The Ultimate Billionaire Check-In System Vol. 3

Chapter 101: Super Reward — The International Financial Center

Ruobing Liu hadn't slept properly in days.

As one of the top ten jewelry companies in the country, Tianyun Jewelry faced formidable competitors — and lately, every top designer Ruobing had worked with before had turned her down without exception.

"President Liu, Mr. Kyle Lancaster, Vice President of Evercrest Group, is here," an employee reported as she stepped into the office.

"Hm? Why is he here?" Ruobing was genuinely surprised.

She turned to Ethan Caldwell. "Evercrest Group is one of the companies targeting us. They're also in the national top ten."

Evercrest's total assets exceeded Tianyun Jewelry's. At a moment like this, what was Kyle Lancaster doing at their door?

"Invite him to the meeting room."

A few minutes later, Ethan, Ruobing, and Kyle sat down together.

"President Liu, I'm here on behalf of our president, Mr. Wesley Jin," Kyle said, getting straight to the point. "Facing threats from several major companies, don't you want a way out of this predicament?"

There was a hint of implication in his tone.

"What do you mean, Mr. Lancaster?"

"Simple. Our group is willing to help Tianyun Jewelry — for a price."

Ruobing and Ethan understood immediately. Evercrest wanted to betray the alliance and squeeze Tianyun while they were vulnerable.

"We can help you find a suitable designer," Kyle continued, "but we have two requirements. First, naming rights for the designed jewelry belong to us. Second, we want half ownership of whatever gets designed."

Extravagant didn't begin to cover it.

"What if we refuse?" Ruobing wasn't backing down.

Kyle sneered. "Then don't blame us. Your blue diamond becomes dead weight. If we join forces with the others, no top domestic designer — competent or otherwise — will touch your company."

Ruobing's face went pale. Among the national top ten, Tianyun had the shortest history and the weakest network. Evercrest had been built over three generations with a terrifying web of connections. If the others teamed up, Tianyun was staring at a genuine crisis.

"You that confident?" Ethan asked calmly from his seat. "If we can't find domestic designers, why not go international?"

Kyle laughed. "Top international designers? Is Tianyun even worthy? Not even we could hire a renowned international jewelry master. Those people have impossible temperaments. Most hold positions at Tiffany, Cartier, Bulgari — inviting them is a pipe dream."

Knock, knock, knock.

The meeting room door opened.

"President Liu, great news!" a senior executive burst in, excited. "We just received a call from Francesca Amfitheatrof, Chief Designer at Tiffany. She expressed willingness to collaborate with our company."

The room went dead silent.

Anyone outside the jewelry world might not know the name. Everyone inside it did. Francesca Amfitheatrof was an internationally renowned design master with over twenty years in the industry, having created pieces for Chanel, Fendi, and Gucci before becoming Tiffany's Chief Designer.

Even the top three domestic jewelry companies might struggle to land her — and here she was, calling Tianyun voluntarily?

An international top-tier master, reaching out on her own?

Kyle sat there utterly stunned. Ruobing was overjoyed. On the way to the meeting room, Ethan had made a call saying he'd contact a designer. She'd believed him — but a world-class jewelry master?

With Francesca Amfitheatrof designing around the blue diamond, Ruobing was confident Tianyun could expand its influence and push into the top five — maybe even top three — nationally.

"I'll speak with Ms. Amfitheatrof personally." She took the call herself to show how seriously she took the collaboration.

Kyle sat speechless for half an hour. Had he been dreaming? Tianyun had actually landed an international jewelry design master? All the money Evercrest spent poaching domestic designers — wasted. Every effort, in vain.

Evercrest Jewelry had led the alliance against Tianyun, investing serious resources just to grab a share of the blue diamond windfall. They'd shot themselves in the foot.

"They managed to get Tiffany's Chief Designer," Ethan murmured, genuinely impressed. He'd called the General Manager of Hilton Asia Pacific hoping for a designer recommendation. Apparently that GM had reported straight to Hilton's president — otherwise, an Asia-Pacific GM alone couldn't have pulled off Tiffany's Chief Designer.

With Tianyun's crisis averted, Ethan prepared to leave.

[Ding]

[Check-in task: Go to the International Financial Center in Hang City. Task time: 6 hours.]

[Task reward: Ownership of the International Financial Center.]

"International Financial Center?" Ethan raised an eyebrow. The name rang a bell.

He pulled out his phone and searched. Then he stared at the screen.

Hang City's International Financial Center stood roughly four hundred meters tall, overlooking the entire city with a presence that dominated the skyline. It wasn't just a tower — it was a vertical city spanning 390,000 square meters. Grade A offices, boutique hotels, luxury single-floor and duplex hotel-style apartments, a podium, and a wave-shaped plaza. Sixty-five elevators, each running up to ten meters per second — among the fastest in the world.

And his check-in reward was this entire building.

How insane was that?

Just as Ethan was heading out, Luna Fairchild — the long-legged beauty from Tianyun Jewelry — called after him.

"Mr. Caldwell, can I take you to dinner?"

Thanks to Ethan, Luna had landed a temporary modeling gig and made serious money. She wanted to thank him properly.

"It won't take long. I know a restaurant at the Hang City International Financial Center that's pretty good." She spoke nervously, afraid he'd refuse. Mr. Caldwell was so handsome that every time she saw him, her heart raced.

"No problem." Ethan nodded. He was heading to the IFC anyway. A beautiful woman inviting him out? Even better.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived.

Standing before the tower that overlooked all of Hang City — 390,000 square meters of vertical city — even Ethan was deeply impressed.

From today onward, it was his.

[Ding]

[Arrived at Hang City International Financial Center. Would you like to check in?]

"Check in."

[Check-in successful.]

[Congratulations on becoming the owner of Hang City International Financial Center.]

He parked and followed Luna straight to Lumière Restaurant.

They sat down to order — and an astonished voice came from the next table.

"Luna Fairchild?"

"Paula Yates?" Luna turned.

They'd been neighbors and good friends once, but lost touch after Luna moved. Who'd have thought they'd run into each other here?

"Let me introduce you. This is my boyfriend, Xavier Cole Jr." Paula gestured. "And this must be your boyfriend, right? Hi, I'm Paula."

"Hello." Ethan nodded politely.

Paula couldn't help feeling a little envious. Luna had found someone that handsome. Truth was, she'd only noticed Luna because she'd been sneaking glances at Ethan. He was so striking that the moment he walked in, half the female customers in the restaurant had looked up.

Xavier Cole Jr. watched jealously. So what if the guy was handsome? His girlfriend was hotter.

"It's been forever. Why don't we join tables and catch up?" Paula suggested.

"Yeah, let's do that." Xavier chimed in with a hint of mischief. This was his turf — he could show off all he wanted. And Luna Fairchild was a rare beauty. He wanted her attention.

Luna agreed once she saw Ethan wasn't refusing.

The four of them ate together. Xavier turned to Ethan proactively.

"Bro, you from Hang City?"

