Chapter 33: Zhang Long's Straightforward Approach

The martial world is everywhere.

Faced with the soaring achievements of Blizzard Falcon’s Third Pioneering Team, the managers of the other five teams could no longer sit still. They, too, were mimicking the methods, but their results were lackluster, and clients constantly berated them. Zhang Long’s “Short-Term Investment Guide” was hardly a hundred percent accurate, so how could it be so miraculous?

...

“Sorry, Director Sun.”

Inside the director’s office, when asked to allow the other five teams to use the daily “Short-Term Investment Guide,” Zhang Long refused without hesitation. “The October performance competition was set by Chairman Zhu. If Chairman Zhu approves, then it’s fine. It’s just a stock recommendation bulletin, I’m not that petty.”

“I’ll go by Chairman Zhu’s arrangement.”

Zhang Long understood instantly; clearly, Chairman Zhu had not given his consent, otherwise Director Sun wouldn’t be so polite about it.

As for using it secretly? Impossible. The bulletins are sent via the system backend, and Old Zhu can view everything. Moreover, the eight teams in the Investment Department are adjacent to each other; unless someone is deaf, any phone conversation would reveal if the methods are being used illicitly.

Liang Xue, Zhou Yu, and Shao Kang—the three team managers—frequently wandered about, making secrecy impossible.

“Manager Zhang…”

Rejected, Director Sun’s expression darkened. Not giving face at all. “Helping each other within the department isn’t wrong, since all performance benefits the company. We should have a sense of the bigger picture; only then can we earn recognition.”

“If the Trading Department is established, you’d gain better support from everyone, wouldn’t you?”

“Be generous.”

Unfortunately, Zhang Long had little desire for the Trading Department’s establishment or promotion to Director. As for generosity and a sense of the bigger picture—sorry, no thanks.

“Split the performance with me!”

Zhang Long smiled. “As long as the other five teams share half their performance with me from today until month’s end, it’s not unreasonable for me to earn interest on their gains.”

“Director Sun, what do you say?”

...

Zhang Long left, but Director Sun’s face grew even darker. Previously, Zhang Long was just a minor supervisor; newly promoted to manager, he already showed such lack of tact. If he got promoted to director, that would be unacceptable. He must be stopped.

A flash crossed Director Sun’s eyes.

Recalling yesterday’s weekend meeting with a certain company board member, Director Sun made up his mind. Since Chairman Zhu showed no kindness first, he could not blame them for what was to come.

The Trading Department should only serve the Investment Department, not exist as an equal. That is the right order.

Without front-end development, what is the point of back-end trading to maintain empty air? The priorities must be clear.

As for Zhang Long?

“Ha…”

Director Sun stood up and snorted coldly.

Time turned slowly. Zhang Long’s daily work proceeded methodically; though he worked overtime nightly, the achievements benefited himself, so he had to give his all.

Blizzard Falcon’s Third Pioneering Team’s repeated successes were not solely due to the stock recommendation bulletin.

One must realize that not every recommended stock rises; some go up, others down, with gains and losses alike.

Without Zhang Long’s attentive support for clients’ account situations, the team could not have such frequent achievements. The stellar results depended on tailored assistance.

The backend allows visibility into all clients’ holdings and transactions; only targeted solutions yield remarkable outcomes.

Thus, collaboration and support are essential.

After tending to his own clients, Zhang Long would use his trading manager identity to conduct follow-up calls for the three teams, analyzing account holdings and offering small suggestions.

Again and again, combined with the daily motivation from Chang Song, Jiang Hao, and Zheng Peng, the three trading supervisors, this was the real reason for continuous success.

In short, without earning the clients’ trust and hitting the mark like a deity, one can forget about achievements.

Think it’s easy to succeed? Nonsense.

There is sweat behind every accomplishment.

...

“Whoa, salary’s in.”

Friday the 19th. Shengxin pays last month’s salary before the 20th each month, withholding it for over half a month.

September’s salary plus commission, after taxes, came to over seventy thousand and was credited now. Though Zhang Long’s bank balance wasn’t low, this still added a nice layer.

After renting his new apartment, he had 3.48 million left.

However, after moving and a major shopping spree for a complete wardrobe upgrade, it dropped to 3.47 million.

Since then, he hadn’t touched the bank money. September’s weekly and monthly bonuses totaled fifteen thousand cash, covering daily expenses and driving license fees, with some still left.

Now, with more than seventy thousand in salary and commission credited, his card balance surged to over 3.54 million. Not bad.

“Phew, onward and upward.”

Zhang Long snapped his fingers in his mind.

October only had a little over three weeks, but last week alone, his trading commissions totaled 140,000. This week, it was 160,000. Next week, until month’s end?

Target: 200,000, for a total of 500,000.

175,000 in commission!

Of course, there was also the shareable commission from Blizzard Falcon’s three teams, likely boosting the total to 300,000. Income had truly surged—what a thrill!

At this moment, a sense of clarity suffused him, every pore open—uh, well, actually, it wilted. Completely wilted!

“Ugh, still have to pay taxes…”

Zhang Long finally remembered, and his excitement instantly faded, replaced by a touch of helplessness.

Three hundred thousand in commission: the first eighty thousand taxed at a fixed 22,500, the rest taxed at forty-five percent. In total, that meant 130,000 in taxes—a huge shrinkage.

So, next month, he had to run.

...

Even if the Trading Department were established and he became its director, so what? He’d just be earning hard-earned money.

Even if monthly income reached hundreds of thousands or a million, it would never be as effortless or carefree as trading stocks for himself.

Earning money with open eyes, beautiful women in his lap.

Ah, that’s life.

...

“What have you been busy with lately?”

That night, Zhang Long chatted with Luo Man via WeChat. No video call—it seemed inconvenient on her end, and her replies were slow, sparking his curiosity.

“Brother, I’m working a part-time job…”

Even through text, Zhang Long sensed a trace of wistfulness in Luo Man’s tone. “Working at the bank brings only dead-end wages every month. The welfare is decent during festivals, but I need a side job to increase my income.”

“Fried chicken, want some?”

Seeing Luo Man’s honesty, Zhang Long was pleased, but it was too late at night to go out.

“Too late, maybe next time.”

On the other end, Luo Man, working as a cashier at a fried chicken joint, felt her face darken. Forget it; one shouldn’t expect too much from a straight man, let alone romance.

Normally, if she finished her part-time shift and saw her boyfriend appear, ah—

That would be happiness, kisses and all.

“Mm, have fun tomorrow.”

Luo Man changed the subject. During a recent chat, Zhang Long mentioned Saturday’s team-building, another trip to the amusement park—a good way to heal.

“Why don’t you come too…”

Zhang Long hesitated. “This time, family members are allowed. I’ll send you the location. If tomorrow doesn’t work, take a day off and relax.”

“No need, can’t take time off.”

Luo Man sighed. “I already took several days off last month; can’t do it again this month.”

“You guys have fun.”

Since that was the case, Zhang Long didn’t insist. As for begging her to come or coaxing her, forget it. If she wants to come, she will; no need for drama.

Yes, a steel-hearted straight man, direct and straightforward!

“Be safe after work, good night.”

Zhang Long replied, then pulled the quilt over his head and went to sleep. The surprise Luo Man hoped for would have to come in her dreams tonight—where anything is possible.

Come Saturday morning, who knows what delightful moments await!