Chapter 34

Will the Hong Kong stock index plummet like a falling building?

At Zhou Ming's judgment, Sun Wei was initially stunned, then burst into laughter as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world. He said to Zhou Ming, "Are you out of your mind, you mainland guy? You really don't understand, do you? Do you think you can understand finance just by buying stocks for a few days with Wang Yunlong? Do you think the stock index futures and the stocks you bought are the same thing? I beg you not to pretend to know what you don't."

Sun Wei then turned his gaze to Lin Muqing and said, "Miss Lin, I know you are studying at the University of Hong Kong recently, but there might be some things you haven't learned yet. Let me enlighten you about this financial knowledge. The so-called Hong Kong stock index is actually calculated by Hong Kong Bank based on the market value of some important component stocks in the Hong Kong market. It can basically represent the overall stock market situation of all listed companies in Hong Kong, and these listed companies are controlled by major Hong Kong conglomerates. Do you think such a thing would plummet for no reason? Unless all the heads of these conglomerates die suddenly."

"I didn't say the Hong Kong stock index would plummet for no reason, but there are situations that could cause it to plummet," Zhou Ming reminded him.

"Mainland guy, if you were a general who could command an army to attack Hong Kong or the Fed chairman who could announce an interest rate hike, I would believe you. But unfortunately, you are nothing. How can I believe your judgment that the Hong Kong stock index will plummet?" Sun Wei said disdainfully.

"I didn't ask you to believe me; I just wanted you to place a sell order for me. You've been talking nonsense all this time, and I'm the one who's annoyed," Zhou Ming said irritably.

Sun Wei's eyes widened in anger, and he pointed at Zhou Ming, saying, "Mainland guy, you really don't know what's good for you. I was kindly warning you not to lose money, and you take my kindness for granted?"

Zhou Ming spread his hands, "I'm sorry, I didn't feel your kindness. I only see a stubborn and ignorant Hong Kong person who keeps mocking me. If you continue to interfere, I will reserve the right to complain to your supervisor about your interference in my trading."

"Fine, mainland guy, I'll place the sell order for you. When the Hong Kong stock index rises tomorrow and you lose everything, don't come begging me!" Sun Wei said fiercely, then he calmed down and said to Lin Muqing, "Miss Lin, I know you are not on the same page as this guy. You are smart, so I hope you don't go crazy with him. I can help you open another futures account. You can take out your share of the money, and I'll place a buy order for you. We'll bet on the rise of the Hong Kong stock index, and you'll definitely make money. What do you think?"

After hearing Sun Wei's suggestion, Zhou Ming nodded seriously and asked Lin Muqing, "He makes a good point. What do you think, Sister Muqing?"

Lin Muqing smiled and said, "Why would I listen to a stranger? Of course, I trust your judgment. Even if you lose, we can earn it back together. After all, 5.2 million Hong Kong dollars is not a lot."

Sun Wei had intended to get closer to Lin Muqing, but he didn't expect her to call him a stranger. Unwilling to give up, he continued, "Miss Lin, I understand you don't trust me yet. I'm not afraid to tell you, I also have a futures account. I can buy ten buy orders myself. You'll know who is thinking for you by the end of today."

Before Lin Muqing could respond, Zhou Ming said, "Ten buy orders? That's 1 million Hong Kong dollars. If I'm not mistaken, that's all you have. As a futures client manager, you should know better than I do that making emotional trades in the financial market is very unwise."

"Unwise? Are you talking about your 52 sell orders? I'm not afraid of you, a mainland guy. And I can tell you responsibly, you are definitely going to lose!" Sun Wei said deliberately, emphasizing each word.

After saying that, Sun Wei took Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing to the company's computer room and had the operator place orders for both Zhou Ming and himself.

When the operator heard that Zhou Ming wanted to place 52 sell orders on the Hong Kong stock index, he was very surprised. Sun Wei said, "This mainland guy is an idiot. Don't mind what he's thinking, just place the order for him."

This made Lin Muqing very unhappy. She warned Sun Wei, "I'm warning you for the last time to watch your words, or I will complain to your supervisor."

Sun Wei smiled apologetically at Lin Muqing and then loudly told the operator, "Place ten more buy orders for me."

Zhou Ming knew Sun Wei was deliberately saying this to him, but he didn't want to argue. After personally confirming that his 52 sell orders were placed, he sighed with relief and left the futures company with Lin Muqing.

...

