Returning to his senior year of high school, he went all in and made billions by buying at the botto

On New Year's Eve.

The streets of Jiangcheng County come alive from early morning.

Shops along the roadside put up Spring Festival couplets one after another, and the entrance to the vegetable market was crowded with people buying New Year's goods. Occasionally, a child would run through the alley with firecrackers, and the crackling sound would startle the adults, who would laugh and scold them.

The family compound was unusually filled with the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year.

At the entrance of Chen Jiaxin's residence, Chen Jianguo personally pasted a pair of red couplets with gold characters.

First line: Harmony in the family brings prosperity in all things.

The second line reads: Spring warmth brings a hundred blessings.

Horizontal scroll: Peace and safety year after year.

Chen Mo stood to the side, watching his father repeatedly compare the marks with a ruler, and couldn't help but say, "Dad, the right side is already perfectly straight."

"What do you know?" Chen Jianguo took two steps back, squinted at him, and said, "If the Spring Festival couplets are pasted crookedly, it will look awkward all year round."

Li Xiuyun poked her head out of the house: "You two spent twenty minutes putting up these Spring Festival couplets. Are you going to help out in the kitchen?"

"immediately!"

Chen Jianguo verbally agreed, but then clicked the bottom right corner again.

Chen Jing sat on the living room sofa, peeling oranges while watching her father and younger brother fussing around at the door, a smile in her eyes.

This Spring Festival is different from every year before.

The family moved to the county town.

Both parents were transferred to different jobs.

My younger brother suddenly became mysterious.

Even his uncle Chen Liping has transformed from a tech geek who was always worried about the company into the head of an internet startup in the provincial capital.

But the atmosphere at home doesn't seem to be much different from before.

"Xiao Mo, peel the garlic."

"They're here."

"Don't sneak any ribs."

"I don't."

"You haven't even wiped the grease off your lips!"

Chen Jing laughed out loud on the sofa.

Chen Mo reluctantly pulled out a tissue.

10:00 AM.

Chen Liping carried two boxes of New Year's goods into the house.

As soon as he entered the house, Chen Jianguo pulled him to the balcony and questioned him for more than ten minutes.

The content was nothing more than financing, Chen Mo's investment, and what exactly happened with those cars and bodyguards recently.

Chen Liping was well-prepared and gave a flawless answer.

"Brother, sister-in-law, you really don't need to worry."

"The Douyin project was indeed first proposed by Xiao Mo, and the large companies in Kyoto did indeed take a liking to his product plan."

"Kids these days have quick minds and know what young people like. They're much better than us old programmers."

"As for the money, it's all legitimate investment returns."

"The contracts, the company, the taxes—everything is crystal clear."

With their younger brother's endorsement, Chen Jianguo and Li Xiuyun finally felt more at ease.

Only Chen Jing leaned against the door, arms crossed, watching coldly from the sidelines.

After Chen Liping stepped onto the balcony, she said calmly, "Uncle, you lie much more fluently now than before."

Chen Liping paused in his steps.

"Jingjing, how is this lying? This is called protecting trade secrets."

Chen Jing scoffed.

"You two had better not have done anything illegal."

"I swear to God."

Chen Liping raised his hand: "Your brother would be even less likely to do anything illegal than I am."

Chen Jing didn't press the matter further. These two were already in cahoots, and it would be difficult to get a real answer from them.

3 PM.

The doorbell rang.

Chen Mo went to open the door.

Lin Wan stood outside the door.

Today she wore a light brown long coat over a beige knit dress, and her long black hair was naturally draped over her shoulders, making her look gentle and intellectual.

She was also carrying several boxes of exquisitely packaged gifts.

"Happy New Year, Mr. Chen."

She had barely opened her mouth when she realized her form of address was inappropriate, so she quickly corrected herself: "Xiao Mo, Happy New Year."

Chen Mo glanced at her.

"President Lin adapted quite quickly."

Lin Wan's ears turned slightly red.

"Didn't you say that information should be disclosed in a tiered manner?"

Chen Mo chuckled and stepped aside to let her in.

"Dad, Mom, Uncle, Sister, this is Lin Wan."

"I used to work at a bank, and now I help my uncle and his family with the finances and investments for the Douyin project."

Happy New Year, Uncle and Aunt!

Lin Wan put the gift down with a graceful and poised demeanor.

"I apologize for disturbing you on my first visit."

Li Xiuyun already knew from Chen Mo that Lin Wan would be coming.

But when I actually met her, I was still taken aback by her outstanding appearance and temperament.

"Oh, no, no, no."

Li Xiuyun warmly took her hand.

"You're spending the New Year alone in Jiangcheng. Xiao Mo should have invited you over a long time ago. Make yourself at home, don't be shy."

Chen Jianguo nodded with a smile.

No matter how busy you are with work, you still have to have a hot meal during the Chinese New Year.

"Thank you, Uncle and Aunt."

Lin Wan felt a slight warmth in her heart.

She was initially a little nervous, worried that her presence at the Chen family's New Year's Eve dinner as an outsider would seem out of place.

But Li Xiuyun's enthusiasm quickly dispelled her unease.

