Chapter 71: 070 This Guy Seems to Always Be Right?

But to Xia He, this prediction seemed absurd in every way.

Too conservative!

Especially the reserve requirement ratio—why leave the five major state-owned banks untouched and only adjust the smaller ones? That would make the impact far smaller than market expectations.

But why would he make such a prediction?

Xia He had no idea that, to avoid unnecessary trouble, Fang Qingye had deliberately increased the magnitude of the loan reserve ratio cut slightly above the data the central bank would later announce.

Historically, the loan reserve ratio had been cut by 0.27 percentage points; he changed it to 0.28.

Intellectually, Xia He strongly rejected Fang Qingye’s idea.

But emotionally, she had an inexplicable trust in him—this guy seemed to always be right!

“Senior, checking your phone? Did your husband send a message?” Yu Yang asked again.

“No, a friend,” Xia He replied, put down her phone, gathered her thoughts, and smiled: “Then I’ll take a bold guess—don’t laugh at me later if I’m wrong, seniors and juniors.”

“The one-year loan benchmark rate should drop by 0.28 percentage points, and as for the reserve requirement ratio, I’d guess one percentage point.”

“Hah… Senior Xia, you’re just as conservative as I am,” Lei Ming joked.

“Wait, I’m not done,” Xia He continued. “I think the one-percentage-point cut to the reserve requirement ratio might only apply to smaller banks—the five major banks probably won’t change, keeping their rates unchanged.”

After Xia He finished speaking, everyone at the table looked stunned.

“Senior Xia, I was wrong just now—you’re even more conservative than I am!” Lei Ming laughed.

“Exactly, Senior, why do you think the five major banks won’t change their rates?” Yu Yang followed up.

“I think the central bank’s first move is just testing the waters, watching the market’s reaction.”

Xia He’s mind suddenly became sharp.

Since she chose to believe Fang Qingye, she had to think from his perspective—why would he make such a prediction?

“So you mean there’ll be a second or third move?”

“Yes!” Xia He’s gaze grew firm. “The central bank will make further moves based on the market’s response.”

Hearing Xia He’s answer, the others exchanged glances—it made some sense.

Since Xia He had given her answer, the last person who hadn’t spoken yet—Fang Qingye—remained.

All eyes turned to him.

Fang Qingye smiled and said: “I’ve only been out of school for a year—I’ve seen and heard far less than you all. I really don’t know how to guess… but if I must speak, I agree with Senior’s prediction.”

“Heh, so you’re truly Senior Xia’s soldier,” Yang Kehua couldn’t help laughing.

Everyone else joined in the laughter.

“Little Fang, you’re too obedient to Senior! That’s not good—you need your own judgment,” Yu Yang said in a lecturing tone, playing the elder brother.

“This has nothing to do with having judgment,” Fang Qingye smiled slightly at him. “I simply think Senior’s prediction is more accurate… if you’d predicted these numbers, I’d agree with you too.”

“Fine then, let’s just wait for the central bank’s final announcement!” Yu Yang gave a cold smirk.

“Little Yu, this is just casual chatter over tea and meals—why are you taking it so seriously?” Qin Zhiqing said, raising his wine glass in time.

“Thank you all, juniors and seniors, for today—let me propose another toast!”

“Come on, cheers!”

After the gathering ended, Director Yang arranged a car to take Director Qin and Yu Yang back to the hotel; the rest took taxis home, while Fang Qingye and Xia He shared one taxi back to the hotel.

In the car, both sat in the back seat. Xia He looked at Fang Qingye’s flushed face and smiled: “Little Fang, you can’t hold your liquor.”

“That’s unfair—I drank the most today,” Fang Qingye protested.

“We six people only drank a little over two bottles—how much more could you have drunk?!”

Forget it, I won’t argue.

I can’t compete with you, a true female hero—I give in.

Fang Qingye turned to look out the window.

Seeing his expression, Xia He smiled faintly and dropped the subject, then remembered his QQ message earlier and asked: “Hey, Little Fang, I still find your message unbelievable—the numbers are too conservative.”

It was indeed conservative. When Fang Qingye had seen the central bank’s actual release back then, he’d felt the same way as Xia He: Such a small cut?!

But now he didn’t want to discuss it—he simply replied: “I just sent that randomly—don’t take it seriously.”

Fang Qingye’s gaze remained fixed on the window.

Huh?

Is this young man throwing a tantrum?

Xia He wanted to comfort him, but some things were hard to say in a taxi.

She had no idea that since leaving the hotel, the cool breeze had made Fang Qingye feel nauseous and about to vomit…

Back in his room, Fang Qingye took a shower, and the nausea slowly faded. Since he wouldn’t be going home, he lay on the bed and called his mother to briefly explain.

“Ah, you’re in Jinghai, with Senior Xia?”

“Yeah, attending the alumni gathering—I told you just now.”

“You’re not coming home tonight?”

“Can’t—I drank, can’t drive.”

“Then be careful tonight, son.”

“Mom, stop imagining things! Should I just leave the car in Jinghai and take a taxi back alone?” Fang Qingye replied irritably.

“Taking a taxi back this late is unsafe! Fine, forget it… how much did you drink today?” Zhang Meili asked over the phone.

“Less than half a jin—I got drunk.”

“That’s no good—less than half a jin and you’re drunk? You’re worse than your father.”

I @#%$%…

I’m being looked down upon again.

After a night’s sleep, Fang Qingye woke early the next morning, feeling refreshed—last night’s drunkenness completely gone.

Being young really is great…

Before his rebirth, one binge would leave him sluggish for days.

After checking out, he and Xia He had breakfast together, then drove back to Nanxin.

Time quickly moved into early September. As official media began hinting at it, rumors spread through the market that national monetary policy was shifting—interest rate cuts and reserve requirement reductions were coming. Many institutions, including Citibank and Morgan Stanley, released their own forecasts.

Predictions varied wildly—the loan benchmark rate cut ranged from 0.1% to 0.4%, and the reserve requirement ratio cut from 1% to 3%.

Xia He often read these news updates and sometimes asked Fang Qingye a few questions on QQ.

Fang Qingye knew she was waiting to see if the central bank’s final announcement matched his earlier QQ message.

But Fang Qingye wasn’t interested in the matter.

It was just casual conversation over tea and meals—he’d only wanted to help Xia He.

And also, Yu Yang was annoying—he simply didn’t like him.

In truth, what did the central bank’s outcome have to do with him?