Chapter 170: Financial Gambit in a Cha Chaan Teng, a Hundred‑Thousand‑Hong‑Kong‑Dollar Commission Buying Hearts

At seven a. m., Lu Qingshan got out of bed. He had barely slept last night, and his mind was full of today's operation plan.

He walked to the window, and the morning light of Hong Kong Island streamed through the glass onto his face. In the distance, Victoria Harbour glittered, with countless cargo ships and fishing boats weaving across the sea, and the whole island was waking up.

Lu Qingshan was somewhat concerned about his family. What is Lin Yue'e doing now? Is Xiao Yu being obedient? Are his parents' health still good?

He picked up the bedside phone, dialed a few numbers, but each returned a busy tone.

Hong Kong Island's international long‑distance system is still imperfect, making contact with the mainland extremely difficult.

He recalled that only after 1993 could Hong Kong Island more conveniently call the mainland.

"Forget it, since we can't get through, I won't think about it any more."

Lu Qingshan put down the phone and took a deep breath.

Now the most important thing is to focus on today's stock battle.

With five hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars of capital and ten‑fold Leverage, this is his biggest gamble since rebirth.

Today is his first battle in the Hong Kong Island stock market.

His memories from a previous life told him that on October 17, 1981, the Hang Seng Index would plunge sharply, dropping more than 11%. Countless retail investors would lose everything, and the Hong Kong Island stock market would be filled with wails. In his past life he was merely a bystander; in this life, he intends to become the reaper!

This is an excellent Short Selling opportunity; combined with ten‑fold Leverage, if executed properly, it could multiply several times in a single day.

But the problem is that no one currently believes his judgment.

"Qingjun, get up," Lu Qingshan nudged his still‑sleeping younger brother.

Lu Qingjun groggily opened his eyes: "Second brother, this early?"

"Today is a crucial day," Lu Qingshan said as he began dressing, "We have to meet Ye Ning at eight o'clock."

Lu Qingjun snapped awake the moment he heard Ye Ning's name. He had thought all night yesterday, feeling his second brother's decision was too risky.

Short Selling the Hang Seng Index with ten‑fold Leverage is practically a death gamble.

The two hurried through their morning wash and made it to the agreed cha chaan teng.

Ye Ning was already waiting there, a steaming cup of milk tea before her, and she was reading a copy of Sing Pao.

"Mr. Lu, good morning," Ye Ning looked up at them, her expression somewhat solemn.

"Miss Ye, how did you consider it last night?" Lu Qingshan sat directly opposite her, without any small talk.

Ye Ning set the newspaper aside, a complex look flashing in her eyes: "Mr. Lu, I researched a lot last night and consulted several colleagues. Everyone thinks that Short Selling the Hang Seng Index right now is extremely dangerous."

"Oh?" Lu Qingshan raised an eyebrow, "Tell me the details."

"First, the Hang Seng Index's technical indicators are all healthy, with no sign of a peak; on July 17 it just set a new high record, and the later stage of its oscillation is relatively stable. Second, Hong Kong Island's economic fundamentals are solid, with real estate and finance both rising. Most importantly, you intend to use ten‑fold Leverage, which means that a 1% rise in the index would trigger a margin call."

Ye Ning sounded very professional, but Lu Qingshan could tell she was genuinely worried.

Lu Qingjun nodded repeatedly beside him: "Second brother, did you hear? The professionals all say it's too dangerous."

Lu Qingshan didn't answer immediately; instead, he waved for a waiter: "One coffee, black coffee, and one cappuccino."

After the waiter left, he looked at Ye Ning: "Miss Ye, I was very clear yesterday; our agreement is that you follow my instructions, without questioning my investment decisions."

"But Mr. Lu, this operation is truly too risky!" Ye Ning's voice was a bit agitated, "I've been a trader for three years and have never seen anyone play like this. This is not investing, it's gambling!"

Other patrons in the cha chaan teng turned to look, and a few suited financial workers whispered, clearly interested in their conversation.

Lu Qingshan lowered his voice: "Miss Ye, a HK$100,000 service fee is enough to buy you half a month of professional services. If you think it's unsuitable, you can withdraw now."

Ye Ning bit her lower lip, a struggling expression flashing in her eyes.

