As Mr. Chen began his lecture, the classroom settled into a more studious atmosphere.
His voice was steady, almost monotonous, as he explained a complex concept from their physics textbook.
Jiang Che stared at the equations on the board.
The content of the lesson felt both familiar and unfamiliar to him, a peculiar sensation that tugged at his thoughts.
Some concepts made perfect sense as if the knowledge had been buried deep within his mind, only needing a little prompting to resurface.
Others felt completely alien, like fragments of a language he once spoke but had forgotten how to use.
( So this is how it feels to study after coming back… )
Jiang Che mused, his pen tapping lightly against the desk. The reincarnation hadn't granted him omniscience.
He still has to work hard if he wants to score well in exams.
Amidst his concentration, he failed to notice someone staring at him.
Xiao Yuxia was worried that her rejection might have broken Jiang Che's heart, leaving him unable to focus properly in class.
Who knew that Jiang Che was studying with more focus than before she rejected him?
This left her with both relief and a bit of anger.
Relief because Jiang Che didn't seem to be affected by the rejection but at the same time angry.
If he truly loved her as he claimed, she thought he would at least show some signs of sadness or heartbreak.
Yet, he appeared entirely unaffected.
She could only attribute it to Jiang Che not being serious about his confession.
Ding-ding-ding!
The bell rang, marking the start of lunch. Some students stayed in the classroom, unpacking their lunches, while others headed off to the cafeteria to eat.
Jiang Che sat at his desk, unpacking his lunch box and taking a moment to glance around the room.
It had been ten years since he last experienced a moment like this. After graduating from high school, scenes like this became nothing more than distant memories.
But well, that was life.
Things keep on changing as people grow older.
The most important thing was making money and enjoying life.
Jiang Che leaned back in his chair, taking a sip of water as he mulled over his thoughts.
The classroom buzzed with the sound of lunch chatter, but his mind was elsewhere.
( What should my first pot of gold be? )
The first step was always the hardest.
Earning that initial capital would be the hardest.
Once he had his first success, everything else would snowball.
With the advantage of knowing trends, investments, and opportunities, he was confident he could build his business empire.
( But where to start? )
( Online businesses won't take off immediately—not without a strong base. Stocks? Too risky for a first move. Property? Out of my budget for now. )
Jiang Che frowned, tapping his chopsticks against his lunchbox.
He needed something low-cost with high demand.
Something simple yet effective.
That's when his gaze wandered out the window and landed on the milk tea shop across the street.
A small crowd of students and office workers queued up in front of the shop, chatting excitedly as they waited for their orders.
Milk tea!
The idea clicked immediately.
( That's it. The milk tea industry is just starting to boom. Bubble tea has already gained popularity in Taiwan, and in a few years, it will dominate the Chinese market. If I start small now, I can scale it into something massive later. )
Jiang Che's mind raced with possibilities.
His mind whirred with ideas. Starting a milk tea business wouldn't require a massive investment upfront.
( First pot of gold… Milk tea is a solid bet. Once I establish a foothold, I'll have the capital to invest in larger, future-focused ventures. )
Jiang Che's eyes narrowed as he continued to study the bustling milk tea shop outside.
A small crowd still waited in line, most holding generic cups with standard designs.
( Ordinary milk tea is too easy to copy. There's no way to build a lasting brand from something so basic. And the profit margin isn't so great either. )
He shifted in his seat, thinking back to the evolving trends in the beverage industry from his previous life.
By 2015, a new wave of high-end bubble tea had emerged.
Luxurious brands introduced aesthetic packaging, unique flavors, and creative presentations that elevated bubble tea from a casual drink to a status symbol.
( If I'm going to do this, I need to start ahead of the curve. Not just milk tea—premium bubble tea with innovative methods and an upscale image. Something that stands out from the crowd even before it becomes trendy.)
Jiang Che leaned over his notebook and began scribbling ideas furiously.
