Chen Fan looked at his lit phone screen, pressing the answer button without hesitation. Zhao Wei's voice chimed, carrying a familiar coyness that now only sounded utterly fake to him.
"Fan, why didn't you answer my calls? I was so worried about you. I heard Lin Hao say you got fired, and that you're angry at him... Don't be mad, he was just worried about you, that's all."
This tone, identical to his past life. Chen Fan sneered inwardly. Zhao Wei always knew how to use feigned weakness to manipulate him, turning him into a blind puppet.
"Worried about me?" Chen Fan scoffed, his voice icy. "Miss Zhao Wei, are you sure you're worried about me, or worried about the money you're about to receive from our little fraud scheme?"
The other end of the line went silent. About three seconds later, a sharp, mocking, and startled voice echoed, devoid of any gentleness.
"Chen Fan! What the hell are you talking about?! Are you crazy?! Who defrauded you?! Can't I be worried about you?!"
"Terrible acting, Zhao Wei," Chen Fan cut her off, not giving her a chance to cover up. "Don't forget, today is the day you and Lin Hao are meeting Boss Xiao at Bai Yue Restaurant, VIP Room 3, to celebrate your 100 million scam against me. I suppose you're already sitting there, aren't you?"
Immediately, a clatter sounded from Zhao Wei's end, as if she had dropped her phone. Chen Fan even faintly heard Lin Hao in the background asking, "What's wrong?"
"You... how do you know?!" Zhao Wei's voice was filled with horror and panic. Her usual arrogance had completely vanished. "You... you're stalking me?! You're a pervert!"
"Pervert?" Chen Fan chuckled. "So you know those two words, do you? Then do you know what it feels like to be stabbed in the back by the person you trusted most, to have everything taken from you?"
He paused, his tone turning bone-chillingly cold. "Listen carefully, Zhao Wei. From now on, never appear before me again. Don't even think about relying on me. Someone like you, I wouldn't even bother to pick up if you were trash."
"You... you dare to speak to me like that?!" Zhao Wei roared, anger overcoming her fear. "Who do you think you are?! A fired good-for-nothing, with no money, no status! You deserve to be scammed! You should have died starving in the streets!"
Her harsh words didn't move Chen Fan; instead, they only made his gaze colder. These were the very words that had pierced his heart in his past life.
"Thanks for the reminder," Chen Fan replied with an unnervingly calm voice. "Yes, in my past life, I was a good-for-nothing. But this life... I will show you what kind of person the good-for-nothing you despised will become. As for you and Lin Hao... don't celebrate too soon."
He finished speaking, not waiting for Zhao Wei to react, and directly hung up.
"Ding! Side Quest: Severing Ill-Fated Bonds completed!"
"Host receives 100 Experience Points, 10 Low-Grade Spirit Stones!"
"Total Experience Points: 200/500."
"Total Spirit Stones: 20 Low-Grade."
The System's voice resonated, carrying a hint of satisfaction. Chen Fan felt a warm energy flow through his body; his experience points had increased.
He tossed the phone onto the bed. Taking a deep breath, the vow of this life was etched deep into his heart.
Now it was time to begin his journey.
Money. He needed money. An idea suddenly flashed in Chen Fan's mind. An idea based on the future information the System had provided. An area he was completely ignorant of in his past life: High-tech investment.
He walked over to his old computer and booted it up. His mind was already working at an incredible speed. Complex formulas, detailed market analyses, groundbreaking technological projects... all appeared as clear as if he had memorized them long ago. He began searching for information, his eyes shining brightly.
Chen Fan's life, from this moment on, had taken a completely different turn. He was no longer the weak Chen Fan who only knew how to endure. He was Chen Fan of this life, carrying mysterious power and transcendent wisdom, ready to overcome all obstacles, and make those who once looked down on him kneel!