Chapter 32: Picking Up Money in the Harbor City

Walking out of the jade store, Zhou Ming patted his money-filled bag and said to Lin Muxing, "Muxing, how's it going? You can now shop for clothes without worrying about me using the capital I had prepared for financial business and potentially affecting future profits, right?"

Lin Muxing smiled charmingly, "Zhou Ming, you're something else. Even now, you can still say such things. It really leaves me at a loss for words."

Lin Muxing was still struggling to comprehend how Zhou Ming, having spent 6,000 Hong Kong dollars on a stone that others deemed worthless, ended up with a jadeite worth 100,000 Hong Kong dollars. Compared to stocks or government bonds, which have tangible transactions, Zhou Ming's actions seemed almost like turning stone into gold.

"Zhou Ming, how did you know that jade would definitely be inside that stone?" Lin Muxing finally asked the question that had been bothering her.

"I didn't know," Zhou Ming said. "You saw the situation; I didn't even know many of the jargon and rules of gambling stones. How could I know that jade was inside that stone? It was just that we only had 6,000 Hong Kong dollars, and that was the only type of raw material I could afford. Besides, people nearby also mentioned that stones with a Songhua skin often contain jade. I just took a gamble."

This was the answer Zhou Ming had prepared. Claiming to be reborn and knowing from previous biographies that this raw material would definitely contain jade would be too far-fetched and unbelievable. So, it was better to say that he was just taking a chance. Compared to the facts, this fabricated story seemed more convincing.

As expected, after hearing Zhou Ming's answer, Lin Muxing sighed, "Your luck is really amazing!"

Zhou Ming shrugged, "It's not that I'm lucky. It's just that their courage was too small. If they had chosen to gamble on stones, why give up halfway? If they hadn't given up, I wouldn't have made this money."

This was a direct quote from the biography of the jewelry tycoon. When Zhou Ming bought that raw material, no one competed with him. It seemed that the tycoon wasn't sure if the material contained jade, so when Zhou Ming decided to take a gamble, the tycoon naturally chose to give up.

Lin Muxing looked at Zhou Ming and asked, "So? What do you want to say?"

"I want to say that Muxing, you should feel free to do whatever you want. Buy whatever clothes you want. As long as I'm here, money is not an issue!" Zhou Ming said.

"Great, then I'll be straightforward. I want both pieces of clothing you had the waiter wrap up earlier," Lin Muxing said cheerfully.

"No problem," Zhou Ming waved his hand, "Muxing, whatever you want, it's all good!"

"What if I want the whole mall?" Lin Muxing asked playfully.

Lin Muxing had intended to tease Zhou Ming, but he responded readily, "No problem. If you really like it, give me a month, and I'll make sure I have enough money to fulfill your wish!"

Lin Muxing shook her head and said with a smile, "You're something else!"

...

Back at the Peninsula Mall, when the waiter saw Zhou Ming and Lin Muxing return, he jokingly asked, "Hey, mainland boss, did you pick up money on your way back?"

The sarcastic tone displeased Lin Muxing, but Zhou Ming didn't mind. He responded seriously, "Oh, Hong Kong is much more prosperous than the mainland. There's money to be picked up everywhere. I just picked up over 100,000 Hong Kong dollars, so I'm back to buy clothes. Have you wrapped up the clothes I asked for earlier? If so, hand them over; I'll pay for them."

The waiter was stunned, "Boss, did you really pick up money?"

Zhou Ming acted as if it were obvious, "What else? After strolling around for a while, I should have something to show for it. Aren't you going to sell me the clothes?"

The waiter quickly realized and shook his head, "Of course, the clothes can be sold to you. It's just that what you said earlier shocked me. I'll get the clothes for you right away."

Even though Lin Muxing had seen many changes in expressions today, seeing the waiter quickly change from calling him a "mainland local" to "sir" still made her very upset.

While the waiter was getting Lin Muxing's clothes, her pager went off. It was a call from Wang Yunlong, which Zhou Ming had arranged for Lin Muxing to use in Hong Kong for convenience. After all, the stock market situation changes rapidly, and although the grand feast Lin Muxing was waiting for hadn't begun, some appetizers beforehand were also good.

Zhou Ming borrowed a phone from the mall to call Wang Yunlong. As expected, Wang Yunlong was reporting on the stock market. Zhou Ming didn't respond immediately but decided to wait until he returned to discuss it.

The waiter soon finished packing the clothes for Lin Muxing. Zhou Ming paid for them at the counter, and then he and Lin Muxing left for Central.

