Chapter 206: Just a Sip

Words : 1224 Updated : Sep 23rd, 2025

Chapter 206: Just a Sip Star Net was busy the entire time. Not only was it packed before the shop update, but especially after the purchasing period. Before the shop was updated, most comments were related to people’s optimism about getting a bottle. [Oh my God! 25,000 Bottles?! That’s way more than what has ever been sold!] [+1 Upstairs commenter! I’ve long lost hope, but to think there was actually another chance?! I’m just so happy!] [And do you remember just how much was left after Streamer Dylan made one drink?! If it was me, I’d even use half just to prolong it!] [This would be perfect! My blender just arrived and will be ready by the time I get my bottle!] [Ah—ah! The brother in front, Don’t you know that saying that sets up a flag for you?!] [But more than that, why are people chatting here so much? Aren’t you worried you will miss the restock time?] [Hahahaha! I am not worried. These days, I have not been idle, and I definitely practice my hand speed! If my cat had not blocked my path to success last time, I would not have missed it!] "..." But by this time, it could not be said to be the fault of cats or a laggy Star Mall. For when 07:00 finally arrived, it took not but a moment to change the 5,000 to 0. And when Luca woke up after a very refreshing sleep, he was surprised to hear a shocking number. 17 seconds. Not even half a minute. "..." It was as if the shop had never been updated. Obviously, this was the hottest topic on the forums. [RIP to everyone who had to experience that.] [Has the shop really been updated? I didn’t even get to see the number rise! QAQ] [What the hell! A few minutes ago, I left a message saying that I was definitely going to grab one, but this time, I didn’t even see the change!] [Ohohohoho! Please allow me to rejoice for a moment! I grabbed one! And it seems like taking a bath twice has helped purge all the bad luck!] [I—I was not able to grab one, and now I have to sit and explain to my mother how I was incapable of getting one after being addicted to video games for so long! Huhuhuhu!] That morning, the forum was full of disappointed crying and how some wanted to exchange their limbs for better ones. However, that day was destined to be a historical moment for the 25,000 people and their families who got the chance to purchase a bottle. A few hours after the insanely heated Star Mall buying frenzy, some had already received their purchases. One such person was Ines, who managed to order a Lemon Pulp jar. Ines had been desperate and used all the money she had saved from a part-time job just to be able to buy one for her ailing father. In her mind, this was their last chance, and so when the restocks went online, the teenager felt like she had risked her life to get one. Only to end up in an argument over just selling the bottle she successfully got. It was because her old man couldn’t believe that just one bottle was enough to make a difference. And sure, everyone else said it was really miraculous, but wasn’t that after needing to continually ingest it? But Ines couldn’t care less. She needed her father alive and was willing to go through all the lengths to keep him like that. However, the father was of a different mind. He was more focused on thinking about his daughter’s future, asking to just sell it for millions when it came to light that people were willing to buy it at prices that would surely set his daughter up for life. It was a battle of two people who cared about each other, but it was a cold war nonetheless. Only, the teenager didn’t expect to fix it just by opening a mere bottle. Their house was tiny, and their cold war barely meant anything when their home was barely divided into such small rooms. But even then, no one expected the bottle to emit such a smell that even the father couldn’t help but come closer! Especially when the young girl decided to replicate part of that live streamer’s instructions. While they didn’t have that blender to make the blended version, Streamer Dylan said that it was perfectly okay to use just ice and water. In fact, he also mentioned that according to the instruction manual he got, those who bought the lemon can even enjoy it with hot water. And so she did just that. The hopeful young lady took the ice she had dutifully frozen earlier and broke it down into pieces similar to those used by the streamer. Now, what she didn’t expect was what it was like in reality. The moment Ines poured water over the bright yellow lemon pulp and let the ice clink against the glass, a scent burst forth that made the tiny room feel like a garden bathed in morning sunlight. It was fresh. Or definitely something opposite to what she was used to. And it was something that was so unusual to someone who had been stuck in a mining planet that was just largely filled with debris. Her father, who had stubbornly refused to acknowledge the purchase, suddenly stopped in his tracks. The old man had been determined not to be swayed. He loved his daughter, and all he wanted was for her to have a stable future. If selling that bottle could ensure that, then why not? What was one small indulgence compared to financial security, especially once he was gone? But now, standing in their cramped home, breathing in the air that had inexplicably transformed into something light, fragrant, comforting —he hesitated. And his body, which reacted before his mind could reason why, inexplicably moved towards his concentrated daughter. "Is—is that the lemon drink?" he asked hoarsely and tentatively. The young girl noticed her father’s sudden interest and vowed to capitalize on it, and so without word, she handed the glass over to him. The hesitation in her father’s expression was evident, but it only lasted a moment. He wanted to resist, to continue his firm stance, but... His fingers twitched. His throat felt dry. And so when she handed the drink out to him with such unshakable determination, he took it. The first sip was slow. Hesitant. And even then, a little bit guilty. But then, his eyes widened. For the first time in years, he felt a sudden jolt of energy rising from his stomach, which spread through his body, invigorating him like never before. He blinked, his breath catching as he felt his world brighten. Maybe it was hope. For when his daughter whispered "...Dad?", all he could do was to take another sip for her. And then another. Until he no longer trembled as he set the glass down. "You—you were right," admitted the father. Ines let out a shaky breath, tears she hadn’t realized were building finally slipping free. Because for the first time in a very long time— Her father looked like he believed in tomorrow again.

Chapter 206: Just a Sip

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