Chapter 264: Begin Bottom‑Picking

In the Stock Exchange, it was still the same trading room as yesterday; Lu Bin Sun and Jimi were both present.

"Jimi, you were exhausted all day yesterday; why didn't you get more rest today?"

"Mo Ge, I rested well last night. Isn't it because I want to learn more from Mr. Sun?"

Chen Mo patted Jimi on the shoulder: "Not bad, I like your eager-to-learn nature."

Jimi could be called the most studious person under Chen Mo, bar none.

Whenever Chen Mo sees Jimi, he is either working or studying.

He never misses a chance to learn; that was true in the Merrill Lynch trading room, and it's still the case now that he's back in Gangdao.

Lu Bin Sun interrupted their idle chat, speaking seriously: "Mr. Chen, just as you said yesterday, the market opened lower again today.

However, the Stock Exchange just announced the formation of a 'Market Rescue Team'; the Foreign Exchange Fund Authority has provided HK$20 billion in rescue funds, and banks such as Huaguo Bank, HSBC, and Standard Chartered Bank are leading and have each contributed HK$20 billion.

The stock market now shows a rebound trend; should we enter to scoop up the bottom?"

Chen Mo thought briefly and asked, "What is the current market cap of Cheung Kong Holdings and Hutchison Whampoa?"

Lu Bin Sun calculated in his mind and said, "Around HK$60 billion, but less than HK$70 billion.

Their stock prices have fallen nearly half in recent days."

"Alright, use HK$10 billion to scoop up Cheung Kong and Hutchison Whampoa, and another HK$5 billion for other stocks.

I need to stabilize the market quickly, preparing for our acquisition of a real‑estate company."

"That much?" Lu Bin Sun frowned.

Chen Mo replied indifferently, "You know how much money I have now; this amount is nothing."

Li Chaoren's Cheung Kong and Hutchison, as core constituent stocks of the Hang Seng Index, are barometers of market confidence.

This time the government‑organized rescue funds may allocate a small portion to buying shares of these two companies.

Chen Mo's current capital pool is sizable, so buying these two companies' shares won't cause major market swings.

Moreover, Li Chaoren's two firms had a combined market cap of over HK$120 billion before the crash; buying them at half price is a guaranteed windfall.

If it weren't for the usefulness of his capital, Chen Mo would have bought a 5% stake outright at the bottom.

Lu Bin Sun certainly knows Chen Mo isn't short of money, but that's not what he means.

"I mean, handling this much money myself is exhausting! I'm getting old; don't expect me to be like you youngsters!"

Chen Mo was speechless, almost forgetting this round.

Then Chen Mo chuckled, "Lao Sun, the capable bear more work; you take the lead, and you still have Jimi to help you!"

"But don't worry, I've already found a top expert; when the time comes, just hand the bottom‑picking to him."

"An expert? What kind of expert?" Lu Bin Sun was taken aback.

"I hired a general manager for the investment company; he used to be a vice‑president at Meiliguo Tongbao Bank. How does that sound?"

Chen Taotao arrived and immediately took a high position; to prevent Lu Bin Sun, Jimi and others from feeling uneasy, Chen Mo thought it necessary to give him a platform first.

After Chen Taotao works for a while, his ability will naturally earn their approval.

"That works," hearing Chen Mo say so, Lu Bin Sun immediately agreed.

He just wonders whether he can still accept it when he sees that Chen Taotao is still a youngster.

Jimi just stood beside them, saying nothing.

He is aware of his own limits; as general manager of an investment firm controlling Chen Mo's hundreds of billions, he still lacks that capability.

Around noon, Chen Taotao arrived, accompanied by a beautiful woman.

"Mo Ge, my matters are settled; I can join you at any time. This is my former assistant Teresa, who wants to continue following me. May I bring her on board as well?"

Fearing Chen Mo might object, Chen Taotao quickly added, "Teresa knows the stock market well, is computer‑savvy, and works with me in perfect sync."

"Fine, you don't need to say more," Chen Mo cut off Chen Taotao, "You're the general manager of the investment company; decide for yourself whom to hire."

Good fellow, buy one get one free.

Although Teresa is a minor, unnoticed character in 'The Great Era', she is strikingly beautiful, not at all inferior to the Fang sisters.

In the original drama, only scenes of Teresa working with Chen Taotao exist, with no romantic entanglements.

But now Chen Taotao has been dismissed by Tongbao Bank, and she still chooses to follow him; it's unclear whether she likes Chen Taotao.

If she doesn't like Chen Taotao, then Chen Mo will have to act.

But now is not the time to ponder that; Chen Mo called over Lu Bin Sun and Jimi, who were busy nearby.

"Lao Sun, Jimi, come over and meet. Chen Taotao will be the investment company's general manager from now on.

Taotao, this is Lu Bin Sun, the general manager of my Galaxy Group, your superior. Jimi, for now consider yourself Lao Sun's assistant; many of the group's businesses are currently under his charge.

Get to know each other."

"Why so young?" Lu Bin Sun frowned.

Seeing that Chen Taotao is still so young yet holds a higher position than Jimi, Lu Bin Sun was indeed a bit displeased.

Jimi has followed him for a long time and was personally taught by him. Though his fundamentals were a bit weak, his current ability is not lacking.

How can a newcomer be put down like that!

Seeing Lu Bin Sun's mood was off, Chen Mo hurriedly added, "Oh, by the way, regarding the short‑selling of Five Crab Group's stock, both of you were involved and lost a lot of money.

You two should discuss your failed experiences with each other."

The enemy of my enemy is a friend; with Five Crab Group as a common foe, you were once comrades, so the relationship should ease.

After Chen Mo finished speaking, Lu Bin Sun's attitude toward Chen Taotao improved a bit.

Not only because both have short‑sold Five Crab Group, but also because Chen Taotao's tactics during that operation showed Lu Bin Sun that he is truly capable.

Chen Mo stayed in the trading room with them until noon, watching the gap between Lu Bin Sun and Chen Taotao gradually fade.

After ensuring no conflict among them, Chen Mo stood up and said his goodbyes.

Since they were handling everything, there was no point for Chen Mo to stay any longer.

After leaving the stock exchange, Chen Mo had originally planned to go find Sandy to catch up, and also get her to recommend a better business lawyer.

However, on the way he suddenly realized that after returning to Gangdao he still hadn't gone home, so he abandoned that idea.

Better to go home first and have a look, then go find Sandy in the evening.

After all, Chen Mo still had an appointment with Fang Yihua.

Going to find sandy now, doing it in broad daylight, then putting on pants and leaving, seems a bit inappropriate.