Those Years When I Was Forced to Top the Forbes List

Chapter 38 Dinner Party
A faint awkwardness hung in the air.

"Can't vegetable oil be used instead of lard? Can't I just scald it with hot water...?"

"You bought me that packet of montmorillonite powder and you're making me use it? Who uses raw vegetable oil as a base?"

"...I've eaten it like that before, it was fine...hey."

"...Maybe it's because people from Guangdong have stronger stomachs."

Chen Xuebing looked at Xin Mengzhen with a stern face. Luckily, he came down to take a look, otherwise he would have been stuck in bed all night.

He glanced again at the large handful of noodles cooking in the pot.

"You cooked so much, are you really hungry?"

Xin Mengzhen nodded, feeling wronged: "I was so busy chatting this afternoon that I didn't eat enough."

Chen Xuebing's memory exploded.

&#%?…

You ate a lot, okay?!
However, this girl isn't much shorter than Yang Qingyue, probably at least 168cm, and her figure is so toned, she must have a very high metabolism.

I opened the refrigerator and looked inside; there was no meat or leftover vegetables.

There are some fresh vegetables, though.

And eggs.

"Alright, I've opened the Alipay registration page. Go up and fill in your seller information. I'll cook you a couple of dishes; we can't just eat like this."

Chen Xuebing waved his hand dismissively.

The girl didn't stand on ceremony at all; instead, she asked with great interest, "Really? You can really make it?"

"Hurry up, it'll only take ten minutes."

……

When Xin Mengzhen finished filling out the forms and wanted to go downstairs to watch Chen Xuebing cook, Chen Xuebing happened to come in carrying a large plate.

Two bowls of noodles sprinkled with scallions and drizzled with sesame oil, sweet and sour cabbage, stir-fried lettuce, and four fried eggs.

"These noodles might be a little too soft," Chen Xuebing said, somewhat dissatisfied.

Xin Mengzhen didn't care, but was surprised that Chen Xuebing could actually cook, and that the dishes he made were quite presentable.

Chen Xuebing glanced at the computer and found that Xin Mengzhen had already completed the registration process herself, filled in the name "Mengzhen's Little Shop," submitted it, and then it was time for the review stage.

The two ate and chatted.

"How come you can do everything!" Xin Mengzhen said as she ate with relish.

Chen Xuebing chuckled: "I also have a younger brother, who is five years old. When my mom is busy, I'm the one who cooks at home."

In fact, Yu Chunyan had never let him cook. Chen Xuebing was over thirty years old and his cooking skills were terrible. It was only because he was forced to do so during the period when masks were required that he practiced cooking by watching short cooking videos.

"Oh? My little brother is also five years old! He's very smart; he can already recite more than a dozen Tang poems and he even knows some English!"

Xin Mengzhen then realized that showing off like this was wrong. What if... Chen Xuebing's younger brother hadn't even started learning these things yet?
Chen Xuebing remained silent for a while.

He didn't know how to describe his younger brother. At this moment, he should be showing off his brother, but considering the kid's sharp tongue, he didn't want to praise him.

"...My husband just loves watching TV. We haven't really supervised him much. I don't know if he knows Tang poetry."

"Huh?" Xin Mengzhen wanted to say something, but thinking of Chen Xuebing's family situation, she hesitated and said, "I heard you say that your father passed away... Your mother must be very busy, but your brother is at the beginning of his education, which is very important. Is he in preschool?"

"No, he didn't even go to kindergarten. This kid is very clever. My mom is busy and doesn't have time to pick him up and drop him off. A relative who is a teacher said he doesn't need to study. He can already read and write, so he can just wait to start primary school."

Xin Mengzhen had watched her younger brother grow up; she knew his learning and development process very well. Upon hearing this, she immediately became anxious:

"He's five years old. It's not enough for him to just know how to read. Preschool tutoring also needs to teach him poetry and math. You're the older brother, so you have to teach him!"

Chen Xuebing put down his chopsticks again, thought for a long time, and shook his head repeatedly.

"I really can't teach him. The only thing I can teach him is how to fight. How about... I bring him with me next time we go out to do a test. You're a good student, can you help him with his studies?"

Chen Xuejin was naturally intelligent. At the age of one, he could turn the pages of nature books in his mother's arms. His mother was a chatterbox, and running the shop was boring, so she talked to Chen Xuejin every day. By the age of two, Chen Xuejin could speak in complete sentences and recognize many characters. By the age of three or four, he had read Chen Xuebing's elementary school textbooks.

Since his rebirth, Chen Xuebing had been curious about the boy's preschool level. If he had a solid foundation, there was no need for him to follow the same path as in his previous life and attend Renmin University. He could skip a grade and try for the University of Science and Technology of China's gifted youth program.

But Chen Xuebing really didn't dare to test his younger brother, mainly because there was a math subject that stood in his way, like an insurmountable barrier.

My younger brother scored 146 points in the college entrance exam in math in his previous life, so he definitely has a talent for math.

