Chapter 30: The Next Move

With enough capital in hand, Jiang Han was ready to return to Huaifeng and deal with the ill-intentioned shareholders once and for all.

Su Qingyi, who had once thought of Jiang Han as nothing more than a rich playboy, now saw him in a completely different light. His ability to navigate the stock market was nothing short of genius.

If I follow him and learn more… maybe one day, I'll be invincible in the stock market too!

Zhang Chongan, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke.

"Junior brother, now that your capital has exceeded 60 million yuan, you don't have enough fixed assets to serve as collateral. That means you won't be able to use high leverage for trading anymore."

Jiang Han's expression shifted.

He needed to make money as quickly as possible to help his sister save the company. Using five times the leverage had allowed his capital to grow rapidly. Without it, his progress would slow significantly.

"If you still want to use leverage, you'll have to put up your family's company as collateral," Zhang Chongan continued. "But I doubt your uncle would agree to that."

Jiang Han remained silent.

Huaifeng was already on the verge of bankruptcy. There was nothing left to serve as collateral.

"I don't want my family to know I'm trading stocks. Is there any other way?" Jiang Han asked.

Zhang Chongan thought for a moment. "You could speculate in futures. Futures trading works on margin, so you can leverage your capital without needing asset guarantees."

Jiang Han's eyes lit up.

Unlike stocks, futures trading offered much more flexibility.

"Alright, I'll trade futures," he decided.

"Tomorrow is Saturday, so the markets will be closed," Zhang Chongan said, twirling a pen between his fingers. "My girlfriend and I are planning to visit Hangzhou. Want to come?"

Jiang Han shook his head. "No, I'm going home. I'll be back on Monday."

Images of his sister, Jiang Zhiyu, flashed through his mind. She had looked exhausted the last time he saw her. He needed to find out what was happening at the company.

---

After chatting a while longer, Jiang Han and Su Qingyi stepped out of the Zhongxin Stock Exchange.

Now that he had over 60 million yuan in liquid capital, he could finally start his own business.

Jiang Han glanced at Su Qingyi, observing her closely.

She shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. "Jiang Han… what are you looking at?"

A smirk played on his lips as he stepped closer.

"Ever considered changing jobs?"

"What?" Su Qingyi frowned in confusion.

"How about being my secretary?" Jiang Han offered. "I'm planning to start a company in Modu."

Su Qingyi blinked in surprise.

Jiang Han had been observing her these past few days. She was smart, hardworking, and eager to learn—exactly the kind of person he needed.

Unlike Zhang Chongan, who already had a stable government job and wouldn't leave, Su Qingyi was a perfect candidate.

"Start a company? Doing what?" she asked skeptically.

"I'm opening a nationwide chain of internet cafés. Your job will be simple—help me recruit staff, form a business team, find locations, and oversee renovations."

Jiang Han had already formulated his plan.

Huaifeng had 20,000 idle computers just collecting dust. Why not put them to use?

It was the year 2000, and the internet was just beginning to boom. Games like Counter-Strike and Red Alert were all the rage, and soon, Legend would take China by storm.

Jiang Han still remembered how popular Legend had been in his past life. Every internet café was packed, despite charging four to five yuan per hour. Owners had made fortunes.

By launching a high-quality chain of internet cafés now, he could not only help Huaifeng sell its computers but also make a huge profit.

Su Qingyi stared at him. "Can you really make money with internet cafés?"

"If you take the job, I'll pay you 3,000 yuan per month," Jiang Han said. "If you perform well, you'll get bonuses and raises."

Su Qingyi's eyes widened.

Three thousand yuan a month!

That was three times the average salary. Before this, she had been making just 600 yuan per month serving tea at the exchange.

Jiang Han had surprised her in many ways over the past few days. He wasn't the arrogant playboy people claimed he was. But if she became his secretary, they would be spending a lot more time together…

What if he has other intentions?

She hesitated before replying. "Alright, but this is strictly professional."

Jiang Han raised an eyebrow, amused. "Of course. Unless… you want something more?"

Su Qingyi's face turned red. "Who would want that?!"

Jiang Han chuckled. She was too easy to tease.

"Then it's settled," he said. "I'm heading back to Hedong City. While I'm gone, find some office spaces near the exchange and register the company."

After giving her instructions, he turned to leave.

As she watched his tall, lean figure disappear into the distance, Su Qingyi muttered to herself, "Can you really make money with internet cafés?"