Chapter 13
Translator: Aafkee
Proofreader: Superclubs2
In the western restaurant filled with simple and elegant music, Lu Chuiqing’s line of sight moves towards downstairs. It is not because Lu Chuiqing has found something of interest downstairs. He is merely trying to focus his sight on a point while his mind wanders.
Honestly speaking, Lu Chuiqing is indeed interested in Xiao Zhan. Lu Chuiqing respects him and hopes to learn much from him. Lu Chuiqing thinks that Xiao Zhan is very charming, and he is pretty sure that most omegas would think the same.
At that moment, Xiao Zhan lifts his briefcase and takes out a thin piece of paper, placing it in front of Lu Chuiqing.
Lu Chuiqing subconsciously looks down and realises there are only two things on the paper: stock names and stock codes, about thirty sets of them.
Lu Chuiqing lifts his head, confused, “CEO Xiao, this is?”
“The ones you’ve researched were not chosen, right?” Xiao Zhan said, “The market has indeed been putting too much focus on concept stocks, but they are only short term opportunities. As for whether or not those stocks are valuable, that’s another conversation altogether. My company’s researchers have done the preliminary filtering and collated this list of concept stocks that have value and potential. These concept stocks have had pretty good trends for the past half a year, you can take this for reference.”
Lu Chuiqing was stunned for a few seconds. Given Xiao Zhan and Fang Jiaming’s relationship, it is no surprise that Xiao Zhan knows about it. However, he is very stunned by the document placed before him.
Noticing Lu Chuiqing’s lack of reaction, Xiao Zhan raises his brow and laughs lightly, “What’s wrong? Are you worried that I would trick you by giving you a list of my short-selling targets?”
Lu Chuiqing shakes his head rapidly, his eyes avoiding Xiao Zhan and his ears flushing, “CEO Xiao… isn’t this considered classified information?”
“It’s only some stock codes, I wouldn’t call them classified information.” Xiao Zhan continues, “Any capable researcher would be able to come up with this list, it is only a matter of time.”
Lu Chuiqing understands too. For researchers to discover blue-chip stocks*, preliminary filtering is extremely essential, but also the most time-consuming and requires the most effort.
(T/N*: “A blue-chip stock is a huge company with an excellent reputation. These are typically large, well-established and financially sound companies that have operated for many years and that have dependable earnings, often paying dividends to investors.” - retrieved from Investopedia, 2021)
A researcher’s main responsibility is to filter out the less valuable stocks. There may even be times when a researcher targets a stock, but only to find that it is not worth the investment after all the time and effort spent on research. Or like Lu Chuiqing, who has just failed to get his stocks chosen just because he has chosen stocks that are not suitable for current investment. These situations are common and often unavoidable.
To have someone help him do the preliminary filtering would be like reducing the search boundaries from an ocean to a fish tank. The work needed would have decreased by more than half.
What’s more, this is a list made by the researchers from Xiao Zhan’s company. It is obvious how valuable it is.
“CEO Xiao…” Lu Chuiqing opens his mouth but does not know what he should say, his heart beating wildly.
Xiao Zhan takes a sip of tea, “All I did was reduce your workload. As for whether or not you’ll find a good stock, that’s your own business.”
Having saved the time needed for the preliminary filtering, Lu Chuiqing can indeed make more time to focus on more in-depth research on value stocks. If this list was given to him by his colleagues, Lu Chuiqing would have accepted it with a grateful heart without feeling any burden.
But because this list is offered by Xiao Zhan, Lu Chuiqing can not help but feel guilty.
Xiao Zhan observes Lu Chuiqing, the latter showing a face filled with uncertainty and shame, lips pursed and ear tips flushed. It is obvious that Lu Chuiqing is having an internal struggle.
The edge of Xiao Zhan’s lips lifts slightly. He puts down his knife and fork, cleans his mouth and hands, and says, “I have something to settle, so I will go ahead first.”
Lu Chuiqing lifts his head up instantly. Not waiting for his reply, Xiao Zhan has already stood up and picked up his jacket and briefcase. Lu Chuiqing says rushedly, “CEO Xiao! This…”
Xiao Zhan, “Keep it.”
With that, Xiao Zhan walks out of the private room. Lu Chuiqing quickly stands up and walks towards the exit, the words he wants to say stuck in his throat. In the end, Lu Chuiqing can only force out a simple, “CEO Xiao, you… Please take care.”
Lu Chuiqing walks back to the seat after Xiao Zhan leaves, his heart in a mess. He looks at the piece of paper on the table, feeling the pressure that comes with it.
Finally, Lu Chuiqing folds the piece of paper and puts it in his chest pocket carefully. He quickly finishes up with his meal, wipes his mouth and asks for the bill, “Excuse me, the bill, please.”
The attendant comes over with his packed take-out meal, bows slightly and answers politely, “Mr Lu, the bills are already paid for when CEO Xiao left.”
Lu Chuiqing’s heart sunk upon hearing that.
