Chapter 7: A Well-Behaved Dog

Shortly after Lu Yao sent out the message, Xu Ziqiao arrogantly declined, saying, "Brother Lu, you know me—I’m not really interested in money."

Who dares to act so arrogantly?

Do you even have the ability for that?

Reading Xu Ziqiao’s reply, Lu Yao couldn’t help but laugh to himself, like an old lady sneaking into bed.

He responded, "In half a year, 100,000 turns into 600,000."

Just as mentioned before.

Although Lu Yao and his dorm mates usually joked around and got along well, their relationships were actually quite superficial.

True friendship wasn’t always dependable when things got serious.

But interests always were.

Xu Ziqiao replied instantly, "Brother Lu, are you running a pyramid scheme?"

Back in 2013, most people still associated making quick, huge profits with lowly, despicable pyramid schemes.

Lu Yao didn’t bother explaining and continued, "Keep an eye on Fenda Technology’s stock. It’s currently priced around ten yuan. By the end of the month, it will rise to sixteen yuan."

A 50% increase in half a month.

That’s not too shabby in the stock market.

Xu Ziqiao replied immediately, "Brother Lu, why are you trading stocks now? That’s dangerous."

His family was in the farming business.

His father had tried stock trading years ago, only to be caught in the market crash a decade earlier, nearly bankrupting them.

A bankrupt father, endless quarrels, a shattered home, and a broken spirit almost became the shadow over Xu Ziqiao’s youth.

So when Lu Yao mentioned taking him into stock trading, Xu Ziqiao was overwhelmingly resistant.

Lu Yao didn’t explain further.

When it was his turn, he took his briefcase and went to open an account.

The receptionist at the securities firm was surprised by Lu Yao’s youth and good looks but handled the account opening process dutifully.

A hundred thousand yuan deposit was nothing impressive to these receptionists.

However, when Lu Yao decided at the counter to invest all his funds into Fenda Technology stock, the receptionist showed a faint surprise.

Quickly, she donned a professional smile and said, "Our company offers a variety of investment and wealth management products. If you have the time, you could chat with one of our investment advisors."

Lu Yao nodded, "Alright."

Soon after, a woman in professional office attire with a neat bob haircut approached the counter.

"Mr. Lu, I’m your investment advisor, Zhao Rongrong. Let’s go to the VIP lounge and have a drink."

"Okay."

Lu Yao stood up and followed Zhao Rongrong toward the VIP room.

Along the way, Zhao Rongrong quickly sized up Lu Yao with a sidelong glance.

His clothes were plain, free of luxury brands.

No watch or accessories.

Very young.

He even carried a hint of a student’s aura.

But his demeanor and eyes were strange.

He possessed a calmness beyond his years, as if he were a seasoned middle-aged success.

Could he be the scion of a wealthy family?

That was common enough.

Many wealthy families kept a low profile to avoid trouble, rarely appearing in public.

Their members traveled discreetly and lived seemingly ordinary middle-class lives.

Only abroad or when meeting important figures would they reveal their extraordinary wealth.

But children from such families often bore an arrogant air.

They exuded an inescapable frivolity, unlike the calm and composed man beside her.

Zhao Rongrong was uncertain of his true identity.

Once inside the VIP room, she attentively brewed tea for Lu Yao, subtly flaunting her graceful figure and the professional allure beneath her office attire.

Watching her, Lu Yao smiled faintly.

Financial women were always like this.

With his looks and capabilities, and all the good things he had enjoyed in his past life, Zhao Rongrong’s little tactics didn’t faze him.

Seeing Lu Yao unmoved, Zhao Rongrong wasn’t annoyed but grew even more eager, introducing their financial products.

Stocks, funds, bonds, futures...

All accompanied by the “professional analyses” provided by the securities firm.

But one only needed to take these “professional analyses” with a grain of salt.

Securities employees were prohibited from trading stocks themselves, punishable severely if caught.

Yet where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Many senior securities executives had their “white gloves” — outside investment or private lending companies — to handle trades.

Even if they had insider information, it was only passed along to their white gloves.

Lower-level securities staff mainly earned from commissions on clients’ trades.

Thus, like salespeople, they pushed whichever products offered the highest commissions.

As Zhao Rongrong enthusiastically described a company’s promising outlook, Lu Yao interrupted, placing the pamphlet on the table.

"Manager Zhao, I’m here for one reason only—"

"Fenda Technology. Invest all 100,000 yuan."

Her face maintained a professional smile.

But her mind raced.

Fenda Technology...

She’d never heard of it.

Could this young man be a white glove for some big shot?

No.

White gloves typically worked for external investment or private lending firms.

They wouldn’t start with just 100,000 yuan.

Strange.

As an investment advisor, Zhao Rongrong had met many clients.

She immediately recognized Lu Yao wasn’t the type to be swayed by smooth talk or seduced.

So she smiled and said, "Alright, I’ll process that for you."

Though she received no rebate on Fenda Technology’s stock, securities transactions still generated commissions, a portion of which she would get.

Soon, Lu Yao’s entire 100,000 yuan was invested in Fenda Technology stock.

Then, under Zhao Rongrong’s guidance, he downloaded the member version of Huatai Securities’ online trading software.

While instructing him, Zhao Rongrong leaned in close, and Lu Yao caught the faint scent of her perfume, mingled with her natural fragrance underneath.

Yet she maintained perfect balance—neither too close nor too distant.

This smoky, elusive aura was most stirring.

Zhao Rongrong was clearly a seasoned professional.

But Lu Yao’s greatest advantage was his youth, so at odds with his worldly experience.

As Zhao Rongrong edged closer, Lu Yao looked at her and smiled, "Your perfume smells wonderful."

She instinctively glanced at herself.

Lu Yao’s face was fair and smooth, his features sharp and defined.

Handsome as if he had stepped out of a comic book.

Paired with his gentle, faint smile...

Suddenly, Zhao Rongrong felt a warm flush in her nose.

Damn it!

What am I doing?

A man of this caliber was far beyond her reach.

One look from Mr. Lu and she’d be utterly captivated, obediently following like a loyal dog!