Key elements for premium bubble tea success:
Distinctive flavors: Experiment with cheese foam, fresh fruit, or even floral infusions like jasmine or rose. These will set the brand apart from generic sugary milk teas.High-quality ingredients: Use fresh milk instead of powdered creamer, premium tea leaves, and organic tapioca pearls.Presentation: Clear, elegant cups with a sleek logo. Incorporate reusable straw or eco-friendly materials to appeal to sustainability-conscious customers.Signature drinks: A few standout options, like a golden boba tea made with honey-glazed tapioca pearls or matcha bubble tea layered with real cream.Unique branding: An aesthetic, minimalist name like "Pearl Haven" or "Cha Luxe" to evoke a sense of sophistication and modernity.
( These ideas will resonate more with the younger generation, who love trying new things and showing them off. Social media isn't as influential yet, but word of mouth will still spread like wildfire if the product is good.)
Bubble tea wasn't just a drink—it was an experience.
The customizable toppings, vibrant colors, and Instagram-worthy presentation were part of its charm.
Jiang Che paused, thinking about how he'd execute the plan.
Anyways, even for this idea, his first struggle was to get that startup fund. Without a start up fund, there was no way to start the business.
He could ask his parents, but he didn't think that it would work out.
They will definitely tell him to focus on studying rather than doing such things.
And that will make going out of the house more troublesome if they thought that he was doing something else instead of studying for the entrance exam.
Jiang Che smirked as his eyes fell on Zhang Wei.
He remembered that Zhang Wei had saved up quite a bit of money for his college and took him out for dinner before their college.
"Time to convince him!"
Zhang Wei was lazily munching on his food when Jiang Che leaned over slightly, catching his attention.
"How much do you have saved up?"
Jiang Che asked casually.
Zhang Wei blinked, looking a bit surprised by the question. He scratched his head before answering.
"Uh, about 5,000 yuan," he said, his voice a little sheepish.
"I saved it from my New Year money. My parents always tell me I should start saving for college, so I've been putting it away."
Jiang Che nodded thoughtfully, the wheels turning in his head. Silently he also thanked Zhang Wei's parents.
"Good start," he murmured, his expression serious.
"Give me all that money!"
Zhang Wei blinked, almost choking on a piece of his rice.
"What? Wait, why?"
He stared at his friend, clearly caught off guard.
"You want me to give you all of it? Are you serious?"
Jiang Che leaned back in his chair, his voice steady and confident.
"We're going to start a business."
Zhang Wei's eyebrows shot up in disbelief.
"Business?"
He let out a small laugh.
"What business? The college entrance exam is coming up, man. You really want to distract yourself with that stuff now? Shouldn't we focus on studying?"
Zhang Wei said this partly because it was true and partly because he didn't believe that Jiang Che could start a business.
Jiang Che met his gaze with an unwavering look, his eyes sharp.
"With your marks, you'll study all you want, but you'll end up at some third-tier university. No matter how hard you try, it won't make much difference. Anyway, University doesn't make any difference in life, money does!"
Zhang Wei frowned, clearly conflicted.
What Jiang Che said was true. With his current state, there was no way that he could end up in any other college than some third-tier college.
"But...."
"I'm not saying forget about the exam, Zhang Wei. I'll help you study, teach you everything you need to know."
"But... your marks weren't all that great either. How can you teach me? I'm not sure if I can trust that."
"Well… that's because I was deliberately slacking off. Once I start, getting 500 points wouldn't be too hard. Anyway, time is of the essence when it comes to making money. So, how about it? Would you lend me the money?"
Zhang Wei paused, looking at his friend.
There was something in Jiang Che's tone—something that made him think this wasn't just an idle suggestion.
Maybe Jiang Che really had figured something out?
"You really think it'll work?"
Zhang Wei asked, his voice tentative but curious.
Jiang Che nodded, his expression serious.
"I don't just think it'll work. I know it will. But I need you to trust me, Zhang Wei."
Zhang Wei sat back in his chair, his lunch forgotten for a moment.
"Alright!"
He said. It was not that he believed everything that Jiang Che said but he did believe in Jiang Che.
If he got scammed by Jiang Che, then he could only be blamed for not seeing through this friend.
"Haha… You made the right decision. Zhang Wei, you are going to be rich soon."
Jiang Che said.
He knew that Zhang Wei would agree. In his previous life also, when he needed 50,000 Yuan for his business, his friends agreed without much hesitation.
Anyway, he could have found another source of money if he had to but it is better to keep money to themselves than letting it go out.