Chen Fan left the hospital, feeling like a new person. Not just because his body was stronger, but because his mind was now a vast repository of knowledge, and cultivation power surged within him. The scorching afternoon sun of June no longer bothered him; instead, it invigorated him, igniting a fervent desire to act.
He checked his wallet. Empty. Just like in his previous life, he'd blown all his money on a foolish investment scheme concocted by his "best friend" Lin Hao and his "lover" Zhao Wei. In just a few hours, he'd receive the devastating news that it was all gone.
No way that's happening again.
Chen Fan frowned. The first order of business was to get money. But not by scrambling like he did before. He needed startup capital, and, more importantly, he had to sever all ties with those who had harmed him.
He walked back to his cramped rented room, his steps light, a stark contrast to the weary, resigned shuffle of his past self. Along the way, he noticed billboards, towering buildings, and ongoing construction projects. In his mind, information from the God-Tier System automatically linked with his past life's memories, analyzing and yielding astonishingly accurate predictions.
Land in this area will quintuple in value within three years. Company X will surge in growth thanks to new technology. Corporation Z's stock will plummet next month.
The more he thought, the more an intense self-confidence surged within Chen Fan. He didn't just have cultivation; he had information. Knowledge of the future and the "god-tier" understanding of economics and technology provided by the System were now his most formidable weapons.
Back in his small rented room, Chen Fan quickly found his old phone. Right at 8 PM, the fateful message from the convenience store manager arrived: "The boss has decided to fire you. You don't need to come to work anymore."
He stared at the message, no longer feeling the despair of his past life, only a chilling indifference.
"Ding! Detecting an event related to Host's karma!" The System's voice suddenly echoed. "Side Quest: Severing Ill-Fated Bonds!"
"Description: Eliminate all ties with those who exploited and harmed Host in the previous life. Begin with Lin Hao and Zhao Wei."
"Reward: 100 Experience Points, 10 Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
"Time Limit: None."
A side quest? Chen Fan smirked. This System seemed to read his mind.
Immediately after the firing message, another message came from Lin Hao: "Fan, are you okay? I heard you got fired. Don't worry, just come to me if you need anything, brothers stick together!"
Fake! Chen Fan scoffed. In his past life, he'd fallen for those words hook, line, and sinker. Lin Hao had used false comfort to lure him into that ruinous investment trap.
He typed out a reply: "Get lost. Someone like you isn't worthy of being my friend."
Sent. Chen Fan's heart didn't waver. He had waited too long for this moment.
Minutes later, his phone vibrated. It was a call from Lin Hao. Chen Fan answered, his voice cold: "What do you want?"
"Fan! What are you saying? Why are you suddenly like this? I called because I was worried about you!" Lin Hao's voice was filled with feigned surprise and "concern."
"Worried about me?" Chen Fan scoffed. "Are you sure you're worried about me, or worried you can't trick me anymore? Do you think I'm stupid enough not to know you and Zhao Wei conspired to trick me into that phantom project?"
There was a moment of silence on the other end, then Lin Hao stammered: "You... what are you talking about? I don't understand..."
"You don't understand?" Chen Fan stood up, walking to the window to look out at the bustling street. "Then do you understand why I know you just received 100 million from Boss Xiao of that phantom project company? And why Zhao Wei is having dinner with him tonight to discuss splitting my money?"
Lin Hao's voice changed, no longer surprised but now laced with anger and panic: "You... you're spying on me?! What nonsense are you spouting! I swear, that's not true!"
"I don't need your oath," Chen Fan said coldly. "From now on, never appear before me again. Otherwise, you'll regret it."
He hung up. The phone vibrated again immediately. This time, it was from Zhao Wei.
Chen Fan looked at the caller ID, his eyes sharp. "Now it's your turn."