Raising Orphans, Not Assassins

Vol. 1 - Ch. 4 - Daily Settlement! A Natural-born Powerhouse?

"The Tenth Chapter: Yang Zhi Escorts the Gold and Silver Cargo, Wu Yong Cunningly Seizes the Birthday Gifts."

Chen Ye, spitting with enthusiasm, finished reading the chapter title. He glanced at the Rolex he had just exchanged from the system mall—it was already ten o'clock at night. {ED: Damn, man has his priorities straight.}

Closing the book, he said, "That's enough for today. Let's wash up and go to bed."

The past couple of days traveling to Yuhang County, Chen Ye had mostly slept on the roadside, barely getting a good rest. Now that he had his own small house and had set up some bedding, he planned to get a good night's sleep.

"Dad! Dad!" Da Ming called out twice, his tone naive and earnest.

Chen Ye pushed Da Ming's head away, yawning, "Alright, alright. Let's go to bed."

"We need to wake up early to fetch water tomorrow."

Da Ming gave the "Water Margin" book one last longing look before obediently following Chen Ye inside.

The small room had several beds arranged side by side, enough for the children to sleep comfortably.

After exchanging some toothpaste and toothbrushes from the system mall for 5 points, Chen Ye took Da Ming to wash up and then assigned him a bed.

As soon as Chen Ye lay down, the system's cold, mechanical voice echoed in his ears.

【Ding!】

【Daily Settlement activated for having a properly career-planned orphan.】

【Today, you arrived in Yuhang County, took over the Yuhang Orphanage, and became the orphanage director. Reward: 10 points.】

【You kindly took in a little beggar, named him Chen Da Ming. Reward: 200 points.】

【You took Chen Da Ming shopping. Reward: 5 points.】

【You helped Chen Da Ming bathe and dressed him in new clothes. Reward: 10 points.】

【Chen Da Ming showed remarkable strength by lifting a sack of rice, exercising his physique. Reward: 5 points.】

【You and Chen Da Ming had dinner together, making him feel the warmth of family. Reward: 30 points.】

【In the evening, you exchanged a "Water Margin" comic book and taught Chen Da Ming to read while accompanying him. Reward: 50 points.】

【Before bed, you helped Chen Da Ming wash up and let him sleep in a warm bed. Reward: 20 points.】

【Total: 330 points】

【Ding!】

【Chen Da Ming’s gratitude towards you has increased!】

Chen Ye, looking at the system prompts, felt a wave of joy.

‘The system has such a function?’

Earlier, Chen Ye spent 50 points to exchange for the "Water Margin" comic book, 5 points for toothpaste and toothbrush, and another 20 points for a Rolex watch, leaving him with 25 points.

After the daily settlement, Chen Ye's points increased to 355.

As the system displayed the settlement information, it brought up Chen Da Ming's data panel.

【Name: Chen Da Ming】

【ID: 0001】

【Gender: Male】

【Age: 10】

【Current Skills: Strong Physique】

【Current Gratitude: 60%】

【Note: Reaching 80% and 100% gratitude will grant an Orphan Skill draw opportunity.】

"80%, 100% chance to draw a Director skill?"

"Great!"

Chen Ye's eyes lit up. The effect of the "Indestructible Body" trait was still fresh in his memory.

【Ding!】

【New mission refreshed!】

【Current Mission: Adopt another orphan】

【Mission Description: Adopt a second orphan (1/2)】

【Mission Rewards: 200 points, 20 taels of silver, one Orphan Skill draw, and unlock building: Study Room】

"Hmm?"Alll latest novels on

‘A new mission already? Not bad.’

Chen Ye was surprised.

...

In the pitch-black night sky, the bright moon hung high, casting its clear glow.

Yuhang County, Juke Tavern.

The waiter leaned against the counter, nodding off.

In the main hall, only one table of guests remained.

An oil lamp stood on the wooden table, its flame flickering.

Several officers sat around the table.

"Brother Song, the brothers have been running around for two days, but we still haven't found a single clue," a tall, skinny constable said with a sigh, holding his wine cup and downing its contents in one gulp.

Over at a wonton stall, Chen Ye was eating his wontons, watching the scene unfold. That was Song the officer.

