Chapter Five: Snowballing

Alex lives in Gujiao, a third-tier city.

Gujiao used to rely on the mining industry as its pillar industry.

However, with the depletion of mineral resources and the long-term decline in domestic mineral prices, Gujiao's economy is gradually declining.

Among them, the development zone is in the worst condition.

There are many unfinished projects and the vacancy rate of residential areas is high.

The housing prices have been stagnant for nearly a year and a half.

Alex focuses on the small shops near Xiawa Village.

Xiawa Village is the only urban village in the entire XC district.

Demolition is inevitable sooner or later.

For emotional, rational and aesthetic reasons, Xiawa Village must be demolished.

Alex's parents have deep feelings for Xiawa Village and are reluctant to leave their hometown.

They plan to buy a new house in a new community.

Buying a shop nearby is a win-win situation for Alex's family.

Before demolition, the shop can provide a livelihood for his parents.

After demolition, it can also enjoy the appreciation.

There are many small shops of about ten to twenty square meters on the nearby streets.

The average price is around ten thousand yuan, which is completely within Alex's affordability.

Alex takes action quickly.

He strolls around, visits some intermediaries and soon finds his target.

On the south side of Xiawa Village, across a road, there is a row of ground-floor shops with an area of more than 20 square meters.

The layout is 3 meters wide and 8 meters long, with a square shape.

Nowadays, Xiawa Village is desolate.

Those shops can only do business on half a street.

Business is sluggish.

Many shop fronts are labeled for sale.

Alex is delighted and thinks this is just right for his family.

Buying it and leaving it idle is fine.

It can be regarded as a gift for his parents.

If it's really unlucky and Xiawa Village isn't demolished for ten years, then he'll just accept the loss.

After all, it's not a lot of money.

Alex decisively dials a sales phone.

When the homeowner hears that someone wants to buy, he rushes over on a small electric bike in less than five minutes.

This homeowner has a bad temper.

When he sees Alex's age and his outfit of a large vest, big shorts and flip-flops, he immediately frowns.

"You want to buy a house?"

Alex is a bit annoyed in his heart.

He almost wants to pull down his big shorts, show his underpants and point to the logo: See? A brand! Don't look down on people!

Of course, the situation is not so extreme.

Alex calmly raises his right hand holding the iPhone 6 and points to the shop: "Are those two shops yours?"

Although the iPhone 6 doesn't have such great power, at least it can prove that Alex is not as ordinary as he seems and he's not here to fool around.

The homeowner's expression softens a bit and he nods: "Yes, they are mine. When there was demolition back then, I didn't take the residential houses behind. Instead, I asked for two more shops. But now I've really suffered a loss!"

Oh, so he became rich from demolition? No wonder he's so bold.

Alex realizes that the other party's experience and ability may not be stronger than his own.

He feels confident and directly asks: "How much do you want to sell it for?"

"300,000 yuan!" The bearded homeowner blurts out.

If these two shops were on the south side of the community instead of the north, let alone 300,000 yuan, even 400,000 yuan would be reasonable.

But now... "200,000 yuan." Alex cuts the price by one-third as soon as he opens his mouth, applying his valuable experience of bargaining at street stalls for many years.

The bearded homeowner glares and is about to get angry.

Was the cut too harsh? Alex feels it might be a bit excessive.

He quickly adds: "I want both shops!"

The homeowner's expression eases up a bit and he shakes his head: "That won't do either. How can you buy a house like this? Do you think it's buying cabbage? At least 280,000 yuan!"

It seems that this person is not very good at doing business. The price reduction is too quick.

Alex starts to haggle.

How much he can reduce is not important. What matters is the process.

By 9 o'clock, the price of a single shop becomes 270,000 yuan.

The two shops together cost 530,000 yuan.

The two shops, one sells spicy hot pot and the other sells boxed lunches.

Business is almost dead.

The bearded homeowner insists on taking Alex to see the houses.

Alex should go home and read.

He waves his hand and refuses: "Tomorrow. Let's see it tomorrow!"

In fact, there's not much difference between 270,000 yuan and 240,000 yuan.

In the past, Alex would feel pain even spending ten yuan. But now, the money he spends is from the

loan company. He doesn't feel anything.

However, the process of bargaining with the homeowner is extremely enjoyable.

That rare feeling of evenly matched haggling between amateurs makes Alex, a senior high school student, reluctant to end it.

