Chapter 17: If You Know How to Show Off, Do It Well (And Thank the Lord for Smiling, Out of Politeness)
Cao Chenghui stared at the comments on his computer screen. Though he remained silent, his face radiated excitement, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily curled up into a grin.
Deep down, he thought to himself, I never really understood the thrill of showing off before, but now I finally get it. This intoxicating sense of superiority—it's absolutely addictive, exhilarating, and simply delightful! Haha!
One word: Satisfying!
Two words: Extremely satisfying!
Cao Chenghui quickly lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag to suppress his excitement. The sheer pleasure of being a so-called financial mogul was something he had never experienced before. It was refreshing beyond words!
After a while, he refreshed the page. More comments and replies had flooded in.
In addition to messages praising him as a financial genius, there were numerous others requesting private discussions, mentorship, and analysis on market trends. Some even wanted to add him as a contact for direct consultation.
But Cao Chenghui ignored them. Especially the ones asking for mentorship or stock market insights—there was no way he would respond to those.
Are you kidding me? If he started engaging with them, his actual knowledge (or lack thereof) would be exposed in no time. He was well aware of his own limitations and had no intention of revealing them.
What he didn't realize, however, was that stock market discussion groups were already buzzing about the online persona of "Weathered Salted Fish", and his post had rapidly gained traction. More and more users were flocking to the forum, increasing his visibility exponentially.
This unexpected surge in popularity significantly boosted the reputation of his online alias.
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Xincheng University, Dormitory 303
"Huh? Why did my reputation points suddenly skyrocket?"
Fang Hong, lounging idly in his dorm, checked his social reputation system and was stunned to find that his reputation points had surged from a mere 10 to 13,200—exceeding ten thousand in an instant! Additionally, his achievement points had risen to 662.
A new notification appeared on his interface:
> [Due to the increase in Cao Chenghui's personal reputation and influence index, his weighted factor has increased. As a result, the bound individual (you) will receive a reputation value multiplier bonus.]
Fang Hong blinked in surprise. "An indirect influence effect? So, if someone I influence gains greater social influence, my reputation points will also increase proportionally?"
His spirits lifted immediately.
This is perfect!
Now, he didn't even need to work hard himself—he could just let this "tool person" accumulate reputation for him.
Fang Hong rather enjoyed this situation. In his past life, as a top financial tycoon, he was constantly under the media spotlight. Every time he stepped outside, he needed an entourage of bodyguards. The burden of fame had robbed him of his personal freedom.
But now?
He could walk down the street unnoticed, without any personal security detail. No one would recognize him, and he could move freely without worry.
However, Fang Hong was also aware that this peace wouldn't last forever. As his wealth and influence expanded, remaining in the shadows would become increasingly difficult. For now, though, he cherished this period of relative anonymity.
Still, what exactly did Cao Chenghui do to gain such a massive influence boost all of a sudden?
After a moment of contemplation, Fang Hong came to a realization.
Could it be… that kid is bragging about making money?
Cao Chenghui was in his thirties, about ten years older than Fang Hong. However, as a reborn financial mastermind, Fang Hong had far more experience and knowledge than him. To Fang Hong, Cao Chenghui was still just a kid in this game.
That must be it—he's secretly showing off!
Fang Hong chuckled as he analyzed the situation. He wasn't surprised at all. Vanity was part of human nature.
For 99% of people, the moment they suddenly make a fortune, their first instinct is to let others know. Whether directly or indirectly, people love to flaunt their success. Some do it openly, while others disguise it subtly. But the underlying motivation remains the same—seeking validation and satisfaction from others.
It's unlikely he's showing off to people in his immediate circle…
Fang Hong checked his social reputation system's analysis.
"The numbers don't lie. At least 2,000 people have been influenced by him," he muttered.
That level of influence could only be achieved online. If Cao Chenghui had only bragged to his real-life friends, it wouldn't have reached more than a few dozen people at best.
So, he must be showing off on the internet!
Fang Hong's interest grew.
The more influential my "tool person" becomes, the more reputation points I gain. I should encourage him to show off even more!
However, there was one potential problem—Fang Hong had no idea where or how Cao Chenghui was flaunting his success. He didn't know which forum he was using, what his alias was, or what exactly he had said.
And in the world of finance, excessive exposure could be dangerous. If a trader became too well-known, they could easily be targeted by powerful financial entities. Poorly timed investments or lack of liquidity could lead to catastrophic losses.
Determined to find out more, Fang Hong decided to take action.
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An Internet Café
Fang Hong logged into a public computer, created a new QQ account, and sent a friend request to Cao Chenghui.
Five minutes later, the request was accepted. Cao Chenghui was online.
Now, Fang Hong just needed to extract the information he wanted—without raising suspicion.
If he bluntly asked about the forum, Cao Chenghui might become cautious and stop posting online altogether. And that was the last thing Fang Hong wanted.
No, I need him to keep showing off.
The bigger his influence, the more reputation points Fang Hong would earn.
With that in mind, Fang Hong carefully crafted his conversation, subtly leading Cao Chenghui to reveal the details without realizing it.
Within twenty minutes, he had his answer.
"So, he's been posting on Tianya Forum…"
Fang Hong immediately opened the forum and searched for trending posts.
Before he even had to search for Cao Chenghui's username, his eyes landed on a hot topic with an eye-catching title:
> "Ultra-Short Trading: Turning 100,000 into 1 Million in One Month—Holding Stocks for No More Than Two Days!"
Fang Hong burst into laughter.
"I didn't expect this kid to be so good at showing off!"
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[End of Chapter 17]
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