Although all the investment directions sounded promising, Alex still shook his head.
"Too slow. Even the fastest will take a year just to break even. I can't wait that long. I want short-term explosion — big money, fast."
Rachel rolled her eyes."With that mindset, you might as well go buy lottery tickets."
It was meant as sarcasm, but Alex replied seriously,
"Lottery? The return is too small. Win and you only get five million. Lose and you get nothing. That's not an investment; that's a waste."
In this world, the lottery jackpot was always capped at five million, no matter how many winners there were.
"So," Alex lifted his brows, "any real suggestions?"
Ethan suddenly spoke up, hesitant.
"What about… stone-gambling?"
"Stone-gambling?" Alex echoed.
Ethan explained,"It's jade-trading. Uncut stone has a weathered shell, so no one knows what's inside until it's cut. It's basically controlled gambling. People have gotten rich overnight doing it."
Alex's eyes lit up."That's interesting. Let's try stone-gambling."
Half an hour later, the three stood at the entrance of a large stone-gambling market.
Rachel stared at him."You're seriously doing this?"
"Of course. Why else would we come?"
"But this is extremely risky," she warned coldly. "One cut and the stone can go up or down in value. Make money and you're rich; lose and you're bankrupt. You have zero experience. I strongly oppose this."
Alex smiled lightly."What investment doesn't have risk? Even stocks can plummet overnight."
Rachel crossed her arms."I was assigned by your parents to supervise you. I have authority over every cent you spend. So listen carefully — the limit is 5 million. If you lose it, we go back immediately."
"Only five? Too little. How about ten?"
"In your dreams. Lose it, and you're going home."
They entered the stone market.
After inquiring around, they hired a seasoned expert — Master Wang — to help pick stones.
Ethan followed silently, expression calm, but inside he could barely contain his glee.
In his previous life, Alex never touched stone-gambling. He had no knowledge here. The fact that he brought a master proved it.
But even experts couldn't guarantee results — stone-gambling was mostly luck.
Otherwise, all these "masters" would already be billionaires.
Ethan clenched his fists in excitement.
"This is just a warm-up. Alex, you will pay interest first. Then slowly… you'll vomit the principal back too."
Master Wang soon selected a few stones.
"These ones have higher chance of jade. But which one you pick is up to fate. My help ends here."
"Thank you, Master Wang."
Alex tipped him generously.
Alex looked over the stones and silently made a wish:
"I wish the value of the stone I choose increases 100-fold."
[Ding! Wish denied — unrealistic.]
"Fine, 90-fold."
[Ding! Wish denied — unrealistic.]
Finally, at 20-fold—
[Ding! Wish granted.]
Alex smiled, pointing confidently at the largest, priciest stone.
"I want this one."
The seller blinked."That one is four million."
Rachel immediately stepped forward."Alex, please reconsider. Choose a smaller one."
"No need. I've decided," Alex said firmly.
The boss beamed."Transfer the money and it's yours! Want us to cut it here? Free service."
"Cut it here. Thank you."
The payment went through.
The boss was happy.Alex was happy.And Ethan… was ecstatic.
Cut it. Cut it and cry. Go bankrupt.
His fists trembled with excitement.His heart roared silently:
"Let the disaster fall! Let the storm hit harder!"