The War of Luck

I found a homeless man, spent all my savings to heal him and helped him start a business. A year later, he became the city's newest billionaire. Everyone envied my keen eye, eagerly awaiting my grand entry into high society. Yet, he knelt before my sister, claiming he had mistakenly loved another, only to find his true love was her. I didnt cry, didnt cause a scene, just smiled and nodded. My family thought I had accepted my fate. But no one knew I was born with a gift for the mystic arts, and I had long seen that Finn carried the aura of a top-tier Lucky Charm. A year of meticulous planning, all to seize his fortune. Marrying into wealth? No, I would become the wealth myself!

From the moment I was born, I could see everyone's aura. Ordinary people had a faint white glow around them. Celebrities on TV shone with a dazzling red. Those cursed with bad luck, prone to bankruptcy or violent deaths, were shrouded in an impenetrable black. Only I, looking in a mirror, saw my own aura as a void, completely transparent.

Because of this, since childhood, Id devoured every book on metaphysics, sought out every reclusive master. Finally, a blind sage told me: I had a rare "Empty Fate," a short and shallow life, with only one solution: draw upon others' luck for my own. But I searched for many years, never encountering an aura that truly captivated me.

Until one day, in a forgotten alley in the old quarter, I saw a burst of golden light so brilliant it made one squint. As I drew closer, I realized the light emanated from a filthy homeless man, emaciated beyond recognition, his wounds festering with pus and insects. Yet, that golden aura was solid, palpable, swirling around him like a mythical carp. It was the "Nine Transformations of the Lucky Carp," a rare fortune seen only once in a century! This aura promised immense wealth, the power to defy fate, and to turn disaster into fortune.

I heard my heart pound, as if I had met true love. I extended a trembling hand towards him:

Come with me.

The moment we arrived home, my sister Roses shriek shattered the silence:

Alicia brought back a smelly beggar!

Mom rushed from the kitchen, pinching her nose and scolding me:

Where did you pick up this vagrant? He reeks and hes half-dead. Get him out of here!

Dad sat on the sofa, his face ashen:

What on earth are you doing? Do you want all the neighbors to laugh at us?

But I paid them no mind. I was born with shallow familial bonds. I was born at 4:44 AM, my cries as faint as a kittens mew. The nurse handed me to Mom, but she recoiled in disgust. Dad stood by, uttering only one sentence:

This child is bad luck.

Later, Rose was born, a rosy-cheeked, adorable baby who loved to cuddle, fulfilling all their expectations. From then on, all the warmth and attention in the household fell upon her. I became a ghost in my own home.

When I was little, I once fainted with a fever, and they told the neighbors I was just "sleeping in." When asked about my favorite food, they'd say "leftovers." Even though I was older than Rose, I had to wear her hand-me-downs

Their favoritism brought me no sorrow, no expectation, only indifference. I didn't care if they loved me or not; my heart was never truly here. This "Nine Transformations of the Lucky Carp" aura, that was what I truly desired. It wasn't ordinary good fortune, but a celestial aura capable of rewriting destiny and wielding ultimate creation. Held in my grasp, it offered the absolute power to control my own life. To soar ninety thousand miles high, with the sky as my limit, unshackled. With it, everything I desired would be within reach.

So I said, word by word:

I want him.

Everyone thought I was mad. I brought a beggar home, not only spending a fortune on a private doctor and imported antibiotics for him, but also paying high prices to enroll him in the most elite financial trading courses.

When Rose saw the man, bandaged from head to toe, seriously studying "Security Analysis" in the room, she burst out laughing:

Sister, are you completely infatuated with a beggar? Does he even know how to spell finance?

Mom followed suit, glaring at me and lamenting with disappointment:

Whats so good about this beggar? This is just throwing money down the drain!

I didnt even look up, replying calmly:

Its my money; Ill throw it however I like.

Indeed, the money I had saved over the years by performing feng shui readings and fortune-telling was now being poured into him like water. I even spent a small fortune on a tourmaline ring, which I gave to him. Everyone thought I was crazy for a man, completely infatuated with a beggar. Only I knew that once he passed this final hurdle, Finn would rise. And I would use his aura to defy fate, to reshape my destiny.

Finn, resilient as a pine, sustaining fortune.

Finn, dont disappoint me.

