A transfer check was placed on the table, with so many zeroes written in a flowing hand that everyone in the room gasped.

Sometimes, it’s not just cash that shocks people—numbers can, especially when they’re printed on a check.

One million.

The professor’s hand trembled as he picked up the check. He was used to handling large project funds, but even so, his mind was swirling.

Most people can’t earn that much in a lifetime—not even if you removed a zero.

At Eminence’s minimum wage of 241 a month, a person would have to go without food, drink, or any spending for an entire year just to save 2,892. It would take a hundred years to reach 289,200.

And that’s under ideal conditions.

Sure, some might say wages will grow with time. But even with increases, one person can’t earn a million in a lifetime without spending a cent.

For 95% of the Federation’s population, that number is something they can only admire from afar. That’s why people became visibly excited when Lynch started writing all those zeroes on the check.

But to capitalists, that kind of money might just be a day’s, a week’s, or a short period’s earnings.

The richer someone is, the faster they make money.

Those people Lynch had sent to Amellia were now bringing in 60,000 to 70,000 in pure profit every day. In just half a month, he could earn what most people couldn’t in their entire lives.

Is the world fair?

No. It has nothing to do with hard work or effort. The world has never been fair.

“I hope we can move into the third phase of the research soon, Professor,” Lynch said as he put away his six-figure pen—a gift from Mr. Herbes, who had chosen to end his life by jumping from a building.

Still, it was a gift that suited Lynch’s taste.

Lynch once had a friend who liked to show off—but in a high-class way. He didn’t wear million-Sol watches or run his fingers through his hair just to flash them, nor did he lift his wrist to block the sun.

His way of showing off was in the small details: a pen, a tie clip, a keychain.

Any one of these ordinary-looking items might cost tens or hundreds of thousands. Everyone could see them, but few knew their value.

That kind of flex wasn’t for people who didn’t get it. That’s why Lynch said the man had taste—and why he liked that approach.

Pulling out a pen worth a laborer’s lifetime of savings—is there anything that could feed someone’s vanity more than that?

No, there isn’t.

“Any other questions?” Lynch adjusted his posture.

The professor had been staring at the check, as if it had some kind of magical pull. Lynch’s voice snapped him out of it. He tucked the check into his breast pocket and shook his head. “No, Mr. Lynch.”

“We’ll finish the second phase of the research as soon as possible. Also…” He reached out with a humble gesture, “Pleasure working with you.”

There was about 100,000 left from the first phase of funding. Part of that would go to the university president.

After all, the project used university students and equipment. Despite the formal contract listing expenses for space, instruments, and personnel—that went to the school. This money, however, was for the president personally.

Once the president got his share, others involved would take theirs—anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand. The professor would be left with thirty to forty thousand.

The first phase didn’t involve any high-end tech. Most of the budget had already been used, especially with all the expensive metals consumed.

As for the experimental waste?

Those had already been quietly divided up and wouldn’t be left lying around.

If the second phase could be completed quickly and cheaply, the professor stood to make 100,000 to 200,000. That was serious income. He was already planning to bring more students into the project to help Lynch realize his vision faster.

After watching Lynch leave, the professor was noticeably more cheerful than usual—especially after returning from the bank.

According to protocol, Lynch should have assigned an accountant to monitor the fund usage, but for some reason, he didn’t bring it up. The professor wasn’t going to remind him either. The thought of having no financial oversight was a pleasant surprise.

But Lynch wasn’t unaware—he knew everything. And he also knew: if you want the horse to run fast, you have to feed it well.

After leaving the university, Lynch didn’t take a car. He walked for a few minutes and arrived at a luxury apartment complex.

The front desk guard looked at him warily at first, but after a few glances, that wariness turned into excitement and respect.

He remembered what the real estate company told him on his first day: one of the units belonged to Lynch, and it was currently occupied by a girl. He was to pay extra attention to her.

At first, he thought it was just another cliché—Lynch abandoning the girl and never coming back. But now, he wasn’t so sure.

“You recognize me?” Lynch asked casually as they waited for the elevator.

“Yes… yes! I recognize you, Mr. Lynch!”

The guard, a man in his twenties, was a little nervous. There was a strange kind of quiet gloom about him, but it felt natural. He asked hesitantly, “Sorry to be forward, but… may I shake your hand?”

“I’ve never met someone like you before. I don’t even know why, but I just really want to.”

Lynch smiled and extended his hand. The guard quickly took it with both of his, shaking it gently. “My God, we shook hands!”

The young man lit up—for the first time, he looked like someone his age.

Lynch withdrew his hand and smiled. “You think this is a miracle?”

“A miracle?”

“Yes,” the guard said honestly. “It is a miracle, Mr. Lynch. I never thought I’d see you here, much less shake your hand.”

Lynch shook his head. “No. This is the miracle.”

Seeing the confused look on the young man’s face, Lynch spoke softly, “This isn’t a miracle. You expressed your desire. You told me you wanted to shake my hand. You made an effort, Mr. Administrator.”

“Your effort was acknowledged—that’s why we shook hands. It’s not a miracle. It’s the result of your effort.”

“Not every effort leads to a good outcome, but isn’t that exactly what drives us? The hope that our efforts will lead to a better future?”

“We don’t know if we’ll succeed. We try, and we might feel regret if we fall short—but we may also find joy in embracing the future.”

“This was your success, so you’re happy. Life is made up of many such efforts and outcomes.”

“I see something in you that people our age shouldn’t have—staleness, lifelessness. I don’t think this job suits you. You should go out and explore. While you’re still young, do something you truly want. Strive for your future, for your dreams.”

“Even if we fail, at least we won’t live with regret. Don’t you think?”

As Lynch spoke, he pulled out his pen, grabbed a note from the front desk, and wrote:

To Mr. Administrator:

Youth should be without regret—work hard to change your future!

With a ding, the elevator doors opened. Lynch tapped his temple with a playful gesture common among the younger crowd. “Have a good day,” he said with a smile, then turned and stepped into the elevator.

The administrator stood frozen for a long time. His eyes finally settled on the note. He suddenly clutched it tightly.

His face flushed with emotion, he paced back and forth, then grabbed the phone. “I quit… What? I said I’m going to embrace the damn future!”

Lynch didn’t know whether those few words would truly change the man’s life. He had already arranged for someone to protect Katherine.

As his only ex-girlfriend so far, Katherine still had value. If someone ever tried to use her against him, he’d be ready. So, she was under watch.

The elevator soon reached the correct floor. Lynch walked to the apartment door and knocked.

“Who’s there?”

Katherine’s vibrant voice came from inside. Lynch’s lips curled slightly without conscious control. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Emotions can be strange—people can feel sudden joy or sorrow for no clear reason.

But right now, Lynch felt great. At the very least, he’d just had fun chatting with the doorman.

“The Big Bad Wolf!”

Something clattered to the floor inside, followed by a gasp, and then the door swung open.

Katherine stood there in red shorts with white trim and a white T-shirt, staring blankly at Lynch. She reached out and pinched his cheek, then let out a scream and jumped into his arms.

Lynch laughed as he took a few steps back, holding her.

“You didn’t tell me you were coming!” she said, slightly accusing. “Were you trying to surprise me?”

“Well, you did!”