Chapter 47: Earning Over 20 Million

Zhou Ming wasn't a person who would get stuck on trivial matters or be overly meticulous. The reason he pushed for Shen Xin's apology earlier was simply to stand up for his woman. For Zhou Ming, it was acceptable if someone disregarded or slighted him, but when it came to his woman, that was a different story. And Lin Muqing… Although she never admitted it, given their past interactions, Zhou Ming considered her as such in his heart.

After this brief episode, Zhou Ming and Shen Xin sat down together. Shen Xin, being the chief reporter of Hong Kong Finance, quickly adjusted her attitude. She began by reminding Zhou Ming, "Mr. Zhou, once our interview begins, I will record every word you say and choose the important parts for publication, but I won't make any edits. Are you ready?"

Zhou Ming nodded, "We can start."

"Alright. I understand that a fund-buying frenzy happened at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange this morning. I didn't witness it personally, but I heard that the scene was extremely heated and the amount of funds involved reached over ten million. Is that true?" Shen Xin asked.

Zhou Ming shook his head with a smile, "The scene was indeed very lively, but it wasn't as exaggerated as you described. Our fund only had six million worth of shares. How could it be oversubscribed to ten million? That's an exaggeration."

"I see. But even a few million being snapped up in the morning is impressive," Shen Xin said. "Since the stock market crash, Hong Kong's financial industry has been in a slump, with many fund companies suffering severe losses and even having to sell off their assets. So, what made you launch a new type of fund at this time? And how did this fund achieve such sales figures on its very first day, in such a bleak environment?"

"It's actually quite simple because the new type of fund I launched is a capital-protected fund," Zhou Ming replied.

"A capital-protected fund?" Shen Xin asked with curiosity. "Mr. Zhou, are you saying that this fund guarantees the principal for investors under any circumstances?"

"Yes, this capital-protected fund ensures that the principal won't be lost while aiming for stable growth," Zhou Ming explained. "Of course, there are exceptions. For instance, if a war breaks out and something happens to me or my company during the war, such force majeure events can't be guaranteed."

"Mr. Zhou, you're quite humorous," Shen Xin laughed lightly. "As far as I know, the concept of capital-protected funds was proposed by Professor Brand from California, but this investment technology is still in a confidential and experimental stage. I'd like to know how you learned about it. Are you a student of Professor Brand or involved with some financial institution in California?"

"No, I'm from the mainland," Zhou Ming said.

"From the mainland?" Shen Xin's eyes widened in surprise. "Does this mean you think mainlanders cannot invest or start funds in Hong Kong?"

Shen Xin shook her head, "No, Mr. Zhou, that's not what I meant. Hong Kong is very open and welcomes any legal investment. However, it's surprising that a mainlander can be so knowledgeable about finance, considering the mainland's poverty and economic stagnation. I've heard that there are still barter trades in some places, and the authorities continuously suppress any potential economic activities. Given this context, it's astonishing that someone like you emerged from the mainland."

"Furthermore, forgive my bluntness, but given that many people in the mainland struggle to make ends meet, it's hard to believe that you could have such a substantial investment here in Hong Kong," Shen Xin added. "Mr. Zhou, you're not an escaped mainland official or a spy trying to disrupt Hong Kong's economy, are you? Like what happened twenty years ago?"

Shen Xin's remarks made both Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing very angry. Although she maintained a controlled demeanor, her disdain for Zhou Ming's mainland identity was evident, especially with her final comment, which carried a hint of insult.

"Reporter Shen, I don't know where you heard these things, but I want to say that the mainland is not as you imagine," Zhou Ming said. "And the money I've invested in Hong Kong is all earned by myself."

"All earned by yourself?" Shen Xin said with a skeptical expression. "If you had been in the financial industry for a long time or had established Jinming Fund Company years ago, I might believe you. But judging by your accent, you don't seem to have been here long. And if I'm not mistaken, Jinming Fund Company was called Wanhe Fund Company just half a month ago, with a market value of around five to six million, even after the stock disaster. Unless there's corruption or espionage, it's hard to imagine how you could have amassed such wealth."

