Chapter 117: Difficult? Then Don’t Do It (Please Subscribe)

Page (1/3) — Huiyin, Dingxin, Runde...

The spot-trading platforms were in anything but high spirits on this final day of December. In the year-end push, Zhang Long had withdrawn every last cent. What a pain in the ass.

There was no need to mention the excitement among the trading-floor employees. The company’s senior executives had gathered to discuss a few matters.

...

“Whew. Ten million.”

In Huiyin’s conference room, the vice president studied Zhang Long’s spot-trading records for the month on his computer screen. “He made five million net from an initial capital of one million in the first week. Over the following three weeks, he made only another five million in total. That’s considerably less frightening.”

“There were quite a few losing trades, but the profitable ones—and the number of points gained—were even greater. Are we sure this client is really young?”

“Twenty-four. It’s his zodiac year.”

The director of the trading department nodded. “We’ve studied Zhang Long’s operations. All we can say is that he has the nerve to add to his positions when he’s making money. When he’s losing, he’s endured a few bad trades, but he has also cut his losses and run in time. That’s why he hasn’t suffered a major loss or been forcibly liquidated. He’s very rational.”

“His trading volume this month was ten thousand lots. Wang Jing, his account manager, has earned nearly a million in commission. Do we pay it?”

“After tax, six or seven hundred thousand.”

The vice president frowned. “Even if Wang Jing contributed nothing and merely happened to land a client who fell into her lap, the commission must still be paid. We can’t break the rules. Otherwise, who will be willing to work themselves to the bone in the future? Everyone is watching.”

“The real issue is Zhang Long.”

The vice president continued with a furrowed brow. “His profits declined because he withdraws money every Monday. If he were playing with several million or even ten million, his earnings could soar.”

“There’s no point obsessing over whether Zhang Long is operating the account himself. Let’s simply set a limit.”

“Let him make five million more at most.”

Fifteen million was the maximum loss Huiyin could accept. They couldn’t let Zhang Long keep earning without limit. After deducting the costs of facilities, employees, operations, advertising, and everything else, Huiyin made only a few hundred million a year. Zhang Long could take ten million from them in a single month. They had no choice but to impose restrictions.

Of course, this did not mean secretly arranging an “accident” to eliminate Zhang Long. This was a society governed by law, after all. Let’s not be ridiculous.

They merely intended to negotiate with Zhang Long and ask him to stop playing on Huiyin. There were plenty of other spot-trading platforms.

What Huiyin did not know was that Zhang Long was already wreaking havoc on other platforms. That was precisely why his net profits had begun declining from the second week onward.

“Let’s observe him a little longer.”

At Dingxin Runde’s senior management meeting, Zhang Long’s profit of eight or nine million over three weeks was also discussed. But since he had not yet taken ten million from them, it was nothing worth panicking over. Until his net winnings reached fifteen or even twenty million, it was not a serious concern.

As for the six platforms where Zhang Long had opened accounts during the latter two weeks, they were even less worried. A few million in net profit? Their platforms could withstand that much.

...

“All right, cheer up.”

At Dingxin’s trading department, spot trading was still open that evening, but there was no need for overtime. The year’s performance had more or less been achieved. It was time to finish up and go on holiday.

After tidying and putting away their things, the employees began leaving. Yu Na and Zou Ming walked out of the company hand in hand.

Zou Ming, however, was in a rather gloomy mood. Zhang Long’s withdrawal that day had left him deeply distressed. He was terrified that Zhang Long might stop trading after New Year’s Day, and he could not help feeling anxious and insecure.

What if the poor country boy, after suddenly becoming rich through a steady stream of income, simply vanished without warning?

“Hmm, it’s nothing.”

Zou Ming forced a smile. Although Zhang Long had traded for only three weeks, his commissions for the month would still amount to more than five hundred thousand after tax. Including his weekly and monthly bonuses, he had earned a total of five hundred and fifty thousand. He ranked first in both performance and income at Dingxin’s trading department.

He had also found himself a girlfriend.

Yu Na and Zou Ming were from the same province. Sitting beside each other every day and spending nearly all their time together had naturally fostered a certain fondness between them. His sudden wealth had also given Zou Ming the confidence to pursue a relationship with her.

Zou Ming understood the old saying that poor couples suffer in every matter. Besides, Yu Na’s income was not bad either.

She ranked around the middle of the trading department.

