Summary
Highlights
Jiang Cheng, feeling like he's been electrocuted, realizes he's been reborn into his past self in senior high school. He discovers he now possesses the ability to instantly memorize and process information like a computer, which he refers to as a 'plug-in'. This newfound power allows him to master academic subjects quickly, starting with language texts.
Jiang Cheng leverages his 'plug-in' to excel in math and science, borrowing notes from his kind-hearted classmate Yu Xinran. His sudden dedication to studying and improved academic performance astonishes his classmates and teachers. He reflects on his past life's regrets, particularly his family's financial struggles and his own ungrateful behavior. He vows to change their fortunes this time around.
Jiang Cheng's hard work pays off during the fourth model exam, where he scores an astonishing 597 points, placing him first in the entire school. This drastic improvement surprises everyone, including his parents, who initially doubt his dedication to studies. His success attracts the attention of the school, with teachers offering him special tutoring to ensure he gets into a top university like Huaqing.
News of Jiang Cheng's exceptional scores reaches top universities like Huaqing and Jingbei, who engage in a bidding war to recruit him. They offer attractive scholarships, tuition waivers, and even exchange programs to Stanford. Jiang Cheng, interested in computer science, chooses Huaqing, leveraging the competition to secure the best possible terms, including a 100,000 yuan prize from the county government for gaining admission to a prestigious university.
Jiang Cheng arranges for his parents to accompany him to Huaqing University, with the university covering their travel and accommodation expenses. He wants his parents to experience the prestige of his academic achievement. Upon arrival at Huaqing, his down-to-earth parents are impressed by the campus, and Jiang Cheng's chosen mentor, Professor Lu, assures them of their son's intellectual prowess and bright future.
Jiang Cheng, along with his dormitory roommates, embarks on his first entrepreneurial project: an upgraded version of the classic Minesweeper game called 'Minesweeper Cannonball'. His innate coding abilities, combined with his team's effort, lead to a remarkably polished game that garners attention from university faculty and a major game publisher, Penguin Games.
Despite initial skepticism from the publisher, Minesweeper Cannonball becomes an instant hit, generating over 1 million yuan in its first day. Jiang Cheng skillfully negotiates with Penguin Games, securing a favorable 70/30 split. This success provides the capital and confidence for Jiang Cheng and his team to pursue their next ambitious project, 'Open Core Fun', with the goal of building a robust business empire.
Jiang Cheng and his team continue to develop their games, earning them recognition as a burgeoning entrepreneurial force at Huaqing. He also engages in advanced research with Professor Yang Mingde, a distinguished academic in pattern recognition and machine learning, demonstrating his exceptional talent and contributing to a published paper. This further solidifies his reputation as a brilliant and versatile individual.
With the earnings from his games, Jiang Cheng surprises his parents by purchasing a new, fully paid home for them in Jade Pavilion, one of Guanglin's most prestigious areas. He then formalizes his company, hiring Yu Xinran, his former classmate, as his special assistant or vice president to manage daily operations and build the company's framework, allowing him to focus on broader strategic ideas.
Jiang Cheng outlines his vision for the company, focusing on innovative game development and then expanding into more advanced technological fields, driven by a desire to contribute to the Dragon Kingdom's technological progress. He delegates responsibilities to his team, including his roommates who become original shareholders, and prepares for the next phase of his career, signifying a complete transformation from his past self.
As the Chinese New Year approaches, Jiang Cheng plans to return home with his team. Yu Xinran accompanies him, and they reflect on their journey. Jiang Cheng’s success has not only brought financial prosperity but also personal growth, forging strong bonds with his team and inspiring his family. He looks forward to discussing new projects and further expanding his ventures in the coming year.