Chapter 831: Withdrawing from the Stock Market

Xu Damao leaned in and asked, "Zhuzi, we've already spent over two hundred million buying land, why are you still fixated on Pudong? Could it be that we're really going to change professions and build houses?"

He Yuzhu pondered for a moment, weighed his words, and said, "It's not that I insist on buying land, but the days when you could make money in the stock market with your eyes closed are over. This stock market crash will cause a drop of at least sixty to seventy percent. I know everyone is used to making quick money; the reason we made it easily before was because we had the guts to gamble, which is how we got our first pot of gold. But from now on, the state will certainly introduce a series of stock market management regulations to plug those loopholes one by one. I've decided: I won't be entering the stock market for the next year or two. Of course, if your hands are itching and you want to get your fix, I won't stop you."

Lingzi's eyes were full of admiration as she said softly, "Brother He is right. Now that everyone knows the stock market makes money and is swarming in, if big capital doesn't leave at a time like this, when will it?"

Upon hearing this, Dajinya looked a bit puzzled, scratched his head, and asked, "Master He, if the stock market falls that much, won't a lot of people be jumping off buildings?"

He Yuzhu nodded, his expression calm: "Look at those small-cap stocks; they can rise fifty or sixty percent in a day, and then fall thirty or forty percent the next... A stock market like this is unhealthy. Perhaps a lot of big capital can still make money, but I don't want to do it this way anymore."

Wang Pangzi laughed and patted the table: "Master He, our capital can be considered a super-large account; do you really not want to experience the thrill of being a market maker?"

He Yuzhu shook his head: "Although we made money from the stock market, we didn't make it by being market makers. We relied on our vision and reaped the dividends of this wave of stock price increases."

Lingzi interjected: "Pangzi, you can't expect anything good to come out of a dog's mouth. Brother He is right. We didn't make money by manipulating stocks, but by making judgments and buying good stocks. Now that Brother He doesn't want to do this anymore, it's also because our capital has grown large; if we keep doing it, there would be a suspicion of stock manipulation."

He Yuzhu couldn't help but think more highly of Lingzi; in fact, that was exactly what he meant.

"Lingzi is a sister-in-law, you are the more insightful one," He Yuzhu praised.

Hu Bayi also understood the meaning behind it. He originally felt it was a pity not to do stocks, but seeing He Yuzhu's firm attitude, he felt relieved and said, "I agree with Master He's view. The market is a bit chaotic right now, so we can wait and see first. By the way, Master He, I see you have a special fondness for land in Pudong; can you tell us about it?"

He Yuzhu took a hand-drawn map out of his bag, spread it on the table, and traced the lines with his finger: "This is the future planning for this area. But this matter cannot be told to outsiders."

"Understood!" Xu Damao rushed to nod. He was convinced in his heart that this map must be internal information He Yuzhu had obtained from the higher-ups.

In reality, this was something He Yuzhu had drawn himself based on memories from his previous life—he had been to that place countless times, and every landmark was engraved in his mind.

"Everyone look, this place will be comparable to New York Manhattan in the future."

Dajinya explained in the tone of someone who had been there: "Fool, you haven't been to the United States. Wall Street is just one street of banks. It's over 500 meters long and only about ten meters wide. That place is full of high-rise buildings. You have to crane your neck to look for any bank."

Xu Damao smiled and said, "I've been trading stocks for so many years, how could I not know that place?"

Wang Pangzi hurriedly flattered him: "Master He is mighty; we are laying the groundwork in advance."

He Yuzhu smiled and picked up his teacup to moisten his throat: "You all might not know, but the few plots of land I marked have already been secured by me. Construction of high-end apartments has already begun."

Hu Bayi also hurriedly added: "I've stayed here for a few years, and I really think that place in Pudong is good. We listen to Master He, and we can't go wrong."

"Wherever Master He points, we strike," Wang Pangzi said, patting his chest.

Inside the Quanjude restaurant, it was steaming hot, and the aroma of roast duck mixed with the rich scent of wine and food permeated the entire private room.

Ma Rui was sitting at a round table with Director Wang, the cinematographer, the art director, the sound engineer, and a large group of people, clinking glasses and having a lively time.

The film wrapped up yesterday. Today, to thank everyone, Ma Rui specially treated the main crew members to a good meal.

