Chapter 18: Sensible and Deviating from Predictions

On the way back, Zhang Qian suddenly said to her daughter, "Xiao Guai, Uncle Lu plans to find Mom a new job, so Mom will be able to spend more time with you from now on."

Throughout the journey, she had been deep in thought. Lu Liang was right about one thing: as the child grew older, she would eventually become suspicious. If rumors reached her school, children could be thoughtlessly cruel, and the things they might say would be detrimental to her daughter's development. Furthermore, if Lu Liang intended to maintain a long-term relationship with her, he surely wouldn't want her to continue working in nightlife venues, selling alcohol and fawning over customers.

"That's wonderful!" The little girl was overjoyed. She tugged at Lu Liang's sleeve and gave him a sweet smile. "Uncle Lu, thank you."

"You're very welcome. After all, our Xiao Guai is so adorable," Lu Liang said, affectionately patting her head.

Zhang Qian lived in Fudu Garden in Changning, Building 16, Unit 4, Phase II—a place Lu Liang had helped her find last year. It was a small three-bedroom apartment; while not large, owning a home in the magic city of Shanghai already put her ahead of most people.

"Uncle Lu, this is my room. This is my favorite Xiao Ai, and this is Doubao..." The little girl excitedly pulled Lu Liang into a pink-themed bedroom, showing off various cartoon dolls.

"I recognize this one. That's Snoopy, right?" Lu Liang smiled, picking up a small white dog.

The little girl nodded excitedly. "Yes, yes, that's right! It's Snoopy. Even Mommy doesn't know its name."

"Go take a bath and get to bed. You have school tomorrow," Zhang Qian said, closing the door and pouring a cup of tea for Lu Liang. She added, "Brother Liang, I intend to resign. Over the next few months, besides taking care of my mother, I'll look into what else I can do."

Lu Liang replied, "If you have an idea, go research the market yourself first. When you're ready, put together a budget and send it to me." Zhang Qian didn't want to rely entirely on Lu Liang; she wanted to invest, but since nothing was set in stone yet, it wasn't the right time to bring it up.

"If there's nothing else, I'll be heading out. I have to go away for a few days, so if you need anything, call me." Meng Changkun had called earlier that noon to say he could attend the actor auditions tomorrow and asked if Lu Liang was free. Lu Liang, of course, said yes and scheduled the time. Auditioning actresses was a minor matter, but gaining access to that circle was significant.

"Brother Liang, let me see you out," Zhang Qian said as she rose. Suddenly, the bedroom door cracked open, and the little girl peeked out with round, wide eyes. "Uncle, are you staying here tonight?"

Zhang Qian turned, her face cold, and addressed her by her full name. "Zhang Yun! Go take your bath and sleep right now!"

The little girl pouted. "I was just asking. Grandma is in the hospital, and no one will take me to school tomorrow."

"Uncle has business to attend to and has to leave. I will take you to school tomorrow," Zhang Qian said coldly.

The little girl’s mood dimmed. She forced a smile and waved. "Bye-bye, Uncle." With that, as if venting her frustration, she slammed the door shut with a loud bang.

"Zhang Yun!" Zhang Qian’s expression darkened; she was truly angry. "Have you no manners?"

"Cool off, cool off," Lu Liang said, practically carrying Zhang Qian out of the room. He pinched her pretty cheek and smiled. "I've never seen you lose your temper like this before."

"She's just a child. If I don't teach her properly, what kind of person will she grow up to be?" Zhang Qian remained firm, struggling to break free from Lu Liang’s hold.

"You need to calm down too," Lu Liang held her tighter and sighed. "Have you never considered that there might be another reason?"

"No matter the reason, she shouldn't throw a tantrum. Who do you think I'm working so hard for?" Zhang Qian’s eyes turned red, and she felt a surge of grievance. She could endure being taken advantage of by men; she could keep smiling even when she felt humiliated, and even after drinking until she was sick, she would keep going—all just to earn enough money to give her daughter a better life. But now, seeing her daughter look at her with such resentment was something she couldn't bear.

