Chapter 40: Whispers in the Headmaster's Office

Late December 2008. A biting northerly wind whistled past the ancient eaves of the capital, and the air was thick with the scent of the changing year.

With only a few days remaining before the dawn of 2009, this year was by no means ordinary for Li Yifei, a student at Yanjing University. It was not merely a point in time, but a monument in his personal trajectory—a monument built at a speed and height unimaginable to ordinary people, glittering with the brilliance of wisdom and achievement.

Within the fertile academic soil of Yanyuan, Li Yifei’s name had long surpassed the category of "outstanding student" to become a legend. To describe his academic journey as "brilliant" would be an understatement. Fields that required years or even longer for others to master seemed to have been placed on fast-forward for him. In just over a year, he had acted like an insatiable glutton for knowledge, not only methodically completing the demanding curricula of his major and minor in economics, law, and medicine, but also, to the astonishment of his professors, "sweeping through" almost every advanced course he could access, both within and beyond the official programs. This was not superficial skimming, but true, profound mastery.

Professor Lu Guocai, a titan of economics known for his rigor, could not hide his satisfaction and a rare sense of ease whenever he spoke of Li Yifei. "This child, Yifei, has an unbelievably solid foundation in theory. He grasps model derivation and empirical analysis instantly, often offering unique insights. When I grade his assignments and papers, I often feel I am not grading, but learning." Professor Lu had confided that teaching such a student was a pleasure and a relief—he required almost no additional prodding to reach and surpass the preset academic goals.

Professor Xia Yeyu’s appreciation for Li Yifei carried the excitement of one who has "discovered a treasure." The intuition and practical skills Li Yifei displayed in the medical field caught the attention of this medical luminary, even though he was well-accustomed to geniuses. What pleased Professor Xia even more was that, after a major academic exchange, he had specifically introduced Li Yifei to the Dean of the Medical School. "Old Dean, look at this child! At such a young age, his analysis of clinical pathology and his understanding of cutting-edge biotechnology—that sharpness and depth! Given time, he will surely achieve greatness!" The pride in Professor Xia’s tone was unmistakable, and the Dean’s gaze, shifting from initial scrutiny to gravity and approval, confirmed Li Yifei’s extraordinary nature.

Professor Zong of the Law School would wave his hands whenever Li Yifei was mentioned, claiming he was "at a loss for words"—because all superlatives had already been exhausted. "His understanding of the university spirit and his insight into the essence of the rule of law far exceed what is expected of someone his age. To him, legal statutes are not cold text, but the pulse of social operation and the embodiment of humanistic spirit." Professor Zong had remarked in the faculty lounge more than once, "His insights into jurisprudence, constitutionalism, and international law, along with his rigorous logic and mature thinking, are already enough to engage in deep dialogue with senior scholars who have dedicated decades to their research." This reputation naturally reached Dean Chen of the Law School, securing Li Yifei a significant place in the minds of the school’s leadership.

Li Yifei’s brilliance was not limited to the ivory tower. The two papers he submitted to the state, as well as an invention in key information security technology, had saved the nation from untold losses. While these were classified, the weight of their value and impact was understood better than anyone by the President and the Party Secretary, the helmsmen of Yanjing University.

In a routine high-level school meeting, when the agenda turned to interdisciplinary talent cultivation and the development of outstanding students, Dean Yi of the School of Economics and Dean Chen of the Law School simultaneously and repeatedly mentioned the name "Li Yifei." They detailed his exceptional performance and astonishing potential across various disciplines. The President and the Secretary sat at the head of the table, listening with outward calm while their inner thoughts churned. They exchanged a look only they understood—one containing realization, gratification, and a heavy sense of responsibility. They knew better than anyone that they held more sensitive information regarding this student: personal inquiries from figures in the central core and the sustained attention of the 24-member supreme decision-making body of the nation. Had it not been for the strictest protective considerations for this young genius, his name and contributions might already have become known to the entire nation. This heavy "secrecy" was, in itself, the highest form of recognition and expectation.

As the meeting concluded and the crowd dispersed, Dean Yi and Dean Chen were politely intercepted by a staff member from the President’s office: "Deans Yi and Chen, please stay behind. The President and the Secretary would like a word in the office." The two deans were slightly surprised. The President and Secretary were heavyweight officials handling immense responsibilities; it was rare for them to summon both deans at once. With a hint of confusion, they followed the staff into the office that symbolized the highest authority of the university.