If he pays for the house now, where can he find such an amateur to practice bargaining with?

Anyway, delaying for one day at most costs him 11,520 system gold. With the loan money as support, it doesn't matter.

Alex smiles and waves goodbye to the homeowner. Looking at the other's depressed expression, he is in an extremely good mood.

Alex strolls back home.

His father's mahjong game is not over yet. Only his mother Mary is at home.

"Son, I've been thinking about your entrance banquet. How about setting it on the 8th? It's Saturday."

"Sure, I have no objection."

"Your dad said to book at Shenglong Pavilion. But I think Qianxi Hotel is fine. Shenglong Pavilion is too expensive. Besides, if we book it one week in advance, how could there still be a place..."

Listening to his mother's rambling, Alex feels a bit sad.

His family has never been wealthy. Although they are not in a desperate situation, with tuition fees, housing, and marriage looming, Mary is always careful with money and reluctant to spend even a penny more.

The problem is that Alex currently has no reason to take out money to subsidize the family.

A small amount won't help much. A large amount needs a reasonable excuse.

Alex's plan is: When he saves up 5 million yuan, he will buy a lottery ticket. Then he will give his parents 2 million yuan. The rest he will claim to be investment money. In the future, he can continuously buy things for his parents.

If he really can't get a lottery ticket, then he will confess the loan fraud to his parents. He will say that he uses the loan as capital to start some business and it's very profitable. Otherwise, it's really impossible to convince others.

Moreover, investment must be done. Now it's 10,000 yuan a day. In the future, it may be 50,000 or 100,000 yuan a day. With such a large amount of money, although the transfer process is safe, there must be a source when spending it.

Well, future matters can be dealt with later. For now, he still needs to keep it a secret.

"Mom, I think Qianxi Hotel is fine. The dishes are affordable. Our family's situation is like this.

There's no need to put on a show. Besides, I didn't get into Tsinghua or Peking University. It's just a formality."

Mary looks up in surprise: "Son, aren't you afraid of losing face in front of your classmates?"

"Your son has no face to lose!"

Alex laughs. Although he is self-deprecating, there is no bitterness or resentment in his tone.

"True friends won't look down on me just because I'm poor now. False friends, even if the banquet is held at Dongyuan International, they will just come to freeload and won't be grateful. Mom, don't worry. Let's go with Qianxi Hotel!"

Mary smiles from ear to ear: "Good! Good! Then we'll choose Qianxi Hotel. When your dad comes back, I'll discuss the invitation list with him!"

"Okay. I don't have many classmates. Two tables are enough. You can decide the rest. I'll go read for a while."

Alex turns and goes back to his bedroom in the east room. Mary looks at her son's back, feeling surprised and gratified.

Her son has become sensible. She doesn't know how to express it. She wants to praise him but can't find the words. But she is filled with sweetness and feels that life is full of hope.

When her son graduates from college, passes the civil service exam and finds a wife, how beautiful life will be!

She doesn't know that Alex has big ambitions.

One is not enough!

On Thursday, July 30, it's sunny.

Alex goes out at 7 o'clock on time and goes to Fuyuan to fill out forms in advance.

The business of offline stores in the small loan industry is booming. The marketing efforts of each store are not enough. Alex wonders why there are so many people borrowing usurious loans?

The reason is actually not important. The trouble is the decrease in efficiency.

Often waiting for half an hour for form filling and confirmation. With other procedures, it takes at least an hour to deal with one store.

Alex feels a sense of urgency. On one hand, there is the pressure to quickly upgrade the system. On the other hand, he doesn't know when this hot market will suddenly end. Then it won't be so easy to get money.

After filling out the forms in advance, Alex goes downstairs and leaves. As soon as he pushes open the door of Fuyuan, he runs into an acquaintance.

"Alex?"

"Jack?"

Alex pauses and seriously pulls Jack to a corner.

"What's going on? What are you doing here?"

Meeting Jack is inevitable. On the three streets next to the financial district, there are half of the small loan companies in the city. Jack works next door. Since Alex wanders around here every day, it would be strange if they didn't meet.

Alex is already mentally prepared for this.

Moreover, as his business gets busier, Alex really feels overwhelmed. He is considering asking someone to help.

Rather than choosing another day, let's do it now.

"I'm here to apply for a loan..."

