As if to reinforce Adam’s growing sense of uncertainty—caused by the Butterfly Effect—Hao Jun made an unexpected announcement, one that rendered even Adam speechless.

Hao Jun smiled at the table, directing his gaze toward Adam. “Adam,” he began, his tone holding both warmth and gratitude, “I owe you more than words can say. Not only did you heroically protect your family. You also saved my life and my dear Little Ling's.”

Ling’s cheeks flushed red with indignation at her grandfather's affectionate nickname. “Grandpa,” she hissed, “you promised not to call me that!”

The family chuckled, but the amusement faded as Hao Jun’s next words sank in.

“To show my thanks, Adam,” Hao Jun continued, “I would like to extend an exclusive invitation to you—to visit the Lunar Resort for a week. And unlike the invitation I extended to your family… your trip can start immediately. The arrangements are ready to go.”

Adam’s usually composed demeanor cracked, just for a moment. The shock in his eyes was unmistakable. He had saved Hao Jun, yes, but for him to offer something so extravagant… right now?

Across the table, the shock of his family lingered for only a second before it subsided. It was obvious why Adam had been given this exclusive offer. His intervention had gone far beyond the heroic—it had been nothing short of miraculous. They didn’t need words to understand the magnitude of what their son and brother had done.

Isaac, ever the composed professional, sat quietly, his eyes focused on his son. No matter how much he disapproved of Adam’s decision to abandon med school and pursue other ventures, there was no denying the heroism of what Adam had done the night before. Saving Hao Jun’s life wasn’t just a stroke of luck—it was an act of bravery, one that Isaac could genuinely be proud of as a father. Despite their past disagreements, Isaac gave a subtle nod of approval, a silent acknowledgment of his son's extraordinary actions.

Cassandra, ever the mother, watched her son with concern but also a glimmer of awe. Her boy, whom she once feared had lost his way, had found his footing in the most unexpected of ways. There was pride in her eyes, but also worry. What burdens had Adam taken on without her noticing? How heavy was the responsibility her son now carried?

Nathan, sitting back in his chair, muttered under his breath, “I guess that’s what saving a billionaire’s life gets you.” His voice was so low, no one else could have possibly heard him—except Adam, who caught the familiar bite of sarcasm laced within the words. There was a trace of something else in Nathan’s tone, something like envy or bewilderment. His brother always managed to surprise him, but this? This was a new level.

Keira, always the more reserved of the siblings, stayed quiet, her mind racing as she processed the gravity of the situation. She wasn’t one to show her emotions easily, but the corners of her mouth twitched in the faintest hint of a smile. She had been skeptical of Adam’s choices, especially when it came to leaving med school, but seeing him receive such recognition, she couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride. Her brother was doing something right, even if it didn’t align with the path they had all envisioned for him.

Selene, on the other hand, couldn’t contain her excitement. She beamed at her younger brother, giving him an exaggerated two thumbs up, her expression bordering on idiotic glee. Of all the family members, she had always been the most supportive, never doubting Adam for a second. Even when the rest of the family had questioned his choices, Selene remained firmly in his corner, assuring everyone that Adam was doing far better than they realized. And now, she couldn’t resist a smug grin. After all, who was getting an exclusive trip to the moon far ahead of them?

Adam, still reeling from the offer, found his gaze drifting toward Ling, whose expression had shifted from playful embarrassment to something more serious. She didn’t meet his eyes, but he could sense her gratitude, the unspoken connection they had forged through the ordeal still lingering between them.

The Butterfly Effect had never felt more real. Adam’s thoughts raced as he considered just how much his presence here had displaced the events he remembered from his first life. It wasn’t just a minor change. He had already made alterations in World of Pangea, but this? This was different. Entire events he had once known—like the casual dinner his family had told him about over text—were now replaced by something far more dramatic.

For a brief moment, the idea of stepping into luxury tugged at the edges of his resolve. A chance to escape, if only for a week, away from the grinding anticipation of the apocalypse, away from the weight of knowing what was to come. But no—luxury was a distraction. The Awakening, the end of days—those were the real stakes. A trip to the moon felt like a glittering detour he couldn’t afford.

The feeling was hard to describe, but it would be displacement if he had to pick a word. It was as if the Adam from his first life—the one who only heard about this dinner through a quick text from Selene—had been erased. He was gone, vanished into the void. In his place was this new Adam—the one who had stopped an assassination attempt, who had saved Hao Jun’s life, and who was now the first to be invited on an exclusive trip to the moon, ahead of the rest of his family.

All the stares at the table were laser-focused on him, waiting for his reaction, for him to say something. He could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him.

