A young man sat silently beside the study table and staring at his face was an unfamiliar reflection in the mirror, black hair, grey eyes and handsome but ordinary face.
His name was now Ryan Carter.
Or more accurately… the side character named Ryan Carter.
"…So I really got reborn inside a novel."
Ryan slowly leaned back in his chair while memories flooded his mind like a broken dam.
Before his death in past life he had been an exhausted office worker who spent most of his free time reading web novels and analyzing business strategies. One night he was working for nearly twenty hours without rest, he collapsed in his apartment.
When he opened his eyes again…
He had become a minor character inside a romance college novel called Summer of Youth. This novel is popular for character design.
A story filled with rich heirs, beautiful heroines, jealousy, heartbreak and dramatic love triangles.
And Ryan?
He was barely an important character in the novel.
Just a background student with decent grades and a polite personality.
He listens to someone's footsteps who approach his room and open the door. A middle-aged woman hurried inside the room with worried eyes.
"Ryan! You finally woke up!"
I think that is the mother of Ryan. Should I act as Ryan or tell her truth… it's frustrating, let's handle this situation first.
"I'm fine, Mom."
"You scared us to death," she sighed. You fainted again from overworking, assisting your father in the company.
Ryan blinked.
Overworking? Really it looks like we both are fated to die due to overworking. He thought this was fate or coincidence.
The original Ryan had been desperately trying to prove himself because his father's business had been struggling recently in cash flow.
Unfortunately, he lacked talent and confidence.
Compared to the monsters at Westbridge College, he was ordinary in every aspect.
Talent. Money. Family background and Influence.
He had none of them. And because of inferiority he felt facing real guineas, the original Ryan rarely interacted with important characters in the novel.
Eventually, he faded into the background scene of the novel.
But the current Ryan has the same body as Ryan but the soul of a different person.
After a few hours.
Drops of water still slid down his slightly wet black hair after taking a shower. The soft yellow lights made the unfamiliar room feel strangely warm.
"Ryan, dinner is ready," his mother's gentle voice came from outside.
"…I'm coming."
Ryan takes a deep breath before opening the door. He opened the door that led to his new life and new world.
He smelled the scent of freshly cooked food spread through the large house.
It wasn't a mansion like the ones owned by the top families in the novel world but it was still luxurious compared to ordinary households.
As Ryan walked downstairs step by step but he suddenly slowed down his steps.
He saw a middle-aged man sitting at the dining table while reading documents from the company.
His sharp eyes scan every word by word of document file, cold-looking face and a naturally intimidating aura.
George Carter.
Ryan's father.
The original owner of this body feared him greatly because George rarely smiled and always focused on work. Even during conversations, his tone remained strict and serious.
But me, who inherited those memories, could strangely sense something else hidden beneath that cold appearance.
Responsibility.
Pressure.
Care.
George looked up from the documents.
"You're finally here."
Ryan subconsciously became tense.
In his previous life, he never truly had a father figure. After his parents divorce when he was age of 10. He was sent to boarding school to study from then they busy their own life, he still think if they came to attend my death ceremony.
So facing this kind of atmosphere made him uncomfortable in a different way.
"…Yes."
George stared at him for a few seconds before folding the papers calmly.
"You should rest more instead of helping at the company every day."
His eyes blinked slightly.
That response was different from what he expected from him.
"I heard from the doctor that you collapsed because of stress."
George sighed softly.
"You're still young. The company's problems are not your responsibility yet."
Ryan stayed silent and looked at him.
For some reason, hearing those words created a strange feeling in his chest.
His mother placed food on the table while speaking warmly.
"Exactly. You've been overthinking too much lately."
George nodded slightly before continuing.
"The investment issue was solved this afternoon. One of our old partners decided to continue supporting us."
Ryan remembered from the novel that the Carter family's business would eventually stabilize after a difficult period.
"You don't need to worry anymore," George said calmly. "Focus on your studies at Westbridge."
Ryan unconsciously looked at him.
"…You trust me that much?"
George frowned slightly, almost confused by the question.
"You're my son."
Those four simple words hit Ryan harder in heart than expected.
In his previous life, nobody had ever said something like that to him so naturally it felt strange.
George noticed his silence and thought Ryan was still worried.
After a moment, his expression softened slightly.
"Westbridge is full of talented people," he said. "Don't pressure yourself trying to compete with everyone."
George believes Ryan is just a normal young boy who is worried about studies, future and family business.
"You don't need to become the richest person in the world overnight."
His father wants Ryan to live peacefully without pressure.
But when Ryan lowers his eyes silently, it means he cannot tell the truth to him that..
'Father… I actually do want to become one of the richest and most powerful people.' he taught.
But because he understood this world better than anyone else around him.
At that moment, his mother suddenly smiled teasingly.
"Maybe Ryan will even bring home a beautiful girlfriend from college."
Ryan nearly choked on the water when he was drinking.
George looked at him calmly.
"…As long as you don't ruin your future."
Ryan coughed awkwardly while his mother laughed softly.
For some reason, this ordinary family dinner felt strangely precious to him.
Warm.
Peaceful.
Alive.
Something he never truly had in his previous life.
And at that moment, Ryan silently made another promise to himself.
This time—
He would expect them from his parents?
He would protect this life properly?