A white BMW pulled up outside the restaurant. A woman in a black knee-length suit ensemble with flowing hair, dressed in the latest fashion, stepped out accompanied by a tall, distinguished-looking man. They entered the restaurant.
After a quick scan, her gaze settled on Alex's conspicuously casual figure by the window. She walked towards him with graceful confidence, drawing curious glances from other diners.
"Hey, sis! And Tom, you came too! Sit down, I've already ordered for everyone—let's eat!" Alex grinned at the pair.
"What... what are you wearing? Don't you have any proper clothes? You look like a delinquent. We're going shopping after this—I'm buying you some decent attire," his sister said as she took a seat.
"No need, I have plenty," Alex wiped his mouth, having finished eating, and gave her an appraising look. "Sis, your style has really improved this past month. You'll have men getting all sorts of ideas dressed like that!"
"You little brat, teasing your sister!" She landed a solid punch on his head, then asked, "So, why did you call me here?"
"To pay the bill," Alex replied.
"Could you be any more direct? Weren't you the one who said the wealthy life was boring and you wanted to live like a regular person? Is this what you think regular people do—dress like a hoodlum and dine and dash?"
"This isn't hoodlum style—it's grunge. Women love it these days. Besides, I lost my wallet. Might have left it at the utility office, can't remember where exactly," Alex said dejectedly.
"Look at you, still so scatterbrained." His sister sighed, then grabbed his hand. "Come on, I have some time before my afternoon meetings. We need to talk at your place."
"No, wait—I'm busy! Tom, help!" Alex called out dramatically, but his plea went unheeded as his sister dragged him out.
"Hold on," Alex stopped short outside the restaurant. There on the ground were several credit cards and a half-burned wallet.
He picked it up quickly, examining the unburned portion. The partially burned utility bill inside confirmed it was his wallet.
"Damn it!" The restaurant scene suddenly made sense. That bastard Jin and his skinny lackey.
"Little brother, what are you dawdling for? Get in the car!" his sister called from the BMW.
"Coming!" With his sister present, Alex swallowed his anger and pocketed the charred wallet.
Jin, you're on my list now. Just wait.
The woman was Victoria Stone, Alex's sister. CEO of Stone Industries New York, she held two Ph.D.s and carried herself with elegant sophistication—truly top-tier in every way.
Alex was the younger of two children and heir to Stone Industries, worth billions—exactly how many, even he wasn't sure. He just knew his father had built five-star hotels in New York, Shanghai, and London to entertain international clients and secure even more lucrative deals.
Yet here Alex was, working as an ordinary employee at a modest sales company, living a regular white-collar life.
Tom Wagner, the distinguished man accompanying Victoria, came from old money and political connections—his father was a senior government official and his mother chaired a major corporation. The Wagners' estate neighbored the Stones', and Tom had grown up with Victoria. Currently dating her, their relationship had both families' blessing from the start.
They arrived at Alex's place—a 1,000-square-foot apartment, admittedly excessive for one person.
"Little brother, you're Dad's only son. Come back and help with the company," Victoria urged, watching Alex's deliberately casual sprawl on the couch.
"No," Alex said firmly, turning away.
"Why not?"
"Just because."
"Is this still about that girl who rejected you in high school? Surely not?" Victoria smiled at her beloved brother.
"Please, her?" Alex scoffed, though he knew exactly what it was about. Throughout school, he'd thrown his family's wealth and influence around, untouchable by teachers, surrounded only by opportunistic sycophants.
Beyond bullying classmates, his favorite hobby had been pursuing pretty girls. With money, connections, and decent looks, many girls actively pursued him back, knowing how to leverage their assets for a better future.
But there were proud beauties who didn't play that game. One senior in particular—she was extraordinary. Though from a modest background, she excelled in every way: school beauty, top student, model citizen of the Beijing school district. She showed no fear of Alex. When he put his hand on her shoulder, she shrugged it off forcefully.
"Trust fund brat who only knows how to ride daddy's coattails. Leave me alone," she'd said coldly, dismissing him.
Alex was used to such reactions and persisted with his usual thick-skinned determination, visiting the senior class daily only to face her cold shoulder.
When he finally learned her birthday and planned to surprise her with a diamond, he found her sharing lunch with a male classmate. This enraged Alex—the boy had neither looks nor family background, only top grades and a likely acceptance to North China University.