Alex tells Jack everything he has done in the past few days. Jack's eyes widen gradually. He is stunned for a long time.

"Damn... You are really... Oh my god!"

Jack considers himself bold. But he is still shocked by Alex's actions. Mainly because of Alex's age - he is only 18 years old!

"Are you trying to get yourself in trouble? How dare you do such a thing at such a young age? Do you know what happened to the regional manager in our company's Northeast region who created more than 400 fake customers in a year? He will be eating prison food until 2028!"

Alex is extremely calm. There is no sign of greed for wealth in his eyes. He is as calm as a still lake, steady and wise.

"First, he cheated one company for 400 loans. I only take one loan from each of 50 companies."

"Second, he can't run away. All my information is fake."

"According to the collection sequence you described, no company will sue 'Liu Dapeng'. Even if there is a persistent collector, where can they find Liu Dapeng?"

In fact, there is a third reason - Alex has already decided to repay the principal and interest. So it's

just an illegal loan. As long as no one reports it, there is no risk at all.

But this can't be told to Jack. There is no way to explain the source of the funds or the meaning of doing this.

So, Jack, who doesn't understand, clenches his fist and grits his teeth: "I shouldn't have told you this!"

Alex smiles nonchalantly and puts his arm around Jack's shoulder: "Brother, aside from your useless worries, objectively speaking, how am I doing?"

Jack is finally infected by Alex's confidence. After thinking carefully for a while, he gives two thumbs up.

"Great! Xiaoyan, you are amazing!"

Alex is happy to hear this recognition. It's even more exciting than finding 100,000 yuan.

Jack's excitement builds up. He paces back and forth, sighing continuously.

"In a situation like yours, it's rare across the country. You can think so thoroughly. You deserve to make a fortune!"

Alex has been observing Jack's expression. Seeing that there is only excitement and no signs of envy or jealousy, he finally puts aside his last worry.

"Jack, I'm too busy now. You have to help me."

Jack is stunned: "How can I help? You can just continue doing it."

"I want to finish it quickly and then take a break. You help me select companies, contact familiar salespeople and handle some small troubles as a peer. I'll give you 2,000 yuan for each deal. How about it?"

"2,000 yuan is too much!"

Jack's first reaction is that the money is too much and might be a burden. Then he says: "I can help.

But I don't need so much reward. I can get commissions from the salespeople."

But Alex is firm: "You are my brother. We are family. There's no need to be polite. There will be more times when we need to help each other in the future!"

These words are very comforting. Jack has been a delinquent since childhood and has many bad habits. But he is filial and loyal. If someone treats him as a brother, he will be extremely kind.

"Okay. Xiaoyan, don't worry. Brother will make sure everything is done smoothly for you!"

Jack pats his chest. Then he pulls Alex and they start to plan.

With Jack, a real veteran, checking for omissions and filling in gaps, the next plan is extremely clever.

First, eliminate nearly half of the stores.

Next, greatly change the process.

Alex stays in the rental house. Jack contacts familiar salespeople in the target companies. Then the salespeople bring the official application forms and fill them out at Alex's place.

The other party completes all the steps. Alex just waits for the transfer.

The salespeople that Jack finds are basically experienced ones in the stores. Some are even marketing managers. It's very convenient to open the back door.

If there is a need to verify the office location, Jack can take people to have a look. There is a photo of "Liu Dapeng" on the photo wall downstairs of a certain office. There is also a landline for Liu

Dapeng in the office. It's very credible.

Of course, not all companies can provide on-site service. But as long as half of them can, then from 5 pm to 9 pm during the break, it's Alex's business hours.

Then in the morning and at noon, fill out forms in those stores that can't provide on-site service. In the morning and afternoon, focus on signing contracts. The efficiency is extremely high, making full use of all the time.

Moreover, making appointments for form filling can minimize Alex's exposure.

Each salesperson is in contact with Jack only. They don't know each other. The possibility of the application forms being rejected at the store level is minimized.

After being extremely busy, finally on Friday night, all 44 stores have been applied to.

Starting from next Monday, Alex will only go to sign contracts when the loan is approved. No new applications will be submitted.

The specific loan amount for each store is fixed at 45,000 yuan.

If all can be fully approved, Alex should be able to get more than 1.8 million yuan in total.

Of course, that's not realistic.

In fact, in the morning, one store has already rejected Alex.

