"Ethan Chen, how are you feeling now? Any better?"Alex Lin asked with feigned concern, placing a bundle of slightly wilted white flowers on top of a pile of the same beside the bed—making the entire room feel even more somber.
The protagonist, Ethan Chen, sighed in irritation."Could you not come so often? I really don't want to see your annoying face! Every time I see you, it reminds me of things I'd rather forget—it's exhausting!"
"How can I not come?" Alex Lin replied kindly. "You're lying here, injured and alone, with no one to take care of you! It's fate that we've met again. If I don't look after you, who will?"
Inwardly, though, he smirked.If I didn't come, how would I enjoy your miserable expression?As the villain, if I don't torment the protagonist, could I even call myself an antagonist?
Ethan Chen sighed and looked up suspiciously. "You seem… unusually cheerful today."
"Of course I am!" Alex Lin grinned. "Because I made a lot of money today!"
The color drained from Ethan Chen's face, his heart sinking.
In his previous life, his arch-enemy Alex Lin had also begun making money around this point in time—starting from a small investment firm. With razor-sharp business instincts and strategic alliances, he built a commercial empire spanning multiple industries and over a dozen countries within just a few years.
That empire—and Alex Lin's immense influence—had ultimately crushed him.
Now reborn, Ethan Chen lay hospitalized, temporarily unable to fight back.But he needed to know his enemy—to understand, to prepare, and to one day destroy him.
Feigning curiosity, he asked,"You made money on your first day of work? How much did you earn?"
Alex Lin smiled casually. "Not much."
Ethan Chen quietly exhaled in relief—
"Just a few hundred million."
Ethan Chen: chokes
"To be precise," Alex Lin continued with a grin, "about 490 million—let's round it up to an even 500 million!"
Ethan Chen nearly fell out of bed.
He remembered clearly—in his previous life, Alex Lin had started with just 100 million in seed capital. After over a month of strategic investing, he had turned it into five or six hundred million—a jaw-dropping 500% return in thirty days.
But this time, he'd done it in one day!
One single day!
This wasn't just progress—it was a terrifying leap forward!
Could this be the butterfly effect caused by my rebirth?No… this butterfly's wings are too damn strong—I can't handle this kind of chaos!
Ethan Chen's voice trembled. "How did you make that much money?"
Alex Lin replied proudly, "All thanks to Brother Ye!"
Ethan Chen froze."Brother Ye? You mean your bodyguard, Ethan Ye?"
Alex Lin nodded enthusiastically."Yes! At first, I only had 100 million and didn't know what to do. Then, my Brother Ye suggested we try gambling on jade stones. We went to the market, picked a stone for 4 million, and when it was cut open—it was worth 90 million! A twenty-fold return!"
Ethan Chen: spits blood internally
Alex Lin chuckled. "Can you imagine? I only spent 4 million and made 90 million! You must be shocked!"
Ethan Chen gritted his teeth. "Shocked. Astonished."
"But that's not all!" Alex Lin said, eyes gleaming."My dear Brother Ye personally picked another stone for me. Guess what? When it was cut open—it turned out to be a massive, flawless piece of glass-grade imperial jade! A priceless treasure! I made another 400 million instantly! Can you believe it?"
Ethan Chen bit his lip until it bled. "F*ck."
Alex Lin leaned closer, voice full of pride."And during that deal, I also made many valuable business connections—people money can't buy! All of this was thanks to Brother Ye. He's my lucky star! I'll definitely repay him properly! Don't you agree, Ethan?"
"Absolutely!" Ethan Chen gritted out between clenched teeth, eyes burning with fury.
Ethan Ye!
You traitor!
You absolute backstabber!
He ruined your career, stole your woman—and now you're helping him?!
He had once believed it was all a misunderstanding.But now, it was clear—there was no misunderstanding at all.
Ethan Ye was nothing but a traitorous dog—a lapdog for the villain!
If I ever get the chance, I'll make sure you die miserably!
Alex Lin patted him gently on the shoulder."Alright then, I'll head out for now. Rest well and recover. If I have time tomorrow, I'll drop by again!"
With a pleasant smile, he turned and left—leaving Ethan Chen seething in silence, his rage simmering like a volcano ready to erupt.