Chapter 7: Why is another full-loaded operation?

Zhou Yi wasn't a big gamer.
Not because he disliked games, but simply because... they didn't pique his interest.
What magic did those bizarre virtual worlds possess that could make people so engrossed, neglecting sleep and meals, even oblivious to the passage of time?
He couldn't understand it, and was too lazy to delve into it.
It felt like being shrouded in an impenetrable fog.
However, since stepping into the silent battlefield of the stock market, he strangely began to understand the mindset of gamers.
Because he himself, from the moment the opening bell rang, was captivated by the fluctuating charts, his soul seemingly sucked into the abyss formed by the pulsating numbers and candlestick charts, until the closing bell.
Today, it was the same.
In the blink of an eye, another day's battle had ended.
"Hoo—"
Zhou Yi exhaled a long breath, thick with the smell of stock market smoke, his gaze fixed on the corner of the screen, confirming today's results.
+1%
One percent.
At first glance, it seems insignificant.
But for a trading department like theirs, where every move is a death knell, this 1% is no small amount.
Especially in today's market conditions.
"Manager, you did a really solid job today, absolutely brilliant!" A young subordinate leaned closer, his tone filled with the relief of someone who had escaped a disaster.
"What about the others?" Zhou Yi's eyes remained fixed on the screen, his voice flat.
"Don't even mention it… It's a complete disaster. Not just our department, I heard other departments suffered heavy losses too, decimated by the market."
The recent market has been like a wild monkey, jumping up and down wildly, leaving everyone exhausted.
That's just how the stock market is.
Even with countless minds adorned with elite credentials, entering the market with the most sophisticated models and the most detailed data analysis, they cannot accurately predict the next move.
This is because this place is the nakedest projection of greed and fear deep within human nature, a collective frenzy of irrationality. Logic and data, in the face of absolute irrationality, are sometimes incredibly fragile.
“At this rate, I'm afraid no department will be able to meet its monthly targets this month,” Zhou Yi rubbed his throbbing temples.
“Yeah, but…” his subordinate tried to offer a glimmer of hope, “Manager, there’s still about a week left, right? Maybe… maybe we can make a final push, a sprint?”
Each trading department bears a monthly performance target, usually fluctuating between 5% and 10% depending on the department and market conditions.
There's a common misconception that trading departments specializing in short-term trading must aim for astonishing 50% or even 100% monthly returns, viewing them as bloodthirsty gamblers who should be risking their lives for maximum profits.
However, the opposite is true.
Trading departments, especially those in large private equity firms, are fundamentally driven by one word: safety!
Stability is paramount; survival is the only true measure of success.
Therefore, the department strictly prohibits any form of risky or aggressive investment, and even has specific leverage limits and a rigorous risk control system.
It was precisely because of this deeply ingrained caution that a daily return of 0.1% or even lower was commonplace.
"As long as you don't lose, or lose less, that's a victory."
This was the ironclad rule of the trading department, a survival strategy etched into their bones.
"Alright, do your best." Zhou Yi tapped the table, interrupting the somber atmosphere. "Go get a cup of coffee to perk yourself up. Meet in the conference room in five minutes for a debriefing!"
"Yes, Manager."
Zhou Yi also felt a dry mouth. He turned and headed to the break room to pour himself a glass of water, hoping to calm his chaotic thoughts.
As he bent down to get water, a figure silently crept up behind him like a ghost.
"Hey, Lao Zhou, you're something else," a sarcastic voice rang out, tinged with a hint of sourness.
"Isn't this team formation... a little too deliberate?"
Zhou Yi didn't even need to turn around; just from the tone, he knew who it was—Ma Jun, who had joined the company the same year as him and was now the manager of the Second Trading Department.
Zhou Yi's brows furrowed instantly. "What do you mean?"
"Playing dumb?" Ma Jun glanced furtively around, making sure no one was watching, before moving closer and lowering his voice, as if afraid of being overheard.
"Pretending to be ignorant, huh? My department's newbies, thanks to you today, are all working like madmen! The market is already exhausting enough; they're running around everywhere, busy doing chores, relieving your department's 'young master' of his burden, aren't they?"
Oh, so that's what it is.
Zhou Yi immediately understood.
"That young master, personally placed here by the chairman! I heard you made sure he had a very easy time today? Sitting comfortably all day? Wow, I never expected our manager Zhou Yi, who always disdains scheming, to start thinking about workplace survival, knowing to burn incense and pave the way for his future?"
"You're overthinking it." Zhou Yi's voice remained calm, revealing no emotion.
"I understand, I understand! After all, he's the 'crown prince' personally arranged by the chairman, and he just happened to end up in your department. Anyone would have to be careful serving him."
