Rebirth after the college entrance examination

Chapter 170 The First Crown
"Is that idiot who won the lottery from your school?"

"I haven't heard of anyone winning the lottery."

"That three hundred million..."

"Oh, right, it's from our school."

-

"Is her name Xia An?"

"Yeah, he's in the dorm building next to mine. He's pretty handsome, and one of the girls in my dorm has a crush on him."

-

"Is he really a freshman? He said he's created some kind of website, that's impressive."

"He must have connections. I was there, and the host didn't even mention his family background."

"Is he handsome?"

"He's a bit of a rascal."

-

Such conversations took place in various corners of Binhai University.

Every college student has high school classmates, junior high school classmates, and elementary school classmates. They come from all over the country, either asking about the news on their own initiative or being told about it by students from Binhai University as something new.

As a result, within 24 hours, the "Breaking the Talk" app, which strictly requires registration with a student ID, added more than 27 new users.

At this point, both new and old users discovered that the website had been renamed, with the words "School Version" added to the upper right corner of the logo.

The third most popular topic on the topic square is "The owner of this site made 300 million".

The first red line is "Don't bully ordinary people."

There were many blurry photos from the press conference, as well as videos with unusual angles and even blurrier ones.

The thread has tens of thousands of comments, each one perfectly aligned with the previous one—don't bully ordinary people!
The voices of the nation's pillars resounded through the heavens. In one afternoon, the internet regulator made three phone calls to Guolan Technology. The third call was after receiving a call from higher-ups, conveying an apology: "Never mind, no need to delete it."

……

After leaving the small theater, Qi Buyang asked Lu Yao for a cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled.

"Old Xia went a bit too far...".

Lu Yao said, "I feel a little bitter. How long will it take me to earn 300 million?"

Qi Buyang glanced at him sideways: "If the first page of your family tree is from the same era as Duke Huan of Qi, then it's about the same time now."

Lu Fei, standing nearby, said, "Xia An is really amazing."

Qi Buyang asked him, "Aren't you jealous or envious?"

Lu Fei shook his head and smiled sheepishly: "We're so close to him, he'll help us become powerful together."

Hearing this, Li Xiaoru's gaze softened even more.

Lu Yao recited in a fast-paced rhythm: "Birds fly far when they follow the phoenix, and people's character naturally improves when they associate with the virtuous."

Qi Buyang tossed away his cigarette butt and asked, "Do you think he would lend me a million or two if I just asked?"

Just then, Xu Wanying walked over and flicked him on the forehead from behind, saying righteously, "The school leaders specifically instructed me to manage the class atmosphere well. You are Xia An's best friends, so please set an example."

Lu Yao smiled obsequiously and said, "Teacher Xu, I'm treating everyone tonight to celebrate Xia An's birthday. Are you coming?"

Xu Wanying subtly stepped to the side, creating distance between them. "Xia An asked me for leave to go back to the provincial capital."

After saying that, he was about to leave, but then, as if remembering something, he turned around, glanced around again, and finally looked at Lu Yao and said:
"His success is undeniable; it stems from his own abilities and understanding. We should applaud him and learn from him, but let's not be too... you know what I mean. Cultivating oneself is the greatest foresight."

He picked up the materials and left without a word.

Today, Xu Wanying wore a ponytail, a short, shiny down jacket over tight black fleece-lined pants, and her little boots crunched on the snow. Lu Yao was mesmerized.

Qi Buyang flicked his cigarette butt into his fixed gaze and kindly advised, "Old Lu, if you continue like this, you're likely to get into trouble."

Lu Fei nodded and said, "That's not good. Teacher Xu can sense it."

Xu Wanying could certainly sense that women have a natural sensitivity to other people's gazes. She felt uncomfortable in her buttocks as she walked forward, but she could only grit her teeth and endure it.

Lu Yao spat and said to the two of them, "If you love someone, you should express it boldly, otherwise how will she know?"

Li Xiaoru held back from saying a word; boldly expressing love and being vulgar are still different.

She often experienced this malicious gaze during junior and senior high school, but now it's much better.

Qi Buyang and Lu Yao grew up like brothers. Considering his childhood friend's feelings, he took the initiative to change the subject, scoffing and joking, "Old Xia isn't deliberately avoiding us, is he?"

Lu Fei said, "Definitely not."

Li Xiaoru said, "I was in the bathroom when Teacher Xu answered her call. I heard that Xia An had some family matters to attend to."

Lu Fei said, "Then let's celebrate for him ourselves. I'll treat you to beer this afternoon."

Lu Yao glanced at him sideways: "That would be great."

Qi Buyang put his arm around Lu Fei's shoulder and laughed, "You're treating him to a meal because he's made a fortune? Confess honestly, did you try to curry favor with him beforehand?"

Lu Fei scratched his head sheepishly, "I asked him to help me find a part-time job," he said, looking at Li Xiaoru, "I still owe Xiaoru a lot of money, and I was thinking of bringing something home for my parents when I go home for the New Year."

