Chapter 202: Return My Stock to Me

Manager Zhang, maybe we should just forget it. If we keep going like this, the cost of propping up the stock price far exceeds your loss from selling your shares at market price. The Xingcheng Bank investment banking department manager felt helpless. Given the situation, even if the bank president personally steps in, he couldn't continue operating.

"Maybe we should try again; perhaps they've already sold out their shares," Zhang Jun said, a bit unwilling.

The investment banking department manager didn't expect Zhang Jun to be so naive, and with a serious expression reminded him: "Manager Zhang, we had an agreement. If the bank suffers any loss, your group must bear it. You'd better first discuss it with Chairman Zhang. Otherwise, you'll bear the consequences."

Upon hearing that, Zhang Jun hesitated immediately. If they kept interfering with the sell-off, the bank could lose up to 65 million. Adding his own side's loss of nearly 10 million, the total would be 75 million.

Even if his IQ were lower, he'd know this operation isn't worthwhile.

"Alright! Then sell at the normal price!" Zhang Jun said, a bit dejected. He hadn't expected his scheming to come to nothing.

At that moment, the stock price had returned to 17.5, but as soon as Zhang Jun's sell order was placed, the price kept dropping and hit the limit down.

"Damn, how could this happen?" Zhang Jun felt like dying. Everyone else selling stocks makes the price fall slowly, but when he sells, it plunges instantly—it's as if they're deliberately opposing him.

Tang Kun, watching from the side, couldn't stand it and quickly reminded: "Brother Zhang, your sell order is too large; it easily creates anxiety in the short‑side market."

Upon hearing that, Zhang Jun immediately withdrew the 10,000‑lot order and replaced it with small‑batch sell orders.

However, since Xingcheng Heavy Industry's stock had already hit the limit down, Zhang Jun's sell order at 17.5 had no chance of appearing at the front of the queue.

"Manager, could you push the price up a bit?" Zhang Jun again asked the investment banking department manager. The manager let out a light sigh, directed his subordinates to start sweeping orders, and soon the price was lifted to 17.5.

Zhang Jun continued placing orders and eventually sold all his shares at an average price of 17.2.

He checked his account; the total loss was 16,999,500.

At that moment, Xingcheng Heavy Industry's stock began to surge rapidly, hitting the limit up in just ten minutes!

At the exact moment the stock hit the limit up, everyone present was stunned.

"Manager, how do you explain this?" Zhang Jun instantly flared with anger. Those bastards tricked him into selling his shares cheap, then in a flash pushed the price to the limit up.

They're treating him like a monkey!

Facing Zhang Jun's anger, the investment banking department manager could only explain gently: "Manager Zhang, today's bullish sentiment clearly outweighs bearish sentiment, so a limit‑up is normal."

Zhang Jun snorted coldly and said loudly: "Just now you weren't saying that. You clearly said it was short‑side market anxiety!"

The investment banking department manager immediately replied: "Sorry, I never said that; it was your friend who said it."

Zhang Jun stared for a moment, then redirected his anger at Tang Kun, kicking him quickly. "What the hell are you butting in for? With all these experts here, do you even get a chance to speak?"

Tang Kun dodged while explaining: "Brother Zhang, I was talking about the situation when the stock hit limit down. After it rose, I didn't say a word!"

By now Zhang Jun was fuming and didn't dare take it out on the bank staff, so he blamed Tang Kun entirely. "Damn it, you talk when you shouldn't and stay silent when you should. What's the point of keeping you?" After saying that, he chased Tang Kun and beat him up.

Luo Zhikai, watching from the side, couldn't stand it and hurriedly pulled the two apart.

"Manager Zhang, since the stock has already been sold, don't regret it. Stock prices going up and down is normal; worst case, we'll make it back next time."

Zhang Jun's anger hadn't subsided, and he lashed out at Luo Zhikai: "Hey Luo, do we need your sarcastic remarks? If it weren't for you colluding with your manager to put on a show, I could have sold the shares at a loss."

Luo Zhikai was speechless. He felt Zhang Jun was like a shrew, unreasonable and just wanting to cause trouble.

"Manager Zhang, we're just following your instructions and operating normally. If you have any complaints, you can file a grievance."

Zhang Jun snorted: "If you don't return the stock to me today, I'll definitely complain to the relevant authorities."

Luo Zhikai didn't expect Zhang Jun to be so unreasonable; he turned his pleading gaze to the manager who was watching the spectacle. After a moment's thought, the manager said: "Manager Zhang, if you feel you sold at a loss, you can buy the shares back."

Zhang Jun was delighted, quickly sat at the computer and placed a buy order at 17.2. After placing it, he urged the investment banking department manager to place a sell order.

The investment banking department manager took no action, merely saying flatly: "The stock is already limit‑up; selling it to you at 17.2 would harm the bank's interests. That's illegal."

"Manager, what do you mean by that?" Zhang Jun's face darkened upon hearing it. "Then wasn't you helping me prop up the stock price earlier also damaging the bank's interests?"

The investment banking department manager replied: "I helped you raise the stock price with superior approval. But the superiors never authorized me to sell the bank's held shares at a low price. Unless you go back and negotiate with them, signing a new compensation contract for low‑price share sales."

Zhang Jun couldn't help but get angry again. He questioned the investment banking department manager: "So you're saying I have to buy the stock from you and then top up the difference myself?"

The investment banking department manager nodded firmly.

"Then I might as well just buy it outright!" Zhang Jun exploded with rage. He had thought he found a good ally, but turned out to be a blood‑sucking monster that devours people without spitting out bones.

However, as he prepared to place the order, he hesitated again: "Manager, do you think it will rise tomorrow?"

The investment banking department manager, having seen Zhang Jun's toughness, dared not give a random opinion. He said: "The stock market is always unpredictable; no one can guarantee it will rise. You should decide for yourself."

Zhang Jun's stock knowledge is limited. Seeing the investment banking department manager unwilling to give advice, he turned his gaze to Tang Kun: "Tang Kun, what do you think?"

Tang Kun thought, "What do I think? I think about your mother. If the stock rises, that's fine; if it doesn't, I'll get beaten to death."

"Brother Zhang, I only dabble; I've never handled something this big, so I shouldn't casually give advice. You should decide for yourself."

"Worthless, what good are you?" Zhang Jun snorted, and in the end could only grit his teeth and buy the shares back.

Originally, he held 4,806,000 shares of Xingcheng Heavy Industry; after this round of operations, it became 4,312,000 shares.

Not long after he finished his stock operations, the short‑side market again placed large sell orders. The price instantly began to fall, eventually returning to 17.5!

……