Arriving at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Wang Yunlong had been waiting there. He hurriedly greeted Zhou Ming and said, "Mr. Zhou, you're finally here. You mentioned on the phone that you... used up all the money? How could you do that? Financial investment is all about making your money work for you. If you spend all the money, how can you increase it?"

Wang Yunlong glanced at the bags of clothes Zhou Ming was carrying and asked, "Mr. Zhou, pardon my curiosity, but you didn't spend all the money on clothes, did you?"

"These clothes cost 60,000 Hong Kong dollars. The money you helped me make wasn't enough," Zhou Ming said. "As for my spending, you must have misunderstood. I used the money because I think your method of making money is too slow. Earning a few thousand Hong Kong dollars in a week…"

Before Zhou Ming could finish, Wang Yunlong interrupted angrily, "Mr. Zhou, please forgive my bluntness. With only 20,000 Hong Kong dollars, making a few thousand dollars a week is already a lot. If you think that's too little, I suggest you try the casino in Macau. With your luck, you might win hundreds of thousands."

Wang Yunlong's words made Lin Muxing unhappy. She said, "Just because you're not capable doesn't mean others have to be the same. We took the money you helped us make and invested it. We made 100,000 Hong Kong dollars in less than a day. Isn't it true that your method of making money is too slow?"

"Making 100,000 in a day? With only 29,000 Hong Kong dollars in capital?" Wang Yunlong was astonished.

"To be precise, the capital was only 6,000 Hong Kong dollars," Zhou Ming said.

"God, how did you do that? Do you perform money magic?" Wang Yunlong's voice was filled with shock. He couldn't understand how Zhou Ming managed to turn 6,000 Hong Kong dollars into 100,000 in less than a day. It was impossible in the stock market. Futures and forex might be possible, but it required significant market-moving news.

Seeing Wang Yunlong's expression, Zhou Ming knew he had stunned him. He patted Wang Yunlong on the shoulder and said, "Don't be discouraged. Every field has its own expertise. At least in the stock market, I believe no one can surpass you. Your dedication to recording data every day is something even I can't do, and I believe most people can't either. So, you should have confidence. With your hard work, no one can beat you in this field."

Wang Yunlong looked up at Zhou Ming and nodded vigorously, "Thank you, Mr. Zhou. I understand now. I will work hard, and please trust my judgment."

Zhou Ming smiled, "That's the spirit. If I ever set up a fund, how could I not consider you as my fund manager!"

"You're truly joking, Mr. Zhou," Wang Yunlong said.

"Maybe I'm not joking!" Zhou Ming said deliberately, leaving Wang Yunlong momentarily stunned.

But then Zhou Ming quickly changed the subject, "Alright, enough of that. Do you know of any futures companies in Hong Kong? I want to open a futures account."

"Mr. Zhou, do you want to trade futures?" Wang Yunlong asked.

"Not right now, but I might use it in the future. Just open the account for me now. I want the most convenient futures account from a major company," Zhou Ming said.

"Alright, I have a friend working at Fenghui Futures, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fenghui Bank and the largest futures company in Hong Kong. You don't have to worry," Wang Yunlong said.

Zhou Ming nodded, "Then I'll trouble you with this."

...

Perhaps Zhou Ming's rapid earning of 100,000 Hong Kong dollars had a stimulating effect on Wang Yunlong, or perhaps Zhou Ming's encouragement had made a difference. In any case, Wang Yunlong became more diligent in analyzing and recording the trends of the Hong Kong stock market, helping Zhou Ming to buy the best-performing stocks.

"Mr. Zhou, Changhe Industrial's lighting company is undergoing restructuring. Changhe Industrial recently raised a lot of funds, which suggests they might be trying to improve the lighting company. Given Changhe's strong financial strength and Chairman Li Cheng's foresight, I believe the market will have great confidence in the lighting company's stock, and it will definitely rise!"

"Mr. Zhou, two companies have had some friction, but I suspect it might be a smokescreen intentionally set by some consortium. I think the stock of the Wharf Company will rise in about three or four days."

"Mr. Zhou, the stock of Jinli Company looks very promising…"

These were the reports and suggestions Wang Yunlong provided to Zhou Ming. Zhou Ming did not object and followed Wang Yunlong's recommendations as long as he didn't recognize the stocks as ones that were clearly going to fall. As for the futures account, Wang Yunlong's friend was highly efficient, and the account was set up in just one day.

Receiving his futures account, Zhou Ming leaned back in his chair, satisfied, and looked out the window. He was just waiting for the day to arrive.