Reborn with Consumption System

Even with money, you can't just walk in and get a seat here.

As Brother Pan said, "If our old man hadn't been a fan of Uncle Shen's cooking when he was young and hadn't formed such a close friendship, I wouldn't have the clout to just come whenever I wanted."

And the moment Brother Pan walked in, he went straight to that sprightly old man to act playfully familiar, a clear sign that this chef wasn't ordinary.

While greeting and asking about the dishes, Han Lie noticed a young sous chef in his early thirties who looked very familiar.

After thinking it over, he finally recognized that distinctive large forehead.

Wasn't this the future famous owner of that top-level local private kitchen? What was his name? Xu something, the celebrity chef who charges tens of thousands for a Mid-Autumn Festival meal.

Master Shen introduced him with a smile, "This is my good-for-nothing grandson, about ready to become a chef in his own right. He plans to go out and start his own thing. Friends, if fate allows, I'd be grateful if you could look after him a bit in the future."

Elder Pan, Elder Dou, and the others responded heartily, "Don't worry, of course we will!"

But Han Lie knew that Master Xu didn't need anyone's help.

During the holidays, getting a reservation at his place was extremely difficult; even the top dog from Han Lie's company had missed out.

After some lively discussion, they decided on the main dishes: Panzi had brought a wild Da Huang and six live hazel grouse.

Goodness, Han Lie was practically drooling.

An eleven-pound wild Da Huang isn't cheap; the current market price should be two to three thousand yuan per jin. This large one would be worth more than thirty thousand yuan, at least.

But even more precious were the hazel grouse, because in a few years, they would become a Class II protected species in the country.

Han Lie wouldn't go out of his way to feast on them before they were protected, but since he had encountered them, there was no need to be pretentious. Trying something rare and broadening his views was quite nice.

When they took their seats, Han Lie was pulled by Brother Pan to sit on his right. Pan Ge sat right next to Han Lie, meaning Han Lie was now seated between Brother Pan and Pan Ge.

Of the whole table, he only knew Dou Mingde and Zhang Xiao.

The other four—three men and one woman—were friends of Elder Pan and Elder Dou.

From the introductions, it was clear they were all typical local tycoons, though not the well-known top dogs.

Han Lie was touched. Panzi had really put some thought into this...

The real big shots, like Fosun's Guo, were out of Han Lie's league at his current level.

They had their own investment channels and looked down on the paltry sums to be made in the secondary market.

On the other hand, these wealthy—but not *super*-rich—local tycoons had a strong need for and admiration of a "stock god."

Yes, a stock god. Elder Pan and Elder Dou then took turns, one echoing the other, in a grand display of hype, directly inflating Han Lie into a contemporary stock god.

"In such a bearish market, to double in ten trading days—I can say this very clearly: I've been messing around in the A-share market for over a decade and I've never heard of such a thing!"

After Elder Dou finished his boast, it was Elder Zhang's turn.

"Han Lie is an unparalleled genius; there's no doubt about it. I work in education, and my academic background happens to be business. Most of my professor friends are in economics and finance, but when it comes to practical application, they're useless!

Talent is talent. Without talent, you can't beat the market, no matter how good you are academically!

Alas, our problem is obvious. Do we lack professors who excel academically?

No, we don't!

What we lack is a practical genius like Han Lie, and that can't be taught!

Recently, lots of old friends who left academia for securities and funds have been contacting me, looking for people.

You all remember Old Yao, right?

He's the Vice President directly managing the asset management department at CITIC. He calls me four or five times a day, wanting to invite Little Han to work for him.

I told him straight: There's nothing I can do! How can I persuade him? Does Little Han need to work for anyone?"

The four fat sheep nodded incessantly, their faces showing they deeply resonated.

After Elder Zhang's spiel, Elder Pan took over the boasting.

"When Little Han visited my home for the first time and talked about stocks, I knew the kid was going to make it!

His thought process was so clear, and he was incredibly level-headed, knowing what to do and what not to, when to act and when to wait.

Right then, I decided—I'm handing over my accounts to him!

And you have all seen the results. I still have a good eye for people, right?

Later, Elder Dou, green with envy over my profits, followed suit and put up 10 million of his own.