Inside, the President and Secretary were already seated. The Secretary gestured for them to sit, and the President went straight to the point: "Old Chen, Old Yi, I’ve kept you here to discuss the follow-up training and development of student Li Yifei. You two are his department leaders; you know his situation best. We are all aware of his contributions and potential. Right now, the Secretary and I are most concerned about his academic progress and ability assessment. Given his current level, we are considering whether it is possible to support him in applying for a combined master’s and doctoral program, or even completing all degrees in a shorter timeframe. This requires your professional judgment."

Dean Yi responded immediately, his tone resolute: "Please be assured! In the field of economics alone, Li Yifei’s theoretical literacy, research capability, and depth of analysis regarding complex economic phenomena have long exceeded the level of an average doctoral candidate. His talent... it is simply breathtaking." Dean Yi seemed to recall something, a look of wonder and disbelief crossing his face. "Speaking of which, there is something that has always left a deep impression on me. Some time ago, Yifei showed me some of his... stock trading records. After looking at them, I was truly stunned for a long while."

"Oh?" The Secretary became interested, leaning forward slightly. "Old Yi, don't keep us in suspense. Tell us. What kind of trading could surprise an old economic expert like you, who has seen all sorts of storms?" The President and Dean Chen also turned curious gazes toward him. Dean Yi took a deep breath, as if recalling that shocking scene: "Leaders, it is like this. Yifei told me he first encountered the stock market the year he graduated from junior high. His family background is very ordinary—a genuine farming family. His starting capital was a mere 5,000 yuan! That money was a reward from his school for taking first place in the city’s high school entrance examination."

The office fell deathly silent. The three listeners held their breath, sensing they were about to hear a story that defied common sense.

"Relying on that 5,000 yuan in capital," Dean Yi’s voice was low but every word was clear, carrying the solemnity of telling a legend, "in the three years that followed—from the time he graduated junior high until he graduated high school and entered university—through stock trading, he rolled that capital... like a snowball, into over 100 million!"

"What?!" Dean Chen was the first to gasp.

"Three years? Five thousand to over a hundred million?" The Secretary’s brows locked tightly, his face full of disbelief. The President remained silent, but the shock in his eyes was no less than the others; his fingers tightened on the armrest. This was like a fantasy! Three years, a return of nearly twenty thousand times? What kind of heaven-defying market insight, risk control, and psychological fortitude would this require? In the treacherous and ever-changing capital market, this was an almost impossible task.

Silence permeated the office, save for the faint sound of wind outside the window. After a long while, the President’s deep, serious voice broke the silence. He looked at Dean Yi and asked a crucial question: "Old Yi, do you know, as of now... how much capital does student Li Yifei have in his stock account?"

The question was like a giant boulder cast into a calm lake, stirring up massive ripples. The air in the office seemed to freeze again. Dean Yi, Dean Chen, the Secretary, and the President himself were all plunged into deeper thought and the aftershocks of shock. They looked at each other, their eyes filled with complex emotions: curiosity, disbelief, and even an instinctive awe for the unknown, massive figure.

Dean Yi pondered for a moment and cautiously suggested: "This... the specific real-time figure is probably only known to Yifei himself. Perhaps... we should invite him over and ask him in person?"

Although the suggestion was abrupt, it seemed to be the most direct way to solve the mystery. The President and the Secretary exchanged a look, seeing the decision in each other’s eyes. The Secretary nodded slightly: "Very well. Then please, Old Yi, contact student Li Yifei and ask him to come over now. Mind your tone; don't startle the child."

When Li Yifei received the call from Dean Yi, he was in the library looking up materials. He was surprised to be summoned by the Dean; when he heard it was to the President’s office, a sense of nervousness quietly crept into his heart. Although his mind was far beyond his peers, facing the two highest leaders of the school in such a private summons made him feel somewhat uneasy. He quickly organized his books and, with a mixture of confusion and caution, walked toward the solemn administrative building.

"Knock, knock, knock." Li Yifei gently tapped on the heavy wooden door of the President’s office.

"Come in," came the President’s steady voice from within.

