As the plane climbed and then stabilized, the flight attendant prompted passengers to unbuckle their seat belts. Zack followed suit, switching on the overhead light and pulling out a paperback book from his bag.
The book was titled "The Intelligent Investor," an investment classic penned by Benjamin Graham, an economist and investment thinker from the United States. Published nearly seventy years ago, it might be considered an old book by some standards, but its investment principles remain timeless.
Just like the wisdom of ancient Greek philosophers, one can always find gems of insight no matter when they read it.
Zack had discovered this during his first life simulation. Whenever he simulated life in a certain field, his understanding of that field's knowledge would grow rapidly, achieving twice the result with half the effort.
For instance, during his writer simulation, he utilized his free time to read numerous writing books, mastering much of the craft. Even after the simulation ended, he wasn't completely clueless about writing; in fact, he had a profound understanding of some aspects.
He wasn't sure if this was a bug fix provided by the simulator, fearing that one might become a completely different person after the simulation. The only thing required was to settle down and learn.
Zack loved this feeling. While it felt great to get something for nothing, it could become monotonous over time. The joy of acquiring knowledge through hard work and learning, feeling oneself grow stronger, was unparalleled and everlasting.
It was like harvesting fruit after labor, bringing immense satisfaction.
While Zack's heart was light, Susie felt quite the opposite. Her discomfort had nothing to do with Zack across the aisle but stemmed from the middle-aged man sitting next to her.
Dressed in a suit and tie, with his white shirt tucked into his pants revealing a slight beer belly, the man gave off the aura of a successful businessman accustomed to social engagements.
He was overly enthusiastic, or perhaps had ulterior motives, chatting incessantly with Susie since boarding the plane.
"Miss, you look so young. Are you heading to the capital for school?"
"Yeah."
Susie didn't want to engage, but her upbringing wouldn't allow her to ignore someone speaking directly to her. Simply put, she wasn't that thick-skinned.
Seeing Susie respond, the man perked up and continued enthusiastically, "…Are you traveling alone? No parents with you?"
"I'm fine by myself."
Susie casually replied, pulling out a paperback book to read. She thought the man would shut up once she started reading, but she underestimated some people's ability to chatter endlessly.
"Are you just graduating from high school and starting your first year of college?"
"Yes."
"Wow, such a pretty girl. Your parents must be very trusting, letting you go to college alone without escorting you."
The man pretended to be concerned.
"I'm not pretty."
Susie replied coldly.
The man ignored her coldness and kept chatting, "…Are you from Shanghai? What do your parents do?"
"They're civil servants."
Civil servants were a broad category, and Susie could answer this question.
"Civil servants are great, a steady job. Especially in Shanghai, are both your parents civil servants? That's really impressive."
"…Unlike me, even though I'm a boss, I have to fly around and entertain clients every day. I make a bit more money, but it's exhausting."
The man sighed, seemingly dissatisfied with his life but also boasting subtly.
Zack, reading across the aisle, noticed their conversation. Although the man's voice wasn't loud, the plane was quiet, and Zack could hear him clearly while multitasking.
Seeing the man trying to chat up Susie, Zack chuckled internally.
Uncle, you're using the wrong approach to chat her up.
Due to his diverse life experiences, despite being young, Zack could always discern different tones in people's words based on their age and occupation.
The man seemed to be casually chatting like he was doing a census, but his real intention was to subtly promote himself.
When others can't see your interesting soul and you lack a good-looking appearance to make a first impression, self-promotion is the natural approach.
To avoid appearing like you're showing off, one must use the art of language, explaining one's situation through seemingly ordinary conversation.
At least Zack understood that the man was a boss and very wealthy, whether it was true or not.
However, the man had chosen the wrong target.
Recently graduated high school students entering college still have innocent aspirations and aren't as eager for money as adult women who have entered society.
For girls of this age, a boy's appearance and talent are more attractive.
That's why it's easiest for men to find girlfriends in high school and college. Once you graduate, girls start caring about material things, and your chances diminish.
Of course, some girls lack fatherly love from a young age and appreciate the attention of mature men.
However, the man's biggest mistake was his self-presentation direction.
This girl could afford to travel by business class at such a young age. Even if her family wasn't wealthy, they certainly weren't short on money. Why would she be interested in whether you're wealthy?
The man's approach should be used on women who have been navigating society for a few years after graduation.
Zack commented internally while eavesdropping on their conversation.
Although the girl pretended to be mature, she was still somewhat naive.
Under the man's probing questions, she had already revealed many personal details, not overly important but still exposing much.
"Miss, which university are you attending?"
The man asked again.
This time, Susie was more alert and didn't mention her university's name, regardless of politeness.
But the man wouldn't let her off easily, saying naturally, "…My daughter is about your age and will take the college entrance exam soon."
"…Her studies give me a headache every day. I'm always thinking about which school she can get into."
Zack thought the man was quite skilled. Mentioning his child could relax others' guard, and his natural tone made it seem like he was chatting her up for his daughter's sake, easily lowering her defenses.
The man was an experienced actor, a seasoned salesman even if he wasn't really a boss.
Although he targeted the wrong person—if he wanted to sponsor a female college student, he should sponsor a poor one, not one who obviously had money.
Zack listened intently; he also wanted to know which school this pretty girl attended.
Indeed, under the man's warm tone about his daughter, Susie thought it wasn't a big deal to mention her school.
