Rebirth 08: A Happy Life Begins in Elementary School

He Shuyao frowned immediately.

Li Zhao was about to explain when he heard He Shuyao ask:

"Is it because something happened at home?"

"No, no," Li Zhao shook his head, "Uh, it's that I want to buy something, but I don't have enough pocket money, so I'd like to borrow some."

"it is good."

Li Zhao is brainstorming, trying to figure out how to make this matter more reasonable.

With the system providing a 5x loan, coupled with at least a 3x increase in stock value, it's safe to say that any amount of principal invested in the system will yield at least a 15x return.

I definitely need to find a way to save up more capital.

But asking elementary school students for pocket money is certainly not a mainstream method, as it's too insignificant.

Li Zhao seemed to have acted on impulse, wanting to test the possibility of "borrowing money".

Before the brainstorming session was even over, He Shuyao actually agreed.

This left Li Zhao unsure of how to respond.

"Is...the more the better?"

"...If possible, yes." Li Zhao felt something was off after saying that, so he added, "Within my means, the more the better. The item I bought will go up in price soon, so in two months, or maybe a month and a half, I can return it to you, and give you some extra with it."

"Is what you want to buy... stocks?"

Holy crap.

Li Zhao's expression froze on his face.

I was being so hesitant and awkward, but it turns out they knew everything.

"Yes, you understand this?"

"I don't understand. It was Chen Nian who said you're very knowledgeable about stocks and can even keep the adults in line."

You big mouth Chen!

"Don't blame him, he said he would only tell me."

Does this look familiar?

"That's true, he didn't even tell me." Li Zhao chuckled to himself.

This also made He Shuyao laugh.

His two good friends are quite proud of him.

"Although I don't understand, since you promised, I'll lend it to you on Monday."

[Trust from a friend, happiness +1, total 27]

Li Zhao felt a little embarrassed that borrowing money from others could increase his happiness level.

"However..." He Shuyao looked troubled.

"you say."

"Could you return some of it to me before Mother's Day? I need to buy my mom a gift."

Li Zhao didn't understand at first. "Wait, wait, wait, you weren't originally planning to lend me all your pocket money, were you?"

Even Li Zhao can save up a thousand yuan or so for pocket money, so what about He Shuyao?

This is no longer just a mosquito's leg.

"Huh? Didn't you say the more the better?"

"That's not all for me; you'll need some too."

"That's why I said pay me back a little before Mother's Day."

"No need, no need... You can keep it yourself."

"I'm planning to buy my mom some clothes, so I'll keep two hundred yuan for myself."

"Keep more, keep more."

"Didn't you say you'd return it to me in two months?"

"Yes."

"Then I don't need to keep it."

Li Zhao was completely confused. "Okay, first calculate how much pocket money you need for the next two months, and only lend me the spare money."

"Okay."

After their conversation, Li Zhao was surprised to find that his forehead was covered in sweat.

In my past life, discussing the planning, implementation, and construction of projects with a total investment of billions in the workplace never put as much pressure on me as these few words today.

The seasoned professionals were completely defeated by the sincerity and innocence of the children.

[Happiness level +3 from He Shuyao's unconditional trust, total 30]

I'm even more embarrassed!

But there's a saying: "If Heaven gives something and you don't take it, you'll suffer the consequences; if you don't act when the time is right, you'll suffer the calamity."

Since He Shuyao trusts me so much, I shouldn't have too much of a mental burden.

"I'll pay you back double when the time comes."

Li Zhao said solemnly.

"That's not important," He Shuyao said casually. "It's good that it helped you."

Li Zhao smiled, and even had the urge to shake hands with He Shuyao.

However, it cooled down very quickly.

The two then walked into the alleys, twisting and turning, until they reached the opposite side of the pedestrian street that was under renovation.

"Ah..." He Shuyao sighed, "Is this the guidance of fate? How did I end up back at school just by wandering around?"

Whether it was Li Zhao's imagination or not, He Shuyao seemed particularly dramatic in both her actions and tone when she talked about "the guidance of fate".

It's obvious that some emotion was deliberately added, a little bit...

Second-year middle school student.

From what I remember, He Shuyao had a slightly chuunibyou (adolescent delusions of grandeur) vibe.

In his previous life, Li Zhao and He Shuyao didn't have much interaction other than studying.

