2. Not explaining is the fundamental cultivation of a man.

Despite September being the tail end of the sweltering summer, fainting from exhaustion during military training was not a rare occurrence in Jiang City, one of the four "furnaces" of China.

When Lu Jincheng fainted, the little episode that ensued quickly dissipated without a trace. The instructor who arrived promptly had two male students help the sick to rest under the shade of a tree, and military training continued.

Now he was finally able to confirm that he had indeed been reborn.

Lu Jincheng leisurely crossed his hands behind his head, leaned back against the lush willow tree behind him, and stretched out his limbs. A gentle breeze of late summer occasionally brushed through his hair as he slightly closed his eyes, seemingly in full enjoyment of this comfort.

In reality, unlike most people who intensely desire rebirth, Mr. Lu's heart was filled with mixed emotions at the moment.

On a typical day, he had money, he had connections; if he wasn't enjoying spicy delicacies, he was surrounded by beautiful women. His company was about to ring the bell for its IPO the next trading day, so why on earth would he be reborn at this time?

Shit!

This realization made Lu Jincheng curse internally as he realized he had to tighten his belt once again.

But it wouldn't be long before the good times rolled. The year 2014 wasn't like the future. It was an excellent time for industries to soar, and ways to make money were as plentiful as hairs on a cow.

And since he was originally a big boss with an A9 asset level, coupled with his knowledge and skills that transcended the era, even if he was too lazy to start a business as painstakingly as in his previous life, a casual foray into investments would still allow him to soar.

Not to mention, any regular Joe reborn in 2014 would instinctively pull out their phone, open a web page, and check two things.

How much is Bitcoin worth right now?

At a little over $200 each, to Lu Jincheng, who had experienced the feast of cryptocurrencies, this was practically a giveaway.

How much is a share of Moutai stock worth right now?

In September of 2014, the stock price of Moutai fluctuated around 128 yuan.

For a reborn person, as long as they invested their first bucket of gold into cryptocurrencies and used their spare cash to buy some Moutai shares, they didn't need to strive at all. They could just lie flat and enjoy a relaxed and happy retirement life.

Why rack your brains and work yourself to death? Isn't picking up money much better?

"One, two, one!"

"One! Two! Three! Four!"

Students chanting slogans in unison marched past Lu Jincheng, all giving him odd looks.

Wow, a boy who faints from standing in the military posture, what a weakling.

But Lu Jincheng didn't care at all. He picked up a well-shaped willow leaf from nowhere, held the ends of the leaf with his fingers, and put it to his lips to play a little tune.

The sky at eighteen, the campus at eighteen... Everything at eighteen was a joyful reunion after a long separation.

Like the university gate buried deep in his memory, and the famous seventeen-story twin towers in Jiangcheng, they were just ordinary buildings when he was studying, but now they felt so much more familiar.

Nanhu University might not compare with those two old-brand 985 universities in Jiang City, but it was truly a great school.

With a firm belief in learning and a naturally tolerant atmosphere, what was most unforgettable was that Nanhu University gathered beautiful women from all 56 ethnic groups in the country.

When Lu Jincheng entered Nanhu as a freshman, the university had even promoted itself online with the gimmick of new students from all ethnic groups and a grand unity of exotic charm.

It was just too bad that Lu Jincheng was still an innocent young man at the time, harboring dreams of lifelong monogamy, unwilling to open his eyes and pay attention to other people.

It was only later that he realized how much times had changed.

His friends teased him as Jiangcheng's Most Sincere, but he had fallen behind by so many versions.

Of course, back then, Lu Jincheng didn't have many chances to experience those fifty-six varieties of charm.

He neither mingled with the Student Union nor participated in the numerous clubs. His only social activity was going online with his roommates in internet cafes.

A perfectly ordinary guy, neither his life experiences nor his financial intuition had sprouted; it would be strange indeed if he could charm girls from different backgrounds!

This also became a regret that Mr. Lu couldn't help but sigh over when nights were quiet, and drinks had made three rounds.

Many wealthy people, once they gain financial freedom, aren't as happy as when they were younger. This is because those who can now effortlessly afford any luxury car in the world can't find the joy they once had riding bicycles to send their crushes home.

Dreams must be pursued early on.

Having wealth at twenty allows you to give the best life experiences to the ones you love when first feelings arise, turning what's already beautiful into a legend among men.

Only when a young man has money can he ride a white horse against the western wind and laugh proudly in the Jianghu. Only when a young man has money can he be free-spirited and enjoy the beauties of the world.

By the time you're old and wealthy, even if you've fulfilled your dream and found a stunning beauty, the scene of you moving on top of her with a pot belly will only make people nauseous.

Beauties should be with the young.

It seems, the first thing after rebirth is still to rapidly make money...

Forget about making more or less, first you need to find a project suitable for digging up that first pot of gold, then use the huge advantage of foresight and skills beyond your peers to extend this life's wealth journey.

With money, you can challenge the world; without it, you can hardly take a step.

Right now, Lu Jincheng is wearing the camouflage uniform issued during military training. The most valuable thing on him is the new phone his family bought him after the college entrance examination.

How much was the living allowance in the first year of university again?

Two thousand? Or fifteen hundred?

Mr. Lu couldn't help scratching his head, accustomed to spending money liberally, the thought of living like a university student, counting every penny, and having to budget even for a date was unbearable.

Damn it!

After repeatedly feeling his pockets and accepting the fact that he had neither cigarettes nor a lighter, Lu Jincheng finally came to terms with his current situation.

"Here, thanks to your fainting spell, the counselor finally developed a conscience and bought iced water for all our classmates in formation."

Engrossed in his world, Lu Jincheng watches as Zhong Ruixi runs over with two bottles of chilled mineral water, handing one to him.

"Thanks."

"I'm sorry about just now... Even though it's disgusting how you behaved with that girl, I shouldn't have been so forceful. Did I hurt you?"

The shaded space under the tree wasn't large. Zhong Ruixi squatted by Lu Jincheng, her pale skin under the camouflage pants contrasting starkly against his sun-darkened hue in the sunlight.

Having just left her high school days behind, she hadn't quite mastered the East Asian sorcery of makeup – her delicate face, at most, had a touch of sunscreen.

"It's fine."

Lu Jincheng waved it off with an air of nonchalance.

"???"

Zhong Ruixi felt surprised and involuntarily bit her lip, reassessing Lu Jincheng, a strange feeling arising within her.

That's it?

No, how can he react like this?

Shouldn't he explain why he acted that way just now?

What does he mean 'it's fine'?

Lu Jincheng's tone was as if the rude one wasn't him, but that she was the one making a fuss without reason.

"If that's the case... good. Then rest well, I'm going back to the drill."

Zhong Ruixi withdrew as if to advance, probing Lu Jincheng's reaction once more.

Haven't I already mentioned how much I hate it when guys touch girls inappropriately?

Won't you explain yourself?

"Okay, sure."

Lu Jincheng acted as if he couldn't care less about her. He nodded distractedly, his gaze even drifting to other formations.

Zhong Ruixi stood up huffily, tossing her head back and jogging to her formation.

She would never know that Lu Jincheng had changed beyond recognition.

The boy sitting in the back row of the classroom stealing glances at her was a thing of the past.

The seasoned Mr. Lu would never bother explaining himself to a woman. Failing to explain even the slightest thing, saying one extra word would mean admitting defeat.

He would only ask forthrightly in return.

"I touched you. So what?"