After Rebirth, My Brother Stole My System

My brother and I woke up, back on the day our parents divorced.

In my past life, my brother chose our mom, a corporate executive, abandoning our dad, a painter lost in his art.

Mom, after remarrying, poured all her energy into her new family, treating him with extreme strictness and coldness.

But the dad he abandoned unexpectedly awakened a "Predictive Investment System" and became a legend in the investment world.

Jasper spent his adolescence in loneliness and suppression.

When he saw me on TV, living a privileged life as Dad accumulated wealth and fame, his heart filled with regret.

Eventually, he rammed his car into me.

When I opened my eyes again, Jasper was already grasping Dad's hand.

"You've had your good life already; this time, it's my turn."

He looked at me, a smug smile playing on his lips.

But he didn't know that the so-called investment system was both a gift and a massive trap.

When I opened my eyes, my mom, Eleanor, was pointing at Dad, Arthur, and scolding him sharply.

"Arthur! You good-for-nothing, broke waste of space! I slave away to provide for this family, and you dare cheat on me!"

A shattered glass flew past my eyes.

Before I could even react, someone beside me moved faster.

"Mom! How can you say that about Dad! Dad sacrificed so much for his art, and if you weren't constantly obsessed with work, completely ignoring this family, he wouldn't have felt so lonely!"

My brother, Jasper, shielded Dad, his handsome face flushed with indignation.

"This is unbelievable!"

Eleanor froze for two seconds before snapping out of her shock. She reached out in annoyance to pull Jasper, but he violently shook her off.

"Don't touch me! I'm staying with Dad!"

Eleanor looked at him in disbelief, unable to comprehend why her usually obedient younger son would suddenly twist the truth and spout such nonsense.

In the chaos, only I caught the fleeting, sly glint in Jasper's eyes.

Just that one look, and I understoodJasper and I had both been reborn, returning to this critical fork in our destiny.

In my past life, the scene was exactly the same.

Eleanor was a high-earning corporate executive, constantly busy with her career. Arthur was a struggling artist, dedicated to his so-called art, yet unable to earn a single penny.

He believed others simply didn't appreciate his talent, so he gradually grew close to a woman who did.

They met frequently under the guise of discussing creative projects, until one day Eleanor, who came home early, caught them.

Eleanor was furious and immediately demanded a divorce.

Back then, Jasper, eyeing Mom's financial strength and social status, unhesitatingly chose to go with her.

But he never imagined that on the night of the divorce, Dad would unexpectedly acquire the "Predictive Investment System," capable of foreseeing stock market trends.

With this ability, Dad quickly amassed astonishing wealth through stock trading, becoming known in the industry as the "Midas Touch."

And as his son, I naturally lived a privileged life, receiving the best education.

In contrast, Jasper, after choosing Mom, did not find the care and freedom he expected.

Eleanor soon remarried, investing most of her energy into her new family, strictly disciplining him but lacking warmth. His stepsister, Brooke, brought by his stepfather, had a strong personality and constantly clashed with him.

He grew up feeling suppressed. Eventually, while wandering the streets, he saw me, celebrated and thriving at an international forum on a giant mall screen.

Jealousy and regret consumed him, leading him to choose the most extreme path.

I just never expected that, upon reopening my eyes, we'd both be back at this starting point.

This time, due to Jasper's persistence and uproar, Eleanor ultimately relinquished custody of him, choosing me instead.

But Eleanor still felt more for her younger son.

Dad, who in the previous life had left with virtually nothing, was now able to keep our spacious old house because of Jasper's choice.

Watching me quietly pack my belongings, Jasper's face displayed unconcealed triumph.

"Aria, if things don't work out for you later, come back and beg me. Maybe I'll throw you a bone."

I merely smiled at his words, amused by his continued naivety.

He thought that by choosing the "System"-bound Dad first, he held the winning hand. He didn't know that easy success doesn't exist in this world. Any gift received without effort always comes with a hidden price.

That seemingly unbeatable card, without the matching skill and mindset, can lead straight to ruin when played alone.

Mom and I moved into a small apartment near my school.

People often say it's easy to get used to luxury, but hard to give it up.

Moving from a spacious detached house to such a cramped space, Eleanor indeed found it difficult to adjust.

But deep down, she knew that if it weren't for her favoritism towards Jasper, unwilling to let him suffer even a little, it wouldn't be us who had to move out.

"Aria, don't worry. Once this big project is done, I'll definitely get you a bigger place."