As for Chen Xuebing's math skills... I wouldn't dare say he's confident in mastering elementary school content. What if Chen Xuejin stumps him? How will he save face in the future?
“Okay, bring him out.” Xin Mengzhen frowned slightly. She had misunderstood what Chen Xuebing meant by “help me take a look.” She was thinking about how to teach Chen Xuebing and his younger brother to gain more confidence, recognize their shortcomings, and catch up with the learning progress that should be made at their age.

Chen Xuebing immediately smiled and said, "Then don't praise him. You have to put some pressure on him. This kid is arrogant and self-important all day long. I've been wanting to find someone to teach him a lesson for a while."

"... "

Xin Mengzhen thought about how mischievous Chen Xuebing must have been as a child, and his younger brother…

“Now that he can read, you need to let him read books.” Xin Mengzhen suddenly got up and walked out of the room.

A moment later, he came in carrying a thick, hardcover book.

"Here." Xin Mengzhen handed it over: "My dad bought this for my younger brother at the airport. It should be for kids this age."

Chen Xuebing took the book; it was still wrapped in oil paper and unopened.

Children's Encyclopedia: Plants

Chen Xuejin has encyclopedias and other common books like "100,000 Whys," but none of them are as exquisite and thick as this one. Moreover, this book is so thick just because it talks about plants, which is obviously much more professional.

He could imagine that Chen Xuejin would absolutely treasure it.

"Um... I bought this for your younger brother, it's not right for you to give it to me, is it?"

"It's okay, he doesn't know when he'll be back, let alone bring it to my brother, he might forget... Oh, wait a minute."

As Xin Mengzhen spoke, she turned around and picked up an MP3 player from the table, finding a charging cable and a data cable.

"I downloaded some English songs and audio vocabulary suitable for children, but the download is a bit slow. I'll give them to you tomorrow. Take them and let him listen to them. They're very helpful in developing a feel for English. You should have him open his mouth and repeat after you. It's okay if he makes mistakes. Once children develop a feel for the language, they'll be more confident in learning English."

This is indeed something Chen Xuejin really needs; no matter how smart you are, you can't learn English without a teacher.

Chen Xuebing, the irresponsible older brother, suddenly remembered that he still needed to buy Chen Xuejin an English reader to help with pronunciation practice.

But then I remembered that Xin Mengzhen often wore headphones on her way home from school.

You need to use MP3, right?

“I already have this.” Xin Mengzhen picked up a small cube and said with a smile, “My grandfather specially gave it to me. You deserve credit for it. Do you want to hear about it?”

"Oh?"

……

Jiangnan.

"ten years".

Each person had one earphone and listened to two songs.

Xin Mengzhen said she liked JJ Lin, and Chen Xuebing liked Eason Chan, so they each listened to one of their songs.

Chen Xuebing fondly remembers those days when he could do nothing, just quietly share a song and have a serious chat.

"I have to go now."

Chen Xuebing got up, preparing to clear the dishes and go downstairs to wash them.

Xin Mengzhen pressed down on the plate.

"Just leave it there, Auntie will wash it."

Chen Xuebing frowned and pointed to the bowls and chopsticks: "Your housekeeper doesn't know how to use these two sets of bowls and chopsticks..."

"It's alright," Xin Mengzhen laughed. "I just told her it was my friend who ate it. My dad knows Qingyue often comes to our house."

Chen Xuebing took a deep breath. "My friend, Qingyue."

This girl is quite good at speaking in riddles; she reminded him twice in just one sentence.

"Okay, friend."

……

Days of repetition and waiting are always boring, like writing a diary, recording the slightly special things, and making a simple note of other trivial things, and a day can be passed with just a few strokes.

November 22, 2004, Monday, light breeze.

Chen Xuejin was overjoyed to receive the books and MP3 player.

Yang Qingyue brought me breakfast.

△After not shipping any goods in Shenzhen all day, Huo Xiaowen met a fellow vendor and plans to go to Foshan to set up a stall with him tomorrow.

△Study.

……

Tuesday, November 23rd, it's fucking cold, I've put on a down jacket.

After school at noon, I went to the market and bought Chen Xuejin a coat, and I was overjoyed.

Yang Qingyue brought me breakfast again; I owe her two meals now.

△One mobile phone was shipped from Shenzhen.

△Study.

Working capital -170 yuan (for buying clothes).

Remaining amount: 11670 yuan (6140 yuan of my own + 5530 yuan of Huo Xiaowen's).

……

November 24th, Wednesday, Sunny

This morning, we had a short quiz on humanities subjects. My deskmate graded our papers, and I got 135 points, while Yang Qingyue got 230 points.

On the way home that evening, we talked about the exam. After Xin Mengzhen got home, she called and said that I should buy a set of easier practice questions to work on, which would boost my motivation to study.

Haha, impossible.

Is 135 a low score? My confidence is skyrocketing! As long as I get over 180 in the humanities section, 200 in Chinese and English, and... just 40 in math... I'll be good enough for a second-tier university!
Oh, Yang Qingyue came early this morning and started cursing the city management officers. Neither of them had breakfast today.