Zhou Ming looked Shen Xin up and down with a regretful tone, "If someone else said this to me, I could understand. But hearing it from you, Reporter Shen, makes me question whether you're as perceptive as your reputation suggests."

Shen Xin's eyes narrowed, "Mr. Zhou, please watch your words!"

"Reporter Shen, you should also watch your words!" Zhou Ming replied firmly. "As the chief reporter of Hong Kong Finance, don't you know that there's money to be made everywhere in Hong Kong?"

"Money everywhere? Are you telling me a fairy tale? If that were true, wouldn't Hong Kong be full of millionaires?" Shen Xin mocked.

"Then it only shows that your perspective is lacking," Zhou Ming said. "Anyway, since I arrived in Hong Kong, I've been making money effortlessly. In less than a month, I've made over 20 million."

Shen Xin warned, "Mr. Zhou, I hope you remember that you're being interviewed by Hong Kong Finance. Everything you say could be published in our newspaper. If your comments are published, I believe you'll become the laughingstock of all Hong Kong."

"But what I'm saying is the truth," Zhou Ming shrugged. "On my first day in Hong Kong, I met my current general manager Wang Yunlong at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. He helped me make a few thousand Hong Kong dollars with stock accounts. Later, I went to a gemstone shop in Tsim Sha Tsui and made a profit of a hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars. Then, during the stock disaster, I shorted the stock index, and that's how I made over 20 million. I used this money to buy the fund company and launch the capital-protected fund."

Zhou Ming added, "If Reporter Shen still doesn't believe it, you can verify it. As the chief reporter of Hong Kong Finance, you should have the means to check it out."

Shen Xin immediately signaled her partner Chen Fu, who got up to make a phone call. After a while, he returned with an expression of disbelief and said, "He… Mr. Zhou is telling the truth."

"What? How is that possible?" Shen Xin exclaimed, her face filled with incredulity.

Shen Xin could hardly believe her ears, but she knew Chen Fu wouldn't joke about this, which meant Zhou Ming was indeed telling the truth about making over 20 million effortlessly.

"Reporter Shen, do you believe it now?" Zhou Ming asked.

Shen Xin sat down, stunned, and nodded, "I believe it. Mr. Zhou, you are truly a financial wizard. I must apologize for my previous inappropriate comments and behavior."

Whereas Shen Xin's earlier apology felt forced, this time it was sincere. She was genuinely in awe of Zhou Ming. As the chief reporter of Hong Kong Finance, Shen Xin had seen many business tycoons, but none could match Zhou Ming's ability to earn money. Most tycoons needed significant capital, but Zhou Ming's success was a result of every investment paying off handsomely, which was a miracle… no, a divine feat!

At this moment, Lin Muqing brought a cup of tea to Shen Xin. "Reporter Shen, please have some tea to calm down."

"Thank you," Shen Xin took the tea, unable to meet Lin Muqing's eyes, feeling embarrassed by her previous behavior.

Shen Xin noticed her hand trembling uncontrollably, making the tea cup rattle. Clearly, Zhou Ming's achievements had a profound impact on her.

Shen Xin blushed in embarrassment, took a sip of tea, and after a while, asked Zhou Ming, "Mr. Zhou, you mentioned you made 20 million through shorting the stock index futures. But as far as I know, it was impossible to place short orders after the stock disaster began. How did you manage to do that?"

"The stock index futures were indeed inaccessible after the crash began, but what about before the crash started?" Zhou Ming countered.

"Mr. Zhou, are you saying you anticipated the stock market crash and placed your short orders beforehand?" Shen Xin asked in disbelief.

Zhou Ming nodded, and Shen Xin gasped, "Oh my God! Mr. Zhou, your foresight is astonishing. I truly admire you!"

Shen Xin's words caused Chen Fu to turn around, staring at Shen Xin as if seeing a ghost.

For Chen Fu, it was even more incredible that Shen Xin, who usually maintained professional detachment, was now expressing such admiration for Zhou Ming.