Restarting your life starts with filling out your college application.

Chapter 7 Is this a perk for reborn people?

We need to make money, we absolutely have to make money!

It is 1999 now, and the future is full of opportunities. Countless new industries will spring up like mushrooms after rain.

There's a saying that goes: "If you stand in the right place at the right time, even a pig can fly."

Chen Zhiyuan believed he was quite capable, and with his foresight into future trends, becoming wealthy seemed like a high-probability event.

only……

The biggest problem right now is: we don't have the capital.

He turned all his pockets inside out, and when he added them all up, he had a total of thirty-two yuan and fifty cents. What could he do with that little money?

Actually, the most stable and profitable business right now is opening an internet cafe, but it requires start-up capital—at least 70,000 to 80,000 yuan, if not tens of thousands.

Besides opening an internet cafe, another tangible opportunity to make big money is the emerging online gaming industry.

For example, if you could secure the distribution rights for "Legend of Mir 2," which was set to become a nationwide hit in 2001, you could make a fortune without lifting a finger.

Thinking further ahead, if you have enough funds, you can find an opportunity to invest in those two future "Boss Mas" and hold onto some original shares. In the future, the dividends and appreciation alone will be enough to live comfortably for several lifetimes.

Alternatively, one could wait until Moutai goes public and buy some shares to hold long-term; or, in 2009, hoard a batch of Bitcoin...

Chen Zhiyuan's thoughts drifted far away, various plans flashing through his mind.

But the thought of reality—empty pockets—made all his ideas burst like colorful bubbles with a "pop."

He even had a thought: should he try to persuade his parents to take out the family's savings and invest in opening an internet cafe?

But he rejected the idea as soon as it came to mind.

My parents are both honest and reliable state-owned enterprise employees with conservative views. They would never agree to take such a risk by using the family's savings.

Besides, given the family's circumstances, their total savings are probably only thirty to fifty thousand yuan. Even if they took out all of that money, it would still be barely enough to open an internet cafe.

Then... let's think of another way.

"No rush," he told himself. "There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. I'm still young, and everything can be taken slowly."

As my chaotic thoughts gradually calmed down, the drowsiness of a summer afternoon quietly crept in.

Chen Zhiyuan lay in bed and drifted off to sleep. He slept soundly and deeply, even emitting soft snores.

I woke up in the afternoon. The sun was still blazing, but the fatigue from my nap was gone. I felt refreshed and clear-headed, as if I had never had such a sound sleep in my two lifetimes combined.

The house was quiet; both parents had already left.

Outside the window, the blazing summer sun at two or three in the afternoon was scorching the earth, making even the air seem distorted and scalding.

On such a hot day, Chen Zhiyuan completely gave up the idea of ​​going out.

After watching TV for a while, I found it boring, so I went back to my room, sat down at my desk, and picked up a book to start reading.

As he looked around, he suddenly realized something was wrong—his memory seemed a bit too good.

While not quite achieving the legendary photographic memory, it's not far off; the content I've seen can be vividly recalled in my mind.

Chen Zhiyuan was somewhat puzzled: Was my memory that amazing when I was young? It seems... not, right?

If I can't figure it out, I'll just stop thinking about it.

Anyway, this is a good thing. After reading for a while, his gaze fell on a nearly brand-new calligraphy practice book on the corner of his desk.

In this day and age, having good handwriting is almost like an invisible business card, making one popular. After buying this calligraphy practice book, he kept it on the shelf because of his heavy academic workload in his senior year of high school.

With nothing to do at the moment, Chen Zhiyuan suddenly felt interested—why not calm down and practice calligraphy, which would not only pass the time but also cultivate his character.

He immediately began to practice. He spread out the paper, unscrewed the pen, and, referring to the calligraphy model, began to carefully copy each stroke.

The room was quiet, with only the hum of the old electric fan and the soft scratching of a pen on paper, occasionally interspersed with the gentle sound of turning pages.

