If everyone is reborn, who will work for capital?

Chapter 19 The Invisible Man

Upon hearing the straightforward advice, a glimmer of light flashed in Niu Baoguo's eyes, but then his face turned bitter.

"I...I really want to!" Niu Baoguo's eyes unconsciously drifted towards Ma Chunmei. "I dream of getting into Jiaotong University, but the materials science program there is like a battle of gods, and my score...I'm afraid it won't be high enough."

"Actually, you could also consider applying to the same school as Huang Lijuan," Geng Zhi casually added.

He remembered that in his previous life, Niu Baoguo's score was more than enough to pass the entrance exam for Huashi University.

"Apply for Huashi University?" Niu Baoguo blinked twice.

"Yeah, Shih-Shi University is also a 985 university, and I've heard their materials science program is pretty good too." Geng Zhi nodded.

"And—" Huang Lijuan immediately chimed in, and Niu Baoguo winked slyly, "Huashi University and Shanghai Jiaotong University are right across from each other, separated only by a road. If you come to Huashi University, you'll be very close to my Chunmei."

Huang Lijuan was well aware of Niu Baoguo's feelings for Ma Chunmei, and she was happy to go along with it.

"Really? Just across the street?" Niu Baoguo perked up instantly, his eyes brightening.

Although Huashi University's overall ranking is not as good as Jiangcheng University, he is willing to breathe the same air as his goddess and share the same lively atmosphere of the same street.

This attraction is absolutely deadly!

Niu Baoguo was deeply tempted!

"I think Baoguo, you should apply to Jiangnan University instead," Ma Chunmei suddenly advised, her tone rational and for your own good. "Jiangnan University has a better reputation and it will be more beneficial for your future development."

Ma Chunmei's logic was simple: once she arrived at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, it would be a whole new world, and she wouldn't need this "jack" anymore. Receiving his "good morning" and "good afternoon" messages every day would only annoy her.

Upon hearing this, Geng Zhi glanced at Ma Chunmei and stopped trying to persuade her.

As a friend, he naturally hoped that Da Niu could avoid the pitfalls of his past life and come to Shanghai with him to make his way in the world.

But Niu Baoguo is an adult, and he has to choose his own path.

As friends, speaking only a third of what you know is enough.

Right now, he has more pressing problems to face.

As for Professor Qi Chuqin, Geng Zhi doesn't have much to worry about. The most important thing now is to get the ticket to the re-examination - to pass the line.

He couldn't remember at all what the cutoff score for the Computer Science Department of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2010 was, but he conservatively estimated that it would be at least 320 points or higher.

In his previous life, he scored 345 points, which should have been enough to pass the re-examination.

But now that he's been reborn... whether he can even get close to 300 points is a big question mark.

As Geng Zhi was pondering, his thoughts were interrupted by Ma Chunmei's voice: "Alright, you two are free to do as you please. Kong Lijuan and I have to catch our flight back to Lanzhou University."

Upon hearing the word "airplane," Geng Zhi recalled his memories from his past life.

He remembered.

In order to bring Niu Baoguo and herself to Shanghai to make a good impression, Ma Chunmei did offer to reimburse travel expenses.

But the reimbursement method was quite unique: she and her best friend Huang Lijuan took a fast and comfortable plane; while for him and Niu Baoguo, they bought ordinary hard-seat train tickets that were a long and arduous journey.

In 2009, the high-speed rail network had not yet been established, and the only way to travel from Gansu Province to Shanghai was by slow, green trains.

He and Niu Baoguo endured a bumpy 30-hour journey on a green-skinned train before finally arriving in Shanghai. Nearly 20 of those hours were spent standing, leaving their legs numb.

As for the return ticket, Niu Baoguo paid for it himself—whether Ma Chunmei forgot to reimburse him or Niu was too embarrassed to ask for it, he had no idea.

"Chunmei, why don't we celebrate together and have dinner before you leave?" Huang Lijuan asked, somewhat surprised.

She felt that since Geng Zhi and Da Niu had helped her with the roadshow, she should at least treat them to a meal to thank them.

"No, this roadshow has already taken up a lot of time, I need to hurry back and prepare for the exam." Ma Chunmei shook her head, turned to Niu Baoguo, and said casually, "Baoguo, you can buy your own train tickets back, and I can reimburse you later."

Upon hearing this, Huang Lijuan felt a pang of sympathy for Niu Baoguo, but she refrained from saying anything further.

"It's alright, Chunmei, you don't need to reimburse me, I'll pay for it!" Niu Baoguo quickly waved his hand, his honest face showing no resentment.

"Okay, let's go to the airport first." Ma Chunmei said, and was about to pull Huang Lijuan to the roadside to hail a taxi.

"Wait a minute." Geng Zhi called out to her, his face showing just the right amount of difficulty. "I can only help you run errands if the 50,000 dragon coins for company registration start-up capital are in place. I'm very poor."

"Oh right, I almost forgot." Ma Chunmei suddenly realized and readily said, "I didn't bring my USB key, so I can't use online banking. I'll transfer the money to you at an ATM later."

"Okay." Geng Zhi then turned to Niu Baoguo, "Da Niu, I'll stay in Shanghai for a couple more days. You can fly to Lanzhou University with the two of them to prepare for the exam."

"Huh? I...I'd rather sit by the fire..." Niu Baoguo instinctively wanted to refuse, but was interrupted by Geng Zhi before he could finish speaking.

"Ma Chunmei, Da Niu has never flown before, why don't you buy his plane ticket too?" Geng Zhi looked at Ma Chunmei in a consultative tone.

"Okay." Ma Chunmei frowned slightly, but still agreed.

Before parting, Geng Zhi suddenly remembered something and asked Ma Chunmei, "By the way, do you know anything about Hao Pengxiang?"

"This... I really don't know." Ma Chunmei shook her head. "I've never met him in person, and I haven't added him as a QQ friend. All our communication is in that five-person QQ group."

"Huh? But after I joined the group, I don't think I've seen 'Xiang' say anything in the group." Huang Lijuan interjected in confusion.

When she first joined the group, there was only Ma Chunmei and a person with the screen name "Xiang". She remembered that "Xiang" never said a word. When she sent him a message and tagged him, he never replied. He was like an invisible person.

"Yes. When the agency pulled us into the group, Hao Pengxiang asked for all four of our names once, saying it was for registration. He hasn't spoken to us since." Ma Chunmei pouted. "I added him as a friend several times, but he never accepted."

"At least... he did help us register, so at least he's not a scammer," Huang Lijuan added.

Upon hearing this, Geng Zhi didn't say anything, but simply took out his phone, opened the "Busiest Five" QQ group, checked "Xiang's" QQ level, and instantly understood everything.

"I'll contact Hao Pengxiang and get it sorted out. After all, he's a genuine NCTU student, and we'll need his help with the first-prize funding." He paused, then said to Ma Chunmei, "Send me the contact information for the agent who sold the project proposal as well."

"No wonder! You specifically mentioned making Hao Pengxiang COO during the roadshow!" Niu Baoguo belatedly slapped his thigh, casting an admiring glance at Geng Zhi. "So you had already thought of all this funding! Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!"

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P.S.: Three chapters today! Please read on, recommend, vote with your monthly tickets, and comment to help this seedling grow strong. Thank you so much!