Chapter 8
Translator: Aafkee
Proofreader: Superclubs2
Both Value Scan’s and Zhong Ming Funding’s headquarters are at the central business district of City S, not too far away from each other. Fang Jiaming has a hobby of collecting tea leaves, and would often invite Xiao Zhan over for a cup of tea whenever they are not too busy.
Xiao Zhan would often turn down the invitation, saying that he would go next time but never actually deciding on a time. For once, Xiao Zhan accepted the invitation and is welcomed by Fang Jiaming with a playful punch on the shoulder the second he stepped into the office.
“You brat!” Fang Jiaming speaks forthrightly, “A job well done on Qifu Provisions’ incident! I would never have guessed that you have so much up your sleeves!”
“I learn from the best,” Xiao Zhan replies, smiling lightly.
Fang Jiaming rolls his eyes. He cannot be bothered to correct his shrewd nephew regarding this.
Xiao Zhan asks, “Is Xiao-Jun not coming?”
“I do want him to spend more time with you and hopefully learn something from you, but he insisted that he was busy. All he is busy with is wasting time with his gang of good-for-nothings.” Fang Jiaming sits on the tea table, taking out a pile of tea leaves from the drawer, and says helplessly, “Come on, have a try of these tea leaves. I received them last week. These are from the year 2001 and they taste pretty good. The taste isn’t that strong either so it is quite suitable for daily consumption.”
Fang Jiaming made a pot for Xiao Zhan. Xiao Zhan takes a sip and asks, “Not bad, how much is this?”
“One pile costs about 35,000 dollars.” Fang Jiaming refills Xiao Zhan’s cup and asks while Xiao Zhan expresses his thanks by knocking on the table*, “Shall I give you a pile?”
(T/N*: It is a traditional way of expressing thanks to the person refilling your tea.)
Xiao Zhan smiles, “I will accept it then, thank you, uncle.”
This is one of the reasons why Fang Jiaming admires Xiao Zhan. Xiao Zhan has always been straightforward about what he wants. Of course, people are usually open to discussing such things only when they have the ability and enough capital to actually obtain what they want.
They continue to enjoy their tea while discussing the market in the last two days. From what Fang Jiaming knows, a few CEOs of several funding companies have also withdrawn from Qifu Provisions’ stocks. Even if they resume operations, Qifu Provisions no longer has core players to increase or stabilise their stock prices, and small players do not have the ability or resources to do so. Unless Qifu Provisions is blessed with insane luck and has some sort of significant-good news, there is almost no way they can recover from the incident.
And judging from the situation right now, Qifu Provisions’ recovery seems highly unlikely.
Personally, Xiao Zhan has no interest or involvement in the stock market other than short-selling. All the big earners out there know that the stock market cannot be relied on as the main source of income. It is only capable of providing them with some pocket money. To earn big bucks, there is no other way than fighting for it directly as a business.
There are a few investment research reports placed on Fang Jiaming’s desk. Fang Jiaming has always done spot checks on random reports from the investment department, his way of accepting and appreciating the effort and work of his employees.
Naturally, much of Xiao Zhan’s Value Scan’s work involves financial auditing and research too, so Xiao Zhan is familiar with such reports. Reports from the company’s researchers should be considered the business’s classified information, but Fang Jiaming has always been meticulous. The fact that he is leaving the reports lying on the desk, means that he does not mind Xiao Zhan looking at the reports at all. Xiao Zhan casually picks up a report at random from the desk.
Xiao Zhan flips through the report and finds the name of the researcher who wrote it, Lu Chuiqing.
Xiao Zhan recalls the conversation he overheard during the year-end gathering. That one little researcher from Zhong Ming who has deemed Qifu Provisions as unworthy of investment seems to go by the name “Xiao-Lu” among his colleagues.
Xiao Zhan asks, “Is this researcher new?”
Fan Jiaming takes a glance and replies, “Oh, you meant Xiao-Lu? He joined us last year, he works under Manager Qian. She did mention him a couple of times during the managers meeting, a steadfast and motivated individual.”
Xiao Zhan nods and sits down crossed leg on the sofa. His tall stature relaxes as he flips through Lu Chuiqing’s report.
“What, are you planning to poach on my employees again?” Fang Jiaming continues, “He’s just a small, inexperienced researcher for now. Even if he does have the potential, he needs time to develop by working from the bottom.”