After practicing for about half an hour, a sense of surprise gradually rose in Chen Zhiyuan's heart.

He found that he seemed to have "gotten it" and had a natural understanding of the structure of characters and the trend of strokes. His writing became more and more steady and the characters became more and more upright and beautiful.

The feeling was wonderful and pleasant. He became more and more engrossed, finishing one page and turning the next, completely immersed in that focus and tranquility.

Time slipped away quietly from the tip of his pen, and more than an hour later, he reluctantly put down his pen.

Compared to the immature handwriting on the first few pages, the later pages show a clear transformation, exhibiting a more composed and elegant style, truly "entering the inner sanctum".

After being reborn, not only did his memory skyrocket, but his comprehension also became astonishing... Could this be a "perk" that comes with being reborn? Such a thought couldn't help but pop into Chen Zhiyuan's mind.

Outside the window, the sun was already setting. Around four o'clock in the afternoon, the heat seemed to have subsided somewhat.

Should I go out for a walk? The thought had barely crossed my mind when the phone rang.

It was Jin Liang calling.

"Zhiyuan, wanna go to an internet cafe to play games? I found a new one that opened, it has air conditioning, it's really cool!"

"Air conditioning is available, that's fine." Chen Zhiyuan readily agreed, "Sure. I'll wait for you at the entrance of the complex."

After hanging up the phone, he thought it would be good to go out and relax. He tidied his hair in front of the mirror—hmm, his hairstyle was neat, and his clothes were clean; he looked like a smart young man.

After waiting for a few minutes under the shade of a tree at the entrance of the residential area, Jin Liang rushed over in a flurry, waving from afar: "Come on, I'll lead the way, it's not far!"

The two walked along the tree-lined path. When they passed a small shop, Chen Zhiyuan stopped, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Fatty, it's so hot, want an ice cream to cool down?"

Jin Liang's eyes lit up.

He was already sweating profusely from the heat, and upon hearing the word "ice cream," he seemed to already feel the refreshing coolness. "Okay! I'll have one!"

Chen Zhiyuan smiled and said, "It's my treat, you pay the bill, it'll be two yuan in total."

"You're taking advantage of me again!" Jin Liang laughed and scolded, but still deftly pulled out two yuan.

Chen Zhiyuan took the money and took out two cream ice creams from the freezer in the convenience store.

Peel off the wrapper and take a bite—the rich milky aroma melts on your tongue, sweet but not cloying, and refreshingly cool. It's the kind of old-fashioned taste made with quality ingredients, without any "technological innovations or fancy tricks."

A person was walking and eating an ice cream.

Jin Liang licked his lips, then suddenly remembered something and tentatively asked, "Zhiyuan, how are things between you and Zhao Sisi now?"

Mentioning this name, Chen Zhiyuan remained calm, his tone as indifferent as if he were talking about someone unimportant: "It doesn't matter. From now on, she is her, and I am me. And try not to mention her in front of me again."

Jin Liang was taken aback, his face filled with surprise.

As a friend, he knew all too well how infatuated Chen Zhiyuan had been with Zhao Sisi in the past. What happened? Did he really give up completely after being rejected?

He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but ultimately swallowed his words and changed the subject: "Okay, let's not talk about it anymore. Hey, Zhiyuan, do you know StarCraft? It's a super fun game! I'll teach you later!"

Chen Zhiyuan's lips curled up slightly.

Back in the day, he was a master of StarCraft, but he hasn't played it in a long time, so I wonder if his skills have become rusty.

"I don't need you to teach me." He took a bite of his ice cream, his tone relaxed. "I've played this game a few times myself."

"Really?" Jin Liang immediately perked up, his eyes shining. "Then let's play a few rounds online later! I've been practicing a new tactic, it'll be a good opportunity to test our skills!"

The two chatted and laughed, their figures gradually blending into the summer afternoon street scene as they walked towards the newly opened internet cafe in the distance.