"No. First time here, actually."

"So this is your first visit to the IFC?" A flash went through Xavier's mind. He'd planned this.

"This International Financial Center is one of Hang City's landmark buildings. Took eight years to construct." He wore an enigmatic look. "When it was completed, it nearly broke the height record for city buildings. The initial developer spent a staggering $2.5 billion just to buy the land. At the time, it astonished all of Hang City."

Paula and Luna had never heard any of this. Their eyes went wide.

"Oh my God — $2.5 billion just for the land?" Paula exclaimed. "Then construction, decoration — how much did the whole thing cost?" She couldn't even calculate it.

"That's incredible," Luna sighed.

Xavier smiled proudly at their reactions.

"The Hang City International Financial Center is a hyper-tall urban complex — shopping and entertainment, high-end offices, hotel-style apartments, and an international platinum five-star hotel. Where we're sitting now is the shopping center area: a hundred thousand square meters, roughly four hundred domestic and foreign brands, including fifty international flagship stores."

"Wow." "That's amazing." Paula and Luna were momentarily speechless.

Xavier was thrilled. He'd laid the groundwork. Now it was time to show off.

Beside him, Ethan ate calmly and watched.

"To open a store here, you need massive financial backing and intimidating connections," Xavier said with pride.

"Right — definitely not easy," Paula marveled. "Like this Lumière Restaurant. Per-person spending runs eight hundred to a thousand dollars. The owner must be a major player." She'd only been with Xavier a short while. She knew he was some kind of rich kid, but not the details.

"What big shot? Just an ordinary person." Xavier couldn't hold back anymore. "I won't hide it — Lumière Restaurant is actually owned by my dad."

He tried to look humble. His face was pure pride.

"What? Xavier, your dad runs this place?!" Paula shrieked. Heads turned across the restaurant.

"He's the owner here?" "Some second-gen rich kid, huh?" Guests murmured.

"Xavier, why didn't you say so earlier?" Paula was thrilled. She genuinely hadn't expected his family to be this influential. Compared to him, Feifei's boyfriend — aside from being handsome — had nothing going for him.

"No wonder he's my boyfriend," Paula said with pride.

Xavier soaked up the shocked, admiring eyes. Showing off felt incredible.

Then he noticed Ethan and Luna didn't look especially impressed.

Was his show-off not impressive enough?

A middle-aged man walked out from the back of the restaurant.

"Dad?" Xavier greeted him and dragged him over with flair. "Dad, these are my friends — Ethan Caldwell, Luna Fairchild. Maybe you could give them a few gold membership cards and discounts…"

Ethan Caldwell?

Xavier's father, Xavier Cole, heard the name and looked up sharply. The next second, he stepped forward and asked respectfully, "Are you Mr. Caldwell?"

---

Chapter 102: On Your Turf, Not Necessarily

Xavier Cole had never met Ethan Caldwell in person — he'd only heard the name from his son. The moment he did, he asked nervously, "That's me." Ethan nodded.

"What a coincidence to actually meet Mr. Caldwell." Xavier Cole was visibly moved. "Your presence at our restaurant truly honors us."

The respectful tone. The humble posture. Paula and Xavier Jr. were stunned.

"Dad, who is he?" Xavier Jr. couldn't help asking.

"This is Mr. Caldwell — the owner of the International Financial Center in Hang City."

"What?" Xavier Jr. stumbled backward before he could stop himself.

He stared at Ethan in shock. This entire complex — his?

A real big shot.

Damn.

Xavier Jr.'s mind went blank. He'd thought he was the future owner of this restaurant. He'd prepared his whole show around that. And then it all collapsed.

Turned out Ethan owned the International Financial Center. Compared to that, their family restaurant was nothing — a drizzle next to a hurricane.

All this time, he'd been boasting in front of someone like this? Wasn't that just slamming into a brick wall?

Xavier Jr. felt so ashamed he wanted the floor to swallow him.

"The owner of the International Financial Center?" Paula mumbled, voice trembling. Hadn't Xavier Jr. just said the land alone cost over two billion? Add construction and decoration and the numbers were unbelievable. How much money did Ethan have? Could his wealth fill this entire restaurant?

She'd been sitting beside a super big shot the whole meal. The more she thought about it, the more awe she felt. So powerful, yet so low-key.

Luna was equally shocked. Mr. Caldwell's identity ran even deeper than she'd known. Such a super big shot, yet so approachable — it was almost unfair how perfect he seemed. The more she looked at him, the faster her heart beat.

Other guests stared at Ethan with identical expressions of disbelief.

After the meal, Ethan left.

That evening, he received an invitation from Tyler Jiang. A wealthy man in Hang City was opening a hotel tomorrow with a cocktail party, and Tyler wanted Ethan to come along.

"Alright." Ethan agreed. His uncle had become dean of Rende Hospital partly because of Tyler.

The next day, Ethan met Tyler Jiang and Lucas Young — a major player in Hang City's media industry. They piled into Tyler's luxury car and headed straight for the cocktail party.

They stopped at the International Financial Center.

"Brother Jiang, the hotel opening is here?" Ethan asked, surprised to be back.

"Yeah. Sixty-second floor." Tyler explained. "The entire sixty-second floor of the Hang City IFC is dedicated to that hotel. Renting a whole floor in a location like this — Jasper North really lives up to his name. Prosperous."

Jasper North had been a giant in the financial industry before venturing into hotels for various reasons. Today's opening was his first attempt.

"Being able to rent a floor here — Jasper North truly lived up to being a former financial mogul," Lucas Young commented. "His wealth is terrifying."

They were all wealthy, but most assets were tied up in companies and real estate. Liquid cash was another story.

Ethan nodded slightly. He figured Jasper had probably signed the lease before Ethan acquired the IFC. That would explain why he didn't know.

Soon all three arrived at the sixty-second-floor party. A middle-aged man with slicked-back hair and a shiny face was receiving congratulations.

"Congratulations, Mr. North." "Congratulations on the hotel opening." "Wishing you great success in business."

Tyler and Ethan stepped forward. "Congratulations, Mr. North," Tyler said.

"Too kind, Mr. Jiang." Jasper responded upon seeing Tyler.

"Congratulations on the grand opening, Mr. North," Lucas added.

"Thank you." Jasper shook hands with each of them.

Tyler stood beside Ethan and introduced him. "Mr. North, this is Mr. Caldwell, vice president of Tianyun Jewelry Company."

Jasper extended his hand — then his expression changed the moment he heard Tianyun Jewelry.

"Someone from Tianyun Jewelry?" He looked extremely displeased. "Welcome," he said coldly to Ethan, then turned away. "Excuse me."

He left without another word.

Jasper never expected anyone from Tianyun to show up. His brother was chairman of Evercrest Jewelry Group. He'd heard Evercrest clashed with Tianyun and took a beating. Because of that, Evercrest's chairman was in low spirits and hadn't come today.

