Ashburn sat in his room, the quiet hum of the ceiling fan mixing with the faint aroma of tea from the kitchen. Outside, the late evening sky of Ashrock City glowed amber, casting a warm tint through the window curtains. The month had ended — five long months since his last evaluation began. Five months of struggle, late nights, deliveries, and expansion.
He leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply. The ledger in front of him was filled with numbers — costs, revenues, supplier lists, and handwritten notes of ideas that had worked and those that hadn't. It wasn't just a business record; it was the story of his growth.
"Forty-seven lakh profit," he murmured softly, almost unable to believe it himself. "From just thirty-one lakh… who would've thought?"
His thoughts were interrupted by a faint chime in his mind, one he had grown familiar with over the past year — the voice of his secret companion.
> [System Notification]
Fifth Evaluation Complete.
Duration: 5 Months.
Total Capital: 78 Lakh.
Net Profit: 47 Lakh.
User Profit Share: 18%.
Evaluation Result: Excellent Performance.
Ashburn's lips curved into a small, proud smile. "Excellent, huh? Guess I'm finally getting somewhere."
He turned back to his ledger and began calculating his own share. "Eighteen percent… around eight and a half lakh," he said under his breath. But before the satisfaction could settle in, another notification appeared.
> [System Notification]
Due to exceptional consistency and efficiency, profit share is upgraded from 18% to 20%.
Keep maintaining growth trajectory for the next evaluation.
He chuckled softly. "You really know how to motivate, don't you?"
> [System Notification]
New Feature Unlocked – "Subsidy System."
Description: User can propose and initiate a side business.
System will invest up to 50% of the required capital.
All profits belong to the user.
Conditions:
1. User must present a viable business model.
2. If business fails in two consecutive evaluations, overall profit share may decrease.
Ashburn leaned forward, the seriousness returning to his eyes. "A subsidy system… you're giving me a chance to create something new," he muttered, fingers tapping the desk. "That means… I can diversify. But it's also risky. If I fail, I lose everything I've built."
He took out his small black notebook — the one no one ever touched. Inside, in neat handwriting, were his notes about products, suppliers, customer preferences, and long-term dreams. He flipped to a clean page and wrote the words 'Subsidy Plan Ideas' in bold at the top.
"Something steady," he whispered to himself. "Something that supports the stores… maybe packaging, or a small local production line. If I could make my own goods — like dry snacks or flour — I could supply my shops directly."
He paused, lost in thought. "But that means… managing a third business."
A faint laugh escaped him. "Guess peace isn't my thing anymore."
From outside his door came the voice of his little sister. "Bhai, dinner's ready! Ami said come quick before it gets cold!"
"Coming!" he called back, closing his notebook gently. As he stood, he took one last look at the ledger, the shop records, and the quiet screen of his phone showing pending deliveries for tomorrow.
Life had changed fast. He remembered the first day he started — nervous, inexperienced, unsure whether he could even keep one store running. Now, two fully operating stores, dozens of customers daily, and a growing delivery line under his command.
At dinner, his father sat at the head of the table, talking to his mother about the new truck Ashburn had purchased.
"You're really managing things well, beta," his father said, pride shining in his eyes. "I never thought both shops could grow this quickly. You've made me proud."
Ashburn smiled humbly. "It's not just me, Abba. Aisha and Kainat help a lot too."
His mother chuckled softly. "They're good girls. You're lucky to have such support around you. Allah bless them."
He glanced down, trying not to smile too wide. "Yeah… I'm lucky."
His little sister piped up between bites of roti. "Bhai, when will you take us out again? You're always busy with your boring shops!"
Ashburn laughed. "Soon, Sami and I will plan something, okay?" he said, ruffling her hair.
But deep down, his mind wasn't at the dinner table anymore. It was already running numbers — weighing costs, calculating how much he could save for the new business, and considering which product had the most potential.
After dinner, when everyone was asleep, he stepped outside into the cool night air. The desert winds of Ashrock carried a dry chill that brushed against his skin. He looked at the stars above, countless and cold, just like the silent graphs and calculations running in his head.
"This system…" he whispered, "it gave me a chance to prove myself. And now it's testing how far I can go."
He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the thought settle. "The next step… it's going to be big. I can feel it."
> [System Notification]
Evaluation Summary Saved.
Subsidy System Ready for Activation.
Awaiting user proposal.
Ashburn took a deep breath, then smiled to himself. "Alright then. Let's make something new — something of my own this time."
He turned and walked back toward the dim light of his house, the city quiet around him. The next phase had begun — not just for his business, but for his destiny.
And for the first time, the young man who once feared failure now faced the unknown with excitement instead of hesitation.