Chapter 24

Jiang Han's gaze lingered on Su Qingyi's pale yellow padded jacket.

With her delicate features, she could have easily chosen an easier path to make quick money. Yet, she dressed modestly and carried herself with a quiet dignity—so different from the women he had encountered in his past life.

That was precisely why he found her intriguing.

"I'm just joking," Jiang Han said with a chuckle.

Right now, his priority was securing his first real fortune in the stock market and saving his father's company. Everything else was secondary.

Su Qingyi glanced at her watch and hesitated. "Jiang Han, I have something to take care of later. Can I...?"

"Go ahead, take the rest of the day off. See you tomorrow."

A bright smile crossed her face. "Okay, see you!"

Su Qingyi was used to running errands at the exchange. Usually, she had to serve tea and cater to important clients, but today, she had not only worked as Jiang Han's assistant, she had also earned a 10,000 yuan tip—and even left early.

It was no wonder she looked so cheerful as she walked away.

After she left, Jiang Han made his way to Zhang Chongan's office.

Inside, Zhang Chongan was rubbing his tired eyes, stretching after a long day. But when he saw Jiang Han enter, his exhaustion vanished.

"Yo, my biggest client is here!" he greeted with a grin.

Jiang Han smirked and playfully punched him on the shoulder. "Come on, don't flatter me. You're getting off work soon, right?"

"Yeah, just need to wrap up a few things. What's up? Are you treating me today?" Zhang Chongan asked, winking.

Jiang Han's recent success in the stock market had left Zhang Chongan in awe. Turning 5 million into 33.25 million in just two trades? That wasn't something ordinary people could do!

Jiang Han shrugged. "Sure. Call your wife and kid, I'll take you all to Magic Capital Hotel for dinner."

Back in 2000, Magic Capital Hotel was one of the most exclusive places to dine—only the truly wealthy could afford it.

Zhang Chongan hesitated before shaking his head with a smile. "You've already done so much for us. Today is my son's birthday. We're celebrating at home."

Jiang Han sighed dramatically. "Ah, that's disappointing. Guess I'll have to eat alone at some random small restaurant."

Zhang Chongan laughed. "Come on, you? Lonely? There are so many girls who'd love to have dinner with you. You should settle down already."

Although Jiang Han had been a playboy in his previous life, his wealth and good looks still made him popular among women.

But now, he simply waved it off. "Forget it. I prefer my freedom. Alright, see you later!"

After leaving the stock exchange, Jiang Han headed straight to a real estate agency.

As much as he liked Zhang Chongan's hospitality, it wasn't practical to keep staying at his place. He needed a place of his own.

As soon as he walked in, a young real estate agent approached him with a friendly smile.

"Hello, sir! Looking to rent or buy?"

"Rent," Jiang Han replied. "A one-bedroom apartment nearby. Anything suitable?"

The agent flipped through his files and nodded eagerly. "Yes! We have a few options nearby. This one, for example, is fully furnished—you can move in immediately. And this one was originally a wedding house, but the owners moved abroad, so it's completely new!"

Jiang Han scanned the listings and stopped at one. A brand-new 63-square-meter apartment.

"How much for this one?"

The agent hesitated before answering, "500 yuan per month."

Even in 2000, that was a significant amount—almost half of an average worker's salary. The agent looked at Jiang Han nervously, worried that he might find it too expensive.

But Jiang Han's eyes gleamed. Huangpu District.

By 2022, real estate prices in this area would skyrocket—some apartments would be worth 80,000 to 91,000 yuan per square meter!

This rent was practically a steal.

"I'll take it," Jiang Han said immediately. "Let's go see the place and finalize the paperwork."

The agent was momentarily stunned. "R-Really? Just like that?"

Most clients hesitated, bargaining over every little detail. But Jiang Han? Decisive. Confident. Unfazed.

He liked that.

Together, they visited the Qinghewan Community. The apartment was small, but clean and well-located. Without a second thought, Jiang Han signed the contract and paid upfront.

After everything was settled, he spent the next hour cleaning up and arranging the place.

By the time he lay down on the sofa, the sky had already turned dark.

The 60-square-meter space felt tiny compared to his bedroom in his past life. Back then, he would have scoffed at the idea of living in such a place.

But now?

This was a fresh start.

Jiang Han's thoughts drifted back to the past.

When Huaifeng collapsed in his previous life, he had refused to change. He wasted money, partied recklessly, and relied on his sister, Jiang Zhiyu, for financial support.

Even when she struggled to keep the company afloat, he continued to drain resources from her.

Eventually, she had no choice but to sell their shares—cutting all ties with Huaifeng to survive. She went on to build a successful tech company, specializing in computer peripherals.

And what did he do?

He wasted his life.

Jiang Han clenched his fists.

Not this time.

This time, he would not let Jiang Zhiyu bear the burden alone.

This time, he would not waste his second chance.

He had been given a new life, and he was going to make it count.