Qi Tongwei: Can I be young again?

Chapter Five: Small Goals, Financial Freedom

After leaving home, Qi Tongwei did not immediately return to the township, but instead went to the east end of the village.

Money is a good thing, and the resources gained from rebirth should not be wasted.

As long as it's legal and you can live with yourself, you should still earn clean money.

"Hey, isn't this Xiao Tongwei? What brings you back today?"

"Uncle Zhang, I came back yesterday and will be leaving soon. I just wanted to see little Yu. By the way... how did she do on her college entrance exam this year?"

"No way." Uncle Zhang shook his head in disappointment. "Xiao Yu doesn't have your brains. She didn't do well on the test."

"Should you repeat a year?"

"No, it's no use for a girl to study so much. The clothing factory in town is short of workers, so I plan to arrange for her to go there."

"Will she?"

"Whether she likes it or not, I'm her father, so she has to listen to me."

The middle-aged man speaking was named Zhang Laosan, a genuine farmer. He had an only daughter named Zhang Xiaoyu, who was 18 years old and had just taken the college entrance examination, but failed.

In those days, it was already very difficult for a girl to get into high school. Her family wasn't particularly wealthy either. After she failed the exam, Zhang Laosan planned to let his daughter accept her fate, find a factory job, marry an honest man, and live a stable life.

This is also a true microcosm of that era.

But Qi Tongwei was different; he had a forward-looking perspective, and he knew that Zhang Xiaoyu was no ordinary person.

Just as Professor Gao Yuliang said, our country's reforms are a mighty and sweeping movement, and everyone is caught in the torrent. Some people, through their own efforts or luck, stand at the forefront of the tide, enjoying boundless glory.

Zhang Xiaoyu will be at the forefront of the times in the future.

Unlike Qi Tongwei, she didn't go into politics but into business, and with her keen sense of opportunity, she made a fortune when the stock market was booming.

After making a lot of money, she and Qi Tongwei took completely different paths. She did not linger in Chunxi Village for long. Instead, at the peak of her life, she abandoned her parents and went to Hong Kong to settle down alone.

At the time, she was the negative example in the village.

The gist of it is that she is ungrateful; after getting money, she not only stopped supporting the village, but also abandoned her own parents. Compared to Director Qi, she is nothing.

"By the way, Tongwei, you're educated and articulate. Can you help me persuade Xiaoyu? This girl absolutely refuses to go to the garment factory. I don't know what she's thinking. It's driving me crazy."

"Let me try."

Qi Tongwei didn't hesitate and immediately agreed, then went into Zhang Laosan's house.

At this moment, Zhang Xiaoyu was sitting in her room, engrossed in reading a finance book, so engrossed that she didn't even notice someone had entered her home.

She only looked up after Qi Tongwei coughed twice.

"Brother Qi".

Qi Tongwei, the only high achiever in the village, has always been a role model for the village's children, and Zhang Xiaoyu is naturally familiar with him.

I put down my book and poured myself a cup of tea.

Taking the teacup, Qi Tongwei took a small sip and said, "Xiao Yu, I heard from Uncle Zhang that your college entrance exam results weren't ideal?"

"Yes. I had a fever during the exam, and my head was foggy, so I didn't perform well."

"So what are your plans next?"

“I want to repeat a year of high school, or try my hand at the financial industry.” Zhang Xiaoyu said neither humbly nor arrogantly, “The country is developing rapidly, and I don’t want to miss this opportunity, but… my dad and mom don’t agree.”

So you're planning to compromise?

“No!” Zhang Xiaoyu shook her head. “They’ve been farmers their whole lives and don’t know anything. I don’t want to entrust my life to them.”

"But Uncle Zhang said he's already found a factory for you, it seems to be a garment factory in town."

“That’s their plan, not mine,” Zhang Xiaoyu said seriously. “I can work in the factory, but I won’t give them a single penny I earn.”

"What do you want to do?"

"Stock trading!"

"Stock trading?"

"Yes, it's stock trading. Brother Qi, you've read a lot of books, you should know about this. Currently, this field is a blank area in China. As long as I'm willing to put in the effort to study it, I can definitely earn more than working in a factory."