Alex slammed the diamond on their table, but they didn't even glance at it, continuing to share their four-dollar noodles. It was a crushing blow to his ego.
When he learned they both got into Beijing University after graduation, Alex, then a junior, punched his desk to splinters in the middle of class and stormed out.
After that, Alex changed. The notorious campus playboy vanished. This dramatic shift concerned his family, but when they tried to talk after his graduation, Alex made his decision: he would live independently. What good were money and power if they couldn't win genuine affection? Better to live simply and find someone sincere—someone who'd save herself for marriage rather than jump into bed for a fancy dinner.
His parents abandoned billion-dollar negotiations to come reason with him, but to no avail. They had to let him go.
Reformed playboy?
Not exactly.
Years of regular living had given Alex perspective. Life was short—enjoy it! But four years of university had taught him much, including the value of true friendship. At family reunions, watching his parents' wealthy visitors, he felt nauseated by the conspicuous consumption. He preferred drinking in dive bars with coworkers.
Such were the genuine thoughts of this wealthy heir.
Damn, ordinary life was actually pretty good! So he persisted, preferring his stable, happy job at a small company to managing his father's empire full of sycophants and scheming.
His parents doted on him too much to force the issue, so they delegated the task to Victoria. Hence these frequent "educational" sessions over the past year of his working life.
"Victoria, I think your brother's mind is made up. No amount of persuasion will change it," Tom stepped in.
"Tom, you understand me!" Alex smiled gratefully.
"You... are you trying to provoke me?" Victoria grabbed Alex's ear in frustration.
"Careful with the ear—I'm a 365th-degree black belt in Taekwondo. Wouldn't want you to get hurt," Alex said, head tilted awkwardly.
"If you don't come home with me, I'll split you into 365 pieces!" she threatened.
"Tom, brother-in-law—can I call you that now? Please save me from your girlfriend. I've worked all week, finally got a weekend to relax, and now this." Alex appealed to Tom while trying to pry off his sister's grip.
"Well? Are you coming back to help Dad run the company?" Victoria demanded, maintaining her hold.
"No!" Alex answered firmly, not for the first time.
"Then prepare to die!"
"I'd rather die than go back."
"Alright, you two, enough squabbling." Tom stepped in to separate them, perhaps pleased by Alex's "brother-in-law" comment earlier.
"Victoria, if Alex doesn't want to return, don't force him. Let him find his own path," Tom reasoned, holding her arm.
"Now you're taking his side? I remember you promising my parents you'd drag him back even if you had to tie him up!" Victoria turned on Tom angrily.
"Well, circumstances change. We can't force these things—you can't squeeze water from a stone, as they say."
"Fine! You explain this to my parents!" Victoria stormed out, slamming the door.
"Easy on the door! I just bought that with my salary—premium hardwood, very expensive!" Alex called after her, then winked at Tom. Good man!
"So when do I get to meet my future sister-in-law?" Tom smiled at Alex.
"Sister-in-law? You could have sisters-in-law all over town... wait, are you still a virgin?" Alex eyed him suspiciously.
"That's... that's not what we're discussing..." Tom's face turned bright red.
"Good man. Stay faithful to my sister, don't be like me. Though come to think of it, it's been years since I've... well, you know," Alex mused, tilting his head. Who was his first time with? Damn, couldn't remember!
Ah, the best years of life—and he'd spent his precious youth on meaningless encounters during his worst phase.
"Well, I should go—your sister's waiting," Tom stood to leave.
"Wait! You know I lost my wallet—all my cash and cards are gone. I don't even have instant noodle money. Lend me some? I'll pay you back soon," Alex caught his arm.
"Learned your lesson?" Tom laughed, pulling out his wallet and extracting a golden card. "Here. PIN is your sister's birthday."
"Thanks, brother-in-law!" Alex planted a kiss on the credit card.
"Haha, I like that title. I'm off!"
"Goodbye, brother-in-law!"
"Goodbye, little brother-in-law!"
Closing the door, Alex leaned against it, kissing the gold card repeatedly. This was a premium member card, available only to billionaires of certain status, rumored to have unlimited credit. Wonder if he could withdraw a trillion dollars... Having a brother-in-law like this was amazing!