The air was unusually still that morning. A soft breeze carried the scent of wet grass as Phuby stood at the edge of the land he'd chosen. Behind him, Om Luky and the landowner sat under a modest gazebo set up for the meeting, reviewing paperwork. The lot was nearly 900 square meters, a rare gem so close to the main road yet hidden away from the usual traffic chaos of central Cirebon.
Phuby inhaled deeply.
He wasn't nervous.
He was certain.
After months of rising success, his bakery running smoothly, a loyal group of childhood friends helping to maintain operations, and Hana by his side—the next step felt right. This land would be the foundation for something greater. A home, yes. But also a place where he could host gatherings, build memories, and maybe, in time, raise a family.
"Phub," Om Luky called from the gazebo. "Ready?"
Phuby walked over with measured steps. The landowner, a calm middle-aged man named Pak Rauf, greeted him with a nod. "I've gone through everything with Om Luky. The price stands at Rp 2.5 billion, including the legal processing and tax paperwork. The land is certified, and all the documents are in order."
Phuby nodded. "I'm ready to pay in full."
Pak Rauf raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "No credit or installment?"
"No need," Phuby answered, then glanced at Om Luky, who gave him a proud smile.
Pak Rauf chuckled. "People your age usually don't walk in and buy land like this. You must be doing something right."
"I've been blessed," Phuby replied honestly. "And I work with good people."
They signed the agreement by noon. The notary's office was already on standby, and Om Luky had ensured everything was streamlined. Within the hour, the official deed transfer was confirmed.
As soon as the payment cleared, the system notification rang in his mind:
> [SYSTEM NOTICE]
Purchase detected: Rp 2.500.000.000
Cashback 2x applied: Rp 5.000.000.000
New Balance:
Rp 6.100.000.000 - Rp 2.500.000.000 = Rp 3.600.000.000
Rp 3.600.000.000 + Rp 5.000.000.000 = Rp 8.600.000.000
Phuby remained silent as the update surged in his mind. He kept his face calm while inwardly absorbing the impact. With the cashback now reaching multiple billions, the realization began to settle: he wasn't just lucky. This system wanted him to build something bigger. He couldn't waste it.
As they walked back to the car, Om Luky placed a hand on his shoulder. "You did well. Now the real work begins."
"I want it to be more than just a house," Phuby replied. "I want it to be a symbol. A base. Somewhere our family, and our friends, always feel like they belong."
"And you will make it just that," Om Luky said, with quiet confidence.
---
Later that evening, Phuby gathered everyone in the rooftop garden above the third floor of the shophouse. The city lights shimmered in the distance. A portable grill sizzled nearby, tended by Amad and Kotim, while Hana was preparing iced drinks inside.
"Alright, guys," Phuby said, holding up his glass. "Big news. I bought the land."
Cheers erupted instantly.
"Damn!" Amad called out. "How big is it? Big enough to park a private jet?"
"Not that big," Phuby laughed. "But I think it's big enough for a koi pond, Dhe'ik."
Dhe'ik raised both fists in the air. "Yes! The koi arc lives on!"
"You really did it, bro," Kotim said. "When you first started livestreaming, I didn't expect you'd be buying land and running a bakery within a year."
"I didn't expect any of it either," Phuby admitted. "But I had good people. My mom, Om Luky, Hana… you guys. And now I want to build something that includes everyone."
"Don't make it too fancy, bro," Apood chimed in, grinning. "Or we'll have to wear batik just to visit."
"I'll make sure the guest room has sandals and sarongs ready."
Hana returned with the drinks and sat beside Phuby. She gave him a look that made his heart settle. It wasn't grand or overly emotional—it was a look of belief. Quiet support, the kind you don't find twice in a lifetime.
"I'll start meeting with architects next week," Phuby told the group. "But it'll take months. Even more to finish. Until then, we'll keep building Palm Sari, one step at a time."
The sound of sizzling chicken wings and laughter carried into the night.
Phuby leaned back, watching his circle of friends and chosen family move effortlessly around each other. He had a bakery, a shophouse, land for a future mansion, and above all, people who truly had his back.
He'd started this journey alone, desperate and nearly broken.
Now he was ready for the future.
---