Seventy-five
The stock software on her computer felt so unfamiliar that she could hardly use it, but she still managed to learn how to check that ST Lucheng. A penny stock, worthless at one yuan per share, teetering on the brink of delisting—a quagmire of risk. How could she have been so careless as to let herself be persuaded to invest all her savings in it? If the stock collapsed, she would instantly drop from middle class to destitute! Should that day ever come, she would make sure to beat Dong Fei half to death!
In fact, only a few days after purchasing the stock, Zhang Momo already felt as if she herself had suffered a stroke.
"ST Lucheng Major Asset Restructuring Suspension Announcement"—Lucheng Printing Co., Ltd. is planning a major asset restructuring. Due to uncertainties regarding related matters, and in accordance with exchange regulations, to protect investors’ interests and avoid significant impact on the company’s shares... the company is applying for trading suspension starting from X month X day...
“Dong Fei!” A thunderous shout erupted from the general manager’s desk at Tongzhi Advertising Company. The newly promoted supervisor of the design department, a fellow shareholder, timidly stuck half his head through the crack in the door. “What on earth is going on? I just bought the eggs and now the egg seller has taken them back? Where is my money? Who do I ask for it?!”
Dong Fei finally shoved her entire head through the doorway, her expression brimming with smugness and disdain. “The eggs are about to hatch into chicks! Boss Zhang, you can't just bury yourself in design all day—you have to keep up with the times. Even the aunties selling eggs understand more about the stock market than you do these days!”
Zhang Momo blushed, hurriedly cramming information from the ‘Stock Bar’ website, until finally, amid a vast sea of posts bemoaning missed opportunities and envying those who held ST Lucheng, she recovered her sense of superiority and security, letting out a sigh of relief. There were even bold predictions from market gurus: once the stock resumed trading, it would hit the daily limit at least ten times, and would not stop rising until it surpassed ten yuan per share!
Zhang Momo calculated—her investment of over eight hundred thousand could very likely turn into more than eight million!
She nearly spilled the tea in her hands, huddling behind her desk, quietly rejoicing. Suddenly, a post titled “Strongly Recommend Regulatory Authorities Thoroughly Investigate ST Lucheng's Insider Trading!” sent her plunging back into an icy abyss.
The post was filled with lengthy analyses of K-line charts—none of which Zhang Momo understood. But at the end, the author stated plainly, so that even those who could read Chinese characters couldn’t feign ignorance: “There’s no doubt the restructuring news leaked before the suspension. Was it friends and family at the brokerage, or mistresses of the big players? The massive buying was so blatant, utterly lacking in technical finesse! This insider trading was outrageously bold—do they think investors are idiots, or are their connections so strong they don’t fear exposure? A tearful plea to the authorities for a thorough investigation!”
Zhang Momo stared at this post for a long time, raising her teacup, setting it down, raising it again... repeating this cycle countless times, until finally another furious shout burst forth. “Dong Fei! Get in here!”
This time, the hesitating, stammering one was Dong Fei, glancing about nervously and unable to utter a single convincing word. “Well... I told you, didn’t I? I have a friend who suddenly got some inside information...”
“Stop right there!” Zhang Momo sprang up, intercepting Dong Fei midway as she attempted to slip out the door, her brows furrowed in anger. “If you don’t tell me the truth, don’t even think about leaving this room alive!”
Dong Fei was dumbstruck, finally lowering her head...
“It was President Xiang; he instructed me to make sure you bought this stock, every share you could afford. If you didn’t have enough money, he told me to borrow from him to lend to you...”