Rebirth Starting as a Stock Market Enthusiast

When this topic came up, Xu Lu didn't want to say much more. "What exactly did you want to talk to me about?"

The old lady put the half-finished sweater she was knitting into the basket: "Can't I call you if there's nothing wrong?"

She stared at her granddaughter for a long time: "I think you've been acting a little strange lately."

No way.

"That idiot is Shen Fei?"

Xu Lu paused for a moment: "Mm."

"How is he?"

"fine."

The old woman's knitting needles started moving again: "Is it good for you?"

Sunlight streamed obliquely through the window, illuminating the concrete floor. She remembered Shen Fei's back as he stood in front of her at the bubble tea shop that day; she remembered the bottle of water he handed her; she remembered his earnest profile as he taught her how to make videos.

"Um."

"Go ahead and take the pictures," the old lady said, picking up her teacup and taking a sip of water. "Young man, it's always good to try more things."

Xu Lu was taken aback: "You agree?"

"What can we do if they disagree?" the old lady sighed. "Anyway, you're all grown up now."

The grandfather and grandson were speechless for a moment.

After a while, the old lady suddenly asked, "What kind of person is Shen Fei?"

Xu Lu's heart skipped a beat.

She recalled the figure she had seen in the yard that afternoon—tall, composed, with eyes as clear and bright as the orange candy she had seen as a child.

She lowered her head and picked at her fingers: "Well... the boss."

The old lady squinted at her: "Just the boss?"

Xu Lu's ears felt a little hot.

Is he good to you?

This question is too direct. Xu Lu bit her lip and remained silent.

The old lady didn't press her for details, but simply said, "As long as the person is good, that's enough."

Then, as if remembering something, she added, "If I dare to bully you... Humph!"

Xu Lu couldn't help but laugh: "Grandma!"

......

Meanwhile, Shen Fei followed his parents into his aunt's yard.

Uncle Huang Chengyu was sitting at a small table in the corner making tea. When he saw Shen Fei's family come in, he put down the teapot and got up to greet them.

"You're here anyway, why bring anything?" Huang Chengyu said politely as he accepted the gift box from Shen Jianguo.

Two or three tables were already set up inside.

The dishes were prepared by a chef who came from the countryside, so no help was needed. The relatives sat in twos and threes, eating sunflower seeds and chatting.

Shen Fei followed his parents to their seats.

As soon as I sat down, I heard a slightly loud female voice with a hint of a provincial capital accent: "Oh, isn't this Yunyun? Long time no see, you look... even darker?"

Shen Fei looked up.

A woman with wavy hair and wearing a light blue dress is walking towards us.

A slightly overweight man in a polo shirt was following behind her.

My aunt, Chen Xia.

Shen Fei remembered that voice.

When I was little, this voice always carried a touch of coquettish pride. Every time I came back for the New Year, it would say, "How's this in the provincial capital?" or "How's that in the provincial capital?"

Chen Yun's expression froze for a moment, then returned to normal: "Xiaxia's back. You haven't changed at all, still so... good at taking care of yourself."

"No, no, I'm just busy with work and don't have time to dress up." Chen Xia waved her hand with a smile, her gaze falling on Shen Fei. "This must be Shen Fei, right? Oh my, he's grown so much! I remember he used to be my little shadow when we were kids."

Shen Fei stood up and politely greeted her, "Auntie."

"Okay, okay," Chen Xia replied, her gaze sweeping over his slightly faded T-shirt, then at Shen Jianguo's ordinary jacket beside him. The smile on her lips faded. "Feifei just graduated, right...? Which company does he work for?"

Shen Fei remained silent.

Shen Jianguo chimed in, "Yeah, Fei'er's been starting a business lately, she's... she's started a media company, and she posts videos online."

"Posting videos online?" The portly man next to Chen Xia—her uncle Zhang Hongwei—spoke up, his tone somewhat casual. "Oh, you mean those influencer companies? I've heard there are quite a few now, but…" He chuckled, "doing this isn't very stable, is it?"

Chen Xia nodded in agreement: "Yes, Feifei, I'm not trying to criticize you. In this day and age, you still need a proper job. Take Zhang Hongwei from our family, for example. Although he's just a section chief, it's stable and his income is guaranteed. Don't be like those young people who start their own businesses too early. There's a young man next door... he started a business right after graduation, and now he's drowning in debt..."

Shen Jianguo's expression darkened, and he was about to speak.

Aunt Chen Lan came over with a fruit platter to smooth things over: "Oh dear, the children know what they're doing with their work. Come on, have some fruit. Zhang Hongwei brought these back specially from the provincial capital; he said they're... organic apples?"

"Big sister, this isn't an apple, it's a banana!" Chen Xia immediately corrected, her tone carrying a slight dissatisfaction with her aunt's "lack of knowledge." "It's very expensive! There are hardly any places in the provincial capital that sell it."

Shen Fei picked up a piece and took a bite.

It's banana flavored, just a little pricey.

He put it down and looked at Chen Xia: "Auntie, this apple banana is indeed quite special."

Chen Xia's eyes lit up: "Really? I knew it! This stuff is all about being... organic, and... natural! Unlike the stuff we buy in our county, all pesticides and fertilizers..."

Before she could finish speaking, a relative across from her—Shen Fei's cousin—suddenly handed his phone to the person next to him, his voice quite loud: "Hey! Look at this! Isn't that Xu Lu? The one who dances!"

Several people gathered around to look at the screen.

"Yes, yes, yes! That's her! My daughter said she saw her on a video last time, and she dances really well..."

"Is that Xu Lu from next door? When did she learn to dance?"

"She was originally a dance student... and now she's a big internet celebrity. I think she's signed with some company... she's probably making a lot of money."

Shen Fei's ears twitched when he heard Xu Lu's name.

Chen Xia glanced at her phone screen and scoffed, "Xu Lu? The orphan one? These days, any Tom, Dick, or Harry can become an internet celebrity?"

As she spoke, she glanced at Shen Fei again, her words carrying a hidden meaning: "I really don't understand this world. Nobody does a proper job, everyone's going to be... some kind of internet celebrity. Like my Hao Hao—"

She pulled over a bespectacled boy with his head down next to her—her son, Shen Fei's cousin. "Haohao will graduate from university next year with a degree in software engineering. He's going to interview at a big company in the provincial capital! The starting salary is eight thousand! This is the proper path!"

Zhang Hao raised his head slightly, his eyes a little unfocused, and whispered, "Brother."

Shen Fei nodded to him and was about to speak when a deep engine roar came from outside the courtyard, carrying an undeniable domineering aura.

The sound was unlike that of a typical family sedan, which is steady and deep; it was more like the sound of a luxury car.

The sound stopped at my aunt's door.

Chen Xia and Zhang Hongwei exchanged a glance, a hint of doubt flashing in their eyes. In this small county town, who could drive such a nice car?

The relatives stopped chatting and looked curiously at the courtyard gate.

Immediately afterwards, a black Maybach slowly drove into the yard. Its body lines were sleek, and the paint reflected a dazzling sheen in the sunlight. The license plate was from the provincial capital, a series of consecutive 8s—outrageously arrogant.