Those Years When I Was Forced to Top the Forbes List

Chapter 124 How much money does Chen Xuebing actually have?
Chen Xuebing simply shook his head.

"I'm not running for class monitor. You should talk to the counselor about this."

Cheng Danting pursed her lips, which were a pale color.

“I know that if you run for class monitor, I have no chance, but if I run for class monitor myself, I probably won’t have much of a chance either. Hu Li is also running for class monitor. She’s very popular. Two girls from her dorm have agreed to support her.”

As she spoke, she glanced at a girl inside who seemed to be surrounded by admirers.

Chen Xuebing didn't need to look; he recognized the name Hu Li immediately. The girl had just toasted him. She was dressed head-to-toe in brand logos, and while she was only considered pretty, she had a high alcohol tolerance and excellent conversational skills. She even told everyone that she would treat them to the next gathering.

It's probably not that she's popular, but rather that she comes from a wealthy family.

Cheng Danting is quite good at finding people; given the current situation, it seems that only I can help her.

However, Chen Xuebing wasn't very interested in this matter.

"If you can't run for class monitor, then run for Youth League secretary. Isn't the purpose of running for class committee members to join the Party, get scholarships, and be selected as an outstanding student? These two positions are about the same in terms of prestige."

Before coming to university, he did a lot of research, and he learned about the benefits of positions such as class committee members and student union members.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Danting looked at him with some suspicion:
"You said you don't want to run for class monitor, but you want to run for Youth League secretary? Fang Yu wants to run for Youth League secretary. He joined the Party in high school and is now the only probationary Party member in our class. He will become a full Party member this year. In the future, he will also be eligible to run for the Youth League secretary position in the college. Don't even mention me, you can't compete for this position."

Chen Xuebing's lips twitched slightly.

What do you mean by "even I can't compete with you"?
Given his family background, it wouldn't be too difficult for him to join the Party after turning 18, would it?

However, for ordinary families, it is indeed extremely difficult to get their children to join the Party before college.

In a small class of just over thirty students, there was a rich woman, a high school party member… Liu Kang wasn’t wrong; this class was indeed full of hidden talents.

The woman in front of me, Cheng Danting, is no simple character either.

He raised an eyebrow and smiled, "You've gathered quite a bit of intelligence in just one day."

"It's only been one day! Registration started the day before yesterday. You're only here today, right? Our class has a QQ group now, do you want to add you?"

Cheng Danting chuckled, dimples appearing on her cheeks.

QQ…

Chen Xuebing had tried to log in before. The QQ number he used in his later life was 9 digits long, and he hadn't applied for one yet. However, he had a very old QQ number that started with 1 and had 8 digits. After his rebirth, he asked Lu Yiwen, whom he had added as a QQ friend, for that number. But he racked his brains and still couldn't remember the password. After failing to log in countless times, he gave up.

I later created a new account, and my first friend was Xin Mengzhen. I've only added a few people since then, and I rarely log in unless there's a specific reason.

Seeing that he was hesitant and silent, Cheng Danting bit her lip and said, "Please help me out, I'll treat you to a meal, okay?"

Chen Xuebing was just thinking about Xin Mengzhen when he smiled and shook his head: "I'm treating two classes to dinner. Do you think a meal would be appealing to me?"

He's seen plenty of beautiful women; with his status, there are countless beauties who would want to dine with him. He could even date celebrities. But in his heart, only Xin Mengzhen and Yang Qingyue, who had appeared in his dreams in his past life, deserve a place with a premium.

Cheng Danting had no idea how rich he was.

However, she was the student council president in high school, and with just a few sweet words, she could win over any boy. The news that male students from other universities were running for class monitor, and that Chen Xuebing had announced at noon that he would not run for class monitor, were all told to her by other boys.

Chen Xuebing's attitude towards her remained indifferent. She knew that university was indeed different from high school, and there were many people and things that she couldn't control.

"Well... never mind, I'm sorry to have bothered you." Cheng Danting didn't show much disappointment, and gave Chen Xuebing an apologetic smile.

Cheng Danting's attitude made Chen Xuebing feel slightly comfortable. A beautiful woman who doesn't pester you is a good woman. He picked up his glass and finished the rest of his beer.

"I can't influence others, but I'll vote for you."

"Thank you."

Cheng Danting's dimples reappeared, and without waiting for Chen Xuebing, she returned to the store alone.

After waiting for a while, Chen Xuebing returned to the table and paid special attention to Hu Li and Fang Yu, whom Cheng Danting had mentioned.

