"Together with the department, we shall require your presence in our headquarters tomorrow. I hope you'll abide by the law, thank you.", and the man left me in shock.

Behind the granite counter, I transformed into a whirlwind of eccentricity, resembling a mad jester in a chaotic circus. A stack of forms, invoices, and receipts surrounded me, creating a colorful frenzy of paperwork. My movements were swift and animated, as if choreographed to an invisible melody that only I could hear. So, if we connect these forms and these... can this justify my million-dollar income...? No, no it can't...

With a mischievous grin on my face, I twirled a pen between my fingers, playfully tapping it against my temple as I meticulously filled out each form. My handwriting danced across the pages, a mix of whimsical loops and exaggerated flourishes that mirrored the circus-like atmosphere surrounding me. The Bank Alliance would require this amount to do this, and... hmm, how can I... Fuck!

The air crackled with an energy that seemed to match my own wild enthusiasm. The sound of the pen scratching against the paper harmonized with the faint hum of the overhead lights, creating a peculiar symphony of productivity.

With each completed form, I would theatrically slap it down onto the counter, as if announcing a grand revelation. I would then proceed to generate a receipt with a flourish, ripping it off the printer and presenting it to an imaginary customer with a dramatic bow. Yes, yes! This would justify... no, no. It won't...

Despite the chaos of the paperwork, my gaze remained focused, my eyes filled with a sense of purpose and determination. It was as if the mundane act of filling out forms held the key to unlocking a realm of untamed creativity. Aha! I can try to slip in the 10 million as my late mother's on-hand savings and I have been investing it as stocks to... which company..?

The burger on my table lay forgotten and cold, proof of my unwavering dedication to the task at hand. Its savory aroma, once tantalizing, now faded into the background as I embraced the exhilaration of the administrative dance I had orchestrated. If we do this and that, I can justify that the 10 million has a 25% interest, which led to the 12,500,000 raise. However, the 20 million was deposited all at once, I cannot chop-chop the fund justification. Gosh!

To any outsider observing the scene, I must have appeared like a mad jester lost in his own peculiar realm. Yet, within the depths of my madness, there was a methodical madness—organized chaos that bridged the gap between the mundane and the extraordinary. Wait, who deposited the 20 million, I haven't been able to check...

As I reached for my phone, a surge of anxiety coursed through my veins. The weight of curiosity hung heavy in the air as I unlocked the screen. With a quick swipe and a tap, I launched the mobile banking app of Bank Alliance which held the key to unlocking the mystery of answering my taxes.

"Deposited by Revenue Corp." Revenue Corp?

Well, well, well...Why won't we put the blame on them... I smiled with a frenzied look. If we do the math, we can blame that I invested 15,000,000 from my mother's on-hand savings hidden somewhere in this store, and that investment had a 30% raise which led to 19,500,000. The 500,000 is a result of a complimentary fund due to my big investment. Yes... Yes! That's it! Fuck you, taxes!

Ding! Ding! My face swung to the entrance of my store. It's not from the tax department, is it?

As the door to my store opened, a hushed silence fell upon the room. A figure emerged, slowly stepping into the space, and the air seemed to shift around him. It was the arrival of an old man, his presence emanating an aura of mystique and wisdom that commanded attention.

He stood tall, yet his body seemed to carry the weight of countless years. Adorned with numerous bead garlands draped around his neck, they clinked softly with each deliberate movement, creating a gentle melody that hung in the air. His long, flowing beard, like a cascade of silver threads, cascaded down to the floor, swaying gently as he walked. His skin, as delicate and pale as a jasmine flower petal, seemed to glow softly in the dim light of the store. However, as he drew closer, an unsettling odor engulfed the room—an earthy, decaying scent that hinted at a hidden darkness beneath his serene exterior. Oof, that's something...The fragrance of rotting shrubs mingled with the dusty air, creating an atmosphere that was both captivating and repulsive.

As the old man made his way toward me, his eyes met mine, and I felt a jolt of recognition deep within my being. For some reason, I was happier that a weird person entered my property rather than a normal government employee. Am I still sane knowing that fact?

「 You have traded Holy Staff [Legendary] for Eyes of Zeus [Legendary]」

「 You have converted Eyes of Zeus to 150 RP」

A day passed, my eyes looking highly weary after spending most of the night working my taxes out. I have tinkered with most records here and there and I'm not quite sure if I did it right. I sat anxiously in the small, cramped office of the government employee, beads of sweat forming on my forehead despite the coolness of the air-conditioned room. The weight of my recent financial windfall bore heavily on my shoulders as I awaited the imminent discussion about my taxes.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

A government employee with the nametag 'Kris' on her chest, a stern-looking individual in a crisp suit, sat across from me behind a cluttered desk. His eyes scanned the papers before her, her brows furrowing as he reviewed the figures of my income statement. The atmosphere in the room felt tense, the silence broken only by the distant hum of office machinery.

I fidgeted in my seat, my palms moist with nervous perspiration. Thoughts raced through my mind, questioning if my explanations would be deemed satisfactory or if my sudden prosperity would raise suspicions. The clock on the wall ticked away, each second heightening my apprehension. Will she bite into it? I'm not so sure. God help me...

