The cold night breeze swept through the empty streets as Su Chen walked with slow, deliberate steps. His mind was oddly calm, as if the chaos of the past few hours had finally settled.
The thugs had run away. The danger had passed.
And yet, he still felt… lost.
For the first time in a long while, he wasn't thinking about power, systems, or destiny. He was just a man trying to find his place in a world that felt both familiar and foreign.
He had resolved to live an ordinary life.
But fate had its own plans.
---
A Simple Meal
Su Chen's stomach growled, pulling him out of his thoughts. He sighed and glanced at the convenience store at the corner of the street.
The warm glow of the store's lights was strangely inviting. Without thinking too much, he stepped inside.
The faint hum of a refrigerator, the quiet rustle of snack wrappers—these mundane sounds felt almost surreal. Just a few hours ago, he had been fighting for his life. Now, he was here, choosing between different brands of instant noodles.
He grabbed a cup and walked toward the counter.
The cashier, a young woman with tired eyes, barely looked up as she rang up his purchase.
"9 yuan," she muttered.
Su Chen reached into his pocket, feeling the few crumpled bills he had left. It wasn't much, but it was enough for now.
As he handed over the money, his eyes caught the small television screen behind the counter. The news was on, but he wasn't really paying attention—until a certain name was mentioned.
"In other news, business mogul Xiao Ma announces a large-scale investment in expanding the Penguin Group's empire, claiming that 'a new era of opportunity is coming.' Many speculate that this move is in response to…"
Su Chen stopped listening.
Xiao Ma…?
The name sent a ripple through his mind. He knew this man.
In his past life, Xiao Ma had been a powerful figure—one Su Chen had once controlled through his system-given shares.
But this time… he was just another billionaire, continuing his life without any interference.
Su Chen clenched his fists.
So the world was still moving forward, unaffected by his past success.
He lowered his gaze, grabbed his cup of noodles, and walked out of the store.
It didn't matter. He had already made his choice.
---
A Past That Won't Let Go
Su Chen found a quiet bench outside and poured hot water into his noodles. As the steam rose, he took a deep breath, letting the warmth chase away the cold night air.
His mind drifted.
He had sworn to live a normal life.
But could he?
Or was fate simply waiting for the right moment to drag him back into the storm?
As he took his first bite, a shadow moved in the distance.
Someone was watching him.