“Let’s go. Time to eat.”

Yu Na, mature for her age, could naturally tell that Zou Ming did not mean what he was saying. But it was nothing serious. They could enjoy themselves and clear their minds during the few days of the New Year holiday. As for next month’s performance, they could worry about that when the time came. Zhang Long certainly would not stop trading.

What a joke. How could anyone stop after making huge profits for three consecutive weeks? No one could easily give up a game that offered free money and an adrenaline rush.

Zou Ming was blinded by what lay immediately before him.

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Of course, Zou Ming knew that he was being overly anxious. He simply could not let go completely.

After all, one feared the unlikely precisely because it might happen.

On this final day of December, the name Zhang Long tugged at the heartstrings of countless people—from senior management to low-level employees—all of them affected by the various interests involved.

Could this be called the butterfly effect?

Perhaps it could.

...

January 1, 2013. Tuesday. New Year’s Day.

Zhang Long rose early in the morning. After a simple breakfast, he headed to the venue of the auto show to meet Lin Yuan.

He went alone. Luo Man had returned to her old home in the northern suburbs for the holiday, while Liang Xue had activities and arrangements of her own.

As for male friends? Forget it.

He had remained on merely ordinary terms with his former classmates and colleagues from Shengxin. None were particularly close. The only person he had been spending much time with recently was Lin Yuan—and that was about it.

Making money at home every day was certainly satisfying, but it seemed he had gradually lost his social circle and become increasingly solitary.

If not for taking driving lessons and occasionally going on dates with Luo Man, Zhang Long would have become even more isolated.

A money-making machine. A wealthy shut-in.

Once he could see the rate of return, he could not bear to miss a single day of trading profits. Missing even one day made him feel as though he had suffered a loss. Making money was a desire, and desire could become addictive. It had nothing to do with whether one was rich or poor. Sometimes, the more money a person had, the more he wanted to earn.

That was why it was important to balance work with rest—to get out occasionally, breathe some fresh air, relax, or spend a little money.

That was the purpose of today’s auto show.

“Hm? Where’s your girlfriend?”

At the auto-show venue, Lin Yuan appeared before Zhang Long with his arm around a pretty young woman. After glancing around and seeing no one else, he could not help asking.

“She’s at home with relatives and friends.”

Zhang Long offered a casual explanation. He was not envious of Lin Yuan for bringing such a beautiful companion, either.

Lin Yuan was a rich second-generation heir, after all.

Even ordinary people could see all kinds of beautiful women on the streets. China had a vast and densely packed population, and there was no shortage of attractive girls. Schools, art academies, and every other place were full of them. With enough money, one could choose freely.

Of course, what they were like on the inside was another question. Most of the time, a beautiful appearance was enough.

“Call Lily over.”

Lin Yuan tilted his head toward the woman beside him. But the moment Zhang Long heard this, he hurriedly stopped him. There was no need to call anyone. He was perfectly fine by himself.

Lin Yuan shrugged. Fine, then. There were plenty of beautiful car models at the auto show. Perhaps one of them might catch his eye.

...

The auto show was bustling with people coming and going.

Although it was not Shanghai’s annual large-scale auto show, the crowds were still considerable. Generally speaking, major auto shows were not held during special holidays. On such dates, people were either traveling everywhere or following holiday-related news from around the country online.

News about an auto show probably could not attract as much attention as the New Year’s holiday film releases. It simply was not eye-catching enough.

“Brother, which model are you interested in?”

Apart from those who had come merely to join the excitement, most visitors to an auto show had a particular target in mind. Lin Yuan did not know how much money Zhang Long had. The cars on display ranged from those costing just over a hundred thousand to those worth several million. It all depended on one’s means.

“Something around a million.”

After a brief moment of thought, Zhang Long answered. He had no particular brand in mind. In his previous life, he had been an ordinary salaried worker who drove a domestically manufactured car worth only a few tens of thousands.

Now that he had money in this life, he did not necessarily need to buy a supercar, but he did not want anything too cheap, either.

A car in the million-yuan range would be just right.

“That’ll do. Not bad.”

Lin Yuan nodded approvingly. He was somewhat surprised, but not greatly so. Zhang Long had been willing to spend ten thousand on a VIP driving course and had interacted with him so calmly. Anyone without a certain degree of confidence could not have behaved that way. A million was perfectly reasonable.