After dinner, Zhou Ming was watching TV in his hotel room, and Lin Muqing was reading a book in Zhou Ming's room as usual. However, compared to usual, Lin Muqing was clearly not in the right state today and couldn't focus on reading.

Seeing Lin Muqing's agitated look, Zhou Ming deliberately asked with a smile, "Sister Muqing, what's wrong? Is the room uncomfortable? Don't worry, as long as the Hong Kong stock index starts plummeting tomorrow, we'll make at least 10 million Hong Kong dollars. Then I'll get you a better hotel, a sea-view room that overlooks Victoria Harbor."

Lin Muqing, who had no heart for reading, couldn't concentrate even more with Zhou Ming's interruption. She closed the book and glared at Zhou Ming, saying, "You are really heartless. You know I'm worried, yet you talk about these useless things."

"Are you still worried about the sell orders I placed today?" Zhou Ming asked.

Lin Muqing nodded and said, "Do you think I'm as heartless as you? That's 5.2 million Hong Kong dollars, all our savings. How can I not be worried? What if the situation you predicted doesn't happen?"

"Not happen? At most, we'll lose a few hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars. It's no big deal. No matter how much we lose, I can earn it back," Zhou Ming said nonchalantly.

In fact, Zhou Ming had considered the situation Lin Muqing mentioned. From the information he had gathered over the past month, the overall trend of the global economy was still the same as in his memory, and he had not done anything to interfere with the normal order of the world economy. Therefore, there was no reason for the financial storm not to happen.

But Lin Muqing, who didn't have Zhou Ming's memory, was still worried and said, "But do you know, Zhou Ming? This afternoon, when the Hong Kong Stock Exchange closed, Wang Yunlong called me and said the Hong Kong stock index rose by 20 points."

Zhou Ming's eyebrows raised, "Rise again? That's great. The more it rises today, the more it will fall tomorrow. Just wait and see, Sister Muqing."

After saying that, Zhou Ming glanced at the wall clock and smiled, "It's so late, Wang Yunlong should call us soon."

As if he had a premonition, the phone in Zhou Ming's room suddenly rang, startling Lin Muqing. She knew Wang Yunlong had the habit of monitoring other countries' stock markets every night, so she looked at Zhou Ming in disbelief, "How did you know? Did the U.S. stock market really crash without any warning?"

"Actions speak louder than words. Wang Yunlong will bring us the exact news."

Zhou Ming answered the phone and put it on speaker. Wang Yunlong's voice came through, "It crashed, it really crashed! The U.S. stock market started a comprehensive crash from the opening bell, from the industrial index to the standard index!"

Listening to Wang Yunlong's trembling and excited voice, Lin Muqing felt as if she had turned to stone. She couldn't believe her ears.

Compared to Lin Muqing's shock, Zhou Ming was very excited. He had finally waited for this day, Black Monday, the shocking Black Monday! He was well-prepared, although 5.2 million Hong Kong dollars was a bit less, it was all the money he could put up. After this stock market crash, Zhou Ming believed he would become a millionaire. Then, when he returned to the mainland, even the mayor of Linyang would treat him with respect, let alone a small factory official like Huang Zheng.

Thinking about this, Zhou Ming couldn't contain his excitement and suddenly picked up Lin Muqing, spinning her around in the room. Lin Muqing, still in shock from the news of the U.S. stock market crash, let Zhou Ming hold her until she felt something unusual on her chest and realized that Zhou Ming had somehow leaned his head against her chest.

Two red flushes immediately appeared on Lin Muqing's face. She quickly raised her fists and pounded Zhou Ming, demanding to be put down.

Faced with Lin Muqing's intense resistance, Zhou Ming had to put her down. As soon as Lin Muqing was released, she pinched Zhou Ming's waist and said angrily, "You don't even pay attention!"

"I was just too excited and couldn't control myself!" Zhou Ming said with a sheepish smile. Actually, Zhou Ming wasn't lying. He was initially too excited and subconsciously picked up Lin Muqing, but later, seeing her treasures right in front of him, such a huge temptation, how could he resist?

"Are you still talking?" Lin Muqing said, hitting him even harder.

Zhou Ming was in a bind. He had only hugged her and gotten close to her chest, and it was through two layers of clothing. Was it necessary to hit him so hard?

But Zhou Ming didn't dare to say this, fearing Lin Muqing's even harsher retaliation. He had already seen that although Lin Muqing was usually strong and mature, she was actually a little woman who needed a man's care.