Chapter 3: The Buffett of No. 1 High School

In the last half-year, Li Yan earned a reputation for being indifferent to girls.

Fortunately, the outcome was positive: he successfully got admitted to Sichuan University and unlocked the prestigious tycoon system!

His Alipay balance, following the system’s financial advice, steadily grew until it reached one million yuan.

Li Yan was thrilled. Even though he was wealthy in high school, he couldn’t fully enjoy it—there was no way around it.

He stayed in the dorm every day and rarely went out; having money meant little if he couldn’t spend it.

At most, while other students ate the standard version of jianbing guozi brought by the day students, Li Yan indulged in the super deluxe version with three extra eggs.

Now that the grueling high school days were over, the joyous university life was beckoning him.

Li Yan imagined the countless beautiful girls in the advertising major and pictured his own university life flowing smoothly like a dragon.

After breakfast, he obediently washed the dishes—there was no choice; if he didn’t, his mother would really get upset.

He had long suggested buying a dishwasher for the house, but his mother refused, leaving Li Yan helpless.

According to his mother, what’s the point of a dishwasher when they barely had a few meals at home each day?

His parents knew Li Yan had money; he had even shown them the one-million-yuan balance on his Alipay account.

Since the beginning of high school, his parents were aware he was managing investments but didn’t understand the details. They didn’t interfere, thinking it wasn’t a bad thing.

Who would have thought that after three years of high school, Li Yan would become the wealthiest person in the family?

His father’s attitude was clear: “You have your own plans for your money. We, as your parents, won’t intervene as long as you stay on the right path.”

Li Yan’s family lived comfortably. His parents were long-time employees of a local company with stable incomes.

They enjoyed gardening.

The variety of flowers on their balcony was the result of their joint efforts.

Growing up, aside from being a bit lazy, Li Yan never caused any trouble for his family.

Their only concern was that now their son could make money, so they felt a bit redundant.

Occasionally, his parents sighed, and Li Yan never quite knew if they were happy or worried.

Checking the time, Li Yan saw it was nearly 9:30 a.m., the appointed time. He dared not be late, or he’d be scorched by the sun.

He changed clothes, fully geared up.

Wearing a black sunshade hat, a pair of classic Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses perched on his nose.

On top, a minimalist Acne Studios Nordic-style T-shirt; below, wide-leg Loewe jeans; paired with Nike low-top sneakers with the signature swoosh reversed.

Most importantly, he wore sun-protective sleeves and sprayed sunscreen on his face.

Li Yan was grateful that sun protection was no longer considered exclusively feminine.

Male sun protection had become important too, no longer mocked as effeminate, mainly because science had proven its vital role in preventing sun damage and aging.

Carrying a new Louis Vuitton small cardholder on his back, with his phone in hand, Li Yan stepped out.

Honestly, this outfit made him unrivaled in this somewhat remote, fifth- or sixth-tier city in central Shandong.

Li Yan’s home was in Luzhong City, Shandong Province, a place famous for its barbecues.

His parents were overjoyed that he got into Sichuan University.

Thanks to that, Li Yan was free to spend his summer break however he wished.

For now, he had no other plans but to get his driver’s license as soon as possible and then quickly buy a car!

Without a car, how could he be considered a true tycoon?

...

Taking a Didi ride to the driving school, Li Yan was dressed head to toe.

Never underestimate the sun in this weather; it would mercilessly tan you without mercy.

Holding the latest iPhone 15 Pro Max, Li Yan never skimped on himself.

For food, clothing, drinks, and essentials, he always bought the best.

Setting aside the “tycoon” label, isn’t the point of making money to spend it?

The driving school was not far—about a ten-minute ride. Li Yan got off the car and headed straight for a small practice field adjacent to the school.

The driving school was large, the biggest in Luzhong City, but this adjacent field was quite small.

Nearby was a larger practice area filled with cars and a big group of student drivers waiting their turn.

“Here you are.”

“Here.”

“Get in and practice. You’re almost ready; just remember the key points for the exam.”

“Okay.”

The car was a brand-new Sonata, with the air conditioning running for over half an hour. Li Yan hurriedly opened the door and got in.

The sudden drop in temperature made him breathe a sigh of relief.

The instructor moved to sit under a nearby umbrella, lighting a cigarette.

Li Yan was an easy student—he paid well but learned quickly and grasped everything at once.

Coach Wang was relaxed too; one-on-one teaching made life easy. All he had to do was cover the exam essentials for Li Yan.

Li Yan casually drove around the field, the radio tuned to FM 91.8, air conditioning blowing, relaxing as if on holiday.

As for learning to drive, Li Yan—the self-proclaimed Buffett of his high school—would never cram three or five students into one car with one instructor.

He spent 4,800 yuan on the driving school’s one-on-one coaching, never cutting corners for himself.

As for those who fantasized about learning in the same car with a pretty girl, Li Yan could only say: deal with it.

“Yan! It’s so damn hot! I wish I’d signed up for one-on-one too! But my mom won’t allow it!”

Wang Zhen, Coach Wang’s relative, was Li Yan’s high school classmate.

After the second year specialization, Wang Zhen studied liberal arts while Li Yan was in the science track, so they were in different classes. But since they lived in the same neighborhood, they got along well.

They had signed up for driving lessons together, but Wang Zhen couldn’t bear to spend his saved money on one-on-one sessions, so he endured the long waits of practicing one round, then waiting an hour.

“Serves you right~” Li Yan sent a voice message back to his friend.

Wang Zhen was practicing in the adjacent field, while Li Yan enjoyed his air-conditioned car, listening to music and sipping the iced cola the instructor had just bought—pure comfort.

Li Yan was almost ready to drive well; it wasn’t difficult.

But to pass the test on the first try, he diligently practiced the small tricks the instructor taught.

Naturally, the third stage of the test was part of this.

Don’t think the driver’s license is easy to get. Even those with years of driving experience might not pass on their first attempt.

Li Yan’s one-on-one field had fewer students—only about seven or eight cars practicing.

Since the price was nearly double, fewer people in this small city chose one-on-one training.

While practicing, Li Yan kept an eye out for any pretty girls, but unfortunately, the practice fields were mostly filled with elderly men, which left him somewhat disappointed.

However, Wang Zhen’s field next door brought a small surprise.

“Yan! Come quick! There’s a beauty!”