His brother skipping the event because of Tianyun had already irritated Jasper. Now, seeing Ethan — if not for Tyler and Lucas's faces, he'd have thrown the kid out.

"No. I have to teach this kid a lesson. Make Tianyun think twice." A warning to his brother to be careful with Tianyun in the future.

Jasper glanced coldly at Ethan and went to greet other guests.

"What is Jasper North doing?" Tyler frowned. "So discourteous?"

Especially Tyler — he'd invited Ethan, and this was the result. He recalled the conversation. Jasper's attitude had shifted only after learning Ethan's identity. What about Tianyun Jewelry? Tyler was perplexed. He knew Ethan was a billionaire and Tianyun's VP. He couldn't exactly introduce him as "billionaire Ethan Caldwell" without sounding like he was bragging.

The cocktail party began. Jasper stood at the front with a microphone, expressing gratitude.

"Although today there's someone who opposes me here, I still welcome him." Finally, glancing across the room at Ethan, he spoke.

Being against his brother meant being against him.

The crowd buzzed. All eyes turned to Ethan. Who was this guy? What had he done to make Mr. North say that?

Tyler and Lucas were equally surprised by the tension in those words.

"After all, this is my territory. I'll treat you as a guest with courtesy." Jasper continued, still intending to warn Ethan. "But if outside—"

Before he could finish, a calm voice cut through everything.

"On your turf? Not necessarily."

Jasper and every guest in the room were baffled. What did Ethan mean?

Jasper ignored him and launched into boasting about his future goals — dominating Hang City's hotel industry and so on.

After the speech, Tyler found Jasper to confront him. Ethan was his guest. Jasper had gone too far.

"Mr. North, what do you mean?" Tyler was furious. "My brother and I came to support you, and you're being excessive."

"Excessive?" Jasper was indifferent. "Isn't he just a vice president at Tianyun Jewelry? My brother, chairman of Evercrest Jewelry, didn't come today because of them. I didn't throw him out — that was already giving face."

Tyler and Lucas finally understood why Jasper's attitude had flipped. They didn't know the jewelry industry well. Faced with his arrogance, they were helpless and prepared to leave. It was his turf. They were guests.

Then Jasper's secretary walked over with a document.

"Mr. North, big news. Yesterday the owner of Hang City's International Financial Center suddenly changed."

She'd planned to report immediately, but learned Jasper wasn't in the company — he'd been occupied with his lover. Nobody dared disturb him. Today he'd been socializing nonstop, so she'd waited until he had a moment.

"What?" Jasper was extremely surprised. The IFC owner just changed like that? Which tycoon had that kind of liquid capital?

"Boss, we previously signed a six-month contract with the IFC. Now that ownership has changed, renewing might be tricky. You should pay attention."

"No worries. I know the main VP at the IFC. With his help, signing a contract won't be a problem," Jasper said confidently. "By the way — what's the new owner's name?"

"Ethan Caldwell. Mr. Caldwell."

Jasper nodded subconsciously. Then his face changed drastically.

"Ethan Caldwell? What did you say? What's the new owner's name?" His voice was loud enough that countless guests took notice.

"Ethan Caldwell." The secretary pointed to the document.

Ethan Caldwell.

Jasper had only glanced at the document before. This time he widened his eyes and stared. The new owner's name was written clearly: Ethan Caldwell.

The next second, Jasper laughed bizarrely and walked over to Ethan with extreme politeness.

"Mr. Caldwell, your presence here — Jasper failed to welcome you properly. Discourteous of me. Please forgive me, Mr. Caldwell."

His posture dropped to the extreme.

Everyone was dumbfounded. Wasn't Jasper just imperiously warning this young man? How did he turn into this in the next second? The change was too fast.

All the guests were frightened by Jasper's one-eighty.

"Mr. North, what's this?" Lucas asked, surprised. "Weren't you just warning Mr. Caldwell not to provoke your brother's Evercrest Jewelry?"

Jasper seemed not to understand. "Brother? What brother? What's Evercrest Jewelry? How can it compare to Tianyun? I believe it won't be long before that rubbish Evercrest gets beaten by Tianyun. In the future, Mr. Caldwell acquiring Evercrest would be a small matter."

Everyone was dumbfounded. Your face change is too quick. Even a chameleon would be impressed.

"Mr. Caldwell, it was little Jasper's fault earlier. Please forgive me — don't take it to heart."

Little Jasper?

Hearing that self-reference, everyone was flabbergasted.

"Mr. North, who is he?" someone couldn't hold back.

"This is the new owner of Hang City International Financial Center. Mr. Caldwell. Just acquired the entire IFC."

He's the new owner?

Jasper's words fell like thunder. Impossible.

Everyone looked at Ethan with respect and awe. The fact that Jasper could rent an entire floor had already been impressive. Now they were being told this young man — younger than most of them — had acquired the whole center.

How much funding did he have?

All hearts were filled with astonishment. They recalled Ethan's words earlier and suddenly understood.

On your turf? Not necessarily.

Jasper rented the sixty-second floor. Barely the owner of one floor. But Ethan owned the entire International Financial Center. The whole building was his turf. What did Jasper count as?

The next second, guests who'd been flattering Jasper all swarmed Ethan.

"Mr. Caldwell is indeed outstanding!" "Mr. Caldwell, I toast to you." "Compared to Mr. Caldwell, we're all ordinary people."

In comparison to Jasper just now, these guests were not inferior in groveling.

Tyler and Lucas stood there dumbfounded. They hadn't known about Ethan's identity either.

New owner of the International Financial Center?

Brother Ethan was incredible. He'd been in Hang City a few days and acquired the entire IFC.

Respect. Absolute respect.

They were grateful they'd had good eyes for befriending him. Otherwise, they might be calling themselves "Little Jasper" right now.

"Little Jasper" stood in front of Ethan.

"Mr. Caldwell, it was my mistake earlier. Please don't take it to heart. Little Jasper was short-sighted — please excuse me. About the subsequent contract?"

---

Chapter 103: Three Hundred Million and the Woman Who Worshipped the West

Jasper North was extremely worried about the contract. He'd only signed a six-month lease with the International Financial Center. Previously, knowing the building's VP, he'd had no concerns. Now he'd somehow offended the owner.

He was doomed.

For this hotel — renovation, design, everything — he'd spent one or two billion. All of it for long-term development. But if the contract expired in six months and he couldn't renew, he'd lose at least a billion. Maybe more.

Even for a tycoon, losing one or two billion at once was unbearable. Billionaires' net worth fluctuated with market value. One bad turn and fortunes cratered.

"Contract?" Ethan understood Jasper's concern and remarked casually, "I'm not a petty person. If Mr. North wants to continue renting, there's no problem."

Jasper's eyes lit up. He breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Ethan checked the rent. Leasing a floor ran about ten million a month. Half a year had probably cost Jasper sixty to seventy million.

"I'll give Mr. North a discount on the second half of the year's contract. How about three hundred million?" Ethan asked with a smile.

A discount? And still three hundred million?

That was a fivefold rent increase.

