Chapter 143: Buy, I Buy

Even though Nanjing was a bit chilly in December, inside the securities company's trading hall, people were sweating as if they were under the midsummer sun. After being squeezed and jostled by hundreds of people, sweat covered their faces and clothes, and many had soaked their coats. But they were oblivious to it all, staring blankly at the broadcast above the counters as if it were some kind of alien technology.

"21 yuan per share? How is that possible? Is the broadcast lying?"

Some people in the crowd expressed disbelief. Just as the words were spoken, the broadcast came on again with the same announcer's voice: "Customer v0001's stocks have been sold."

The scene immediately erupted in uproar. Everyone was debating how the bank's 20 yuan stocks could be sold for 21 yuan and who would buy them at that price.

Luo Han continued to use the megaphone to shout at them: "If you don't believe it, you can also sell your stocks at 21 yuan. Of course, as always, trading is voluntary. I cannot guarantee that the price will not change in the future. If the price goes up after you sell, the securities company will not be responsible and will not offer any refunds."

"21 yuan per share, we want to sell at 21 yuan per share too!"

People at the counters shouted, and once again they crowded together, holding up their sweaty stock certificates, their eyes focused only on the 21 yuan price.

However, while some were excited, others were dismayed. As people went wild for the 21 yuan price, those who had sold their stocks earlier were upset. They hurriedly shouted at window 20: "Are you cheating us? Why can they sell at 21 yuan, while we can only sell at 20.5 yuan? Why can't we sell at 20 yuan?"

Luo Han explained to them, "You set the price yourselves. I have been emphasizing that everything is voluntary. You chose to sell at this price."

But these people paid no attention to Luo Han's explanation. They pounded on the iron bars of the counter and yelled, "This is bullshit! You tricked us into selling. Refund us! We want to sell at 21 yuan too, and make up the difference or we'll tear this place down!"

The people at window 20 vented their frustration over the price, but this angered the others waiting to sell stocks. They came over and said, "What are you doing? Who told you to be so stupid and sell your stocks so early? If you had waited, the price would have gone up. President Luo already warned that the price would rise. If you didn't want to wait, it's your own fault. Don't cause trouble here and delay us from getting our money."

No one would admit to making a mistake, so those who were upset kept shouting, "You're the ones who are unreasonable! How could we have known? Luo Han should have said the stocks could sell for 21 yuan!"

These people were still upset, but eventually, they were pushed aside by the crowd. Soon, the remaining stocks were sold, and those people happily received their money. However, their happiness was short-lived as another broadcast came on, cooling their enthusiasm: "Customer v0001 is selling Nanjing Development Bank stocks at 22 yuan per share."

This new price left everyone dumbfounded. How could the price have risen again? They felt they were going crazy over these fluctuating prices.

This time, those who had sold at 21 yuan were also unhappy. They had completely forgotten how they had previously criticized others for causing trouble. They pounded on the counter's iron bars and shouted, "Does the stock price even have a standard? Why is it changing so much? Are you playing games with us? Refund our money and let us sell at 22 yuan!"

Luo Han responded from inside, "Please calm down. Our securities company is merely a trading platform. The stock prices are set by the sellers, and it has nothing to do with us."

"You're full of crap!" the people outside shouted, "Who would want your worthless stocks? You're just making up prices to scam us. First 21 yuan, then 22 yuan. This price manipulation is pointless. Refund us now!"

Luo Han was disdainful of these people's unreasonable behavior but patiently explained, "The stock price is not manipulated by us. Stock prices are never stable, and they have risen from 20 yuan to 22 yuan. How can this be a scam? You've already made more money than you initially invested. Can't you be reasonable?"

"You're the most unreasonable ones!" the people outside continued to yell, "First one price, then another. Are you lying to us? You said there were buyers. I'm buying, damn it!"

"I'm really not scamming you. Our securities company is just a trading platform that helps you sell stocks. The prices have nothing to do with us. The buyer is a major client. You can go to the major clients' hall and see for yourself!" Luo Han patiently explained, though he was shouting hoarse from the effort.

