My Hacking System

“Is Table Six's order ready yet?”

Adrian, dressed in the restaurant's black waiter uniform, leaned through the kitchen window.

“Yeah.” The cook slid the plate onto the counter without looking up.

Adrian picked up the tray and stepped into the dining room.

Yesterday I got only $75 tips. Today is even worse. If it continues like this, how am I supposed to send money to mom? Forget buying a phone. I'll be lucky if I can pay next month's rent.

“Isn't that Adrian? The broke loser?”

A voice stopped Adrian for half a second. He turned his head just enough to see who it was.

It was his classmate from college, Gunther. He sat comfortably at one of the tables.

His arm wrapped around one of two stunning girls sitting beside him. They laughed at whatever stupid thing he just said.

Adrian looked away and carried the tray to table six.

“Here you go. Enjoy your meal.” He set the tray on table six and gave the customer a professional smile.

The elderly couple smiled and thanked him.

As he was approaching his classmate’s table, his eyes glanced at those girls.

Both were gorgeous. Short skirts, long legs, smooth skin, and low-cut tops that showed a teasing glimpse of cleavage. For a brief moment, every instinct told him to keep looking.

Jesus…

Adrian immediately controlled himself and forced himself to look away.

Focus.

Then something else caught his attention. The Rolex on Gunther's wrist and the newest iPhone lying casually beside his drink.

Adrian's jaw tightened.

“Can I get you anything?” Adrian kept his voice calm and spoke professionally.

Gunther grinned.

“Oh, ladies, let me introduce you.” He pointed at Adrian like he was showing a circus clown.

“This is Adrian. The biggest loser in our class. He wears the same damn clothes every week and still carries some old phone that belongs in the garbage.” He laughed.

The girls laughed politely. Not cruelly, just awkwardly following Gunther's lead.

Adrian stared at him for a long second before speaking.

“Would you like to order anything, sir?” He forced a small smile.

Gunther frowned. He expected a comeback. But realized someone desperate to keep his job wouldn’t make a poor decision.

Gunther smirked and reached into his wallet and pulled out a crisp hundred dollar bill.

“You know what? Dance for me.” He laughed and waved the bill between two fingers. The two girls looked uncomfortable.

Adrian's eyes stayed on the bill for a second. He could buy groceries, add it to pay rent, or send it to his mother. Adrian needs money desperately, but self-respect wins over money.

“You finished?” he looked back at Gunther.

“You have got some attitude for a waiter.” Gunther slowly lowered the bill.

“I asked if you'd like to order anything.” Adrian's voice remained calm.

“You think you're better than me?” Gunther’s face was turning red.

One of the girls quietly shifted away from Gunther.

“No. But I think you're making everyone at this table uncomfortable.”

“THE FUCK DID YOU JUST SAY?” His voice echoed through the restaurant.

Nearby conversations stopped. People turned to look. Forks paused halfway to mouths.

“I SAID, WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU JUST SAY?” Gunther shouted again and slammed his palm onto the table.

The girls looked between them in confusion.

“What happened there?”

“Did the waiter say something?

“Maybe he harassed those girls…”

Whispers spread across the restaurant.

“Sir! I am the manager. Let's step into my office and sort this out.” A woman in a manager's uniform hurried over and forced a polite smile.

“I want you to fire this disrespectful bastard immediately.” Gunther pointed a finger toward Adrian and said with a cold, threatening voice.

The manager looked at Adrian.

“Adrian, wait in the employee’s room."

Then she turned back toward Gunther.

“Please come with me.”

…

After a while, Adrian stepped inside the manager’s room and saw she was sitting behind the desk.

“I reviewed the security footage. You handled yourself professionally. You never raised your voice or insulted the customer.” She looked up and said.

Adrian released a small breath of relief.

“Then… I will get back to work then.” He said.

“I just got off the phone with the owner. I'm sorry. We have to terminate your employment.” She said.

The words hit harder than he expected. He felt his stomach tighten. He stood there without moving.

“What?... Why am I getting fired?” His voice stuck for a second.

“Because he's the owner's nephew… I argued with the owner. But I lost.” She hesitated and forced a bitter smile.

Adrian looked away.

Rent… Mom's medicine… I promised I would send the money this week. Shit…

His thoughts swirled. He rubbed a hand over his face

“Please… I need this job. I'll apologize even if I wasn't wrong. I don't care. I just… I really need this job.” The word slipped out before he could stop it. He hated how desperate it sounded.

"I know." She slightly nodded.

"No. I don't think you do. I'm eighteen. I pay my own rent. I send money home every month. My mom's sick. If I lose this job…”

Adrian shook his head and said. In the end his voice trailed off. He couldn't finish the sentence. Because he didn't know how.

"I tried… I really did. But the owner made it clear… If I refused… I would get fire with you.” The manager slowly looked away.

The room fell silent. Adrian shook his head and reached up to his name tag and unclipped it.

He stared at it. The cheap plastic was scratched, and edges had faded from months of use.

He then carefully placed it on the desk. He wasn't ready to let go, but it wasn't his anymore.

"You were one of the hardest workers I've ever managed." She starred at his name tag.

"I guess hard work isn't enough." Adrian gave a faint smile.

"I truly hope things work out for you." She said with a low voice.

“So do I.” He nodded once and opened the door and walked out.

After a while.

Adrian pushed open the restaurant’s door and stepped outside.

Just like that he got fired from the job. He stood on the sidewalk for a few seconds, staring at the passing traffic.

Nepotism… Even at a low-wage job… What a joke.

He clenched his fists and started walking along the sidewalk, going back to his rented apartment.

Smiled when customers insulted. Apologized even when right. Worked overtime. Swallowed every damn insult. Still get thrown away like garbage.

His jaw tightened.

Rent is due… Mom's medicine… Fuck!!! How am I supposed to send her anything now?

His nails dug into his palms.

[Ding!!!]

[System activated!]

Suddenly, a sound rang in Adrian’s head, and a translucent black screen appeared in front of him, floating in the air. Fonts and edges glowing with faint golden light.