Chapter 28#

Sitting on the sofa, Chen Yuanming flipped through the freshly printed newspaper as usual. The aftermath of the Shenzhen August 10th incident had been rippling for the past few days. Television, radio, and newspapers were full of long reports, going back and forth on social topics such as “risks in the stock market” or huge profits leading to corruption. Even the Shanghai stock market, which had been booming, was affected. Starting from the 11th, the market continued to plummet. Within 3 days, the Shanghai Composite Index fell from more than 900 points to more than 700 points, a drop of up to 20%. Even the fourth lottery of subscription certificates could not stop the downward trend…

Closing the newspaper in his hand, Chen Yuanming sighed deeply. What was bound to come had finally come. The stock market surge was a long-accumulated vent, and this plunge was also the fear and panic after the return of rationality. The first bear market in China’s stock market, a big bear that would make many people in later generations turn pale at the mention of stocks, was finally coming.

At this time, several people walked into the large-account room one after another. The market fluctuations in the past few days were too great. Some large investors squatted in the exchange almost every day, ready to buy or sell as soon as possible according to the market situation. There were those who were scared by the market fluctuations and wanted to get out of the trap and cash out as soon as possible, but more wanted to take advantage of the decline to make some moves. Those who could enter the million-dollar large-account room were either born businessmen or beneficiaries of early stock trading. There were quite a few bold and careful people with active minds. How could they be afraid of this fluctuating market?

In the past few days, Chen Yuanming had also begun to gain some fame in this large-account room. Without saying anything, he cleared his positions twice at just the right time, selling at the high point each time. What kind of standard was this? At this time, there was no privacy in the large-account room. Who was buying and who was selling could be understood at a glance by looking at the actions of the red vests. There were quite a few people inquiring about Chen Yuanming’s identity in private, and even more came to get close to him. Many people wanted to get some market tips from this young expert.

For these “roommates”, Chen Yuanming did not shut them all out. He gave pointers where needed and reminders where necessary. Before the market opened and closed every day, there was inevitably some socializing, and he more or less became a familiar face. But after all, they were businessmen, and they still had the necessary qualities. They wouldn’t rush to curry favor, so for these people, the relationship remained at the level of nodding acquaintances.

Finally dealing with today’s errands, just as he wanted to drink a cup of tea to catch his breath, a voice sounded beside him.

“Finished with the reception task?”

Hearing the familiar teasing, Chen Yuanming looked up with a smile. Just as he was about to reply, his gaze was suddenly attracted by the young man beside Xiao Yun.

That was a very handsome boy. Clean and pleasingly handsome.

In fact, returning to this era, in addition to the long-lost sense of familiarity, what Chen Yuanming felt was also a trace of unpredictable strangeness, that is, a strong sense of incongruity with the current fashion trends. In his previous life, he spent this decade in factories, mines, and construction sites, contacting people who were furthest from fashion. So his eyes were full of ordinary work clothes and white shirts, at most with some variations in fabrics or the length of women’s skirts. But in this life, he was in Greater Shanghai, a city that was almost the pioneer station of Chinese pop culture.

So, the eye-blinding things came. At this time, there were no fashion magazines, no diverse channels to receive information, and at most only rough Western worship and imitation after the reform and opening up. Men’s suits never fit, loose like sacks without shoulders or waists. Women’s makeup was always thick enough to plaster a wall, either scarlet or pale. Coupled with the recent popularity of those gaudy Hawaiian shirts, you could see big bosses wearing sack suits outside, colorful round-neck shirts inside, faces full of oil, and slicked-back hair that flies couldn’t even stand on… Except for Xiao Yun, a child from a powerful family background with good standing, he had hardly seen any decent clothing combinations in this circle. Until today.

A refreshing T-shirt and jeans, carefully styled hair, radiating the youthful atmosphere of this era all over his body, with a hint of cynical smile seemingly hidden at the corners of his mouth and eyes. He looked slightly frivolous but not indulgent, a quite eye-catching guy.

However, Chen Yuanming’s gaze just swept over him and then withdrew. Nothing else, those peach blossom eyes were too dazzling.

On the other side, Xiao Junyi frowned. Is this the prodigy that his uncle talks about every day? This is too young, is he an adult? He is completely different from the astute and shrewd person he imagined, and he can’t see any temperament or family background, just an ordinary teenager. And what was with that look just now? Why did he feel like he was despised at first sight…

Not noticing the sparks between the two young people, Xiao Yun smiled and pointed to his nephew, “My eldest brother’s youngest son. He came to his grandmother’s house for the summer vacation this year. Since he was idle at home, I brought him to see the world. Junyi, this is the Brother Chen I told you about, a stock market wizard, Chen Yuanming.”

Xiao Junyi raised his eyebrows, “Uncle, I’m really here for an internship, not to play. And this seniority sounds a bit messy…” As he spoke, he pulled out a faint and polite smile and extended his right hand to Chen Yuanming. “Hello, my name is Xiao Junyi. How should I address you?”

Chen Yuanming shook his hand lightly, “Let’s just stick to our own seniority. Just call me Yuanming.”

The introduction was too formal, and it was inevitable that there would be some awkward silence. Xiao Yun’s sword eyebrows twitched slightly, and he sat down next to Chen Yuanming with a smile, “How about it? You’ve met quite a few people in the past two days, right? Yesterday, Old Li was asking me when to invite you for a casual meal. The new stock subscription is about to start in the next two days, and people are panicking.”

Old Li? Could it be the one from the Nanjing Military Region… Xiao Junyi’s mouth twitched slightly. This pomp is not small. Who knew that Chen Yuanming just shook his head, “Everything that should be said was said on the phone that day. The problem with the new stocks this time is not big. It will be fine to just pass through and leave. But what about your comrade-in-arms, Brother Xiao? Is he okay now?”

