Return to 88: Starting from Marrying My Sister-in-law

Braving the sudden storm, the luxury yacht finally made its way back to a private yacht marina in Shenzhen.

Large raindrops pounded on the deck with a pattering sound; dark clouds hung low, and the sea and sky were shrouded in gray.

The atmosphere inside the cabin was eerie.

The group of well-dressed rich kids were all silent, none of them daring to speak first.

After rushing into the cabin, Xiao Jun locked himself in the luxurious lounge at the stern and didn't come out for more than half an hour.

Only the faint sounds of things being smashed and suppressed growls revealed what "Brother Xiao," who had just been so spirited, was going through.

"Young Master Liu... Young Master Liu." A rich second-generation heir lowered his voice and nudged Young Master Liu next to him, "Brother Jun... what happened to him? He was fine just now."

Liu Shao also looked blank and shook his head: "I don't know, that 'fuck' almost gave me a heart attack."

"Could something have happened to the company?" another rich kid guessed.

“Possibly.” Liu Shao stroked his chin. “Did you guys notice? Before Brother Jun rushed in, he was clutching that dark satellite phone. I’ve seen those things before; they’re specifically for handling emergencies. Ordinary people don’t need them.”

"So..." Ahua glanced at the closed door of the lounge, "Are we still going to the club?"

"Go, why wouldn't we go?" Although Liu Shao was also nervous, he still tried to appear calm. "Didn't Brother Jun just say? Go! We have to go! If we leave now, wouldn't it make it seem like something really bad has happened to Brother Jun? That would be so embarrassing!"

“Yes, Young Master Liu is right,” another rich kid quickly chimed in. “Just pretend nothing happened, have fun and enjoy yourselves!”

Just then, the door to the lounge opened with a click.

Xiao Jun came out from inside.

Everyone turned to look.

The "Military Brother" who had just been looking ferocious now had a calm, even overly calm, expression.

He changed into clean casual clothes, his hair was neatly combed, and he even had a faint smile on his face.

If it weren't for the faint, barely concealed redness in his eyes and the slightly trembling fingers that betrayed the turmoil in his heart, one would almost think that everything just now was an illusion.

"Why are you all staring at me?" Xiao Jun casually walked to the bar and poured himself a glass of whiskey. "The rain has lessened; we're getting ready to dock. Young Master Liu, has the club you mentioned been booked?"

"It's all set...it's all set!" Young Master Liu quickly replied. "The most upscale 'Cloud Top Club' in Pengcheng, VIP rooms, the best wines, and the prettiest girls, everything's arranged!"

"Alright!" Xiao Jun picked up his glass, tilted his head back, and downed it in one gulp. The icy liquid slid down his throat, slightly suppressing the churning, metallic taste in his heart. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's dock and set off!"

He turned to look out the window, and the rain had indeed lessened considerably; the lights of the dock appeared hazy and indistinct in the rain.

Xiao Jun told himself this over and over again:
calm.

Must be calm.

No computer is needed; all you need is a mobile phone to access the internet—this is truly fantastic news for the entire internet industry.

This is especially true for the three major domestic portal websites, which are currently experiencing an internet winter.

Sina undoubtedly seized this historic opportunity, proactively embracing the Mobile Internet and launching mobile SMS internet access services, becoming the first domestic portal website to take the plunge.

All of the above is good news.

What's the bad news?

As an original shareholder of Sina, and an investor who participated in its Series A financing, Xiao Jun had just disposed of all his original Sina shares three days ago.

This is really bad luck.

Therefore, whatever expression he makes or whatever reaction he takes now is perfectly normal.

Anyone with common sense, not a fool, should understand that Sina's proactive embrace of the Mobile Dream Network will undoubtedly propel it onto a fast track of development. This will be reflected in the financial market of listed companies, where stock prices will be fiercely sought after by investors, and a rebound is inevitable.

As for how much it will rebound?
That remains to be seen.

What can be done then?

Xiao Jun could only hope for the best, thinking that if he gained it, it was his luck, and if he lost it, it was his fate.

There's no need to make things like this when there's no prospect of it even happening yet.

Stay calm, you must stay calm.

"Brother Jun!" Young Master Liu cautiously approached, "Did something happen? Well, after we get ashore, tonight..."

“Go, why wouldn’t you go?” Xiao Jun turned his head, forcing a smile, though it looked rather stiff. “It’s nothing serious, no need to make a fuss.”

