To be honest, I went in expecting something light like Epiphanies of Rebirth. But what I got was the entire history of the US and Chinese financial and technological market of the 1990s. It kicked start with the Shanghai stock exchange, to the development of VCD, CD, DVD, Sony, Times Warner and mobile communication. Readers also got to read about Wall Street, Goldman Sacs, Silicone Valley, Sand Hill Road, Netscape and even Blizzard's World of Warcraft, lol. There's even mention of Gay Pride Parade!

Yes, this novel isn't limited to just China. The MC practically flew to the US every month for investment discussion. If you're into stocks and speculation, then this novel is definitely the one to check out. Hedge Funds, tiger funds, venture capitalism, etc. Most of the details went over my head. (Some got lost in the MTL)

The author handled the MC's interactions with foreigners fairly well, no overtone of racism. The only people who got dished were the Japanese (but that was mainly because the MC was fighting with Sony over the Hong Kong and Southeast Asian market, I think MC gave it up at the end?).

This novel is very slow paced. If you want the romance... hehe, wait like 100 chapters. I was super interested in reading about the market and MC's strategy initially, but the interest waned after like 80 chapters. I started skimming through his business talk and R&D with his partners. But then the romance kicked in and it was totally worth the wait.

They switched position, there's no designated gong or shou here.

The guy came from the a powerful family but he's not OP. When he first shows up, most people wouldn't even expect the pairing just cause he's a second generation master type who only likes to hang out with his friends and drinks. To be fair though, he's still in college. But after meeting MC, who's younger than him and more talented than him, his competitive spirit got sparked. He started becoming more responsible and made his own company. He didn't really manage to win against the MC, financially. But he's the type who would give his all even defeated.

His personality is the loyal dog type. If a person gets his trust, he's willing to risk all for that person. He was a straight guy before he met the MC. Poor guy, he had to learn how to be bent and do all the chasing cuase MC was never going to take initiative after getting burned by his old flame.

They managed to get two kids (twins) via IVF and surrogacy. They DNA test the kids lol to find out which one belonged to MC or ML. They got one each. If you want more details, read the book, haha.

His parents were low-income factory workers. Because of money problem, he dropped out of school at 15. To get his starting fund, he drove long-distant truck for like months and moved goods on the side. What turned his fortune was the 1990 Shanghai Stock Market.

By 2000s, he became one of the most famous investors. His company, Lapis Lazuli (at least that's what MTL call it) was famous in both China and the US.

The ML developed in real estate. He never managed to beat the MC, lol. But by then, he didn't really care. He just wanted to spend the rest of his life with the MC.

Business dealings are overly simplistic. The beginning was very convenient. The way he came to money was beyond suspending disbelief. Factoring in his non-existent background and the amount he made, out of nothing, makes it very unrealistic. Also, the fact that nobody asked questions when he invested, seems, well, questionable, more so when factoring in his age. Chinese people were extremely sceptical when it came to the Stock Exchange, more so those that had money to spare. The law of the Jungle reigned supreme. You could make it big, or lose everything. A majority of the rich (at that time) were old money. In the 1990s China could be considered poor, most of the China's populace lived in poverty, like real poverty.

Things/elements that I like in the story:

- the MC. I can't find the most suitable adjective for him, but all in all, he's a very mature and capable person. Experiencing failures from his past life left with more determined spirit and greater intellect as we observe from the story. I like the fact that he remains filial to his very flawed family, and his attitude towards the problems he encounters in the story. As for the likeability, imo, he really did ML wrong during 'that time' but I guess that stems from his character (being too responsible and overly analytic lol). So MC is overall a greal lad, flawed but he learns

- the economy aspect. Lol the author even admitted it. Although she indeed did some research about economic history and stuffs, every thing she wrote is mostly written for entertainment, and not to be overthink by readers. And she did the job well. I really enjoyed the economic element of the story, from Shanghai stock arc to the baht devaluation period. And the author wrote it in a manner that readers will find it enjoyable and fun.

- the ML is so adorable. So... if you're looking for a overly domineering CEO type with cold and indifferent attitude (but opens up only with his MC), no, just no hahahah. Out of all characters in the story, ML undergoes character development the most. He is not as intelligent as others or as capable, but he is very determined to the point of our hearthache. Ah his family is rich too, but I like the fact that he doesn't rely too much on them. So yeah MC is borderline sugar daddy and it is ML's responsibility to add sugar to the pain in our hearts.

government officials/connected people doing insider trading, manipulating bonds (to the point where really big financial losses are suffered nationally due to the fallout), the effect of fluctuating metal values on state-owned factories and their workers, corruption everywhere and conflicting personal interests of officials influencing business and the unfortunate necessity of having connections

the MC loses the HK market to Sony-Philips. Political upheaval and the issue of HK being funded by TW, which is in league with America and Japan, means that there are ramifications for the MC because of the troubles surrounding reunification. While the troubles that arise that the MC deals with himself are mostly relevant to business/investment, the corruption and undercurrents are clearly mentioned, so... like, I don't know what else you expect for him to be doing. He's a businessman/investor with a business focus.

The tumult in HK is also part of the reason why governance is lax enough for him to get caught in a gunfight out in the open, and he has to use his connections to get the criminals investigated smoothly because, unsurprisingly, they also have connections. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't call that "good and dandy".

they got kids later through surrogacy so it's pretty cute

A 30 years old man dies and is reborn as his own 15 years old self. His family is very poor, carries a huge debt, and will only get worse. His father is extremely rigid, fearful, exhausted from factory work, angry and violent with his delinquent son who brings home bad marks from school. That is his starting point in 1991.

There are two sources of conflict at the beginning. His dad rejects his very first attempt to earn money by selling homemade gloves and making one year worth of father's income, over a thousand dollars, in a flash. He beats him severely, prohibits speculation (free market activity, capitalist behavior) and locks him up. In his mind, shaped by the horrors of Cultural Revolution of 15 years ago, the only honest work is being a salaryman, a collective farm worker or a factory worker, a soldier, a government employee. The rest is criminal and dangerous.

And the boy is handsome, the boy is gay, which is also a terrible thing to be in the 1991-2010 China.

So, these are two main story lines in the plot.

A talented businessman and a financial genius grows from rags to riches while dealing with his poor family issues and limitations. This is different from the usual greedy relatives trope, they actually are afraid of him and for him, they are poor but not money driven. More like they are poor by their very cherished identity, uncomfortable with money. At the same time, they are OK with borrowing huge amounts of money to spend on things or services they clearly cannot afford, for example, to treat the grandma. With terrible consequences: the granny was beyond help and dies anyways and because they cannot return that money, their little niece does not receive treatment, she grows up as an invalid and the entire clan falls apart and much more. So, the reborn ML feels that money is the solution and pushes himself to the limit to make a lot and to give away a lot.

Its a bit different from general rebirth novels and I think its quite realistic and the same time a bit of fantasy feel, because the rebirth theme.

I really like MC reaction when he wake up again to the past after car accident. He feels confused, scared and anger. Trying to find which the dream and the reality. Its really unique start point and really logical. Its different from general MC in Rebirth story, that they always know that they got second chance.

Although I feel quite bored ? And skipping few chapters here and there, still I am enjoying this ride. This book full of economic event, especially investment event, stock market, etc.

If you want to read romance, I suggested to skip this one. The romance only like 10%-20% from the full story. MC and ML meeting only two times a year ? But, their interactions so sweet and ML vinegars always every where. They got two children, no big family drama and happy ending~