Chapter 36: No

Zhou Ming's words gave Sun Wei a glimmer of hope. Sun Wei mumbled, "Yes! Mr. Zhou, I receive a commission of 0.05% for each stock index transaction. But… can this amount to 100,000 Hong Kong dollars?"

Wang Yunlong helped Zhou Ming explain to Sun Wei, "Sun Wei, Mr. Zhou has analyzed the future trend of the Hong Kong stock index. According to his analysis, the Hong Kong stock index will face its largest decline since its inception, with a drop of over a thousand points."

"A thousand points? Does that mean the entire financial market in Hong Kong will collapse?" Sun Wei exclaimed, disbelief written all over his face. As a Hong Kong local, it was hard for him to believe the market would collapse so suddenly. But if it was Zhou Ming's prediction, he couldn't help but believe. In fact, he even hoped the market would drop as much as possible, because only if Zhou Ming made over 20 million Hong Kong dollars would he be able to settle his debt with Brother Hao Nan.

With that thought, Sun Wei clasped his hands together and bowed toward the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, fervently praying, "Heaven, please let the Hong Kong stock index continue to plummet. May Mr. Zhou earn over 20 million Hong Kong dollars! Please, I beg you!"

A person sincerely praying for another's wealth?

This bizarre scene left everyone in the café dumbfounded. Witnessing this, people felt their worldview, life view, and values were all turned upside down.

"What kind of person is this?" a café staff member asked in disbelief.

Lin Muqing, having spent the most time with Zhou Ming, was the first to snap out of her shock. She looked at Zhou Ming with admiration, thinking: This man is amazing!

Zhou Ming was also surprised by Sun Wei's dedication to the cause, helping him pray for wealth so openly. It could only be attributed to the power of capital and money.

"I hope your wish comes true," Zhou Ming said with a smile.

Sun Wei nodded vigorously, "It will definitely happen. The God of Wealth will bless Mr. Zhou. With this market disaster so severe, you will surely make 20 million!"

Zhou Ming waved his hand, signaling Sun Wei that he had other matters to attend to. Sun Wei, understanding, quickly left the café, though not without expressing his blessings and hopes for Zhou Ming. Zhou Ming could only accept it; after all, how could he reject someone's good wishes for him to make money?

After Sun Wei left, Zhou Ming asked Wang Yunlong, "Do you know all the fund companies or other financial investment firms in Hong Kong?"

"Yes, due to my work, I have business dealings with several fund companies," Wang Yunlong replied. He then asked, "Mr. Zhou, are you planning to acquire a fund company after this stock disaster?"

Zhou Ming nodded, "Yes, because starting a new fund company from scratch would be too time-consuming and exhausting. It's more efficient to acquire an existing one."

Wang Yunlong said, "Mr. Zhou, you have good foresight. After this stock disaster, many fund companies in Hong Kong will face financial pressure and be forced to sell at low prices."

"You are more familiar with Hong Kong, and you are also my designated fund manager. This task will be entrusted to you. I need a fund company with mature conditions and relationships, and most importantly, it should have an upward momentum. Please gather and send me the information about suitable fund companies as soon as possible," Zhou Ming instructed. "As for the stock market, you can set it aside for now. It will continue to drop for the next few days without much change."

"Please rest assured, Mr. Zhou. I will do my best to prepare the materials quickly!" Wang Yunlong promised earnestly.

...

The Victoria Hotel is a five-star hotel located in Central, Hong Kong. Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing had moved here after their previous hotel reservation expired.

After checking in, Zhou Ming had the hotel staff deliver their luggage to their respective rooms.

Zhou Ming had booked two deluxe sea-view rooms. As soon as they entered the room, Lin Muqing eagerly pulled open the curtains, revealing the azure Victoria Harbor.

"It's beautiful," Lin Muqing marveled.

"But unfortunately, the best rooms were already taken," Zhou Ming said with some regret.

Lin Muqing shot Zhou Ming an irritated look, disapproving of his lack of appreciation. She said, "You still have the nerve to complain. Even with a discount, this room costs over 1,000 Hong Kong dollars a night. That adds up to 40,000 Hong Kong dollars a month. Aren't you extravagant? It's as if you want everyone to know you're a nouveau riche."

Zhou Ming just smiled. The stock disaster in Hong Kong had been ongoing for four days, and the stock index had dropped more than 500 points. Zhou Ming's fifty-two short positions had already earned him 10 million Hong Kong dollars. Even if he were considered nouveau riche, it was still remarkable to see his assets increase twenty-fold in just four days.