Although it was actually him who was making a fuss, Xiao Jun still suppressed his unease and pretended to be calm, showing an indifferent expression.

"Alright, since you've said so, Brother Jun, let's go. Tonight, the club's young models are on me." Liu Shao breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile returned to his face.

So, a group of people started making a fuss again.

But if that's all there is...

Given Xiao Jun's composure, having already vented once, he would certainly not show any further loss of composure.

But it's a pity.

At 8:30 p.m., at the "Cloud Top Club" in Shenzhen.

Inside the top-tier VIP box, the lighting was dim and the music was deafening.

On the huge circular leather sofa, Xiao Jun was sandwiched between two scantily clad, hot young models on either side.

Liu Shao and his gang of rich second-generation heirs were all with their female companions, clinking glasses, laughing and joking, making quite a scene.

The table was laden with expensive foreign wines and fruit platters, and the air was filled with the scents of alcohol, perfume, and some indescribable atmosphere of extravagance.

"Brother Jun, come on, let's have a drink!" Young Master Liu raised his glass, his face flushed. "We have to have a good time today! We won't leave until we're drunk!"

Xiao Jun picked up his wine glass, mechanically clinked it against his, and tilted his head back to gulp it down.

The cold liquid slid down his throat, but it couldn't extinguish the growing unease in his heart.

He instinctively pulled out his phone—not his satellite phone, but his latest Nokia for everyday use—and glanced at the time.

8:45 PM.

North American time, May 17th, 8:45 AM.

Nasdaq will open in 45 minutes.

Xiao Jun's hand trembled slightly.

He forced himself to put his phone back in his pocket and hugged the young model next to him again, trying to numb himself with alcohol and her beauty.

"Brother, why do you look so troubled?" The young model on the left leaned closer sweetly, her warm breath brushing against Xiao Jun's ear. "Come on, smile, I'll pour you some wine."

Xiao Jun tugged at the corners of his mouth, managing a forced smile.

The young model on the right wasn't to be outdone, practically clinging to Xiao Jun: "Brother, don't just drink, let's play a game, okay?"

Xiao Jun answered absentmindedly, but his eyes kept glancing at the wall clock.

Time passed by, second by second.

Nine o'clock in the evening.

9:10.

9:20.

Xiao Jun felt like he was sitting on the crater of a volcano, every second was torture.

He excused himself to go to the restroom and got up to leave the private room.

The corridor was much quieter; the deafening music was blocked out by the heavy doors.

Xiao Jun leaned against the wall, took out his cigarette case, shook out a cigarette, and lit it.

Taking a deep breath, the nicotine calmed my restless nerves a little.

“It’s alright,” Xiao Jun told himself. “Even if it goes up, how much? 10%? 20% at most. When I sold, the stock was only $16 a share. Even if it goes up to $20, I’ll only lose a few million dollars…”

He tried to alleviate his anxiety through this self-comfort.

But another voice inside him sneered: Millions of US dollars? You make it sound so easy! That's millions of US dollars! That's tens of millions of RMB!
Xiao Jun took a deep drag on his cigarette and stubbed it out on the nearby trash can.

He turned around and prepared to go back to the private room.

Just then—

My phone vibrated.

It wasn't a phone call, but a text message.

The sender was an unknown number, but the content made Xiao Jun's pupils suddenly contract:
"Mr. Xiao, Nasdaq has opened. Sina's stock code is SINA, and the opening price is $18.5. It is currently rising rapidly, so I suggest you keep an eye on it."

Xiao Jun's hand trembled, and his phone almost fell to the ground.

He stared intently at the screen, his fingers trembling as he replied, "Who are you? How did you get my number?"

A few seconds later, the reply came: "Who I am is not important. What is important is that three days ago you sold all your Sina shares at $16.2, and sold them all to your cheap brother-in-law's newly opened shell investment company. Now these shares are rising at a rate of $0.5 per minute. Mr. Xiao, you've lost a lot of money."

Xiao Jun's face turned deathly pale instantly.

He suddenly raised his head and looked at the heavy door to the private room at the end of the corridor.

Inside the door, his "brothers" were still indulging in debauchery, embracing young models and drinking fine wines, completely unaware of his torment.

But the man outside the door looked like a complete clown.

Being watched, schemed against, and laughed at.

"Damn it!" Xiao Jun roared and slammed his fist against the wall.

The pain came from my knuckles, but it couldn't compare to the tearing agony in my heart.

