Rebirth: The Tumultuous Year of 1979

Watching the car drive away, Zhong Wei smiled and slowly strolled back to his room.

The room was quiet. He glanced at the table and saw a martial arts novel lying there, which was the most popular novel in Hong Kong at the moment, "The Legend of the Condor Heroes".

He casually flipped through the pages. In his past life, he was most fascinated by Mr. Jin's books, but unfortunately, Mr. Jin had long since stopped writing, leaving only old stories in the world of martial arts. Zhong Wei leaned back in his chair, turned a few pages, and after an unknown amount of time, his eyelids gradually drooped, his hand holding the book loosened and fell to his sides, and he simply drifted off to sleep.

When he woke up the next day, his hand was still resting on the spine of the book. He rubbed the back of his neck, remembering that Lu Guoqiang and his gang hadn't come back or knocked on the door last night, guessing they had a good time. Zhong Wei chuckled softly, got up, and stretched.

"Ring ring," the phone on the table suddenly rang. He answered it, and Xu Zhengmao's voice came through: "Young Master Zhong, I'm in the lobby."

"Old Xu, wait for me for ten minutes," Zhong Wei replied and hung up the phone.

After washing up and going downstairs, Xu Zhengmao was already waiting in the living room. "Young Master Zhong, I'm sorry to disturb your rest," he said apologetically.

"It's alright." Zhong Wei waved his hand. "Let's have breakfast first. I've heard that Hong Kong rice noodle rolls are authentic, but I haven't tried them yet since I arrived."

"My treat!" Xu Zhengmao laughed loudly.

The two left the hotel and turned into a nearby alley. In Hong Kong in 1979, these kinds of small restaurants, brimming with the aroma of cooking, were everywhere, and the shouts of vendors at the food stalls could shake half the street. Zhong Wei looked at the sign at the alley entrance, a sense of melancholy washing over him: In the 21st century, especially in another ten years, there would probably be very few of these old shops left.

Steam was rising from the steamer at the rice noodle roll shop. The proprietress lifted the lid, and the aroma of rice mixed with scallions wafted out. The two ordered a serving with corn kernels and diced ham. The rice noodle rolls were so soft and chewy that they could melt in your mouth. Drizzled with soy sauce, they were so delicious that they made your tongue tingle.

After finishing their meal, they returned to the parking lot and drove towards HSBC Bank. As soon as they entered the lobby, they saw Zeng Jianye pacing back and forth. Seeing them come in, his eyes lit up as he greeted them, "Young Master Zhong, Mr. Xu!"

"To the VIP room." Zhong Wei glanced at the surprised and suspicious looks coming from all around.

"Okay!" Zeng Jianye hurriedly led the way, "Manager Huang has been waiting for you two inside for quite some time."

When the door to the VIP room opened, Huang Manyu was standing there. When she saw Zhong Wei enter, a smile appeared in her eyes: "Young Master Zhong." She was wearing a well-tailored suit and was a rare beauty with a refined temperament in this era. Her eyes sparkled when she smiled, making it impossible to look away.

"Manager Huang, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." Zhong Wei smiled, glancing at the cup of tea on the coffee table out of the corner of his eye. The steam had long since dissipated, yet she had said it "just arrived." He didn't call her out on it, just smiled along with the conversation.

"Congratulations to Mr. Chung on your successful start with US stocks," Huang Manyu said. "I heard you made quite a bit?"

"How much profit?" Zhong Wei asked.

Zeng Jianye stepped forward: "Currently, the return on US stocks is 40%, and it has reached as high as 45%." With a principal of over 20 million, this figure means an income of at least 7 million.

"Not bad." Zhong Wei tapped his fingertips lightly on the table. "When the US stock market reopens tonight, sell when it reaches 70%."

"Seventy percent?" Huang Manyu's pupils contracted slightly.

Zhong Wei smiled without saying a word. He remembered clearly from his previous life that there were several manipulated stocks in the US stock market this year that could surge by 80% in two days, but would invariably plummet back to the bottom the following afternoon.

He changed the subject, pointing to the display screen on the wall: "Look, the Hong Kong stock market is open."

