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MillionNovel > Broke to Boss > Chapter 6: A Promise in the Silence Part 1: At the Doorstep

Chapter 6: A Promise in the Silence Part 1: At the Doorstep

    Kim stood before the familiar wooden door of his modest home, his heart heavy with the weight of the day’s events. The bustling campus, the towering buildings, and the glaring separation between the scholarship students and the elite—it was all too much. The memories of how the rich students had casually flaunted their privileges lingered in his mind, and Kim felt a growing sense of isolation.


    His family had worked so hard to get him here, and now he was faced with the harsh reality of a world that would judge him not on his abilities, but on his background. Kim hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should even tell his parents what had happened. His father, Kim Joon-seok, was a man of few words, but his disappointment would speak volumes. His mother, Lee Mi-sook, had always been the pillar of the family, and the thought of worrying her made him pause.


    But leaving wasn’t an option. Kim had promised himself that he would succeed. Not just for his own sake, but for his family, who had sacrificed so much to see him at this prestigious university. He clenched his fists, resolved to endure whatever challenges came his way. With a deep breath, he pushed open the door.


    The scent of home-cooked food immediately washed over him, bringing a sense of warmth and comfort. The small house, though modest, always held a kind of peace that Kim could never find anywhere else. The sounds of his younger siblings, Kim Ji-sung and Kim Ji-yeon, filled the air as they excitedly greeted him.


    "How was your first day, oppa?" Ji-yeon asked, her wide eyes full of curiosity.


    Kim tried to smile, but the weight of his day made it feel forced. "It was... good," he said, his voice betraying him. "Lots of things to take in, but it''s all part of the journey."


    Before he could elaborate, his father appeared from the back of the house, his weathered hands holding a small piece of wood he had been working on. "Let him settle in, Ji-yeon. We’ll talk over dinner," Joon-seok said, his voice deep and steady, though Kim could tell he was curious about how the day had gone.


    Kim Ji-sung, his younger brother, stood by the door, looking up at him with a grin. "Did you see the swimming pools, hyung?" he asked. "Are they as big as they say?"


    Kim chuckled, though it was tinged with sadness. "Yes, they’re huge," he replied, ruffling his brother’s hair. "But they’re not for people like us."


    Ji-yeon noticed the shift in his tone but didn’t press. "Dinner''s ready," she said, leading him to the small dining table in the living room.


    Kim took his seat, the smell of the meal filling his senses. The dishes were his favorites—spicy kimchi, bulgogi, and the comforting aroma of freshly made rice. He glanced at his mother, who had worked tirelessly all day, and his heart swelled with gratitude. He knew they had likely stretched their meager resources to make this meal possible.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    "You’ve really outdone yourself, eomma," Kim said, his voice thick with emotion. "These smells amazing."


    Lee Mi-sook smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "For you, anything," she replied softly. "It’s a celebration for your first day."


    Kim’s throat tightened. He wanted to tell them everything—the exclusion, the inequality, the constant reminder that he was different. But he couldn’t bring himself to burden them with that. Instead, he kept his focus on the food, on the warmth of his family, and on the small moments of normalcy that he longed to hold onto.


    The dinner conversation was lighthearted, with his father asking him about his day at the university. Kim did his best to paint a positive picture. He spoke of the grandeur of the campus, the impressive academic facilities, and the promise of a future that seemed so out of reach, yet within his grasp. But as he spoke, he couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling in his chest. Every time he mentioned the university’s opulence, it reminded him of the vast divide between the scholarship students and the rich.


    "What about the people? Did you make any friends?" his mother asked, her gentle voice filled with curiosity.


    Kim paused, his mind briefly drifting to Seo-joon, the only friend he had made so far. "Yes," he said with a smile, his voice more convincing than he felt. "There are good people there."


    He carefully left out the parts about the elite students, the ones who made it clear that he wasn’t welcome in their world. He didn’t want his family to worry, especially not when they had worked so hard to get him here. They deserved to hear that things were going well, even if that wasn’t entirely true.


    His younger siblings were full of questions. Ji-sung wanted to know about the swimming pools, the libraries, and the various student activities. Kim answered each question enthusiastically, focusing on the parts of the university that were accessible to all students. He kept his bandaged hand hidden beneath the table, unwilling to admit that it had been injured during his fall. His mother’s sharp eyes would have noticed if he hadn’t been careful.


    As the meal came to an end, his father leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I’m glad you’re doing well, Kim," he said, his voice steady. "But remember, we’re always here for you. No matter what happens at that school, don’t forget who you are."


    Kim nodded, his heart heavy with the weight of his father’s words. He could see the pride in his eyes, but there was also an unspoken worry. Kim had promised himself he would never disappoint them, and now that promise felt like a vow he could never break.


    Later that night, as the house fell quiet and everyone retreated to their rooms, Kim lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The weight of the day, of his family’s expectations, and of the challenges ahead, pressed heavily on him. His arm throbbed slightly under the bandages, a reminder of the physical and emotional toll the day had taken.


    But as he closed his eyes, he found comfort in the thought that no matter how tough things got, he had a reason to keep going. For his family. For their future. No matter the cost, Kim was determined to succeed.


    With that resolve, Kim fell into an uneasy sleep, the weight of the world still on his shoulders, but with a fire in his heart that refused to go out.
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