Chapter 71: Reborn 1987 Chapter 71: Named Courage

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Protagonist:

Jiang Wenyu

Who could have imagined that Mu Pu, the great tycoon in Jianghai City comparable to Jiang Wenyu in the 21st century, would be in such a state in 1988.

Others couldn't imagine it, and Jiang Wenyu hadn't thought of it either.

In his interactions with the former Mu Pu, Jiang Wenyu only knew his past life had been hard, but he didn't know it was actually this miserable.

A beggar — how did he walk onto the road to becoming a tycoon?

Jiang Wenyu didn't know, and he didn't want to just go with the flow of the times and not care; this sole friend of his future, he absolutely had to give him a hand up!

Mu Pu, only 20 years old in 1988, was much younger than Jiang Wenyu. At age 10, Mu Pu followed his birth father abroad to live, adapted to the foreign living environment, and was influenced by excellent foreign knowledge. Gradually, the teenage Mu Pu developed his own thoughts and ambitions in his heart.

It was an autumn; he was 15 that year, attending the most outstanding institution of higher learning. But on that day, a chance opportunity led Mu Pu to Chinatown for the first time, where he heard the overseas Chinese in Chinatown speak of the motherland.

He began to yearn, yearn to return to his former homeland, so he studied even harder at the institution, and at 16 he tested into the best foreign engineering and construction academy with the most outstanding grades. From then on, he single-mindedly wanted to return to this land and shine brilliantly upon this earth.

At age 20, he got his wish, returning to this country carrying talent and knowledge far surpassing others'.

But just as he prepared to unfold his ambitions and realize his ideals, "reality" tripped him up first.

His father had returned to the country half a year earlier and started a business company, but before two months of operation were up, the local police investigated and found him suspected of multiple crimes, including some enough to put his father in prison for life.

After repeated verification, the evidence was conclusive; his father remains locked up in prison to this day.

And this matter kept spreading; when Mu Pu returned to the country, he learned this news at the first moment, but by then he had already been labeled a "criminal's son."

From then on, he met setbacks in everything. Refusing to believe it, he relied on his own knowledge and insights to keep striving, but in less than half a year — he collapsed.

Groundless abuse and cold-heartedness from others made this mere 20-year-old youth lose his last shred of confidence; his ambitions and ideals were constantly squeezed amid mockery and ridicule, finally sinking into his despairing heart.

He fell into depravity from then on.

With no other relatives, Mu Pu wandered the streets of Jianghai City; after his last money ran out, he came here and became a member of society's lowest stratum.

…

Snowflakes suddenly drifted in the bright night sky; small snowflakes fell through gaps in the roof, landing on Jiang Wenyu's head and making his body shudder. He took a deep breath, came back to his senses, gazed at the young man before him, and said softly: "Are you willing to just sink into depravity like this? Drinking all day, muddling through a whole life in a daze?"

That foolishly grinning young man raised his head again, staring at him with an incredulous gaze, the corner of his mouth splitting open — not at all like a knowledgeable, cultured person — and said: "You… who are you? I don't know you."

Jiang Wenyu remained composed, his face showing much more determination, and said: "But I know you. You're Mu Pu. You studied abroad for many years. Your father was sentenced heavily. You're wandering here alone."

Only then did the filthy young man gradually reveal an expression of disbelief, but then he burst into a slightly manic laugh.

"You… you're the same as them, also here specially to mock me? Hahahaha!"

Beneath the dilapidated roof, the two just gazed at each other like this, one silent, one unconcerned.

"Where are your ambitions?"

Jiang Wenyu's voice was full of emotion, heavy yet powerful.

"…" His foolish grin instantly froze; he widened his eyes looking at the man before him, a puzzled look as if curious who this person really was, and asked: "What do you want to say… who exactly are you?"

Jiang Wenyu took a deep breath and said as always: "You don't know me, but I know you. I even understand you. I know the unwillingness deep in your heart, just like the me of the past who was addicted to alcohol. You and I have common ground, and also that belief that we must take a big step toward success."

"…"

Jiang Wenyu raised his head, looked at him seriously, and said: "A person's ideals won't be shattered by reality, especially in this era where gold lies everywhere."

"…"

Mu Pu suddenly gritted his teeth, smashed the wine bottle to the side, and roared: "Who are you? You don't understand anything at all! Scram, get lost!"

Jiang Wenyu wasn't frightened by his roar; on the contrary, he remained just as calm, didn't move, and still said composedly: "Caring so much about others' gazes — what did you come back to the country for in the first place?"

"Get the hell out!"

He suddenly picked up the wine bottle beside him and hurled it at Jiang Wenyu; fortunately, the bottle grazed past his face and smashed into the wall behind, shattering into pieces.

Mu Pu panted heavily nonstop, glaring at the strange man before him with anger mixed with inexplicable emotion.

"Scram… get the hell out…"

"…"

A sudden silence fell between the two for a moment, but then Jiang Wenyu abruptly grabbed Mu Pu and hauled him up from the ground!

"You… what are you doing? Let go of me!"

He struggled with all his might; where was there any trace of drunkenness now.