HK$100,000 was indeed a huge temptation for her, but professional ethics told her she couldn't watch a client walk to his death with her eyes open.

"Mr. Lu, may I ask why you are so certain the Hang Seng Index will fall today?" Ye Ning asked finally.

Lu Qingshan lifted the freshly delivered coffee and took a slow sip. The bitter taste spread across his tongue, just like his current mood.

He couldn't reveal his past‑life memories, nor did he have any insider information; the only thing he could rely on was history that had already occurred.

"Intuition," Lu Qingshan set down his coffee cup, "An old trader's intuition."

"Intuition?" Ye Ning almost choked on her milk tea, "You want to use HK$500,000 to test an intuition?"

"Exactly," Lu Qingshan said calmly, but his eyes burned with an unprecedented resolve,

Lu Qingshan suddenly leaned close to her, lowered his voice, and said, "Miss Ye, if I told you the Hang Seng Index will undoubtedly fall today, would you believe me?"

Ye Ning was stunned by his aura and instinctively stepped back: "You… do you have any insider information?"

"Insider information?" Lu Qingshan laughed heartily, "My insider information is this!" He pointed to his head, "An old trader's intuition!"

The other patrons in the cha chaan teng were drawn by his laughter, turning to glance.

A middle‑aged man eating breakfast muttered softly, "Is this mainlander crazy?"

Ye Ning bit her lower lip, a battle raging within her heart.

Rationality told her this was a death march, but the HK$100,000 commission was too tempting. It equated to more than a year's income for her!

"Mr. Lu, I'll ask one last time," Ye Ning inhaled deeply, "If I follow your instructions and lose everything, won't you blame me?"

"Blame you?" Lu Qingshan's eyes flashed with a hint of gentleness, "Miss Ye, I, Lu Qingshan, keep my word. If we profit, the commission is paid. If we lose, it's my responsibility. But…"

He shifted his tone, his gaze sharpening like a blade: "If you don't follow my instructions and close the position on your own, then don't blame me for turning my back on you!"

Ye Ning felt the indescribable pressure emanating from him and couldn't help but shiver.

This young man from the mainland exuded an aura that made one dare not defy him.

"Fine!" Ye Ning gritted her teeth, "I accept!"

"Deal!" Lu Qingshan slapped the table heartily, causing the tea cups to jump.

Lu Qingjun watched the two shake hands, his heart a mixture of emotions.

He knew his second brother was never impulsive, but this decision was truly insane.

"Second brother, what if we really lose everything?"

Lu Qingjun couldn't help asking again.

Lu Qingshan turned to his brother, a reassuring strength in his eyes: "Qingjun, remember this day. Ten years from now, when we have built a taller skyscraper in Shenzhen City than in Hong Kong Island, you'll understand how important today's decision was."

At 8:45, the three of them arrived at the Far East Securities Exchange.

The Trading Hall was already packed with people, each face marked by a yearning for money and Fear of risk.

On the massive electronic display, the Hang Seng Index's opening price had not yet appeared, but the prices of various stocks were already flickering.

Ye Ning slipped on a red trader's vest, sat at her own trading seat, readied the paperwork, and let her pen‑tipped fingers tremble lightly.

She had been in the business for three years and had never taken an order this crazy.

"Mr. Lu, one final confirmation," Ye Ning said, turning to look at Lu Qingshan standing behind her. "Full‑position Short Selling of the Hang Seng Index, ten‑fold Leverage, HK$500,000—confirm?"

Lu Qingshan stared at the opening price about to appear on the screen, and memories from a past life flashed through his mind like a film. On October 17, 1981, the Hang Seng Index opened at 1,810 points and closed at 1,608 points, a drop of 11.13%!

"Confirmed!" Lu Qingshan's voice cut through the noisy Trading Hall, "Full‑position Short Selling, not a cent left!"

Ye Ning inhaled deeply, her fingers flying across the keyboard. Every character struck like a blow to her heart, each press of Enter feeling like a gamble with her life.

At exactly nine o'clock, the opening bell rang!

Hang Seng Index opening price: 1,810 points!

"It's here!" a flash of steel lit Lu Qingshan's eyes as he clenched his fist, "Prey, caught in the net!"

Everyone in the Trading Hall held their breath, awaiting the start of this financial hunt.

Lu Qingshan's first battle on Hong Kong Island was officially launched!