Ma Jun gave him a knowing look, a meaningful smile on his face:
"If you don't burn incense now, what if he becomes a high-ranking executive above us one day? Then it'll be too late to curry favor, right?"
These words… though harsh, weren't entirely without merit from a practical standpoint.
The 'connections' behind that kid were like an invisible thorn, piercing the hearts of everyone in the know.
Even if you try to ignore it, it always subtly reminds you of its existence, forcing you to be cautious and hesitant.
Seeing Zhou Yi remain silent, Ma Jun assumed he had hit a nerve and became even more eager, sneakily inquiring:
"Have you talked to the young master? And that... what exactly is your relationship? Probably related, right? Otherwise, why would he receive this treatment?"
That kid Su Hao, he did say before that he had absolutely no connection with the chairman.
This thought flashed through Zhou Yi's mind.
"I don't know."
"Tch," Ma Jun curled his lip, looking unconvinced, "You little brat, trying to hog all the benefits, huh? That's not very cool, Old Zhou."
"What are you thinking about?" Zhou Yi finally couldn't hold back any longer, saying irritably, "Someone like him, obviously just here to gain experience, how long can he stay in our little pond?"
"Hmm...that's true." Ma Jun stroked his chin, his eyes darting around:
"But, even if it's just for experience, before he leaves...shouldn't I at least go and make myself known, pay my respects? Look how 'hard' you've been working, Zhou, if I don't show some appreciation, wouldn't I seem too insensitive?"
Zhou Yi, too lazy to argue with him any longer, shook his head, picked up his freshly filled water glass, and walked straight out of the tea room, leaving Ma Jun there pondering something.
The reason he let Su Hao sit there peacefully wasn't to deliberately curry favor, nor was it about taking sides.
It was a test for the kid.
He wanted to see just how capable this mysteriously connected "connected" guy really was!
Zhou Yi returned to his seat, his fingers tapping a few times on the keyboard, bringing up Su Hao's simulated trading record for the day.
His gaze fell on the holdings details, and his pupils contracted slightly.
"GEM?"
This company's main business is mineral development and the recycling of new energy batteries.
In today's market environment... no, in the near future, this stock is an absolute minefield that should be avoided.
Volatility is extreme, the risk is extremely high, even experienced veterans avoid it like the plague.
And that newbie actually poured all his simulated funds into it.
"Another... all-in investment?"
Looking at the glaring "100%" holding ratio, a vein in Zhou Yi's temple throbbed involuntarily.
This kid... is he using this method to provoke him?
Is he using this suicidal operation to silently protest his "test"?
Or perhaps… he's just a clueless, lazy, and clueless newbie, habitually going all-in and relying entirely on luck?
“Forget it, what am I even hoping for…”
A wave of helplessness washed over Zhou Yi. With a touch of self-mockery, he shook his head and closed the window.
He'd initially held a sliver of hope, thinking maybe this newcomer wasn't a complete idiot, but actually possessed some hidden investment talent?
After all, he was someone personally looked after by the higher-ups…
Now it seemed like utter nonsense!
Sure enough, this newcomer was just an ordinary, clueless "connectionist," someone who got in purely through connections.
He didn't even have the most basic awareness of risk diversification!
He just threw all his eggs into a basket that was about to tip over, acting like he was too lazy to bother with anything.
His nonchalant and careless attitude was enough to tell.
This almost childish, perfunctory, and lazy attitude did indeed ignite a nameless anger in Zhou Yi, making his chest feel tight.
But the next second, he forcibly suppressed this anger.
"Why should I get angry with someone like this? Is it worth it?"
He shook his head self-deprecatingly. Anyway, the other person was just here to gain experience; they were destined not to stay long and would eventually climb the ranks through connections.
He didn't need to lower himself to curry favor, but even less was it necessary to create a potential enemy with an unclear background for himself over such a trivial matter.
It wasn't worth it.
That's it. Just ignore it.
***
For Su Hao, today was probably the most awkward and boring day he'd had since joining this company.
From the moment he stepped into this office, filled with the tension and money-driven atmosphere of the morning, until the market closed at dusk, he was like a wooden stake, "pressed" into his seat.
Except for getting up to go to the restroom, he barely moved.
Especially after he pressed the buy button on a stock called "GEM" based on that unusually strong intuition, that electric impulse that coursed through his limbs and made his fingers numb.
His pitiful virtual funds in his account were instantly gone.
Not a penny left. He'd bet everything on one stock again.
After doing all that, he had absolutely nothing to do but stare blankly at the computer screen, feeling completely out of place in the tense and busy atmosphere around him.