She said, "…I'm at Imperial Capital University of Finance and Economics."
Zack didn't know the man's reaction, but he straightened up instantly.
What a coincidence!!
She's a junior!
Immediately, Zack felt somewhat restless.
Who doesn't like pretty girls? Unless you're gay, you like good-looking girls.
The capital was so big with so many universities. The fact that they were on the same flight, sitting across the aisle from each other, and attending the same university—wasn't that fate?
Zack wasn't really interested in her; they hadn't even talked, and he didn't know her true personality, strengths, or weaknesses.
He was just like any other man, attracted to her looks.
Especially since this junior was the prettiest girl Zack had ever seen, and he loved her orchid-like elegance.
For a moment, Zack pondered whether to use the man's approach.
"Imperial Capital University of Finance and Economics? That's a Project 211 university with an entrance score of over 600. You must be really smart, Miss. If my daughter were half as good as you, I'd be thrilled."
The man flattered her before asking, "…Are you studying finance or management?"
Wow, he used psychological tactics smoothly.
Asking someone about their major might elicit no response, but giving them a binary choice can subconsciously prompt them to answer.
This was also a dating tip for girls.
Instead of asking, "What should we eat?"—girls might reject that.
Ask, "Should we eat barbecue or sushi?" Forcing them to choose increases the likelihood of a date, unknowingly falling into his trap.
If the girl doesn't want either, it's a perfect opportunity to chat about her preferences.
"Management!"
Susie was thoroughly annoyed; she began to feel extremely uneasy.
The man didn't continue probing; he saw her vigilance and knew he couldn't get anything more out of her.
Management is a broad field, belonging to a department with many specialties within it.
As the uncle pondered how to continue the chat, Zack suddenly spoke up, "...Are you from the Imperial Capital University of Finance and Economics? You're my junior, then."
"Hmm?"
Susie looked up in confusion as someone else addressed her.
Seeing Zack wink and smile at her across the aisle, Susie felt inexplicably happy rather than annoyed.
If this had happened in the VIP lounge, where Zack had just peered at her and then struck up a conversation, Susie would have been very displeased and wouldn't have left a good impression on him.
But at this moment, she was already fed up with the uncle's questions. Zack's interruption felt like a rescue from her predicament.
It could only be said that Zack was very adept at seizing opportunities, thanks to his experience in wooing women as a fashionista.
Immediately, Susie flashed a sweet smile, with two shallow dimples on her pale and delicate face.
Seeing Zack wink at her, she thought he was doing so to spare her from the uncle's harassment and didn't believe he was really from the Imperial Capital University of Finance and Economics.
She turned her body slightly, facing Zack with her pretty and delicate face, and leaving her back to the uncle.
Although the seats in the business class were close together in the middle two rows, there was still plenty of space between them, so she wasn't afraid that the uncle would really lean over.
If he did, Susie would have had a perfect excuse to scold him.
It was because the uncle was very clever and never made any physical contact, just chatting enthusiastically with her, that Susie felt somewhat embarrassed and couldn't bring herself to be silent.
Seeing the girl's expression, Zack guessed what she was thinking.
He directly took out a student ID card from his pocket and handed it over, "...Don't believe me? Here's my student ID card."
Susie instinctively took it. The cover of the ID card indeed bore the gilded words, 'TheImperial Capital University of Finance and Economics Student ID Card'.
She instinctively opened the student ID card, revealing several 'Registered' stamps inside, indicating Zack's registration marks from his previous years in college.
She glanced at the photo inside. It should have been taken when Zack was a freshman, looking very ordinary, just like many other college students, without any special grooming.
Susie quickly closed the student ID card, feeling it was inappropriate to pry into someone's privacy like that.
But she was still somewhat incredulous. The current Zack was completely different from the person in the photo. The senior standing before her was much more handsome than the one in the photo!
"You really are my senior!"
Susie handed back the student ID card, her voice filled with joy.
Encountering a senior who came to her rescue when she was being harassed made Susie feel even happier. Although her voice was still light and clear, it had a touch of liveliness.
"I'm from the Economics Department, majoring in Finance, Class One. I'll be an old graduate next year," Zack joked.
"I'm from the Management Department, majoring in Business Administration. I'm not sure which class yet," Susie said without much thought, feeling like she had found a family member upon learning about Zack's background.
Alright, got it, Business Administration.
As for which class, it was simple. Such a pretty girl would be easy to find out once she was in college.
"Not bad, junior. You have a bright future. Both Finance and Business Administration at our school are national key subjects," Zack said, bringing them closer by referring to their shared school. He seized the moment and asked, "...What's your name, junior?"
Susie hesitated for a moment before saying, "...Susie Wood."
Before Zack could respond, she added, "...Your name is Zack Weston. I saw it in your student ID just now."
"Susie Wood? That's a nice name," Zack said.
"Senior, your name is also very nice, very ancient-styled," Susie replied.
The two began to give each other compliments.
Susie's smile faded, returning to her usual calm demeanor.
Zack noticed that the girl looked good when she smiled, but she seemed to dislike smiling. It wasn't that she was really cold towards him; it was more like she had this attitude towards everyone.
Only the uncle beside them felt a bit dejected.
If he didn't know he didn't know Zack, he would suspect he was a plant.
He had made the little girl a bit annoyed and vigilant atfirst, and then Zack suddenly joined the conversation, and they started chatting smoothly with the pretty girl.
His victory had been snatched away!!
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。