Chapter 74: Luo Man and Liang Xue
Feeling disheartened. There was no way to refute this reason.
Moreover, Zhang Long had completely closed off any further discussion from these clients. Originally, if Zhang Long hadn’t testified for them, it wouldn’t have mattered; they could have met him, formed a private group chat, and invited him to guide them for profit.
Or perhaps signed a client asset management contract?
...
“Are you done making a scene?”
Zhang Long left for the small reception room to eat, while the two groups continued their standoff in the main reception room.
Chairman You snorted coldly, “Today’s collective petition has damaged Shengxin’s reputation, making it much harder for the company to develop new business.”
“And I can say with certainty, there are people among you who complained about Zhang Long.”
“Surprised? Didn’t expect that, did you?”
The moment these words were spoken, the clients glanced around. The attentive ones noticed two people looking uncomfortable and awkward; clearly, their guilty conscience betrayed them.
How could they still hope for Zhang Long’s guidance? With such questionable character, it would be a miracle if he agreed.
“Each of you is dreaming the impossible,” Chairman You continued, still cold. “You think bringing Zhang Long here, pitying yourselves, will make him agree to secretly help you analyze stocks? Nonsense.”
“How much would you share with Zhang Long if you made money? And if you lost, would you expect him to compensate you?”
“If he pays you any attention, I’ll admit defeat.”
The clients’ faces turned dark and pale. If they hadn’t learned the real reason for Zhang Long’s resignation, it would have been fine, but now they knew he left because of complaints. Unless Zhang Long had completely lost his mind, he would never guide them; never mind sharing profits, would they blame him for losses?
Even if they signed an agreement absolving him of responsibility for losses, it wouldn’t help. If reason prevailed, they wouldn’t have caused trouble at Shengxin today. Forget it.
“If you’re still dissatisfied and want to make trouble, suit yourselves. Shengxin will not compromise. We’ll follow legal procedures.”
“This is a police station. I don’t need to say who is instigating trouble. I trust the police will uphold justice and not wrong a good person.”
...
“Zhang Long...” coughed Wang.
“Stop right there, Brother Wang.”
In the small reception room, Zhang Long was nearly finished with his meal; the set included meat, vegetables, and soup, enough to fill him. It would do.
“I know what you want to say.” Zhang Long shrugged, unconcerned. “Whether Brother Yin complained about me or not, it’s all in the past! But I haven’t joined any financial company yet; I’m studying for my driver’s license and the CFA certificate, so I don’t have the time nor the possibility to privately guide anyone or act as an investment advisor.”
“There’s no need to go deeper into the reasons. It wouldn’t do anyone any good. Let’s just eat.”
Seeing this, Wang could only sigh.
He had introduced friends to Zhang Long for guidance out of goodwill. As it turned out, following Zhang Long’s advice—taking profits and cutting losses promptly—led to overall gains.
But his friends had poor trading habits: a small loss and they’d withdraw, but bigger losses made them stubborn. Greed, refusal to accept loss, impossible to persuade.
To his surprise, Mr. Yin had even complained about Zhang Long, ruining his promotion and docking his pay.
Disheartened. There was nothing more to say.
“Could you at least give a suggestion?”
Wang had lost his appetite. He had finally recovered much of his losses and was about to start making money, but then Zhang Long left. He’d suffered two big losses at the start and middle of the month—such bad luck. He had to try to save the situation.
“My advice is to pause for now.” Zhang Long sipped his egg flower soup, furrowed his brows in thought. “No one knows when the bear market will end. No one is a god; no one can guarantee profits.”
“So it’s best to wait for the bull market. When it comes, even holding stocks might bring gains.”
“If you don’t trade, you don’t lose: win by lying low.”
This advice was as good as saying nothing. Wang knew Zhang Long simply didn’t want to talk, so he didn’t press further and took his leave to find his friend Yin.
Damn it, not listening and losing money is one thing, but to complain about Zhang Long as well? If only I could curse him out.
Cut ties; this person is too dangerous to deal with.
A backstabber, a disaster.
...
“How are you? Everything alright...?”
Returning home in the afternoon, time slipped by. Zhang Long had no trades to make, so he played games and chatted with Liang Xue on WeChat, checking in on her.
“No problem, I don’t care anymore,” Liang Xue replied playfully. “Most of Shengxin’s clients are stuck, those who lost trust have lost trust, and today’s collective petition created another scandal. Business development will be even harder now.”
“I’m leaving anyway.”
“And Shengxin is restarting its layoff plan at the end of the month. This time, each department will be halved—from clients to employees, it’ll be a real blow.”
“How much longer the company can hold on is unknown.”
From her words, Zhang Long seemed to sense her mood: neither sad nor upset.
Last night, an employee who had worked at Shengxin for years had been promoted to team manager; it was all so strange.
If the heart isn’t cold, it wouldn’t be like this.
“Shall we have dinner tonight?”
Zhang Long raised his brows, but Liang Xue quickly replied, “Tomorrow, I have plans tonight. Tomorrow’s Saturday afternoon and evening, I’m free. You pick the place.”
Seeing her reply, Zhang Long’s brows moved again, but he didn’t ask who Liang Xue was meeting; it was her business.
“Hey, what’s up?”
He immediately messaged Luo Man.
“Slacking off, waiting to get off work.”
Luo Man replied quickly, and Zhang Long perked up, starting to chat. Although last time she changed the subject when he suggested starting over, and went to lunch without agreeing fully, they still chatted occasionally.
“Want to hang out tomorrow?”
“Nope, working.”
Luo Man sent a playful and haughty emoji. “Young Master Long, play by yourself. Poor little me has no time, maybe next month.”
Well, you said it.
Zhang Long smacked his lips, then sent Liang Xue the message: see you tomorrow afternoon at XX place.
...
Unfortunately, Zhang Long didn’t know.
“It’s not easy to come here...” Luo Man sighed as she looked at the woman opposite her in a mall near Lujiazui, “I heard your company had trouble today. Was it serious?”
“It’s fine, doesn’t matter anymore.”
Liang Xue, now in her casual work outfit and low-heeled shoes, shrugged.
When did these two meet?
If Zhang Long saw this scene, he’d probably be shocked. Their relationship was clearly not a first meeting; otherwise, how could they walk arm-in-arm into the mall?
“Short hair doesn’t seem to work.”
Later, at a fish hotpot restaurant in the mall, after ordering, Luo Man sighed, “You said Zhang Long likes capable short-haired girls, but he doesn’t really seem to.”
“That’s what he said, though.”
Liang Xue’s gaze flashed, her lips hinting at a teasing smile. “Aren’t you two getting along well? We met in early September at Shengxin when you applied for a credit card—now it’s been more than two months. Don’t tell me there’s been no progress?”
“I know you and Zhang Long have been to several amusement parks together. Don’t say your relationship hasn’t warmed up.”
“It has, but not enough.” Luo Man’s tone was melancholy. “I trust you. Whatever hairstyle or food Zhang Long likes, I’ve followed, but it’s not working.”
“It’s still a bit cold.”
“That’s simple—be bold!”
Liang Xue laughed, her beautiful eyes glinting. “If you don’t give a man some sweetness, how can he keep thinking about you? Also, you and Zhang Long are too far apart; it’s inconvenient to see each other. Adjust your job to be closer to the Bund as soon as possible, don’t drag your feet.”
“Otherwise, someone else might snatch him away.”