Everyone exchanged looks.

"Mr. Caldwell is truly generous!" "As magnanimous as they say." "Immediately offering Mr. North a discount — admirable. A level we can only look up to."

Countless flattering comments poured in. Guests who'd come to celebrate Jasper's hotel opening were now groveling over Ethan.

"Everyone always speaks the truth." Even Ethan felt a bit embarrassed. What could he do? He was an accommodating person.

Jasper almost spat blood. Three hundred million. Three hundred million. And they called it generous?

But three hundred million beat losing one or two billion.

"Okay." Jasper nodded. "Since Mr. Caldwell is so generous, how could little Jasper refuse?"

Despite crying inwardly, he smiled and responded. Swallowing grievances silently — who asked him to create unnecessary trouble?

Damn it. After this, he had to knock some sense into Evercrest Jewelry, or his losses would be too great.

Tyler Jiang and Lucas Young stood to the side watching the show, unable to hold back their laughter. The eminent financial tycoon, faced with Ethan, was like a mouse meeting a cat — calling himself "little Jasper."

If that got out, Jasper might become a laughingstock. They wouldn't spread it themselves. But if someone asked — well, they were honest folks. They wouldn't lie.

With a few billion in hand, Ethan felt in good spirits.

"Since you're here today, you can check out the company." A separate asset management company oversaw everything related to the IFC. As owner, Ethan had naturally become chairman. The company sat on the top floor, which even featured a high-altitude helipad.

The cocktail party continued as Ethan left alone and took the elevator up.

The doors opened to reveal a crowded car. Ethan got on — not yet overloaded.

At the sixty-third floor, a blond, blue-eyed foreigner stepped in. Immediately, an alarm sounded. Overloaded.

The atmosphere grew awkward. Most people looked toward the foreign man — he'd entered last. He didn't want to leave, but being stared at by so many made him uneasy.

"Domestic men are just like this. Not a bit of gentlemanly," a young woman scoffed. "So shameless. No wonder they say American men can't compare to foreign men — crushed in every aspect."

"If it were me, I'd marry a foreigner too."

The woman, with an adoration for all things Western, kept disparaging.

"The second person who entered — hurry and get out," she targeted Ethan instead of the man who'd caused the overload.

Several men in the elevator looked at her with disdain. Clearly, the foreigner had entered last.

"Why are you like this?" "Why not let the foreigner leave?" "The elevator overloaded because of him."

People spoke up one after another.

"You people." The woman glared. "Do you all disrespect women like this? Do you believe I won't take your pictures and post them online for the feminist sisters to tear you apart?"

A pseudo-feminist hiding behind activism — actually a West-worshipper.

After her threat, nobody spoke further. Everyone knew how fearsome those online mobs could be. Better to avoid trouble.

"Too much!" A beautiful woman with strong moral conviction spoke up. Others might fear her, but she didn't.

"The foreign gentleman clearly caused the overload. Yet you're blaming this young man. Aren't you so-called feminists always advocating for foreign men and gentlemanly behavior? Then why don't you step out instead?"

Provoked, the West-worshipping woman became furious. "I'll go out!"

Earlier she'd mocked American men and wanted Ethan to leave — all to flatter the foreign handsome guy, hoping he'd notice her. If she left now, surely he'd be moved and follow her out. Maybe she'd experience a whirlwind romance.

She exited, smiling at the foreign man, anticipating he'd follow.

He did act. But not the way she expected.

The moment she stepped out, he pressed the close button without hesitation.

Watching the doors shut, the West-worshipping woman went dumbfounded.

How could this be? She still had an interview on the top floor!

Laughter erupted inside the elevator.

"That was hilarious." "Didn't she say foreign men were gentlemen?" "Are they still worth idolizing?"

Hoisted by her own petard. That nasty woman got what she deserved.

Outside, the woman felt awful. What she'd imagined was nothing like reality. She'd come to the IFC for a job interview, saw a handsome foreign guy in the elevator, and put on a show. But he wasn't gentlemanly at all.

She'd thought she'd hit the jackpot — career and love. She ended up with neither.

"That jerk makes me so mad!" She cursed the foreign guy. "Abroad, he must be an exception. Where in the world are there no jerks? Foreign guys are largely gentlemen — it's just him."

Even after being dumped, she still believed foreign countries were better. Foreign men superior in height, demeanor, essence — everything. Her idolization ran deep.

The elevator ascended. People got off until only Ethan and the justice-minded girl remained.

"You going to the top floor too?" Ethan asked, feeling favorable toward her.

"Yes. Interview."

This guy was handsome. She wasn't shallow, but she had to admit it.

"You look nervous. Not prepared?"

She shook her head worriedly. "I heard the company has very high requirements. Master's degree and above, plus work experience. I just graduated. No experience."

"I've prepared myself for rejection. Taking this as practice."

"Oh?" Ethan raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Why do I feel like you'll definitely be accepted?"

"That's unlikely." She didn't believe him. Aside from being young and pretty, she didn't hold much advantage.

"Anyway, thank you." She didn't take his words to heart.

At the top floor, she said goodbye and hurried toward the interview area.

Ethan glanced over. Many candidates. No rush — he'd check the office first.

Several executives were already waiting. Ethan discussed a few points and they left to work. Only the general manager remained to report specifics.

"You don't need to follow me. I'll look around myself."

After some time, he decided to check the interview area.

"Okay, Mr. Caldwell." The general manager assumed Ethan was inspecting the company and said nothing more.

The interview was over. All candidates waited outside. Results would be announced immediately — swift action.

Among them, the justice-minded girl waited anxiously. To her surprise, the West-worshipping woman from the elevator was there too — wearing an arrogant, disdainful expression that intensified when she saw the girl.

Fresh college graduate. Trash. She held a master's degree and had worked at two foreign companies. Rich experience. The interviewers had been impressed. She was absolutely getting in. The girl who'd called her out in the elevator was surely getting axed.

Recalling the elevator incident made her fume. If not for that woman, she wouldn't have exited herself. She'd climbed the stairs to get here, exhausted like a dog.

This grudge needed settling. She approached the justice-minded girl.

"How's it going? Nervous?"

The girl instinctively nodded.

"You don't have to be. Someone like you has absolutely no chance." She taunted in front of everyone. "Just look at yourself — a fresh college graduate trying to compete with people like us. Wishful thinking. Daydreaming."

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

"Even if I'm not accepted, at least I have pride," the girl stood her ground.

Two interviewers emerged with a list.

"Ha. Keep talking tough. You'll be crying soon," Stella Lina said nastily, brimming with confidence.

The justice-minded girl couldn't rebut. On paper, Stella Lina had the advantage. Just take it as practice.

"The accepted list is out. Li Zhenlong, Xiao Wenshan, Stella Lina…"

Hearing her name, Stella Lina's smile grew brighter. Several names followed. The justice-minded girl's never came.

She sighed and prepared to leave. Prepared or not, disappointment still stung.

Stella Lina mocked incessantly as the girl turned away.

