swinging forward to partially hide her flushed cheeks. "I should. I have another commitment. Class preparation. I will contact you regarding the paperwork."

She fled the study room before Jordan could respond, her long legs carrying her toward the elevator with impressive speed.

Jordan watched her go with a mixture of fondness and exasperation.

Brooke Hastings was a lot. The girl could not maintain eye contact during casual conversation but she had taught herself California business law overnight to help him build a streaming empire. She flinched at unexpected touch but she had voluntarily memorized his coffee order across fourteen separate observations.

She was brilliant and broken and completely incapable of hiding either quality.

Jordan liked her. Not romantically, at least not in any way he had processed yet. But he genuinely enjoyed her company in a way that surprised him. Brooke’s analytical approach to everything felt refreshing after weeks of navigating emotional landmines with Chloe and Kumiko.

His phone buzzed again.

KUMIKO: Jordan-kun!! did you know Brooke-san is helping you with business stuff? Chloe told me!! thats so cool!! shes super smart right?? I saw her in the quad once and she was reading a textbook while walking and didnt trip even once!! talented!!

Jordan laughed out loud, earning a glare from a student studying at a nearby table.

JORDAN: She’s helping with the Nova Network paperwork. LLC formation stuff.

KUMIKO: NOVA NETWORK?? IS THAT THE NAME?? THATS SO PRETTY!! like a constellation!! or like. shooting stars but make it wifi!!

JORDAN: You’re adorable.

KUMIKO: aaaaahhhhh screamingdyingascending to heavencoming back to earth because i want to see you again

Jordan pocketed his phone before Kumiko could send another twelve messages in rapid succession. The girl’s texting style existed somewhere between enthusiastic puppy and caffeinated hummingbird.

He gathered his things and headed for the elevator. The library’s fourth floor was quiet, most students either in class or suffering through the last dregs of their morning coffee crashes. Jordan passed study carrels occupied by people who looked varying degrees of alive.

His mind wandered to the afternoon ahead. Boxing gym with Kyle and Leo. Two hours of getting his ass kicked by professionals while his friends watched. Then probably dinner somewhere cheap. Then home to collapse into Chloe’s bed and process everything that had happened today.

He had a business partner now. An actual business with paperwork and tax implications and everything. Nova Network was becoming real, which meant his streaming empire quest was actually progressing, which meant the System would eventually pay out those two hundred fifty tickets and twenty-five thousand dollars.

The money did not matter as much as it would have three weeks ago. Jordan had already figured out how to game the cashback mechanics well enough to stay financially comfortable. What mattered was the validation.

The proof that he could build something instead of just consuming.