When she noticed my clothes and shoes no longer fit into the tiny closet, her tone was filled with clear apology.

But I actually didn't care much about these things.

In my past life, after Dad's "Predictive Investment System" was fully activated and wealth rapidly accumulated, invitations to social events and collaboration opportunities poured in.

I quickly moved into a more upscale neighborhood and owned many expensive possessions.

I didn't have to devote all my energy to college applications and standardized tests like most of my peers. Because with Dad's investment foresight, which seemed to predict the market, a brief investment seminar could earn more than an average working-class family made in a year.

In the eyes of others, my life was enviable, like a movie plot.

But only I knew that behind this sudden surge of fame and fortune lay immense public pressure and many unspoken rules within that circle.

Dad had always lacked patience for running actual businesses. After gaining immense wealth from the system, he became even lazier, refusing to learn any solid asset management or business acumen.

However, wealth growth isn't limitless. Even with that almost predictive investment intuition, his increasingly casual spending and lack of long-term planning gradually eroded his partners' confidence.

People criticized him as merely a lucky speculator, no longer willing to engage in long-term collaborations that required trust.

Most of those who had once gathered around him, calling him brother, were merely opportunists chasing profit, never genuinely caring.

Seeing the tides turn, they quickly distanced themselves, disappearing without a trace.

Desperate, he tried to force the core mechanics of the "Predictive Investment System" onto me, wanting me to be his puppet.

To completely control me, he ignored my wishes, made me drop out of high school in my senior year, and then arranged for me to attend various social galas with unclear purposes.

Finally, he pushed me into the bed of a wealthy man with particular tastes, taking photos to threaten me: "If you don't do as I say, I'll make these public."

During that time, I was physically and mentally exhausted, once on the verge of collapse.

It was in those bleak days that I fully understood: every seemingly generous gift from fate always comes with a steep price attached.

This time, I didn't want those gifts that fell from the sky, yet came with invisible chains.

I wanted to stand on my own two feet, rely on my own efforts, and firmly control my own life.

I created a strict study plan for myself.

Thanks to Mom's lingering guilt, this time I didn't have to worry about basic living expenses.

I used the allowance she provided to enroll in several one-on-one private tutoring sessions. Like a knight on a grueling quest, I strictly followed my daily schedule, shuttling between home, school, and the tutoring center.

These days were tough. During that initial period, I'd come home every day with my brain blank from overexertion, leaving only numb exhaustion.

But I knew clearly that, as someone returning to my graduation year, I had far more catching up to do than my classmates. To earn respect and a future through genuine knowledge and skill, I had to put in several times more effort than others.

Hard work pays off. With the guidance of my tutors and my own full dedication, my grades steadily climbed from the bottom of the rankings.

Meanwhile, Dad, just like in my past life, quickly amassed unimaginable wealth due to his sharp investment foresight, and was suddenly highly sought after by many investment banks.

When Jasper reappeared at school, he was clearly the most sought-after center of attention in the crowd.

"What's the point of studying so much? What you'll earn working later might not even be a fraction of what I make from one investment right now."

Facing the envious glances and flattery from classmates, Jasper wore a casual smile, idly flipping through my exercise book, which was covered in annotations and markings.

The guy next to him, Noah, immediately chimed in:

"Exactly, what does Aria know, she just studies all the time? After all that studying, she'll still end up working for some boss."

"Our Jasper is different; he's going to be a rising star in the investment world... I heard that popular actress, Seraphina, is even really close to him lately!"

"Don't be silly, that's not true!"

At the mention of this topic, a deliberately veiled expression of triumph immediately appeared on Jasper's face. His feigned resistance drew another round of teasing from those around him.

A celebrity named Seraphina?

My pen, mid-sentence, paused almost imperceptibly.

If I wasn't mistaken, they were talking about Seraphina, the actress whose career had been skyrocketing in recent years.

In my past life, she was known for her low-key professionalism, yet she showed an unusual understanding and concern for my situation.

On social media, discussions about us were quite heated, with even subtle interactions sparking widespread fan speculation.

Perhaps driven by a competitive impulse directed at me, this time around, as soon as Jasper gained a little fame, he actively sought her out.

And, unsurprisingly, photos of them appearing together at private events began to circulate online.

"Aria, seeing someone who used to only have eyes for you now getting closer to me, doesn't that sting a little?"

Jasper leaned into my ear, his voice a low, malicious whisper.

