Chapter 13: New Friends, Retail Investors Venting Their Frustrations
“Lu Liang, want to grab breakfast together later?”
For two days in a row, Lu Liang showed up at the community fitness center at the same time, and he made a new friend.
His name was Meng Changkun, five years older than Lu Liang, a shareholder in several companies and a well-known figure in Shanghai’s venture capital circles.
They were close in age and met at the swimming pool in the fitness center, where they hit it off rather well.
“Sure, Brother Kun. Give me a moment, I’ll change my clothes.”
After showering, Lu Liang changed and placed his sportswear in a numbered bag to hand over to the staff.
Having just moved into Tomson Riviera two days ago, he had purchased an annual membership at the Tomson Club’s fitness center and rented a small private room.
After each workout, instead of going home drenched in sweat to change, he just handed his clothes to management.
They would wash and dry them, then neatly arrange his clothing and toiletries in the private room the next day.
“So, how’s that beauty’s figure?”
At the restaurant near the community entrance, Meng Changkun’s small eyes kept stealing glances at the passing women.
Their meeting was actually thanks to a certain beauty.
At the pool, a stunning woman appeared—so breathtaking she seemed about to burst out of her clothes. Both had been admiring her.
Their eyes met, they exchanged a few comments, shared the same opinions, and instantly felt a deep camaraderie.
“Forget it, the figure is indeed great, but her face is definitely altered—at least some Botox or fillers,” Lu Liang said, following Meng’s gaze.
The woman was shapely, clad in tight jeans that showcased a perfect peach-shaped rear, slender and toned calves encased in high heels.
But when she turned, her nose, chin, and cheekbones looked somewhat unnatural, instantly deflating Lu Liang’s admiration.
He preferred natural beauty.
“You don’t get it. So what if she’s had work done? It’s not like you’re marrying her. Women like that are usually very lively and have a unique charm,” Meng Changkun shook his head, offering his seasoned perspective on women.
Suddenly, he changed the topic.
“Little brother Lu, if you prefer pure natural types, I have an opportunity for you.”
“Recently, a producer of an online movie approached me, wanting some investment. Interested in coming with me to the casting?”
“All the girls coming for auditions are from art schools—pure, lovely—they’ll definitely meet all your requirements.”
Lu Liang seemed like a young upstart living at Tomson Riviera, driving a Bentley worth millions.
He’d done his research; none of his companies were connected.
Meng Changkun was curious and intended to test Lu Liang’s depth through this.
Lu Liang raised his eyebrows and smiled, asking, “Are the girls for audition goldfish or wooden fish?”
Meng Changkun was momentarily stunned, then laughed heartily.
“That depends on your skills.”
Goldfish can only be looked at, but wooden fish can be poked.
Lu Liang solemnly cupped his hands and said, “Brother Kun, you must show me the ropes.”
“No problem, no problem. If casting starts in a few days, I’ll call you first.”
“Looking forward to hearing from you.”
They exchanged a glance and dropped the subject.
Suddenly, Meng Changkun’s phone rang. After answering, he said, “Little brother, I’ll settle the bill. Company matters call, so I gotta head out.”
“Alright, goodbye, take care,” Lu Liang smiled and waved as Meng left.
His choice to live at Tomson Riviera was not just for luxury but also to broaden his social circle.
Even renting here cost at least 72,000 yuan a month—an extremely high threshold.
It also implied that even spending half his income on rent would require an annual salary exceeding 1.8 million yuan.
In other words, residents here were elites from various fields or privileged heirs.
Lu Liang didn’t know where his future would lead, but he understood that money alone wasn’t enough.
“It’s almost 9:30, time to get back and monitor the market.”
Lu Liang took a sip of soy milk, picked up the half-eaten sandwich on his plate, and walked home unfazed by onlookers.
Over the weekend, he wasn’t idle; he was setting up his study, buying a computer worth over ten thousand yuan, and several medium-sized screens to better monitor his trades.
He believed the failure of Zhongwen Online’s stock to surge last Friday was closely tied to his own flawed operation.
He shouldn’t have placed orders prematurely but learned from the major players who gradually accumulate shares, achieving a seamless rise.
At the time, using a phone prevented timely responses, hence the room renovation.
With one computer and three screens, this would be his personal ‘battlefield’ for the foreseeable future.
At 9:15, the pre-market auction began.
Initially, Zhongwen Online’s stock was lukewarm, causing frustration.
But five minutes before the auction ended, it suddenly surged—thousands, tens of thousands of shares—each bid higher than the last until the opening bell.
Opening price at 18.98 yuan,
up 1.48 yuan, an 8.5% jump.
Lu Liang’s cost was 17.91 yuan, and his total assets instantly shifted from loss to profit, gaining 630,000 yuan.
The strong opening gave retail investors hope; they anticipated a limit-up.
But the major player wasn’t about to let retail investors have their way; he would try to shake out the weak-willed.
Nineteen yuan felt like an insurmountable barrier.
Once, twice, thrice, the stock failed to break through.
Some began to hesitate; a pullback after a surge was common sense, and failure to break higher meant a fall.
Murphy’s Law kicked in—the fears of retail investors became reality.
The buying momentum quickly dried up, and the price started falling.
8.5%…7.8%…6.6%…
Profits evaporated bit by bit, like dull blades slicing flesh.
A large number of shareholders panicked, unwilling to let profits slip away, hastily following the sell-off to lock in gains.
Among them was Zhang Qian, who had bought at 17.47 yuan, lower than today’s opening at 17.5.
There was still a 6.5% gain, and if she sold in time, she could make 4,900 yuan.
But she rarely traded stocks and accidentally entered a sell price one yuan too high.
She intended to sell at 18.55 yuan but input 19.55 yuan, even though the limit-up was only 19.25 yuan.
“Come on, come on, if I don’t sell now, it’ll be too late,” Zhang Qian panicked, trying to cancel and re-submit the order.
Suddenly, a massive fund surged into the market, sweeping all sell orders and sending a massive bullish candle soaring skyward.
20,000 shares… 30,000… 50,000…
Within breaths, Zhongwen Online hit the limit-up.
The capital sealing the limit reached 145 million yuan.
Even with more than 30 million yuan sold off at the limit-up moment, the price remained unshaken.
It stood as solid as iron,
letting traders end the day’s session in peace.
“Good thing I entered the wrong price.”
Watching her assets jump by 8,200 yuan to nearly 90,000, Zhang Qian felt relieved and quickly canceled the order.
With such massive funds locking the price, even if it didn’t extend the limit tomorrow, it would still open high.
She thought of Lu Liang and excitedly called him.
“Brother Liang, it really hit the limit!”
“You didn’t accidentally sell it off, did you?”
Today’s major player’s tactics taught Lu Liang another lesson.
High-level shakeouts and dive moments wiped out at least tens of millions.
“Impossible, I’ve always trusted you,” Zhang Qian’s voice softened, a little guilty.
If not for her input error, she would have sold too early and joined the ranks of the regretful.
Stock traders fear not losing money as much as they fear being shaken out at the top, falling just before dawn.
The stock forum exploded with curses, all accusing the major player’s son of having skin diseases, filled with insults.
Most had held their shares for one, two weeks, or longer, only to fall before the break of dawn.
Judging by the known results and the limit-up capital, there would be more than one consecutive limit-up.
The major player had grand designs.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have lain low for so long building his position.