But Adam knew better than to rush into words. Life had taught him the value of thinking carefully before speaking. He reached into his breast pocket, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it with a practiced flick. The crackle of the flame briefly cut through the silence as Adam took a deep drag.

The waiter, ever attentive, noticed immediately. He placed an ashtray before Adam in a swift, graceful motion, his movements precise and practiced. Noticing Adam’s coffee cup nearly empty, he offered a refill, to which Adam nodded silently.

Thirty full seconds passed as Adam collected his thoughts. He took two more deep drags of the cigarette, each exhale accompanied by a thin cloud of smoke, allowing the moment's weight to linger just a bit longer. When he finally opened his mouth to speak, the waiter had refilled his coffee, and Adam’s composure had fully returned.

Only then did Adam finally speak.

Adam leaned back slightly, gathering his thoughts before responding to Hao Jun’s generous offer. His gaze softened, and a gentle smile played on his lips as he sipped his coffee.

"Mr. Hao," Adam began, his voice calm yet full of sincerity, "I truly appreciate your generosity. But I must respectfully decline. Luxury—especially something as extravagant as this—has never been something I sought or desired. In truth, I feel undeserving of such a privilege. My focus has always been on more simple pursuits, and I’ve always believed that my place isn’t among the extravagant, but rather among those working toward something more... grounded."

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Adam’s words carried a tone of quiet humility, a rare quality in someone who had just performed a heroic act. "What I did—what anyone would have done in that situation—wasn’t for reward or recognition. I did it because it was the right thing to do. And I wouldn’t want to take advantage of your kindness beyond necessary."

His eyes met Hao Jun’s, conveying his genuine respect for the offer. "Please extend the opportunity to someone who could truly appreciate it. I’m honored by your gratitude, but I must remain true to myself—and my goals."

The words had barely left Adam’s mouth when shock rippled across the table. His family exchanged bewildered glances, their surprise unspoken yet palpable. Cassandra’s eyes widened in disbelief while Keira’s jaw slackened, clearly struggling to grasp why anyone—let alone her brother—would refuse such an extravagant offer.

Isaac’s reaction was less pronounced, but the slight narrowing of his eyes betrayed his astonishment. It wasn’t the first time Adam had surprised him, but this… this was something entirely different. Despite his son’s complex history and his choices, Isaac never imagined Adam would decline a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity like this.

Seated slightly apart from the others, Nathan muttered a near-silent “Unbelievable.” His words, like a whisper, barely registered in the air, heard only by himself and Adam, who didn’t react.

The rest of the women at the table—Cassandra, Keira, Selene, and Ling—looked on, equally shocked. It was as if they couldn't believe what Adam had just said.

Sure, Adam had proven himself to be full of surprises. But this?

Adam’s decision to decline the Lunar Resort trip wasn’t born from modesty alone. Deep down, he knew spending time on something so indulgent would be a waste when all that truly mattered to him was preparing for what was to come. His focus was razor-sharp, fixated on developing himself in the World of Pangea and pushing ever closer to triggering the Awakening—the key to surviving the upcoming apocalypse that he alone knew was looming on the horizon. While undeniably tempting, a trip to the moon felt like an unnecessary distraction. There was no time for luxurious escapes or momentary pleasures. Not when every day counted toward becoming stronger and more prepared. In truth, Adam couldn’t afford to lose sight of his goal, even for something as grand as the Lunar Resort.

Silence reigned at the table for several moments, each person processing the unexpected turn of events. Someone who had been offered the moon had just declined it.

But not Hao Jun.

The silence was abruptly broken by Hao Jun’s hearty laughter, echoing across the table. The sudden shift in his demeanor caught everyone off guard, especially Adam, who raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“I knew it,” Hao Jun said, a broad grin spreading across his face as he looked around the table. His eyes settled on Adam with an almost paternal warmth. “I knew you would decline.”

Ling, just as surprised as the rest of Adam’s family, blinked in disbelief. Her brows furrowed as she turned to her grandfather. “You knew he would decline? What do you mean, Grandpa?”

Hao Jun leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms casually as his smile deepened. “Adam isn’t one to chase after luxury, Ling. He’s far too practical—and focused on his goals—for that. I could tell from a glance that he isn’t the kind of man to be swayed with something like a vacation trip.”

Adam glanced at his family, who were still absorbing that he had just turned down an offer to visit the most exclusive location available to mankind. Ling, too, was watching her grandfather closely, her earlier surprise giving way to quiet contemplation.