Qi Buyang chuckled and said, "You two are so meticulous about keeping accounts?"

Lu Fei hurriedly waved his hand: "Don't talk nonsense..." He looked at Li Xiaoru awkwardly, swallowed the rest of his words, and his eyes showed a hint of shyness.

Li Xiaoru blushed deeply, covering her mouth as if she wanted to scold him, but couldn't say anything. In the end, she just smiled sweetly at her beloved's gaze and walked forward shyly.

Qi Buyang laughed as if he had something in common, and gave Lu Fei a push: "Go and coax her."

Lu Fei followed along reluctantly, while Lu Yao said to Qi Buyang, "I always felt that the big black guy was hiding something."

Qi Buyang clicked his tongue twice, "He's so simple-minded, you're overthinking it."

Lu Yao smoked the cigarette butt until it was burning his hand before throwing it away. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Do you think he really likes Xiaoru?"

Qi Buyang took a few seconds to react before asking, "Do you think Xiaoru is really stupid?"

Lu Yao said, "Women are really foolish when they like someone."

……

Over the years, Zhou Ting always thought her daughter was a complete idiot.

But looking at it today, my judgment is absolutely brilliant.

When Xia An was being interviewed on stage, Zhou Ting recalled herself over and over again. She always knew that she was arrogant, but she still got carried away and was captivated by the talented writer Le Yuqun in her youth.

After getting married, her husband surprisingly chose... the Federation of Literary and Art Circles at the most crucial turning point in his career advancement!
"You're young, so you can dress in white and recite poetry to lure me into bed. But once you're married, don't you think about building a career?! Shouldn't you be more ambitious for your wife and children?!"

She almost got angry and divorced him because of this, but unfortunately, she found out she was pregnant a week before she made up her mind.

If she hadn't made the tough decision to quit her job at the factory and start her own business, her family would have been living in abject poverty all these years. Le Yuqun's monthly salary was only enough to teach her daughter music!

If you had hair, who would want to be a monk?

After gritting her teeth and persevering for twenty years, Zhou Ting is truly exhausted. Her daughter's future and marriage are her final motivation to keep going.

Xia An is absolutely right, that's very true.

No one can go back to the past, but everyone can start over. I'm afraid that one day in the future I will regret not working hard in my prime, leaving myself and those around me with nothing.

What is a sense of responsibility? What is ambition?
Looking at the handsome young man being held tightly by his daughter, Zhou Ting couldn't hide her admiration.

She wanted to hurry over and talk to him, but hesitated, asking herself two questions first. Was it because he suddenly became rich that she changed her perspective?

Not at all.

Is it genuine appreciation?

Yes.

Stepping forward, Zhou Ting asked Xia An, "Does your family know about this?"

Xia An said, "I found out yesterday too."

Zhou Ting: "Why didn't you tell your family?"

Xia An: "Before my dad started investing in stocks, our family wasn't well-off. I just wanted to give it a try and do something to ease the pressure on my family. I didn't expect it to work out, and I was afraid they would worry. Auntie, don't be angry, but when I was in middle school, Ningning gave me a lot of pocket money."

Zhou Ting glanced at her daughter, then sighed with a bitter smile, thinking, "Raising a daughter, this day was bound to come sooner or later."

"I know. You mentioned today that you still have some business outside and won't be spending as much time at school as you used to?"

"I try to balance my studies and work by doing what is appropriate for my age."

Xia An understood what she was worried about: "What will you and Ning Ning do if you're not always at school?"
The idea that distance makes the heart grow fonder during adolescence is pure nonsense. The underlying logic of love is lust. There are plenty of beautiful women on campus, but even more alluring women outside of school.

Now Xia An is a piece of juicy meat, and Zhou Ting, who has been working hard in the business world for so many years, has seen all kinds of dirty things.

She couldn't say whether she was satisfied or not with the answer.

But she couldn't bring herself to say more, after all, she was too young, only a freshman. If she were a junior or senior, she could at least mention meeting her parents or something...

"I can tell you're a person with your own opinions. Just keep yourself in check. Auntie has no other requests. Just don't bully Ningning."

After saying that, seeing her daughter's adoring look, she felt very uncomfortable.

Based on her understanding, this was pointless; once she left today, her daughter might even ask others to bully her as much as they wanted.

Zhou Ting was leaving, so Xia An and Le Ning accompanied her back to the hotel to pack her things.

At Xia An's urging, Zhou Ting finally decided to open the period costume shop in his small theater.

“I’ll keep an eye on it for you. To be honest, Auntie, I think this business is really good.”

"Really?"

As Zhou Ting packed her bag, she tilted her head and smiled at Xia An, saying, "I believe you have unique insights and ideas about business, and you also understand the clothing business?"

Le Ning was folding two luxurious palace dresses on the side, while Xia An helped Zhou Ting tidy up the small items on the table.

"Of the four categories of clothing, food, housing, and transportation, food is the most important thing, which is a truth. But clothing and appearance are also a timeless and top-tier industry. Even men are starting to use cosmetics. Everyone has a love for beauty. Moreover, in the past two years, the country has been advocating the promotion of traditional culture, so traditional clothing is also a hot topic."

