Chapter 30: Another Job Comes Along

Shenzhen, China.

The China Merchants Securities branch on Hongling Middle Road.

Chen Sanrong, still sporting his signature dull, lackluster appearance—wearing a red plaid short-sleeved shirt and carrying a light gray backpack—stepped out of the branch office while holding his latest Nokia N97.

"Are you really going to keep waiting, Brother Liao?"

"There was hot money exiting at the tail end of trading today. If we keep waiting, there's a high chance other speculators will smash the price down to the limit."

Chen spoke as he walked, ignoring the passersby.

The person on the other end of the line was none other than the leader of the speculative group manipulating Changan Automobile: "Shadowless Kick of Chancheng."

Shadowless Kick of Chancheng, whose real name was Liao Guopei, was born in Chancheng in November 1975 and graduated from Guangdong University of Technology in 1998.

After graduation, he didn't pursue a government position or enter the business world like his classmates. Instead, he took 50,000 yuan from his family, combined it with the 50,000 yuan he had earned from stock trading during his college years, and dedicated himself to full-time trading at home with a total capital of 100,000 yuan.

His trading style was known for being fast, accurate, and ruthless. He excelled at capturing market hotspots and thematic stocks, focusing primarily on ultra-short-term trades. He frequently entered the market when stocks showed strong upward momentum, particularly with first-limit stocks, "reverse-package" limit stocks, and newly listed stocks that had just opened their trading limits.

As his capital grew, Liao changed his approach, shifting toward manipulating small-cap stocks himself, with a single successful trade yielding millions, or even tens of millions!

Facing Chen Sanrong’s inquiry, Liao Guopei’s expression hardened. He said in a deep voice, "As long as Changan Automobile doesn't announce a follow-on offering, we have nothing to fear. I’ve already contacted a few new speculative groups; they are very interested in Changan Automobile. Perhaps we can keep driving the price up."

"I can't do it."

Chen Sanrong stood his ground, stating bluntly, "I’ve already made a net profit of 3 million on this trade. I need to take my profit now. I’m selling everything tomorrow."

"Don't be like that, brother. Think bigger. Are you really getting altitude sickness from just 3 million?" Liao Guopei sounded disappointed, as if he expected more from him.

They had been lying in wait for Changan Automobile for over half a month, had done so much groundwork, and spent millions on paid promotional articles. Now, for Chen Sanrong to quit after making only 3 million felt like a waste of an opportunity to Liao.

However, Chen Sanrong had his own reasoning. "Changan Automobile is desperate for cash. We’ve already pulled it through three limit-up cycles; the valuation is extremely high. I really can't be sure they won't choose to issue more stock at this high price. Besides, there’s already a divergence in the capital flow, and the limit-up won't hold."

Before Liao could respond, Chen added, "I’ve told you in advance, so I’m not breaking any rules. I’m selling as soon as the market opens tomorrow."

He didn't have Liao Guopei’s grand ambition, nor did he have his family background. Knowing when to quit while he was ahead was his personal style.

Seeing that the decision was final, Liao Guopei didn't say anything more and hung up the phone, clearly irritated.

He had originally intended to drive the price up for two more cycles, but now that "Jumper" Chen Sanrong was pulling out, he had to consider liquidating a portion of his own holdings as well.

...

As night fell, a light drizzle began to drift over Shanghai, accompanied by the occasional roll of thunder.

Some girls out on dates took the opportunity to nestle into their boyfriends' arms, letting the intimacy between them warm up quickly.

Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.

Outside the campus commercial pedestrian street.

Surrounded by Fudan University, Tongji University, and the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, this street was a prime dating spot for many students.

At this moment, at the entrance of "Leisure Cafe," Zhang Yang quickly folded his umbrella, placed it in the storage rack outside, and pushed open the glass door.

Stepping into the cafe, he was greeted by the sight of couples whispering sweet nothings to each other.

He hadn't come here for the coffee, but because Xu Zhirou had suddenly messaged him to discuss the "hired gun" matter regarding the competition.

