Chapter 4 | First Investment Trial (The Seed of Assets)

By the end of his second semester of freshman year, Lin Mo's account balance was 270,000 yuan.For a 19-year-old college student, this was far beyond what his peers could achieve.But he didn't become arrogant.Instead, he became even more composed.Because he understood—Money earned through physical labor and information asymmetry could be easily replaced.What's truly safe is assets.First principle: Don't touch what you don't understand.During that time, many people around him started trading cryptocurrencies and using high leverage.Some doubled their money overnight, while others were wiped out.His roommate advised him, "With your calculation skills, you would have been rich in the crypto world long ago."Lin Mo just shook his head."I don't understand it."He set his first rule for himself:If you don't understand it, don't touch it.If you're uncertain, don't invest heavily.Don't borrow money to invest.He began to study systematically.MacroeconomicsIndustry cyclesCorporate financial statementsCash flow structureHe would get up at six every morning and study for an hour.He would review his trades in the evening. Su Qing laughed at him, "You're more serious about this than preparing for the college entrance exam."Lin Mo said, "Money is more real than grades."II. The First InvestmentHe didn't buy stocks directly.Instead, he did something more practical—He researched the industries surrounding Nancheng.He discovered a phenomenon:Nancheng had a huge number of university students, leading to an explosive growth in demand for food delivery.However, there was a local light food restaurant with a great reputation, but lacked the funds to expand.He ate at the restaurant three times.He observed the food preparation efficiency, table turnover rate, and cost structure.He talked to the owner.The owner was a man in his thirties, a chef by training.He couldn't do accounting.Lin Mo went back and created a model:Average Daily OrdersGross Profit MarginRent RatioRaw Material LossThe conclusion was clear—If the kitchen area were expanded and online promotion increased, profits could double.The problem was, the owner didn't have the money.Lin Mo said:"I'll invest 100,000 yuan for a 20% stake."The owner was shocked. "You're just a college student, right?""The money is clean, the contract is legitimate."He wasn't acting impulsively.One hundred thousand yuan, half of his cash.But this was a controllable risk.The physical store had real cash flow.Three months later, the store expansion was successful.Daily orders increased from 200 to 500.He received a monthly dividend of over four thousand yuan.Not much.But stable.For the first time, he experienced—the feeling of money making money on its own.III. The First Qualitative Change in the FamilyHe returned home for summer vacation.His father was still driving his truck.His mother was still getting up early to sell vegetables.Looking at their backs, he suddenly felt a strong impulse.He took out a bank card."Dad, there's two hundred thousand yuan in here."His father was stunned."Where did it come from?""Earned from a project."His mother's hand trembled."Don't do anything reckless."Lin Mo said calmly:"It's clean."His father remained silent for a long time. Finally, he said:"Save it for now."But two months later, Father sold the old truck.He bought a newer one.The loan burden was halved.Mother no longer had to get up at four every morning.Little Sister Xiaoyu started learning piano.For the first time, the family had some extra money.That evening, Xiaoyu sat at her new desk and asked:"Brother, are we richer now?"Lin Mo smiled."No, we're just a little more stable."IV. The Real-World Test of RelationshipsThe second year of university began.Su Qing had excellent grades and was preparing for graduate school.She became busy.One day, she suddenly asked:"If I get accepted to graduate school in the north, what will you do?"Lin Mo was silent.He had never thought about separating.But he knew he couldn't be selfish.“Go.”“What about us?”He looked at her:“I won’t stop you. But I will become stronger.”Su Qing smiled, looking down.“You always say such calm things.”He wasn’t cold.He just knew—Feelings couldn’t be a burden.They had to be side-by-side.V. The Second PhaseSecond semester of sophomore year.His total assets exceeded 400,000.He took an even more important step—Establishing a sole proprietorship.Registering a “Campus Consulting Studio.”All income was channeled legally.He understood:Before scaling up, be legal first.He upgraded his study materials business to an online course platform.Building a website.Integrating payment interfaces.No longer just selling notes.But selling “pathways.”End of sophomore year.Total assets approached 600,000.The 100,000 at nineteen was just the beginning.Now, he possesses:Stable cash flowPhysical equityOnline systemHe stands on his dormitory balcony, looking at the city lights.Making a fortune quietly isn't about speed.It's about stability.It's about taking it one step at a time, stepping on the risks.—