Chapter 62: Those Who Missed the Winds of Opportunity
Liu Yiqian’s address of “President Chai” drew curious glances from those nearby, all turning their attention to Chai Jin. He was eighteen or nineteen, with an air of youthful promise about him, but his features were still tender, and upon closer inspection, none could recall seeing such a figure in the Zhonghai financial circles before.
Chai Jin extended his hand with calm composure. “Hello, President Liu. It’s an honor to be invited by you.”
“Haha, you’re too polite,” Liu Yiqian replied, turning his gaze to Cai Weiqiang. “Old Cai, I’ve invited someone you wouldn’t expect. I think you’ll have a pleasant conversation.”
Cai Weiqiang asked in surprise, “Who?”
Liu Yiqian whispered a name in his ear. Cai Weiqiang was momentarily stunned. “He’s in Zhonghai?”
“Yes, I happened to meet him at a salon here, so I invited him along. Surprised?”
“Of course! It’s been nearly two years since I last saw him!”
“Alright, I need to greet the others. Old Cai, please look after President Chai for me. Please, come in.”
“President Chai, make yourself comfortable,” Cai Weiqiang said.
Chai Jin smiled. “Thank you.”
He followed Cai Weiqiang into the nightclub.
Inside, numerous girls in triangle briefs carried trays of food, weaving through the crowd. Occasionally, someone would pinch them playfully; the girls didn’t mind, instead joining in the raucous atmosphere.
After entering, Chai Jin recognized several faces who would become legends in the stock market in his previous life.
One such figure was the little-known capital tycoon Wang Wei, now basking in his prime. Unless fate diverged, he would soon transition to the futures market.
He was surrounded by a sizable group.
Yang Millionaire also had a crowd around him.
These two groups were markedly more self-possessed, refraining from any rowdy behavior toward the girls, instead discussing matters like warrants and subscriptions.
Chai Jin recalled Liu Yiqian’s whispered words to Cai Weiqiang and asked curiously, “Brother Cai, who’s this person you’re so concerned about?”
Cai Weiqiang handed him a cigarette, lighting one for himself and taking a deep drag. “Are you familiar with the Chinese stock market?”
Chai Jin replied with a wry smile, “I know a bit. Why?”
“Do you know Guan Jinsheng?”
Chai Jin’s heart skipped a beat. “He’d come to a place like this?”
Guan Jinsheng was one of the founding figures of the Chinese stock market, the founder of the country’s first securities company.
To put it plainly, all the staff at the Zhonghai Stock Exchange had been trained by this giant. He was at the pinnacle of the market.
What shocked Chai Jin wasn’t the man himself, but Liu Yiqian’s ability to invite him. Even more surprising were Cai Weiqiang’s words at the entrance, hinting at a close relationship with Guan Jinsheng.
He instinctively asked, “How do you know him?”
Cai Weiqiang smiled. “Chai Jin, whether it’s the Shenzhen or Zhonghai exchange, it’s really a circle of the same people.”
“In the early days, when I played stocks in Shenzhen, I got to know quite a few. Guan was part of that circle.”
“Sometimes I wonder, if I hadn’t gotten into black market trading and just played stocks honestly like them, maybe I wouldn’t be so down and out today.”
There was deep regret in Cai Weiqiang’s voice.
Clearly, he lamented his past choices. Back then, they were all from the same circle with similar backgrounds—how had their fates diverged so greatly?
Same people, different destinies; perhaps that’s just how life is.
Yet now, having met Chai Jin in this life, who could say how things would turn out?
Besides, among those who currently manipulate the stock market, who hasn’t lost themselves in the pursuit of wealth? Who hasn’t paid the price for today’s boldness?
As they spoke, Wang Wei and Yang Millionaire spotted Cai Weiqiang and, as if by tacit agreement, stood up and approached.
Cai Weiqiang had no chance to avoid them.
A group followed behind them.
Yang Millionaire, the most boisterous of the lot, laughed, “Old Cai, you must not like me much, huh? Not even a greeting when I come over.”
Cai Weiqiang cursed inwardly, “I never liked you anyway.”
His distaste stemmed from Yang Millionaire’s frequent taunting when Cai Weiqiang was down on his luck.
Still, he managed a forced smile. “President Yang, you joke too much. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
The two shook hands perfunctorily.
Wang Wei, not much older than Chai Jin and looking like a top student with glasses, smiled and extended his hand. “It’s been a while, President Cai. I heard you’re dealing in warrants now? Some friends of mine are interested, so I hope you don’t mind us coming over for a chat.”
Cai Weiqiang welcomed Wang Wei warmly, laughing. “President Wang, you’re too polite.”
At this moment, Yang Millionaire’s eyes fell on Chai Jin. “Hey, isn’t this the young man I saw in Fudong District the other day?”
“Old Cai, you’re working with him now?”
Cai Weiqiang was about to explain, but Chai Jin, smiling, interjected, “Yes, President Yang. I’m now your assistant.”
“Glad to meet you.”
He extended his hand, but Yang Millionaire simply laughed and slapped it away. “Young people should learn from their elders and build themselves up. Only then can you achieve something in the future.”
He patted Chai Jin’s shoulder and sat down, declining the handshake.
Wang Wei, noticing the awkwardness, took the initiative to shake Chai Jin’s hand. “Hello, I’m Wang Wei, a friend of President Cai.”
Chai Jin smiled. “Chai Jin. Nice to meet you, President Wang.”
“You’re too polite,” Wang Wei replied with a smile.
Once seated, Yang Millionaire couldn’t wait to ask, “Old Cai, I hear your black market warrants have impressive daily volumes. Tell me, is it still worth getting into warrants now?”
“If only I’d listened to you all back then.”
His words energized his followers.
They followed Yang Millionaire’s lead on stocks and had made a tidy profit.
When Yang Millionaire dismissed warrants, they did as well.
As a result, they missed the wealth bonanza perfectly.
Cai Weiqiang was the biggest black market dealer in warrants in Zhonghai, with first-hand, reliable information. They all wanted access to it.
Even Wang Wei’s friends who’d bought large volumes of warrants were paying close attention.
Yet, Cai Weiqiang glanced oddly at Chai Jin before replying, “President Yang, you’ve dominated the securities market for years. Surely you have a sense of these things.”
“To buy or not, I doubt anyone here has sharper insight than you.”
Though spoken with a smile, his words carried a sting, and a faint note of sarcasm.