Chapter 234: Making Money Through Talk

The semiconductor supply shortage and server expansion difficulties have finally been partially alleviated after government intervention in the US.
However, a similar dire situation is unfolding on another battlefield:
the social networking (SNS) sector.
In today's internet world, social media apps are as numerous as hairs on a cow, ranging from giants to small fry.
Until recently, everyone was doing well, and life went on peacefully.
But now, with the outbreak of a server crisis, the leading social media apps have crashed one after another due to overload, leaving a massive number of users instantly homeless "internet refugees."
They flocked to smaller, previously ignored apps, but predictably, these smaller apps couldn't handle the flood and burst as well.
The entire process resembled a massive locust plague, with refugees migrating between app after app.
But wherever they went, nothing grew.
And in this vacuum of time, with giants collapsing and the world in chaos, Fanghuan Investment's meticulously crafted short video app—"PicPic"—
emerged like a ray of light tearing through the darkness!
In Fanghuan Investment's chairman's office, the secretary was reporting to Su Hao:
"Chairman Su, it seems Jiangjin Group is intentionally blocking the chip supply channels for other SNS companies."
"Oh?" Su Hao raised an eyebrow.
"This time, they probably knew we were going to release PicPic and deliberately gave us a helping hand."
Thanks to this "assistance," PicPic experienced a terrifyingly explosive surge in new user registrations on its first day of launch.
"Didn't we prepare a massive number of servers in advance? They're almost bursting at the seams?"
Su Hao frowned slightly, looking at the traffic curve in the backend that was practically piercing the sky.
For the PicPic launch, they had invested heavily beforehand, using every connection they could, including Jiang Jin, AMC, and Xia Lian, to acquire every server they could get their hands on.
They even swallowed the servers of some bankrupt companies.
The preparations had reached a "mad" level.
Yet, even so, the server alarm lights in the backend were still flashing faintly.
"On one hand, top apps crashed, and all the users flocked to us.
But more importantly, PicPic's product itself is incredibly strong. Its UI design and core gameplay are perfectly suited to current users' tastes; they simply can't stop."
That fast-paced, minimalist style makes scrolling effortless, allowing users to scroll continuously in a near-conscious state, constantly releasing dopamine in the brain—it's like a mental opiate, addictive from the first sip.
"However, with this model, it's hard to see profitability in the short term, right?"
"Yes, Mr. Su. But with such a massive user base, how can we worry about not making money?
Just like other social networking sites, we can run ads.
I've heard that advertising intentions from major global brands are almost overwhelming our inboxes."
However, now is not the time to make money with PicPic.
The immediate priority is to continue expanding servers, firmly holding these flood of users within our own traffic pool.
Once user stickiness is cultivated, we can consider other things.
***
Fanghuan Group, Chairman's Office.
"Oil prices have plummeted again."
"Heh, America's new president?" Huang Fengwen took a sip of tea, a hint of nonchalant mockery in his voice.
"Indeed, it's him." Su Hao placed a report on the table.
"He launched another attack on television, publicly criticizing those OPEC oil bosses for their underhanded tactics and malicious manipulation of oil prices.
His words caused oil prices to plummet. The effect was immediate."
If it were any other head of state, even a harsh statement might have caused the market to hesitate.
But this commotion came from the mouth of America's new president across the ocean; its power was comparable to a cruise missile, making it difficult for oil prices not to plummet.
It's nothing unusual for the newly elected President Emily Ka to cause market price fluctuations with her outrageous remarks; everyone's used to it.
But here's the strange part:
About half an hour before each of her pronouncements, a mysterious group of funds, seemingly with clairvoyance, enters the market in advance, precisely positioning their short or long positions.
"Then, as soon as the news breaks, they reap the rewards flawlessly."
"It's an inside job! They're lying in wait, ready to make a fortune as soon as the news breaks?"
"Absolutely right, that's what everyone in the industry is saying.
Our company's US stock traders, and colleagues from other institutions, are all whispering that this is probably related to the new President Emily Ka, some even suspecting she's personally acting as a stock market guru."
This sounds like a fantasy, a conspiracy theory from cheap fiction.
But anyone who's been navigating the murky waters of the US stock market for years knows exactly what's going on.
The Wall Street elites and Presidential Aidemier's staff have always been in cahoots.
However, the frequency and blatantness with which the new President Emily Kay is engaging in such activities, making it difficult not to suspect, is truly unique.
But this is ultimately just speculation, without concrete evidence.
And most likely, this will forever remain "reasonable suspicion."
Because, looking at the entire world, where can you find an agency that dares to investigate the current President of the United States?
Who dares to investigate him? Who can investigate him?
Unlike some countries that restrict officials' stock ownership, the relevant regulations in the United States are surprisingly lenient.
The new President Emily Kay has already been exposed for holding shares in a large number of large companies, and he has cleverly exploited legal loopholes to refuse to fully disclose this information.
This is practically a blatant declaration to the world:
Yes, it's me!
"A president as powerful as Emily can manipulate the stock market with just a few words, treating global investors' wallets like her personal ATM!"
"Hey, it's not just them. All countries are corrupt; which country doesn't have similar stories?" Su Hao said calmly.
"It's just that the US is the global superpower, so every move they make is under a microscope, making it particularly conspicuous."
"That's true. Who can stop the emperor from filling his own coffers?
But then again, the US stock market has been quite stable lately.
And our group is practically overflowing with money!"
Huang Fengwen's tone was brimming with the arrogance of a nouveau riche.
"Those subsidiaries are all working like they're on steroids. Not only are they not losing money, they're making a killing.
I'm thinking, this money's just sitting idle anyway, so you decide how to spend it!"
Normally, the group's spending should be decided by the board of directors.
But Huang Fengwen was essentially handing the keys to the group's coffers directly to Su Hao.
That was a significant decentralization of power.
"Oh? Brother Huang, do you have any investment ideas?"
"The old guys on the board suggested you decide everything!
If you really don't have anywhere to spend your money right now, why not find a stable pool to invest in?"
"What pool?"
"Where else? US stocks!" Huang Fengwen spread his hands,
"Everyone says the US stock market is currently in its most stable period in history, with fluctuations as small as a flatline on an electrocardiogram, as stable as a rock!"