Chapter 172: Hang Seng Index Takes a Massive Dive, Million‑Maker Activated!

At a quarter past ten, the air in the Trading Hall almost solidified.

Lu Qingshan, Lu Qingjun and Ye Ning stood before the trading seats like statues, their six eyes fixed on the huge electronic display and the order board. The Hang Seng Index hovered around 1810 points for nearly an hour, like a wounded beast making its final struggle.

Lu Qingshan's palms were already soaked, yet his exterior still exuded a reassuring composure. He could feel Ye Ning's occasional glances, the doubt and worry nearly spilling over. Lu Qingjun was even more nervous, smoking one cigarette after another, the ashtray already piled with butts.

"Damn, why isn't it moving?" Lu Qingjun muttered softly, his voice laced with obvious anxiety. "Is this index dead?"

"Shut up and focus on the screen," Lu Qingshan glared at him, though his own temples throbbed.

At that moment, a commotion erupted at the other end of the Trading Hall. Several traders in dark suits hurried to the counter, clutching thick sheets of orders.

"Sell Changshi!"

"Sell off Heji!"

"New World liquidation!"

A series of shouts rang through the Trading Hall like stones thrown into a calm lake. Everyone turned to look, the traders—including Ye Ning—showing surprised expressions.

The numbers on the big screen began to jump violently.

1810…1809…1807…1805…

In just two minutes, the Hang Seng Index plunged 12 points!

"My God!" Ye Ning couldn't help exclaiming, fingers gripping the edge of the table. "What's happening?"

Lu Qingjun stared at the ever‑changing numbers on the board, eyes wide. "It's falling! It's really falling! Brother, we're starting to make money!"

Lu Qingshan appeared calm on the surface, but he let out a long sigh inside. His memories from a past life indeed hadn't deceived him; history was unfolding as expected. Yet he knew this was only the Appetizer (document), the real feast lay ahead.

The Trading Hall grew restless. Phone rings rang one after another, traders began fielding calls frequently, their expressions turning serious.

"Miss Ye, what's happening?" Lu Qingshan asked in a lowered voice.

Ye Ning quickly exchanged a few words with a colleague beside her, then turned, her face solemn. "It seems there's major news to be announced. Those sell‑offs just now were orders from big institutions, not something retail investors could do."

As soon as the words finished, an even louder uproar erupted in the Trading Hall. A senior trader stood up and announced loudly, "Attention, everyone! We just received news that negotiations between the Hong Kong‑British government and the China government have hit a major divergence!"

The sentence exploded like a heavyweight bomb in the Trading Hall. Everyone halted their actions, and the hall fell silent save for the hum of the air‑conditioner.

"What divergence?" someone shouted.

"The specifics are unclear, but reports say the talks have stalled. The market is worried about Hong Kong Island's future political outlook, especially real‑estate and local tech‑pharma stocks."

The words set the Trading Hall ablaze.

"It's over! Real‑estate is about to collapse!"

"Sell quickly!"

"Clear all local tech stocks!"

A chorus of voices intertwined, turning the Trading Hall into a bazaar. More sell‑off orders flooded the counter, traders scrambling in chaos.

The Hang Seng Index on the big screen began its true plunge performance.

1798…1790…1780…1775…

Each point it fell, Lu Qingjun grew a notch more excited. He clutched Lu Qingshan's arm tightly, trembling with excitement. "Brother! We're making it! Really making it!"

Ye Ning turned, eyes full of shock and admiration. "Mr. Lu, how did you know? This is like a divine prediction!"

Lu Qingshan gave a faint smile. "I told you, this isn't gambling, it's investing."

"But…" Ye Ning began, but was cut off by a louder uproar.

Another announcement rang through the Trading Hall: "Major institutions are now selling off tech and pharma stocks! The chain reaction has begun!"

Sure enough, it wasn't just real‑estate stocks falling; the entire Hong Kong Island market was sliding across the board. Tech, pharma, finance—almost every sector was swept by panic.

The Hang Seng Index's decline grew ever more ferocious.

1760…1740…1735…

Lu Qingjun was completely wild, hopping beside Ye Ning's seat, muttering nonstop, "We're getting rich! Getting rich! Brother, you're amazing!"

The surrounding traders were amused by his reaction, but most felt envy. In such a universal downturn, few could profit from Short Selling.

"Sir, could you keep it down?" a trader reminded, "This is an exchange, not a celebration."

Lu Qingjun only then realized his lapse, quickly covering his mouth, yet his excitement remained unmistakable.

Ye Ning swiftly calculated the paper gains, growing more shocked. At the current drop, their HK$500,000 capital had more than doubled! And the decline kept going!

"Mr. Lu, should we consider partial profit‑taking?" Ye Ning suggested quietly. "The returns are already substantial; taking profits now is safer."

Lu Qingshan shook his head. "No rush, the good show has only just begun."

His eyes glittered with unprecedented light. His past‑life memory told him the Hang Seng Index's final close today would be 1608 points; it was only at 1700 now, leaving nearly a hundred points of room to fall!

Panic in the Trading Hall intensified. Retail investors kept rushing to the counter demanding to sell, some even breaking into tears.

"My house equity!" a middle‑aged man sobbed, clutching his head. "It's all tied up!"

"If I'd known, I wouldn't have traded!" a young girl wiped tears, "Now I've lost even my living expenses!"

Seeing these tragic scenes, Lu Qingjun's excitement tempered a bit.

He whispered to Lu Qingshan, "Brother, making money like this, could it be a bit…"

"A bit what?" Lu Qingshan retorted. "The market is a zero‑sum game; when some profit, others lose. We're simply on the right side."

Ye Ning nodded beside him. "Mr. Lu is right. Moreover, your judgment is truly precise; this chance is once in a millennium."

The Hang Seng Index kept falling, slipping below 1680 points. At their Leverage ratio, paper gains had already exceeded HK$3 million!

Lu Qingjun stared at the figure, feeling like he was dreaming. Three million Hong Kong dollars—how much could that buy back home! How many houses could it build!

"Brother, we really made it!" Lu Qingjun's voice shifted with excitement. "Three million Hong Kong dollars! We're millionaires now!"

Lu Qingshan patted his younger brother's shoulder. "This is just the start, Qingjun. After today, our lives will be completely different."

He watched the numbers still descending on the big screen, a surge of unprecedented ambition rising within him.

The hall's clock chimed, reminding everyone that it was past eleven o'clock.

A few hours remained until the close, but Lu Qingshan knew today's victory was already sealed.