Chapter 12

"Kane Brook, what are you laughing at? Do you think I shouldn't have bought this wool coat?"

Quickly suppressing his smile, Kane replied, "Mom, I'm going to make a lot of money in the future. I won't let you buy outdated discount clothes anymore, and Dad won't have to go all the way to the South Village Market."

Carmen's expression softened instantly, her gaze tender. "Now that's my good son. Don't be like your dad, always pinching pennies."

"Who's pinching pennies?" Jonathan mumbled weakly, clearly lacking conviction. But when he turned around, he noticed Carmen had opened the shopping bag—and inside were rolls upon rolls of toilet paper.

"What's this?"

"Stock from the guesthouse. The manager said they're replacing everything, so I brought these home. You really think you're the only one who knows how to pinch pennies?"

With a huff, Carmen headed into the kitchen, leaving Jonathan standing there, dumbfounded.

This feels like a setup for a sting operation! he thought, utterly baffled.

…

Morning sunlight slanted through the window, casting a warm glow on the bedside.

Kane Brook's eyes snapped open. He rushed to the bathroom the moment he opened his door. After squatting over the toilet for three minutes, he stood up, dazed and confused.

Damn it, he'd completely forgotten—he'd been reborn. That old habit of having diarrhea right after waking up was long gone.

But since he was already up, there was no point in going back to sleep.

After freshening up and hanging his towel neatly, Kane wheeled his bicycle out from the storage room downstairs and headed straight to Jade Isle City Library.

On the second floor of the library, he spotted Nancy Foster immediately.

She was wearing a black-and-white plaid dress today, her long hair cascading down her back, and her bright, clear eyes scanning the shelves. Standing on tiptoe to reach for a book, her slender waist stretched perfectly straight, with her body leaning forward slightly, fully revealing her delicate, graceful curve.

"What are you looking for?" Kane asked.

"I want to read that book."

Nancy glanced at him, pointing to the upper shelf with her delicate finger.

Kane walked over, retrieved the book for her, and handed it to her. Then they both returned to their usual spot, settling into their familiar seats.

Without saying a word, Nancy opened her small leather bag, pulled out a business bank card, and placed it firmly in front of him.

"Here you go!"

Honestly, Kane felt a bit embarrassed.

A thirty-eight-year-old man borrowing money from an eighteen-year-old girl—how could that not be awkward?

What's more, Nancy had pulled out the card the moment she sat down, even before he had a chance to ask. It was clear she'd been thinking about this the whole time.

That was... kind of touching.

Kane picked up the bank card, pinching its edges between his fingers, still feeling like it wasn't real.

Just like that? The money was his?

He still remembered back in 2016, when he got fired for taking the fall for someone else. He'd been desperate, borrowing money left and right just to cover rent, collecting more cold stares than cash. It wasn't exactly traumatic, but it definitely wasn't pleasant.

"Thank you," he murmured.

"You're welcome," Nancy replied.

"Uh… what's the password?"

"Six eights."

Rich people's bank card passwords really were refreshingly simple. Kane slipped the card into his pocket and patted it twice, he only felt reassured when he could clearly feel the card's outline through his pocket.

He wanted to ask how much money was on the card, but after hesitating a few times, he held back. It felt a little too blunt, too transactional.

Whatever. However much it is, it'll do.

It was probably just her New Year's gift money or pocket money—maybe eighty or ninety thousand at most, maybe even less.

He planned to flip this money within a month, hopefully doubling it, then buy an old, run-down apartment in a prime location and cash in on some demolition compensation.

After that, he'd return the money to Nancy and see what was left to kickstart his real business venture.

"You've had a bank card this early?" he asked casually.

"It's not mine," Nancy replied calmly.

Kane had asked without thinking, but her answer made him freeze. His eyes widened.

"If it's not yours, then whose is it?"

Nancy lifted her clear, bright gaze. "My dad's."

"Wait—you're giving me your dad's money to spend?"

"Is… is that okay?"

Nancy's expression grew slightly puzzled, as if she wasn't sure whether it was the right thing to do, tossing the question back to Kane.

And Kane? Kane was completely at a loss.

What kind of relationship would make a girl give you her dad's money to spend?

The key issue was that he really wasn't familiar with Nancy Foster. Even though they attended the same school, they weren't in the same class. Sure, they'd spent the past few days reading together and sharing snacks, but they hadn't exchanged many words. Taking this money felt like holding a hot potato.

After much hesitation, Kane Brook reluctantly pulled the card out of his pocket and handed it back to Nancy Foster.

He was indeed strapped for cash—without money, nothing could get done. But persuading a naive young girl to steal from her own family? What kind of person would that make him?

"You're not borrowing it?" Nancy looked puzzled.

"I'm afraid you'll get scolded when you get home. Better not."

Nancy shook her head coolly. "That won't happen. My dad has lots of cards. He won't notice if one's missing."

Kane waved her off. "If it were your own money, I'd borrow it. Taking without asking is just stealing."

"Will you pay it back?"

"Of course."

"Then it's a loan," Nancy said with conviction.

Hearing this, Kane hesitated.

At that moment, it felt like a little voice perched on his left shoulder, coaxing him to take the card. As long as you pay it back before anyone notices, what's the harm? It's not like you're going to run off with the money.

Kane Brook, have you forgotten what you regretted the most in your past life? That's just how the game works in this world.

Besides, borrowing isn't stealing. At least it's legitimate, and it has nothing to do with your moral code.

Kane convinced himself, picked the card back up, and went to the bank with Nancy.

Since Nancy didn't even know how much was on the card—she seemed utterly clueless—Kane figured that as the lender, she had the right to know the exact amount.

But seriously, what was this girl thinking?

Wasn't she afraid he might trick her? Say there was 100,000 when there was actually 500,000, pocket the difference, and leave her none the wiser?

Standing at the ATM, Kane inserted the card and selected "Check Balance." The number that popped up made him hold his breath.

Rich people really don't treat money like money, huh?

Over six million sitting on one card, and the PIN was six eights. What if she lost it? That'd be a huge loss!