Hao Jun continued, his tone lighter now, as though explaining a simple truth to Ling and the rest of Adam’s family. “Luxury doesn’t appeal to someone like Adam,” he said thoughtfully. “It’s a purpose that drives him—something much deeper than comfort or extravagance. And while I can’t say for certain what that goal is, I can see it. It fuels him so fiercely that it shows how he carries himself.”

Hao Jun’s gaze shifted to Isaac, his voice softening with respect. “Even though this is my first time meeting Adam in person, I can feel the weight of responsibility on your son’s shoulders. He’s a deep well indeed. I do not claim to know what he aims for, but I do know one thing—my offer of a Lunar Resort vacation isn’t enough to sway him.”

Hao Jun didn’t miss a beat after his last statement. His eyes gleamed with a mischievous edge as he leaned forward slightly. “If my offer of luxury doesn’t sway you, Adam,” he said, his voice rich with intent, “then I’ll simply have to make an offer to the people you care about.”

The weight of his words hung in the air like a heavy cloud, sending a ripple of suspense across the table. Adam’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, his mind racing to decipher the implications of Hao Jun’s sudden shift. The faint hum of the restaurant’s background noise seemed to fade into silence, as if the world was holding its breath for what came next. The table remained still, the suspense almost unbearable, and Adam could feel the collective gaze of his family on him, waiting.

Isaac’s expression tightened, Cassandra’s fingers twitched nervously, and even Nathan, usually quick with a sarcastic comment, was unnervingly quiet.

Adam’s siblings, Selene and Keira, exchanged wide-eyed glances, the spark of excitement already flaring in their eyes. For a brief, fleeting moment, they dared to hope—was Hao Jun about to offer them the chance to join Adam on this trip? Would they all be heading to the moon together? Could they, too, set foot on the Lunar Resort, the dream destination of the elite?

But then—

“I’ll propose this instead,” Hao Jun began, his tone casual but deliberate. “Adam, if you agree to take the trip to the moon for a week now, I’ll secure a ticket for Ling as well—so the two of you can enjoy a private date at the Lunar Resort.”

Ling's cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink, her surprise visible, though she remained silent, waiting for more.

Hao Jun smiled, sensing the mounting tension. “And, as a gesture of appreciation to your family,” he continued, “I will cover all expenses for the rest of the Cosmos family to enjoy a trip to the Must-Lagrange Space Station—the mandatory stopover for travelers heading to the moon.”

For a heartbeat, there was only silence. And then the collective shock and awe hit the table like a wave.

The Lunar Resort was, without question, the crown jewel of luxury. But Must-Lagrange Station—that was its own kind of marvel. While less exclusive than the Lunar Resort, the station held a unique allure, steeped in history and industrial charm. It had once been a purely utilitarian space hub built to facilitate the construction of Arcadia Luna. But over the past few decades, it had transformed into a tourist attraction in its own right, a destination for those rich enough to afford a brush with the wonders of space travel, even if they weren’t among the ultra-elite.

Nathan, ever the skeptic, raised an eyebrow, unable to hide his intrigue.

Selene was already grinning from ear to ear, her earlier glee resurfacing tenfold.

Keira, more composed but equally excited, nodded. “It’s not the moon, but... it’s the closest thing.” Her voice trembled slightly with excitement.

Though not as lavish as the Lunar Resort, the station was still a testament to human achievement, and a trip there was nothing to scoff at.

Hao Jun leaned back, satisfied with the reaction, before explaining further. “It’s named after Elson Must, the visionary who spearheaded space travel’s commercialization. His pioneering efforts through companies like Spaze-Z and Vesla laid the foundation for everything that followed. Without Must-Lagrange Station, Arcadia Luna would still be a concept, not reality.”

Everything Hao Jun said was common knowledge to anyone who kept up with the advancements in space travel. But the way he delivered it—smooth, persuasive, and effortlessly weaving in just the right amount of intrigue—made it sound like a masterfully crafted pitch for the Must-Lagrange Space Station. His words carried the weight of experience as if he had personally witnessed the station's transformation from an industrial hub to a shining symbol of human ingenuity. It wasn’t just facts; it was storytelling. Hao Jun wasn’t merely explaining; he was selling an experience, and it was impossible not to get caught up in his vision, even if everyone at the table already knew the story.

Hao Jun’s gaze returned to Adam, his smile widening. “So, Adam, I hope you can see... I’m not the kind of man who gives up easily. You may not have wanted the trip to the moon for yourself, but what about for the people you care about?”

Ling, fully aware of what this offer meant, leaned in closer to Adam and gently squeezed his arm, her touch soft but filled with unspoken understanding.

Adam exhaled slowly, knowing that this conversation had just taken a turn he hadn’t anticipated.