Xiao Zhan replies, “Hm.”
Fang Jiaming squints his eyes and stares at Xiao Zhan momentarily, “Ah-Zhan, you are not poaching him, but took a fancy to him, didn’t you?”
Xiao Zhan replies with a light smile, “I like steadfast and motivated individuals.”
Fang Jiaming shakes his head, “I have nothing to say about you playing with your usual ones, but this one has a respectable job and is actually doing his job properly. He definitely has a good starting point as compared to many others in the industry, do you think that is someone for you to play with!?”
Xiao Zhan closes the report and returns it to the desk, “I know.”
Fang Jiaming hmphs, “I am telling you now, I won’t be giving him any special treatment even if you like that little guy. There are no such good things under my watch, those without abilities would just have to stay on the sidelines.”
“Of course.” Xiao Zhan stands and says unhurriedly, “If he is indeed worth developing, I’ll be leaving him in your capable hands. I’ll come for him when I am short on manpower in my company.”
“Get out!” Fang Jiaming scolds jokingly. Changing the subject suddenly, he says, “You are already thirty-something, do you not have any plans for settling down? Shaojun is already twenty-seven, your aunt and I want him to settle down soon. No matter what, I believe he’ll be more mature and will start to have a sense of responsibility once he has his own family.”
The edge of Xiao Zhan’s lips lifted, “I’ll think about it after Xiao-Jun marries.”
After enjoying a few pots of tea, it is about time for Xiao Zhan to return to his own office. The higher management of Zhong Ming is familiar with Xiao Zhan, and all of them greet him respectfully when he walks past.
A moment after Xiao Zhan stepped out of Zhong Ming Funding, Lu Chuiqing and Song Wenxin return to the office from their trip to You Le Stocks’ (优乐股份) office for an on-site research trip. Lu Chuiqing and Song Wenxin also met up with a researcher friend from one of their company’s past buyers to learn more about their recent recommendations and financial security types.
Lu Chuiqing feels pretty exhausted after travelling around for a couple of hours. He takes a short break and finishes half a tin of biscuits before going straight back to his post and organise the data they have collected just now.
The several stocks that he has been following have pretty good momentum. There are two which he has confidence in and would recommend as one of the main investments. Both of these companies are in City D, which is why he plans to go on a business trip to City D for his on-site research.
Without realising, it has already been three years since he has travelled back in time.
Although Lu Chuiqing’s life has been really busy and slightly stressful, he loves this industry and his career. He has the intention and perseverance to build up his career in this industry.
All of this is something Lu Chuiqing would not dare to dream of in his previous life.
However, Lu Chuiqing still feels regrets. He regrets that he did not get to say goodbye to Chenyuan, regrets that he lost his only child.
But it has been quite a few years, it is time he lets go. Lu Chuiqing wants to wait until his career is stable, ensure that he is well off, meet the person he loves, and provide him or her with the best that he can provide.
The disturbance from Qifu Provisions’ incident has not passed yet, as some continue to be overjoyed while others worry. Qifu Provisions’ competitors in the market are obviously the happy ones, while those who worry include investors who have invested heavily in them thus far.
Many financial reporters want to score an interview with Xiao Zhan, but he rejected every single request. The strange excuse given is “Our CEO is not good at expressing himself with words”, almost as if they are saying that Qifu Provisions still stand a chance at recovering.
Early April, Lu Chuiqing starts his journey to City D for his on-site research.
Lu Chuiqing was scheduled to arrive in the morning and visit the first company on his first day. He plans to visit the other company on his second day to properly investigate their future development plans and investment plans. He also plans to attend potential sellers’ roadshows if there are any. Since the third day lies on a Sunday, Lu Chuiqing intends to take his time and rest properly for a night before travelling back.
After arriving at the airport in City D, Lu Chuiqing goes to the conveyor belt quickly to wait for his luggage. He has brought a piece of middle-sized black luggage, one of the most common designs. Lu Chuiqing sees one looking similar to his coming so he goes ahead and reaches out for it.
Surprisingly, another hand reaches out at the same luggage at the same time.
Shocked, Lu Chuiqing turns his head and sees the owner of the hand already picking up the luggage.
