Shen You’an had always thought of the system as just an auxiliary tool.
Now, seeing the system save a life with her own eyes, her heart was overwhelmed with complex emotions.
Standing at the hospital doorway, watching Mrs. Qi clutching the young girl and crying uncontrollably, she felt for the first time that her existence had purpose.
The system sensed Shen You’an’s sadness. [An’an, shouldn’t you be happy? You’ve saved a vibrant life.]
[In another parallel timeline, Qi Baotan forever remained eighteen years old.]
As did Shen You’an at twenty-eight.
Fortunately, everything has begun anew.
Shen You’an wasn’t one to lament her misfortunes, and she quickly bucked up.
[It seems I’ll have to start entering more competitions.]
Points, the more, the better.
[An’an, you’ve finally come around. I told you, your talents shouldn’t be wasted. The reason I was able to find you among Earth’s more than seven billion individuals was precisely because of your extraordinary gifts, which perfectly resonate with this system’s energy field. If you’re willing to work hard, we’ll certainly reach this system’s peak.]
Shen You’an raised an eyebrow. [Peak?]
The system yawned. [An’an, I’m tired. I’m going to sleep now.]
And then, there was no more sound.
Shen You’an took one last glance at Qi Baotan, then turned and left the hospital.
When Qi Baotan woke up, she was completely dazed.
The doctors surrounded her for examinations and finally drew an incredible conclusion.
Her recovery was a miracle in medical history.
Mrs. Qi hugged her, crying tears of joy.
Qi Baotan lightly patted Mrs. Qi’s back, her voice still hoarse.
"Mom, I’m fine. You’ve had it hard these days."
"Tan’er, it’s great that you’ve woken up. Quickly tell Mom, how did you fall from the building back then? Was someone trying to hurt you?"
Qi Baotan pursed her pale lips. She didn’t want to voice out those filthy truths and make her mother worry.
Her gaze shifted, catching sight of a business card placed by her pillow.
Qi Baotan instinctively picked it up.
At the same time, a cold voice echoed from somewhere in her mind.
Someone had come here not long ago.
Was it the owner of this business card?
Perhaps her recovery wasn’t truly a medical miracle.
Qi Baotan’s fingers tightened around the card as her lashes lowered slightly.
Shen You’an returned to the hotel room.
Chong Ming emerged from the bathroom wearing a bathrobe, swirling a wine glass in his hand, utterly relaxed.
"Whoa, you scared me to death."
Chong Ming instinctively clutched his chest, as though afraid of being taken advantage of.
Shen You’an didn’t even glance at him. "How long do you plan on freeloading here?"
"Boss, give me a few more days. I’m short on cash and can’t afford such a fancy hotel."
Half of a mercenary’s commission gets deducted by the organization, and category C missions pay less. What makes it into his hands is pitifully little—just enough to scrape by.
This time, with the task failed, the organization froze his accounts. If he didn’t cling to Shen You’an’s thigh, he’d be sleeping on the streets.
Thankfully, years ago he followed Shen You’an’s advice and secretly moved some funds, though that amount was far from enough to support his extravagances.
His eyes spun in thought before he leaned over. "Boss, can you teach me how to play the stock market? I’m so poor I can’t afford food anymore—have some mercy on your little brother..."
Shen You’an opened her laptop and logged onto the stock trading platform.
Chong Ming eagerly fished out his ID card and handed it over with both hands.
Shen You’an set up a trading account for Chong Ming and deposited a million in funds.
Chong Ming grinned gleefully. "Thanks, Boss."
The boss is indeed generous.
"This is seed money I’m lending you. Interest rate is the market’s highest. If you can’t pay it back, I’ll sell you off."
Shen You’an stood up and let Chong Ming take his place.
"Stock trading depends on two things: talent and effort. Over time, you’ll hone sharp judgment. For your first stock decision, pick one yourself. Let me see how much talent you have."
Chong Ming rubbed his hands together before sitting down, scanning through the dazzling stock market options.
Suddenly, he remembered a news segment he’d overheard earlier this morning and clicked on Xin’an Pharmaceutical’s stock.
Half an hour later, staring at the twenty thousand in gains in his account, Chong Ming felt utterly amazed.
Money could actually come this quickly, this easily.
Above him, Shen You’an’s cool voice sounded. "Not bad, you’ve got some talent."
"Stock prices always tie to public sentiment. Remember to observe, listen, and think more. Be bold, but beware of recklessness. Many people lose everything in one night."
Chong Ming wasn’t intoxicated by his temporary success and nodded earnestly: "Got it."
The next stock selections became much more cautious, though the current star performer in the market was Xie Group.
Chong Ming hesitated, glancing back at Shen You’an.
"Boss, are we targeting Xie Group? Is this stock still worth investing in?"
Sitting on the sofa flipping through a magazine, Shen You’an lazily said, "Who’s going to turn down money?"
Chong Ming excitedly rubbed his hands, his eyes shining with a captivating light.
In a business guestroom on the twelfth floor of the hotel.
Luuo Yunqi hung up the phone, her expression faintly tinged with excitement.
Tian Wei stepped out of the bathroom, towel-drying her hair: "Qiqi, what happened?"
"Tomorrow, come to the mall with me. I need to pick a birthday gift for Mrs. Xie."
Tian Wei froze: "Which Mrs. Xie?"
Luuo Yunqi’s lips curved slightly. "Is there any other Xie family in Spring City?"
Tian Wei gasped in astonishment: "You don’t mean *that* Xie family, do you? Qiqi, you actually know the Xie family—oh my god..."
"I only just heard from my mom over the phone. Turns out my grandma was best friends with Mrs. Xie when they were young. Later, my grandma married into Qingzhou, and they gradually lost touch. Now, my mom found out Mrs. Xie’s birthday is coming up and, since I’m in Spring City, she wants me to visit with a gift as a junior in the family."
From her mom’s tone, it was clear she hoped Luuo Yunqi would win Mrs. Xie’s favor. Securing the Xie family’s support would be immensely beneficial for the Luuo family.
Tian Wei excitedly grabbed Luuo Yunqi’s arm. "Qiqi, that’s the Xie family we’re talking about—the wealthiest family in Spring City! I’m so jealous of you..."
Luuo Yunqi smiled gently, a perfectly measured hint of pride in her eyes.
"Yes, I was surprised too."
Mrs. Xie’s birthday banquet would no doubt attract the elite of Spring City. If she could use the occasion to build connections with the influential, it would be a tremendous opportunity.
Luuo Yunqi’s smile grew even softer.