Chen Jing sat on the sofa, her gaze shifting back and forth between Lin Wan and Chen Mo.

Beautiful, mature, and capable.

Moreover, although she quickly corrected herself to "President Chen," she still heard it.

This is unlike that of a typical project consultant.

Chen Jing narrowed her eyes; the people around her younger brother were becoming more and more interesting.

"Sister Lin Wan, please have a seat." Chen Jing poured her a cup of tea. "I heard from Xiao Mo that you used to work at a bank?"

"Yes, I used to work at the China Bank."

"How did you end up in Jiangcheng?"

Lin Wan glanced at Chen Mo and smiled, "I was attracted by President Chen... President Chen Liping's project."

Chen Jing caught that momentary pause.

She became increasingly certain that Lin Wan's true client was not her brother-in-law, but she did not expose her on the spot.

Chen Jing continued to probe, "Sister Lin Wan is so outstanding that she's willing to leave the bank. It seems this project is indeed very attractive."

Lin Wan understood the meaning behind her words, but she didn't panic. She simply said gently, "The project's attractiveness is one thing, but the people are even more important. Following the right people is more important than choosing the right position."

Chen Jing turned and glanced at her younger brother.

Chen Mo was peeling garlic with his head down, seemingly not hearing anything.

"So, what kind of person does Sister Lin Wan think my brother is?" Chen Jing asked.

Lin Wan was slightly taken aback.

If someone else had asked her this question, she could have easily brushed it off with a few polite words.

But the person in front of her was Chen Mo's older sister.

Moreover, she could sense that Chen Jing's tone wasn't simply one of curiosity, but rather one of scrutiny.

Lin Wan thought for a moment and said seriously, "Xiao Mo is young, but he is very opinionated and has a good sense of proportion. When he makes decisions, he may seem bold, but he thinks through every step very clearly."

"Sometimes you feel like he's not his age."

Chen Jing gently stroked the rim of the teacup with her fingertips; those words had really touched her heart.

Judging from Chen Mo's recent changes, he is indeed not like the younger brother who used to only bury himself in his studies and occasionally talk back to her.

"Does he usually misbehave?"

Lin Wan looked at Chen Jing and suddenly smiled.

Which aspect are you referring to?

Chen Jing was surprised that she would ask a question in return, and raised her eyebrows slightly.

Lin Wan continued, "If it's work, he rarely misbehaves. But if it's personal life..."

She paused for a moment, then said, "I can be a little childish sometimes."

Chen Mo froze.

Chen Jing finally couldn't help but laugh.

That smile immediately eased the tension considerably.

"It seems you know him better than I thought."

"I wouldn't say I know them well," Lin Wan said gently. "We just have more contact through work."

Chen Jing didn't press further; she could tell that Lin Wan was very clever.

There was no deliberate attempt to get close, nor was there any intentional distancing; this sense of propriety is more valuable than simply trying to please.

Lin Wan also sensed that this young CEO Chen's sister was not someone who could be easily fooled.

Her words seemed casual, but every sentence contained a test.

Lin Wan thought of her younger brother. If he brought his girlfriend home, she would probably interrogate him a bit.

No! Lin Wan, what are you thinking?!

Are you an employee who's here to celebrate the Lunar New Year at the boss's house?

She wasn't there to be Mr. Chen's girlfriend.

Lin Wan blushed with embarrassment at her own bold idea.

When Chen Jing saw Lin Wan suddenly blush, she thought she had asked too many questions and made Lin Wan feel a little embarrassed, so she quickly got up and said she would go wash the fruit to give Lin Wan some space.

Lin Wan cautiously stuck out her tongue, then secretly cheered herself up.

Now I'm an employee, but who knows what I'll be in the future!

In the kitchen, Chen Mo finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Chen Liping lowered his voice and said, "Your sister is still as serious as ever."

Chen Mo glanced at him: "Uncle, you weren't much better off on the balcony just now."

Chen Liping coughed lightly and lowered his head to chop the dumpling filling.

Six o'clock in the evening.

The New Year's Eve dinner officially began, with the table laden with dishes.

Braised pork belly, steamed fish, pork rib soup, braised beef, cold lotus root slices, and dumplings that Li Xiuyun spent the whole afternoon making.

Chen Jianguo poured half a glass of wine, and Chen Liping drank with him. Li Xiuyun kept putting food on Lin Wan's plate, and Chen Jing occasionally teased her younger brother.

Fireworks were set off outside, and the windows reflected the flashing light.

Chen Mo sat at the table, watching the smiles on his parents' faces, watching his sister and uncle bicker, and watching Lin Wan gradually relax from her initial restraint. He felt a rare sense of peace.

After dinner, the sound of the Spring Festival Gala came from the TV. Chen Mo leaned against the balcony, took out his phone, and sent New Year's greetings to several people.

Then WeChat started ringing. Chen Mo looked at the messages on the screen and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

In the living room, Li Xiuyun called out, "Xiao Mo, the dumplings are ready! Have a few more!"

"They're here."

Chen Mo put away his phone and turned back to the warmly lit living room.

Fireworks are going off in the sky outside the window.

The new year has finally arrived.