Of course, it was possible for people to share the same name—such occurrences were far too common online. Fang Qingye had encountered several individuals online who went by the name “East Sea Swordsman.”
Fang Qingye paid no attention and focused on eating his Shishamo fish. Then, he heard Jiang Chen continue, “This self-proclaimed ‘invincible beauty’ claimed she developed a Mathematical Model that calculated a stock called Longping High-Tech would surge.”
“It’s utterly ridiculous! Who uses Mathematical Models for stock trading? Besides, I’ve been in the stock market for years—what don’t I know? I could tell she was talking nonsense, so I couldn’t help but criticize her a bit. I advised her to stop messing with those flashy but useless methods and instead observe the market more, combining stock fundamentals with various technical indicators.”
“Did she listen to you?” Wang Simin asked curiously.
“Of course not! She even tried to explain her theory to me. But I have fans in that group—they didn’t need me to say anything more before tearing into her.” As he said this, a hint of smugness appeared on Jiang Chen’s face.
At this point, Fang Qingye was certain that the “invincible beauty” Jiang Chen mentioned was Dongguan Girl.
He hadn’t expected Jiang Chen to be in that group too?
However, it was a large group with over six hundred members. Fang Qingye was a perpetual lurker who rarely paid attention, so it seemed neither had noticed the other.
After finishing one Shishamo fish, Fang Qingye picked up another. He knew Jiang Chen was showing off in front of everyone—flaunting his stock trading prowess, his online fans, and especially since he was pursuing Wang Simin.
It was like a peacock spreading its beautiful tail to attract a mate, and stock trading was Jiang Chen’s beautiful tail.
As for him bringing up Dongguan Girl, it was merely a way to showcase his own expertise.
This guy was indeed getting way too cocky.
Just then, Song Da Hai, who was eating lamb skewers, suddenly interjected, “Leaf, didn’t you buy stocks a few days ago? Do you understand this stuff?”
Hearing that Fang Qingye was trading stocks, Jiang Chen immediately shifted the topic to him: “Fang Qingye, you trade stocks too? Tell us, what stock did you buy?”
Everyone’s eyes turned to him.
Fang Qingye finished the last bit of fish meat before replying leisurely, “Longping High-Tech.”
“What? Longping High-Tech?!” Jiang Chen was stunned, then burst out laughing. “Fang Qingye, why would you buy that junk stock? Why didn’t you ask me before buying? I could’ve recommended two stocks, either of which would be better than Longping High-Tech! When did you get in?”
“Last Thursday.”
“You’re not too deep in yet. As soon as the market opens tomorrow, set a low sell order and cut your losses quickly! Listen to me!”
But Fang Qingye smiled at him and said, “First, Longping High-Tech is definitely not a junk stock. Second, I also believe it will surge.”
“You believe? Then let me ask you, did Longping High-Tech rise or fall yesterday?” Jiang Chen retorted.
“It fell,” Fang Qingye admitted frankly, sticking to the facts.
“It plummeted! Hit limit down! The market closed rose yesterday, with most stocks rising. Yet the agricultural sector continued its downtrend, especially Longping High-Tech. And you say it will surge?” Jiang Chen sneered coldly.
“Stock trading—even short-term trading—isn’t about buying today and selling tomorrow, right? I said it would surge, not that it would rise immediately on Friday!” Fang Qingye replied with a laugh.
“I’m telling you, Fang Qingye, why are you so stubborn? I advised you to cut losses but you refuse? We’re old classmates, I’m only thinking of what’s best for you!” Jiang Chen wore a well-meaning expression.
“Exactly, Fang Qingye, why don’t you listen to Jiang Chen? We can afford to offend people, but not money!” Wang Simin chimed in at that moment.
“Mhm, that’s right. Among all of us, Jiang Chen has the most experience with stock trading,” Shao Jing added.
Fang Qingye, however, shook his head with a smile and said nothing, picking up another Shishamo fish.
Seeing his attitude, Jiang Chen felt somewhat displeased.
I’m trying to help you, and you won’t even appreciate it!
“Alright, let’s drop it,” Jiang Chen said, picking up a lamb skewer and chewing on it for a while before leisurely adding, “Some people won’t give up until they’re battered and bruised. Moscow doesn’t believe in tears, and neither does the stock market!”
Throughout this, Qian Xiaoli focused on eating a squid, seemingly uninterested in the topic.
Chen Meimei glanced at Jiang Chen, then at Fang Qingye, wanting to say something but holding back.
