Those Years When I Was Forced to Top the Forbes List

Chapter 139 The World of the Eldest Brother

"Oh, I think I also have the name of his dad's company here."

Dean Zhou seemed to remember something, so he took a document from his desk, opened a page, and pushed it toward Chen Xuebing.

Chen Xuebing stood up, leaned over the table and looked at it. It was a donation document. He found Xu Yunfeng's name and his father's company name in the form inside.

His father didn't fill in his name, but rather the company name: Harbin Jiatai Technology.

He donated 20 yuan.

"Hiss..."

Chen Xuebing had absolutely no recollection of this company.

There weren't many large lithium battery companies in Harbin in later generations, at least not when he was speculating on new energy concept stocks in his previous life.

However, because he came from the lithium battery industry, Chen Xuebing silently reclassified Xu Yunfeng in his mind, listing him as "accessible".

"Thank you, Dean."

Chen Xuebing returned to his seat and thought for a while. When he came to his senses, he suddenly realized that Dean Zhou and Xu An were both looking at him.

The donation document was left lying on the table; Dean Zhou didn't take it away.

Chen Xuebing looked a little embarrassed.

Damn, that was too abrupt.

I was so stupid, why did I even go up there?

Is this document something that can be viewed freely?
……

Twenty minutes later, I came out of the dean's office.

Dean Zhou took 10 yuan from me as research funding for my project.

Chen Xuebing sighed inwardly, and couldn't help but recall a line from "My Chief and My Regiment":
The Sichuan Army Corps isn't something you can just come to; it costs money!

Schools like Chongqing Jiaotong University are like the Sichuan contingent in the national university rankings.

To be precise, apart from the universities funded by the central government (public national universities), all of them are top-tier universities in Sichuan Province.

Universities like Chongqing Jiaotong University are provincial universities under the jurisdiction of Chongqing Municipality. Their main source of income is Chongqing's fiscal revenue, and central government subsidies are negligible.

The funding for education there is vastly different from that of national universities.

In 2004, Chongqing Jiaotong University's total expenditure was tens of millions of yuan, while Shanghai Jiaotong University's was over 14 billion yuan.

211 and Double First-Class are just projects; the classification of universities reflects their true strength.

The 985 projects are more prestigious, as they are all national universities.

A university's prestige is largely determined by its funding.

In basic classroom education, there isn't much difference between everyone. Some professors at third-rate universities can teach basic courses quite well; it just depends on how well the students can absorb the information.

The biggest difference between universities lies in higher education, attracting academic talent and faculty through research projects, laboratories, top-notch majors, curriculum design, research achievements, and so on.

They all cost money.

National universities generally don't have to worry about funding.

At the provincial and municipal levels, it depends on the level of local financial support.

These days, local economic development KPIs are everything. All the money is used for investment, so there's no room for increasing the budget for universities. Most universities are short of money, and it's common for university leaders to beg for food.

It's fortunate that he's in a school like this. If he were in a C9 League-level university in later years, with his abilities, let alone the dean or president, even the department head might not have time to pay attention to him.

……

On Monday morning, Chen Xuebing, who had disappeared for a week after the start of the school year, appeared at the door of the English classroom, causing a sensation.

His roommate from Heilongjiang, Sang Liwei, followed behind him, waving his hand like an adjutant.

"Stand up! Welcome...Mr Chen!"

The audience was very supportive, with a few people even standing up.

"Good morning, Mr Chen!"

Chen Xuebing smiled and waved: "Hello there! Glad to meet you! I'm so happy to have you as we study together!"

"Thank you, thank you!"

"God bless America... Buddha bless China!"

Chen Xuebing's speech style mimicked that of a US presidential campaign, which made everyone burst into laughter.

After I found an empty seat, many classmates gathered around and asked me all sorts of questions.

Chen Xuebing didn't hold back either. Taking advantage of the teacher's absence, he boasted and showed off to everyone. Hu Li also squeezed in and started talking about the love gossip of Xu, the senior who drives a Ferrari.

Chen Xuebing cursed: "Damn it, he doesn't even earn a fraction of what I do. He has one on campus and one off campus... Xiao Hu, does his official girlfriend even know that he has another one at school?"

"I don't know, I didn't dare to ask."

"Having a rich dad is fucking awesome."

A round of venting and gossip brought everyone closer together again.

Last week, many people returned from Chen Xuebing's company and praised him highly.

A financial tycoon, a powerful figure in the business world, held a meeting with dozens of business owners, and Dean Zhou stood by and listened to the lecture.

It's eight stories high, so high you can't see it.

Intimidating.

Now that it's only two or three stories high, it actually makes people want to get closer.

Chen Xuebing's life at school was all about relaxation and comfort, just like the group of brothers at the company, which was a part of his warm life. He didn't intend to hide his wealth or pretend to be a big shot, but he also didn't want to live a solitary life with a cold exterior, because that would be exhausting.

