Midas_goldturner

Lying in a pool of his own blood, Lu Chen watches helplessly as his wife clings to another man. His vision blurs, but the betrayal is crystal clear. Rage burns in his veins, but his body is too weak to move. Powerless, he can only watch as his life slips away. The final words he hears before darkness claims him are cold and mocking:
"You will always be nothing but second place."

A bullet rips through his chest, sealing his fate.

As the light fades, waves of regret wash over Lu Chen. The faces of those he neglected—those who once loved and trusted him—haunt his dying thoughts. If only he had cherished them. If only he had a second chance.

But fate isn't done with him yet.

Inexplicably, Lu Chen awakens to find himself in his 18-year-old body. The same face. The same youth. But with memories of betrayal and death still fresh in his mind. It seems the heavens have granted him the chance he so desperately wished for.

No longer the naive man who lost everything, Lu Chen is determined to rewrite his future. With the wisdom of his past and a heart hardened by pain, he vows to protect those who truly matter—and destroy those who once tore him apart.

But can he defy fate, or will the ghosts of his mistakes catch up with him once again?

3-chapters a day

From Shadows to Silver

One afternoon after class, Lu Chen approached Liu Fei Fei's desk where she sat engrossed in her phone. The telltale smile playing on her lips betrayed she was texting Long Shen, though Lu Chen remained oblivious to this fact.

"Fei Fei," he began eagerly, "what kind of man do you want to marry someday?"

Though he knew their families would arrange their marriage regardless, Lu Chen desperately wanted to mold himself into someone who might genuinely appeal to her. His eyes shone with hopeful anticipation as he pulled up a chair across from her.

Liu Fei Fei didn't even glance up from her screen. When Lu Chen refused to leave, she finally looked at him with visible irritation. "I don't know," she said flatly. "Maybe someone with long hair?" Her tone made it clear she was just saying whatever would make him go away.

But Lu Chen's face lit up as if she'd handed him a precious gift. "I'll grow my hair out for you!" he declared enthusiastically.

"Do whatever you want," she muttered, already refocusing on her phone as she rolled her eyes.

That single offhand remark had shaped his appearance for years.

Now, reflecting on that memory, Lu Chen couldn't help but chuckle at his past foolishness. He'd treated her every casual word as sacred scripture.

Yet that painful past had become his greatest teacher. The humiliation and heartbreak had shown him what truly mattered in life. While he despised who he'd been, he recognized that journey had led him to this second chance.

In the front seat, Elder Wu observed the transformed young master through the rearview mirror. The difference was striking.

Gone was the arrogant, spoiled heir who'd once treated the world as his playground. The Lu Chen of old would throw tantrums when denied even the smallest desire, his father's indulgence having warped him into the worst stereotype of a rich second-generation brat.

But this Lu Chen sat in contemplative silence, his demeanor calm and grounded. Most astonishing of all - he'd expressed genuine gratitude twice in one morning, something the old butler hadn't witnessed in years.

As the limousine arrived at the school gates, Elder Wu announced their arrival. "Young master, we're here."

Lu Chen nodded and stepped out, then turned back with unexpected courtesy. "Thank you, Elder Wu. Have a good day."

The butler could only manage a stunned, "You too, young master," as he watched Lu Chen walk toward the school buildings.

Shaking his head in quiet amazement, Elder Wu murmured to himself, "The young master has truly changed."

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