You can very well use echo for that purpose.

$ cat new
echo 1
$ number=$(./new)
$ echo $number
1

I think that serves the purpose.

comment below if I mis-assumed something

You can very well use echo for that purpose.

$ cat new
echo 1
$ number=$(./new)
$ echo $number
1

I think that serves the purpose. Also note that new above is the script that you're gonna write.

comment below if I mis-assumed something