△ Huo Xiaowen agreed to sell one machine tomorrow, with a profit of 400, but he still needs to spend money on travel expenses. He said he would sleep in Foshan tonight, go to the Guangzhou market tomorrow to see if there is any other business, and then go back to Shenzhen to pick up the goods.

Huo Xiaowen performed better than I expected. He came up with many ways to sell the goods and didn't care about some trivial expenses.

He paid for his own food, accommodation, and transportation in Shenzhen during this period, so I need to keep track of the expenses and reimburse him.

……

October 11th, Thursday.

"Boring!"

"Who writes a diary? I'm really impressed by Lao Guo. He's even making a diary out of it. Isn't that just like a primary school student's composition?"

"It rained today, and the sun will come out tomorrow. I have to write 800 words about this little thing. It's killing me."

After the second period of Chinese class, after doing eye exercises, Chen Xuebing looked at the drizzling cold rain outside and complained.

Yang Qingyue turned her head and glared at him: "The diary format is for you to express your emotions indirectly by writing a diary! Besides, Teacher Guo said that the college entrance examination essay hasn't been in the diary format for several years. The examiners don't like to repeat the same topics as before. They might take an unconventional approach this year. You should have a poem analysis, a fairy tale, a novel, or an essay in mind. It's better to be prepared than not. Hurry up and write!"

"I know, I know, I'm not deaf." Chen Xuebing waved his hand, looking utterly bored.

Damn it, it's been four days since the store's review, why hasn't it been approved yet?
Yang Qingyue took an apple wrapped in paper from the drawer, snapped it open, and handed half of it to Chen Xuebing.

"Hmm? Do you want to eat?"

It's practically delivered to my doorstep, how can I not eat it?

"A brave man with impressive wrist strength." Chen Xuebing took it and took a bite.

"I..." Yang Qingyue put her hand on Chen Xuebing's arm, as if to pinch him.

Chen Xuebing didn't seem to care, and smacked his lips as he said, "During the long break, why don't you go to the cafeteria with Xin Mengzhen and buy some snacks?"

"Are you going to find her?" Yang Qingyue sensed Chen Xuebing's unspoken message.

Chen Xuebing waved his hand and made up a reason: "It's nothing. She has a five-year-old brother, and my brother is about the same age. I'm going to ask her to give me a list of books that her brother usually reads."

Xin Mengzhen doesn't bring her phone to class, so if you want to find her, you have to go to another building where the top class is located.

Moreover, Xin Mengzhen didn't want Yang Qingyue to overthink things, so she had to come up with a suitable reason to go see her alone, lest Yang Qingyue run into her.

It's like having an affair.

“Oh…right! Your two brothers are the same age!” Yang Qingyue said, then looked outside and said, “It’s raining outside. Mengzhen doesn’t like to come out in the rain, but she’s going home with me at noon. Do you want to come with us? You can ask her in person.”

"No, I have something to do at noon," Chen Xuebing said curtly.

Yang Qingyue was unaware that he and Xin Mengzhen had opened a shop together. She was particularly sensitive to her "right to know" about her own affairs, and asking her directly would only make the girl cry if she found out that he had secretly opened a shop with Xin Mengzhen.

Yang Qingyue has been happy every day these past few days, and she even brought herself breakfast. Everyone is currently "eating hot pot and singing songs," and he doesn't want to provoke her mood.

Besides, he really did have something to do.

His uncle invited him today.

eat.

……

At noon, near the construction site of the Yuzhong sewage treatment plant, at the Jinjiang Hotel.

The restaurant environment is alright.

When Chen Xuebing arrived by taxi from school, his uncle's black Camry was already parked downstairs.

These days, the Toyota Camry is a really good car; it's a V6, 3.0 version, and the total cost is close to 40 yuan.

When Chen Xuebing was first reborn, he didn't think much of this car, but as he gradually integrated into this era, he began to covet it.

In his past life, when he was rich, he even thought about buying a Bentley to show off!

Their taste is getting worse and worse.

Chen Xuebing chuckled to himself and, following the message his mother sent, went upstairs to find a private room.

Yes, Mom is here today too.

My mom asked him to come. She said my uncle suggested we have a family gathering and a meal, and to avoid interfering with his classes, they scheduled it for lunchtime when high school students have more free time.

Chen Xuebing guessed that the matter at the second construction site had been settled, and they wanted to celebrate with him, the hero.

But when Chen Xuebing pushed open the door to the private room, he was stunned.

Besides her mother and uncle, there was also her aunt Luo Min and her younger sister Yu Xinxin.

There was also Luo An, and a middle-aged man he had never met before.

"Hey! The prospective college student is here!"

Upon seeing him, Yu Chunyin greeted him with a broad smile: "Sit down, sit down! Waiter! Bring the food!"

Chen Xuebing greeted them with a smile: "Uncle, Aunt!"

Aunt Luo Min, a civil servant, spoke with a certain air about her: "Young man, you've really grown up in over a year."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

(This wasn't an intentional break in the chapter; I just didn't have enough time to write the next part of the story. I've been busy these past few days, but I'll start adding more chapters soon after it's released.)
(End of this chapter)