"All right. Those accepted, stay behind. Others may leave."

"Wait." A sudden voice. "I think there's a problem with your selection."

Ethan walked out from behind. He'd just arrived and witnessed the announcement.

Stella Lina — accepted. The justice-minded girl — rejected.

"Stella Lina is too ugly. Doesn't fit the company image. Mean look — clearly selfish. She shouldn't be accepted."

Everyone stared in disbelief. Challenging interviewers was bold enough. Your reason is bizarre. Ugly? Mean-looking? And you expect them to listen?

Stella Lina sneered. "Utter nonsense!" She didn't believe the interviewers would comply.

Ethan's words were outrageous. Just because she looked ugly, kick her off the list? Who was this kid anyway?

Not possible.

Stella Lina was brimming with confidence.

Then she recalled Ethan's words and flew into a rage. "Too ugly? Who are you calling too ugly!"

Her most sensitive point. Today Ethan had pointed it out mercilessly.

Damn bastard.

"Hey, handsome." The justice-minded girl walked up. "Thank you, but we should leave now." She feared causing trouble for Ethan. Him stepping in had already moved her greatly.

"Young man, what are you talking about?" The interviewer was in disbelief.

Only a few senior executives who'd just met Ethan knew his identity. These interviewers didn't recognize him.

"Our company absolutely does not judge people by appearance." The interviewer was about to drive Ethan away when someone poked him with an elbow.

"Who is it?" he said irritably.

His colleague was winking at him.

"My colleague misspoke. I think this gentleman is absolutely right. She's too ugly and unsuitable. I announce she will be removed from the hiring list."

The second interviewer quickly made amends. He'd been on his phone and saw a message in the work group chat — from the general manager, with a photo of Ethan.

The chairman not revealing his identity surely had a reason. Whatever it was, since the chairman had spoken, he must comply.

Everyone was dumbfounded. The interviewer really listened. Amazing. Fire the ugly woman? Could it be true?

"Old Zhao, you—" The first interviewer wanted to refute but his colleague signaled him to check his phone.

He opened it and nearly dropped the device. Oh my God. He was the chairman.

"Yes. I retract my previous words. Our company does value looks." He spoke righteously and sternly.

"Remove from the hiring list?" Stella Lina stood in a daze.

The change was too swift. Just because of Ethan's suggestion, she got booted?

Her already distorted worldview collapsed completely.

"Moreover, this beautiful lady fits our company image perfectly," Ethan remarked cryptically.

"Yes. This lovely lady — from now on, you're replacing Stella Lina's spot. Congratulations. You're now an employee of our company."

The first interviewer immediately agreed to make up for the earlier error.

Again, because of something Ethan said, someone got hired?

Everyone was utterly shocked.

"You! It's all because of you!" Stella Lina completely lost it and lunged at Ethan.

"Help! Quickly!" Before she could touch him, security guards picked her up.

"Throw this madwoman out. No — send her to the police station." An attempt to assault the chairman could not be tolerated.

Soon the justice-minded girl signed a contract.

"My name is Brianna Frost. Thank you so much today."

"No problem. I was just speaking the truth."

"Also — why were both of your suggestions adopted?" Brianna was utterly curious.

"Perhaps because I'm too handsome." Ethan didn't want to reveal his identity. He was a low-key person.

Eventually Brianna got his contact info before leaving. Ethan stayed at the company a while, then left too.

The next morning, while Ethan was having breakfast, the system's voice rang again.

[Ding]

[Special experience task: Buy three apartment buildings and live the landlord's life for ten days.]

[Task time limit: None.]

[Task reward: 35% of world-class luxury brand Prada's shares, becoming the largest shareholder.]

Ethan stood up, astonished.

Wow. The system went crazy this time.

Prada. The world's top luxury brand. Not second or third-largest shareholder — the largest. Once completed, he'd be the actual controller. Global president and CEO.

Insane.

Founded in 1913, Prada stood alongside LV, Hermès, Dior, and Armani. Over a century of history. Last year it ranked 100 on Interbrand's Best Global Brands list — global brands including Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, everything.

Prada was among them.

This reward was too satisfying. Living the landlord's life — he'd experienced that before in Manhattan. Counting money every day was exhausting. This dull, plain life was starting again.

Actually, Ethan was quite pleased. He preferred simple, ordinary tasks. Hoped for more of them.

"By the way — if I got 35% of Prada's shares, how much money would that be?"

He pulled out his phone and checked. His expression changed.

"Fifty-eight billion? A world-class luxury brand — how can it be only fifty-eight billion?"

He'd thought Prada's market value would be at least a hundred billion minimum. The result surprised him.

"Could this be a mistake?"

He continued checking and got angry. At its peak, Prada's market value had hit two to three hundred billion. But for eight or nine years, due to internal family disputes and various complex reasons, Prada Group's market value had dropped to fifty-eight billion.

Now 35% equaled roughly twenty billion. At peak, it would have been over a hundred billion.

"What a pity," Ethan remarked.

But a lean camel was still bigger than a horse. Prada remained a world-class luxury brand. Its brand value far exceeded its market value.

---

Chapter 104: The World's Largest Luxury Shareholder

As a world-class luxury brand, Prada's brand value was incredibly high. Though not as prominent as before, it had once stood on par with Hermès and LV. Its status and influence on the international stage remained formidable.

Simply holding the title of Global President and CEO of Prada could intimidate people.

While Ethan's assets would only increase by over twenty billion, his intangible assets — status, influence, connections — would see remarkable growth.

Before, hiring an international jewelry design master required pulling favors. As Global President of Prada, it would take a phone call.

"Prada is still vibrant. Infighting among executives caused the market value to drop."

Unlike other luxury goods groups, most of Prada's executives were members of the Prada family. That familial structure had significant drawbacks — the plummeting market value was proof. Most shares were controlled by various family members engaged in constant infighting.

Once Ethan became Global CEO and largest shareholder, he'd take action to rectify the situation. Prada would shine in its former glory again.

"The life of a landlord is about to begin."

Ethan muttered to himself, researched, and decided which three buildings to buy in two different apartment communities. He set off for the beautifully landscaped Four Seasons Elite Residences.

After being kicked out of the IFC yesterday, Stella Lina had no choice but to return to her former job — sales agent at Four Seasons Elite Residences.

She despised Ethan intensely. No idea why those interviewers listened to his "crazy" advice. But because of him, she'd been booted off the hiring list.

"When will I meet a foreign Prince Charming?" she fantasized. American men were weak and incompetent. She looked down on them.

"Hopefully I can go abroad soon and live a beautiful life." Life here was rubbish — incomparable to the good abroad. In her heart, everything overseas was superior.

Stella began her work. Sneaking a peek at her phone, she noticed a dashing young man walk in.

"Hmm?" She was stunned. It was him. She'd run into him again.

"Heh heh." Seeing Ethan walk in, Stella smirked sinisterly. Today he was on her turf. She was determined to give this guy a hard time.

