Chapter 12 Investment

• Back in the male's dormitory, Qin Ming browsed through the pictures in his camera that was returned to him. There was only 1 picture left in the gallery, and it was a selfie of Nie Haitang making a 'V' sign. It was obvious to Qin Ming that Nie Haitang left that picture on purpose.
• He felt gleeful. Qin Ming saved the photo onto his phone and set the picture of Nie Haitang as his wallpaper.
• “Don't you know how to invest in the share market? Can you teach me please?” Nie Haitang's words reverberated around his ears. He did not expect the girl to ask him for that favor.
• A white lie that I told her had turned into a façade. She really thinks that I'm a professional at investing in share market.
• Qin Ming thought about the person-in-charge of Huan Ning Century Corporation's business in Guang City, Hou Qing. The business spanned across multiple areas as well as a few securities firms and mutual funds.
• Qin Ming made a phone call to Song Ying the next morning and requested her to notify Hou Qing to make some preparation. Qin Ming wanted to go to a relatively upscaled securities firm in Guang City, Tian Cheng Securities.
• Qin Ming and Nie Haitang took a cab together at the university's entrance towards Tian Cheng Securities.
• The cab driver could not help but advised the two youngsters. “Are the two of you trying to invest in the share market? Listen to me, the share market's a huge trap. There's no turning back once you set your foot into that trap. I used to venture into the field of business with over 10 million worth of asset. But after I started investing in the share market 3 years ago, I've been driving a cab since.”
• “Pfft.” Nie Haitang could not contain her laughter after listening to the cab driver.
• She said, “It's not the same. Qin Ming's a pro. He earned a clean profit of a hundred thousand recently.”
• The cab driver said disdainfully, “A hundred thousand is nothing. I've earned over 2 million in 1 transaction through the share market during my peak. But look at me now! The share market's a playground for those huge conglomerates, we puny investors are nothing but contributors to their wealth.”
• Qin Ming merely smiled along with the uncle's words. He did not have to act like a show-off with his status as the inheritor of the wealthiest man on earth in front of this cab driver.
• But Nie Haitang was unexpectedly displeased. “That's just you. Qin Ming's different.”
• The cab driver shook his head. He felt that he's wasting his effort by giving the youngsters a piece of his mind. “Ha, you'll regret for not heeding my advice, when you lose all your money in the share market like I did.”
• There were many people standing in front of the securities firm when they reached Tian Cheng Securities. The employees were queueing up at the entrance as they practiced their slogan to welcome some powerful figures that were about to make their appearances.
• Qin Ming and Nie Haitang were denied access into the building.
• He said, “Excuse me, can you please let us into the building? We would like to register a new account.”
• The female manager glanced towards him and saw the cheap outfit and empty pockets of Qin Ming. She wondered to herself.
• There's plenty of people like these youngsters that wanted to open a broker account to try out investments. It's a waste of time for them to open their account here because they are not equipped with any knowledge about the share market.
• Our big boss is visiting the company today along with a VIP guest. Even our boss had to come back from overseas to welcome them. There's no time for us to bother these insignificant people as all Tian Cheng Securities's employees are welcoming the VIP guests.
• The female manager gave them the cold-shoulder. “We're not free for today. The two of you can visit other securities firms to open your accounts.”
• What? They are open for business, yet this manager said that they're busy for today?
• Nie Haitang was displeased. She spoke. “What's with that attitude of yours? We're considered your customers as well.”
• The female manager said impatiently, “What's with my attitude? How much money did you bring to open your account? Did you bring at least 500 thousand? If you're bringing small amounts like 2 or 3 thousand, then I'll suggest for you to leave or find another securities firms. We have important guests visiting today, so there's no time for us to bother with peasants like the two of you. Look at the poor man beside you, for God's sake.”
• Nie Haitang was angered. But it was a fact that she did not bring a large amount of cash today to open the new account. She brought her own savings that added up to a hundred thousand only.
• Qin Ming had no other choice but to comfort Nie Haitang as he already promised Song Ying and Hou Qing to meet up here. “Let's just wait for a while.”
• Two BMW cars stopped in front of the entrance after 5 minutes. The female manager noted the car plate number and hurriedly moved forward to open the doors. She bowed and greeted, “Boss, Ms. Fang.”
