Chapter 19: The Final Push for Results

Daybreak, Saturday.

Zhang Long woke naturally with the sun already high in the sky. After a long, electrifying stretch, he glanced at his phone—nothing but some junk messages and app notifications. That was all.

No one disturbed him, no one remembered him.

He sighed softly and got out of bed.

...

“Handsome, need a haircut?”

In the afternoon, after a hearty meal, Zhang Long walked into a nearby barbershop in his neighborhood. It had been over a month since his last haircut—time for a trim.

The shop’s decor was decent. Prices for a wash, cut, and blow-dry ranged from 38 to 198 yuan, depending on the stylist’s rank.

“Thirty-eight, precision cut.”

Zhang Long settled the type and price with indifference, but the barbershop staff didn’t give up trying to upsell—always aiming for more value.

For the hair wash, water wasn’t used. Instead, a reasonably attractive young woman gave him a dry wash and scalp massage.

She even massaged his shoulders and neck, which felt wonderful.

Of course, during the dry wash and massage, she tried to get close, asked about his job and whether he had a girlfriend, then pushed various membership cards and discounts, promising great deals.

Zhang Long understood—after all, he worked in sales himself—but it wasn’t so easy to move his heart.

He closed his eyes and enjoyed the moment, speaking little.

“Handsome, your hair quality is excellent…”

About twenty minutes later, the dry wash finished, and he moved to the cutting chair. The second skill was deployed—a pretty female stylist cut his hair, studying his head and hair, laughing and complimenting, lamenting that such hair shouldn’t go to waste without a proper style.

Moreover, Zhang Long was seated while the stylist stood; his head was level with her chest. Ahem, intentional or not…

“No need, thank you.”

A tingling ran across Zhang Long’s scalp as he replied in a dry voice.

So, under the stylist’s slightly aggrieved gaze, the cheapest thirty-eight yuan precision cut was quickly finished. This man was stone-hearted.

No wonder he had no girlfriend—stingy.

...

“Sis, what are you looking at?”

In an old residential area in the northern outskirts of the Magic City, Luo Xin teased her sister, who kept glancing at her phone. Even if she hadn’t eaten pork, she’d seen pigs run; she joked.

“Hmph, mind your own business.”

Luo Man shot her a bloodline glare. “Little brat, focus on your studies. Freshman year is just the beginning.”

“Ugh, here we go again.”

Luo Xin coughed lightly. Her sister was good in every way, except for constantly reminding her to study—no matter how she ranked at the top of her class each time, it never changed.

...

“Sis, are you dating?”

Luo Xin’s face was a little pale but her expression excited. “Someday, bring him home for the family to meet. Sneaking around isn’t good. Everyone’s looking forward to it. You’re twenty-four already—if this were ancient times, you’d be having your third child…”

“Enough, stop gossiping.”

Luo Man gently hugged her sister. “I haven’t even started yet. But you, take care of your health. Don’t do intense exercise, and take your medicine on time.”

“No matter what, you must go to college. Missing those four years would leave a lot of regrets in life.”

“Mm, I know.”

Luo Xin nodded obediently, but the next moment she couldn’t help but cough lightly twice.

“Sis, thank you for everything…”

Her sister’s tone was a bit downcast. Luo Man squeezed her arms tighter, scolding with a smile, “If you study hard and behave, it’s not hard at all. Don’t overthink. I probably won’t come home for Mid-Autumn.”

“I’ll come back for National Day.”

Luo Xin nodded again, not asking why her sister wouldn’t be home for Mid-Autumn. Bank employees worked during statutory holidays, taking turns for time off.

Unfortunately, her sister’s job was arranged in the southern suburbs, too far for a daily commute.

Otherwise, they could see each other every day.

...

“No updates.”

That night, Zhang Long checked some stock fundamentals, focusing on Takumi Energy. Unfortunately, there was no news of any merger or acquisition—nothing positive. Tragic.

If nothing changed by Sunday, then Monday’s opening would be a disaster—another drop.

Of course, he wasn’t worried about Chen Youwei.

Zhang Long didn’t pity people like him, but if Chen Youwei was obedient—as shown by taking calls every day—the trading volume wouldn’t be small, and commissions would be considerable. Worth pursuing.

Nowadays, no one sticks to a single platform for trading. With Chen Youwei’s capital, he certainly had trapped stocks on other platforms as well—guaranteed.

“Old Chen, old Chen…”

Zhang Long’s eyes flashed. Friday’s call had made his position clear. Now, it depended on whether Chen Youwei would change—if he didn’t follow short-term trades, there was no hope of breaking even.

His special vision could only predict this week’s stock trends. Even if he wanted to help, he couldn’t.

Stocks trapped for half a year, a year, or even three to five years—seeing only a month ahead wouldn’t help. Too short.

After three weeks of probing, Zhang Long had more or less figured out why he could only see this week.

Medium- and long-term trades happen once in a blue moon—no commissions, no bonuses. Predicting a week’s trends offers the highest cost-effectiveness. Focus on short-term trading.

Commissions and bonuses are tied to frequency—more trades mean more commission. A win-win model.

Missing a big rise next week? For clients, short-term trades already earn money. They can trade other stocks with large intraday swings—no loss.

Everything is in the best possible state.

...

Zhang Long suspected that after leaving the company, new functions might appear.

Maybe a more suitable prediction mode would match him, but that remained to be seen. He’d have to resign and regain his freedom first—soon.

He’d quit at the end of the month. Time to stop working.

...

Sunday flashed by.

Back at Shengxin Company, Zhang Long was full of energy—the earning season had begun again.

“Let’s work hard, meeting adjourned.”

Liang Xue, as usual, kept it brief. The team’s work plan was already in place. They followed Zhang Long’s script, united as one.

No matter how unreliable the script was or how little the stock diagnosis showed signs of a rise, it didn’t matter.

Other teams’ vibe had also changed today—more aggressive and wild. Zhang Long didn’t care; let them learn as they wished.

Sorry, without the confidence of seeing stock trends in advance, copying his calls would be futile.

No chance of surpassing his performance.

“Tsk…”

Suddenly, Zhang Long clicked his tongue.

Takumi Energy still had no positive acquisition news by Sunday. Although he’d expected it, seeing five consecutive limit-downs in the week’s trend shocked him. Chen Youwei was doomed—absolutely.

Barbie Q: couldn’t escape even if he tried.

“Sister Zhang…”

First call of the day, “No need to focus on Takumi Energy for now. No positive news over the weekend—it’s likely to keep dropping. Wait for it to stabilize before considering a bottom-fishing move. Today, let’s…”

Zhang Lizhen’s account had 1.6 million yuan. A gain of ten percent this week was enough—no more than 1.8 million. Anything more would be excessive.

For other clients, arrangements were made based on funds and profit rates, reducing profit and increasing trades.

The last week of September—a final push for performance.

Obedient clients had already earned plenty this month. For a win-win, the last week would see more trades and commissions—a perfect ending.

Control profit and desire. Task done.

“Hello, Brother Chen…”

Zhang Long took a deep breath. If he couldn’t persuade Chen Youwei in the next two days, it was over.

Good words can’t save the damned. No hope.