Chapter 10: Planning for the Future

Since his rebirth, Li Yifei had measured every day down to the second, stepping precisely according to his planned milestones. At school, he maintained a low profile, like a shadow blending unnoticed among the crowd. During breaks, while classmates laughed and played, he quietly sat at his desk, leafing through books. In group activities, he participated silently, never vying for attention. Having mastered some courses early, he would request permission from teachers to study independently in the library. Given his consistent top scores—always above 745 on preliminary exams—his teachers trusted him to manage his own learning.

He kept a carefully balanced distance from his middle and high school peers; most had only heard his name, and very few truly knew him. He deeply understood the wisdom of "living modestly but acting boldly," with the experiences of his past life ringing like a constant alarm in his ears.

In that era dominated by short videos, many had fallen into trouble due to excessive flamboyance, with absurd and bizarre incidents occurring frequently. This only strengthened his resolve to remain low-key. Simultaneously, Li Yifei cultivated his demeanor. In his previous life, he had come across advice that said: speak less, speak slowly, and with a calm tone—over time, such restraint would cultivate an aura of grace.

With the autumn breeze of September heralding a new semester, Li Yifei once again immersed himself wholeheartedly in study. His thirst for knowledge was like the fuel of his life, propelling him ever forward. Thanks to his eidetic memory, he maximized his learning efficiency. In this era when online resources were scarce, he was like a treasure hunter, seizing every opportunity to acquire knowledge.

Every corner of the library bore his footprints; he repeatedly flipped through yellowed pages. He carefully studied the few materials available online, even copying them word for word. Once he had his own computer, he delved into the world of technology, mastering everything from basic system operations to complex programming. Under the glow of his desk lamp late at night, one could often see him focused on typing code, the faint screen light reflecting on his earnest face.

In the quiet of night, Li Yifei would sit at his desk, gazing at the starry sky outside, contemplating his future path. The once somewhat naive ideas gradually matured through relentless study and reflection.

He clearly understood that while society was full of opportunities, careful planning was essential to seize them. Besides striving to gain admission to a top university, accelerating his ability to earn money was urgent. In this period when rules were still evolving, earning money through legal means attracted little criticism. Thus, he began drafting a detailed blueprint for his development.

Modern society was built on human relations, where reciprocity was indispensable in social interactions. Li Yifei knew well that tobacco and alcohol held a pivotal role, especially alcohol, which was considered a “hard currency” in interpersonal dealings. However, ordinary commercial liquors failed to stand out, so he chose a unique path—learning to brew alcohol, particularly medicinal and tonic wines with special effects. To achieve this, he plunged deep into the ocean of traditional Chinese medicine knowledge.

By day, he diligently studied school textbooks; after class, he spent hours in bookstores poring over various ancient medical texts. The obscure classical language, complex names of herbs, and their functions gradually became clear through his efforts. Beyond brewing, he also explored pharmacology, massage, and acupuncture. He understood these skills not only safeguarded his own health but also served as effective tools to strengthen relationships.

He sought out and found a well-known traditional Chinese medicine practitioner in the county, sincerely expressing his desire to learn. At first, the old doctor was skeptical of the young man’s request, but Li Yifei’s persistence and sincerity eventually won him over. During the apprenticeship, Li Yifei’s remarkable talent emerged. His eidetic memory allowed him to quickly recall the properties of various herbs, formula proportions, and acupuncture points and techniques. Within just two months, the old doctor felt he had nothing more to teach and couldn’t help but praise the young man.

Li Yifei also devoted himself to economics and geography. He recognized that economic knowledge was indispensable for future success and began reading a wide range of economics books, striving to master everything from fundamental principles to complex market analyses. At the same time, he paid close attention to geography, especially information related to the location of a major event that would occur in 2008. He knew this would be a nationwide issue; approaching it from a geographical perspective would provide a reasonable entry point without seeming abrupt.

Of course, his plan to make money was a top priority. Drawing on memories from his previous life, he cautiously operated in the stock market. Every day, he closely monitored market trends and analyzed the movements of various stocks.

He carefully selected stocks with potential and periodically adjusted his investment strategies based on market fluctuations, striving not to miss any “monster stocks” or “secondary monster stocks.” At the same time, he turned his attention to the real estate market, following property development information in several major cities, seeking suitable investment opportunities.

Time passed quietly amid his busy schedule, and a semester swiftly went by. As the New Year approached, Li Yifei’s family moved into a new home. The garage was converted into his “secret base.” Without furnishing it, he had the renovation company make simple modifications to create a storage room for his wine.

Inside, fifteen standard-sized wine jars were neatly arranged, filled with carefully brewed ordinary white liquor; another ten jars held medicinal and tonic wines, all crafted with great care. Looking at these jars, Li Yifei felt a deep sense of accomplishment, knowing these fine brews would play an important role in the future.

Standing at this new starting point and looking ahead to 2007, Li Yifei was filled with confidence and anticipation. Though the road ahead remained challenging, he firmly believed that by following his plan step by step, he would achieve his goals.

He eagerly awaited the opportunity to continue his studies at university, continually enriching his knowledge and skills, and striving tirelessly toward his aspirations.