Zhou Ming had planned for the Central hotel rooms to end today, so he took out 500,000 Hong Kong dollars from the futures market to secure the sea-view rooms at the Victoria Hotel for himself and Lin Muqing.

"It can't be helped. I'm just a provincial bumpkin from the mainland, and I can't change my deep-seated desire to give… Sister Muqing a good life," Zhou Ming said.

Lin Muqing rolled her eyes at Zhou Ming, saying, "You're so silly!"

She then opened the floor-to-ceiling window, letting the sea breeze in. Lin Muqing gracefully walked to the balcony and leaned against the railing, gazing into the distance. Zhou Ming followed her, and Lin Muqing suddenly asked, "It's so unbelievable. I'm staying in a luxurious sea-view room in Hong Kong. Zhou Ming, tell me, is all of this real? It won't disappear when I wake up tomorrow, will it?"

Seeing Lin Muqing's wistful figure, Zhou Ming felt a pang in his heart. He wrapped his arms around her and softly whispered in her ear, "Of course it's real. We're already millionaires. Even if this were a dream, as long as I'm here, no matter how many times it happens, I'll make sure Sister Muqing's dreams come true."

Held in Zhou Ming's embrace, Lin Muqing first trembled, but then she relaxed and enjoyed the feeling of being cared for.

"These days have been so terrifying. I didn't expect such a developed place as Hong Kong to collapse so quickly. The newspapers say people are jumping off buildings every day due to the index drop. You also said millions are evaporating daily, and the whole city is filled with pessimism. It feels like the end of the world. What is going on?" Lin Muqing asked, almost as if in a daze.

"Actually, Hong Kong's economic situation isn't as good as people expected. Or rather, the global economy isn't as strong as it seems. Although the world appears to be growing rapidly, it's riddled with flaws and is on the brink of collapse. Hong Kong, as a free port, is heavily dependent on the global economy. Once there's a large-scale fluctuation in the world economy, especially led by the U.S., Hong Kong will inevitably suffer a severe blow."

Zhou Ming continued, "To put it metaphorically, Hong Kong's economy was like a paper ladder before. It might look shiny and impressive, but it was fraught with danger. Once a strong wind blows, the paper ladder collapses quickly, and those who climbed high on it fall harder."

"Isn't that too tragic for the people of Hong Kong?" Lin Muqing said.

Zhou Ming shook his head, "I believe it's better to topple the paper ladder early and build a sturdier one, rather than allowing Hong Kong to climb higher on a fragile ladder. Only then can the financial market in Hong Kong truly get back on track."

Lin Muqing turned and smiled at Zhou Ming, "But unfortunately, those stubborn and proud people in Hong Kong are unwilling to accept this. Zhou Ming, you're so smart!"

"No choice. In times of chaos, heroes emerge. With such a big event happening in Hong Kong and the whole world, if I don't do something, it would be a disservice to this era," Zhou Ming said with a smile.

Lin Muqing nodded seriously, "Yes, Zhou Ming, you're the hero of this era!"

Their conversation set a romantic mood in the room as Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing gazed into each other's eyes.

Zhou Ming instinctively swallowed. He had always known Lin Muqing was beautiful, and he remembered how other men envied him when they dined together. But now, as Lin Muqing closed her eyes and presented herself to him, Zhou Ming felt an irresistible itch in his heart.

Unable to resist, Zhou Ming leaned down and kissed her lips, which were the envy of many men. At the moment their lips touched, Zhou Ming felt Lin Muqing stiffen, but she didn't pull away.

With her tacit approval, Zhou Ming deepened the kiss, parting her lips with his tongue. His tongue, like a nimble snake, teased and entwined with her shy, retreating tongue, gently exploring and claiming her.

This was Lin Muqing's second kiss and her first one while fully conscious. Zhou Ming felt her tentative response, her lips moist and soft, making him reluctant to let go. Zhou Ming sucked gently, causing Lin Muqing to moan softly, feeling as if her soul was being drawn out.

The sound of her moan ignited Zhou Ming

's passion. Unable to control his desires, Zhou Ming's hands moved to Lin Muqing's chest.

Feeling the sensitive area being touched, Lin Muqing suddenly reacted. She quickly opened her eyes and said, "No!"