Just one store. It's no big deal.

After a simple celebration meal and sending off the half-drunk Jack, Alex collapses on the sofa in the rental house and starts to take stock.

As soon as he looks at the panel, he is almost overjoyed.

[System level: 5]

[With each breath, you will receive 1 yuan in cash reward.]

[When you taste delicious food, there is a 4% probability of obtaining a mysterious reward related to eating.]

[When you drink, there is a 3% probability of obtaining a mysterious reward related to drinking.]

[When you play games, there is a 2% probability of obtaining a mysterious reward related to games.]

[When you sleep soundly, there is a 1% probability of obtaining a mysterious reward related to sleeping.]

[Experience value: 29,100]

Bank card balance: 515,000 yuan.

System salary: 78,973 yuan.

Two shops, purchased at a price of 500,000 yuan in total - the price was finalized at noon yesterday and the agreement was signed at night.

In fact, if he had continued bargaining, he could probably have gotten it for 480,000 yuan. But Alex doesn't have so much time. He gave the homeowner a final ultimatum on the phone.

"Either you sell it to me for 500,000 yuan and I pay in full in cash. Or you wait for two more years. If

Xiawa Village is demolished within two years, you'll make a profit. If it's not demolished within five years, you'll just live on that little rent. I'm very busy. Think about it quickly."

So the system is upgraded. Alex gets two shops. The homeowner goes home and counts the money. Everyone is happy.

By the way, Alex pays for the purchase in two installments. The first installment is 230,000 yuan and the second installment is 270,000 yuan. He doesn't waste any experience.

The system has a not-so-big but obvious change.

Experience becomes 100. Only when spending 10,000 yuan does one gain 1 experience point.

Moreover, the breathing salary is not doubled to 0.8 yuan but is a whole number of 1 yuan. The experience value is not tripled to 810,000 but jumps to 1,000,000.

What does this indicate?

Perhaps it means the system has entered a new stage.

After eating, drinking, and playing, what follows is not pleasure but sleeping.

A mysterious reward related to sleeping?

Could it be that a girl will appear?

Just thinking about it randomly, Alex can't help but laugh.

Haha, are you crazy? Silly!

Upgrading becomes more difficult, but it's not a big problem because the salary is also increasing.

Now it's 20 yuan per minute and 28,800 yuan per day.

It's really a number that makes one smile even in dreams.

How much is it in a month?

860,000 yuan!

The Alienware laptop has arrived and is placed on the coffee table in the rental house. If asked how

it feels, there's just one word...

Don't know!

Alex hasn't used it even once. Instead, the visiting salespeople have had a good feel of it.

Many salespeople deliberately take pictures of the Alienware when taking photos of the room.

Without even going to the office, they report back to the store and the application is approved instantly.

Jokingly, the price of the laptop is even higher than the loan applied for. What a golden customer!

If they don't give the green light, are they still human?

The seven Louis Vuitton bags also have the same effect. Arranged in a row, they are extremely imposing.

The salespeople who see them wonder in their hearts: We don't know. We don't dare to ask... Are there so many and are they all real?

Alex takes the initiative to explain: "My sister is engaged in overseas purchasing. As you know, for people in public institutions. Colleagues in the unit like this stuff. I earn some hard-earned money by following along. Brothers, if you need anything, just let me know. Guaranteed genuine!"

"Sure! Sure!"

Smiling on the lips, but thinking in their hearts.

Can we afford genuine ones?

It's crazy to buy genuine ones instead of fakes. Aren't we sick?

Although they curse in their hearts, their attitude becomes even better by two points. So realistic.

As for Alex, after that wave of vanity passes, he starts to marvel at his own vision - none of the seven items are basic models. None of them have big logos. They are both beautiful and low-key.

How can I be so good at buying things!

The Alienware is domineering. The Louis Vuitton bags are beautiful. The tissues are soft. The underpants are comfortable.

The CK ones are really super comfortable. Alex never thought that there could be such a huge gap between underpants that cost 10 yuan for three and those that cost 183 yuan each. That close-fitting, breathable, and light gentle touch is just like the hand of a lover.

The 10-yuan-for-three ones are also hands. The hands of a pipe fitter.

So far, the only thing that makes Alex dissatisfied is that pair of high-end Converse.

In the middle of summer, it's already hot wearing flip-flops. But he got a pair of canvas shoes. What was he thinking?