I believe that after the Olympics, as China's international influence continues to grow, it will become a mainstream trend for the world to understand China and its traditional culture.

As she spoke, she walked over and handed over the tissues and small folding mirror in her hand. Zhou Ting took them, opened her bag and put them in. Then, Xia An saw something in the bag and was taken aback.

Zhou Ting noticed his gaze, quickly closed it, pursed her lips, brushed her hair aside, and said casually, "Very farsighted."

Xia An coughed lightly, walked to the side, and continued, "I heard from Ningning that you also went to Tokyo with the factory to do some research before deciding to do this. Actually, I think so too. They can openly wear kimonos on the street and even have special festivals for it. In recent years, the Korean wave in China has made people neither human nor ghost..."

Zhou Ting slapped her thigh, her eyes shining, "That's exactly what I'm thinking!"

After chatting for a few more minutes, Xia An didn't mention her plan to open a chain of cinemas in universities, and Zhou Ting didn't elaborate on whether she needed help or cooperation in business matters.

As Xia An went out to answer the phone, Zhou Ting pulled her daughter aside and whispered, "Mom will transfer another 50,000 yuan to that card this afternoon... Shh, don't make a sound. You need to understand one thing: you have to listen to me on this. You may not have thought it through, but now that you're dating him, you can't be as innocent as ordinary people."

There are some things that if he gives them to you, you can keep them; if he doesn't give them to you, you can't ask for them.

Don't let him pay for all your daily expenses, especially food and drinks. Just be mindful of the limits.

Zhou Ting looked at her daughter's beautiful face, as if she had just emerged from the water, and said with heartache, "In your heart, remember what your mother said: We will not climb up the social ladder, nor will we humble ourselves. Whether we have a lot of money or a little, we can still make a living. If... it's too tiring to be together, then saying goodbye is not wrong."

Humility and deference... Le Ning smiled and said, "If you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight?"

Zhou Ting nodded, "You understand the道理 (principles/reasons), but Mom is just afraid you'll be wronged."

Le Ning understood perfectly well.
But... even if I do everything perfectly, is it even my turn to wear the crown?
"I understand." Le Ning smiled at her mother, burying all her bitterness.

The first three lessons of growing up are independence, digestion, and acceptance.

Stroking her daughter's hair affectionately, Zhou Ting sighed, "Never lose yourself in relationships, or he won't like you. When you can't find the answer, look to yourself. Mom will also work hard to earn money and try not to make you feel too stifled."

“I don’t feel aggrieved at all; he treats me very well.”

Zhou Ting didn't say anything more.

Flowers do not have a hundred days of red, and people do not have a thousand days of good.

……

Haiyun Lantian Sales Office.

Xia An had the saleswoman, Ma Xiaowen, redo the contract and added Le Ning's name as a co-owner of the property.

Le Ning refused, so Xia An forced her to write.

“I know what your aunt is worried about, and I know you are upset. You are too young to talk about many things openly. Maybe she thinks this amount of money and this matter is nothing to me, but writing our names together adds a touch of connection, which makes her feel a little better.”

As for you, I'm not trying to prove anything, just telling you not to overthink it. Nothing lasts forever; that won't happen.

Le Ning only asked one question: "Did you buy them houses?"

Xia An thought about it and realized that there really wasn't one. The rental house next to the food street was bought by Tang Wan herself, and Zuo You didn't have one either, but the amount of money spent was indeed much more than what she had given to Xiao Le Ning.

As for Lin Jiajia, well, she doesn't even know such a person exists.

"No."

"That's okay."

Le Ning happily put down her pen.

The deed tax hasn't been paid yet, which makes it easier to add a name to the property and won't delay getting the property certificate.

Ma Xiaowen finally saw the real person: a freshman female student. She was indeed very beautiful, and she was genuinely jealous.

On the other side, Zhou Yitong frowned slightly, her high heels rubbing against the tiles repeatedly, but she was too embarrassed to come over and say hello.

As luck would have it, she read an article in a magazine last night.

Only those of the same kind can be friends in this world. People with different goals and paths can only be happy companions for a short time when they are curious about something new.

What right do I have to go and make that greeting? Am I just hoping for a little pity or encouragement?
It's unnecessary.

As the flood of time washes away the debris, what eventually piles up together are nothing more than small stones of the same material.

I am but a grain of sand, a drifting duckweed.

After staring at the toes of her shoes for a while, Zhou Yitong quietly went to the rest area on the other side, took two cookies, and listened to the piano music playing in the lobby.

Seeing Le Ning looking over expectantly, yet hesitant to speak, Xia An smiled and said, "Want to see the house?"

"Mmm." Le Ning nodded emphatically.

At that moment, the doors to the sales office were opened.

"Welcome, ma'am. Would you like to view the apartment?"

Zhou Ting's voice came through: "Yes, take a look."

(End of this chapter)