When they stepped out of the restaurant, the rain had already softened, leaving the streets glowing under the city lights as reflections stretched across the wet ground.
Jason walked beside Ethan in silence, occasionally glancing at him as if trying to confirm whether the person next to him was still the same man he used to know.
They had not walked side by side like this for a long time, and the distance between them now was no longer just about money, but about how far one had moved ahead.
As they reached the car, Jason finally spoke.
"What are you actually doing now?"
Ethan did not answer directly and instead opened the passenger door, gesturing for him to get in first.
"Get in."
Once the car started moving, Ethan asked calmly, "How much do you make in a month now?"
Jason hesitated before answering honestly, saying that it ranged between three to six thousand depending on the workload.
Ethan nodded without judging, then pulled over slightly and turned to face him with a more serious expression.
"Stop running deliveries," he said.
Jason blinked, confused.
"What?"
"Come work with me."
The words were simple, but there was no hesitation behind them.
Jason froze, staring at him as if he had misheard.
Ethan did not repeat himself and instead explained that he had a lot of work ahead and not many people he could truly trust.
The statement was calm and direct, without any attempt to persuade.
Jason swallowed.
"But I don't know anything about what you do."
Ethan gave a small smile.
"I didn't either at the beginning."
He paused briefly before adding, "What matters isn't what you know, but whether you're willing to step in."
Silence filled the car for a few seconds as Jason lowered his head, his hands tightening unconsciously.
It was not that he did not want the opportunity, but that the gap between them now felt overwhelming.
Ethan did not rush him and instead handed over his phone.
"Take a look."
On the screen was a simple task list, clear and direct, without complicated terminology.
"Start with these," Ethan said.
"Handle channels, coordinate people, and track progress."
"Take your time."
Jason stared at the screen, his fingers trembling slightly, not because the tasks were difficult, but because he realized this was real.
He looked up slowly.
"Can I really do this?"
Ethan met his gaze.
"If you couldn't, then neither could I back then."
That answer was enough.
Jason nodded.
"Okay."
The word was quiet but firm.
Ethan smiled slightly.
"Then we start tomorrow."
The car moved again, merging back into the main road, when Ethan's phone rang.
It was an unfamiliar number.
He answered.
"Ethan Cole?"
A woman's voice came through, calm and precise.
"Yes."
"This is Lin Capital, investment division."
"We'd like to meet you."
Ethan did not respond immediately.
"Why?"
There was a brief pause.
"Because your recent moves are affecting us."
The answer was direct.
Ethan gave a faint smile.
"Time."
"Tomorrow, 3 p.m."
"I'll send the location."
The call ended.
Jason looked over.
"Who was that?"
Ethan kept his eyes on the road.
"A new opponent."
His tone was calm, but there was a trace of interest that had not been there before.
Meanwhile, in another part of the city, a woman stood by a floor-to-ceiling window in a high-rise building, dressed simply yet sharply, holding a tablet that displayed Ethan's data over the past few days.
From thirty-seven dollars to millions, from obscurity to explosive growth, every step was laid out clearly.
She scrolled through it without surprise, only careful attention.
After a moment, she spoke quietly.
"This isn't luck."
No one responded.
She turned off the screen.
"I'll meet him tomorrow."
Her voice remained calm, but there was a hint of curiosity beneath it as she looked out over the city lights, already considering what kind of player he might truly be.