Well, anyway, it's not expensive. It can be used sooner or later.

1,500 yuan really doesn't feel like much to Alex now.

Not to mention the deposit that will soon exceed one million yuan. Just looking at the daily breathing salary of 28,800 yuan.

How to spend it?

No kidding, Alex really doesn't know how to spend the money now.

Buying too many luxury goods is not realistic. How can he take them away when he goes to college? How can he explain to his parents?

Buying a house is even more inappropriate. The starting price of a good community is at least 10,000 yuan. He doesn't have enough money for a big one, and a small one is meaningless.

Buying a car?

The subject three test is only next week. The driver's license will be obtained at the earliest in the middle of the month.

And even if he gets the license, where can he hide such a big thing after buying it?

He can't drive it to school anyway!

After thinking for a long time, Alex feels that there are only three choices left.

First, wait until 0 o'clock on Monday morning. The system mall refreshes. Bet that the new product is just around 700,000 yuan. Not too much and not too little.

Second, splurge on a live streamer and lose his virginity.

Third, donate it.

The advantages of these three choices are that they don't make a big fuss and don't need to consider how to hide it from family and outsiders.

However, the disadvantages are also obvious.

The first choice has too much uncertainty. If the new product is too expensive or too cheap, it's very troublesome.

For the second choice, Alex is psychologically resistant. It's not that he is reluctant to spend money on live streaming. It's that he is resistant to the unknown female streamers.

Makeup + beauty filters + filters = goddess.

In live streams, everyone is a beauty. But half of them offline are like aunties.

If they are really goddesses, it's worth spending any amount of money. Anyway, money comes easily. It's not bad to experience everything while young.

But if they are aunties, then spending money and offering one's virginity?

How stupid!

The third choice seems ideal. But the problem is that Alex doesn't trust a certain organization.

However, private charity funds are not allowed in China. For a while, he actually can't find a place to donate.

After all, Alex is just an 18-year-old high school graduate. Except for studying, his understanding of the outside world is limited to entertainment such as games, stars, and live streaming. When thinking about donating, he not only has no idea but also has many concerns.

Charity must be done. But it's better to wait until he is more mature.

None of these choices are good. Alex is at a loss. After thinking randomly for a while, he feels that he should go read. When he checks the time on his phone, he suddenly has an idea.

That's right!

Go buy a watch!

He will go to study in Star City for college. There is still no authorized store for Patek Philippe and

Vacheron Constantin there. If he doesn't go now, he may not have a chance for a long time.

Moreover, he has never been far away since he was a child. During the graduation vacation, he didn't dare to go out and play because he had no money.

Now, money is no longer a problem. Why not have a spontaneous trip?

Cool!

A week of experience has given Alex extremely strong initiative. Once he thinks of it, he acts immediately and starts to check tickets.

The high-speed train from Gujiao to the provincial capital takes 1 hour. The high-speed train from the provincial capital to the capital takes 2 hours and 30 minutes. Both are very convenient.

Leaving at 6 o'clock tomorrow morning, he can have lunch in the capital just in time. Then stay for one day and come back in the afternoon on the 2nd. It won't delay next week's contract signing at all.

For his first trip, going to the capital and seeing the flag-raising ceremony is very memorable.

Alex makes up his mind and books the ticket.

After booking the ticket, a wave of excitement surges up again.

Tomorrow he will get his first watch in life!

From the 26th until now, if he just waits for the system salary and spends normally, he can only upgrade to level 2.

If he only spends the salary and wants to upgrade to level 5, how much time does it take in total?

Alex calculates roughly. The answer is... 56 days.

That is to say, if he doesn't do anything and just waits from the 26th, after 56 days, he can get a total of 400,000 yuan in salary.

But now, after all these efforts, he can get a total of 1.44 million yuan in salary!

Upgrading the system in advance is like rolling a snowball. The later it is, the higher the return. It can not only completely cover the loan interest but also has many other benefits.

If he didn't calculate, he wouldn't know. Alex is shocked by himself.

I'm really awesome...

The level 5 system provides a daily salary of 28,800 yuan. Compared with 1,400 yuan at level 1, now he can really do whatever he wants.

Having achieved such great results, isn't it reasonable to reward himself?

Capital, here I come!

Famous watches, roast ducks, bars, and nightlife, all stand at attention for me!