Even though Xiao Zhan said that he would leave the bills to Lu Chuiqing, Xiao Zhan ended up paying for it after all. Even if Xiao Zhan does not care about that bit of money, Lu Chuiqing thought he should save him some face by letting him pay. Besides, he has already received something so valuable from Xiao Zhan.
Lu Chuiqing purses his lips and ends up taking the packed food and starts his way back to the office.
When Song Wenxin, who has been focused on writing his report, noticed that the food brought back has fancy packaging from White Bird’s restaurant, he asks, bewildered, “Didn’t you say that you’re going to the cafeteria downstairs?”
Lu Chuiqing replies vaguely, “I met a friend… we went to eat at White Bird together.”
Song Wenxin rubs his hands together and opens the food excitedly, “Thanks! This report is giving me such a headache and I was just thinking of treating myself to some good food. How much is this? I’ll transfer the money to you.”
Lu Chuiqing stares at his computer screen and daydreams once back at his desk, not absorbing a single word on his screen as his heart is preoccupied with the list in his pocket and the favour he now owes to Xiao Zhan.
At last, Lu Chuiqing takes out his phone and sends Xiao Zhan a message.
“CEO Xiao, I feel sorry for having you pay for the bill. Besides, I have also received your list, so please let me pay you back. Please do tell me how I can return the money, at your convenience. Or perhaps, I can treat you to a meal next time?”
After sending out the message, Lu Chuiqing puts down his phone and sucks in a deep breath before taking out the list and scanning it into his computer.
As for the message, Lu Chuiqing did not receive any reply from Xiao Zhan even after he returned home that night.
Lu Chuiqing feels an unexplainable disappointment as he stares at his empty notification page. He lies on the bed while staring at his phone with a sigh. It is not that convenient to call Xiao Zhan at such a private hour either. He would feel even more apologetic if he has unintentionally disturbed his private matters.
After giving it a thought, Lu Chuiqing opens up his WeChat app and tries searching for the private number Xiao Zhan gave him before.
The account’s profile picture shows a person hugging a cat, the cat looking like a baby lying in the person’s embrace while sleeping, showing its relaxed, pinkish tongue. The person in the picture was sitting on a sofa, the picture only displaying his shoulders and below. The face is not shown in the picture, but it is obvious that this person is tall and lean.
Lu Chuiqing stuns for a long while, double-checking whether or not he has gotten the wrong number. In the end, the doubts in his heart increase after confirming that he has not mistaken the number.
This is CEO Xiao’s number, so there is no way it would be bound to another person’s account, right?
So is this CEO Xiao in the picture? He has a cat?
Lu Chuiqing stared at the photo for a long while. He could only confirm that this person is indeed Xiao Zhan by that shoulder at the edge of the photo, covered by a fabric that seems to be a suit.
Lu Chuiqing has thought of getting a kitten or puppy after his marriage, but it seemed like Chen Yuan was allergic to their fur, so Lu Chuiqing dropped it and never entertained the idea since then.
It pleases Lu Chuiqing’s heart to see pictures of such cute animals, and he does want to get his own pet after he has his own apartment.
Lu Chuiqing sends a friend verification request to Xiao Zhan, carefully crafting his message that gets sent with the request, “Greetings, CEO Xiao. I am Lu Chuiqing. Sorry to bother you at such a late hour, but I still wish to return the money to you. Would it be convenient for you to accept my friend request?”
Lu Chuiqing starts to regret not long after he sent the request. No matter how he sees it, this account seems to be a private account, for his daily life. It feels inappropriate for him to add his boss’s private social media account so boldly. Not only that, but he has also messaged Xiao Zhan several times just for a meal. Won’t Xiao Zhan find him annoying?
As the request has already been sent, there is nothing else Lu Chuiqing can do other than to wait. He lets out a sigh, puts down his phone and takes out his laptop, deciding to look through the list Xiao Zhan gave him instead.
East Amethyst Stock (东紫股份), a pharmaceutical stock that has always been looked upon positively by the market… Yong An Silver (永安银利), its stock has been increasing rapidly in the rare-earth industry… Bo Da Materials (博达材料), one of the stocks which have lots of potentials, it’s trend positive…
Lu Chuiqing frowns, Bo Da Materials?
That company’s name flashed across his mind. It felt like he has seen that name somewhere. Not in recent years, but during those five years in his previous life.
Lu Chuiqing was depressed in those years. Even though he had stopped paying attention to the finance industry after he failed his exam, he vaguely remembers that he had once heard something about this Bo Da Materials Technology company.
Something must have happened to Bo Da during those years if even he had noticed this company in his depressed state.
Compared to his previous life’s timeline, he should be in his second year of marriage right now, but Lu Chuiqing only has a vaguely familiar feeling towards that company. He has no memory of what he had heard about this company in his previous life, nor does he remember the when.
Just as he mulls over this company, Lu Chuiqing’s phone screen lights up. It is a WeChat notification notifying him that Xiao Zhan has accepted his friend request, and has even sent him a message.
