"Mr. Han, you're truly honorable!"

Wang Xiaotian gave a thumbs-up, slathering on flattery as if it cost him nothing.

"This really solves a big problem for us. Rest assured, we'll handle the service fees ourselves. I'll transfer the 1,000,000 deposit you advanced and December's rent over to you right away!"

Oh, please, don't thank me, brother—I'm unworthy of it...

Even without considering any discount cards, the actual rent Han Lie paid was only 5,760,000 a year.

Now, by subletting it for 6,000,000 a year, not only was he not losing money, but he was actually making a profit.

If I factor in the 20% discount from that dedicated hotel card... Good heavens, I'll recoup the costs in just two months! Earning a net 5,000,000 a year—who could beat that?

Moreover, the most important thing wasn't the money, but expanding his social network.

These rich second-generation kids were a bit unruly, but their families still held considerable power.

If he got on good terms with them and then achieved some real success on his own, he'd be off to a good start when the time came to set up his private equity fund.

Separating his university friends from his father-in-law's circle meant he could walk on two legs. This was steadier than relying on one, so he had nothing to fear from being crippled. It might seem like school friends weren't much use, their connections fading after graduation, but that was because he hadn't found the right approach. Aren't school ties combined with mutual interests much more stable than relationships with unfamiliar clients? Once I've helped them make money, I'll focus on cultivating local contacts in Magic Capital while still maintaining relationships far and wide. Then, it will be time to really start strategizing the next steps. Never underestimate the influence of a leading figure.

For instance, Han Lie suddenly had the brilliant idea to collaborate with President Cao on new material glass. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't even get to meet the man.

But what if he had a high-end client through Hu Jian who could connect him to the Executive Vice President of Fuyao Glass? If Han Lie offered a substantial private equity share and made money with the VP, wouldn't the relationship become rock solid?

Before the Helmsman fell, countless wealthy bosses would have bent over backwards to collaborate with him. If he had possessed enough foresight and vision, he could have invested in anything he wanted.

What a pity...

「Right before lights out.」

Wang Xiaotian made another visit.

Carrying a generous gift of 1,500,000, he transferred the amount to Han Lie on the spot.

"Mr. Han, this is December's rent and the advance payment you fronted. Fang and the others are really grateful to you. But they're right in the middle of having fun and couldn't come to thank you in person..."

"What's all this formality for? You don't consider me a brother, huh?!"

Han Lie glared, feigning displeasure.

My persona as a generous and loyal brother can't collapse! Acting so distant makes me seem petty, doesn't it?

So, Brother Lie expressed a new concern, "Paying this much cash in one go, won't that leave you guys too short? You should know I'm not lacking money, nor am I in a hurry to use it."

"We know, we know!"

Wang Xiaotian was overcome with gratitude, genuinely considering Mr. Han a great elder brother.

Age? Age doesn't matter!

"Mr. Han, we're fine. There are about twenty of us guys who hang out regularly; it's easy enough for us to pool the money."

"Good, that's good."

Brother Lie nodded, satisfied, feeling as if he were looking at a field of 'chives' ripe for the reaping.

With twenty or so regulars, and a few dozen more who joined in occasionally, this group could easily spend 20,000,000 a year without breaking a sweat. They squander money everywhere they go; why shouldn't I be the one to reap it? Right now, that place isn't just a presidential suite; it's Han Lie's private bank!

「The next morning.」

When Han Lie woke up, he hadn't yet decided how to spend his money, but another large sum was already on its way to his account.

Before the market opened, Han Lie went on the forums to check out the buzz.

On the Taoxian forum and the Stock Discussion Bar, there wasn't much valuable discussion regarding yesterday's catch-up rally and the shift from divergence to consensus.

However, the buzz about Wei Hua was undeniably explosive.

In a bearish market, that's how it went; as soon as a theme with speculative potential emerged, it attracted everyone's attention.

Since the two true leaders of the reorganization and high stock dividend themes were constantly hitting new highs with consecutive limit-up days, it was actually the newly sparked Wei Hua that garnered more public enthusiasm.

Retail investors, water army shills, analysts, and baiters... were all in a fierce scrum.

Why is it always said that the A-share market environment is complex?

One look at the forums offered a glimpse.

They were filled with plenty of genuinely clueless newbies (the 'chives'), purely malicious villains, meddlers with vested interests, and unscrupulous scammers.

If newbies in this environment couldn't remain cautious at all times, the probability of stepping into a trap approached infinity.

Opening Tieba, he saw several related posts at the top of the reply lists; Han Lie immediately sensed something was off.

"The Helmsman is igniting the fire, brothers, charge!"

"Live trading journal, day three: nailed Wei Hua in the morning session. What level is that?"

"Hot money tycoons are collectively bullish; mysterious major accounts are buying like crazy. Is there some inside information about Wei Hua?"

The level of activity was significantly higher than normal.

A hot sector in a bear market certainly drew attention, and it was normal for some idle people to make posts to vent. However, for thousands of replies to be generated overnight...

Someone was stirring the pot!

Han Lie began to read through the comments one by one.

In situations like this, only a seasoned veteran who had been in the thick of it could correctly distinguish the forces at play. Coincidentally, Han Lie, in his past life, had indeed been an industry old-timer who had personally dealt with all sorts of factions.

After scrutinizing for a good while, Han Lie identified several forces at play.

No need to mention the onlookers just there for the spectacle; they were everywhere.

The duped 'chives'—likely numbering a hundred times more than the replies—were generally itching to jump in. However, they were still undecided and reluctant to comment, though they did add Wei Hua to their watchlist.

After weeding out the marketers pulling in people and the scammers trying to fish in muddy waters, only two major players remained—

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