She hid quietly, not letting him see her. When a pretty sales agent approached the handsome newcomer proactively — brochures, tea, the full treatment — Stella walked over.

"Xiaoman, let me handle him."

Soon Stella picked up a cup of piping hot water and maliciously approached Ethan. She planned to pretend to serve tea and intentionally spill it on him.

Three. Two. One.

Just as she was about to act, Ethan suddenly stood up. Caught off guard — splash. Water hit the sofa and floor instead.

Ethan noticed Stella. Seeing the spill, he understood her intent.

"My apologies." Stella adjusted herself. "My colleague had something come up. I'll be taking over." She sat opposite him, covering the awkwardness.

Since she hadn't learned her lesson yesterday, Ethan didn't mind making her remember today.

Stella began introducing the buildings.

"No need. I'll buy it. I'll pay today." Ethan interrupted.

"What?" Stella was taken aback. Others buying a house usually visited several times, took forever to decide. This guy wanted to buy directly and pay today?

A broad smile spread across her face. She still found Ethan annoying, but she couldn't help feeling happier. Her "enemy" was willingly giving her money. Selling one property earned a hefty commission. Making money off her enemy made it even sweeter.

At this moment, she regarded Ethan as a lamb ready for slaughter. An insanely rich fool.

"So, when are we signing the contract?" she asked excitedly.

"I'll make a call to have the money delivered. Then we sign." Ethan went outside to call, preparing to give Stella a big surprise.

"Which unit did you choose?" Upon returning, Stella could hardly wait.

"I recommend this duplex, or the 120-square-meter unit—"

"No need. I'm not buying a unit. I'm buying an entire building." Ethan pointed to Building No. 56. "That's the one."

"What?" Stella's mouth dropped open.

Oh my God. An entire building.

She was almost jumping for joy. Selling an entire building — commission of at least a few million. With that, maybe she could go abroad and live beautifully. Ethan was a huge cash cow. Giving her millions for free.

News spread quickly. Sales agents crowded around to witness.

"Wow. This handsome guy is buying a whole building." "I'm so jealous of Stella." "Rare in a lifetime to meet such a big spender."

Especially the agent who'd initially attended to Ethan — extremely regretful she shouldn't have given the opportunity to Stella.

Enjoying the admiring gazes, Stella was immensely proud. The boss was very pleased, promising promotion and a raise. She'd at least be a manager.

"Let's go. The money's outside. Follow me."

Ethan led Stella and the spectators outside. In front of a large truck, he stopped.

"The money's inside. Count it if you like."

Stella was extremely curious as Ethan slowly opened the truck door.

---

Chapter 105: Two Billion in Coins

"Two billion in cash. Did you lose any? Count it yourself."

Pointing at the truckload of coins, Ethan smiled, looking innocent and harmless.

Counting coins was way more troublesome than counting bills. To give this West-worshipping woman a big surprise, Ethan had specifically called the bank and requested two billion dollars in coins.

Anyone else would get a direct "Are you crazy?" But facing a super VIP like Ethan, no request was too excessive. Without making him wait long, the bank drove a truck over.

A full two billion in coins. Some brand new.

Stella Lina was dumbfounded. Onlookers were equally stunned.

"Count," Ethan said.

Count? Stella was completely at a loss. How many coins was this? She really couldn't count them all.

Once, her favorite thing was money. Now with a truckload in front of her, she couldn't be happy. She felt like crying. How long would it take? Forever and a day.

Sales clerks behind her stared at the countless coins. This much money could crush a person — no, many people.

Some had doubted whether Ethan could actually buy an entire building. Now they believed. So many coins. They were impressed. You are the boss.

As sales clerks here, they feared they might have to help count. There was a saying: count money until your hands cramp. Today they'd finally experience it.

But why did this feeling seem off? Once it was their dream. From today, it might become their nightmare.

The situation was so dramatic the general manager came personally. Even she was bewildered looking at the truck brimming with money.

"Manager, I indeed want to buy a building, but I have one condition."

"Please, go ahead."

"My money must be counted entirely by this lady. No one else participates." Ethan pointed at Stella.

"What?" Stella instantly blew up. Counting it herself — she might not finish in months. The smile on her face had vanished. Only despair remained.

She could earn a lot, but this way of earning money was something she really didn't want.

"No problem." Sacrificing one Stella Lina. Selling a building was more important than countless Stella Linas. The manager agreed without hesitation.

"Wow! So handsome, sir! Sir, I love you so much!" Terrified sales clerks laughed excitedly. Not having to count after all was wonderful.

"Alright. I agree." Finally, unable to withstand the lure of the bonus, Stella agreed through gritted teeth.

The manager already guessed Stella must have offended this gentleman. That's why he'd gotten so many coins from the bank. With her seasoned perspective, she instantly saw the extraordinary in Ethan.

"Since he dislikes Stella so much, I'll take the opportunity to curry favor." The manager decided not to grant Stella's commission bonus. She planned to fire Stella directly once counting finished. But that would be months later. No rush.

Stella had no idea the manager had already sold her out. Even if she counted, she wouldn't get a dime.

After signing the contract, Ethan smoothly became owner of Building 56. The manager had no concerns about the money. Would a person like this have money issues?

Building 56 was completed with deluxe décor — entirely ready for move-in. That same day, Ethan bought two more residential buildings elsewhere, completing part of his task.

The next morning, Ethan checked his progress.

[Experience Task: Experience ten days of being a landlord (0/10). Additional task: rent out 60 apartments (0/60).]

Hmm? Another small task? No problem. Sixty apartments in ten days.

He registered on several rental websites and lowered rent slightly to attract tenants. Then he instinctively opened social media.

Luxury pictures filled his feed.

"The life of the rich is so dull and tasteless. Traveling in Australia, staying in a 2,500-square-meter villa, driving a Lamborghini, accompanied by several beautiful women. So boring."

Comments poured in. "Wow, Brother Snow, you're amazing!" "Luxury cars, beautiful women, villas, pools — Brother Snow is the model for us young folks." "Too extravagantly inhuman."

Yara Snow's replies were "low-key" to the extreme. The act was poorly done. This was at least the fifth or sixth time Ethan had seen him show off. And there were posts he hadn't seen.

Were Yara Snow's things worth boasting about? Any of Ethan's own villas or luxury cars could crush them.

Ethan had just posted an ad online when calls flooded in. Too lazy to respond one by one, he posted the viewing location directly. He wrote a big "Rental Location" sign, grabbed a table and chairs, and set up at the base of Building 56 in the Seasons Community.

Soon a customer hurried over. Ethan looked closer and was dumbfounded.

Wasn't that Yara Snow — the guy showing off on social media? Wasn't he in Australia? What luxury home, supercar, beauties, private pool? Why was he here in Hang City?

Could he flip 108,000 miles in a single move and go straight from Australia back to Hang City? Incredible.

Yara Snow didn't see Ethan at first. He browsed rental websites, confirmed Building 56's location — then noticed Ethan sitting there.

