Ethan Zhao barely slept that night.
The last message from the phone kept replaying in his mind.
Someone is already watching you.
He had checked the street outside his apartment window three times.
Nothing unusual.
Just a few parked cars and a quiet sidewalk.
Still…
The thought refused to leave his mind.
By morning, Ethan was sitting at his desk again, staring at his phone.
His bank balance still read $3,041.72.
Just two days ago he had barely enough money to survive the week.
Now he had three thousand dollars—and a mysterious connection to the future.
But according to the rules…
He could only receive one message per day.
Ethan glanced at the clock.
8:41 AM
"Come on," he muttered.
"Send something useful."
As if hearing him, the phone vibrated.
Ethan grabbed it instantly.
A new message appeared.
Good morning.
Ethan rolled his eyes.
"Very funny."
Another message appeared beneath it.
Today is important.
Ethan sat up straight.
Important how?
The typing dots appeared.
Then the message arrived.
Helios Technologies.
Ethan frowned.
He had never heard that name before.
Another message appeared.
IPO today. 10:00 AM.
Ethan opened his laptop immediately.
He searched the company name.
A small tech startup appeared.
Helios Technologies.
Specializes in AI-powered energy optimization.
Ethan scrolled through the information.
The company looked… average.
Small.
Unknown.
Hardly anyone was talking about it.
He checked several forums.
Most investors seemed skeptical.
One comment read:
"Another overhyped tech startup."
Another said:
"This IPO will probably flop."
Ethan leaned back in his chair.
"Doesn't look promising."
The phone vibrated again.
Another message appeared.
Buy as soon as the market opens.
Ethan glanced at the clock again.
9:02 AM
Less than an hour left.
He typed quickly.
How much should I invest?
The response came instantly.
Everything.
Ethan laughed.
"Of course."
The phone buzzed again.
In my timeline the stock increased 600% in two weeks.
Ethan's laughter stopped.
"Six hundred percent?"
Another message appeared.
But you need to enter early.
Ethan looked back at his trading account.
Balance: $3,041
That was all the money he had.
If this prediction was wrong…
He would lose almost everything.
His heart beat faster.
He scrolled through more information about Helios.
Still nothing impressive.
No big investors.
No major news.
Just another small tech startup.
His instincts told him this was risky.
But his instincts had also told him the future messages were fake.
And yet…
He looked at his phone again.
The previous prediction had turned $214 into $3,000.
Exactly as promised.
The phone vibrated again.
Another message appeared.
Trust me.
Ethan exhaled slowly.
"That's easy for you to say."
Still…
If this worked again…
The numbers in his head started spinning.
Six hundred percent.
That meant his three thousand dollars could become over $18,000.
His fingers tapped nervously on the desk.
Outside, the city buzzed with its usual morning routine.
People walking.
Cars passing.
Normal life.
But Ethan knew something they didn't.
A secret from the future.
He checked the time again.
9:58 AM
Two minutes until the market opened.
Ethan's cursor hovered over the Buy button.
His palms felt sweaty.
"All in again," he whispered.
The seconds ticked by.
9:59 AM.
9:59:30.
9:59:50.
Then—
10:00 AM
The market opened.
Helios Technologies appeared on the trading screen.
Initial price: $12.40
Ethan didn't hesitate.
He clicked Buy.
Order executed.
Shares purchased.
Balance: $0.00
Ethan leaned back slowly.
"Well…"
"That's terrifying."
For the next few minutes nothing happened.
The price moved slightly.
$12.45
$12.30
$12.41
Ethan frowned.
"Come on…"
Then suddenly—
The price jumped.
$13.20
Ethan blinked.
"Okay…"
Another jump.
$14.80
His eyes widened.
"Wait—"
The trading volume exploded.
Investors began pouring in.
The chart shot upward.
$16.00
$18.50
Ethan sat frozen in his chair.
"What is happening?"
His phone vibrated.
A message appeared.
News release in 30 seconds.
Ethan stared at the screen.
Then—
Breaking news appeared on his laptop.
"Helios Technologies signs major AI partnership with Titan Energy."
The market exploded.
$21.30
$25.00
$30.00
Ethan's balance skyrocketed.
$3,000
$5,000
$8,000
$12,000
He stared at the numbers in disbelief.
"This can't be real."
The phone buzzed again.
Another message appeared.
Welcome to the beginning.
Ethan looked at the screen.
His investment had already grown four times larger.
And the market was still climbing.
But another message appeared beneath it.
Short.
Cold.
People will start noticing you soon.
Ethan's excitement faded slightly.
He remembered the earlier warning.
Someone is already watching you.
He slowly looked toward the window again.
Outside…
A black car was parked across the street.
And for the first time—
He wasn't sure if it had been there before.