Ma Rui raised his glass, stood up, and said, "Seniors, I'm going to the Film Academy in September to study acting. But I know that on this path of acting, I still have a long way to go. In the future, when you seniors have work, please don't forget to call me."

Director Wang laughed as he picked up a piece of food and asked slowly, "Ma Rui, I have a question to ask you. When you first met me, you said you wanted to earn some tuition money. But this meal alone costs over two thousand yuan, and your entire fee is spent; what will you do about your schooling?"

Ma Rui smiled and scratched his head: "Last time I was filming, the time I gave Sister Yang Jing artificial respiration, my uncle happened to pass by. He saw me looking miserable and gave me fifty thousand yuan. Otherwise, I really wouldn't have a single cent left, and I wouldn't have the money to treat everyone to dinner."

The art director Sun Ning put down his chopsticks and said seriously, "Ma Rui, your uncle is so rich, why don't you let him invest in a TV series? TV series are quite profitable now. If filmed well, they can be broadcast on Huashi, and they will give you a minute and a half of advertising time. A thirty-second ad is worth several million."

Ma Rui chuckled twice and explained, "Where do you think my mother's money comes from? It's all supported by my eldest uncle. He is so good to my mother, giving her whatever she wants. But my mother doesn't want me to work in this industry at all. At the end of July, she almost tore up my Film Academy admission letter and threatened to tell all our relatives that no one is allowed to give me a single cent."

The cinematographer Hu Xiaofeng's eyes lit up, and he leaned in to say, "Ma Rui, I have a good script here called 'Great Blade Wang Wu', a twenty-episode TV series. Why don't you take it and show it to your mother? If she agrees, I'll let you be the lead actor during the winter break."

Ma Rui smiled and waved his hand: "Uncle Hu, it's not that I'm rejecting your offer. It would be better for you to go directly to her than for me to take it to her. My mother doesn't give me any face at all."

Hu Xiaofeng's expression was slightly displeased, and he said sternly, "Ma Rui, this script of mine was written by the screenwriter with four years of blood and sweat. You should read it yourself first; if it's not good, don't give it to your mother; if you think it's good, help me recommend it. You also know that our Beijing Film Studio has no work right now, and all projects have to rely on us going out to raise money ourselves."

"Uncle Hu, I'll give you my mother's phone number, you call her directly, don't let me be the middleman, that will be much more effective."

Hearing this, Hu Xiaofeng's anger dissipated, and he smiled and shook his head: "Little Ma, I think your mother is putting pressure on you, wanting you to hone your acting skills well. When you become a big star in the future, she won't treat you like this anymore."

"Understood! Understood!" Ma Rui replied with a smile.

Ma Rui began his second round of toasts, and it was time to toast Yang Jing, the second female lead in the play.

Yang Jing came from a proper drama troupe and carried the charm of a mature woman. Today, she was wearing a plain-colored knit sweater with the neckline slightly open, and her every gesture was full of allure. The dim and soft light in the private room reflected on her face, adding a touch of fascination.

Ma Rui walked up to her with his glass and said with a smile, "Sister Yang, when you have work in the future, please help introduce me too."

Yang Jing looked at him with a smile, her voice gentle yet crisp: "Little brother, you're too polite. If we're talking about taking care of someone, I'll have to rely on you in the future! Your family is the company that invested in the 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' movie. When you're doing well, don't forget to take care of your sister."

After saying this, she raised her glass and clinked it with Ma Rui's. When they clinked glasses, her eyes looked straight at Ma Rui, and the corners of her mouth carried a hint of a playful smile.

Ma Rui felt a bit uneasy under her gaze, his heart skipped a few beats for no reason, and he said with a blushing face and a smile, "Sister Yang, once I have a say with my mother, I will definitely invite you to be the lead."

Hu Xiaofeng chimed in from the side: "Little Ma, don't just talk without acting. You did kiss Yang Jing..."

Upon hearing this, Ma Rui's face turned red to the roots of his ears, and he stammered: "Uncle Hu, look at what you're saying, that was acting..."

The few of them burst into laughter upon hearing this.

Yang Jing wasn't annoyed; instead, she leaned closer to Ma Rui, lowered her voice, and said with a hint of playful amusement: "That's right, you already kissed in the play, why are you still so formal outside the play?"