"Su Hao, how was your trading today?" Li Huilin's cheerful voice came from beside him.
"Uh, well... so-so," Su Hao mumbled, a little embarrassed to admit he'd gone all in again.
"Oh? Let me see?"
"Um...maybe I shouldn't look, it's a bit..."
Li Huilin had already spotted the trading screen in the corner, and the glaring "GreenMei 100%" made her freeze.
Then, her eyes widened, as if she couldn't believe what she'd seen.
"Hey!! Su Hao!!" she suddenly raised her voice, drawing the attention of several people at nearby workstations. "You! What are you doing?"
"Isn't it...particularly ridiculous?" Su Hao smiled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.
"This is more than just ridiculous! Did you completely ignore everything I told you before? Investing! What's the most basic thing about investing? It's diversifying risk! Diversify! Diversify! I'll say it three times!"
Li Huilin put her hands on her hips, her expression turning serious, like an angry little pufferfish:
"Last time you bought in with all your money, you said it was a slip of the hand, which was understandable! But this time? You actually went all in again? And! And you bought… 'GEM'? My God! Tell me! Why did you buy this stock? Could it be… could it be another slip of the hand?"
Su Hao was speechless, only able to maintain that awkward yet polite smile, while scratching the back of his head even harder, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.
He couldn't very well say that he bought it based on some mysterious "intuition," could he? Who would believe that?
He quickly and awkwardly changed the subject: "So... Huilin, how about you? How was your day?"
Sure enough, the mention of his results immediately drew Li Huilin's attention.
She instantly dropped her "heartbroken" expression, straightened her back, put her hands on her hips with a smug look, raised her chin slightly, and her face instantly beamed with a "come praise me" kind of pride.
"Hehe! With me on the job, it's a piece of cake! Let me tell you, my final return today is a whopping... 2%! A full 2%! Looking across our entire trading department, in this crazy market, the only one who can consistently secure a 2% profit is... me!"
She spoke with radiant pride, her smugness not at all annoying, but rather exuding an inexplicable charm.
"Wow! Amazing! Absolutely amazing!" Su Hao gave two thumbs up without hesitation, exclaiming exaggeratedly, "Sister Huilin! You'll definitely pass the assessment this time!"
"Haha... Oh, wait, this isn't the time for that!"
She quickly suppressed her smile, her face hardening again as she glared at Su Hao:
"Su Hao, listen to me! Next time! Absolutely! You're not allowed to put all your money into one stock like you did today! Do you hear me? You need to learn to diversify your investments. Even if the market is bad, you absolutely won't do what you did... It's too risky! Got it?"
"Yes! Sister Huilin! I got it! I definitely won't do it again!"
Su Hao nodded hurriedly, his attitude incredibly sincere.
The two were chatting animatedly, laughing and giggling, when a slightly stern voice, clearly displeased, poured over them like cold water.
"Li Huilin, Su Hao! You two! Are you free right now? Still in the mood to joke around and laugh?"
It was a senior trader passing by their workstation, I think his name was... Liang Haiyuan?
Su Hao remembered his face; it was always stern, and he looked unapproachable.
"Ah, oh, I'm sorry!" Li Huilin was startled and quickly apologized. Su Hao also quickly suppressed his smile.
"Get up and prepare the meeting materials!" Liang Haiyuan snorted coldly, then left without looking back.
"Yes..."
Although he had only been there a few days, Su Hao had already figured out a pattern: the atmosphere in the office was highly positively correlated with the day's stock market performance.
When the market was good, everyone was smiling; when the market was bad, everyone was like they were on steroids, ready to attack anyone they could.
“Su Hao, don’t take it to heart. The market crashed today,” Li Huilin explained softly, noticing Su Hao’s somewhat dazed expression.
“I heard Liang Haiyuan suffered a huge loss today, so he must be in a bad mood. Not just him, but probably very few people in our department made money today; most of us lost… So, it’s understandable that everyone looks grumpy and irritable.”
Even so, Su Hao still felt that it was unreasonable to take out his anger and resentment on innocent people around him just because he had lost money.
But then he thought, damn it, this is probably the adult world, the so-called “workplace,” full of all sorts of inexplicable rules and unavoidable grievances.
“However, compared to other places, the atmosphere in our department is already quite good.”
Li Huilin quickly added, seemingly afraid he would be frightened.
"You haven't been to the other teams, that's real hell... Sigh! I have a few friends who joined the company the same year, but they just couldn't stand the pressure and the backstabbing, and they all quit!"
Huh? Su Hao was taken aback.
He had always thought that with the stern and charismatic Zhou Yi in charge, their department was the most tense and oppressive place in the entire company.
So...it turns out their department was a "gentle haven"?