Chapter 183

Early the next morning, all of Hong Kong Island was in an uproar.

The front-page headline of the Ming Pao boldly read: "Mysterious Mainland Tycoon Makes Ten Million in Net Profit in a Day, Hong Kong Island's Financial World Sees a Legendary Figure," accompanied by a photo of Lu Qingshan's leisurely stroll in Jianshazui yesterday.

The financial section of the Hong Kong Economic Journal used eye‑catching red type: "A Divine Stroke Three Minutes Before Close, the King of Short‑Selling the Hang Seng Index Appears Out of Nowhere," with the whole page analyzing the technical details of this operation.

The English edition of the South China Morning Post didn't lag behind: "MysteriousMainlandTycoonShakesHongKongFinanceWorld," opening with: "This is the most shocking individual operation in Hong Kong Island's financial history."

Major newspapers vied to report this legendary story; newsstand owners were grinning from ear to ear, today's paper sales tripled the usual. Lu Qingshan became Hong Kong Island's hottest news figure overnight, even the staff in cha chaan tengs were heatedly discussing it.

"Ah Ming, have you seen the paper? That mainland kid is too awesome!"

"I've seen it! Damn, we work hard a month for just a few thousand, while he makes over ten million in a day!"

"I heard he's only in his twenties, younger than my son! The world has changed!"

The Hilton hotel lobby was even more bustling. A few reporters in suits guarded the entrance, holding recorders and cameras, waiting like hungry wolves for prey to appear. The waitstaff also forgot their work, gathering in small groups to whisper.

"I heard he's staying in the presidential suite, costing eight thousand Hong Kong dollars a night!" a young waiter said in a low voice.

"Eight thousand bucks is nothing—he makes thirteen million a day, this amount is just a drop in the bucket!" another waiter said, eyes full of envy.

"If I had his abilities, I could spend the rest of my life lying around counting money! Stay in the presidential suite every day, feast on abalone and lobster at every meal!"

The hotel lobby manager paced anxiously, afraid the reporters would harm the hotel's image, yet dared not shoo them away, for Lu Qingshan is now the hotel's most important guest.

At 8:30, Lu Qingshan appeared punctually in the hotel lobby.

The reporters instantly erupted, flashbulbs popping nonstop.

"Mr. Lu, what's your view on yesterday's operation?"

"Mr. Lu, how did you predict the Hang Seng Index would plummet?"

"Mr. Lu, will you continue short selling today?"

Lu Qingshan passed through the crowd without changing expression, his bodyguards opening the way with practiced ease.

He even had the presence of mind to nod at the hotel manager, showing thanks.

Arriving at the Far East Exchange, the situation became even more exaggerated.

The whole building was surrounded by people—shareholders, reporters, and executives from other institutions.

Even the security captain was near frantic, having never seen such a scene.

"Make way! Make way! Mr. Lu is coming in!"

"Look quick! That's him! The divine figure who made thirteen million yesterday!"

"Too young! To have such ability at this age, heaven is unfair!"

In VIP Trading Room No. 7, Huang Chaowen had been waiting anxiously. Last night he received no fewer than twenty calls, all from major institutions wanting to contact Lu Qingshan.

"Mr. Lu, you've finally come!" Huang Chaowen greeted him, forehead beaded with sweat, "Last night my phone was almost blown up! HSBC's investment department head Liang Zhiwei called five times, Standard Chartered's vice president also wants to meet you! Plus Jardines and Taigu Group's senior execs all want to know you!"

"So many people?" Lu Qingjun's eyes lit up, "Second brother, these are all top‑tier Hong Kong Island firms! We've really hit it big!"

But what stunned everyone was that Lu Qingshan merely glanced at yesterday's settlement slip, confirmed a 13 million profit, then turned and prepared to leave!

"What? You're leaving again?" Huang Chaowen nearly lost his balance, "Mr. Lu, today's opening could see violent swings—all of Hong Kong Island's investors are watching your moves!"

Li Zhi'an and Wang Yuyun were also baffled. Having been traders for many years and seen all kinds of odd clients, they'd never seen anyone like Lu Qingshan.

"Mr. Lu, you really aren't going to check today's opening?" Wang Yuyun asked cautiously, "U. S. stocks also fluctuated last night, which might affect our positions."

