Reborn in 1983: From Ticket Scalper to Billionaire

Zhou Ye was framed and fired by the workshop supervisor, with only 12 yuan left in his pocket. Hidden in a pile of scrap copper slated for disposal was a piece of imported fine wire worth 3,000 yuan, enough to save up over eight years on an ordinary worker’s salary. He used the money to stockpile eggs for three days, collect grain coupons for seven, and, half a month later, set up a “Goods Exchange Station” across from the county supply and marketing cooperative. By the time the neighbors realized what was happening, the poor man who’d been fired had already become the county’s first ten-thousand-yuan household.

Su Wanqing, the female accountant at the county supply and marketing cooperative, spent three days and three nights poring over his account books and found that every entry added up. She set her abacus down on the table. “Zhou Ye, not a single cent of the money you’ve made can stand the light of day.”

He lit a cigarette and pushed the new ledger toward her. “Money that can’t stand the light of day is exactly the money that needs some light. Accountant Su, dare to come manage my books?”