Ten o'clock in the morning, after a six-hour drive, we arrived in the provincial capital!
Qin Chuan glanced at his watch, realizing it was already 4:10 PM. He wondered if he could still open an account at this hour.
If he missed today, then tomorrow and the day after were both weekends, and the securities firm would be closed, leaving him to wait until Monday.
"Honglian, I have some urgent business to attend to. If I'm late, they'll close!"
"We can talk on the phone if anything comes up!"
Qin Chuan said to Shang Honglian, then asked the driver, Old Wang, to stop the car quickly.
"Hey, what's so urgent?"
Shang Honglian was a bit taken aback. By the time she reacted, Qin Chuan had already gotten out of the car, flagged down a taxi, and sped away.
Inside the car, Shang Honglian watched Qin Chuan's hurried departure direction, feeling quite unhappy. His demeanor seemed like he was trying to ditch her.
"Girl, I'm driving to the company. Where do you want to go?"
Driver Old Wang asked.
"Uncle, I'll get off here too!"
"Thank you!"
Shang Honglian said politely and also got out of the car.
Going to school could wait; her first destination was to visit her two brothers.
Meanwhile, after flagging down a taxi, Qin Chuan directly asked the driver to take him to the nearest securities firm. Luckily, there was a CITIC Securities nearby.
After paying the fare, Qin Chuan practically sprinted into the branch.
It was almost 4:40 PM.
"Sir, can I help you?"
A female staff member in the hall, who was about to close up, politely asked Qin Chuan, who had rushed in, out of breath.
"I want to open an account!"
Qin Chuan said quickly.
"Open an account?!"
The staff member looked surprised, then said, "Sir, I'm sorry, we are already closed! If you want to open an account, please come back next Monday!"
"You're already closed?"
Qin Chuan asked in confusion, "Don't you close at five?"
"We always close at 4:40 PM! You're a little too late!"
The staff member replied.
Qin Chuan's face fell with disappointment. He had rushed all the way here only to be late, which was truly infuriating.
He had always assumed securities firms closed at five. What rotten luck!
Dejected, he walked out of the branch.
However, Qin Chuan's mood soon improved.
Since tomorrow and the day after were weekends, opening an account on Monday wouldn't make much of a difference. With the free time these two days, he might as well look for Teacher Yang.
His trip to the provincial capital, besides trading Hang Seng index futures, had another important purpose: finding Teacher Yang.
After all, they had shared a certain intimacy, and even though it ended without anything substantial, he felt he should clarify things with her in person. Qin Chuan deeply regretted not buying Yang Zimo a mobile phone back then; otherwise, this situation wouldn't have arisen!
He was quite dense. When Teacher Yang said not to call the village unless necessary, he truly never called. Coupled with being extremely busy during the initial stages of his entrepreneurial venture, facing constant challenges from competitors, this situation had developed over time.
Recalling the past, Qin Chuan's feelings became complex. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
His stomach grumbled. Qin Chuan scanned his surroundings and spotted a restaurant across the street, so he immediately crossed.
The restaurant was small but clean. It was in the afternoon, and there were no customers in the empty establishment.
"Boss, give me a bowl of hand-cut noodles, with two eggs, and a side of dried tofu!"
"Coming right up!"
The boss responded, "Please, sit anywhere, sir. It'll be ready soon!"
In no time, the steaming hot hand-cut noodles arrived. Each strand was perfectly cut, shining white, complemented by rich meat sauce and tomato sauce, sprinkled with chopped scallions—a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.
Just a glance was enough to whet one's appetite and make their mouth water.
Qin Chuan picked up his chopsticks and took a bite, his face instantly showing enjoyment.
"Boss, your noodles are absolutely divine! The taste is top-notch!"
Qin Chuan praised.
"Haha, if you like it, sir, please come back often. I can't guarantee much else, but the portion size and taste are definitely no problem!"
The boss laughed heartily upon hearing the compliment.
Qin Chuan chuckled along and then asked, "Brother, what time does the securities firm across the street close every day?"
"4:40 PM. Why?"
The boss answered almost without hesitation.
"Nothing, just asking!"
Qin Chuan replied.
"Young man, you don't look old. Do you perhaps like to trade stocks?"
The boss, however, asked.
"No, I don't know much about trading. I was just curious to see today and wanted to open an account, but I came too late, and they were just closing."
Qin Chuan explained.
"Young man, you're still young. I'm a few years older than you, let me give you some advice: never enter the stock market out of curiosity. The stock market is a vast ocean, turn back while you can!"
The boss walked over and sat down not far from Qin Chuan.
"I've been running this restaurant here for about ten years. Whenever the stock market is open, many stock traders come here to eat!"
Qin Chuan realized that it was still 1998. It was far from the high-tech era of later years, where one could easily download trading apps and trade stocks and futures from home with great convenience.
In those days, most stock traders, apart from a very few wealthy individuals, had to come to the securities trading hall to trade. Many people shared a single computer, as many families couldn't afford or were unwilling to buy one.
This led to crowded stock trading halls during market hours. In such an environment, nearby restaurants also benefited.
"Although I don't trade stocks myself, almost all the friends who eat lunch here daily are stock traders. I hear their discussions and see their expressions every day – some crying about losses, some overjoyed, some with worried frowns, and even some preparing to jump off buildings..."
The boss continued after sitting down. It was clear he was a talkative person, and Qin Chuan didn't stop him, showing a lot of curiosity instead.
This was because he actually didn't know much about playing the stock and futures market.
In his previous life, Qin Chuan only started engaging with stocks and futures about ten years later, when he already had a considerable fortune.
Seeing his friends playing the stock market, he gradually learned. After paying his dues, he decisively exited.
As a novice, trying to snatch chips from institutions and market makers to make money was almost wishful thinking.
The information channels and methods available to retail investors were vastly inferior to those of the professionals, with no comparison whatsoever. It was no wonder they lost money!
If one out of ten people made money, it was already a stroke of luck.
"Having seen and heard so much, I've come to a conclusion: the stock market is not a place to be! Over eighty percent, almost, lose money. You can't compete with those big market makers."
"Since you haven't entered the market yet, young man, don't get into this line of work. Most people don't have a good ending!"
The boss said with a heartfelt tone.