As soon as their eyes fell on it, they saw the green-listed property of "Southern Real Estate" skyrocket, rising ten points in five minutes.

Huang Manyu gripped the handbag strap tightly. Prices had gone up again? This trend was completely out of control.

"Ten percent, it's gone up again, Young Master Chung!"

Xu Zhengmao's hand trembled as he gripped the phone, his voice laced with laughter. He had invested 500,000 yuan in the stock market, and in just a few days, the price had soared to over 40%, netting him a profit of over 200,000 yuan. Having played the stock market for so many years, this was the first time he had witnessed such a rapid rise; his heart was pounding like a drum.

"Don't rush, it can still climb higher." Zhong Wei leaned back on the sofa, tapped the coffee table with his fingertips, and smiled.

"It's going up again?!" Zeng Jianye's pen fell onto the notebook with a "thud," his eyes widening in disbelief.

Huang Manyu's small mouth opened slightly, her lips, painted with a bean paste color, trembled, and her beautiful face was filled with shock. Could it really keep growing?

As soon as the words were spoken, the K-line on the screen shot upwards like a rocket, with large buy orders pouring in densely, and the inflow of funds completely overshadowing the outflow. In just half an hour, the increase had reached another five points.

An hour later, Southern Real Estate's stock price surged by 45%. Zhong Wei's move more than doubled his initial investment; the numbers are staggering!

"Hiss," Huang Manyu gasped repeatedly, her fingertips digging into her palms, "Doubled in two days? This, this..."

Zeng Jianye's throat tightened, and after a long pause, he managed to utter, "Young Master Zhong, are you a stock market genius?" He'd been a financial reporter for five years and had seen at least eight or ten traders, but he'd never seen anyone make 100% in Hong Kong stocks in just two days. Even Warren Buffett, the self-proclaimed "Oracle of Omaha" with hundreds of millions of dollars, didn't have that ability! Young Master Zhong only had a little over ten million, yet his trading was as if he had supernatural powers…

What's even more bizarre is that of the four Hong Kong stocks Zhong Wei sold yesterday, some fell by ten points today, while others only rose by one or two points; yet the two US stocks he bought immediately surged even more wildly than the Hong Kong stocks. If he can get advance access to news in Hong Kong, could he also have connections with US companies across the ocean? If he really has such extraordinary abilities, let alone ten million, he could easily spend hundreds of millions!

Zeng Jianye became increasingly panicked, his back breaking out in a cold sweat. Zhong Shao's familiarity with the stock market was practically ingrained in him.

"If it goes up another ten points, I'll sell Southern Property." Zhong Wei stared at the red stock price on the screen, his tone as calm as if he were talking about the weather.

"Huh? It'll peak after another ten points?" Xu Zhengmao was stunned, and the teacup in his hand wobbled.

"Pretty much." Zhong Wei nodded. In his past life, he remembered that the peak of this bullish stock was five points above the current level. He didn't want to be greedy; the worst thing you can do in the stock market is to gamble with your entire portfolio, as a pullback could cause a precipitous drop. Besides, he had already set his sights on other targets.

Huang Manyu blinked her almond-shaped eyes and leaned closer: "Young Master Zhong, Hong Kong financial news is reporting on the cooperation between Southern Real Estate and the Li family today. I think the price can still rise. Wouldn't it be a pity to sell now?"

Zhong Wei smiled slightly, twirling his pen between his fingers: "The increase is enough. Those who are stuck with their positions should get out and run. There won't be any major movements in the short term. If you hold it long-term, it can steadily increase by ten percent a year, but that takes too much time."

"Pfft!" Huang Manyu's beautiful eyes widened, almost biting off her lipstick. Her chest felt tight; those words were infuriating! A ten percent annual increase was already a "stable return" that would make retail investors burn incense in the stock market, and he complained it was too slow? Good heavens, was this guy here to show off or to trade stocks? She ground her teeth, wishing she could pounce on him and bite him to vent her anger.

"Then I'll sell along with Young Master Chung!" Xu Zhengmao slapped his thigh, realizing he had doubled his money, turning 500,000 into 1 million, enough to brag about for half a year.

