I Returned to the Republican Era and Became the Richest Man

[I tried several different openings and still wasn't satisfied, so I'll set this aside for now. Let me improve my skills and come back to it later.]

The Jin family had been in business for a hundred years. Generation after generation had worked hard and lived frugally, until this generation produced Jin Tan, a man who lived entirely without restraint.

The young master never did a day's work and was used to spending money like water. He thought life would keep going smoothly just like that, but then, without warning, he transmigrated to the Republic of China era.

He opened his eyes to a bare, impoverished home. His younger brother was still a child, and his sister had to drop out of school because they couldn't afford her textbooks. The original owner was the only adult able to work in the family, but he had recently fallen gravely ill. The family had to use the money their mother earned from mending clothes to pay for his medicine.

Jin Tan: "..."

What kind of nightmarish start was this?

*

After drinking nothing but corn gruel for three whole days, Jin Tan took stock of his situation. He could eat anything, but he couldn't bear the misery of being broke.

To maintain his quality of life, Jin Tan took off his padded jacket, put on a suit, and got himself looking presentable. It was time to make some money.

= A Few Reading Notes =

1. The top is not a perfect character. In fact, he's a refined egoist.

2. The bottom appears fairly late. Both are each other's only partners.

3. This is a fictional Republic of China setting in a parallel world. Inspirations will be noted.

Theme: Money and profit matter, but they aren't the most important things.