“Him, don’t worry. It’s just a minor injury. He’s still in the Shenzhen hospital. He should be heading north in a few days.” Xiao Yun sighed, “But fortunately, he didn’t lose any money. He withdrew when he saw the situation was wrong that day. He didn’t buy many subscription certificates. I guess he won’t make much profit this time, but he won’t lose much either…”

“Shenzhen market, if you want to hold, you can hold for a while longer. It won’t fall for too long.”

As soon as these words came out, Xiao Yun’s eyes lit up, “What? Do you think it won’t keep falling?”

“Yes, the general trend is like this. It won’t make people wait too long. It should warm up in November.” Chen Yuanming didn’t hide it. Recently, apart from handling new stocks, there is not much value in entering the market. But if there are goods that haven’t been cleared, you can wait for the low point to cover the position. The next bull market should be in mid-November. With the old man’s speech on the southern tour and the temptation of huge profits, all aspects will not allow the stock market to fall to the bottom.

These words obviously made Xiao Yun breathe a sigh of relief. He had many friends who entered the market after 1,000 points. Now a large amount of funds are trapped, and some people can no longer hold back, calling for help every day. It is a good thing to have such a shot in the arm. As they talked, the stock market opened. Both of them were currently in a short position. They just studied the market and some individual stocks for a while, and neither of them planned to make a move.

Sitting aside, Xiao Junyi felt bored to death. Most of what these two people said was jargon. He couldn’t understand eight out of ten sentences, and they were also keen on making some vague tones, which was extremely disgusting. Looking at the big screen again, it was all numbers coming and going, and a patch of miserable green. A room full of people stared at less than 30 stocks with enthusiasm, looking like their eyeballs were about to fall in. He didn’t know how they lived their daily lives. Did they eat with the stock market board?

His uncle seemed to have completely forgotten his existence. That little guy didn’t forget, but he looked like he didn’t care. His personality was also dull enough. Being able to chat about this kind of topic for an hour shows how boring his life is. This damn large-account room is completely different from what he heard. What thrill and excitement, what high-end and foreign style? It’s similar to a government office, except that people there stare at newspapers, while here they stare at TV screens.

Impatiently changing two postures on the sofa, Xiao Junyi played with the teacup in his hand boredly. His mind had already run thousands of miles away, wondering where to go to play with his friends tonight. In terms of entertainment venues, Shanghai is still much better than Beijing.

“Xiao Yi!” After chatting about the stock market situation for a long time, Xiao Yun remembered his nephew. Turning his head, he found that this person was already daydreaming, and he couldn’t help but get angry again.

“Eh, Uncle, are you done?” This time Xiao Junyi reacted very quickly, immediately putting on a good-looking smiling face, “I see it’s almost noon. I was thinking about whether to go for a meal first?”

Almost my ass, it’s not even eleven o’clock yet! Growing up under his nose, what didn’t Xiao Yun understand? This kid must have lost his patience again and wanted to slip away. However, glancing at Chen Yuanming who looked indifferent beside him, Xiao Yun grinned.

“Yes, Yuanming, you have been in Shanghai for so long, haven’t you had a good look around? Look at me, only caring about chatting with you about these serious matters, and not understanding children’s stuff. How about you go out for a walk with Xiao Yi this afternoon? He is also half a local host. You young people can have more fun together. Anyway, there won’t be any big moves in the stock market in the next two days. It’s better to go out and relax…”

Xiao Junyi’s peach blossom eyes widened. Wait, why suddenly stuff this kid to him? However, looking at the other party, he found that the kid’s eyebrows were frowned. Oh my, I haven’t said anything yet, and you are unhappy first? Immediately amused by anger, the expression on Xiao Junyi’s face changed completely, and he bent his eyes with a smile, “Okay, I’m familiar with Shanghai. It’s not bad to invite a few friends to play with Yuanming this afternoon.”

Xiao Yun agreed happily. Of course, he could see that Chen Yuanming was not very willing, but it was not a solution for this child to stay in the large-account room every day. It is always good to go out and play with young people. If he could influence his disappointing nephew, wouldn’t it be even more profitable?

Having said that, it would be inappropriate to refuse again. Chen Yuanming glanced at those smiling peach blossom eyes again and finally nodded.

He had been back in this world long enough. It was meaningless to always be tense. Just play if he had to.

More than half an hour later, after the market closed in the morning, the two walked out of the gate of the securities company together. Xiao Junyi shook the car keys in his hand, “Go for a meal first? My friends and I have booked a place.”

Chen Yuanming was noncommittal, just said lightly, “I don’t ride in small cars.”

Xiao Junyi raised his eyebrows, “Although this is not a Mercedes-Benz, it is also a Bluebird 3S released this year. You are still not used to it?”

“I don’t ride in any sedans.”

Damn, this is simply stubborn!! In his heart, Xiao Junyi almost howled, but he still had a decent smile on his lips, “Then how do we go? Walk there? The restaurant is over at the Bund.”

Chen Yuanming raised his hand and pointed forward, “There happens to be a bus route over there that can get us there.”

Looking in the direction of his finger, he saw a bus just swaggering away from the station. Xiao Junyi only felt his teeth were sour. This is really seeing is worse than hearing about it! That’s not a prodigy, clearly a freak! Why is his uncle so good at finding trouble for him!

Having pointed out the direction, Chen Yuanming strode forward. Grinding his teeth behind his back for a while, Xiao Junyi still followed. Isn’t he just a little brat? He will really accompany him to the end today to see what tricks this kid can play!