Everyone interacts normally, and no one dares to look down on him. Maintaining his social standing in the high school is just fine.

Of course, this is a university. Continuing to form gangs and be the school bully "Brother Chen" won't work. You can only gain respect by acting as "General Manager Chen".

After one class, Chen Xuebing's aura was no longer so dazzling.

During the break, Hu Li, who was sitting next to me, stared at her phone for a long time before turning her head and saying somewhat cautiously:
"Brother... my dad just texted me saying he might have to reduce his investment."

Chen Xuebing was slightly taken aback, then also took out his phone.

New York 45 sends him several key intraday data points every day.

The market opened 1.2 percentage points lower today, reaching 1138.

He saw the data and nodded slightly: "I understand."

"You're not angry with me, are you?"

"No, but you should tell your dad that the market is undergoing cyclical adjustments, and a certain amount of pullback is a good thing, as it's easier to build positions at lower levels."

Chen Xuebing gave his first serious explanation.

The market has been declining for two or three weeks, longer than he had imagined. Based on his understanding of the market trend in this bull market, this correction might really be the last prelude to the main upward wave. However, it is inevitable that investors will lose confidence after such a long period of decline, after all, it was a four-year bear market before.

Having finally set up the chessboard, how much money he can make in the stock market over the next six months will directly affect his overall progress. He can no longer be indifferent; he must actively strive for what he should.

……

"Secretary Chen, Ya Yuan, shall we go?"

After the second class, his four roommates came to invite him to dinner.

Perhaps because there were two people from Northeast China, or perhaps because of his overly impressive roommate, everyone got along quite well without any comparisons or petty squabbles.

He and his four brothers ate at the Yayuan cafeteria for the past two days. Although the cafeteria was a bit far from their teaching building, the food was good. Every morning, people from outside the school would come in specifically to buy breakfast from the Yayuan cafeteria.

Chen Xuebing was indeed hungry, but after glancing at his watch, he shook his head and refused.

The school is located in the NA district, on "Seven Kilometers Road," which is just one stop away from the CITIC Securities branch on "Eight Kilometers Road." Chen Xuebing drove there, intending to go to the branch to learn about the fundraising preparations.

As soon as the four brothers left, Chen Xuebing also got up and walked out of the classroom, heading towards the playground where the cars were parked.

"Chen Xuebing".

A figure caught up with her. Cheng Danting had her hair parted in the middle and wore a sleeveless white dress that flowed gracefully as she moved.

It matches her fair skin very well.

Chen Xuebing found the look somewhat familiar, but couldn't quite place who it was.

"Squad leader, you look so beautiful today," Chen Xuebing complimented.

Cheng Danting's eyes flickered slightly, and she chuckled softly, "Is that so?"

Without waiting for Chen Xuebing's reply, she handed him a stack of documents.

“The Youth League Committee meeting was held this week, but you weren’t there, so I went in your place. By the way, the school’s autumn sports meet is after October. Can you participate? You’re so good… I asked the boys in our class to participate, and they all said you should go.”

Cheng Danting deliberately dragged out the syllable "qiang" (strong).

What man doesn't like this word? Especially when it's spoken by a beautiful woman.

Chen Xuebing couldn't suppress the urge to smile either, and the two chatted as they walked.

"Track and field and strength-based events, no more than three. You can register me. Oh, what numbers? I'm going to Shenzhen next month."

"It should be... after the middle of the month."

“Okay then.” Chen Xuebing readily agreed.

"Also, the school is going to be upgraded next year, so there are a lot of activities going on recently, and the Youth League Committee has arranged a lot of things."

"What content?"

"The school is doing publicity, as is the Olympic publicity. Our class was in our third year before the 08 Olympics. The Youth League Committee encouraged us to learn more about the Olympics and actively participate in Olympic activities. During the summer vacation of our third year, we may return to school to become the main force in organizing college student volunteer activities."

Chen Xuebing nodded and pondered for a moment before returning the documents to her.

"Okay, I see."

He didn't take those words seriously.

During his junior year summer vacation, which is almost three years, he might be participating in activities at the Olympics by then.

Cheng Danting noticed his absent-mindedness, pursed her lips slightly, and asked again, "Then, for the Youth League Committee meeting later... will you attend by yourself, or should I go in your place?"

"Go when I'm not around. If there are any problems or you can't handle something, just let me know and I'll make arrangements."

Chen Xuebing made the arrangement so casually that he only realized something was off after he finished speaking.

He's the class monitor, not my subordinate.

He coughed lightly and quickly added, "You're the class monitor, so if you need anything, just call on me. I'll leave this to you. I'll treat you to a meal sometime."

"Stop being hypocritical. I know you're busy and don't have time to eat with me. Just leave me your phone number. I'll let you know if there's anything I can't do. I'll help you out if you have time."