"Money is important to us adults, but children aren't that realistic. They crave their parents' companionship more." Lu Liang recounted the scene at the pediatric clinic, noting how the little girl’s envy was so hidden and cautious that it was heartbreaking. "Your daughter is very sensible and understands you, but she is still just a child. There are times when she can't help herself, which is why she’s acting out."

Lu Liang had once been an agent and had seen all sorts of people. The adult world was entirely profit-driven; even his relationship with Zhang Qian was sustained by mutual benefit. But the innocent look in a child’s eyes suddenly added a touch of color to this gray world. That was why he liked Xiao Guai so much.

Zhang Qian fell silent, seemingly recalling the past, and her emotions began to settle. "Brother Liang, let me go."

Lu Liang released her and smiled. "Now that you've thought it through, go have a good talk with her. I'll be going now."

"Brother Liang," Zhang Qian called out suddenly, almost pleadingly, "If you can, please take some time to come see Xiao Guai, even if it's just to have a meal with her." She had originally thought she could be both father and mother to her child, but she realized now that it was just wishful thinking. Xiao Guai longed for fatherly love, something she had consistently overlooked.

"No problem," Lu Liang paused, then teased, "Aren't you afraid she'll start calling me 'Daddy' in a while?"

Zhang Qian wiped the corner of her eye, transforming back into the mature and shrewd woman she was. She smiled brilliantly. "Wouldn't that be a double blessing?" A good father for her daughter and a wealthy husband for her—that was exactly a double blessing.

Lu Liang was stunned, realizing he had walked right into a trap. He waved his hand. "Bye, I'm off."

"Bye-bye."

Zhang Qian stuck out her tongue in a playful grimace and whispered to herself, "Why so afraid? It's not like I'm forcing you to take responsibility. At most, I'll just let you enjoy me for free..."

***

The next morning, at 9:30 AM.

Lu Liang sat in a daze, staring at his computer screen, to the point that he didn't even answer the phone when Meng Changkun called.

Chinese Online had hit the daily limit immediately upon opening. The price was now 34.43 yuan, with a massive, firm block of over 80 million yuan in buy orders.

"How can this be? It hit the limit today. What will happen in the two trading days next week?"

Lu Liang had bought in at the bottom with ten million yesterday and had made a million today, but he felt no joy. Part of it was that his projection had been wrong, and the other part was born of fear.

[June 2nd, Chinese Online, 39.82 yuan.]

But according to current trends, the stock was already showing signs of becoming a "demon stock," having even appeared on the Dragon-Tiger List for the second time. In such a situation, next week would either see a massive surge or a catastrophic crash. That "voice" might have predicted it incorrectly.

Lu Liang dared not think about what would happen if the voice was wrong. Would nothing happen? Or would the voice simply vanish?

Lu Liang pondered for a long time until Meng Changkun called again, jolting him back to reality. "Brother Lu, haven't you woken up yet?"

"Brother Kun, my apologies. I was up early, just busy with something. Are you downstairs? Okay, I'm coming down now."

Lu Liang hesitated for a moment. Not caring about the impact on the market, he sold all 322,000 shares he held, clearing his position completely. At that instant, the buy wall for Chinese Online broke, but it was quickly sealed again with even more volume, reaching 120 million yuan.

Lu Liang didn't care anymore. He just wanted to stay out of the market for a few days; if the voice was wrong, at least he wouldn't lose money. He had to prepare for the worst-case scenario: if the prediction was wrong and the voice disappeared.

His total account balance was now 21.586 million yuan, with 10.256 million available for withdrawal. Lu Liang transferred the 10.256 million to his bank card, grabbed his car keys, and headed out.

Meanwhile, at 129 Huanghe Road, a string of curses echoed:

"Damn your mother, doing it again! You don't even know how to make money when it's handed to you..."