The only thing I'm missing is the participation score, Han Lie mused. Since the participation score accounts for forty percent of the total grade, I'm guessing they've already deducted quite a bit by now. If they really give me full marks, isn't the scholarship as good as mine?! The money isn't important, but the honor is. My parents don't have grand aspirations in life; they just hoped I would study hard. However, my younger self was too reckless and squandered my decent grades, barely making it into a third-tier university, which deeply disappointed them. Now, starting anew, if I can bring home a scholarship at the end of the term and make a bit of a name for myself, it will probably console them somewhat. Being filial to one's parents is everyone's responsibility, right? So, the seemingly unimportant participation score is actually quite important.

But, sigh, I can't thank Liu Hong for this; I need to thank Little Pan instead. If it weren't for her pulling strings behind the scenes, how could Liu Hong have been so agreeable? Alright, after I get the scholarship, I definitely have to treat you to a bowl of spicy hot pot!

After saying goodbye to Liu Hong, Han Lie strode with a confident swagger toward the multimedia classroom.

By the time Han Lie arrived, he was already twenty minutes late.

As he knocked and entered, the projector was displaying the current market trends, with Teacher Wu fervently lecturing about something.

The moment he saw Han Lie, Teacher Wu put down his laser pointer and, with a beaming smile, clapped enthusiastically.

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

Spurred by Teacher Wu, a wave of enthusiastic applause erupted in the classroom, accompanied by shrill screams that could make one's scalp tingle.

"God Lie is awesome!"

Whoa! I really can't handle this kind of brown-nosing; I'm about to die of cringe…

Han Lie pleaded with Teacher Wu, "If you keep this up, I'm not coming next time, okay? After all, I've already secured my participation score..."

Teacher Wu waved with a smile. "Come here, come here, don't rush off. Share your thoughts with everyone!"

Han Lie shook his head with a wry smile. "Please, no. I really don't have anything to share this time. I've already said what needed to be said last time; the rest is all about execution. Just let me go back to my seat!"

"No way!" Teacher Wu was adamant. "You might not want to talk about your own strategies—they're too advanced for them to grasp anyway. How about this: come up and critique the other students' ideas."

Han Lie was startled. Good heavens! That's even worse than talking about my own stuff. At least that way, I don't offend anyone, right?

But before Han Lie could refuse, the students below began to clamor.

"Bro Lie, get on stage! Bro Lie, get on stage!"

Even students from the neighboring accounting class joined in the chanting. The accounting class had over forty girls. While none were at Xi Luting's level, there was a multitude of cute girls with delicate features. Hearing them call out "Bro Lie" in their soft voices was enough to leave anyone disoriented.

Han Lie had no choice but to smile bitterly and head to the podium.

"Alright, let's agree on this beforehand: just one stock. After I analyze it, you have to let me go."

"OOOOH!"

The young beauties let out a victorious cheer. They couldn't care less about stocks; it was enough for Han Lie to just stand there and be seen. A 79-point appearance score might not be top-tier handsome, but combined with his reputation and charisma, he was even more eye-catching than the conventionally handsome guys.

As for the finance class students… they were desperate for the chance to have their stock analyzed.

Teacher Wu's lectures were indeed interesting, full of diverse examples and witty humor. But in stock trading, talk is cheap; you need a proven track record to be convincing. And Han Lie was the genuine expert with real-world success who, in everyone's eyes, was leagues ahead of Teacher Wu.

"Bro Lie, Bro Lie, pick me, pick me!"

Except for Duan Xiaoyi and Lou Zhi, almost all the boys were shouting. The girls were relatively more reserved but also raised their hands.

Only two people kept their hands down—

One was Yu Yun. Her elbows were propped on the table, her hands cupping her cheeks, clearly infatuated. Han Lie, standing on the podium and adored by everyone, shone brilliantly in her eyes.

The other was Xi Luting. Arms crossed, she leaned back in her chair like a boss, her lips lightly pursed, her expression cool yet tinged with a hint of disdain. But her eyes sparkled, twinkling brighter than stars.

She might call him names, but in her heart, he's her idol. Those who know, know. She thought Han Lie didn't realize, so she took every opportunity to maintain her aloof facade. She could lose the bet, but she couldn't lose her pride.

