Chapter Fifty-Seven: Ambiguity

My Rebirth Legend

The National Day of 1997 finally arrived. The school was on holiday, the factories ceased production, and all companies and enterprises took a break as well. These three days of festivities belonged to every citizen of Huaxia. Ever since I beat up Xia Jianren, he had looked at me as if he'd seen a ghost, no longer daring to meet my gaze at school. Clearly, his lackeys must have explained to him what it truly meant to be a martial artist. In this era of advanced technology, martial families had long since faded, and the contest between martial arts and firearms had been settled over a century ago. Yet in Huaxia, where guns were strictly controlled, no one would dare to provoke someone from the martial world. I knew Xia Jianren must have his suspicions, but my feat of defeating eight men alone left him with no choice but to believe it. Lately, he fled like a well-behaved child whenever he saw me, which was both amusing and a bit exasperating. Still, school life was much more pleasant without his sinister stare shadowing my every move.

Secretly, I kept a close watch on Soros, engaging in two large-scale currency speculation games. After sweeping up nearly a billion dollars in Japan and Indonesia, I quickly withdrew all my funds. My memories from my previous life reminded me well of the enmity these two nations bore toward Huaxia. Indonesia had once seen a severe anti-Chinese uprising—back then, powerless to help, I had watched as a compatriot. Now, I was determined to teach this small South Sea nation a lesson. My involvement had intensified the Asia-Pacific financial crisis, inflicting twice as much damage on Indonesia as in my previous life—perhaps a small measure of vengeance for all Huaxia’s people. With most of 1997 behind us, I knew the financial storm was nearing its end. Huaxia would soon step forward to withstand the crisis, so I stopped my activities. After all, I had no intention of earning ill-gotten gains from my own countrymen; that much was clear.

The three-day National Day holiday promised to be the most enjoyable time for me. Under Zhang Jing’s capable leadership, the Sunshine Group had, per my instructions, acquired more than a dozen companies and enterprises teetering on the brink of bankruptcy or already failed, integrating them all under the Sunshine Group umbrella. Meanwhile, I handed her a bundle of more than a dozen technological inventions, developed only after half a month’s effort—each one ahead of its time. Only then did she truly realize the depths of my intentions.

“My god… Xiao Qiang, sometimes I really wonder if you’re even human. Did you invent all these things yourself?” She stared at the blueprints and formulas in her hands, her beautiful eyes wide with disbelief as she rattled off the documents on the table: “USB flash drive design, composite metal formulas, computer graphics card sketches, logistics company operation procedures, engine piston diagrams, fertilizer…” Her eyes suddenly fixed on one formula, exclaiming in shock, “Did you really develop this high-efficiency composite fertilizer?”

I smiled. “Of course. Didn’t I say that this fertilizer plant is destined for worldwide fame? High-efficiency composite fertilizer—no need for pesticides, insecticides, or herbicides. It can accelerate plant growth three to five times over current fertilizers, boost both crop quality and yield, and significantly raise farmers’ incomes. Trust me, within a year, this product will be everywhere in Huaxia.”

Zhang Jing was speechless. Her gaze shifted from astonishment to something almost like blind devotion. “Xiao Qiang, do you realize that just selling these documents would be enough to guarantee your living for a lifetime? Where on earth did you get these things?”

“That’s not for you to worry about,” I replied. “You’re my subordinate—just follow my instructions.” Naturally, I wasn’t about to explain my miraculous rebirth to her. Looking at her now, clad in a dignified blue business suit, sheer stockings, and those alluring legs, I suddenly felt a bit dizzy and coughed awkwardly. “Alright, off to work with you. Today is the first day of the National Day holiday, and I need to report home.”

“Oh.” A hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes as she gathered up the thick stack of documents, her hands trembling slightly. Any business-minded person would know these materials were worth more than money could measure. She looked at me, sitting casually on the sofa sipping tea, as if wanting to say something but hesitating. I prompted, “If there’s something on your mind, just say it. No need to keep secrets from me.”

At my words, Zhang Jing’s lovely figure quivered slightly. In a soft voice, she said, “Xiao Qiang, I… I’m suddenly a little scared. I…”

“Scared? Why? Don’t you think it’s good that the Sunshine Group is thriving?” I was puzzled by her anxiety.

“No… that’s not it…” Her gaze hardened with resolve as she bit her lip, finally speaking with determination. “Xiao Qiang, from the start I thought you were just wealthy, not especially capable. So when you bought the Tianlai Group and created the Sunshine Group, I told myself, ‘He’s just a rich man’s son who needs talent, that’s why I’m helping him.’ But today, I realize how foolish that was. You don’t need me at all… You have a girlfriend, so obviously you don’t help me because you like me. With your limitless abilities, even if you don’t know how to run a business, these technologies alone could revive any company. So now… now…” As she spoke, tears welled in her eyes, a single crystal drop sliding down her beautiful face. “Now, holding these in my hands, I suddenly realize you only pity me… Maybe it’s because we share a common enemy, that you feel sorry for me… I’m so afraid—afraid that once this is all over, you won’t need me anymore. You won’t need my help, won’t need me by your side…”

Her soft sobs left me stunned. How could this girl’s thoughts run so wild? Why was she worried I wouldn’t need her? Hearing her heartbroken weeping, I felt an unexpected pang of pain. Ah, women… truly impossible to understand! No wonder people say a woman’s heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea. Seeing her delicate, tear-stained face, I couldn’t help but rise from my chair, gently wrapping an arm around her slender waist and patting her back to comfort her.

But instead of calming down, Zhang Jing only cried harder as I tried to console her. Flustered, I could only smile wryly, “My dear lady, please don’t cry. What on earth are you thinking? I, Xiao Qiang, swear I never had such thoughts. You are the most commercially gifted person I’ve ever met—that’s why I rescued you and asked for your help. How can you belittle yourself like this? Your talent surpasses that of many seasoned businessmen. If not for your strategies, could we have acquired those factories at such low prices? Enough, enough, please stop crying—my heart is breaking!” Suddenly realizing I’d said the wrong thing, I blushed, only to find Zhang Jing, red-faced herself, looking up at me. In a heartbeat, she threw her arms around me and pressed herself into my embrace.

“Xiao Qiang… I know you have someone you love, but I…” Her alluring scent wafted over me, and her ambiguous words left me completely dumbfounded. The atmosphere shifted from tense to something far more intimate and suggestive, echoing the scene from the first time I’d come here.

Just then, my phone rang in my pocket, cutting through my confusion. Blushing furiously, Zhang Jing slipped from my arms, clutching her documents as she dashed out the door—her speed rivaling that of a sprint champion, especially impressive in high heels.

Still sighing, I answered the phone, expecting to hear Su Xin’s voice. But what sounded instead was, to my shock, the most terrifying voice in the world.

“Chu Qitong?! Why is it you?!”