• The other employees bowed and greeted the two persons at the same time. “Welcome, boss. Welcome, Ms. Fang.”
• That scene was indeed amazing to look at.
• A woman with long slender legs and heavy makeup got out of the car, followed by the short and fat middle-aged man. The two of them waited for the employees to bow before they started walking.
• Nie Haitang spoke in a diminished voice. “Bunch of show-offs.”
• She did not speak loudly, but Ms. Fang caught her words. She frowned. “Hey you, where did you come from?”
• The female manager quickly apologized with a smile on her face. “Ms. Fang, these two youngsters wanted to open new broker accounts. But they're too poor to be taken seriously.”
• Ms. Fang sized up Qin Ming. She could not help but mocked Qin Ming for being an eyesore with his poor looks. “Oh, I know what you're talking about. The type of persons that visited a securities firm to take a few photos and upload to their social media. There's been a surge of these losers that thought they could impress girls by pretending to be rich.”
• The short and fat middle-aged man stroked Ms. Fang's waist and spoke. “Dear, why are we wasting our time here with these low-class people? The big boss is coming soon. I heard that the VIP guest that he's bring along is the big boss's sponsor. We'll get the opportunity to meet with such an influential figure soon. A brighter future is waiting for us now.”
• Ms. Fang held that man's face and kissed him. “You're so capable, my dear.”
• Then she turned around to look at Nie Haitang with eyes filled with envy. The woman could see that Nie Haitang was prettier than herself by a long stretch. She even caught her man looking at Nie Haitang lecherously a moment before.
• So what if you're pretty? Your man is nothing compared to mine. Your beauty would only fade as long as you're with a loser like that poor man beside you.
• She sneered at Nie Haitang on high. “Do you see the vast difference between us? Do you know why we're not the same even though we're both girls? That's because you've found yourself a loser. Hahaha!”
• The employees around laughed along with Ms. Fang, but they were merely playing along with her skit. The female manager was the only person that was agreeing with Ms. Fang wholeheartedly. “Ms. Fang is absolutely right. You're one shameless loser for being able to stay here for so long after being told to get lost.”
• Ms. Fang spoke through her laughter. “Oh? So you've been waiting for a long while? Look at your achievements, my dear. The company that you're managing is doing so well. People are queuing outside the building to open a broker account at your firm.”
• The fat middle-aged man was delighted to hear that compliment. “Is that for real? I shall grant you your wish for being so sincere. Li, bring them inside and open an account for them. We'll see how much money they have prepared to invest in the share market.”
• Nie Haitang tugged Qin Ming's arm and said, “Qin Ming, let's not do this. I can't stand them anymore. What's with the people from this securities firm. Let's go elsewhere.”
• Qin Ming shook his head. “Don't mind them. We don't have to bring ourselves down to their standards. I've agreed to meet up with someone here, so it wouldn't be nice to change another place all of the sudden.”
• Nie Haitang had no other choice but to follow Qin Ming after he said that he agreed to meet with someone.
• They saw people that arrived earlier at firm staring at the LED screen as soon as they entered Tian Cheng Securities. The market was flooded with dreadful green figures. Some red pointers would go up from time to time.
• The female manager said after they were done filling in the forms. “Are you opening an account for self-trading or with attached consultant? I should notify you in advance that our brokerage fees are the highest among all the securities firms, but that's only because we provide the best consulting services in terms of profitable investments. We do not provide such service if you're opening an account with amount lesser than 500 thousand.”
• Nie Haitang only prepared 100 thousand for the initial investment capital. She felt anxious and a little lost when she heard that no consulting services would be provided for amount lesser than 500 thousand.
• The female manager smirked at her helpless look. “Pfft. You're trying to invest in the share market without having a proper amount of cash? What a joke. Do you think that this is a casino? Your man is really useless. He can't even provide you with 500 thousand. I would leave this place right away to prevent myself from being embarrassed if I'm in your shoes.”
• Qin Ming received the pamphlet from the female manager and got up from his seat. “It's up to me to decide if I'll be embarrassed for staying here. My only intention to visit this place is to earn money.”
• The female manager put on a despiteful sneer. “You sure talk big for someone with nothing to prove for himself. Let's see how you're going to earn money here without any consultation.”