Chapter 2: Rebirth

On the bed lay a pale young man. The sunlight seeped through the gap in the curtains. His eyes fluttered twice and then opened.

Wait, wasn't he supposed to be dead?

Zhu Mingze looked around in slight confusion. He wasn't in an unfamiliar environment. It was familiar. Too familiar in fact. It wasn't the hotels he'd lived in before. Or the run down apartments he'd had to hide in when he went bankrupt. Neither was it the dark room he was kept and tortured in. It was his room. He had a vague though about what might be happening but he couldn't be too sure. He couldn't let himself hope for too much.

Zhu Mingze got of the bed and headed to the bathroom. Seeing the all too familiar face in the mirror made him sob. He'd gone back. To the time when he was eighteen. His hand went to his face. It was wet with tears. He cleaned his face and went back to bed.

He sat in bed and stared off to space.

I can't believe I'm really back. This all feels like a dream. Even if it is a dream. I never wish to wake up.

Someone knocked on his door and pushed it open. It was his sister.

"Mingming, how are you doing? "

She came and sat beside him and raised her hand to his forehead. Feeling that his temperature was normal she took back her hand

"Mingming, I don't know what happened these days and I didn't say too much because I just considered it teenage rebellion but you can't put your life at risk like that. You had alcohol poisoning and it could have ended up even worse. You have to do things in proportion."

He remembered this scene. It was not long after Sun Zhiyu told him Zhu Hui Ying was his stepmom's biological daughter. He'd felt her caring words were mocking him and he'd lashed out at her. He looked at her and the worry in her eyes wasn't something that could be faked. He understood that now.

He couldn't help but lean towards her and placed his head on her shoulder. And he cried. All the grievance accumulated in two lifetimes was let out. Outside he was the young master of the Zhu family. A typical playboy in city A, only in front of his sister could he truly be himself. And he'd killed her. His hands clenched into a fistas he made a silent promise to himself. He was given a second chance and it must have been for this reason. He wouldn't let this chance to to waste.

He cleared his throat and moved back slightly.

Zhu Hui Ying smiled and pinched his cheeks

"Are you okay now?"

"En. Don't worry sis. It was wrong of me to make you worry. I will be the most well behaved brother from now on "

She smiled and rubbed my head while getting up.

"You don't have to do all that. Just take care of yourself. I know you are at the age where children like to play but you must put your own health above everything okay. I will let Aunt and Dad know you are awake now. We were all worried " I was a little awkward hearing her call her own mom Aunt. But it couldn't be helped. I really wanted to tell her now but it's too early for that.

She walked out and closed the door behind her.

Not long after my parents came in and said auspicious words, asking me to take care of myself before leaving as well.

I watched then leave and made sure the door was properly locked before I picked up my phone and made a call to a private investigator.

"I need you to check someone out for me"

"Oh. Who is it that could get young master Zhu's attention?"

I ignored his frivolous words and went right to the point

"His name is Sun Zhiyu. I need all the information you can gather on him from last year till now. Who he met, what he ate, the people he talked to, who he bought things from, even someone he brushed against on the street. "

"Okay I will have everything ready in about a week. The payment is one hundred thousand yuan"

"I will send you fifty thousand now and the other fifty when you have sent the information to me"

I ended the call and placed the phone on my bed.

I lay back on my bed and used an arm to cover my face thinking about what to do from now.

From my previous seven years of experience I have already determined that I do not have business acumen so I won't be stupid as to walk that path again.

But even if I am stupid at least my memory has never failed me. I still remember the movement of the stock market and that could help me with a little bit of money. Although my sister is going to inherit the company I can't be a dandy forever.

The entertainment industry seems like a good choice. I already have ample experience in face changing from my last life. And my appearance is pretty good. I just might well put it to good use.

Also I could increase my wallet by investing in a few dramas that are going to blow up later.

It's not a bad thing to always have some extra money.

Also, Sun Zhiyu. The moment I thought of this person my phone vibrated signaling I had a message. When I saw the name my lips pulled up in a mocking smile. Speak of the devil. His message was very concise.

[Zhu Mingze. I heard about your health. I left the party early that day and didn't know anything would happen. I hope you are fine now. When you have fully recovered, come out to play ]

My smile deepend. How hypocritical.

Who would invite someone who almost died of alcohol poisoning to a party when he wasn't even healed yet. His words are as insincere as a politicians promise. Zhu Mingze you were really stupid to have been done in by this person.

My eyes narrowed as I read his message over and over again. I had been unconscious for three days and he only sent me a message now. Almost like he knew when I woke up. Then I remembered something I had almost forgotten. Or rather someone. Butler Li.

I twirled the phone in my hand. I might have let them take advantage of me before but it's different now. I already know what they are planning and that makes me a few steps ahead of them.

My heart that was previously unsettled became calm. All I need to do now is get better.