Cheng Danting deliberately provoked him with a remark.

Chen Xuebing was a little embarrassed and took out his phone to say:
"Squad leader, what are you saying? A beautiful lady like you would do me the honor of having dinner with me? How could I not have time? What's your phone number?"

Cheng Danting gave him a phone number, a mobile phone number, and then stared blankly at the little calf pendant with a wooden pattern hanging on his phone.

When Chen Xuebing finished making the call and looked up, he noticed her gaze and glanced at the pendant, and couldn't help but laugh.

Xin Mengzhen had asked about this pendant once on the day she shared a bed with him in Guangzhou.

Chen Xuebing was very frank, saying that Yang Qingyue insisted on hanging it for him.

That day, the two hugged, and he spoke frankly, saying that he knew Yang Qingyue liked him, and that he cherished Yang Qingyue as a friend, but that they were just friends, and he asked her not to misunderstand.

Xin Mengzhen was fully aware of the relationship between the three of them. She even felt that her appearance had stolen Yang Qingyue's love, but she did not blame her or feel overly jealous.

After that incident, Xin Mengzhen changed her QQ name, from an English name to her partner's name.

Hand-drawn pancakes – fried bingo.

His relationship with Xin Mengzhen has been gradually adjusted to a state that makes him most comfortable. They each have their own long-term goals, and they occasionally share their recent achievements on QQ. Sometimes they call each other at night to chat.

—You have to answer that phone call at night, no matter what time it is.

It's a kind of check-up.

The holidays are coming up soon, and I think I should take the initiative and go to her city to meet her.

The main problem is that last time... I didn't succeed.

I think about it from time to time, and it makes me a little angry.

It's not good for a young man who's not even twenty years old to keep relying on Mr. Wu and Ms. Cang, who are far away in Japan, to help him.

While Chen Xuebing was slightly lost in thought, Cheng Danting looked away from the wood-grain pendant and saw him smiling, so she smiled back.

"The pendant is quite pretty, did your girlfriend give it to you?"

Chen Xuebing snapped out of his daze, raised an eyebrow, glanced at the pendant again, and said in a half-joking tone:

"I guess so, one of my girlfriends."

Xu Yunfeng is openly two-timing, so it's not too much for him to just joke with his classmate, right?

Cheng Danting was somewhat disappointed by these words. She couldn't tell if her disappointment stemmed from the certainty that Chen Xuebing really had a girlfriend, or from Chen Xuebing's flippant tone regarding relationships, but she still smiled faintly with her hands behind her back:

"Oh, how many girlfriends do you have? This pendant... was it a gift from your girlfriend Liu Yifei?"

That question really hit the nail on the head.

When Liu Yifei was mentioned, he suddenly remembered who Cheng Danting's outfit resembled today.

"Alright, alright, class monitor, I've filled out all the enrollment information. I'm unmarried. The organization doesn't need to know so much about my love life, does it?"

"I'm the class monitor..."

Before Cheng Danting could say anything, Chen Xuebing had already spotted a bright red figure not far away, and a man and a woman standing next to it.

Xu Yunfeng parked his car next to his and was waiting for him.

"Mr. Chen!"

Xu Yunfeng came up to him with the same enthusiastic sales smile and shook his hand.

Chen Xuebing shook hands with him, and seeing other classmates passing by, he looked them over and chuckled.
"Senior, don't keep saying that at school. People will think we're crazy."

"Haha... I visited your company, and I couldn't help but call you 'President Chen'!... Is this your girlfriend?"

Xu Yunfeng stared at Cheng Danting, who was standing next to Chen Xuebing.

Cheng Danting recognized the person and the car; it was the Ferrari-driving senior who had been the talk of the girls' dorm since the start of the semester.

Many girls are interested in this senior.

Unexpectedly, he and Chen Xuebing knew each other, and he still maintained such a humble attitude towards Chen Xuebing.

"This is our class leader." Chen Xuebing smiled. "What brings you here? Have you made up your mind?"

Xu Yunfeng nodded: "We haven't eaten yet, shall we go out and find somewhere to talk?"

Chen Xuebing thought for a moment, then turned and said, "Perfect timing, Squad Leader Cheng, shall we eat together?"

Cheng Danting was fascinated by their world and almost immediately wanted to nod in agreement.

But she still smiled and declined.

"You guys eat, I have something to do... I need to go to the Youth League Committee."

As Cheng Danting spoke, she waved the documents in her hand.

She didn't want this "just right" meal, but she also didn't want Chen Xuebing to think she wasn't interested, so she explained:
"I made an appointment with a teacher to help her with some materials."

"Okay, call me if you need anything."

Chen Xuebing raised his hand, making a phone gesture, and then chatted with Xu Yunfeng before getting into their respective cars.

The sports car roared away and disappeared into the distance.

Cheng Danting stood there, stunned.

(End of this chapter)