He knew who Hu Li was. She seemed to have a straightforward personality, never refused a drink, and seemed quite likable. However, if any guy came to her, she would never let him finish a whole glass unless he drank at least three.

He had been waiting for a long time to hear the name Fang Yu, and there he was, sitting right across from him, constantly looking at his watch, occasionally exchanging a few words with his advisor Xu An. He had never come to drink with him, and had hardly ever drunk any alcohol or eaten anything.

It seems he came only for his advisor, Xu An, and ignored everyone else.

Cheng Danting just said that Chen Xuebing wouldn't be able to compete for the position of Youth League branch secretary. Chen Xuebing was somewhat amused and considered Xu Andao as an option.
"Sister An, when is the class election for the Youth League branch secretary?"

Xu An paused for a moment, then smiled and said:

"Class committee elections are all after military training. With your qualifications, you can run for class monitor. The requirement for running for Youth League branch secretary is being a Youth League member. Are you a Youth League member?"

Chen Xuebing grinned: "Of course! My dad was a policeman. He was posthumously awarded the title of Second-Class Hero and Model Worker and was also recognized as a martyr. I had the opportunity to join the Party in high school, but I was too immature at the time and missed it."

After he said that, everyone around him fell silent.

Xu Andu, who had been certain that Fang Yu would be the Youth League branch secretary, was shocked: "You are... the child of a martyr?"

"Heroes and role models, there were too many heroes during the 98 floods, and the number of martyrs was limited, so I wasn't selected."

Chen Xuebing smiled, realizing that the counselor was a bit careless and hadn't even looked at the students' files carefully yet.

His father passed away in 99. However, the evaluation of martyrs is not a short-term matter. Many heroes who sacrificed their lives in 98 were evaluated and posthumously awarded in 99. The quota was indeed tight. His father's work unit wanted to nominate him for the first-class hero model, but there were even fewer first-class heroes model that year. There were only a few people in the whole country, so they could only nominate him for the second-class hero model.

Later, people in the workplace felt a bit sorry for their family, so the illegally constructed convenience store came about.

The atmosphere became a little tense, and Cheng Danting, who had just said that Chen Xuebing would not be elected as the branch secretary, widened her eyes slightly.

Everyone assumed that Chen Xuebing's family was wealthy.

I never expected him to be a descendant of a hero!

Xu Andu was a little restless, his first reaction being to look at the sumptuous late-night snack on the table.

"Your family...your mother is in business?"

Chen Xuebing shook his head: "I'm a self-employed individual, I'm starting my own business."

"Oh dear, how can I let you treat us!" Xu An quickly stood up and went to the owner to settle the bill, afraid that today's meal was a hero's pension.

Chen Xuebing laughed: "Sister An, my mother is a self-employed individual, but that doesn't mean I am. I've already said that I started my own business and have run several companies. I may lack many things, but I don't lack money."

"You're starting your own business." Xu An stood there, carefully examining Chen Xuebing, reconsidering the weight of those five words.

The students present were all quite quiet. They had been asking each other about the origin of the nickname "Master Chen," who was treating everyone to dinner today. They had heard about the Audi, that he had casually given out packs of cigarettes worth over 200 yuan each to the entire dormitory, and that the students in room 306 said he wasn't a "young master" but a "master" who was running his own business.

Not many people believe it.

Many people whispered among themselves, discussing whether Chen Xuebing or the wealthy woman Hu Li was richer. When Hu Li came, she brought a lot of imported fruits and snacks to the girls' dormitory, and someone even helped her carry her bag to the dormitory. It was said that this person was her father's secretary. She didn't drive because her family was in Shanghai, which was too far away. Chen Xuebing, on the other hand, had a car because his family lived nearby, making it convenient to use his family's car. They categorized the two as being of the same kind and conducted a comprehensive comparison of their "food, clothing, and daily necessities."

This kind of gossip is a fascinating topic like "I have a friend" or "I have a classmate." Once you know the details of their family situations, you can talk about it more vividly and proudly when you go out and brag to others.

But now all the speculation has been shattered.

It's not completely broken.

Since Chen Xuebing started his own business, he became even more mysterious.

Everyone had the same question on their mind at that moment: How much money does Chen Xuebing actually have?
The topic of Hu Li, a second-generation rich kid, is no longer important, because the topic of Chen Xuebing seems to be more niche and more impressive.

Xu An slowly calmed down and sat down.

The main problem was that tonight's late-night snack would definitely be expensive, and the few hundred yuan in cash she carried with her was simply not enough to pay for it.

Seeing Chen Xuebing's calm demeanor, she was also very curious.

"You...started a business while still in high school? What kind of company is it?"

