Ethan had an impression in his mind. He remembered that in his previous life, around this time, while browsing some news after the World Cup, an advertisement suddenly popped up on Google. He still remembered it now: There was a standalone building in the Hudson Yards area of Manhattan for sale, about 50,000 square feet, a total of 5 floors, and each floor was about 10,000 square feet.
"A five-story standalone building, only a little over $600 per square foot..."
Ethan unconsciously clenched his fist.
Compared to crowding into an office building, having the entire office space was simply perfect. The employee cafeteria, gym, and even the rooftop garden could be arranged as he liked, not to mention the appreciation potential that would increase fivefold in the next five years.
Now the price of this standalone building was about $650 per square foot, and the whole building was about $32.5 million.
In two years, that number would increase sixfold!
If he bought such a building, he could make a net profit of nearly $200 million in two years without doing anything!
He had to say that the information advantage of being reborn was indeed the most bug-like golden finger. It was really terrifying.
While thinking, he took out his phone and called the number.
Ethan got straight to the point:
"Mr. Wilson, I heard you're selling your standalone building in Hudson Yards?"
The other party sighed:
"Kid, seven or eight agents have come to ask in the past two days. My conditions are very clear—the whole building is sold, and full payment settlement."
Michael Wilson's tired and wary voice came from the other end of the phone, his tone full of anxiety and impatience.
Obviously, there had been many similar inquiry calls in the past few days.
.....
Ethan's fingertips tapped the back of the phone, and the news he'd seen in his previous life came to mind—Michael Wilson's construction supply company was in a debt crisis.
This was why he required the whole building to be sold together and get all the funds immediately!
This was also the reason why several people wanted to buy it but ultimately didn't negotiate. After all, you had to buy the whole building together and pay all the money immediately in one lump sum. Honestly, there really weren't many people who could come up with so much cash flow!
The first negotiation wasn't very smooth, but before hanging up the phone, Ethan said: $32.5 million. If you're willing to sell, I can settle all the money within an hour after completing the transfer process!
Then without waiting for the other party to speak, he hung up the phone.
Ethan believed he would definitely contact him!
...
Back home.
After taking a shower, he was wearing only a pair of loose home shorts.
Water droplets dripped from the tips of his hair onto the phone screen. Ethan wiped it casually and saw the buzzing messages in the class group chat.
He leaned lazily against the headboard, his abs faintly visible under the undried water marks.
"Ding—"
The group chat suddenly showed Ms. Jensen tagging all members:
"On the evening of July 12th, at the Riverside Restaurant, I'm inviting the whole class to dinner! I lost the bet with our valedictorian, and this meal must be arranged! Fortunately, I only bet one meal back then, otherwise I'd have to sleep under a bridge now hahaha..."
"Hahahaha....."
Hearing Ms. Jensen's words, the group suddenly exploded, and emojis filled the screen.
Class vice president Emma Wilson followed by tagging him:
"It's just a graduation dinner. There won't be many opportunities to meet in the future, so let's treat this meal as a farewell! @Ethan the Valedictorian, what do you think?"
Ethan tapped his finger on the screen:
"Yes! Ms. Jensen's meal came at the right time, drawing a perfect end to our youth!"
After posting, he also added a clinking glasses emoji.
Ms. Jensen on the other end of the screen was stunned—Ethan had lightly elevated this "betting dinner" into a graduation farewell banquet. It not only saved her face but also allowed all students to attend happily.
This kid...
Ms. Jensen on the other end of the phone screen didn't expect Ethan to say this.
As expected of someone who could become valedictorian—truly exceptional!
As the vice president for three years, Emma Wilson's prestige in the class far exceeded that of the actual class president Brad Thompson.
She was born with bright eyes. Although she wasn't as strikingly beautiful as Sarah, she also had a refined and pleasant temperament. If she dressed up a little, the attention she'd get walking on campus would definitely be high.
The light from the phone screen reflected Ethan's thoughtful face.
He remembered that during the class reunion in his previous life, someone had joked that Emma was "the president delayed by grades."
Definitely!
If it weren't for her usual grades being only good enough for a state school, with her organizational skills and popularity, she would have been class president.
"This girl really is sharp."
Ethan looked at the message just sent by Emma in the group and couldn't help but smile.
She not only expressed her willingness to organize a party but also didn't forget to tag him as "valedictorian" to show respect. This ability to handle things smoothly—no wonder she was able to do well in the system later.
The water stains on the towel gradually faded, and Ethan suddenly remembered the scene of meeting Emma at an investment conference in his previous life when he was thirty years old.
At that time, she was already a section chief in a powerful department, and after several rounds of drinks, the subtle atmosphere when the two looked at each other in the hotel elevator, and something almost happened between them...
"Ding"—the new message notification interrupted his memory.
Emma sent a private message:
"Mr. Valedictorian, do you need to prepare some small surprises for the party?" This was followed by a playful winking emoji.
Ethan smiled and shook his head. This girl really still had that exquisite temperament from his memory:
"You can prepare some small gifts. If you have time, you can prepare them. The budget is unlimited—just do what you think is best, and I'll reimburse you! Or wait a couple days and we'll buy them together! And just call me Ethan from now on!"
Emma quickly replied:
"Okay Mr. Valedictorian! I happen to be free these two days—leave it to me~"
.....
Immediately after that, he tagged Ms. Jensen in the group:
"Ms. Jensen, it's at the Riverside Restaurant, right! Have you reserved a table?"
Ms. Jensen:
"Not yet!"
Emma Wilson:
"Then I'll book a private room! It just so happens my house is nearby. How many of us are there?"
Ms. Jensen:
"Everyone can report in!"
The group instantly started a count:
Lisa: "1"
Jack: "2"
Ethan: "3"
Chris: "4"
Mike: "5"
....
Emma's busy appearance in the group reminded him of the young female section chief who was skilled at the investment conference in his previous life—it turned out this ability to navigate social situations had already begun to show signs as early as high school.
He closed the group chat and switched to messages.
Ethan was lying down chatting with Diana about going to San Francisco to make investments in a few days!
A message notification from Victoria suddenly popped up on the screen.
Victoria:
"Ethan, are you asleep? What were you busy with today?"
Ethan unconsciously had a relaxed smile at the corner of his mouth, and he quickly typed a reply:
"Just laid down. Wasn't busy with anything—took care of some personal matters. Sister Vic, what about you? Is the baby asleep?"
As soon as the message was sent, it showed as read.
A prompt immediately appeared at the top saying "Victoria is typing..."
Then a photo popped out—the baby curled up in the crib with a starry sky pattern, her chubby little hands holding a pacifier, and her eyelashes casting fan-shaped shadows under the night light.
At the edge of the photo, Victoria's slender fingers were gently resting on the guardrail, her nails trimmed round and clean, and there were faint tan lines on her ring finger.
Victoria:
"This little troublemaker just fell asleep—tossed me around for two hours."
"Are you free tomorrow? Come to your sister's house for dinner! I'll make you crab cakes and lobster mac and cheese!"
Ethan's eyes lit up.
Victoria's cooking skills were notoriously good, especially those comfort food dishes, which made him, a "professional eater," never forget.
He replied instantly:
"Must come! I'll be free all day tomorrow, just waiting for Sister Vic to feed me~" He also added a drooling emoji.
The two chatted about their daily lives again!
...
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