SAG -Chapter 10 A Billionaire?

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, another half month had passed.

Although public interest in the Goddess of Fate had begun to cool slightly, it remained the biggest news story in the country.

Because of the overwhelming attention, government officials regularly released new information to the public.

As for the countless theories surrounding the ship’s disappearance…

They ranged from the plausible to the utterly absurd.

Some claimed the passengers had been abducted by aliens.

Others insisted they’d been secretly kidnapped, cryogenically frozen, and only recently released.

Most of those theories circulated online.

Naturally, experts also offered their own explanations, some of which gained considerable public support.

One of the more popular ideas involved space-time wormholes.

There was little scientific evidence to support it, but many people found it easier to accept than the alternatives.

Zhang Ran, however, had no interest in any of those discussions.

He cared about only one thing.

How was she doing?

By now, Zhang Ran had changed into a clean set of white clothes specially prepared for the passengers.

Everything he had been carrying had already been confiscated for safekeeping.

The authorities had promised everything would be returned when they were finally released.

During these weeks, the passengers had undergone every imaginable medical examination.

Blood tests.

Full-body scans.

Even stool and urine samples.

Nothing had been overlooked.

Countless officials questioned them about every aspect of their lives.

Psychologists met with them daily, helping them manage their emotions while evaluating their mental health.

At first, Zhang Ran had worried that the examinations might uncover the unusual secret hidden inside him.

But before long, those fears faded.

All the tests indicated that he was perfectly normal.

He had simply worried too much.

Unfortunately, none of that occupied his thoughts.

Although he had finally accepted the fact that twenty-eight years had truly passed…

A powerful sense of unease still lingered deep within him.

He knew worrying accomplished nothing.

There was nothing he could do.

He could only leave everything to fate.

Fortunately, the authorities had begun investigating each passenger’s former social connections and personal history.

Once those investigations were complete, everything would be explained to them.

For now…

All Zhang Ran could do was hope for good news.

Hearing the door open, Zhang Ran looked up.

A familiar face entered.

It was Su Yitian, the psychologist assigned to him.

Every passenger had been assigned a mental health specialist.

Given the extraordinary circumstances—and the unimaginable emotional shock everyone had endured—professional counseling was considered essential.

“Mr. Zhang.”

Su Yitian smiled warmly.

“How are you feeling today?”

Zhang Ran sighed.

“Miss Su…”

“Could you possibly ask a different opening question?”

“You ask me that every single day.”

She smiled without changing expression.

“Alright.”

“Then…”

“Have you eaten?”

Zhang Ran looked at her helplessly.

“Yes.”

“I’ve eaten.”

“Miss Su…”

“How are things progressing?”

“Is there actually anything wrong with us?”

“And if not…”

“When can we leave?”

Deep down, Zhang Ran already understood.

If any abnormalities had truly been found…

None of them would ever be allowed to leave.

Su Yitian answered calmly.

“Please don’t worry.”

“So far, none of you have shown any physical abnormalities.”

“As far as I know…”

“Once the remaining quarantine period is over, and nothing unexpected appears…”

“You’ll be allowed to return to society.”

She smiled gently.

“Starting tomorrow…”

“Special instructors will also begin teaching all of you how to use modern technology…”

“…along with basic knowledge about contemporary life.”

One of the reasons she’d come today was precisely to share this encouraging news.

Giving the passengers hope would help ease their anxiety.

Everything she said was true.

By now, the governments involved had largely reached an agreement.

As long as no problems were discovered…

The passengers would be allowed to return to normal life.

Hearing this, Zhang Ran visibly relaxed.

At least…

It was good news.

The two continued talking for nearly another hour before Su Yitian finally left.

It had become part of her daily routine.

One Week Later

Su Yitian was summoned to an office.

Three people were already waiting inside.

“Good morning, sir.”

She greeted them respectfully.

“Sit down.”

The middle-aged man leading the meeting gestured with a smile.

“Don’t stand on ceremony.”

“Miss Su, we have a few questions we’d like to ask you.”

“Of course.”

She nodded immediately.

“You’re responsible for Zhang Ran, correct?”

“Yes.”

“How has his emotional state been lately?”

She considered her answer carefully.

“He’s still somewhat anxious.”

“And a little impatient.”

“But overall…”

“His emotions have remained stable.”

In truth, Su Yitian thought Zhang Ran had displayed remarkable self-control.

From what she knew, many of the passengers had suffered severe emotional instability.

Compared with them…

Zhang Ran was exceptionally composed.

After all…

Who could possibly remain perfectly calm after experiencing something like this?

Hearing her answer, the middle-aged man quietly let out a sigh of relief.

Then he turned toward the other two people.

“You explain the situation.”

“From now on, Miss Su will be our primary point of contact with Zhang Ran.”

Su Yitian looked toward the two officials.

They exchanged helpless smiles.

Finally, one of them spoke.

“Here’s the situation.”

“During our investigation…”

“We’ve not only been looking into everyone’s social relationships…”

“…but also their financial assets.”

“After all…”

“If someone died without legal heirs…”

“Their property would’ve been transferred to the state.”

Su Yitian immediately understood.

“You mean…”

“Zhang Ran’s assets were confiscated by the government?”

“Then just return them.”

“If only it were that simple.”

The man smiled bitterly.

“Zhang Ran was an orphan.”

“He had no parents.”

“He wasn’t married.”

“And no biological descendants could be found.”

“According to the law at the time…”

“All of his assets legally became state property.”

“There was nothing improper about that.”

“Then…”

“What’s the problem?”

Su Yitian still looked puzzled.

“The problem…”

Another official sighed.

“…is that Zhang Ran had rather a lot of money.”

They hadn’t expected that either.

The first time they saw his financial records…

They had been utterly stunned.

This was a man from twenty-eight years ago.

Looking at those numbers made them feel as though they had wasted their own lives.

“How much could he possibly have had?”

Su Yitian asked instinctively.

The official replied, “Cash alone…”

“He held 110 million yuan.”

“Adding his foreign currency holdings…”

“Based on the exchange rates at the time…”

“His liquid assets totaled roughly…”

“250 million yuan.”

“…How much?”

Su Yitian blinked.

She wondered whether she’d heard incorrectly.

This was twenty-eight years ago—

Right after China’s reform and opening-up had begun.

How could someone have possessed that kind of wealth?

“You heard correctly.”

“Two hundred and fifty million.”

“And a considerable portion of it was in foreign currencies.”

He shook his head.

“The unbelievable part…”

“…is that every single cent of it was legally obtained.”

He couldn’t help grumbling.

“Ahem.”

The middle-aged leader shot him a warning glance, signaling him to stop making unnecessary comments.