“I do know about stock trading, and it can indeed make money.” Qi Tongwei put down his teacup and lit a cigarette. “However, Uncle Zhang might not understand.”

The older generation believes that only through hard work and perseverance can one achieve a happy and fulfilling life.

This is why Zhang Xiaoyu developed a rift with her parents, which led her to choose to leave the place where she was born and raised and settle in Hong Kong after making a lot of money.

No one can definitively say whether it's right or wrong.

But Qi Tongwei didn't want to give up this business partner, at least... to give her financial freedom.

"How about this, Xiao Yu, would you like to go and see a big city?"

"Where?" Zhang Xiaoyu perked up.

“The provincial capital, Jingzhou.” Qi Tongwei said slowly, “I used to run a small shop at Handong University. My monthly income was about the same as the salary at the clothing factory. Later, when I started working, I handed the shop over to my junior. If you are willing, you can run that shop first and study finance while you work. As long as you invest, I will take a 50% stake. Similarly, I will also take 50% of all the returns.”

"So, you mean I'll work for you?"

“It’s not about working for someone else, it’s about joining a partnership. My shop will provide you with a livelihood, and I’ll invest 50% in making money and take 50% of the profits. That’s not too much to ask, is it?”

"make a deal."

"What about Uncle Zhang..."

“I’ll talk to him. As long as it’s profitable, whether it’s a garment factory or some other job, he shouldn’t interfere too much.”

"it is good."

Qi Tongwei took out paper and pen, wrote down the address of Handong University, and also wrote down his contact information.

After thinking for a moment, he took out another two hundred yuan.

"Take this money as travel and living expenses. I'll be in Jingzhou for the next few days. Just contact me when you arrive."

"I can't take the money..."

"No, consider it an early investment." Qi Tongwei stood up. "Xiao Yu, don't let me down."

It was noon when we said goodbye to Zhang Xiaoyu.

He found a three-wheeled vehicle and, after a bumpy ride, Qi Tongwei arrived at the town.

After eating a bowl of noodles, I set off for Handong University without stopping.

Sitting in the car, I started to plan everything.

The real show is about to begin... Gao Yuliang, Hou Liangping, Chen Hai... It's been a long time.

Handong University, where Qi Tongwei's dream began.

Under Gao Yuliang's influence, he resolutely embarked on the path of politics, and later became an outstanding alumnus of Handong University thanks to his outstanding political achievements!

What a remarkable achievement!

He was once the pride of this school.

However, in the subsequent anti-corruption storm, he and Gao Yuliang were stripped of their honor as outstanding alumni.

This place holds too many memories for him.

As I was thinking, I came to the familiar convenience store.

He managed to secure this small shop when he was the student council president. It sells soft drinks, sunflower seeds, biscuits, newspapers, and the income is decent.

After Qi Tongwei graduated, the small shop was handed over to Hou Liangping and Chen Hai to manage, and the income was split equally.

Now that Hou Liangping and Chen Hai are about to graduate and leave school, this small shop can be managed by Zhang Xiaoyu for the time being, which is making the best use of it...

Chapter Six: Monkey, Having you is My Blessing

"Senior, why didn't you let me know you were discharged from the hospital? Monkey and I were planning to pick you up!"

"Exactly, exactly, that's just not fair."

Chen Hai and Hou Liangping were both somewhat surprised to see Qi Tongwei.

Then they brought over small stools.

And so, the three of them sat on small stools, drinking soda and enjoying the fresh campus breeze, feeling quite content.

Campus life is the time one cherishes most.

There is no scheming or backstabbing like in the real world here; everyone is innocent and naive, and all emotions are incredibly genuine.

"Senior, when I visited you in the hospital last time, I heard you were getting promoted. How's it going? Has the appointment been finalized yet?"

"Monkey, look at what you're saying! This time, our senior received a first-class merit and a collective third-class merit in the anti-drug operation. He's definitely going to be the deputy captain!"

"Yes, yes, Chen Hai is right, senior. We need to pick a good place for this promotion banquet."

"Absolutely, senior isn't a stingy person."

"..."

The two of them talked back and forth, as if Qi Tongwei's promotion was a sure thing.