Looking at my neat homework on the desk, he seemed to deliberately pick a fight, suddenly grabbing my pen-holding hand and scribbling several crooked, paper-damaging lines across my notebook.

They say there's a limit to how much a person can take.

Especially when he just ruined homework that I had spent over two hours carefully completing.

I abruptly snatched the water cup from my desk, and with my other hand, quickly grabbed the front of his shirt. Amidst his surprised yelp, I splashed the entire cup of water right in his face.

"Aria! You're dead!"

He froze for a second, drenched, then erupted in a furious rage, lunging at me like a wild animal.

But as he came at me, my hand, already prepared and surging with power, grabbed his wrist and yanked him back hard.

"You're the one who's dead. Do that again, and I'll deal with your dad too."

Under my merciless grip, he grimaced in pain.

The intense pain sobered him slightly. He didn't recklessly charge forward again; instead, he recoiled a couple of steps, his eyes filled with venomous resentment.

"You just wait... you'll get what's coming to you!"

...

Jasper's "comeuppance" arrived sooner than expected.

Returning home from school that evening, I found a visitor on the living room sofa.

"Aria, come meet Uncle Richard."

Eleanor stood up a bit awkwardly, her introductory tone a little dry.

I looked at the sofa. It was a man with a composed demeanor, dressed impeccably but not ostentatiously. He was also the formidable individual Jasper had mentioned in my past life, the one who eventually forced him out of the house.

I'd once heard Dad proudly mention that the first time Eleanor introduced Uncle Richard to Jasper, Jasper threw a huge tantrum and went on a hunger strike for days.

He smashed quite a few things in the house, pointing his finger at Uncle Richard and yelling:

"You, a man remarrying with baggage, you're not even fit to tie my dad's shoes! What right do you have to step into our home!"

At that time, Dad was at the peak of his fame, a media darling.

Jasper, on one hand, regretted his initial choice; on the other, he looked down on Uncle Richard's simple lifestyle and complained that Eleanor couldn't provide him with the same prestige and lavish lifestyle as Dad.

But before he could finish his rant, a solid punch landed on his face.

Brooke, Uncle Richard's daughter, stood emotionless in the doorway, her gaze as cold as a frozen lake.

Ultimately, Eleanor still chose to be with Uncle Richard.

And because of that terrible first meeting, Jasper and Brooke's family became sworn enemies.

Now, looking at the man before me, who offered a gentle smile, and the girl behind him, with a calm expression and a hint of scrutiny in her eyes, I extended my hand.

"Hello, Uncle Richard, I'm Aria."

Brooke's gaze shifted slightly, her previously distant scrutiny softening a little.

Eleanor visibly relaxed, a relieved smile spreading across her face.

"Aria is so much more sensible than her brother. If Jasper were here, who knows what kind of scene he'd make."

Sensible?

I maintained a polite, shallow smile.

If given the choice, what child would willingly share their parents' affection and family resources?

Jasper naturally understood this, which was why he gloated and taunted me at school.

He believed I would, like him in the past life, clash endlessly with Brooke and her dad, ultimately ending up with nothing.

However, what he never knew was that Uncle Richard was the head of a national research project. Though his life was simple, his social standing and network were exceptional.

Objectively speaking, when it came to his marriage with Eleanor, perhaps we were the ones who benefited more.

Jasper never cared about the academic world, so he had never witnessed Uncle Richard's brilliance at professional forums.

Of course, even if he knew, he probably wouldn't care. Because his criteria for judging people always remained fixated on outward show and flashy clothes.

So, while he wished Uncle Richard would leave quickly, not wanting him to touch "his" interests.

I, on the other hand, was thinking about how to absorb knowledge from Uncle Richard, understand the wider world, and build my own undeniable value through genuine learning and ability.

That evening, I went to the kitchen for a glass of water.

As I passed the hallway corner, I was abruptly pulled into the shadows beside it by an unseen force.

Moonlight streamed in through the window, outlining a face with sharp features, and a cool, keen edge in her eyes.

"Aria," her voice was a low whisper, her gaze fixed on me, "I don't care what you're thinking, but you'd better not have any designs on my dad."

I narrowed my eyes at her.

Brooke, the person Jasper feared most.

She was my age, yet already someone no one dared to cross at school.

She marched to the beat of her own drum, with a formidable personality, and thanks to her natural talent, even the guys couldn't beat her.

