Why did you make me reincarnate?

On August 20th, Xu Chaoyang's admission notice arrived.

Xu Zhiyuan left work early that day, and Qin Xuemei also specially applied for leave from her workplace. The family of three gathered in the living room, staring at the kraft paper envelope on the table with the Zhejiang University emblem printed on it.

Qin Xuemei reached out and touched the gold lettering on the envelope, her eyes slightly reddening, but she pretended to be calm and said that there was nothing to be excited about, as she had long known that her son would be admitted to his desired university.

Xu Zhiyuan's hands trembled as he opened the letter. He pulled out the exquisite admission notice and, after seeing the words "Finance Major" printed on it, a smile spread across his face.

He placed the admission notice neatly in the center of the table, got up and went to the storage room, took out the last bottle of Moutai he had treasured, and said that he must have a good drink today to celebrate his son's success in the college entrance examination.

Qin Xuemei, unusually, did not stop him, her eyes filled with relief.

After a few drinks, the atmosphere gradually warmed up. Xu Chaoyang slowly put down his chopsticks and said seriously that he had a few things to tell the two of them.

Qin Xuemei and Xu Zhiyuan exchanged a glance, noticing the seriousness in his tone, and their joking expressions vanished.

Xu Chaoyang was completely different from his usual casual self today; he seemed like a truly independent adult.

"The Morning Light Bar in Fuqian Lane is actually owned by me."

Qin Xuemei was stunned. Before she could ask any questions, Xu Chaoyang said something surprising.

"There's a real estate development called Mingzhu in Ouhai District, Dad, you should know about it, right?"

Xu Zhiyuan paused his drink at his lips. "I've heard a bit about it. Apparently, their funding chain broke, leaving behind a failed project. The higher-ups are having a headache over it. I heard it was acquired by a mysterious boss a few days ago..."

As he spoke, a thought suddenly occurred to him, and his eyes slowly widened.

Xu Chaoyang's words confirmed his inner thoughts: "Yes, that's right, I'm the acquirer."

To his parents' astonishment, he recounted all the royalties he had earned from writing songs and the funds he had accumulated from running the bar.

He also explained his successful experience of accurately seizing opportunities and profiting in the gold market. He did so in a light and unpretentious manner, leaving Qin Xuemei, who had never heard of such things before, completely stunned.

"My son is a multi-millionaire?"

Xu Chaoyang deliberately omitted all parts related to Shen Zhiyi, but the two, immersed in shock, did not notice these details.

The living room was quiet for a while before Xu Zhiyuan came to his senses. He picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and then suddenly laughed.

He slapped the table and said proudly that the Xu family's genes are really amazing. Not only did they get into the top university in Jiangnan to study finance, but they have even started doing business.

Qin Xuemei immediately spat and said, "Stop trying to glorify yourself."

"You're always at work, never having a moment to spare, and you never have time for your family. How dare you take all the credit for this?"

Xu Zhiyuan chuckled and didn't refute, but simply poured himself a drink and drank it, his heart filled with pride.

As Xu Chaoyang watched them bicker, a long-lost warmth welled up in his heart. In his previous life, when he held a high position and achieved great success, his parents' temples were already gray.

They are young and healthy, and can be proud of themselves for many more years to come.

Most importantly, upon learning these unbelievable things, the parents' first reaction was never to question or suspect, but to choose to believe in themselves, saving them the trouble of explaining.

When Xu Chaoyang was clearing away the dishes after dinner, he noticed that his mother was still secretly wiping away tears with her back to him. He didn't expose her tenderness, but simply got up and washed the dishes silently.

Xu Zhiyuan quietly came to the kitchen and said in a low voice, "If I remember correctly, that unfinished project should be called Hongyi Apartments. If you need Dad's help later, just let me know."

Xu Chaoyang paused for a moment and nodded.

……

That night, the graduation party for Yulan High School was held as scheduled at a restaurant near the school.

The graduates of this year have all received their respective admission notices. When Xu Chaoyang arrived at the scene, his classmates and friends were congratulating each other.

Several students who didn't perform well and didn't get ideal results had their worries washed away by the lively atmosphere. At this age, their minds are still pure, and they don't have such a strong sense of utilitarianism.

Old Chen was surrounded by a group of boys who took turns toasting him, his face flushed.

Zhao Shijun was sitting at the table by the window. As soon as he saw Xu Chaoyang enter, he waved vigorously.

"Brother Yang, over here."

He performed exceptionally well in this year's college entrance examination. Following Xu Chaoyang's advice, he applied to the Finance Department of Sun Yat-sen University, and his admission notice even arrived two days earlier than Xu Chaoyang's.

His father was so happy that he ran back to his old home in the countryside and held a three-day feast, telling everyone that the Zhao family's ancestral graves were emitting auspicious smoke.

Liu Jianghe and Chen Chu were both absent. Due to the special requirements of their majors, they had set off early last weekend to register at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

Zhao Shijun said that Liu Jianghe called him before leaving, regretting that he couldn't come to the graduation party, and asked him and Xu Chaoyang to drink a few more glasses on their behalf.

However, based on Xu Chaoyang's understanding of this kid, he's probably currently bragging to his classmates at his new campus in Shanghai, having long forgotten all his old friends from Wenzhou.

Jiang Banxia also came today. She sat at the table on the inside, wearing a clean and elegant light white dress, which was completely different from her usual style. Her long black hair was draped over her shoulders, and her temperament was much more gentle.

As Xu Chaoyang walked through the lobby, her gaze followed him for half the distance before she silently looked away.

Throughout the entire gathering, the two did not interact at all.

It wasn't until the event was almost over, when Xu Chaoyang was waiting for Zhao Shijun to go to the restroom to vomit at the restaurant entrance, that Jiang Banxia quietly walked up to him.

"Xu Chaoyang, you're with her, right? That girl from No. 1 High School."

Jiang Banxia's face looked somewhat pale under the streetlights, and her expression revealed neither joy nor sorrow.

Xu Chaoyang nodded calmly, offering no further explanation.

Jiang Banxia didn't say anything angry like she used to. She just remained silent for a moment, and then gently curled the corners of her lips.

"You know what? I could have gone to my preferred major, but I still applied to Zhejiang University and chose to accept the transfer."

Xu Chaoyang didn't respond. He couldn't understand what Jiang Banxia was trying to imply, because she had made the exact same choice in her previous life.

You can't exactly say that you chose Zhejiang University because of yourself.

After Jiang Banxia finished speaking, she turned around, took a few steps, and then suddenly stopped: "Xu Chaoyang, thank you for liking me for three years in high school. From now on, it's my turn to take the initiative to come to you."

"Whatever." Xu Chaoyang was completely baffled.

Applying to Zhejiang University is fine; once I meet the senior students, they won't bother me anymore.

Only after she slowly walked away did Zhao Shijun, his steps unsteady, slowly emerge from the restroom, leaning against the door frame with a pale face.

He caught a glimpse of the white dress and muttered to himself that he would never drink so much again, that he had encountered a ghost in the middle of the night.