"Fine! We'll go to the major clients' hall and see how you're scamming us!"

Someone shouted from the crowd, leading a group to the adjacent major clients' hall. This hall was initially only open to large investors but was now exceptionally open to ordinary investors.

When they entered the major clients' hall, it was much smaller than the trading hall, with only a few sofas and coffee tables. Compared to the crowded trading hall, this space was very spacious, with only two men and two women sitting on the sofas, drinking tea.

The two men and two women were Zhou Ming, Du Peng, Tang Ran, and Kong Xiaolin. When they saw people enter, Tang Ran immediately stood up and asked, "Who are you?"

Ordinary people had an innate fear of wealthy and powerful individuals. Seeing Zhou Ming and Du Peng in luxurious clothes and the two women's elegant demeanor, they approached cautiously and asked, "Uh, sir or miss, Mr. Luo told us that someone here bought the stocks we sold. Is it you?"

Tang Ran nodded and answered, "Yes, that's right. What's the matter?"

Even though they had suspected the answer upon seeing Zhou Ming and others, hearing Tang Ran confirm it made them gasp.

"Why are you buying stocks?"

Someone asked, and everyone nodded in agreement, clearly curious about this question.

"Of course, we're buying to make money. Don't you know stocks can make money?" Tang Ran said matter-of-factly, leaving everyone stunned as they didn't understand how stocks could be profitable.

"Alright, Ranran, let me explain," Zhou Ming said, standing up and motioning for Tang Ran to sit back down.

As Zhou Ming walked towards the door, the crowd instinctively stepped back, as if an invisible force was pushing them away.

"I heard the commotion in the trading hall just now."

Zhou Ming said, and the crowd lowered their heads, feeling embarrassed by their earlier actions. However, Zhou Ming continued nonchalantly, "I know you're skeptical about the transactions, but I can assure you that all transactions are genuine. The stocks you sold were bought by me, and the higher prices were set by me too. The purpose of this is solely to make a profit."

"Can these stocks really make money?" someone asked.

"You've asked a good question," Zhou Ming said, "But whether stocks can make money is not up to you or me."

"Then who decides?" another person asked.

"The market," Zhou Ming said.

The crowd looked at each other. Although they were familiar with the term "market" due to the reforms, Zhou Ming's use of it left them confused.

Zhou Ming explained, "It's actually quite simple. When you first came to sell the stocks, the price was 20 yuan per share, but now I'm selling them for 22 yuan per share. Do you think I'm making a profit or a loss?"

"Of course, you're making a profit!" everyone answered without hesitation, as the math was straightforward.

Zhou Ming spread his hands: "So, I'm making money, aren't I?"

Someone quick on the uptake asked Zhou Ming, "But isn't 22 yuan per share your selling price? What if no one buys them? Don't you lose money then?"

Zhou Ming responded with another question, "When you sold your shares at 20 yuan, did you ever think the price would reach 22 yuan?"

Zhou Ming's words stunned everyone. Indeed, when they sold their shares at 20 yuan, they never imagined the price would rise. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been so eager to get refunds from Luo Han.

Seeing their expressions, Zhou Ming knew they had grasped the concept. He continued, "So, you don't understand stocks. This is a different kind of product from what you're used to. The more you buy, the more you earn. Its value increases."

Although they didn't fully understand what Zhou Ming said, they did grasp one thing: "Are you saying the stock price will keep rising?"

"Of course. There are many major clients besides me, and many are trading over the phone," Zhou Ming said. "Here's the deal. I see that it wasn't easy for you to come here. I'll sell the stocks back to you at 21 yuan each. You can then sell them at 22, 23, 24, or even 30 yuan per share if you think they'll sell. What do you think?"

Hearing Zhou Ming's words, the people nodded without hesitation:

 "Alright, we'll buy. I want to buy!"