Chapter 174: Peninsula Hotel Celebration Banquet, the Legendary Prelude Officially Begins

The closing bell rang in the Trading Hall, and the Hang Seng Index finally settled at 1608 points, down 11.13%.

The entire Hong Kong Island stock market was awash in blood, with lamentations everywhere, yet Lu Qingshan wore a faint smile on his face.

"Five million five hundred fifty-eight thousand Hong Kong dollars!" Ye Ning verified the calculator's number again, her voice trembling, "Mr. Lu, you're truly… unbelievable!"

The surrounding traders shot looks of shock and envy.

On this black Friday when everyone was wailing, those who could earn so much money could be counted on one's fingers.

Ye Ning tidied up the trading slips, her heart a mix of emotions. As a professional trader, she knew all too well what this operation meant.

This isn't investing; it's practically a miracle!

"Miss Ye, do you have time tonight?" Lu Qingshan packed up his files, his tone relaxed as if chatting about the weather, "I'd like to treat you to a meal to celebrate."

Ye Ning was still immersed in the shock of that staggering figure when she heard the invitation, somewhat surprised: "Mr. Lu, is this… appropriate?"

"Of course it's appropriate." Lu Qingshan smiled, "You helped a great deal today, so it's deserved. Qingjun will join us too—let's just celebrate our successful cooperation."

Lu Qingjun nodded vigorously beside him: "Exactly, exactly, exactly! Miss Ye, you were amazing today! That hand speed, that professional level—you're practically the reincarnation of the Hong Kong Island stock god!"

Ye Ning blushed at his praise: "Mr. Lu, you flatter me; it's mainly because your judgment was accurate. To be honest, I've been a trader for three years and have never seen such a precise forecast."

"Then it's settled." Lu Qingshan glanced at his watch, "Seven o'clock at the French restaurant of the Peninsula Hotel—I'll make the reservation."

Peninsula Hotel!

Lu Qingjun's eyes widened. That's one of Hong Kong Island's top hotels—we country bumpkins from the mainland actually get to eat there?

The Peninsula Hotel's French restaurant glittered with lights; under the crystal chandelier, the three sat by the window. Hong Kong Island's night view sparkled outside, and Victoria Harbour's neon lights reflected on the water, beautiful as a painting.

"Good heavens!" Lu Qingjun stared at the price list, his eyes nearly popping out, "A steak costs eight hundred Hong Kong dollars? That's way too expensive!"

"We earned over five million; what's wrong with having a good meal?" Lu Qingshan calmly ordered, "Waiter, three top‑grade steaks and a bottle of Lafite."

"1982 Lafite!" Ye Ning sucked in a breath of cold air. "That's a top‑grade red wine costing eight thousand Hong Kong dollars a bottle!"

"Come on, come on, let's toast to today's great victory!" Lu Qingjun raised his glass, his face flushed with excitement.

Ye Ning also raised her glass, but a hint of confusion lingered in her eyes: "Mr. Lu, may I ask a question?"

"Go ahead." Lu Qingshan cut his steak, his movements elegant, unlike someone from the mainland who'd been a sent‑down youth.

"Your judgment today was spot‑on—so accurate it's almost… unbelievable." Ye Ning chose her words carefully, "You really don't have any insider information, do you?"

Lu Qingshan set down his knife and fork, looking at her: "Miss Ye, do I seem like someone who'd have insider information?"

"No." Ye Ning shook her head, "But… this level of precision really strains belief."

"Nothing hard to believe." A glint of depth flashed in Lu Qingshan's eyes, "I just understand market rhythms better than others. Political risks, economic cycles, investor psychology—these are all predictable."

Lu Qingjun boasted beside him: "My older brother is amazing! Everything he's said since childhood has been spot‑on! Villagers all say he has the gift of divine calculation!"

Ye Ning nodded thoughtfully, but her doubts were not completely dispelled.

"Miss Ye, I have another question for you." Lu Qingshan suddenly shifted tone, a glint of ambition flashing in his eyes, "How do you view today's returns?"

"Of course it's great!" Ye Ning answered without hesitation, "Over five million Hong Kong dollars—that counts as wealthy even in Hong Kong Island. Many people never earn that much in a lifetime."

Lu Qingshan shook his head: "Not enough."

"What?" Ye Ning thought she'd misheard, her glass halted mid‑air.

"I said not enough."

Lu Qingshan's eyes burned with unprecedented ambition, his voice low and forceful: "Five million may be a lot in Hong Kong Island, but to me it's just the beginning."

Ye Ning and Lu Qingjun were both stunned.

Five million Hong Kong dollars is just the start?

Just how much money does this person want?

"Mr. Lu, what you mean is…" Ye Ning asked cautiously, a feeling of indescribable shock welling up inside her.

"What I mean is, our cooperation must continue." Lu Qingshan lifted his red wine glass, gently swirling the liquid, the crimson wine catching the light, "Today was just the first battle; bigger opportunities lie ahead."

Lu Qingjun nearly choked on the wine: "Second brother, you're still going to trade stocks? Five million isn't enough?"

"Of course not enough." Lu Qingshan's tone was calm, but the light in his eyes grew brighter, as if burning with endless ambition, "In the near future, I'll try my hand wherever money can be made—stocks, real estate, foreign exchange. I want to turn this five million into fifty million, five hundred million!"

Five hundred million!

Ye Ning felt her heart pound at the thought; that figure was simply unimaginable to her.

"Mr. Lu, doing this… won't it be too risky?" Ye Ning's voice trembled, "The stock market shifts unpredictably; making money today doesn't guarantee profit tomorrow."

"Risky?" Lu Qingshan burst into laughter, his voice echoing in the luxurious restaurant, "Miss Ye, do you know what real risk is? Real risk is having no money, being looked down upon, making your family suffer. With capital and vision, it's not risk—it's investment."

His words left Ye Ning lost in thought.

As a trader, she'd seen too many people lose everything to greed, but Lu Qingshan gave her a different feeling.

This person exudes an indescribable confidence, as if everything is under his control.

"Miss Ye, I have a proposal." Lu Qingshan suddenly said, his expression turning serious, "Starting tomorrow, you'll move to stay at the Hilton Hotel."

"What?" Ye Ning nearly jumped up, her face flushing instantly, "What did you say?"

"Don't misunderstand." Lu Qingshan waved his hand, "I mean, given the size of this operation's profit, to avoid complications, any further steps must be kept strictly confidential. I've booked two rooms at the Hilton Hotel; you'll take one, so we can communicate anytime."

Ye Ning hesitated, biting her lower lip: "Is this… appropriate?"

"What's inappropriate about it?" Lu Qingshan's tone was earnest, "Miss Ye, you're not just my trader anymore—you're my partner. As partners, we share weal and woe. Besides, I guarantee I'll absolutely respect you; it's just for work convenience."

Lu Qingjun nodded repeatedly beside him: "Miss Ye, just say yes! My older brother's character is impeccable, and the Hilton Hotel is fantastic—far better than your little apartment!"

Ye Ning felt torn; reason told her it wasn't quite proper, but the generous commission and profit split, plus Lu Qingshan's displayed investment talent, made it hard for her to refuse.

"Alright."

Ye Ning finally nodded, "But I have one condition: everything must be work‑first, with no other thoughts."

"That goes without saying."

Lu Qingshan readily agreed, raising his glass.

"I, Lu Qingshan, keep my word."