Instantly, embarrassment hit the extreme. How could he run into someone he knew just checking out a house? He'd only just shown off on social media.

He regretted it deeply. Should've done like usual — show off, then come out days later. He'd founded a startup that ended in a mess, though many didn't know. He frequently showed off and almost never crashed. He enjoyed the worship.

But this rental was exceptionally cheap — irresistibly tempting. He feared it'd be gone if he waited.

On the way, he'd consoled himself: Hang City is huge. He couldn't possibly run into someone he knew.

He didn't run into anyone on the way. The finish line got him.

Ethan noticed Yara Snow too. Leaving now was too late, so Yara brazenly walked over.

"Weren't you overseas?" Ethan asked.

Yara wished he could crawl into a hole.

"Well, that was a photo from yesterday. I came back to Hang City today. Posted it on social media to commemorate."

A photo from yesterday, posted today. Yeah right. If Ethan believed that, it'd be laughable. Yara's post had implied he was currently overseas.

"Since you're a man of wealth — villa, fancy cars — you're surely not here to look at my few little houses. I'll be seeing you." Ethan smiled.

Yara was at a loss. The houses here were really cheap. Very tempting. But after what Ethan said, he didn't want to admit his posts were lies.

"Right." Gritting his teeth, Yara nodded. He regretted it to the utmost — bleeding inside. He came for nothing. Cheap houses, rare once a year. Didn't get to rent. Bumped into Ethan. Rotten luck.

Amidst longing backward glances, Yara left. All the way he checked social media, waiting to see if Ethan exposed his lies. Not until he got home without seeing anything did he breathe relief.

"Thank goodness you have some sense." Yara sneered.

Then a post less than a minute old caught his attention.

"Isn't this our Snow? Could it be that Australia is in Hang City?" A profile shot. Not from Ethan — another person who'd seen him.

Another post: "Guess who I ran into? Yara Snow, supposedly in Australia. Does that mean I'm in Australia too?" With a frontal shot.

Yara screamed in despair. Three acquaintances in one outing. Why did it have to be this coincidental?

His worst nightmare came true.

"Liar!" "Scumbag, still trying to hit on me?" "Rich man my foot — you're just broke!"

Countless private messages. One from a girl he'd recently tried to pick up by showing off. He'd almost had her. Now it was all gone.

Time passed. Ethan rented out several rooms. Then a young man in a suit with shiny shoes — every bit the society elite — walked over with his girlfriend.

"Darling, we're going to rent a place. This is the best environment and most expensive place I found. Pretty satisfied, huh?"

"Is it expensive?" the girlfriend asked.

"To others, it's not just expensive — incredibly expensive. But to me, it's nothing. Small change. I'm a white-collar worker with an annual salary of several million. A successful person."

While he bragged, the girlfriend wasn't paying attention. She was staring at Ethan.

"Wow. Such a handsome young man. If only I'd met him a few days earlier."

The suited man looked for her amazed expression and found her gaze on the guy renting properties instead.

"Bastard!" Hostility filled him. "It's just a gigolo, living off a rich woman, isn't it?"

"How do you know?" she queried.

"Look — if he wasn't a gigolo, how could he have so many properties for rent? Even my family doesn't have that many. He must be in cahoots with some rich woman. His girlfriend or wife might be in her fifties or sixties. So young and doesn't want to work hard. A disgrace to our generation."

People like me, working tirelessly through effort, are too rare.

Slightly convinced, the girl walked over with him.

"Three thousand a month for rent? Too expensive. How about eight hundred?"

Aren't you an elite? Fussing over such a small amount. For a three-bedroom in a well-located high-end place in Hang City, three thousand was already super cheap. Other places would ask five, seven, eight thousand — even beyond ten.

And he dared suggest eight hundred?

"Actually, I think even eight hundred is too much. Three hundred would be ideal."

---

Chapter 106: One Building vs. Five Buildings

The suited young man was getting greedy.

"Rent used to be three thousand. Now it's thirty thousand. Take it or leave it."

Thirty thousand? The suited man was furious. Was he being messed with? He was just about to scold Ethan when an angry voice came from afar.

"Quinn Jia!"

A very attractive woman, full of anger, shouted at the suited man. Seeing her, Quinn Jia turned pale — like a mouse meeting a cat — and quickly tried to hide.

"Who is the person next to you?" the beauty scolded.

Ethan pretty much understood. The main woman had arrived. He'd thought the suited man was here with his girlfriend. Seemed she wasn't his girlfriend — she was his lover.

The beauty came running over. "You're actually keeping a woman outside? So bold."

"I… you, listen to my explanation," Quinn tried to argue.

"The facts are right in front of me. You can't argue. This matter can't just be let go. When I go back, I will definitely tell my mom."

Quinn hurriedly begged. "Don't, don't tell her, please don't tell her."

Another son-in-law afraid of his mother-in-law. Compared to the main woman, that girlfriend seemed quite plain.

In the end, the beauty still called her mother in front of Quinn.

"My mom wants you to go back." "Dad."

Dad? Did this beauty just call Quinn "Dad"?

Ethan and the suited man's "girlfriend" were both dumbfounded. Wasn't he the husband — he was her dad?

With a sigh, Quinn was already prepared to face the music, leaving with his head low.

"Beauty, is he your dad?" Ethan finally spoke up.

"Yeah. Back then he wanted to pursue me, but I rejected him. Somehow he ended up with my mom and got married." The beauty spoke with helplessness.

Ethan was stunned. A wolf — definitely a wolf. Quinn had demonstrated the saying: if I can't be your husband, I'll be your dad.

Impressive. So impressive.

Judging by this beauty's attire, her family was well-off. Maybe Quinn was like, "Auntie, I don't want to work hard anymore."

The world is big and full of wonders. Sometimes jokes become reality right beside you.

"Quinn Jia!" The "girlfriend" was fuming. So he was the real gigolo? He married a fifty or sixty-year-old woman?

"Don't you run away!" The girl who'd unknowingly become the third party chased after Quinn. Soon they were in a scuffle.

On his first day, Ethan rented out over a dozen apartments. Feeling pretty good.

[Experience Task: Experience Ten Days of Rent Collecting Life (1/10). Rent out 60 Apartments (16/60).]

The second day, Ethan came to the community as usual.

[Ding] [Sign-in Task. Do You Want to Sign In?]

Another sign-in task. Ethan immediately pressed "Sign-In."

[Sign-In Successful]

[Congratulations on Acquiring a World-Class Supercar, Lykan Hypersport (Son of the Wolf)]

[Note: The system will park the Lykan Hypersport near you within an hour. Please be ready to receive it.]

The Lykan Hypersport — one of the most expensive cars globally, close to a hundred million dollars. Titanium alloy and carbon fiber throughout. The first car with diamonds embedded in headlights — each headlight made of Titanium LED blades with 420 diamonds (15 carats). Seats stitched with gold thread. Zero to sixty in 2.8 seconds. Top speed 245 mph.