At the time, he acted all high and mighty, telling me, 'Personal feelings are personal feelings, business is business. I need to test Little Han's ability to handle large funds.'

A couple of days later, right in front of me, he was slapping his thighs and exclaiming, 'Damn it! I invested too little!'"

"HAHAHAHA..."

Everyone played along and burst into laughter. Dou Mingde shook his head, raised his glass, and offered a toast to Han Lie.

"Little Han, Uncle Dou toasts you. It was my mistake to underestimate you!

Oh, don't even mention how much I regret it...

Come on, Teacher Han, I'll drink up! You can drink as much or as little as you please."

Han Lie hurriedly raised his glass, about to be polite, when Dou Mingde waved his hand and continued speaking.

"My main purpose isn't to apologize, though. Trust takes time to build; you should understand that. And I don't think I was greatly mistaken either.

This drink is mainly to honor your ability, and to honor the fact that you've made me truly understand a principle—

Professional tasks should be left to professionals.

Trading stocks, I'm really not cut out for it!

I won't trade anymore. I'll just quietly enjoy eating, drinking, and having fun. If I get unbearably bored, I'll find people to play cards with, but I won't touch stocks again.

Come on, Teacher Han, thank you!"

Dou Mingde downed his drink with a tilt of his head.

The four fat sheep immediately clapped and cheered, heating up the atmosphere.

Normally, Han Lie shouldn't really just do as he pleased, especially since Dou was not only the client but also older and of a higher status.

But Han Lie just gently smiled and spoke calmly.

"Uncle Dou, you are the client, and I am the trader. Making profits for clients is my inherent mission; you don't need to thank me, much less apologize.

If you recognize my ability and attitude, then let's continue our collaboration.

If one day you no longer find them satisfactory, then it must mean I've encountered a problem. We'll terminate the contract as agreed, and hopefully, we can collaborate again in the future.

Such a simple matter, there's really no need to complicate it.

Moreover, as a trader, I must maintain my rationality and composure at all times. I especially avoid heavy drinking.

I'll just take a sip, if you don't mind.

You see, self-discipline is something I must uphold, just as I must adhere to trading discipline in the market. This is a matter of life and death; it cannot be taken lightly."

Han Lie truly just took a sip, then put down the glass.

His smile was serene, his gaze sharp and clear.

The lady among the four fat sheep was first taken aback, then slammed the table and suddenly cheered.

"Professional, so professional!

Teacher Han, working with someone like you, I feel at ease!

What are the terms of your contract with Elder Dou? Draw one up for me, just the same!

I can only put up 20 million for now; please don't think it's too little. Once my cash flow improves, we can add more. Is that alright?"

PFFT!

Elder Pan, Elder Dou, and Elder Zhang, the three old friends, almost sprayed out their drinks. They exchanged glances, all thinking the exact same thing—

This actually works?!

Before they could recover from their astonishment, the other three fat sheep also began speaking eagerly.

"I feel the same way. It's so rare nowadays to find someone as clear-headed and responsible as Teacher Han. Those so-called financial experts at the brokerage firms... they're a complete joke..."

"Exactly! The market has been rough for the past two years, so it's understandable that private equity performance has generally been poor. But these guys? They're out carousing every day, yet they still strut around full of arrogance. Who on earth spoils them like that? No wonder their results are so terrible! Their attitude is nothing like Teacher Han's!"

"Modest, low-key, and self-disciplined—Teacher Han definitely has a boundless future! Even if there are some temporary losses, I'm willing to cooperate with Teacher Han for the long term and grow together! So, it's settled. I'll invest ten million!"

One offered ten million, another ten million, and the third ten million. Just like that, another thirty million was gathered for Han Lie.

The mouths of Elder Pan, Elder Dou, and Elder Zhang twitched. They found the whole affair too unbelievably surreal.

Good heavens, is he a master bullshitter?!

If you hadn't drunk us under the table just last week, we might have actually fallen for your act...

Amidst the lively compliments and inquiries, Pan Ge put down her chopsticks, stroked her chin, and carefully studied Han Lie's profile.

It was during that recent speech that she sensed a familiar scent.

I almost forgot, that damn man is a master actor...

So, has he been using this act on me recently?

Black-hearted White Lotus fell into contemplation.