He forced himself to calm down, called the manager, and asked him to book a private room with a computer.

Time: 9:45 PM.

Nasdaq has been open for fifteen minutes.

With trembling hands, Xiao Jun opened the browser on his computer, entered the domain name of the professional overseas stock trading software "US Chinese Investment Network," and typed in SINA.

The loading progress bar seemed to take an eternity.

Finally, the data was displayed.

Sina (SINA)
Current price: $23.79
Change in price: +44.2%
Trading volume: 87.5

Xiao Jun's breathing suddenly stopped.

44.2%?

It's only been fifteen minutes since the market opened!
He stared intently at the number, his eyes almost bleeding.

He sold them at $23.79... but the discounted price was $16.2... He lost $7.59 per share... 260 million shares...

Xiao Jun's mind raced, and a number popped into his head: $2000 million.

In just fifteen minutes, he lost nearly $2000 million.
No, not possible!
There must be a software error!
Xiao Jun abruptly exited the software and logged back in.

refresh.

The price has changed to $23.97.

Increase: 45.27%.

"boom--"

Xiao Jun felt like his head was about to explode.

He slammed his fist on the monitor as if he had lost his mind, then staggered back a few steps before his back slammed heavily against the wall.

The screen is broken.

But that glaring number was already deeply etched into his mind.

22.1 dollars.

36.9%.

"Mr. Xiao?"

A voice suddenly came from behind.

Xiao Jun turned around abruptly and saw that Liu Shao had come out of the private room at some point and was standing not far away, looking at him with a puzzled expression as he stood in front of the open door.

"Brother Jun, are you alright? Why have you been standing here for so long?" Liu Shao walked over and was startled when he saw Xiao Jun's pale face and the bleeding wound on his hand. "Damn, Brother Jun, what happened to you? You look terrible."

Xiao Jun opened his mouth, as if to say something, but no sound came out.

"Brother Jun?" Young Master Liu leaned closer, glanced at the shattered computer screen, and asked cautiously, "Did... something happen?"

Xiao Jun took a deep breath and forced himself to stand up straight.

He forced a smile that looked more like a grimace: "N-nothing. I just accidentally broke the computer monitor."

"Are you really alright?" Young Master Liu clearly didn't believe him. "Then why do you look so pale..."

"You've had too much to drink." Xiao Jun interrupted him, turned around and walked towards the opposite private room. "Let's go back and continue."

Liu Shao watched Xiao Jun's retreating figure, his brows furrowed.

He had a vague feeling that Xiao Jun was acting very strangely tonight.

Something is very wrong.

Back in the private room, Xiao Jun sat down again.

The two young models immediately pressed against her again.

"Brother, why did you take so long?"

"Come, let me pour you some wine to calm your nerves."

Xiao Jun mechanically took the glass of wine, tilted his head back, and gulped it down.

The strong liquor burned his throat, but it couldn't quell the growing rage in his heart. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to slap himself, and the more he wanted to go find someone that very night and demand an explanation.

But what reason could you give?

Just the day before yesterday, I was still filled with gratitude, thinking that I was so grateful to the other party for helping me out. So, on my sister's birthday, I went to their house in person to give them a gift.

Should I personally overturn all this gratitude, and complain that the other party shouldn't have helped me, shouldn't have pulled me up too early, and should have just let my rotten prodigy's stock price plummet to the bottom of the mud?

Think this far!
Xiao Jun's entire body trembled uncontrollably.

"Brother Jun, what are you doing now?" Liu Shao noticed Xiao Jun's strange behavior and came over to ask, "Stop looking at your phone, don't neglect the girl."

“Yes, brother,” the young model on the left said coquettishly, reaching out to snatch Xiao Jun’s phone, “My heart is so cold, come and warm it up for me, hehe.”

"roll!"

Xiao Jun suddenly erupted.

He abruptly flung the young model's hand away, snatched the phone back, and his voice was hoarse and menacing: "Get out of here, all of you!"

The private room fell silent instantly.

The music was still playing, but everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to look at Xiao Jun.

The two young models were terrified and looked at Liu Shao, completely at a loss.

Liu Shao was also stunned.

He had known Xiao Jun for so many years, and he had never seen "Brother Xiao" so out of control.

"Brother," Liu Shao asked cautiously, "what's wrong? Did something terrible happen to your company?"

Nothing major happened at the company.

However, Xiao Jun himself got into serious trouble.

It had only been a few days, just a few days since he started selling, and Sina's stock had surged so much; his heart was bleeding.