As the government employee cleared his throat, her gaze shifted from the paperwork to meet my eyes. Her expression remained unreadable, giving no indication of what verdict awaited me. I swallowed hard, summoning the courage to present my case, hoping my words would be enough to assuage any doubts.

With a trembling voice, I began to explain the origins of my newfound wealth, sharing some truth, most lies, about some circumstances that had led to the substantial deposit in my bank account. I spoke of the legacy left by my late mother, the transformation of the once-dilapidated store, and the unexpected surge in revenue due to investment.

Sweat trickled down my temples, and my heart pounded in my chest as I awaited the government employee's response. The silence that followed felt interminable, amplifying the tension in the room. I searched his face for any hint of acceptance or skepticism, desperate for a glimpse of what lay in store for me.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the government employee leaned back in his chair and let out a measured sigh. His stern expression softened slightly, and a glimmer of understanding danced in his eyes. It was a momentary relief, but the outcome was still uncertain.

With a composed demeanor, he began to ask probing questions, seeking further clarification on the details of my financial situation. Each question was met with a heartfelt response, as I poured my soul into explaining the circumstances that had led to my current predicament.

"So...", she broke the awkward silence. "Revenue Corp.?"

"Uh... Yes, Ma'am...", I replied with some degree of conviction.

Kris' gaze shifted from the papers on his desk to a telephone sitting nearby. Her fingers hesitated for a moment, hovering over the buttons before decisively pressing them down. I watched with growing unease as he thumbed through his phonebook, her eyes scanning the names until they landed on one that seemed to catch his attention.

With a stern expression, Kris looked at me, his gaze filled with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. There was an underlying intensity to his scrutiny that sent a chill down my spine. It felt as if he was trying to unravel a mystery, and I was the puzzle he needed to solve.

Taking a deep breath, she dialed the number for the company named 'Revenue Corp.' The ringing tone echoed through the small office, creating an eerie silence that hung heavily in the air. Every passing second intensified my nervousness, amplifying the doubts and uncertainties that had been gnawing at me.

As the call connected, the government employee's gaze never left mine. The conversation on the other end of the line remained shrouded in mystery, their words and tone concealed from my ears. I could only imagine the discussion taking place, my mind racing with possibilities, both positive and negative.

"Is this Revenue Corp.?", I can hear her but not the person at the other end of the phone. She continues speaking to the other end of the line.

"..."

"Yes, yes.", she paused. "I would like to ask if somebody named Yuan Melon had invested an amount worth 15,000,000 in your company?"

"...Let... consult our... manager...", I could some parts of the other end of the line. However, this was also soon followed by another similar reply. "...Consult... the... junior..." and another... "Consult... senior...", until it landed with a vivid. "Let me consult that with our CEO."

"The CEO?!", Kris' expression was quite relatable. Same, Kris... But to consult the CEO regarding this matter, wouldn't that be going overboard?

Her brows furrowed as he listened intently, occasionally nodding or jotting down notes on a pad of paper. The weight of his scrutiny felt suffocating, my palms growing clammy as I anxiously awaited the outcome of the phone call. The suspense was unbearable, the anticipation making time stretch out, each second feeling like an eternity.

Eventually, the government employee ended the call, placing the telephone back in its cradle with a resounding click. He leaned back in his chair, his expression inscrutable. The silence in the room was deafening as I awaited his judgment, my heart pounding in my chest.

After what felt like an eternity, he fixed his gaze upon me once again. There was a slight softening in his features, a glimmer of something that resembled understanding. It was a momentary reprieve from the tension that had consumed the room. She smiled.

"It seems your transaction was legitimate...", she smiled. "However, I would like to inform you that your income tax now is now in the 19% bracket as prescribed by the law..."

As our conversation progressed, I sensed a shift in the atmosphere. The government employee's initial skepticism seemed to wane, replaced by a growing comprehension of the unique circumstances surrounding my financial situation. It became evident that he was beginning to grasp the authenticity of my story.

"So, given that you acquired this much from a single transaction, you'd probably be charged with this much...", she pointed to a huge amount written on a piece of paper. "However, Revenue Corp. offered to pay your tax beforehand it reaches your bank account, so we'll erase that."

"What?" What? They did what now?

"You're cleared now!", she smiled. "Oh, the CEO of Revenue Corp. offered to have a cup of tea with you, he mentioned that he's a really good friend of your mother."

My mom is friends with a CEO?! "Sure, thanks!", I managed to mask my real reaction.

With a final nod of understanding, the government employee concluded our discussion. He assured me that my explanations were duly noted and that the matter would be reviewed further. A wave of relief washed over me, the tension in my body gradually dissipating.

Leaving the office, I stepped out into the outside world, feeling a weight lifted from my shoulders, but then another set of weights put back again. The prospect of meeting such a prominent CEO was undeniably alluring. It was an opportunity that could potentially open doors to new ventures and collaborations, a chance to forge connections. Yet, alongside that excitement, a wave of unease washed over me. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to this invitation, something beneath the surface. Why would a CEO of that caliber be interested? A tea conversation... huh...

I left the building's vicinity and was ready to head home, yet that thought never left my head... A tea conversation where? Holy-