Once the question was asked, others chimed in, asking even more direct questions.

"Yeah, soldier! I heard your car is worth hundreds of thousands! What kind of business did you start? It's so profitable! Tell us about it!"

Chen Xuebing chuckled, offered no explanation, and raised his glass, smiling as he said:
"I do a lot of different things, we can talk about it later. Why are you always talking about me? Let's drink."

What he wants is a topic of discussion. Only with a topic of discussion can there be heated debate and increased popularity. If he tells them everything, what kind of buzz will the topic have?
This school, which is about to be upgraded, must have quite a few wealthy students. The Ferrari owner I saw in the Humanities Department today, and Hu Li from this class, are definitely not short of money.

Tourism Management Department and School of Humanities are not even among the top-ranked departments in this school. How many students in the entire school must come from wealthy families?
What makes him stand out?
He's not qualified yet to use money to bolster a university that's about to become a key university, nor does he really want to do something that would lose money but only generate publicity.

To become a leader and achieve in-depth cooperation with the entire school, the label of "first-generation rich" is his unique identity; otherwise, he wouldn't repeatedly emphasize his entrepreneurial journey.

In addition, Cheng Danting said that he was quite interested in the route that led from the branch secretary of the Youth League to the secretary of the college's Youth League Committee, and even to the school's Youth League Committee.

……

After drinking until they were half full, at 10:30, everyone was still chatting enthusiastically. Xu An was a little reluctant to let everyone go back on time and was about to extend the time to 11 o'clock, but Chen Xuebing stood up and reminded everyone to go back to school on time.

Some people were drinking so freely for the first time and felt it was a bit of a disappointment to go home so early.

Chen Xuebing smiled and agreed, saying that once the military training was over, the Department of Brigade Management could have another gathering, as long as their grades weren't disgraceful, and he would organize it.

The military training would only last nine days. Everyone was overjoyed when they heard this and raised their glasses to thank Mr. Chen.

Hu Li pouted and stood up.

"No! Mr. Chen, I must invite him next time!"

Chen Xuebing smiled, raised his glass, and toasted her.

"Then let's thank Miss Hu."

Everyone burst into laughter: "Thank you, Ms. Hu!"

The atmosphere was wonderful, with everyone gathered around Chen Xuebing and Hu Li, talking to them. The counselor, Xu An, was also very satisfied with Chen Xuebing, a student with exceptional stage presence, and chatted with him the whole way back.

Fang Yu, the prospective branch secretary, followed behind, feeling utterly disheartened.

……

At 8 a.m. the next day, all the new students gathered on the playground.

After a speech by Party Secretary Liu and Principal Tang on the theme of "Iron Will Embrace Transformation, Spirited Youth Shines Brightly," the training team of the PLA troops stationed at the airport ran onto the playground.

"Suppress hunger!"

"Suppress hunger!"

"One, two, three, four, one, two, three, four!"

"One! Two! Three! Four! One, two, three, four!!"

The troops' distinctive, resounding slogans echoed across the parade ground.

"Stand still!"

Then came the synchronized sound of feet stopping and clicking together.

"Crack, snap!"

After a brief silence, applause broke out and then thundered.

There was also a mixture of male admiration and female excitement.

"So handsome!!"

"After I graduate, I'm going to join the army too!"

"I want to go too! I want to be the one who shouts the commands, I want to be the general!"

Chen Xuebing stood in the queue and smacked his lips to himself.

These young people have no idea what military life is.

To secure a future career in the military for him, his father would wake him up at six o'clock every morning from the age of six to run and do exercises, telling him military stories while they trained.

Military service isn't glamorous; 80% of the time it's just being miserable.

From the days when he was a recruit, he would stand at attention for hours in the snow, training in military posture until his teeth were chuckling from the cold, to the days when he was a veteran, he would run more than ten kilometers in full gear in the sweltering heat, hanging on the horizontal bar until his hands were covered with blisters, which he would prick with a needle and gradually develop into calluses that made him fearless of hanging.

If you can keep up, you're Yang Liulang; if you can't, you'll be left with rice porridge.

They all have the same hands and feet. How can someone who fails the exam have the nerve to eat?
The rules in the military are stricter and more realistic than in society. They have never looked down on people who are full of illusions. Only those who are willing to work hard and learn real skills can earn true respect.

Gaining respect doesn't mean you can become an officer. The military is never short of grievances; in fact, everyone has one. But don't feel aggrieved. If you choose to join the military, you must be willing to be a beast of burden and a cog in the machine.

Even if you become an official, you're still just a cog in the machine, just with a higher number.