Han Lie didn't stir up trouble and eventually picked Zheng Lei.

I happened to owe him a question, and now's the time to repay it.

Zheng Lei was ecstatic, babbling endlessly as he explained his reasons for choosing Huaxia North Rail. Among the most critical points was that on September 15, 2013, the Guangxi section of the South Guangdong High-speed Rail track-laying was completed. In November, the EMU trainsets underwent joint commissioning and testing, and it was expected to officially start operations in April of the next year.

Han Lie was somewhat surprised. As expected of someone from a family of officials; his acuity regarding macroeconomic policies is outstanding. In his previous life, Han Lie hadn't understood the core factors behind the dramatic rise of the North and South Rail stocks until mid-2015. Mergers were one aspect, but the underlying logic was the vast potential fueled by high-speed rail development. Otherwise, many other integrated state-owned enterprises existed—why didn't they experience a similar surge?

However, Zheng Lei's ideas were still too naive.

Han Lie thought carefully and chose his words. "We need to clarify a fundamental fact.

"At any given time, the market has its main themes—sometimes one, sometimes several. And the number, strength, and scope of these main themes fundamentally depend on capital.

"I think your reasoning for favoring the North and South Rail stocks is correct. But the issue is the current bear market. Is there enough capital to make two large-cap stocks the main theme? Clearly, there isn't. So, all this talk is baseless.

"The current market environment and investor confidence can only support small and medium-cap stocks becoming the main theme. Look at today's hot theme in aerospace and military: why are small and medium-cap stocks hitting the limit up and becoming leaders, while large-cap stocks can only follow the trend?

"So, your line of thinking isn't wrong; it's just that the timing is off. Being half a step ahead, we could make a fortune. Two steps ahead, and we're stuck for two years.

"Expanding on this topic, everyone can also consider whether aerospace and military could become a long-term main theme. If so, for how long? If not, what's the approximate potential ceiling?"

Han Lie had thoroughly explained the issue. Some of the sharper students had already reacted, shouting, "It can't!"

Before the bull market arrived, the ChiNext board would remain the core of speculation.

Han Lie smiled, didn't respond to any more questions, nodded to Teacher Wu, and then walked off the stage.

Fang Feifei and Yu Yun immediately waved him over.

Han Lie glanced at their positions and decisively chose to sit next to Fang Feifei.

—There was an empty seat between her and Xi Luting, clearly reserved for that scoundrel.

A man always knows how to choose between one and two, right?

"Brother Lie, you're amazing!" Fang Feifei leaned over, complimenting him quietly yet frankly.

Han Lie gave her a sidelong glance, feeling that Xi Luting was almost corrupting this girl. She obviously still fancied Han Lie, but sometimes she was incredibly conflicted. If Han Lie and Xi Luting were in conflict, she would definitely side with Xi Luting; her stance couldn't be firmer. But when the two weren't at odds, she would intensely flatter Han Lie—a classic case of still harboring ulterior motives and trying to play both sides.

What exactly is she after? I just don't get it.

Xi Luting, on the other hand, was straightforward—all pride.

Pride is good. I enjoy teasing the proud ones.

"How does it feel? Your first 'limit up' in life, isn't it exhilarating?" Han Lie asked with a smile.

Xi Luting was practically ecstatic. She had climbed to second in their class, third in the school, and 379th on the entire platform. Duan Xiaoyi and Chen Ping's stocks had both tanked, and now she was the undisputed top girl in the class. With a positive return of 13.5%, she was a mere 1.2% behind the platform's top ten. And as one of only two in the class whose stock hit the limit up, Sister Xi had already been showered with flattery.

But she focused on the projection, replying with particular calmness, "It's alright, I guess. I don't care much about that."

"It's just that the bet we made might not have a result now. You're advancing to the small real board, while I continue with the simulation. We're about to be on different tracks, so maybe we should just forget about it?"

Hey! Putting on an act like some kind of saint. So this was her plan?

Han Lie raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on his face.

"No need to rush. Advancing to the small real board isn't that difficult. Perhaps there'll be a surprise in store for you?"

Xi Luting's heart skipped a beat, her mind going blank.

Damn, could I actually advance to the small real board?! I only copied his pick once; is it really necessary to drag me in front of a national audience for a public shaming?!

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