After Rebirth, I Became A Millionaire

Back from the dead, my first challenge was still the same: I'm broke.

Even with four years of foresight, everything needed money to start.

So, not long after school started, I went back to my old trade—collecting recyclables.

I needed to accumulate my initial capital through recycling.

The amount of recyclables in a university was astounding, and the surrounding shops, stores, and delivery stations provided a huge opportunity. If done right, the profit could be unimaginable.

Thanks to my mom, who also collected recyclables, I knew a bit about it.

I used this semester's living expenses to rent a small room off-campus dedicated to storing the recyclables.

Initially, I only collected around the school.

During that time, I got a lot of disdainful looks.

Whenever the teaching assistant saw me, she would pinch her nose and avoid me.

"Wow, you're really following in your family's footsteps and collecting trash even at school. Erica, why are you even in college? Just focus on collecting junk."

I ignored her every time.

I knew that until I became strong, everything I did would be looked down upon.

My roommates also refused to share a room with me, claiming collecting recyclables was too dirty.

Juliette Hoover, the richest among them and the head girl, threw my things out of the dorm.

"Erica, you better not come back. We don't want to be laughed at for living with someone who collects trash. Besides, what if you bring back germs?"

In my past life, even though I didn't collect recyclables, they still ostracized me.

Especially Juliette and the teaching assistant, who openly plagiarized my designs, stole my thesis, grabbed my internship opportunities, and mocked me like a clown.

I leaned in and whispered to Juliette, "Aren't you into Joel? How about a bet on who he'll end up with? The loser publicly apologizes and calls the winner 'Daddy'."

Juliette laughed, "Erica, have you lost your mind from collecting trash? Fine, I'll be waiting for you to call me 'Daddy'!"

She prided herself on being fair-skinned, beautiful, and rich, confident Joel would never choose me over her.

I smiled and dragged my luggage to my rented room outside.

In my past life, I couldn't even dream of being with Joel.

But now, knowing Joel's bet, I was sure to win.

If he could use me for a bet, why couldn't I turn the tables?

As for Juliette, who stole my designs, thesis, and internship, I couldn't wait to hear her call me 'Daddy' in front of everyone.

Two months later, with some money saved, I expanded my business.

I rented a larger house, bought a tricycle, and started covering a wider area for recyclables.

The profit from recyclables was substantial, and by the end of freshman year, I had saved a significant amount of money.

During the last class of freshman year, everyone discussed their summer travel plans and made plans with friends.

After a speech, the teaching assistant approached and mocked me, "Erica, you've been so self-reliant, collecting trash for a year. I suppose you don't need financial aid anymore?"

This was her way of telling me that if I didn't obey her like the other students, running errands for her, she'd find ways to make my life difficult, starting with canceling my financial aid.

I turned my back on her, giving her no chance to speak further, and she stormed off in anger.

After she left, Joel came in.

In front of everyone, he held a bouquet and approached me.

"Erica, do you have plans later? I'd like to take you out for dinner."

I knew his friends were peeking from outside the door, and Juliette, who had been chasing Joel, was also watching.

Oblivious to the truth, Juliette sneered, "She doesn't have time; she's busy collecting trash. Joel, what's with your taste? Shouldn't you get your eyes checked?"

To spite Juliette, I took the flowers from Joel. "I don't have other plans."

Joel's eyes lit up with joy, and he glanced smugly at his friends outside. "Shall we go then?"

As we left, I hooked my arm through Joel's and said to Juliette, "Jealousy makes you ugly."

Juliette's face turned pale.

This was just the beginning. The real show was yet to come.

I wasn't going to let any of those who caused my downfall in my past life go unpunished.

Once we were off-campus and out of sight, I let go of Joel's hand and changed my demeanor.

"I suddenly have something to do. Let's have dinner another time."

Joel was taken aback by my sudden change but quickly caught on. "You did that to spite Juliette, didn't you?"

I knew that if I immediately agreed to be Joel's girlfriend to win against Juliette, he would lose interest soon.

Just like in my past life, once he made me fall for him and won the bet, he dumped me instantly, holding Juliette's hand the next moment and mocking me for being delusional.

I wanted both Joel and Juliette to lose their bet miserably.

This act had to continue.

I said coolly, "I admit I accepted your invitation just to spite Juliette. I won't just fall in love with anyone. I only like those who are genuinely kind to me. Sorry, even though you're a great guy, I have no feelings for you."

For someone like Joel, a rich boy who was used to getting his way, a challenge was enticing.

I had to strike a balance, not pushing him away completely or making it too easy.

Sure enough, Joel's interest was piqued. "Don't worry, Erica, my feelings are genuine. If you don't believe me, I'll prove it with my actions."

Seeing the determination in Joel's eyes, I knew the fish was on the hook.