He certainly didn't disappoint me. In three months, Finn completed all his financial courses. I gave him seed money to register Aura Capital. In the fifth month, he targeted the stock market, precisely shorting overhyped green energy stocks, profiting two hundred million in a week, making a name for himself overnight. In the seventh month, he transitioned to the commodity futures market. I helped him anticipate policy shifts, earning another eight hundred million. In just one year, Aura Capital grew from a small startup to a giant in the financial world.

Finn, too, topped financial headlines, becoming the citys most sought-after new billionaire, mysterious and low-key. As CEO, I remained steadily by his side.

That day came quickly. Finns injuries were fully healed, and the bandages were removed from his face. When he was invited to the annual Outstanding Entrepreneur Awards, the entire financial world buzzed with excitement. Major media outlets converged, sensing a story:

One Year to Citys Top Billionaire! Mysterious Newcomer Finn Makes First Public Appearance!

Amidst widespread anticipation, Finn made his entrance. He stood against the light, his eyes like bright stars, tall and slender. In that moment, the entire venue fell silent. A moment later, thunderous applause erupted.

Finns acceptance speech mentioned only one name: Alicia Stone. The tourmaline ring on his left ring finger shimmered under the spotlights. Now, he had commissioned a matching one for me, personally placing it on my ring finger. He also announced our wedding date: one month later.

The media instantly exploded, camera flashes popping everywhere.

Breaking news! The new billionaire, who rose to the top in just one year, makes his first public appearance to propose!

Oh my god, such a handsome and devoted billionaire, hes like a perfect character from a novel!

What more could one wish for after marrying him?!

And I, up close, observed Finns strong nose and his lightly pressed lips. The fortune-transferring formation would be fully complete in less than a month. Once I obtained the top-tier Lucky Charm aura, I would soar. By then, Finn would be marrying into wealth. Keeping him wouldn't be out of the question.

However, no one noticed that Rose, working as an intern reporter that day, was also present. She stared blankly at the man on stage, her lips slightly parted, her hands tightly clasped over her chest, as if the surrounding commotion held no meaning for her. Only the frantic thumping of her own heart remained. She murmured dreamily:

My Prince Charming has truly appeared

That evening, I returned home after signing contracts at the office. My room door was ajar. Peeking in, I saw Finn sitting at my desk, and Rose was inexplicably wearing my pajamas. The next second, Rose suddenly hugged Finn from behind. Her face was flushed, her eyes fluttering like a startled deer. Finn turned around, realizing it wasn't me, and yet he didn't immediately push Rose away.

As the two exchanged gazes, sparks flying, I kicked the door open. Rose, like a frightened deer, pulled back her hands and clasped them over her chest.

Sister, you scared me! Why are you always so rough?

I retorted, exasperated:

Why are you in my room wearing my pajamas?

She lowered her head shyly, twisting the hem of the pajamas, and said:

My pajamas are all in the wash, and Mom said I could wear your clothes. You dont mind, do you, Sister?

Actually, these pajamas are a bit small on you, Sister. They fit me perfectly.

And I think I look better in your pajamas.

Shameless, I scoffed:

Get out.

Roses eyes instantly welled up. She bit her lower lip.

Sister, why are you so mean to me? Were sisters, cant I come into your room? Do you dislike me so much that you always target me?

With that, she looked on the verge of tears, casting a pleading glance at Finn. I also looked at Finn. He frowned, pondered for a moment, then said:

Rose is innocent and kind-hearted; she means no harm.

And youre Roses older sister, you shouldnt be so harsh with her.

Rose quickly covered Finns mouth with her small hand:

Dont talk about Sister like that for my sake. I dont want you two to argue because of me. You two should always be happy together.

After speaking, she wiped her tears with her small hand and ran out, head bowed. I heard her soft sobs in the living room.

I never imagined my ideal Prince Charming would be right here in our home. Isnt this a heaven-sent destiny but hes Sisters

And Mom and Dads comforting voices.

Hes not married, shes not married how is he your sisters then?

A girl should be brave pursue true love.

Looking at Finns slightly dazed eyes. I knew he was beginning to change.

A few days later, as soon as I arrived at the office in the morning, HR handed me a new hire form. Rose Stone. Her position was Chairmans Special Assistant. I, the CEO, knew nothing about it. As I walked towards Finns office, I heard Roses sweet voice from inside.

Finn, youre so good to me, giving me such a high salary. Sister wont be angry, will she?

Through the crack in the door, I saw Rose leaning across the desk, straightening Finns tie. Finn looked down slightly, his gaze at her holding a hint of indulgence.