The Mission of Rebirth Is to Make Money

That falling object was probably a steel plate from the construction site.

Jiang Qin mulled it over and settled on a plausible answer.

So, first big question: Why was he reborn?

The answer was simple—regrets. His lingering regrets must've moved the heavens, granting him a second chance.

And what was his regret?

Nothing else—just not making money.

So he'd come back to get rich. Love? Dogs wouldn't touch that crap!

Being a backup tire was the ultimate time-suck. He'd rather wash dishes for his parents than waste energy on that.

It's normal for a teenager to daydream and admire pretty things, but a guy pushing 40 reborn with a head full of boobs and thighs? That'd be ridiculous.

If you're reborn, who the hell wastes time on love?

Jiang Qin folded the paper, stuffed it in his pocket, and looked up to find Chu Siqi frozen, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"That was a love letter you wrote me. How can you take it back?"

"You didn't want it, right? No point letting it go to waste. I'll tweak the name and give it to someone else."

Chu Siqi choked, scrambling for a comeback. "Jiang Qin, you're not completely hopeless, you know. I just don't want to date now, but college might be different—I'd consider you first!"

Jiang Qin glanced at her, goosebumps rising.

If this were his teenage self, that faint glimmer of hope might've kept him chasing her to the ends of the earth.

But from his current perspective, his younger self's taste was absolute garbage.

"Consider me first"? What kind of bullshit was that?

"I'm serious! But one condition: no writing love letters to anyone else, no liking anyone else, or we're done for good!"

"Thing is, I don't think I actually like you. Let's just part ways—be good."

Chu Siqi's eyes widened, her pride stinging hard.

Part ways? Like she was the one dumped? She'd been kind enough to encourage him, and this was his attitude?

"Jiang Qin, don't you know love takes effort? You can't even handle a little setback—how could I ever consider you? I don't see any determination!"

"Then find someone else to test that theory on. I've got bigger things to do." Jiang Qin was all about money now—no time for pointless tangles.

Chu Siqi exploded. "Jiang Qin, you bastard! I swear I'll never speak to you again!"

"Wait a sec!"

As she turned to storm off, Jiang Qin called out, his face unusually tense.

Seeing this, Chu Siqi perked up a bit, her teenage smugness returning.

See? He's scared I'll ignore him. All that "part ways" talk was just bravado.

"What? Too late—you've got no chance now!"

Jiang Qin ignored her, lifting his stationery bag. "Are we in the middle of the college entrance exam? Is it over? Which subject's next?"

Chu Siqi blinked. "It's done! The last subject ended this morning!"

"Great. If I had to take it again, I wouldn't even get into Lanxiang Tech."

Chu Siqi stared at his bright smile, dazed. "You… you stopped me just to say that?"

Jiang Qin took a deep breath. "One more thing—exams are over, so it's vacation now, right?"

"I don't know—ask whoever you want!"

Fuming, Chu Siqi ran off toward the school building.

Acting like he doesn't care after being rejected—what a jerk. Does he think this'll make me soften? Where'd he learn this reverse psychology crap? Fine, I won't talk to him for a week—let's see who caves first!

Jiang Qin packed up, heading for the school building too. But before he'd gone far, a group of classmates surrounded him.

"Told you you'd fail. Chu Siqi's out of your league—know your place!"

The speaker was Qin Ziang, a notorious rich kid from Class 2. His dad was the city's biggest real estate developer. The guy once shouted "I'm buying for everyone!" in the cafeteria—pure arrogance.

"Old Jiang, don't sweat it. Chu Siqi's rejected tons of guys—80 if not 100. I'll treat you to a soda later."

The second voice came from a chubby, bespectacled guy—Guo Zihang, Jiang Qin's high school bestie.

Jiang Qin ignored Qin Ziang's taunts, looking at Guo Zihang with a wistful smile. He patted his shoulder.

"Old Guo, your legs are still there. Good to see you standing."

"???"

Packing up and leaving school, Jiang Qin biked south.

Honestly, a young body felt amazing—no fatigue, no aches. Anyone who's tried it knows.

Before rebirth, he'd be winded just walking a few steps.

Now? With this stamina, he could probably assemble screws in a factory and earn a house.

Pedaling faster past Olympic slogans lining the road, he reveled in his youthful vigor.

Whoa, even my hair flutters in the wind—been a while since I felt that!

Half an hour later, he reached the bustling Fenghuali Community in the north end.

The buildings here were grimy, paint peeling like a bad rash. No proper gate—just a bar to block cars. From the entrance, you didn't see apartment doors but a mess of makeshift sheds.

If memory served, this was one of the first old districts slated for demolition. The official notice would come in July, and by October, the government would disburse compensation to show their commitment.

His third uncle's family lived here. Once the money hit, their whole vibe changed—smoking Zhonghua cigs, bragging about buying a Benz.

The Benz never happened, though. His two cousins fought over the cash instead. The younger one wanted half for his new wife; the older one demanded half for marrying someone else's wife.

They nearly killed each other. The younger one yelled, "You're taking half for a used wife—fair much?"

The older one snapped back, "I'm getting a big one and a kid—better than you!"

I want in.

Jiang Qin stared at the rundown complex, practically drooling.

But there was a huge problem: he had no money.

A fresh high school grad—how much cash could he have? A few coins for ice cream, maybe, but a house? Dream on.

Regret gnawed at him. It felt like piles of money were rolling by, vanishing into thin air.

He couldn't scrape together seed money fast enough, so his options were slim.

Buying property or land? Unrealistic. Stock investments? No capital.

That's the downside of no system. Even with a head full of great ideas, no money means you're stuck at square one.

Did I fake-reborn or what?

Just then, he spotted a bus pulling up nearby. Chu Siqi stepped off, her floral dress swaying in the breeze.

She saw him too—first surprised, then a huff as she tilted her head, waiting for something.

But to her shock, Jiang Qin just nodded politely, cast a longing glance at the community, and biked away.

A gust lifted her skirt's hem, leaving only stunned silence at the bus stop.