Chapter 111: Zhang Long: Stirring Up Layer upon Layer of Waves

The theory of six degrees of separation. No stranger in the world is more than six people away from you; in other words, you can meet any stranger through at most five intermediaries and eventually know the whole world. And this is in the capital’s second-generation social circle, where the upper the class, the smaller the circle becomes.

...

“Do you two know each other?”

In the quiet private room, Du Hong looked stunned.

Hearing that, Zhang Long snapped back to reality and was just about to nod and speak when a woman cut in first. “Sort of. My old stock-trading account was coached by this guy. He didn’t even make a few trades before getting stuck with losses and dumping me there. Total amateur.”

Hmm. Zhang Long was drenched in silent exasperation.

Her mouth was still as vicious as ever. Put nicely, it was straightforward; put bluntly, she was just a fool.

Still, since she wasn’t exposing the fact that their current arrangement was a private commission, that was probably for the best. It saved everyone a lot of unnecessary explanation.

“That’s not really his fault,” Du Hong said with a soft laugh, defending him. “In a bear market, how many people can actually make money trading stocks? Even with access to certain channels, it’s not guaranteed.”

“I told you to do spot trading with me back then and you wouldn’t come. Regret it now? The stock market won’t turn bullish anytime soon.”

“Tch, showing off.”

Qian Caiying and Du Hong seemed to have a sharp-edged rapport, one always going for the other’s throat. She curled her lip and said, “I can’t be bothered with you.”

Lin Yuan clearly knew Qian Caiying as well. After greeting her with “Sister Ying,” he pulled Zhang Long to a seat at the side. Zhang Long could only shake his head inwardly. This second-generation circle really was tiny.

Whether Du Hong or Qian Caiying, it was obvious they held the highest status in the room at the moment, both big-sister types.

Though Qian Caiying’s was even bigger.

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

No sooner had Zhang Long sat down than Qian Caiying turned and shot him a hostile look. “With your skills, you can’t even handle a demo account. Don’t go making trouble.”

Her words seemed loaded with another meaning. Zhang Long caught on and smoothly changed the subject. “I came with Brother Lin.”

“All right, Yingzi…”

Seeing Qian Caiying so clearly targeting Zhang Long, Du Hong could not help but try again to mediate. Let it go. Since he was a guest, there was no need to keep glaring.

...

What followed was a casual round of chatter among these handsome and beautiful second-generation heirs. Some of it Zhang Long understood; some of it left him cold. Lin Yuan occasionally jumped in too, and the atmosphere in the room was decent overall. He also learned that today’s gathering had been arranged to host Qian Caiying.

Du Hong wanted to set up a side channel company for Rongjin and hoped to bring Qian Caiying on board, but unfortunately, Qian Caiying had no interest in getting involved in spot trading.

Zhang Long did not say much. He quietly sipped some sake and water to pass the time. More importantly, the purpose of coming here today had essentially been fulfilled: Du Hong had already mentioned to Qian Caiying the plan for a spot-trading exchange meeting at the start of February, before the official Lunar New Year.

Meanwhile, in the New Year month, all the major exchanges and their spot platforms were rushing to wrap up year-end performance.

The second-generation world was small.

...

“Stay out of this from now on.”

At an opportune moment, Qian Caiying moved over beside Zhang Long and lowered her voice. “I don’t care how you met Lin Yuan, but keep your distance from Du Hong.”

“Don’t ask why. Just stay a little away from Lin Yuan, and definitely don’t get close to Du Hong.”

“Uh, are you jealous?”

Zhang Long rolled his eyes and teased her on purpose. Qian Caiying knew he was joking, but she still glared at him, her beautiful eyes flashing with irritation.

“Du Hong likes young pretty boys, especially men like you—calm, restrained, and hard to get. Turning you into something worthwhile would be even more satisfying for her. Believe it or not, that’s up to you.”

“Mm, but you’re overthinking it.”

Zhang Long gave a slight shrug and said softly, “I took driving lessons with Lin Yuan in the same class. We’re not that close.”

“Du Hong knows I used to work in finance and wants me to bring a team over and help her with performance. Of course, you know that’s impossible, so don’t worry.”

“But the way you’re badmouthing Du Hong behind her back… hmm, seems like there’s something going on between you two?”

At that, Qian Caiying let out a faint scoff but offered no explanation, only letting contempt show in her eyes.

Clearly, there was a story between them.

...

“Wait, take this.”

The gathering eventually came to an end. Zhang Long did not care what the next round would be, but just as he was about to take his leave, Lin Yuan pulled out a box and clicked his tongue. “A gift from Sister Hong. It’s not expensive, so just take it.”

