The first trade

In the early light of the day, Li Chen stood in the empty room with unwavering determination. The room had become his sanctuary, the place where he would begin his transformative journey. The teachings of the God of War had already settled deep within his mind, like an intricately woven tapestry of ancient wisdom. He could feel the knowledge residing within him, waiting to be unleashed.

God of War, whose presence had been a constant companion, now stood in the background, a silent observer. "I don't have to help anymore," the god intoned, his voice carrying the weight of countless battles and wisdom. "Everything is now etched in your mind."

Li Chen nodded, acknowledging the profound reservoir of knowledge he now possessed. His martial journey was about to take a monumental leap, and there was no turning back. "There are some things I don't understand," Li Chen admitted, a touch of curiosity in his voice.

The God of War, an enigmatic figure whose life had been etched with the blood of combat, merely responded, "What you don't understand, you will later."

Li Chen's lips curved into a faint smile. "You sure had a crazy life," he mused, reflecting on the tumultuous history of the deity who had chosen him.

In response, the God of War cast a contemplative gaze upon Li Chen. "You sure had a sad one."

The exchange was brief but laden with unspoken understanding. Li Chen was ready to embark on the next phase of his life, to break free from the chains of his past.

With a determined click of his tongue, Li Chen set his mind to the task at hand. "Let's get busy," he declared, his voice carrying a newfound confidence. "I have a lot to do today."

As he began to warm up, his body moved with an agility and grace that were beyond his previous capabilities. It was as if the ancient martial techniques were imprinted in his very being, waiting to be unleashed. He started with the basics, performing each movement with precision and a focused spirit. The room became an arena of his transformation, the echoes of his footsteps filling the space.

Li Chen transitioned from the foundational forms to the more intense phases of his training. His body moved like a coiled spring, each motion a testament to the wisdom and prowess of the God of War. Sweat glistened on his brow, his muscles exerted to their limits, and his breath synchronized with the rhythm of the martial arts he now embraced.

The room bore witness to his metamorphosis, a testament to the boundless potential that resided within. Li Chen was no longer the man he once was; he had transcended his former self. As the day unfolded, he continued to push his limits, forging his path as the chosen one, the successor of the God of War.

Li Chen's body ached from the rigorous training session, and his stomach rumbled with hunger. Weary but determined, he decided it was time to refuel. Instead of cooking, he turned to his new, untouched phone.  With his phone ready, Li Chen began the search for a food delivery service. It wasn't long before he found a place that could satisfy his hunger. He placed an order and eagerly awaited the delivery.

During the wait, Li Chen recalled the letter from Grandma Gu and the task she had entrusted to him. He knew he needed to contact Shang Xiang, who was an integral part of fulfilling her final wishes. As the phone rang, Li Chen pondered how to broach the subject. Shang Xiang answered the call with a simple "Hello."

Li Chen, hesitant but determined, introduced himself. "Hi, Grandpa Shang. It's Li Chen."

Shang Xiang's voice on the other end carried a warm and welcoming tone. "Oh, hi, Li Chen. What can I help you with today?"

Li Chen got straight to the point, feeling a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. "I found the letter."

There was a pause on the other end, and Li Chen worried that the call might have disconnected. He asked, "Hello, Grandpa Shang, are you still there?"

Shang Xiang's voice returned, assuring Li Chen of his continued presence. "Yes, I'm here. I'll send the last gift that Old Madam Gu left for you after this call."

Li Chen couldn't contain his curiosity, though. "What is it?" he asked, eager for a hint.

Shang Xiang, however, maintained the element of surprise. "It won't be a surprise if I tell you now, will it?"

Li Chen understood the sentiment and replied graciously, "Okay, I'll wait. Thank you, Grandpa Shang."

Shang Xiang, always the benevolent elder, reassured him. "Don't mention it, young man."

With the call ended, Li Chen's thoughts danced between the anticipation of Grandma Gu's final gift and the newfound unity he shared with the God of War. He knew that he was embarking on a remarkable journey, one that would shape his destiny in ways he couldn't yet comprehend.

Li Chen, still in anticipation of his food delivery, quickly rose from his seat upon hearing a knock at the door. His haste reflected his eager stomach's expectations. As he swung the door open, he was met with the sight of a young man who appeared to be around 19 or 20 years old. Li Chen greeted the visitor with a polite, "Hi, how can I help you?"