In Fast & Furious 7, the car that leaped between skyscrapers was the Lykan Hypersport — Son of the Wolf.

"Nice." Ethan nodded with satisfaction. The lifelong pursuit of countless supercar enthusiasts.

News spread about a high and mighty millionaire renting apartments. Today many girls came attracted by the fame.

"Wow, is this building really yours?" "You're so handsome." "Legendary godly looks."

Pretty girls surrounded Ethan, constantly babbling.

Not far away, an average-looking, slightly chubby young man walked by. Seeing Ethan surrounded by so many pretty girls, he was extremely envious. Especially surprised to learn Ethan only owned one building.

Just one measly building and he was this popular? If he owned five buildings, wouldn't all the women fall for him?

No way. His abilities wouldn't allow him to be low-key. If he didn't show off now and steal those beauties, he'd regret it for life. He owned five buildings.

"Make way. Make way." He squeezed in front of Ethan.

"Bro, I heard this building is yours?"

"Yes. Is there something you need?" If you're not renting, move aside.

"I wanted to get to know you. Since we're both landlords." The chubby man began. "You're the owner of this building." He pointed at five buildings nearby in a lonely-expert manner. "And I'm the owner of that one, that one, that one… a total of five buildings."

Similar style to Building 56. Similar selling price. Girls standing around were dumbfounded. They'd thought one building was impressive. Now here came a big shot with five.

"This little brother is so strong." "Your assets must be over a billion?" "I had already noticed how impressive he was."

Girls eagerly fawned over the chubby man. He smiled at Ethan.

"Bro, having one building means you're lucky. I'm really envious. Why do you have one building? And why do I have five? Collecting rent from five buildings is way more troublesome than one. What a headache."

He already possessed the style of a king of pretentiousness.

The chubby man wore a lonely expression as if he were snow, deeply moved. Women looked at him with stars in their eyes.

"Amazing. Five buildings — if I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't have imagined it." "Five buildings — counting money until your hands cramp?" "I really want to experience that."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. You want to experience counting money until your hands cramp? No problem — go straight to the sales office.

Before Ethan could retort, another woman spoke. "Little brother, how many apartments is that?"

In their eyes now, Ethan was just a guy with one building. The true star was the chubby man.

"How many? One building has 23 floors, four units per floor. Five buildings — merely four or five hundred units. It's nothing."

"Wow. Four or five hundred apartments. I can't even calculate anymore." "Little brother, you're so charming."

Ethan was completely sidelined as women went crazy over the chubby man.

Being praised like this, he wore a proud smile. Pretending was delightful. How lonely invincibility is.

"Despite so many apartments, collecting rent is too troublesome. Every month receiving millions. Sigh… Unlike this guy — one building, less than a hundred apartments, less than a million in rent a month. So relaxed."

"Little brother is so low-key. You two aren't even on the same level."

"I am indeed quite relaxed. I usually don't rent out apartments — just switch villas every day." Ethan placed keys to ten Galaxy Bay Villas on the table. This morning he couldn't decide which villa to stay in tonight, so he'd brought all ten keys. Unexpectedly useful.

The chubby man's bright smile froze. As a property mogul, he recognized the Galaxy Bay logo. Each key had the unique mark — didn't that mean ten Galaxy Bay Lake Heart Island Villas?

Gulp. Only one word: "Damn!"

Ten Lake Heart Island Villas? Did he have to be so impressive? A single Galaxy Bay villa could match his five buildings. And he had ten?

No way. Could there still be such a powerful person in Hang City?

His face turned red. He'd just put on a show — did it fall apart so quickly?

The gold-digging women were stunned too. They didn't recognize the Galaxy Bay mark. Just heard "ten villa keys."

"Ten keys, ten villas? A villa in Hang City costs twenty or thirty million. Ten villas — two or three hundred million? At most three buildings total. Can't compare to little brother's five."

The chubby man let out a breath. Luckily they didn't recognize Galaxy Bay. Otherwise he'd be utterly embarrassed.

No way. It can't end like this. Just when he had pretender's aura — how could he admit defeat?

Glancing at his supercar in the distance, his eyes lit up. Scanning three times — no better car around. Confidence returned.

"A few days ago I bought a little junk car." He pointed at his McLaren P1, priced over thirteen million. "Today I kind of regret it. Too cheap. Not matching my status."

Women's eyes lit up. Seeing in person, visual impact beats imagination.

"What, that McLaren is yours? We thought it belonged to the guy with a building."

From the moment they arrived, they'd noticed the McLaren. Since Ethan had a building, they subconsciously thought the car was his. Now they realized it belonged to the chubby man. A grand McLaren turned out to be a "little junk car"?

"Little brother, how much is your McLaren?" "Five to six million, right?"

"It's a McLaren P1. Domestic price about thirteen million." He spoke proudly.

"What, thirteen million? Did I hear wrong?"

The chubby man felt light-headed, enjoying the admiration in their eyes.

[Ding] [Lykan Hypersport, the Wolf, has been parked nearby. Please check it out.]

Ethan looked around and spotted the Lykan Hypersport, partially concealed.

"Buddy, what kind of car do you have?" the chubby man asked, having forgotten earlier pain.

"Over there." Ethan pointed. "Same as yours. Just a little junk car as well."

Everyone followed his finger. A supercar partially revealed.

The chubby man and gold-digging girls curiously walked over.

---

Chapter 107: Not Much — Just an IFC, Ten Villas, and a Michelin Restaurant

He'd looked several times. Besides his own McLaren, there weren't any other fancy cars around. Where did this one suddenly come from?

Filled with intense curiosity, the slightly chubby man and gold-digging girls approached Ethan's Lykan Hypersport.

Everyone was stunned. Some cars you don't need to know the brand — just by appearance you know they're incredibly expensive.

"I recognize it. Lykan Hypersport — Wolf of the Road. I saw it in Fast & Furious 7. Sells for over ninety million. Nearly a hundred million!" a girl shrieked.

She'd guessed earlier but wasn't sure. She pulled out her phone to compare. The legendary Lykan Hypersport.

"What? Over ninety million? A hundred million?! Unbelievable."

Several girls covered their mouths, staring wide-eyed. A car worth a hundred million — their first time seeing one. They hadn't even heard of it before.

A car like this could buy several villas in Hang City. Or a legendary courtyard house. Given a hundred million, they'd save it and live off interest forever. He only bought a car with it.

A hundred million on a sports car. The life of the wealthy — dull and tasteless.

The chubby man was even more dumbfounded. The legendary Lykan Hypersport. Every supercar enthusiast's dream. Let alone owning one — just seeing one was a lifetime's luck.

This car actually belonged to that guy?

Compared to the Lykan, his thirteen-million McLaren was like a wizard meeting a child.

He felt short of breath. He just wanted to show off a bit. How did it go wrong immediately?

Unbelievable. He was convinced.

His face showed admiration as he hurried to Ethan, almost kneeling.

"Bro, please accept my kneeling. Let me be your follower, will you?"