“CEO Xiao?!”
Out of courtesy, Lu Chuiqing did not take a good look at Xiao Zhan when he passed by during the year-end gathering. Now that they are standing close, it is Lu Chuiqing’s first-ever opportunity to scrutinise Xiao Zhan’s appearance.
Alphas are generally physically larger as compared to the other two second genders, and Xiao Zhan is naturally that way as well. He is currently wearing smart-casual, not a single part of him indicates that he is intentionally showing off. However, just by merely standing there, the space around Xiao Zhan always seems to have become narrower.
Xiao Zhan has very delicate facial features as if they are carved on jade. It almost seems like God above has not hesitated to decorate his face with whatever they have, to the fullest of their abilities.
Lu Chuiqing stuns momentarily and realises that Xiao Zhan may not even remember him from their brief meeting at the year-end gathering. Fearing that he might have offended Xiao Zhan with his impoliteness, he quickly takes out and passes his name card to Xiao Zhan with both hands, body slightly bowed, “Hello, CEO Xiao. I am Lu Chuiqing, a researcher in the investment department from Zhong Ming Funding. This is my name card, please feel free to call me Xiao-Lu.”
Looking carefully, the luggage in Xiao Zhan’s hand, although similar, is not the one he was waiting for. Xiao Zhan’s luggage is obviously of better quality, and so Lu Chuiqing apologises, embarrassed, “I apologise, CEO Xiao. I have mistaken your luggage as mine and nearly took yours by mistake.”
Xiao Zhan stands, leaning to the side, his line of sight slightly downwards as he stares at Lu Chuiqing’s face that is somewhat filled with nervousness and guilt.
Same as the last time Xiao Zhan has seen him, the little researcher in front of him is still wearing a silver-white coloured electric collar. Probably because of his nervousness, Lu Chuiqing’s originally pale cheeks are now flushed.
Seeing that Xiao Zhan has not yet accepted his name card, Lu Chuiqing’s nervousness grows, thinking whether he is being too forward by taking too much initiative. An insignificant researcher such as himself, presenting his name card on his own so eagerly, does it not seem like he is trying to lick Xiao Zhan’s boots?
Either way, Lu Chuiqing does not know the workings inside a rich boss’s mind. Since he has already offered his name card, there is no reason for him to pull back now and so he decides to wait for Xiao Zhan’s response anxiously.
Finally, Xiao Zhan reaches out and accepts the name card.
Just as Lu Chuiqing lets out a sigh of relief, he hears Xiao Zhan’s distinctive, deep but indifferent voice coming from on top of his head, “A business trip?”
Lu Chuiqing answers quickly, “Yes, I am here for a few on-site researches.”
Xiao Zhan conveniently puts Lu Chuiqing’s name card into his suitcase and asks, “Which ones?”
“Jia Yue Purchase (家悦购) and Run Tian Stocks (润天股份).”
At this moment, Lu Chuiqing’s luggage finally arrives so he goes ahead and carries his luggage down from the conveyor belt. As Xiao Zhan is still here, Lu Chuiqing waits out of courtesy, thinking to at least send Xiao Zhan off to the lobby before leaving himself.
Judging from Xiao Zhan’s relatively casual wear, with no secretaries or someone similar accompanying him right now, he is probably not here for a business trip. Just as Lu Chuiqing becomes curious, Xiao Zhan starts pulling his own luggage’s handle, seemingly ready to go.
Lu Chuiqing says, “CEO Xiao, please let me send you off.”
Thinking that Xiao Zhan probably has someone waiting to pick him up, Lu Chuiqing walks Xiao Zhan to the lobby elevator that leads straight to the car park. Lu Chuiqing’s hotel is about thirty minutes away and it is very convenient with a taxi. Just as Lu Chuiqing wants to bid his farewell and take his leave, Xiao Zhan, instead, asks him suddenly, “Where are you staying?”
“Jin Tai Commercial Hotel (金泰商务酒店) near the exhibition centre.”
Xiao Zhan walks into the elevator, holding the door open, locking Lu Chuiqing on the spot with his sharp gaze and says faintly, “I’ll give you a lift.”
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Translator’s note:
The story is FINALLY MOVING FORWARD goddammit.
aaahhh!! this is what i've been waiting for~ hahaha thank u for the chapter~
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