**Chapter 8: A Deal Worth Millions**
At nine o'clock sharp, Chen Wei woke up, the faint light of morning seeping through his window. Groggily, he rubbed his face, forcing himself out of the warmth of his bed. The faint ache in his joints and the sluggishness in his movements served as a reminder of how much he had let himself go.
His routine was monotonous: wash his face, brush his teeth, dress in ill-fitting clothes, and head to the bathroom. Even mundane tasks like climbing stairs or bending to tie his shoelaces left him slightly winded.
"This body is so weak compared to what I had in the apocalypse," Chen Wei muttered to himself. He splashed water on his face, his mind drifting to those harrowing yet invigorating days in the post-apocalyptic world. There, his life had been defined by survival—chasing down resources, battling zombies, and pushing his limits to their peak. His body had been lean, muscular, and honed for combat.
Now? Now he struggled to fit into his old clothes.
Pushing these thoughts aside, Chen Wei grabbed his wallet and keys and left the apartment. The smell of hot dry noodles greeted him as he walked into the little corner restaurant below his building. The aroma was comforting, and the sight of the steaming bowl placed in front of him was almost enough to lift his spirits.
As he ate, his thoughts wandered to his younger self—a version of Chen Wei that seemed like a distant memory. Back then, he had been full of energy, driven by his passion for basketball. In college, his skills on the court had been unmatched, earning him a spot on the school team and admiration from friends and strangers alike.
He could still remember the cheers from the sidelines, the sound of sneakers squeaking on polished wood, and the satisfying *swish* as the ball sank into the hoop. The attention had come with its own set of challenges, though—especially from Mei Ling.
Mei Ling had been many things: beautiful, intelligent, and fiercely loyal. But she had also been jealous. The admiration Chen Wei received from other women had been a sore spot for her, sparking arguments that always ended with her issuing ultimatums.
"Stop playing basketball," she had said once, her voice trembling with frustration. "You don't need to show off for everyone."
Chen Wei had agreed, thinking he was compromising for the sake of their relationship. But it didn't stop there. Gym sessions, social gatherings, even his hobbies—one by one, he gave them up to keep the peace. What he hadn't realized at the time was that these sacrifices were eroding the very essence of who he was.
By the time Mei Ling left him, Chen Wei was no longer the vibrant, confident young man she had fallen in love with. He was overweight, withdrawn, and riddled with insecurities—a shadow of his former self.
He sighed, finishing the last of his noodles as his phone vibrated on the table. Picking it up, he saw the name "Chen Guang" flashing on the screen.
"Hello?" he answered, already guessing the reason for the call.
"Chen Wei, where are you?" Chen Guang's cheerful voice boomed through the receiver.
"I'm eating breakfast at the noodle shop downstairs," Chen Wei replied, glancing out the window.
"I'm parked right outside. I don't see you anywhere!"
Chen Wei stood and waved, spotting the familiar figure of Chen Guang stepping out of his Porsche Cayenne. The man's jovial demeanor and slightly stocky build were instantly recognizable.
"Over here!" Chen Wei called out.
Chen Guang approached with a wide grin that faltered as he got closer. His eyes scanned Chen Wei's broader frame, and his expression shifted to one of mild disbelief.
"Is that really you, Chen Wei?" Chen Guang asked, looking stunned. "What happened to you? You've gained... quite a bit of weight."
Chen Wei forced a sheepish smile. "Yeah, I've put on a few pounds."
"A *few* pounds? You're twice the size you used to be! What's going on? And where's that girlfriend of yours?"
"We broke up," Chen Wei said, shrugging as if it didn't matter.
Chen Guang gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. "Ah, young love. It's tough, but you'll bounce back. Anyway, let's get to business. Have you made up your mind about the property we discussed?"
"Yes," Chen Wei said firmly. "I have the money ready. We can finalize the transfer whenever you're ready."
Chen Guang's face lit up. "Perfect! Let's not waste any time. Hop in the car; we'll head straight to the housing authority."
The plush leather interior of the Porsche Cayenne was a stark contrast to Chen Wei's modest life. As they drove, his eyes wandered to a jade ornament dangling from the rearview mirror.
"Nice piece," Chen Wei remarked, gesturing at the ornament.
Chen Guang chuckled. "You've got an eye for jade? I dabble in the business. Though I've had some bad luck lately—cut a few bad stones, and my cash flow's taken a hit. That's why I'm selling the house."
"Jade, huh?" Chen Wei mused. "I might have something that'll interest you."
Chen Guang glanced at him, curiosity piqued. "Oh? What do you have?"
Chen Wei reached into his pocket and pulled out a jade bracelet. Its vibrant green hue caught the light, instantly drawing Chen Guang's attention.
"This... this is imperial green!" Chen Guang exclaimed, his voice trembling with excitement. "Where did you get this?"
"It's a family heirloom," Chen Wei said casually, though the truth was far stranger.
Chen Guang quickly pulled into a parking lot, unable to take his eyes off the bracelet. "We need a professional to appraise this. If it's as valuable as I think, we're talking tens of millions!"
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at *Cui Yuxuan*, an upscale jade shop owned by Chen Guang's uncle, Chen Jian. The older man, a seasoned expert in the jade industry, greeted them with a mix of curiosity and professionalism.
"Uncle Jian, take a look at this!" Chen Guang placed the bracelet on the counter with the care of someone handling a priceless artifact.
Chen Jian's eyes narrowed as he examined the piece, his experienced hands running over the smooth surface. After several minutes of silence, he leaned back, his expression a mix of awe and respect.
"This is the real deal," Chen Jian said, his voice steady. "Imperial green jade of this quality is incredibly rare. Conservatively, it's worth at least 80 million yuan."
Chen Guang let out a low whistle, and Chen Wei allowed himself a small smile.
"We're interested in buying it," Chen Jian continued, "but such a large sum isn't easy to gather immediately. We can offer you two options. First, you can leave it with us to sell on consignment. Once it's sold, we'll take a 10% commission. The second option is an outright trade. I can offer you a villa and a river-view flat, both newly renovated and worth around 80 million combined. The choice is yours."
Chen Wei weighed his options carefully. The houses would be a stable investment, and having a permanent place to call home was tempting. But consignment might yield an even higher return if he was patient.
"I'll take the houses," Chen Wei decided after a moment. Stability was what he needed now, and this trade was more than fair.
Chen Jian nodded approvingly. "A wise choice. Let's get the paperwork started."
As the three men finalized the deal, Chen Wei felt a sense of renewal. The jade bracelet, a relic of his adventures in the apocalyptic world, had provided him with a lifeline. This was his first step toward rebuilding his life—and perhaps reclaiming the vitality he had once lost.
When the transaction was complete, Chen Wei stood outside his new villa, its grand facade glinting in the afternoon sun. For the first time in years, he felt a spark of hope. The world, both his and the one he had glimpsed in his dreams, held endless possibilities. This deal wasn't just about money or property—it was about starting over.
With a deep breath, Chen Wei stepped inside, ready to rebuild his life from the ground up.