Li Yifei pushed the door open and saw four heavyweight figures sitting on the sofa—the President, the Secretary, Dean Yi, and Dean Chen. He immediately bowed slightly and greeted them respectfully: "Hello, President! Hello, Secretary! Hello, Dean Yi! Hello, Dean Chen!" His voice had the clarity unique to a young man, but also a hint of imperceptible tension.

"Student Yifei is here. Please, sit down, don't be nervous." The Secretary smiled and pointed to the empty seat next to Dean Yi, his attitude kindly, attempting to ease his discomfort.

Li Yifei sat as instructed, his back straight, occupying only half the sofa in a respectful and upright posture. He could feel four gazes focused on him, filled with inquiry and anticipation.

The Secretary began, asking gently: "Student Yifei, we just heard Dean Yi talk about your extraordinary talent in economics, especially your outstanding performance in financial investment practice. We old folks are all very curious and would like to understand your current situation regarding stock market investment. Is it convenient for you to tell us about it?"

Li Yifei’s heart skipped a beat, and he instantly understood the reason for this summons. He secretly felt a mix of amusement and frustration: "These bigwigs, with so much to handle, why are they suddenly interested in my stock account?" But he showed nothing on his face, maintaining a humble and cautious attitude as he considered his response: "Thank you for your concern, leaders. This... I have indeed tried to make some investments in my spare time; you could say... I’ve had some small gains."

This reply of "small gains" left the four seasoned leaders both amused and somewhat helpless. Was this kid truly unaware that they knew everything, or was he intentionally keeping a low profile?

Dean Yi could not help himself. With the kindness of an elder and the directness of a teacher, he broke the facade: "Alright, you kid! Don't hide things from us. We know about the records you showed me before. Everyone here is a mentor or leader who cares about your development. Just be honest and tell us your true situation, especially the current scale of your capital. Let everyone see just how amazing the economic prodigy trained by our Yanjing University really is!"

At this point, Li Yifei knew that further modesty would appear hypocritical. He steadied himself, meeting the earnest and serious gazes of the four leaders, and replied clearly and truthfully: "Leaders and teachers, since Dean Yi has said so, I will report truthfully. As of today’s market close, the total market value of the stocks, funds, and other financial assets in my personal securities accounts—across A-shares, Hong Kong stocks, and some overseas markets—is approximately 35 billion." He paused slightly and added, "In addition, under my name, I have a villa in Haidian District, a courtyard house inside the Second Ring Road that is currently undergoing final renovations, and a BMW car for transportation, with a total value of about 2 million. Furthermore, I have about 30 million in liquid assets in bank demand deposits and short-term wealth management products."

"How much?!"

"Thirty... thirty-five billion?!"

"Hiss—"

As soon as Li Yifei’s voice fell, the temperature in the office seemed to drop by several degrees! The President, the Secretary, Dean Yi, and Dean Chen—four figures who were giants in their respective fields—all gasped in unison! The immense shock left them instantly speechless, their faces filled with extreme disbelief, as if they had just heard the most absurd myth in the world.

35 billion! Renminbi!

This was an astronomical figure in 2008 that would make anyone dizzy! One must remember that the per capita disposable income of urban residents in the country that year was only a little over ten thousand yuan. What did this wealth mean? It meant that the young man before them, at less than twenty years of age, already stood at the very pinnacle of the wealth pyramid! "Stock God"? That title seemed insufficient!

A deathly silence enveloped the office, and time seemed to have solidified. Only the ticking of the wall clock reminded them of the passage of reality.

The President was the first to recover a shred of reason from the massive impact. His voice was heavy and focused: "Student Yifei, are you... are you sure about this number? No calculation errors? Or... is there some other explanation?" His tone was not one of questioning his character, but rather, the fact itself was so beyond common sense that one instinctively needed to confirm it repeatedly.

Li Yifei understood the leaders' disbelief. He did not say much, instead taking out his laptop and logging into several different securities trading platforms and asset management backends with agile movements. He did not show the specific trade records, but directly brought up the overview pages of the total assets for several key accounts and turned the screen toward the four leaders.

"Leaders, please look. This is a summary of the real-time total asset valuation for the main accounts, with data provided by the trading systems and custodial banks," Li Yifei said calmly.

Four heads immediately leaned toward the screen. The long string of dazzling numbers displayed on the screen, followed by the unambiguous currency unit "CNY," acted like a powerful electric current, instantly shattering all remaining doubt. They saw the accumulated, heart-shaking astronomical figures across different markets and accounts. Although they had been mentally prepared, the visual and psychological impact of seeing it with their own eyes was far more shocking than hearing it!

