Chapter 13: Money and the Path of Deviation

Friday, the sun rose as usual.

Clients who had followed Zhang Long's advice on Wednesday to buy into Tohai Energy had earned at least a 20% profit. However, human nature is greedy, and few were willing to sell all their shares. For people like Zhang Lizhen, who had been holding stocks and were already trapped, that was one thing—but even those who had bought in anew were reluctant to let go.

“Have a great weekend, Sister Zhang.”

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Long exhaled softly. As expected, the most obedient was still Zhang Lizhen, who had dutifully sold all her Tohai Energy shares acquired on Wednesday, freeing up about 800,000 in capital. That meant, not counting the stuck portion, she’d netted 300,000 in just two weeks.

Come Monday, that 800,000 would be back in play.

As for other clients, at least a dozen had bought into Tohai Energy recently. Only four or five sold out completely; the rest sold half or kept a third. That wasn’t entirely unreasonable—take profits on some, let the rest ride for maximum gain. There were unknowns over the weekend, but what if Tohai Energy kept rising on Monday? Many were tempted to gamble on that small chance.

The most stubborn of them all was Chen Youwei, who had poured another million in on Wednesday and still refused to sell. Around five yuan per share, he’d invested two million in Tohai Energy, and his profit so far was around 500,000. Yet he wasn’t satisfied and wanted to gamble for more.

Most clients at least took some profits, but Chen Youwei wouldn’t budge an inch.

Stubborn. Far too stubborn.

“Clients are gods,” Liang Xue shrugged. “The more money they have, the less they care about a mere fifty thousand in profit. If you reverse-engineer his mindset from his actions, not even five hundred thousand interests him. Old Chen must be worth at least tens of millions.”

“Do your best to maintain the relationship.” Zhang Long understood the principle, but he was troubled by such intransigent clients. If they wouldn’t listen, it was impossible to achieve the win-win commission plan for short-term trading.

Old Chen, oh Old Chen—beyond help.

“Thirty-five thousand.”

For every disgruntled client, there were those who were pleased. This week, Zhang Long’s commissions totaled thirty-five thousand.

“Congratulations.” Liang Xue winked. “Shouldn’t you treat us to a meal after earning so much? That's forty-five thousand in commissions in just half a month, and the growth trend is impressive. If you keep it up in the second half, you might top two hundred thousand, with a bonus of seventy thousand or more…”

“Dinner’s on me.” Zhang Long coughed, trying to appear modest.

Days were spent on the phone, evenings in overtime calls. Earning a little money felt well-deserved.

After half a month’s effort, his client base was finally on track. Those who could add funds had already done so; the rest, stuck and unable to add more, would have to wait for a breakthrough or a change in fortune.

Now, besides Zhang Lizhen, there were four or five clients who trusted him implicitly. Starting Monday, he could implement day trading strategies—taking profits before the market closed.

Achieving mutual prosperity with his clients.

Only two more trades were needed with Qian Caiying—he’d settle that next week, when more funds would come in. She was also an obedient client, and though her commission rate would drop, frequent trading would ensure the earnings didn’t decrease.

The rest, who only half-listened, still needed further cultivation of trust, until they’d follow his lead without hesitation.

The last week of September—a potential explosion of profits.

As for stubborn clients like Chen Youwei, who preferred large-scale, mid- to long-term operations, there was little to be done for now. If even a 500,000 profit couldn’t lure him to cash out, there was no hope of persuading him into nimble day-trading.

Still, everything was moving in the right direction. With renewed effort in the latter half of September, he could look forward to even better results.

Yet, as more clients revived and followed his trades, he was earning a sizable monthly bonus, and the thought of someday resigning left him a bit regretful. If another advisor took over, these clients would likely fall back into loss and stagnation. It was a little frustrating.

He sighed.

Better not to dwell on it; pointless worries.

…

“What’s got you so happy?”

Faced with her best friend’s inquiry, Qian Caiying rubbed her face, her big eyes full of question marks. Was it that obvious?

She was just happy to have earned some money.

“Nonsense,” retorted the sharp-featured woman with a neat short haircut and simple, unadorned attire, her eyes cutting like electricity. “So, which unlucky handsome guy have you set your sights on this time? Settle down—stop causing trouble.”

“Not this time, really,” Qian Caiying protested, sweating. “Only three, in total, and you make it sound so scandalous.”

“Three isn’t a lot?” the woman scoffed. “Perfectly good men, turned gold-diggers by you—once you’re done with them, you kick them to the curb, and they’re basically ruined, unable to settle down again.”

“I’m warning you, don’t mess around at work. No office romance after you join my company—or you’re out.”

Qian Caiying shrank her neck, but defended herself, “I didn’t! Don’t slander me. I paid for all the fun—never made the guys spend a cent. How is it my fault they fell for money?”

“You tell me,” the woman replied coolly. “Human nature can’t resist temptation. If you lure them, you’re responsible. Sudden wealth and a life of indulgence are the quickest paths to ruin. Miss, if you want to play, at least do it with your social equals. Let the poor boys walk their own path—don’t interfere.”

“Fine, you win,” Qian Caiying surrendered, not because she couldn’t argue back, but because it was pointless—everyone has their own code of conduct, and right and wrong are relative.

She didn’t think she’d done anything wrong. Two of those poor boys had found rich women in the end—wasn’t that great?

So what if a man lives off a woman? It can be quite enjoyable.

Though, afterward, their health and weight declined sharply, as if they’d burned themselves out like addicts—but that was only because they hadn’t found the right rich woman. Some were quite humane, after all.

Yes, very humane.

…

“Waves surge, waves flow…”

“Endless torrents sweep down the river, carrying away all the world’s affairs, merging into a vast current…”

After dinner, with the weekend ahead, Zhang Long finally had time to relax. Rather than staying home, he strolled along the Bund, taking in the night view.

Watching the mighty Huangpu River flowing eastward, with the occasional ferry horn in the distance, he couldn’t help but hum softly. His thoughts drifted between past and present, his gaze growing distant.

Bzzz, bzzz.

Suddenly, his phone vibrated.

Annoyed at the interruption, Zhang Long glanced at the screen, his eyes narrowing. What now?

Luo Man messaged him on QQ, asking if he was off work.

He typed back: “Yes, off now.”

Bzzz, bzzz.

His phone vibrated again—Luo Man was calling. Zhang Long hesitated a moment, then answered. Immediately, a clear, ringing female voice came through the receiver: “Are you free tomorrow? If you’re not busy, let me treat you to a meal to thank you for all the business you’ve brought me. Order whatever you like.”

I want the Manchu-Han Imperial Feast, he thought, but didn’t dare say it aloud.

“Class rep, you’re too kind. I didn’t do much—just mentioned it to some colleagues who needed it. No need for a meal. After a week of work, I’d rather rest this weekend and recharge for the second half of the month.”

“Hmph, don’t start,” Luo Man laughed lightly. “It’s not your money, so what’s the worry? I can’t afford anything extravagant, but a simple meal is no problem. It’s settled then.”

“No, seriously, I don’t have time,” Zhang Long protested, lips twitching.

“Quit stalling,” Luo Man teased. “Don’t want to see me? Are you avoiding me? A six-foot-tall guy dithering like this—no grace at all. I’ll text you the place for tomorrow. Don’t be late.”

With that, she promptly hung up, leaving Zhang Long staring up at the sky.

Damn!