Half an hour later, Southern Real Estate indeed rose another ten points. Zhong Jianye sat in front of the computer, his fingers flying across the keyboard, quickly clearing out Zhong Wei and Xu Zhengmao's positions. Zhong Wei's initial investment of 3.5 million yuan had yielded a net profit of 4 million yuan. This operation made Zhong Jianye's forehead sweat profusely. He had witnessed too many miracles in the past two days, and now he looked at Zhong Wei as if he were a god.

"Young Master Zhong, they're all sold out." Zhong Jianye wiped his sweat, his voice still trembling.

Zhong Wei leaned back on the sofa, picked up his teacup, and took a sip. This wave in Hong Kong stocks was just an appetizer; the real game had only just begun.

"Hmm, well done."

Zhong Wei smiled faintly. His initial investment of several million yuan had grown into a profit even greater than the initial investment. Everyone in the room stared in disbelief. This move was simply divine.

He glanced at the accounts; the Hong Kong stock account had just reached around seven million, and adding the US stock account, the total was only thirty million. Still too little.

Zhong Wei shook his head. He knew perfectly well that there was a sure-fire business opportunity from now until 1980, one that no amount of hype could shake. If he had more capital, he could invest it all and double his assets. But with his current 30 million, investing it would only turn it into 90 million, which wasn't enough.

His brows furrowed slightly.

"Young Master Zhong, what's wrong?" Xu Zhengmao leaned closer, his eyes filled with confusion.

Zhong Wei sighed softly, "The money is still too little."

"Pfft!" Huang Manyu nearly spat out her tea, staring at him with wide eyes. His assets nearly doubled in two days, and he's still not satisfied? Good heavens! Is this guy a reincarnated ravenous wolf?

She shook her head, speechless.

Zhong Wei looked up at Huang Manyu's sullen expression and suddenly laughed: "Manager Huang, how much leverage can I get here?"

"What?!" Huang Manyu sat up abruptly, her face turning pale. "Young Master Zhong, your stocks are soaring, and you're going to leverage them? That's too risky! One wrong move and your principal will be gone!"

"Hehe." Zhong Wei still smiled faintly, "The money is too little, there's no leverage, it's not worth earning."

"Gulp," Zeng Jianye swallowed hard, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets: Earning nearly ten million in two days and saying it's not interesting? Is this guy stupid or crazy?

"Are you sure?" Huang Manyu asked sternly.

Zhong Wei nodded: "Of course." He knew in his heart that the "miracle stocks" were very stable, and he couldn't lose if he entered the market now.

"Mr. Chung," Huang Manyu took a deep breath, "based on your HSBC account and stocks, you can leverage up to ten times. But I advise you to try five times first."

With five times leverage, you could raise around 100 million. Zhong Wei stroked his chin; it still wasn't enough.

"Ten times the normal rate." He said it as casually as if he were talking about eating rice today.

"Ten times?" Huang Manyu was completely stunned, her eyes wide open. Had he gone mad? Ten times leverage meant over two hundred million yuan. If he lost twenty million, that's a ten-point drop, his account would be forcibly liquidated! Five times leverage could withstand a twenty-point drop—he was actually playing such a high-risk game? Wasn't he afraid of losing everything?

"Hurry up and do it, I want to buy stocks." Zhong Wei's eyes were serious.

"Mr. Zhong, wait two minutes," Huang Manyu replied, and called someone to bring in the contract. After Zhong Wei signed the contract, two hundred million yuan instantly appeared in his account.

"Mr. Tsang, please buy these five Hong Kong stocks for me, nine million each." He wrote down five stocks that were hovering around the upper and lower limits.

"Alright, Mr. Chung." Zeng Jianye glanced at it and placed the order in a few minutes with lightning speed.

Zhong Wei continued, "Buy another fifteen Japanese stocks, ten million each." He then listed fifteen more.

"To buy Japanese stocks, you have to transfer the money to HSBC's Japan account," Huang Manyu explained.

"No problem, transfer the rest of the money to buy these." Zhong Wei pointed to the list.