That was Lin Yuan’s own standard for the day as well.

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Although his uncle would reimburse the cost of the car, Lin Yuan would not be allowed to indulge in excessive extravagance. A car in the million-yuan range was enough.

Lin Yuan’s companion’s eyes brightened slightly. She had not expected Zhang Long to be so wealthy. Anyone able to buy a luxury car worth a million had to possess assets of at least five or six million, right?

So, during a lull, she sent her best friend a WeChat message, telling her to hurry over. They could get acquainted first and see what happened.

If Zhang Long could buy her friend a handbag worth tens of thousands, spending the night with him would not be out of the question.

Well, that was exactly how Lin Yuan’s companion operated.

...

In the super-luxury section featuring Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, Porsche, Ferrari, and other prestigious brands, Zhang Long followed Lin Yuan around and admired the cars.

The vehicles here cost several million or even more than ten million. It was fine to look for now. Although he could afford one, there was no need to waste money extravagantly. He could decide later, depending on the circumstances.

Well, there was another reason. Putting a supercar beside his current two-bedroom apartment on the Bund would look somewhat...

In any case, the combination did not quite fit. Not yet.

“Brother Yuan, why don’t you buy the latest upgraded 911? Wouldn’t it look impressive and be exciting to drive?”

Lin Yuan’s companion spoke with a hint of coquettishness.

“Those are for women. I’m not buying one.”

Lin Yuan curled his lip disdainfully. Yet Zhang Long seemed to catch a brief flash of eagerness in his eyes. Clearly, he was not entirely sincere. The latest upgraded Porsche 911 cost nearly two million. Was that over budget?

Lin Yuan had only just begun working at his uncle’s renovation company. Clearly, he had not previously possessed much of a career or income. If he could have a car worth a million reimbursed, that was probably his limit.

“Oh, there you are!”

A woman’s voice suddenly rang out beside Zhang Long. With so many people moving around at the auto show, one had to speak loudly. Seeing that her best friend had arrived so quickly, Lin Yuan’s companion brightened and immediately introduced her to Zhang Long.

They exchanged names.

Zhang Long was speechless. Lin Yuan shrugged.

And so Lily, dressed in fashionable and radiant clothes and carrying a strong scent of perfume, joined the group. From time to time she tried to link arms with Zhang Long, but he either dodged her or pulled free. Eventually, she stopped insisting and simply followed along in silence.

“Eh? What’s going on up ahead?”

They had already looked through the Audi and Mercedes-Benz sections. Ahead, a huge crowd had gathered around the BMW display. Something lively seemed to be happening, so they walked closer.

“Sir, please don’t do this...”

As they approached, they heard a jumble of voices, while the surrounding spectators wore all kinds of expressions.

Lin Yuan cleared a path, and Zhang Long and the others squeezed forward. In only a few moments, they reached the inner circle.

Then a woman’s voice entered Zhang Long’s ears.

“You can’t take a photo with the car model unless you place an order for the car. Taking a few pictures by yourself would be fine, but if you insist on taking a picture together, you have to order the car first. All right?”

“Tch. What kind of ridiculous rule is that?”

A rough middle-aged male voice reached Zhang Long’s ears. The man laughed angrily and cursed in an ill-tempered tone.

“Damn, she’s incredible!”

Lin Yuan suddenly clicked his tongue in amazement, as though he had seen something extraordinary.

Incredible or not, Zhang Long looked inward with a question mark hovering over his head—and then his gaze froze.

The woman had fair skin, stunning features, and a full, gentle figure. She wore a pale-blue cheongsam that enhanced her beauty beyond measure.

She was the model presenting the car on display.

Yet the familiar, elegant face of the car model was now pressed into a wounded pout, her lips tightly closed in silence, while the dealer beside her argued with a middle-aged man.

“So, are you going to let me take the picture or not? If you won’t, then this is going to be difficult. I simply won’t buy the car!”

At those words, both the dealer and the car model’s expressions darkened. Yet neither wanted to give up the sale.

For a moment, they were caught in an awkward dilemma, hesitating without knowing what to do.

“Difficult?”

“Then don’t do it...”

Zhang Long let out a mocking laugh. He stepped forward toward the car model, who abruptly raised her head at the sound. Her eyes showed both astonishment and alarm as he walked toward her.

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P.S. The first three-thousand-word chapter of the day is here.

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