Picking Up Fragments

"Xiao Mingzi, how did you suddenly become so handsome? You're so handsome that even your class president is starting to swoon."

Li Yingzi sat across from Jiang Siming, half-joking as she spoke.

"You're not doing bad yourself, Class President. The saying 'girls change at eighteen' really fits you. I bet many of the boys in our class regret not getting closer to you back then," Jiang Siming responded with a smile.

Back in the day, Li Yingzi had a very plain appearance—she always wore her school uniform, was short, wore glasses and braces, and the boys would tease her when they saw her.

Now, Li Yingzi had completely transformed. In Jiang Siming's eyes, she was definitely a beauty.

Although she still couldn't compare to Zhao Xuan and Wang Xinyi, she was undeniably a rare beauty.

"Pfft, I'm lucky they kept their distance. These guys freeze in their tracks when they see a pretty girl, but they avoid unattractive girls like the plague. It's disgusting!"

Li Yingzi took a sip of coffee before continuing, "Do you remember the class beauty?"

"Wang Xue, right?"

"So you still think about her?" Li Yingzi looked at him with a teasing glint in her eyes.

"You've got it wrong. I remember everyone from our class," Jiang Siming explained, not really sure why he felt the need to explain.

"That's better—quick on your feet with words," Li Yingzi said, then went on to gossip, "At last year's class reunion, three guys from our class got into a brawl at the hotel, all because they were fighting over who would take Wang Xue home. It was so awkward for everyone."

"Didn't anyone want to take you home? You're no less attractive than Wang Xue now," Jiang Siming asked, puzzled.

"I have my own car. I wouldn't bother with those perverts, whose minds are only filled with thoughts of women. Every time we have a reunion, the guys just talk about nightclubs and bathhouses."

"The moment any girl in our class looks remotely good, those guys start fawning all over her. Nowadays, class reunions are just about showing off who's more successful or trying to hook up with someone. It's disgusting. I'm actually thinking of skipping this year's reunion," Li Yingzi grumbled.

"Then don't go. Why force yourself?"

"Easy for you to say. I'm the class president; I can't just not go," Li Yingzi shot Jiang Siming a side-eye.

"By the way, what did you need me for?"

Jiang Siming took a sip of coffee and said, "I heard that Class President is an expert in stocks and securities, so I wanted to ask you for help."

"You're not thinking of investing in stocks, are you?"

"Bingo."

"You're such an idiot, Xiao Mingzi. The stock market has been a pit these past two years. Even we industry insiders have lost more than we can count. You better not get involved."

"If you have money, open a hot pot chain or something. It's a sure win! Stocks are too risky. I lost over 500,000 last year, and it broke my heart."

Jiang Siming smiled and said, "I know the stock market is unstable, but I have insider information that guarantees profits."

"Xiao Mingzi, how can you be so naive? What insider information guarantees profits? If that were true, we professionals would have become billionaires long ago instead of working for others," Li Yingzi said, exasperated.

"You don't have to worry about that, Class President. I didn't come to ask you just to help me buy a few stocks. I'm here to recruit you," Jiang Siming said seriously.

"You're serious?" Li Yingzi was startled by his expression.

"Of course. I'm starting a private stock trading company, and I want to hire you as the CEO to lead the firm. Your annual salary will be five times what it is now," Jiang Siming said, sounding like a rich boss.

"Do you even know how much I earn right now? You're making some big promises, Xiao Mingzi. You're getting a bit full of yourself," Li Yingzi said, her tone carrying a hint of advice, as she thought Jiang Siming was being overly confident.

"Can you tell me how much it is?" Jiang Siming was much calmer than her.

Li Yingzi held up three fingers. "Two million a year."

"So Class President is doing pretty well, but my offer still stands: ten million a year, excluding performance bonuses and year-end bonuses. What do you think? Interested?"

Seeing that Jiang Siming wasn't exaggerating, Li Yingzi started to believe him.

"Xiao Mingzi, while I believe you have the ability, I still don't recommend getting into stocks. This is no joke. You should really get to know the industry. If this were three years ago, I would have fully supported you, but now, there's a high chance you'll lose everything."

Jiang Siming, however, was as stubborn as a bull, resolute in his decision.

Li Yingzi sighed helplessly, "Xiao Mingzi, can you give me two days to think about it?"

Asking Li Yingzi to give up her stable job with a million-yuan salary to follow Jiang Siming in his risky venture wasn't easy.

Even though the offer was ten million a year, Jiang Siming knew nothing about stocks. If he lost everything and couldn't pay her salary, her future would be bleak too.

For such a big decision, the fact that she even said she'd consider it was already giving him a lot of respect. Anyone else would have thought Jiang Siming was just a clueless rich guy who'd gotten some money and was now recklessly playing around, bound to fail sooner or later. No one in their right mind would follow him.

"Of course you can, but it would be best if you decide within these two days because it's kind of urgent."

Jiang Siming's stock charts told him that in two days, several potential stocks would 'make a name for themselves,' and he didn't want to miss this golden opportunity.

"Alright. By the way, can you give me a hint about the scale you're planning?" Li Yingzi asked.

"The initial moves won't be too big, about 30 million each time."

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"Hiss!" Li Yingzi gasped.

Thirty million was quite common during the bull market years ago—money was everywhere.

But in the past two years, the market had crashed. She'd only seen people lose tens of millions or even billions, but very few dared to invest tens of millions anymore.

"Are you crazy?"

"I'm serious."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"You... fine. You're still as stubborn as you were in high school. I won't bother trying to convince you."

Then, there was a brief silence as they both stirred their coffee with their spoons.

Li Yingzi broke the silence first.

"Xiao Mingzi, how have things been for you these past few years?"

Li Yingzi shifted away from the topic of stocks and started to chat with Jiang Siming.

"Not bad, I've been hustling in Shanghai, trying to achieve something to make my family proud."

"You can invest tens of millions in stocks now and still say you haven't achieved anything? That's too much of a blow to me," Li Yingzi joked.

"I only made a comeback recently; otherwise, I wouldn't have had the courage to meet you."

"You mean you wouldn't come to see me if you weren't doing well? Have you forgotten that we were best friends in high school, practically siblings? Right after graduation, you disappeared. That's so unfair."

"I've realized my mistakes now, so I've come to apologize to Class President. I'll treat you to a big dinner tonight as a peace offering."

"That sounds fair enough. No need for a fancy dinner, just some crayfish will do!"

"No problem! Let's hit up a late-night snack spot!"

"Haha, then I'll make sure to really milk the rich guy tonight."

Their laughter was so loud that it caught the attention of the other Starbucks customers, prompting Li Yingzi to quickly stick out her tongue and lower her voice.