Chapter 42: Uncle Ergou is absolutely the perfect choice!

"Gaining the favor of a future dragon!"

These were the most solemn and earnest four words Xue Xiaoshan had ever heard from his father's mouth. Though Xue Xiaoshan had brushed it off in front of his old man, he had already accepted the sentiment deep down. Especially after today's seminar concluded, he felt his life was essentially set; he was destined to be deeply tethered to Brother Tai.

"I also had my uncle buy ten thousand Bitcoins for me, though I've only received about three thousand so far. My uncle said that since digital currency is brand new and the market is still very small, we shouldn't hoard too much. Ensuring liquidity and vitality to gradually drive up the value is the healthiest and most sustainable approach," Chang Lu said with a wide grin, full of anticipation. "Maybe in ten years, Shanz-zi and I will really be able to achieve financial freedom thanks to these thousands of Bitcoins."

"You bet! If Bitcoin is worth 0.1 dollars now, it will definitely be worth a hundred, a thousand, or even ten thousand dollars in the future."

No sooner had Xue Xiaoshan finished speaking than he spotted several reporters approaching with microphones and digital recorders. It was clear they were all there for the news of Huo Qitai "sniping" a spot at Peking University.

"Student Huo, could you talk about why you dared to apply to Peking University with a score under six hundred?"

"Now that you've pulled off such a massive coup, are you feeling incredibly excited and thrilled?"

"As far as I know, there have been many lucky students over the years who managed to get into Tsinghua or Peking University this way, but a large portion of them couldn't keep up with the academic pace and were eventually expelled after failing too many courses. Do you have any such concerns?"

"Did you host this Peking University honor student seminar because you predicted you would get in? If not, what was your motive for hosting such a sensational event?"

These reporters had initially not treated this seminar as significant news. They hadn't expected it to have so many layers. They were filled with curiosity and doubt, and now that they were face-to-face with Huo Qitai, they couldn't help but ask everything at once.

Huo Qitai, having prepared for this, remained calm and composed. He spoke eloquently, with a steady demeanor that didn't resemble a fresh high school graduate at all. What satisfied the reporters even more was that Huo Qitai’s answers were always exactly what they were looking for—every response was loaded with traffic-driving, eye-catching hooks.

After all, these were points Huo Qitai had spent days pondering and preparing, incorporating popular internet trends and buzzwords from the future.

After interviewing Huo Qitai, the reporters rushed to interview Principal Wang of the No. 1 High School, and finally sought out random audience members to get their take.

"Little Tai! I never imagined you'd actually get into Peking University. You won't hold it against your uncle for taking the liberty of inviting the top scorer, Zhang, will you?" After the crowd dispersed, Chang Fuyou approached with a beaming smile, bringing Zhang Shengwu along to congratulate Huo Qitai.

"How could I? Uncle Chang, you’ve looked out for me so well; I should be thanking you. Besides, hearing the top scorer’s experience was very enlightening and rewarding for me." Huo Qitai waved his hands quickly. To him, Chang Fuyou was a benefactor he would be grateful to across both lifetimes.

Zhang Shengwu laughed with a touch of humility, "It was my own hubris. Although I placed first, my study methods and habits were almost innate from a young age. They don't offer much practical value to the average person. On the contrary, the study methods and tips you summarized, Student Huo, are truly excellent. I've seen too many geniuses and top scorers at Peking University and Tsinghua, but most of them can study well themselves, yet very few can systematically summarize their methods to teach others. I flipped through the study outlines and question types you compiled at the entrance. I can say quite responsibly: even if you hadn't sniped your way into Peking University this year, you would have surely gotten in on pure merit next year."

It must be said that this appreciation and high praise from a top scorer felt very satisfying to Huo Qitai. By calling him "Junior Fellow Student Huo," the man had fully acknowledged his status as a Peking University student. Huo Qitai also had the intention of "re-acquainting" himself with Zhang Shengwu. In his previous life, he deeply regretted that such a technical genius had repeatedly failed because he didn't follow the right entrepreneurial team.

As for this time...

After shaking hands and exchanging words with Zhang Shengwu, Huo Qitai thought silently, "Rest assured, Senior Brother Zhang, let me lead you to soar high!"

In the hotel lobby, audience members lined up to receive the thick "Review Cheat Sheets" for various subjects, eagerly flipping through them. It was worth all the days and nights Huo Qitai had spent researching, creating documents, and summarizing—he had even secretly hidden question patterns that would appear in the national college entrance exams for the next two years. If one studied his materials diligently, they would easily reach the first-tier university cutoff score in a year, provided their foundation wasn't completely abysmal.

As the crowd dispersed, the events of the seminar, especially the bizarre story of Huo Qitai getting into Peking University with a score of over five hundred, spread throughout Jian'an City. The most obvious sign was Huo Qitai's phone ringing off the hook.

His parents were incredibly surprised and delighted, having already prepared a victory feast at home, filled with all the dishes Huo Qitai loved. His teachers from various subjects also called to congratulate him, all claiming they had "always had high hopes for him." Even classmates he had known at different times, anyone who had his number, called to verify the news and soak up some of the good fortune. By the end, Huo Qitai's phone ran out of battery and died.

Uncle Ergou had been waiting respectfully outside. As soon as he saw Huo Qitai and Xue Xiaoshan come out, he immediately stepped forward. With great decisiveness, Xue Ergou said earnestly, "Little Tai! You are truly a celestial scholar descended to earth, a god of wealth reincarnated! I'm closing my shop when I go back today. Can I work for you from now on?"

He then pointed at Xue Xiaoshan and emphasized again, "And the same goes for Xiaoshan. My son and I are yours for the rest of our lives."

"That's a bit much, Uncle Ergou. You've left me speechless, but I do have some ideas. I'll talk to you about them later." Huo Qitai hadn't expected the usually proud Uncle Ergou to come seeking his patronage so quickly. Considering he would have to go to Peking University later, Huo Qitai had been thinking about finding a reliable and smooth-talking agent for his "colored umbrella" business. Looking at it now, Uncle Ergou was the perfect candidate for the role.

The three-day seminar, with only the first day concluded, had already made a name for itself throughout Jian'an City and even the surrounding counties. Huo Qitai naturally wanted to strike while the iron was hot and seize this quick profit.

After the crowd cleared, he went upstairs to the general manager's office to find Chang Fuyou and said, "Uncle Chang, the seminar was a success today! The next two days will be packed as well. I want to replicate this seminar model in the surrounding counties. I'll need your help to handle the local power brokers, secure hotels, and make arrangements. I can offer you up to 30% of the ticket revenue..."