“Brother, don’t refuse, all right?”

Zhang Long froze, then broke into a sweat. He was definitely going to refuse. He waved his hand; he did not want benefits without merit.

Du Hong and Qian Caiying had apparently gone off somewhere. In any case, if he did not accept it, he would just leave quickly.

The box should have contained a watch.

Judging from the brand and packaging, it probably cost at least a hundred thousand yuan. For ordinary people that might be a lot, but to Du Hong it was probably like ten yuan. It really was not much.

And not just for Du Hong— even Zhang Long, at his current level, would not consider spending a hundred thousand on a watch extravagant.

“You’re making this difficult for me.”

Lin Yuan wore a pained expression. The reason Du Hong had asked him to hand over the gift was precisely because she did not want Zhang Long to refuse, but coercing others had always been Lin Yuan’s weak point. The key issue was that Zhang Long was not a gold digger trying to curry favor, so the matter had gone in circles.

Still, if Zhang Long really were the type to chase wealth and flatter others, Du Hong probably would not have been interested in him either. A domineering female CEO was still a CEO; she liked that sort of thing.

“If it’s difficult, then there’s nothing I can do.”

Zhang Long shrugged and clicked his tongue. “Since it reached you, just send it back however you like. I’ll mourn for you.”

“By the way, Brother Lin, why do you always drag me to this kind of excitement? I don’t even like it.”

“Tch, are you really sure?”

Lin Yuan put the box away and shot back with a disdainful look. “I used to be as lofty as you, but later I learned the truth: damn, it’s just too satisfying. Life is only a few decades long, so don’t live it all twisted up. That’s no fun.”

“When you realize that no amount of effort can satisfy certain people, you’ll understand.”

There it was again—another man with a story.

...

“Phew, not bad.”

Monday dawned after a silent night. Zhang Long opened the spot-trading screen and felt instantly cheerful. He had forced himself all weekend not to check whether the final order from Friday night had made money, and now that he finally saw the result, he could not help smiling. A rebound profit of twenty-three points was not a huge sum, but it was still money.

A little movement and it was out.

“Amitabha, my apologies.”

Even so, no matter how much he had earned, Zhang Long still clicked the withdrawal buttons on his Huiyin, Dingxin, and Runte platform accounts. Soon afterward, the funds arrived one after another.

All else aside, spot trading deposits and withdrawals were almost instant as long as there was money in the pool.

That was pretty good, actually. It counted as decent and professional, whether to project legitimacy or for whatever other reason. In any case, it benefited Zhang Long.

If he wanted to withdraw, he could send the money out directly.

Thus, for the past week:
The Huiyin account grew from 2 million to 4.7 million, with 2.7 million withdrawn;
Dingxin grew from 2 million to 5.4 million, with 3.4 million withdrawn;
Runte, with its higher leverage, grew from 2 million to 5.9 million, with 3.9 million withdrawn.

Each of the three accounts retained 2 million.

Watching a total of 10 million yuan arrive in his bank card through successive withdrawals, Zhang Long felt every pore in his body open up.

In just half a month, he had taken 1 million in principal and netted 10 million from spot trading, all without drawing attention. There was no need to say more—continue with the plan and open more accounts.

New accounts: make a big profit in the first week, then another big profit. For older accounts, reduce the apparent profit a little and increase trading volume to create smoke and mirrors.

Just like the initial Huiyin account: in the first week, 2,300 hands of trading netted 5 million, while last week, in the second week, 2,700 hands of trading yielded only 2.7 million instead.

Losing trades, that was all. The more he lost, the more he earned.

“Damn, this is amazing!”

Suddenly, after the spot withdrawals were complete, Zhang Long was delighted again. The prediction horizon had extended by two weeks, and the “Star Voyage Technology” stock he had held last week had indeed automatically pushed out another week. In other words, every stock he operated on this week could now reveal the following week as well. Beautiful.

Unfortunately, in a bear market, no stock could go wild forever. Next Monday, Star Voyage Technology would no longer rise.

Before this Friday’s close, he would need to get out.

“Enough. There’s plenty to make.”

Exhaling lightly, Zhang Long made a few trading moves in both his stock and spot accounts, then got up, left home, and headed to the spot platform where he had an appointment to open new accounts. He would open three more accounts, each funded with 2 million tomorrow, and keep earning.

Before the end of January, when February began, he would stop.

And so Zhang Long left his nest in high spirits, while trading desks at the stock and spot platforms stirred with different kinds of excitement.

Shock, numbness, and some bitter curses.

Stock god? Traitor? What the hell is this supposed to be?