Chapter 64: The Awaited Wind Is Coming

Liu Yiqian forced a bitter smile. “I had hoped to use this opportunity to get to the bottom of things, but he still left.” With thousands of subscription certificates in his hands, Liu Yiqian could hardly avoid keeping an eye on their market price. It was no exaggeration to say that he had informants at every major black market trading spot in Zhonghai, especially at Cai Weiqiang’s, the largest of them all.

Since someone was at Cai Weiqiang’s shop, it was certain they knew that Chai Jin visited often. That was how Liu Yiqian’s curiosity about Chai Jin began. A young man barely eighteen or nineteen, showing no sign of holding subscription certificates, strolling leisurely and drinking tea every day—how could anyone not find that peculiar?

He suspected Chai Jin had many subscription certificates himself. He even imagined Chai Jin might be a front man for some financial consortium. As for the claim that he was Cai Weiqiang’s subordinate—Liu dismissed it as a joke.

Guan Jinsheng glanced again toward the door, frowning. “That young man doesn’t give a good impression.”

“There’s an oppressive air about him.”

Liu Yiqian laughed. “I sensed it too.”

Yang Millionaire, overhearing this, burst out laughing. “He’s just a young lad. Aren’t you all taking him a bit too seriously?”

“Director Guan, let’s have a drink,” he said, raising his glass in a toast.

But Guan Jinsheng frowned at him, then stood up. “Director Liu, let’s talk upstairs.”

He headed toward the stairs, and Liu Yiqian, still smiling bitterly, patted Yang Millionaire on the shoulder.

“Director Guan never drinks. You should know that. You’re just trying to get rid of people.” Then he followed after.

Yang Millionaire’s face flushed with embarrassment at being so blatantly ignored.

…

After that night, the black markets for subscription certificates in Zhonghai erupted as expected. A powerful capital force appeared out of nowhere, frantically buying up certificates at every trading spot. No one knew who they were.

But Chai Jin knew—there were two such forces, not one.

One belonged to Wang Wei.

The other to Yang Millionaire.

The capital pools formed by these two were rapidly driving up the price of subscription certificates, reaching the fastest rise since their issuance.

In just one day, prices had skyrocketed by two thousand!

That meant the price was now close to seven thousand per certificate!

Zhonghai’s investors went mad once again—and so did Cai Weiqiang himself!

On the night before June 3rd, after the market closed, Cai Weiqiang could not resist running over to Chai Jin’s place. The two sat at the entrance of the old man’s shop, bought some barbecue and snacks. Liu Qingwen and Fang Yi were there too.

After a cup of wine, Cai Weiqiang exclaimed, agitated, “It’s insane, utterly insane! What’s happening to the world?”

“Stocks have never soared like this! Thirty yuan in capital, and in three or four months it’s multiplied over two hundred times!”

“Chai Jin, should we sell? It feels like we’re at the top. I’m afraid Wang Wei and Yang Millionaire might pull out midway, and then the price of certificates will collapse!”

Liu Qingwen was counting on his fingers.

Seven thousand for one.

Seventy thousand for ten.

Four hundred twenty thousand for sixty!

His head spun. “Jin, I’ve made it! Let’s sell—things are looking so good!”

Even Fang Yi felt nervous. “After this surge, it won’t be long before everything falls apart. If the big players leave, it’ll be a bloodbath!”

Fang Yi didn’t know how many certificates Chai Jin held, but he knew Chai Jin had stayed in Zhonghai for months, definitely calculating a big move.

Chai Jin shook his head at them. “Tell me, why are these certificates worth so much?”

Fang Yi replied, “Obviously, because the odds of winning are high. Plus, buying stocks means you’re sure to profit in this bull market.”

Chai Jin calmly picked up a peanut and ate it.

“So, the more new stocks are issued, the higher the odds for the certificates, right?”

“Of course,” all three nodded in agreement.

Chai Jin smiled. “If something has profit-backed returns and a solid reputation, do you think its price will crash?”

“The price of subscription certificates will collapse only if the stock market collapses.”

“But the relevant authorities have loosened the policy, removed the price limits on stocks, and the wind has shifted. That means more capital will flood in to gamble in the market, won’t it?”

“So, with everyone rushing in, do you think a bear market will happen?”

The group pondered Chai Jin’s words, slowly realizing the logic.

Cai Weiqiang couldn’t help but ask, “What price do you think we should sell at?”

Chai Jin made a gesture. “Eight thousand.”

“If nothing unexpected happens, after tomorrow’s lottery results, the price will surge again.”

“When it hits that point, we sell—every last certificate!”

Cai Weiqiang was elated, quickly counting the one or two thousand certificates in his hand. If he really sold at eight thousand, he’d have sixteen million! After years of struggling in the stock and securities markets, he’d never had such a spotlight moment.

Feeling bold, he raised his glass. “Brother, without your guidance, I’d probably have gone back home to raise fish already.”

“You pulled me back from the edge and gave me new life. Cheers to you!”

Chai Jin smiled, clinking glasses.

Actually, Cai Weiqiang was already guessing how many certificates Chai Jin possessed. Everyone else’s attention was on Liu Yiqian, calling him the top certificate holder on Zhonghai Beach. But Cai believed the real hidden player was Chai Jin; if his holdings were exposed, his name would be known everywhere in no time.

Unfortunately, Chai Jin was so discreet, watertight, seemingly uninterested in any fame others pursued.

…

The night of June 3rd was destined to be extraordinary. Many in the city couldn’t sleep, anxiously awaiting the lottery results for the subscription certificates.

Another batch of millionaires would be born at the lottery conference tomorrow.

Wealth was sweeping through this remarkable year of 1992.

They drank until eleven at night. When it was time to head to bed, Chai Jin thought of calling back to the factory, knowing Wang Xiaoli was probably sleeping beside the phone there again. But it was so late, he decided to let her rest.

Just as he turned off the lights and prepared to sleep, the mobile phone by his pillow began to beep.

It was a familiar caller.

As soon as he answered, a recognizable voice came through. “Chai Jin, when are you coming to Shenzhen Market?”

“I’ve been waiting for you over here.”

Chai Jin was in good spirits. “Soon, soon—within a week.”

“How’s the sales of Xiao Li White Liquor over there? You know I rarely pay attention to the distillery’s affairs anymore.”