Is he using his son as bait?

Chen Ye easily pieced together what was happening. But it had nothing to do with him. He continued eating his wontons.

"Dad, I'm hungry."

Chen Da Ming said, setting down his fifth bowl of wontons, his mouth greasy.

Chen Ye’s face darkened, "Five bowls, Da Ming? Can your stomach handle that?"

After three bowls, Chen Ye was almost full. Da Ming had eaten five and was still not satisfied.

Da Ming scratched his head, a puzzled look in his simple eyes.

"Boss, two more bowls of wontons," Chen Ye called out.

"Alright, please wait a moment!"

The boss, holding a large ladle, quickly added more wontons to the pot.

Chen Ye snapped back to reality, suddenly startled, "Is the fish biting the hook?"

The little boy who had been standing nearby was gone.

"Fish?"

Da Ming muttered.

Chen Ye retorted, "All you know is to eat..."

Da Ming blinked and lowered his head, playing with a porcelain bowl while waiting for the wontons.

A sudden "crack" echoed, and the bowl in Da Ming's hands split in two. Chen Ye and Da Ming both froze.

The boss, who was carrying the wontons over, also paused for a moment. After setting down the wontons, he hurriedly asked, "Sorry, sir, is the young master alright?"

The boss looked nervous, fearing Chen Ye would get angry.

Chen Ye glanced at Da Ming with a peculiar expression, shaking his head, "It's fine."

The boss picked up the broken bowl, bowing and apologizing, "Sir, I'll give you a free bowl of wontons."

Chen Ye nodded without saying much.

Da Ming looked at Chen Ye with a mix of fear and confusion, as if he thought he had done something wrong. Chen Ye stroked his chin, picked up another wonton bowl, and tried to break it. It didn't break.

He handed it to Da Ming, "Da Ming, try it."

Da Ming took the porcelain bowl.

"Crack," the bowl broke into two halves.

“Ss...”

Chen Ye sucked in a breath.

"Is this the effect of the scroll, or is Big Ming naturally gifted with powers?"

Chen Ye was shocked, unable to make sense of it. He thought back to Da Ming lifting the sack of rice yesterday.

“Can't believe I just stumbled upon a little genius?" Chen Ye muttered to himself.

The trait 【Strong Physique】 suggested rapid strength growth over time. Since he had given the trait to Da Ming only a day ago, it couldn't be the trait's effect.

"Heh, interesting," Chen Ye chuckled.

The little beggar he picked up had a natural gift for strength!

Da Ming quietly put the broken bowl back on the table, avoiding Chen Ye's gaze.

The boss, hearing the bowl crack again, turned around, surprised.

"Boss, we don't need the free wontons. Just charge for the bowl," Chen Ye called out.

He kept his eyes on Da Ming, marveling at the discovery.

Da Ming stared at the wontons, swallowing hard.

"Go ahead and eat," Chen Ye said.

Da Ming began to wolf down the food. Chen Ye watched his gluttonous son, his eyes gleaming with interest.

Natural strength, combined with the 【Strong Physique】 skill, meant that over time, as Da Ming grew, his strength would become immense.

Chen Ye was amazed. If there were truly martial sects in this world, things could get interesting. After finishing their wontons, they left the stall.

Da Ming burped loudly, looking content and dazed.

Chen Ye rubbed Big Ming's head, feeling a bit exasperated. "It's not like it's the only meal you'll ever have, is it?"

Da Ming looking foolish, followed beside Chen Ye.

"Next, let's buy two old hens. Eggs were quite valuable in ancient times."

Chen Ye was making plans as he walked along. Da Ming trailed behind Chen Ye, suddenly stopping and staring at something.

A young man, reeking of perfume and with dark circles under his eyes, walked unsteadily, holding a folding fan.

Da Ming's simple mind recalled the conversation between Chen Ye and the boss yesterday. With a vague sense of purpose, Da Ming approached the young man. Just as Da Ming grabbed the fan, he felt a shock and couldn’t move.

A black cloth covered his face, and he lost consciousness.

Chen Ye, walking along the street, suddenly felt something was amiss. Turning around, his face changed dramatically.

"Da Ming?"

The bustling crowd showed no sign of Chen Da Ming.