Chapter 2

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A few days later.

After a period of exploration, Lin Xiuyuan finally confirmed a shocking fact: the new world he was in was indeed a parallel space-time, a parallel world from the future.

The space-time he originally belonged to was 2013, while this one was 2025.

A span of twelve years—not too much, not too little—just enough to have gone through one complete cycle of the zodiac.

What shocked him even more was that the "other self" who had once died was identical to him in every way, from his ID card and fingerprints to his pupils.

It was precisely through the scanning of fingerprints and pupils that he had been able to open the safe belonging to that "other self."

Only, when he saw that empty safe, he almost vomited blood from anger.

"Damn it, you kid live so luxuriously, yet there isn't a single cent in the safe, is there?"

Lin Xiuyuan patted the safe door, cursed a few times, then lowered his head to pick up the cash scattered at the bottom, thinking to himself that since it was all his anyway, he might as well take it.

After exploring the entire house, Lin Xiuyuan returned to the sofa on the first floor, looking at the small courtyard and the flowing water outside the window with a dazed expression, calculating his next move.

He knew that, generally speaking, being able to travel between the future and the past should mean a life without worries.

However, everything felt a bit off in his case.

Because if it weren't for the fact that precious metals were identical in both space-times, allowing him to exchange some money using the price difference between the past and the future, and settling the debts on this house a few days ago, he probably wouldn't even be able to afford the water, electricity, internet, and gas for this self-built mansion right now.

Once the small building had internet and power, Lin Xiuyuan immediately used the computer to look up the 2013 lottery numbers, then ran back to 2013 to place bets, hoping to get rich overnight.

The result, however, was all for nothing.

The outcome of the numbers not matching left Lin Xiuyuan stunned for a long time.

Then, refusing to admit defeat, he tried two more times, but the result remained the same.

Finally realizing something was wrong, he hurriedly opened the stock market, carefully compared the trends of the two space-times, and was left completely dumbfounded.

The data was completely different; the two space-times were truly parallel.

Yet, everything aside from these things was exactly the same—the country, entertainment, the internet, industries, and so on were all identical.

This discovery made it truly hard for Lin Xiuyuan to accept; a huge chunk of his prophetic advantage had been cut away, and at the very least, he would have to put some effort into making money.

Especially his first pot of gold.

But for everyone, the first pot of gold is the hardest to accumulate.

You have to know, in terms of savings, going from 1 to 1,000 is simple, and 1,000 to 10,000 isn't hard either, but 10,000 to 100,000 is enough to stop the vast majority of families in the world, let alone anything beyond 100,000.

And after surfing the internet for these two days, Lin Xiuyuan discovered that if he wanted to make money, it would definitely be easier in 2013 than in 2025.

However, the prerequisite for all of this was still having start-up capital.

And as he sat on the sofa right now, racking his brains, he still couldn't think of any feasible method. He even thought helplessly about whether he should dismantle some of the soft furnishings in the house and sell them back in 2013.

With no other options, he had no choice but to return to the old space-time (2013) to prepare for work first.

Having taken a week off, if he didn't go to work to earn money, he would probably really have to start selling things off.

It was the same old brass handle, the same door.

Returning to 2013, Lin Xiuyuan received a call; it was his Apple 4S, which had been left here, ringing.

While thinking about the myriad of electronic products in the new space-time (2025), he walked over to answer the phone, "Hello, Xiao Jie, what's up?"

"What's wrong with you, kid? You suddenly took a week-long leave, leaving me here at the studio to work myself to death."

The person on the other end of the line was an international student working part-time, named Xiao Jie, who was also from Huaxia.

Xiao Jie's shouting made Lin Xiuyuan smile, "Moving house, and taking the chance to tidy up and rest. But why are you calling me today? Are you busy?"

Being very sensitive to time lately, he knew clearly that it was the weekend, and the studio must be very busy.

Facing Lin Xiuyuan's inquiry, Xiao Jie didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "Old Jin Tou told me to call you, asking if you're done with your business. We're really short-handed here this afternoon, and you need to come in early to help."

Lin Xiuyuan glanced at the empty apartment and agreed, "Sure, I'll be there in a bit."

He didn't have many strengths, but his execution was super strong.

He was the type who said he would do something and did it, who wanted to do something and did it; even if it was wrong, he would do it first and talk later.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone abroad to work on a whim, and stayed in a youth hostel for a whole year.

After hanging up, he quickly tidied up his things, took his wallet and ID card, left the apartment, and rushed to the studio.

A dozen minutes later, Lin Xiuyuan walked out of the subway station and saw the familiar photography studio.

As soon as he entered the door, Manager Jin from the studio came up to greet him, "You're finally here, Xiuyuan."

"Yeah." Lin Xiuyuan nodded.

"This time, you need to go to Studio 2 to help. The client later is quite important, so keep an eye on things. Also, they need a gray background, no problem, right?"

"No problem."

Lin Xiuyuan answered while following Manager Jin toward Studio 2, taking over a new intern assistant along the way.

After the manager gave a few more brief instructions, he turned and left.

Lin Xiuyuan was already used to this work mode; he skillfully directed the intern to move equipment and adjust the lighting, getting everything ready in less than half an hour.

The originally messy Studio 2 was now organized and orderly. The gray background was set up, the camera parameters were calibrated, and everything was ready, just waiting for the photographer to come and shoot.

Having finished everything, Lin Xiuyuan found a corner to rest and took out his phone to browse the news, wondering if he could find a breakthrough for making money when he returned to 2025 later.

However, just as he was lost in thought, a commotion suddenly erupted at the entrance of Studio 2.

Lin Xiuyuan looked over curiously and happened to see the group of people walking in from outside.

The gorgeous figure surrounded in the middle made him freeze; it was none other than the heroine of the news he had seen at the internet cafe two days ago.

Just as Lin Xiuyuan was dazed, the intern next to him jumped up in excitement, "Jessica? Daebak, is the person shooting this time from Girls' Generation? Daebak, daebak, I'm so lucky!"

At the same time, the 'first pot of gold' that had been troubling Lin Xiuyuan for many days surfaced.

At that moment, watching Jessica being treated like a star over there, a crazy idea popped into Lin Xiuyuan's mind. This idea instantly ignited the ambition in his brain; perhaps this was his fastest opportunity to achieve financial freedom.

It was just a bit crazy.

But amidst the madness, there seemed to be countless benefits hidden as well.

Money was just one aspect, and beauty followed closely behind.

Thinking of this, Lin Xiuyuan's gaze gradually became sharp, like a hungry wolf locking onto its prey, staring fixedly at Jessica at the entrance.

(End of chapter)