"Just let me know if anything changes." Lu Qingshan instructed the two traders in a tone as relaxed as commenting on nice weather, "Li Zhi'an, Wang Yuyun, keep watch; if an emergency arises, contact me immediately. Remember, if anyone tries to move my position, reject them outright."

"Yes, Mr. Lu!" the two traders said in unison, feeling both admiration and confusion.

Li Zhi'an lowered his voice to Wang Yuyun: "I've been a trader for ten years, never seen a boss like this. A thirteen‑million paper profit, and he says he won't look—so he won't!"

"The key is his confidence!" Wang Yuyun also lowered her voice, eyes full of shock, "It's as if he knew he'd make money all along—this composure is inhuman! Our boss, with only a few million in funds, has to watch the screen all day, yet he just tosses away over fifty million?"

Huang Chaowen spun anxiously, trailing Lu Qingshan's steps: "Mr. Lu, HSBC's Liang Zhiwei said that if you're willing to meet, they can offer better loan rates! Standard Chartered even extended an invitation to private banking services!"

"Liang Zhiwei?" Lu Qingshan paused, "What's his name?"

"Liang Zhiwei, head of HSBC's investment department, highly regarded in Hong Kong Island's financial circles," Huang Chaowen replied quickly.

Lu Qingshan thought for a moment; the name rang a bell from his past life's memory. It seemed he was one of the key figures in HSBC's later expansion into Place.

"Tell him we can talk next week if I have time." Lu Qingshan said lightly, "But I'm busy, my schedule is tight."

"Great! I'll contact Liang Zhiwei right away!" Huang Chaowen exclaimed, as if he'd found a treasure.

Lu Qingjun chuckled aside, "Second brother, HSBC—the biggest bank in Hong Kong Island! The department head personally wants to meet you, that's enough face!"

"What's a bank?" Lu Qingshan glanced at his brother, "Qingjun, our goal isn't to work for others. No matter how capable a banker is, they still have to look at the client's face."

Ye Ning followed Lu Qingshan out of the exchange, her heart a mix of feelings.

In the corridor, traders from other institutions poked their heads out to look, some even pulling out cameras to sneak photos.

"That's him! Lu Qingshan! The divine figure who became famous overnight!"

"He looks about twenty‑five or six, doesn't he?"

"So what if he's young? He makes in a day what we'd earn in ten years of work! I'm forty and still working for a boss—comparing people just makes you angry!"

"I heard he hasn't closed his position today—what guts that takes! If I had a ten‑million paper profit, I'd have fled already!"

Outside the building, the crowd of onlookers grew larger—shareholders, reporters, and plain‑curious passersby.

"That's him! That mainland tycoon who makes thirteen million a day!" a middle‑aged woman pointed excitedly at Lu Qingshan.

"In person he looks so young! To have such ability at this age! My son is older than him and still asks me for pocket money every day!"

"I heard he hasn't closed his position today and will keep short selling—he's trying to short the Hong Kong stock market to the bone! His courage is huge!"

"Good grief, if I had half his talent I'd be set for life! Living in luxury hotels every day, driving a Rolls‑Royce!"

The chatter of pointing and gossiping rose and fell, the whole street boiling over.

Even the roadside vendors stopped their business, curiously sizing up this legendary tycoon.

A few bold youngsters even tried to rush forward for an autograph, but the bodyguards politely blocked them.

"Mr. Lu, where are we going today?" Ye Ning asked carefully, her voice still trembling.

"Continue to look at the scenery of Hong Kong Island." Lu Qingshan gazed at the distant Victoria Harbour; sunlight sprinkled on the sea surface, sparkling gold, as several cruise ships slowly sailed by. "Such a beautiful place, if you don't properly appreciate it before leaving, it's too wasteful. Since we've come, we must leave some good memories."

Lu Qingjun walked beside him, enjoying this feeling of being the center of attention: "Second brother, we're now celebrities on Hong Kong Island! Wherever we go, someone knows us; this feeling is great! It's more impressive than being a village head in the village!"

"What use is fame?" Lu Qingshan said calmly, "Can it be eaten as food? True success is letting the family live well and letting the business grow big and strong. These empty titles are merely byproducts."

And Lu Qingshan, as if he hadn't heard anything, continued his leisurely Hong Kong Island trip.

His steps remained unhurried, occasionally stopping to observe the roadside shops and study the local business model.

Because he knew clearly in his heart, the real financial tsunami had not yet arrived.

This current profit is merely an appetizer.

A greater feast of wealth still awaits him ahead.