That's all money!
Even based on the current stock price, he has lost nearly $2000 million—no, it's more than $2000 million now.

You have to understand that he had to beg them and even offered them a discount before they would buy his Sina shares.

What now?
It made Xiao Jun look like a clown.

A hint of malice flashed through Xiao Jun's mind.

Thinking about how he had given his younger sister a gift on her birthday a couple of days ago, and how he had been so grateful and flattering to that guy surnamed Lu, only to be met with a lukewarm response from him, Xiao Jun got angry.

Wouldn't this be like me handing money to this guy for free?

He even suspected that this guy might be plotting against him.
However, he shook his head again.

China Telecom and China Mobile are behemoths; how could they possibly join forces with this guy to scheme against him?
Besides, if even he couldn't find out the information, how could that guy possibly know it?
Oh well, I guess I'm just unlucky.

Fortunately, the stock price of Xiao Shentong has been stabilized. As long as we can get through this period, well, who will be the king and queen in the future is still uncertain.

After calming down,

Xiao Jun looked up and saw that he had made the atmosphere a bit awkward. He then pretended to be nonchalant, raised his glass, and said, "It's alright, everyone, please continue."

As he spoke, he made an expression that looked even worse than crying.

Liu Shao and the others exchanged glances, but seeing Xiao Jun's response, they didn't press the matter further.

The music started playing again, and the atmosphere gradually returned to normal.

But Xiao Jun's heart could never go back.

He sat on the sofa, downing one glass of wine after another, his eyes glued to the text messages on his phone screen.

[Real-time stock price: $24.42.]

[Increase: 48.01%]

Time: 10 PM.

[Within half an hour of trading, the stock price had risen by over 48%.]

[Mr. Xiao, your cheap brother-in-law's scheming this time is on a whole other level. Sigh, even I, an outsider, can't stand it. They're all relatives, and he didn't even bother to remind me before buying. By the way, according to reliable sources, your sister is one of the insiders.]

Although these text messages were malicious attempts to sow discord and were definitely not well-intentioned, Xiao Jun still felt as if an invisible hand was gripping his heart, tightening it more and more, almost suffocating him.

Meanwhile.

Thousands of miles away in North America, on Wall Street.

Chen Fan sat in the trading room, staring at the soaring curve on the screen, his hands trembling with excitement.

He grabbed the phone on the table and dialed an overseas number.

A few seconds later, the call was connected.

"Boss!" Chen Fan's voice trembled with excitement, "It's gone up! It's really gone up!"

On the other end of the phone, Lu Yang's voice was calm as still water: "How much has it gone up?"

"48%!" Chen Fan practically shouted. "Only half an hour after the market opened, the increase has already exceeded 48%! Boss, you were right! Are you going to gradually cash out next?"

"No need," Lu Yang said calmly. "Continue to hold. The launch of China Mobile's mobile internet service is not as simple as you think. For every internet company in China that joins it, the benefits will be beyond your imagination. Next, we just need to continue to observe and wait for the bulls to drive the stock price up first. The current increase is only 48%, that's all. In the next few days, I can see at least 200%, or even higher."

Chen Fan gasped.

200%?

That means Sina's stock price will rise to over $50?

It's only $24.42 now...

"Boss," Chen Fan asked cautiously, "So, if the stock price falls below $50 per share, we won't consider cashing out and leaving?"

"Okay!" Lu Yang's voice remained calm. "Here's what we'll do: when the stock price exceeds $45, take some profits and secure them. Hold on to the rest. When the price approaches $50 per share, gradually cash out."

"Understood!" Chen Fan nodded emphatically. "Boss, don't worry, you've already fed me, so I know what to do."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Fan let out a long sigh of relief.

He stared at the still-rising curve on the screen, his eyes filled with awe.

In Chen Fan's mind, Lu Yang had always been like a celestial being.

Although he didn't understand why his boss, who wasn't from a finance background, was so sensitive to stock price fluctuations in the financial market, the boss had never missed a beat over the years.

All he had to do was blindly follow.

Based on this, Chen Fan felt that even if a pig were in his position, it could still do a great job of completing the tasks assigned by the boss.

Is he even worse than a pig?

Chen Fan chuckled self-deprecatingly and refocused his attention on the screen.

The curve is still rising.

24.42 dollars.

24.53 dollars.

$24.59...

Each jump in the number represents millions of dollars in floating profit or loss. (End of Chapter)