Transmigrated With A Thrifty System

8 – Do I get a reward?

Dressed casually yet elegantly, Aiden walks toward Ace restaurant located right next to Sanders park overlooking a lake.

He looks above, marveling at the creeping vines that wrap around trees like long tendrils reaching across branches—a beautiful sight against blue skies dotted with white clouds drifting lazily overhead.

The air smells fresh despite being mid-morning; birds chirping happily among tall grasses swaying gently under gentle breezes blowing through open windows along both sides of the street.

He adjusts and opens a button, then takes another step forward towards the building made entirely out of brick red stone walls surrounding its large front porch complete with columns holding up arched entryways leading inside. The sign hanging over one doorway reads "Ace Restaurant."

It has two floors: ground level consisting mostly of tables lining either side facing outside seating areas near the sidewalk, plus some booths lined down the middle between rows upon rows of wine bottles displayed behind glass cases filled neatly within wooden racks.

Above sits a balcony extending halfway off the second floor looking straight ahead onto the lake beyond several sets of doors opening outward to balconies wrapping around three corners offering views stretching far away past other buildings standing taller than most others scattered throughout the town.

A lady waves at him from atop the stairs outside the building. Her red hair was tied loosely down below shoulder length, wearing simple black dress pants tucked into high heels paired perfectly with her fitted blouse showing plenty of cleavage beneath thin straps crossing diagonally upward from shoulders to chest stopping short about midway back.

Aiden could only recall her as the assistant whom he is meeting today. She smiles brightly, greeting him warmly enough.

She gestures behind her, saying enthusiastically, "Welcome Mr. Lancaster, please come with me."

As she leads him towards the reserved table set aside for his business meeting.

Steadily walking side by side, he sees rows of tables lined across both sides of the dining area separated by low partitions between them. Each has its unique design ranging from wood grain patterns painted directly onto the surface, etched metal designs cut into the tabletop itself, or simply plain old polished marble slabs set flush beneath elegant chandeliers hanging overhead.

'Would my spending in this restaurant be considered lavish?' Aiden asks his system silently.

[Unnecessary spending is considered wasteful expenditure according to the thriftiness rating. You have not spent extravagant amounts since you arrived here, therefore nothing should happen, if anything does occur, do remember you cannot exceed the limits imposed during the first few months.]

With a nod, he follows closely beside the assistant until she abruptly makes a stop at a table situated close enough to see the water lapping gently against the shoreline beyond the windows lining either wall.

Pulling back the chair, she motions for him to sit first. Asking politely, "would you care to order anything while waiting for Miss Zin?"

"I would just wait for her here, eating can wait." He answers with a smile.

But deep down, he was seething with frustration that came along with hurrying to meet up with his appointment, yet Zin was the one delaying him.

'Women!' He sneers in his thoughts.

His mind reels trying desperately not to let anyone know about his frustration. But even though he tries hard to keep calm, his eyes betray him showing signs of irritation whenever he glances away.

'What is my current status, so I can know how much cash I can or might spend.' Aiden inquires and waits for a response.

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[Name: Aiden Lancaster]

[Gender: Male]

[Age: 22]

[Level: 1]

[Height: 180cm]

[Inventory: 1]

[Spending Quota: $130000]

[Merit points: 500]

[Ability: ??]

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'I still need to spend $300 for some stuff that the random task somehow considers resourceful.' Aiden points out.

[The moment you see the benefits of these tasks you consider as random, the easier it will be to achieve them.]

'Do I get a reward?' He asks.

[Of course, host]

Letting out a sigh of satisfaction, he picks up the menu card and takes a long look through its content.

For the first time in his life, he finds himself staring at the price list instead of ordering something right off the bat as usual. The prices were far too expensive compared to what his limited funds within a month allowed.

'I'm doomed,' he thinks sadly, looking over the items available and their pricing. 'How am I supposed to afford those? It looks delicious! And look at the size…' His mouth waters imagining biting into its succulent flesh.

He sighs deeply, shaking his head, knowing full well he won't eat another bite unless Zin could assist him financially once again.

She always seems able to help him pay whatever outrageous bill pops up unexpectedly after he gets into a drunken mess. Or maybe because she knows exactly how badly he wants to indulge now and then and the fact he would always return the favor. Either way, she never fails to come around when times call upon her assistance.

The assistant stands awkwardly beside the empty chair waiting patiently for her boss' arrival. When finally arriving, she smiles brightly at the sight of the lady.

Zin steps inside carrying two little bags over her shoulders. Wearing black leggings underneath a short white flowing skirt, a matching crop top layered above bare skin, and wrapped tight around her neck sits comfortably with a diamond necklace dangling delicately off her collarbone.

The outfit compliments her tan complexion perfectly; making every inch of exposed flesh glisten as fine gold dust sprinkled throughout the night sky.

Her raven locks flow freely behind her body cascading past her waistline. Eyes sparkling bright hazel, lips pouty red, cheeks rosy pink—she radiates beauty wherever she goes.

And now sitting opposite him, dressed impeccably well despite being half asleep due to lack of sleep during the previous evening, leaves nothing else to say except: 'Damn.'

Aiden stares, intently watching Zin hand over the bags to her assistant standing nearby. Then turns to face forward once again looking straight ahead ignoring everyone present. Her attention focused entirely on Aiden seated across from her.

He doesn't bother asking questions regarding why she wasn't able to make it earlier since he has the opportunity to witness such a beauty firsthand.

Her poised composure shows how much effort went into preparing herself for today's meeting. It also reveals what kind of woman she truly is under those layers of makeup and clothing. One thing remains certain, however…he wants to learn everything possible about this enchantress.

"Mr. Lancaster, it would be nice if you could stop staring at my cleavage!" She laughs lightly.

Shaking himself free from his trance, Aiden replies sarcastically, "Sorry ma'am…" then he continues, "…but I've never seen breasts quite like yours before! They're stunningly beautiful."

Closing the menu card, she leans forward and slaps his arm playfully with it, causing both parties to let out a hearty laughter.

"Who is ma'am? You don't look younger than me, Aiden." She teases.

Leaning on his steepled fingers, he responds, "finally, you call me by name instead of Mr. Lancaster. It's a good thing I got to see this side of you."

She grins mischievously, knowing full well exactly whom he means. His words were meant to get her to loosen up some reluctance toward their relationship beyond business partners.

It works too. The tension between them dissipated quickly enough that even though neither one speaks openly yet, Aiden could tell something new blossomed within her heart. Something different perhaps. And not necessarily better either. But worth exploring further down the road.

Zin snaps her fingers loudly drawing the attention of a waiter passing through the restaurant entranceway. Pointing towards the table across, she orders a few dishes for three individuals who had been sitting idle, staring at them with hungry eyes ever since entering the establishment.

After placing the order, she faces Aiden with a smile saying, "what's with that face?"

Aiden simply stares, his mouth opened wide trying desperately hard to find the right answer. "It's. . ."