Although he didn't know how she had found out, with 65,000 yuan on the line, Zhang Yang had no choice but to go alone.

"He's here."

Sitting by the corner window, Xu Zhirou—her long, straight black hair draped casually over her shoulders, her Japanese-style custom JK uniform highlighting her youthful aura—spoke up.

Xu Zhiruo glanced over, and the moment she spotted Zhang Yang, she raised her arm and waved.

Watching that waving arm, Zhang Yang realized both Xu sisters were there. He frowned instantly and walked over quickly.

"What do you want to discuss with me?"

He got straight to the point.

"Talk to her. I'm just the messenger," Xu Zhirou said, looking toward the window, signaling that she wasn't going to get involved in their business.

"Sit, sit."

Xu Zhiruo gave a dazed smile. While gesturing for him to sit, she asked, "What kind of coffee do you want? By the way, the tiramisu here is delicious. Do you want to try it, Zhang Yang?"

*Sycophant.* Seeing how nervous and flustered Xu Zhiruo was, Xu Zhirou couldn't help but feel a sense of disdain.

Zhang Yang sat down next to Xu Zhiruo and shook his head, continuing to stick to the point. "I won't eat anything. I still have market research reports to finish. If you have something to say, just say it."

"Alright, alright."

Xu Zhiruo pouted slightly and revealed the purpose of her invitation. "I was wondering if you could manage my portfolio too, just like you did for Lai Weijie. I want to intern at Huaxin Securities."

"Sure."

As Zhang Yang answered without hesitation, he added, "But the prerequisite is that you have to tell me how you found out I was acting as Lai Weijie's hired gun."

"Well, that person told me. She overheard you talking to Lai Weijie in the library. Don't let her shiny, glamorous exterior fool you; in private, she actually..."

"Ahem!"

Xu Zhiruo was interrupted halfway by Xu Zhirou’s cough.

She could guarantee that if they weren't in a public place, the two of them would be having a fight to the death.

"I heard it by chance in the library," Xu Zhirou didn't deny it, but she changed "eavesdropping" to "hearing by chance."

She truly hadn't expected to hear such gossip during a group seminar that day. Since Zhang Yang and Xu Zhiruo were acquaintances, she had casually shared the gossip with the latter.

But Xu Zhirou hadn't expected to be betrayed so easily!

Once these words were out, Zhang Yang felt a bit bewildered. It was one thing for He Jing to eavesdrop, but why was Xu Zhirou eavesdropping too?

Do beautiful women love to eavesdrop?

Is it a habit?

After a brief moment of surprise, Zhang Yang relaxed. It seemed neither of them had malicious intent, so he asked, "How much are you offering?"

"With the deadline on the 22nd, there are only ten trading days left. The difficulty is unusually high," he added.

"Is... 50,000 okay?"

Xu Zhiruo wasn't quite sure how to price it.

If Zhang Yang remembered correctly, Xu Zhiruo’s simulated portfolio return rate was 23%, ranking her in the top twenty professionals. With 50,000 yuan, he could definitely try to work some magic.

Seeing Zhang Yang hesitate, Xu Zhiruo thought she had offered too little and revised her offer. "100,000. My little piggy bank really doesn't have any more money. Zhang Yang, you wouldn't want to see me go hungry, would you?"

"Don't believe her. She still has 20,000 in secret savings," Xu Zhirou suddenly exposed her.

"You... why are you doing this!" Xu Zhiruo’s tone was panicked, her eyes darting around. It was clear that the secret savings Xu Zhirou mentioned were real.

"You said we should be honest."

"I also said we should be flexible!"

"I forgot."

"You are so mean!"

Listening to the bickering of the Xu sisters, Zhang Yang couldn't help but marvel at the wealth in Hangzhou. At barely twenty years old, never mind driving a Maserati, they could pull out over a hundred thousand yuan at the drop of a hat.

One had to realize this was over 100,000 yuan in 2009. If this money were invested in real estate, doubling or even tripling it would have been easy, though the time cycle would be a bit long.

"Hangzhou rich girls, they are truly rich," Zhang Yang mused to himself.