"The rest... buy this one?" Huang Manyu's mouth gaped open in surprise, her face full of disbelief. Thirty million! Besides the two hundred million, there was also the seven million left over from selling Southern Real Estate. Adding it all up, thirty million was enough for a big speculative investor!

"Yes, buy it." Zhong Wei nodded.

Zeng Jianye was dumbfounded.

"Young Master Zhong!" Xu Zhengmao's eyes were full of admiration as he watched Zhong Wei's back, thinking to himself: When will I be able to be as domineering as him? That's amazing, spending 30 million like that!

Zeng Jianye's fingers flew across the keyboard; the funding pool was already prepared.

"Young Master Zhong, there's still an hour until the Japanese stock market opens." He spoke steadily and unhurriedly. "That's enough time."

Zhong Wei glanced at the clock on the wall, then his gaze returned to Zeng Jianye's hands, which were moving as fast as a shadow as the numbers on the screen rolled by.

"I got the first one," Zeng Jianye reported readily.

Five minutes later: "The second and third ones are done."

Half a minute later: "The fourth and fifth ones followed suit."

"The ninth one..."

The ticking of numbers followed the movement of the pointer, and one stock after another was precisely added to the portfolio. Zhong Wei stared at the live Japanese stock screen, the prices of his targets jumping clearly, some slightly dropping by one percentage point. Xu Zhengmao's Adam's apple bobbed, and the sweat on his palms made his shirt stick to his back.

The threat of 10x leverage looms large: if the price drops by 10%, the principal will be liquidated, leaving nothing behind.

The anticipated sharp drop didn't happen, and even the worst-performing stocks didn't break the 2% mark. Instead, two stocks quietly turned slightly positive. Xu Zhengmao wiped the sweat from his brow and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Old Xu, what's the rush?" Zhong Wei smiled, "Take your time."

Xu Zhengmao forced a bitter smile; he was more anxious than the emperor. This was a gamble: success would multiply their assets several times over; failure would reduce Zhong Wei to nothing.

"Last one, all in." Zeng Jianye pressed the last key, leaning back in his chair and panting heavily. He had never exerted so much effort in his life. In all the HSBC branches, the total amount of money he, as a trader, had handled didn't compare to the weight of these two hundred million today.

Two hundred million... That's a sum only the big shots in Hong Kong's Mid-Levels can afford, yet today he's holding the control panel like he's fiddling with loose change.

"You've worked hard." Zhong Wei patted him on the shoulder, his tone as casual as if he were talking about the weather.

Zeng Jianye's eyes gleamed: "It is my honor to be a part of this game."

"The overall decline is currently around one percentage point." He glanced at the screen. "It's all within a manageable range."

"It's nothing." Zhong Wei smiled and didn't even frown.

Huang Manyu rolled her eyes. The two men were as calm as meditating monks, making her and Xu Zhengmao look like ants on a hot plate. But the thought had barely formed when she slapped her forehead: Bah! What eunuch in a hurry? She's a woman! What eunuch? The more she thought about it, the more embarrassed she became, and her ears turned red.

"Sell all my stocks an hour before the US stock market opens," Zhong Wei said, turning to Zeng Jianye, his voice flat.

"clear."

He then looked at Huang Manyu and smiled broadly: "Manager Huang, let's go first, we'll come back to HSBC in a few days."

"A few days?" Huang Manyu was stunned, her eyes widening. "You're not monitoring the market tomorrow?"

Two hundred million yuan worth of food! This young master treats it like it's nothing, like throwing away two cents? Huang Manyu almost lost her balance. Who is this guy? Treating two hundred million yuan like toilet paper? Does his mother know how wasteful her son is?

"Young Master Zhong," she suppressed the urge to spit out a bottle of soda and tried to soften her tone, "I suggest you come and keep an eye on things more often these next few days."

"No need," Zhong Wei waved his hand. "It's just a few stocks, it doesn't matter whether you look at them or not. See you in three days."

"Pfft," Huang Manyu gasped, nearly fainting.

This guy! He's handsome, but why is he so annoying? I really want to rush up and punch him a few times! He's so dignified, but he acts like a scoundrel, which makes my teeth itch.