Lu Chuiqing becomes nervous all of a sudden, afraid of looking at his phone. He even needs some mental preparations before picking up the phone to look at the message.
Lu Chuiqing opens the message and sees Xiao Zhan’s usual concise reply, “No need.”
Lu Chuiqing, who is eager to return the money, feels restless upon seeing the message. He quickly types out his reply on his phone, “CEO Xiao, the list you gave me has helped me out immensely, please do not say it’s not needed. Although you may think that I am annoying, please allow me to return the money to you!”
Xiao Zhan, “Then, I’ll bring you along to a gathering.”
Lu Chuiqing stuns momentarily, what gathering? Discussion forum? Social gathering? Banquet?
Just for a moment, that obedient omega who accompanied Xiao Zhan at the new year’s annual gathering flashed quickly across Lu Chuiqing’s mind.
Did Xiao Zhan mean to “bring him along” that way?
Lu Chuiqing stares at his phone screen, his finger twitches. He feels disappointed, helpless and at a loss, at the possibility that Xiao Zhan may think of him that way.
If Xiao Zhan really does think of him that way, his stance firm, what else can he say? Or what should he do? Can he really decline? Will his career really remain unaffected?
In the end, Lu Chuiqing replies, “CEO Xiao, may I know what kind of gathering is that?”
Unexpectedly, Xiao Zhan called him not long after he sent out the message. Although he has already interacted with Xiao Zhan, face to face, several times, he still feels an unexplainable nervousness to be on a phone call with Xiao Zhan.
Lu Chuiqing clears his throat, restrains the peculiar feeling in his heart and answers the call, “CEO Xiao?”
“An industry-related investment discussion forum, many share brokers’ researchers will be attending. “ CEO Xiao’s unrushed voice sounded next to Lu Chuiqing’s ears, “It’ll be advantageous to you if you network with more sellers.”
Lu Chuiqing is stumped for words for a second, Xiao Zhan’s deep voice resembling the stable and graceful sounds of a cello, carry some sort of warmth along his ears and straight into his heart.
Networking is important anywhere. Sometimes, there are problems that you cannot solve alone, but with just a little hint of help from the right person, things can become much easier.
The researchers of the buyers spend most of their time with their own colleagues, reporting directly to their fund managers. There are barely any opportunities for them to network with other professionals in the industry.
From what he knows, access to such discussion forums is only limited to invitations. Take Zhong Ming Funding as an example, probably only the researcher group leaders with more experience have a chance to attend such forums. Unless brought along by their group leaders, there is no way newbies like him, who have not even worked for six months in the company, have access to the discussion forum. The others can only be jealous of such opportunities.
But Lu Chuiqing wants to attend the discussion forum, especially so, as he understands how important a wider perspective and network is to people in this industry.
Lu Chuiqing swallows, replying with uncertainty, “CEO Xiao, is it really alright for me to attend such a forum?”
“Are you afraid that you aren’t allowed in even as my plus-one?” There is a hint of a laugh in Xiao Zhan’s voice, “Since most attendees have more experience than you, all the more you should attend too.”
Lu Chuiqing’s heart speeds up, his voice cannot help but turn slightly hoarse from his emotions, “Yes, I understand. CEO Xiao, thank you so much… And I must apologise. Not only did I not return the money to you, but also troubling you for such things.”
Xiao Zhan lets out a deep laugh on the other side of the line. Lu Chuiqing can almost imagine how he looks at that moment, tranquil, but also calm and elegant.
“When I say there is no need, I mean it.” Xiao Zhan says, “The discussion forum is next Sunday, at two in the afternoon. There will be a dinner party at night. Where is your house? I will send someone over to fetch you.”
Lu Chuiqing declines out of reflex, “It’s fine, it’s fine! I can go there myself if you tell me the address!”
“Enough.” Xiao Zhan replies simply, “Or I can fetch you instead.”
Lu Chuiqing admits defeat. With no better alternatives, he can only tell Xiao Zhan his address.
---------- Translator’s note:
I would like to express my thanks to my first coffee provider, ChaiTea, and my proofreader for TTT, Superclubs2! Honestly didn't expect anyone to donate anything so I was pleasantly surprised. Thank you so much! (I did treat myself to a cup of ice latte 😊)
Also, I have a discord server, if anyone is interested. I am mostly using it as my private notebook/archive right now, but I have made several channels in there in case anyone is interested. It will make notification and communication easier, but not a necessity! Feel free to join me at https://discord.gg/wjnTKxdR2d🥳 (tho there's only me in there right now LMAO but we can talk about different novels like the nerds we are?) It will also come in handy for NSFW chapters in the future... 😶
oh so there will be NSFW chapters~ hahahaha thank u for the update!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update. I dont have discord and hope nsfw chapters will be updated here. UwU
ReplyDeleteHello! To protect my own ass, I had to find a way to confirm that the reader is above 18, which is why the password and link for the nsfw chapters are all posted on Discord. ); I really recommend making an account since it is free, and I post my updates there as well!
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