This was just a minor episode. The group soon moved on to other topics. After finishing the meal, they cleaned up the dishes and trash, then drove to Jinghai City for a stroll. The girls, naturally interested in pretty clothes, went shopping at MixC and South Street.
Fang Qingye wasn’t interested in that and specifically drove Song Da Hai’s car to the Xinhua Bookstore in the city. As expected, he found no books on financial mathematics.
It seemed he really would need Xia He’s help.
Around four in the afternoon, everyone drove back to Nanxin County.
They returned in the same arrangement as before: Song Da Hai, Fang Qingye, and Chen Meimei in one car.
In the car, the three discussed the argument with Jiang Chen during the barbecue.
“Yezi, I think Jiang Chen makes sense. After all, he’s been trading stocks for years and even made a fortune from it,” Song Da Hai reminded.
“What, afraid I’ll lose money and won’t be able to pay back what I borrowed from you?” Fang Qingye asked, half-joking and half-serious.
“That’s not what I meant. If you really lose it, then so be it—I won’t ask for repayment! It’s just 200,000 yuan,” Song Da Hai quickly replied.
“I just think we shouldn’t be too stubborn. It’s not worth knowingly jumping off a cliff!”
“I don’t think buying Longping High-Tech will necessarily lead to losses,” Chen Meimei suddenly interjected from the back seat before Fang Qingye could respond.
“Why?” Song Da Hai asked in surprise.
“Although I don’t invest in stocks, I often follow the stock market,” Chen Meimei explained.
“I’ve looked at Longping High-Tech’s fundamentals. Their first-quarter net profit was over 80 million, which is quite impressive in the A-share market. That provides a foundation for speculation.”
“Also, there are market rumors that Longping High-Tech will issue a high dividend payout. I think it’s true. After the ex-rights adjustment, the stock price will drop, attracting stock investors. Nowadays, investors prefer low-priced stocks over high-priced ones, which could increase stock liquidity and prevent it from becoming an illiquid stock.”
“So, I think Longping High-Tech might not surge, but it probably won’t continue to plummet as Jiang Chen said. It should rise at least a bit.”
Chen Meimei concluded.
“Not bad, Chen Meimei! Your analysis is quite thorough. Why didn’t you say this during lunch?” Song Da Hai asked.
“After all, it’s just theoretical analysis. I don’t have practical experience and can’t compare to Jiang Chen,” Chen Meimei replied with a laugh.
“I think what you said makes perfect sense!” Song Dahai responded, then asked Fang Qingye: “Hey, we’ve been talking so much, how come you haven’t said a word?”
“What should I say?” Fang Qingye smiled. “I definitely agree with Chen Meimei’s view, otherwise why would I have bought Longping High-Tech? Don’t worry, I won’t lose your money – in fact, I’m going to make a big profit this time!”
“If you make money, you’re treating everyone!” Song Dahai immediately said.
“No problem.”
Everyone returned to the county town and went their separate ways. Fang Qingye got off at the entrance of the Teachers’ Residential Complex where he lived, while Song Dahai saw Chen Meimei back to the Waterworks Family Compound.
The next morning at work, Xia He brought three newly purchased books. Fang Qingye went to her office to collect them, expressing gratitude while paying for the books. Xia He politely declined at first but eventually accepted the payment.
Back in his own office, Fang Qingye worked for a while before taking out the books to read.
He decided to start with “Benchmark Analysis Methods in Mathematical Finance” as its content was more practical and could address his immediate needs.
The book employed benchmark analysis financial modeling to explain various quantitative methods for real-world pricing and hedging of derivatives. As Fang Qingye carefully studied the content, he couldn’t help but feel emotional.
When he had read this book in his previous life, he found it obscure and difficult to understand, often feeling overwhelmed while reading. But after more than ten years of practical experience, revisiting the book now made it seem much simpler and clearer.
He spent most of the day like this – aside from work, Fang Qingye remained immersed in the book, not even noticing when Zhang Qunying, the newly appointed head of the credit department, passed by his desk.
Zhang Qunying didn’t interrupt him either.
She had learned from Xia He that Fang Qingye would be transferring to the general office after his rotation. Since he wouldn’t be her subordinate in the future, there was no need to say anything.
Moreover, the Tenglong Industry deposit theft case had been solved so quickly largely thanks to Fang Qingye’s crucial contribution, for which she felt quite grateful.
Besides, it wasn’t like he was reading online novels – studying financial books could be considered learning, right?
Around three in the afternoon, Fang Qingye suddenly received a call from Song Dahai: “Leaf, are you on QQ? That kid Jiang Chen is looking for you in the group chat – the grade-wide group.”