"This..."

"Good heavens..."

"Incredible... truly incredible..."

The office was filled with irrepressible exclamations. The four leaders' gazes shifted repeatedly between the screen and Li Yifei’s young, calm face. Eventually, all the shock culminated in an iron-clad fact: the student before them not only possessed top-tier academic wisdom but also a near-magical, almost divine ability in economic practice! He was a walking financial miracle!

The Secretary slowly straightened up and took a deep look at Li Yifei. His gaze was filled with complex emotions: shock, appreciation, expectation, and a trace of caution regarding how to guide this immense energy. He broke the silence and asked a core question about the future: "Yifei, you... possessing such astonishing wealth and extraordinary ability, what are your specific plans and thoughts for the future?"

The question returned to life choices. Li Yifei’s expression became exceptionally earnest and solemn. He had pondered this question deeply.

"Leaders and teachers," his voice was clear and firm, carrying a composure beyond his years, "I have indeed thought about this many times. For me, in the year or more at Yanjing University, studying knowledge in various fields with a thirst for learning has laid a solid theoretical foundation; in life, I have also been fortunate enough to accumulate a certain amount of material wealth. However, I often wonder, if I possess this knowledge and wealth, and only use it to start a company for personal commercial success and greater profit, then have I... failed the state’s cultivation of me, and failed the spiritual heritage of our alma mater, Yanjing University—‘Patriotism, Progress, Democracy, Science’?"

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the four listening leaders as he continued: "Now, this wealth is far beyond the realm of 'enough' for me and my family; it could not be exhausted in several lifetimes. Material abundance should not be the end of life. I often reflect on the opportunities brought by the country’s rapid development, and I am grateful for the top-tier platform provided by the university and the careful cultivation of my teachers. Therefore, I feel I carry a responsibility—a responsibility to use what I have learned and can do to give back to the country and society, and to contribute my part to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the early realization of common prosperity for all people."

His voice was not loud, but every word rang with conviction as he stated his ambition: "Based on this reflection, my ideal and plan are: to take the civil service entrance exam for the central government, join the ranks of national civil servants, start from the grassroots, and devote myself to national governance and public service. I hope to use what I have learned to contribute my humble effort to the country."

As his voice fell, the office was plunged into silence once more. But this time, it was not a silence of shock, but one replaced by a profound sense of being moved and genuine approval. The President, the Secretary, Dean Yi, and Dean Chen looked at Li Yifei with indescribable gratification and admiration. In his words, they did not hear the arrogance of a youth who had achieved early success, but a profound patriotism and sense of mission that transcended personal gain. Having achieved such immense wealth, his choice to devote himself to the arduous and heavy responsibilities of public service was a rare and precious heart. His choice perfectly matched the nation’s expectations for its pillars of talent.

The leaders exchanged glances again, seeing the light of affirmation in each other’s eyes. The President nodded slowly, a rare, extremely satisfied smile appearing on his face: "Good! Well said! Student Yifei, your ambition and perspective make us feel deeply gratified and greatly encouraged!"

The Secretary immediately added, his tone solemn and full of expectation: "A high vision, with one’s heart set on the nation! This is exactly the kind of young talent we most hope to see! The path of a central government selectee is very suitable for you! With your knowledge, ability, and this sincere heart, you are fully qualified, and the university will certainly give its full support to your application and recommendation!"

The Secretary’s gaze was full of trust and encouragement: "You have two years left; you must continue to work steadily and study deeply in law, medicine, and other fields you are interested in, achieving mastery. The broader your knowledge and the deeper your foundation, the greater the role you can play in the future. We hope that in two years, we can personally witness another peak moment of your academic career at the defense of your doctoral dissertation!"

Li Yifei stood up and bowed deeply to the four mentors and leaders. His face was filled with the glow of firmness and confidence: "Please be assured, leaders and teachers! I solemnly promise here: in the time to come, I will work even harder, constantly consolidating, expanding, and deepening my knowledge, and I will never slacken for a moment! I will always remember the motto of ‘Patriotism, Progress, Democracy, Science,’ and I will go all out and struggle unceasingly for my dreams, to live up to the university’s cultivation, and to contribute my strength to the country’s development and the people’s well-being as soon as possible!"