But judging from her love of reading action-packed manga and fantasy works, and the occasional use of words like "destiny," "dead end," "this heart," and "never" in her writing, she must be a bit of a chuunibyou (a person with delusions of grandeur) at heart.

For example, once she got a low score on a test because she wasn't feeling well, and Li Zhao didn't know how to comfort her, so she calmly whispered to Li Zhao:

"It's just a joke of fate."

Li Zhao actually felt a little embarrassed at that time.

Looking back now, it's kind of cute.

Being a chuunibyou (a person with delusions of grandeur) is something that should happen at this age. Back then, Li Zhao often fantasized about becoming a savior.

However, He Shuyao probably hasn't awakened yet.

Or rather, she looks more mature than her peers right now, but is actually a bit more childish during adolescence?

For example, when she got to high school, He Shuyao never hid her foodie nature from Li Zhao. She asked Li Zhao "Do you want to eat?" countless times during the three years of high school, but Li Zhao was quite capable and never ate it even once.

But when she was in elementary school, she would feel embarrassed if she was caught eating bread. She would emphasize that she couldn't eat alone and would hesitate to continue eating.

A girl's heart is a truly wondrous thing.

...Could it be that, after spending twelve years together in high school, Li Zhao was someone He Shuyao no longer needed to be wary of?

Having walked this far, He Shuyao was clearly tired, so the two of them simply waited for the bus at the bus stop to go home.

Just as the bus arrived, He Shuyao quickly said to Li Zhao:

"I'm very happy today."

Li Zhao smiled and waved his hand, "I'm very happy too, thank you."

Saying thank you sounds too formal.

"Then... let's play together more often in the future."

"Pinky promise."

Li Zhao stared in disbelief at her outstretched, pale little finger.

"Hurry up, the bus is here."

"Pinky promise."

The sun hadn't set yet, and bright sunlight filtered through the leaves next to the bus stop, casting dappled patterns that gently fell on He Shuyao.

Li Zhao sat under the sunshade at the bus stop. Although he was completely hidden in the shadows, he felt as if he were being bathed in sunlight.

Dazzling, warm, and full of power.

[The secret of teenage boys and girls, happiness +3, total 33]

How is it a secret?

Who came up with this system text?

Li Zhao mentally ranted and raved, but then realized that this might be a reflection of his inner thoughts, so he stopped abruptly.

"On Monday at noon, we'll go to the playground, and I'll give you my pocket money."

"it is good."

"I'm going home now, bye-bye."

Watching He Shuyao get into the car, Li Zhao suddenly stood up and said:

"be safe!"

He Shuyao tilted her head, chuckled, waved to Li Zhao, and got into the car.

Since his rebirth, Li Zhao has enjoyed thinking on the bus.

This is especially true today.

Li Zhao's harvest today can be described as substantial.

A completely new life experience. I spent a very happy and fun afternoon with He Shuyao, which added 14 points to my happiness level.

Adding so much happiness is itself proof of happiness.

They also gained the opportunity to borrow 5 times more, which greatly increased the returns on their early capital accumulation, providing more ample financial support for the bottoming operation in November.

He also received pocket money support from He Shuyao; even a thousand yuan could turn into fifteen thousand.

If you hold the stock for less than two years after the end of November, you'll see returns of more than ten times.

By any measure, Li Zhao shouldn't be expressionless at this moment.

What emotions are opposing his joy?

This afternoon, none of the 14 points of happiness I felt were due to "making money".

The system didn't react the moment He Shuyao agreed to lend her pocket money.

When she said she didn't understand but was still willing to lend money, the system added 1 point because of "trust".

Without asking any further questions or confirming, she was about to lend all her pocket money to Li Zhao when the system added 3 points because of "He Shuyao's trust".

It wasn't for the money, but because of the trust of a good friend.

There's also affirmation, concern, and idleness...

Making money is certainly important; otherwise, why would the system help provide bank cards, account information, and even five times the loan opportunity?

It's practically the perfect solution to the obstacles on Li Zhao's path to financial freedom.

However, the system seemed to keep reminding Li Zhao that what could make him happy was not financial freedom itself.

Having money is one of the foundations of happiness, but having money is not the goal of happiness.

Achieving personal financial freedom by methodically following a plan is the right thing to do; it is wrong to relentlessly expand one's capital and become obsessed with money.

Li Zhao felt that this was his answer.