That imposing military uniform isn't for showing off; it's the weight of countless military spirits pressing down on you. A soldier's honor stifles any improper thoughts hidden beneath the uniform and unifies the behavior of all soldiers.

"Even when you cry, you have to cry with a smile!"

This is a phrase his father often used to scold him.

He stopped doing strength training every day when he entered high school, and at most he would do some boxing and running, but even now, the skin on his palms, the base of his thumbs, and even the soles of his feet is still two layers thicker than that of ordinary people.

He never served in the military, but he is already a veteran.

In a sense, his unit only had one squad leader, who was both politically sound and professionally competent, so he was considered one of the better-trained soldiers.

"All companies, spread out on foot!"

A sergeant ran up to their ranks.

"Seventh Company! Run! March!"

……

The entire drill ground was filled with military posture practice all morning. The first step in a soldier's unarmed drill is to stand at attention, which is to establish discipline.

Chen Xuebing practiced cursing along with everyone else.

But he cursed in his heart, without uttering a single "report" or asking "why."

Xu An silently watched two classes, but couldn't stand the sun anymore.

She felt that Chen Xuebing stood the best and wasn't criticized by the instructor. Also, she knew that Chen Xuebing had a cell phone, so during the break between drills, she pulled Chen Xuebing aside, told him to count the number of students before each class, and then gave him a roster and phone number, telling him to call her immediately if he found any missing students to ensure that everyone was present.

This is actually the work of the squad leader.

Chen Xuebing naturally agreed; having a proper phone call would make things easier for him.

Xu An also specifically mentioned this matter in front of the queue, telling everyone to contact Chen Xuebing if they needed anything.

As a result, after the third exercise class, the students, who were practically standing there like idiots, surrounded Chen Xuebing.

"Mr. Chen! I have diarrhea! I'd like to ask for leave!"

"Master Chen, you must stand up for me! I'm really not suited for training!"

Chen Xuebing refused them all with a stern face.

Hu Li also gathered around.

"Mr. Chen! Are you going to elect a class monitor?"

Chen Xuebing shook his head: "I won't choose."

Hu Li immediately said happily, "Then could you help me ask Lao Xu for leave?"

Chen Xuebing shook his head even more decisively: "No way."

Hu Li pouted and grabbed Chen Xuebing, starting to throw a tantrum: "You've taken advantage of me all day, and you won't even help me with this little thing? My stomach isn't feeling well!"

Chen Xuebing swung his arm and retreated tactically: "What advantage have I taken from you?"

"They call you Master Chen! And I call her Miss Hu! They were all brought along by you yesterday!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuebing chuckled slyly: "We don't even have the same surname, so call me godfather and solidify our relationship, and I'll definitely help you."

Hu Li went crazy and chased after Chen Xuebing, making the classmates next to her sigh.

"Holy crap, the young lady hit the master... That's outrageous!"

"You don't know anything! Only people from the same compound can hang out together!"

The two ran to the side, but Hu Li couldn't catch up with Chen Xuebing. She held her knees, panting, and called for him to stop.

Chen Xuebing smiled with a very relaxed expression.

"You look perfectly healthy, why are you asking for leave? If you keep pushing me, I'll have the instructor give you a good beating later."

Seeing that no one was around, Hu Li laughed and said, "Then you can be my brother. Brother, I don't need you to help me ask for leave anymore. Help me run for class monitor, okay?"

Chen Xuebing was stunned for a moment.

WTF?

These days, it's all the rage in schools to recognize brothers and sisters. If you can't play the romantic game, you recognize a sister, and people are proud to have many sisters.

But that's a middle school!

He never plays those kinds of tricks.

He carefully observed Hu Li's eyes and found that she didn't seem to like him either; instead, she seemed to be studying him.

"I don't recognize my sister, I only recognize my goddaughter!"

Chen Xuebing felt a chill and quickly fled after saying that.

Hu Li, however, kept up with them.

"I already called him! You can't deny it, bro!"

"Brother, you're such a jerk! Stop yelling like that, it's so non-mainstream."

Just then, the whistle blew for the fourth period. Chen Xuebing dodged along the way, but Hu Li followed him back to the line, calling out "Brother, brother!"

"Brother, don't run away! I don't need you to help me run for class monitor, okay?"

"Brother, tell me, how much money have you made from your own business?"

Chen Xuebing returned to his seat with a stern face, and Hu Li, seeing that there were many people, stopped calling out.

But many people heard it.

Fang Yu and Cheng Danting in the queue both had somewhat strange looks in their eyes.

If those two get together, I'm doomed.

(End of this chapter)