Chen Ru was finally jolted awake by Zhu Meiqun’s actions and began to face the madness of the stock market squarely.
How could Zhu Meiqun know anything about stocks? She had always focused solely on selling fruit. Over the past few months, she had overheard customers discussing stocks so often that she finally decided to ask Chen Ru about it.
Wen Ying’s uncle, Wen Changlin, was bolder than Zhu Meiqun. While Zhu Meiqun at least knew to consult Chen Ru, Wen Changlin jumped in directly without asking anyone.
At the beginning of the year, when Wen Ying had mobilised relatives and friends to buy property in Rongcheng, her youngest aunt Deng Juan acted first, followed by her eldest uncle’s family.
Yang Xi was the third to buy, with Wen Changlin purchasing last.
All these properties were in the area Wen Ying had recommended. In a few years, when demolition came, they would definitely profit handsomely.
With family savings poured into housing, seeing the stock market soar made Wen Changlin itch unbearably.
Wen Ying knew her uncle’s mind was sharper than her eldest uncle’s, but she had not expected him to be so bold as well!
“He secretly mortgaged the house to trade stocks?”
That had absolutely not happened in her previous life!
Wen Ying drew in a sharp breath.
Wen Ying had known the market would boom, so she dared let her mother Chen Ru invest their cash flow in stocks. But she only knew the general trend, remembering some long-term stocks and the peak index data.
As for specific shares – when they rose or fell, by how much – how could Wen Ying remember such details clearly!
Since she could not recall precisely, she dared not bet the entire family fortune.
What Wen Ying dared not do, her uncle Wen Changlin dared.
Mortgaging a house for stock trading – Wen Ying had heard such stories, usually accompanied by phrases like “my husband is an idiot”, “my dad ruined the family with stocks”, or “my mum has something wrong with her brain”.
Ordinary retail investors would not go that far. Only the most exemplary leeks had such audacity!
“He did mortgage it. I asked him several times before he admitted it. He does not think there is anything wrong because he has indeed profited. I can persuade your eldest aunt, but I cannot persuade your uncle.”
Chen Ru truly had little to say.
In the past, she and Zhu Meiqun had not been particularly close.
With a close sister-in-law, Chen Ru could offer advice. But Wen Changlin was her brother-in-law.
Chen Ru herself was making money in the market. On what grounds could she stop her brother-in-law from earning?
Yet if Chen Ru lost in stocks, the family would not be crippled. If Wen Changlin got trapped, his capital came from mortgaging the house. What then of the hard-won property in Rongcheng?
Even if he luckily avoided a trap this time, tasting sweetness would make him prone to such high-risk moves again!
Wen Ying frowned deeply. “My uncle should not be that kind of person…”
“You are at school every day. How well do you know your uncle? Anyway, I am just telling you this. It is not for you to handle. I have already told your dad!”
Chen Ru could not persuade Wen Changlin, so she decisively kicked the matter to Old Wen.
That was Wen Dongrong’s own brother. Whether handled lightly or heavily, it would remain an internal brotherly issue. The brothers would not hold grudges.
Wen Ying approved of Chen Ru’s words and approach.
Many things had changed in this life. Her uncle Wen Changlin could not remain unchanged.
What he had not done in the previous life, he had done in this one.
The one fretting now should be Comrade Old Wen!
Manager Chen had indeed grown wiser. Previously, she took all family-in-law matters upon herself, making relatives think Chen Ru too domineering. Now Manager Chen no longer forced it. For those willing to listen, she offered a few words. The stubborn ones she left entirely to Old Wen.
Wen Ying worried about her uncle getting trapped in the market, yet could not help smiling.
Worried for his boldness, amused by Chen Ru’s wise judgement.
“Just because of this, you sold all your stocks?”
“Is this not enough? Look at your uncle daring to mortgage his house. Across the country, who knows how many frenzied investors like him there are!”
Chen Ru was no stock market expert.
Fortunately, she was not an expert and did not listen to experts. Feeling the winds shifting wrong, she began selling her holdings.
Not only did Chen Ru sell her own, but for some familiar major clients, she shared her judgement as a reminder.
If her judgement proved wrong, those clients would likely blame her.
Wen Ying admired her mother’s courage. “Mum, are you not afraid those clients will resent you?”
“Of course I am afraid. I fear both them not listening and them listening… But judgements on market ups and downs always have two sides. I said what I wanted to say. Whether to heed it is their choice.”
Chen Ru never thought herself particularly capable.
This year’s market was too abnormal. Not only true experts wanted to urge calm among investors, but the state had issued policies to cool the market, like raising the stamp tax at the end of May.
Unfortunately, most investors were red-eyed and deaf to advice. Wen Changlin was just one example.
Some thought themselves clever, knowing a big rise would precede a big fall. But how high before the fall?
Xie Yuping’s friend thought A-shares reaching 6000 points was already ominous.
Chen Ru thought it terrifying when even vegetable stall aunts at the market talked stocks.
Greedy investors believed A-shares could hit 7000.
The even greedier saw hope for breaking 8000.
During Chen Ru’s time working in Rongcheng, she had built many major clients. Yet when reminding them of risks, few truly listened.
“Boss Qin, Boss Wang, and the Li family… these heeded advice. This year’s market has been too good. They could not resist entering. Especially Boss Qin and Boss Wang – both had substantial cash flow and poured plenty into stocks.”
With bosses like Qin Xianming charging in, how could Deng Shangwei hold back?
The difference was that Qin Xianming and others had professionals handle their funds, while Deng Shangwei had long handed financial control to his wife Chen Li.
Chen Li was increasingly showing “sister-bao” tendencies. Whatever stock Chen Ru bought, Chen Li followed. When Chen Ru withdrew, Chen Li sold without question.
Hearing this, Wen Ying’s feelings were rather complex.
Previously, though Chen Ru worked at the bank, major decisions like buying property followed Chen Li’s advice. Now it was reversed – Chen Li followed Chen Ru.
Chen Ru and Chen Li withdrew first, with Qin Xianming and Wang Jun following closely.
The Li family had Li Mengjiao’s mother managing money. Wen Ying earned from novels, Li Mengjiao from acting, plus “Tianjiao” dividends – the Li family had greatly thickened their wealth these years.
Previously, most income came from Li Zhentao’s salary. With him in enterprise management on annual pay, Li’s mother organised savings meticulously, living prosperously.
With Li Mengjiao’s stardom, savings ballooned. Li’s mother needed time to adjust to managing so much!
Yet Li’s mother was not aggressive. Though reluctant to miss the booming market, seeing Qin Xianming and Wang Jun sell, she considered two days and decided to follow.
Chen Ru reminded these families thoroughly. For other major clients, she could not force choices.
Money is only secure when pocketed!
Chen Ru spoke at length. Wen Ying had few chances to interject. Finally catching a breath, Wen Ying seized the moment for the key question.
“Mum, how much did you make from stocks this year? I mean the realised profits, not including unsold long-term holdings.”
Chen Ru chuckled. “Oh my, you handed over all the money without asking and I thought you did not care at all!”
Wen Ying certainly cared.
Before Xie Qian and Zou Weijun, Wen Ying had not lied. If Chen Ru lost, she would not blame her mother.
But now there were no losses?
Wen Ying was genuinely curious.
Chen Ru had not even told Wen Dongrong the exact gains. Calling Wen Ying first carried a hint of showing off.
Showing off her accurate foresight.
Showing off her decisive exit.
Chen Ru named a figure over the phone. Wen Ying’s jaw nearly dropped. “…How much did you say?!”