The young man, standing before him, began to explain his presence.

Tang Ziyi stood at Li Chen's door, a polite smile on his face as he introduced himself. "Hello, sir. My name is Tang Ziyi. I hope I'm not bothering you, but I noticed your lawn has become a bit overgrown. I was wondering if you might need someone to help you with that."

Li Chen appreciated the offer and responded, "Oh, you've reminded me. I just moved in here yesterday, and taking care of the lawn was on my to-do list. So, you're here for that?"

Tang Ziyi nodded earnestly. "Absolutely, sir. I'd be more than happy to help out."

Li Chen looked the young man up and down for a moment before inquiring about his age. "May I ask how old you are?"

Tang Ziyi, with a determined gleam in his eye, replied, "I'm 21 years old, sir. I've just graduated, but I'm still in search of a job. You know how it is, sometimes a man's gotta do what he's got to do to make ends meet."

Li Chen understood the young man's situation, empathizing with the challenges of finding work fresh out of college. "That's true," he agreed. "Alright, you've got yourself a deal. Just make sure you do a good job on the lawn."

Tang Ziyi's face lit up with gratitude as he responded, "Thank you so much, sir. I promise I'll make your lawn look great. You can count on me."

With a handshake the arrangement was settled, and Tang Ziyi was ready to tackle the overgrown lawn.

Li Chen's day was taking an unexpected turn. As Tang Ziyi continued to work on the lawn, Li Chen went back inside and decided to freshen up with a quick shower. When he returned, he found his food delivery had arrived. It was more than he could eat on his own, so he invited Tang Ziyi inside to share the meal and chat.

Through their conversation, Li Chen discovered that Tang Ziyi had studied computer science, which piqued his interest. After the meal, Tang Ziyi expressed his gratitude and returned to the task of taming the unruly lawn.

Li Chen retreated to his bedroom, where he set up his brand-new laptop. With his prior knowledge and skills in trading, Li Chen was confident that he could potentially multiply the funds he had received from the divorce settlement. Over the years, he had learned the ins and outs of trading from an elderly donor at the orphanage. The major hurdle he had faced was the lack of funds to invest in trading. However, now, with over 5 million yuan in his account, he saw an opportunity to significantly increase his wealth. 

Li Chen pulled up a trusted trading platform and began to navigate it, keeping a close eye on market trends. He also browsed the news, seeking to gather the latest information to refine his trading strategy. With a sense of anticipation, he was ready to delve into the world of financial markets and investments.

After hours of analyzing market trends, Li Chen finally made his decision. He was ready to place his very first trade, a pivotal moment for him. With his heart pounding, he deposited 2 million yuan, a substantial but cautious sum, considering his limited experience with real trading, especially with actual money at stake. Taking a deep breath, he clicked the "Enter" button and confirmed his trade. 

Closing his laptop and deciding to wait until the next day to assess the results, Li Chen found himself alone in the house with time to kill. In this moment of solitude, he decided to engage in a conversation with the God of War, whose enigmatic presence had become an integral part of his life.

Curiosity lingered, and Li Chen couldn't help but ask, "Can you tell me more about the manual? I've been wondering about it." The manual had appeared as a cryptic yet influential force, intertwining their fates in unprecedented ways.

The God of War's response unveiled intriguing family history. "The manual was a gift from my mother's grandfather when I was born. It was destined for me, and I was supposed to receive it when I turned 21, which I did. These details are undoubtedly recorded within my memories, now accessible to you as well."

Li Chen nodded, eager to uncover the significance behind it all. "I understand that, but what does it mean for me? How does it connect to my destiny?"

The God of War's voice carried a tinge of regret as he confessed, "Unfortunately, I never had the chance to recover all of its pages, which leaves the manual's purpose shrouded in mystery."

Li Chen pondered the situation. "I'm left with many questions, not just about the manual but about who I am. First, you transmigrate into my body, and now this. It's all so puzzling."

The God of War's reply held a sense of anticipation. "Sometimes, the most profound answers are found on the journey itself. We'll have to discover these mysteries as we go along."

Li Chen knew that the path ahead was riddled with enigmas, and these unfolding revelations would undoubtedly shape his destiny in unexpected ways.