In my past life, when Jasper first tried to sow discord with Uncle Richard, Brooke simply stepped forward and beat him up.

Because her usual tricks of pouting and whining were completely ineffective against Brooke, Jasper feared her terribly. Even after being thrown out of the house later, it was with a 'scorched earth' mentality that he orchestrated a trap to have her sent to juvenile detention.

Yet, this was also the person who, during my most vulnerable moments, appeared like a ray of light and protected me.

This time, I didn't want to be her enemy.

"Brooke."

I looked at the girl's stern face before me and suddenly smiled.

"Do you want to keep solving problems with your fists?"

Her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and even the smooth lines of her arm muscles tensed slightly.

No one had ever dared to bring that up directly in front of her.

Everyone knew that Uncle Richard, a renowned scholar, hoped his daughter would focus on her studies and inherit his legacy in the future.

However, Brooke had absolutely no interest in academics. She was straightforward and hated roundabout empty talk and tactics.

In my past life, Jasper had exploited this very trait, orchestrating a trap that landed her in serious trouble.

Yet now, facing her scrutinizing and defensive gaze, I simply pulled a flyer from my pocket.

"If you don't want to keep going like this, maybe this place is worth a try."

The flyer was for a fencing club's enrollment.

Even before Uncle Richard came to our house, I had already thought about how to guide Brooke onto a different path.

The respect she commanded at school wasn't just due to her intimidating aura; it was more her exceptional athletic talent. She was tall, with long arms, and her reaction speed and explosive power far surpassed ordinary people.

These two qualities were precisely what fencing needed most.

Jasper saw Brooke as an untamable beast who only used violence to solve problems, so he could only feel fear, ultimately leading to mutual destruction.

But I was never afraid of a challenge. To me, you can find the right way to guide any beast, and you can unlock its true potential.

The moonlight was cold and clear. Brooke simply stared at me intently.

After a long while, she took the flyer, turned, and left.

A faint "Thank you" drifted back to me.

The results for the school competition team selection were finally out. With the help of my tutors and my own full dedication, I successfully made the team.

On the day the results were announced, many classmates came to congratulate me.

"Aria, good luck with the competition! When you get a good ranking, don't forget to treat us!"

"If you ask me, you're the real role model here! What you earn with genuine ability is far more reliable than all that flashy nonsense!"

Amidst the chorus of congratulations, only Jasper in the corner looked displeased.

Unlike my smooth progress, he hadn't had it easy lately.

Initially, after discovering Dad's system and rapid rise to fame, he indeed indulged in the adulation of the crowd.

But gradually, the troubles brought by immense public attention began to surface.

First were the work arrangements.

Dad, inherently clueless about business operations, had relied on others his whole life. After getting the system, he became even more engrossed in various superficial social events and indulgences. Choosing work invitations and handling business collaborations ultimately all fell on Jasper.

Jasper had initially thought he could ride Dad's coattails to skyrocket to success. Instead, he ended up transforming from his family's pampered son into an assistant constantly cleaning up his father's messes.

He was exhausted and constantly busy, following Dad around, dealing with all sorts of trivial matters, and managing media reports of Dad flitting between different women.

But even so, the situation didn't improve.

A public figure's life is magnified infinitely. Besides paparazzi photos, even more devastating was Dad's truly deplorable knowledge base and cultural literacy.

In my past life, with me there to promptly remind him or smooth things over, many issues were barely glossed over.

But now, Jasper himself was someone who disliked studying and couldn't settle down to learn.

During an art interview, the host asked Dad to offer a blessing to students about to enter university.

Jasper hastily searched online for some quotes, but Dad mangled a historical allusion, making a huge joke of himself.

Dad, feeling humiliated backstage, slapped Jasper hard across the face on the spot.

"If only I'd brought Aria along instead, this embarrassment would never have happened!"

He pointed his finger at Jasper, scolding him fiercely.

But he clearly still didn't want to give up the attention and benefits he'd gained.

So Dad ultimately made the same decision as in the past lifehe transferred the system to Jasper.

"Aria, did you know this would happen all along?"

As I packed my bag, only he and I were left in the classroom.

I turned, looking at his furious face, and found it somewhat laughable.

"Haven't you already gotten what you wanted most?"

My tone was calm, and I watched the expression on his face slowly stiffen.

Of course, I knew why Jasper, despite having the system, was so restless and anxious.

Because the "Predictive Investment System" was nothing like he imagined.