Xiao Ming forced a wry smile, "Old Master, can you not be so impatient and let me finish what I have to say?
After all, the reason for this competition is that I wanted to take advantage of you. Even if I don't understand the importance of respecting elders, I still know the basic rules of conduct. I have to win in a way that convinces you both in heart and speech.
Therefore, although the stocks I chose for the competition were indeed selected from the eighteen, the person who made the choice was not me; it was you."
As he spoke, he reached back and Yun Shi Yu handed him the folder.
"This contains all of today's transaction records from my stock account. You can pick any three from inside, and if the final profit rate is lower than that of your second son, I'll consider it my loss."
Once these words were spoken, not only Duan Hongqing and Zhou Jicang, but even Fang Muye, who had been quietly listening, subconsciously widened his eyes.
Because Xiao Ming's intention was clear—even if he gave all the initiative to Duan Hongqing, even if he picked the three worst-performing stocks, he could still win.
Was it arrogance?
Or confidence?
Fang Muye thought it was the former. The reason was simple, Xiao Ming didn't even know what Duan Hongqing's results were—isn't that arrogance?
Unless the investment results of Duan Hongqing's son were worse than even his poorest performance.
But how could that be possible?
That was the son raised by the chairman of Qingyuan Group, not some alley cat or dog; who did Xiao Ming think he was?
"What's the matter? Sir Duan, do you doubt the authenticity of this record?" Seeing that the old man didn't move, Xiao Ming spoke up, "No problem, didn't you say you've prepared the computer? I can log into my account and show you."
He was about to hand the folder back to Yun Shi Yu, but out stretched a small hand and snatched it away—it was Zhou Qingyuan.
Duan Hongqing squinted deeply at Xiao Ming, "Boy, among the three stocks my son chose, only one turned red by the end of the closing, but he sold early, so there was no loss.
The two million in funds became two million, one hundred and sixteen thousand, seven hundred, with an earning rate of over eight percent.
Are you sure your three worst among those eighteen are all stronger than this?"
"Uh..."
Xiao Ming's face showed hesitation, unsure of how to answer without hurting Sir Duan's pride.
But his hesitation immediately caused a misunderstanding from Fang Muye. The old man snorted with displeasure, "Impetuous young man, displaying such arrogance.
Full of sly thoughts, yet pretending to be open and aboveboard—it's simply laughable.
In my opinion, it's the same old strategy of casting a wide net.
Sir Duan, you must not be deceived by his earlier generous act!"
Xiao Ming raised an eyebrow and shot him a glance, not deigning to respond. But Zhou Jicang somewhat awkwardly coughed, saying, "Old Fang, this is a competition between Xiao Ming and Sir Duan, we shouldn't interfere. Come on, let's have some tea."
He had just lifted his teacup to his lips when Zhou Qingyuan let out a shrill scream, startling him so much that he inhaled sharply, triggering a violent coughing fit.
"Damn... cough cough cough... Damn girl, what are you screaming for, have you no manners? Cough cough cough..."
"Dad, Uncle Duan, Brother Ming... one stock... all winning..."
Not paying attention to her father's scolding, Zhou Qingyuan waved the document excitedly, her face flushed and words incoherent.
Zhou Jicang was full of question marks, but Duan Hongqing instantly understood, snatching the document with an expression that screamed disbelief and flipping through it.
Among the eighteen stocks, Xiao Ming had bought and sold no less than three hundred times, and the printed records numbered close to twenty pages.
Duan Hongqing looked very carefully, flipping through page by page, his eyes growing rounder and his expression becoming more dispirited as he read.
It quieted down inside Yasha, everyone besides Xiao Ming was looking at Sir Duan, waiting for the outcome, even the Tea Doctor cast a curious glance over.
Time seemed to freeze, only the kettle on the electric stove continued to bubble and steam.
After what seemed like an eternity, Duan Hongqing let out a long breath, took off his reading glasses, and offered a bitter smile, "It's often said that there is always a higher mountain, and always a person better than oneself.
I thought I understood this principle and have been alert to it, but in the end, I found that my arrogance has blinded me. I thought that because of my age, I could underestimate the young talents.
Never expected that, in my old age, I'd still be fiercely schooled by a youngster.
Xiao Ming, I lost, and I wholeheartedly concede defeat."
"Oh! Old sir, what is this move of yours? I'm just a young lad with thin skin and frail bones; I can't withstand such high praise from you.
My rival today was not you, but your son; what does your win or loss have to do with you?"
Xiao Ming's face was filled with a bitter smile.
Good heavens, if Sir Duan's comments were to spread, then every businessman would scrutinize him under a magnifying glass, and any hopes of entering the village quietly and making a fortune low-key would just be a dream.
"Sir Duan, stop beating around the bush!" Zhou Jicang pressed impatiently, "What's the verdict?"
Fang Muye remained silent, but his expression was very anxious.
Of course, he didn't care about who won or lost; he just didn't want to be embarrassed.
"Didn't your daughter just say it!" Duan Hongqing threw the documents onto the coffee table, "The eighteen stocks Xiao Ming selected, not one turned red.
Moreover, even the stock with the worst performance achieved a profit rate of twenty-nine percent, which is more than triple the combined returns of my son's three stocks.
That second son of mine, whom I took such pride in and thought ready to take over my position, isn't even fit to carry Xiao Ming's shoes."
Duan Hongqing spoke with sentiment and defeat, startling Zhou Jicang, who subconsciously reached for the documents but was preempted by Fang Muye's hand.
Xiao Ming simply picked up a laptop nearby, logged into his stock brokerage account, and showed it to Zhou Jicang.
Yun Shi Yu, although she never believed Xiao Ming would lose, found Sir Duan's words incredibly hard to believe, so she leaned in to take a look as well.
In the corner, the Tea Doctor had also understood by now and realized that the young man sitting next to the tea table was someone comparable to a Stock God.
But unfortunately, his understanding was pointless, as any of the individuals present could make his boss treat them like an ancestor; he wouldn't dare step out of line.
"Young man,"
While Zhou Jicang and Fang Muye were still absorbed in Xiao Ming's godlike operations, Duan Hongqing offered Xiao Ming a cigarette and asked, "Do you really think my second son isn't up to the task?"
"Look at what you're saying; it was just one contest, what does that really prove?"
Xiao Ming helped him light the cigarette, "From the start, I've said that I only wanted to act as the Sword of Damocles, to stop your second son at a critical moment and avoid unnecessary losses."
After a few puffs of the cigarette, Duan Hongqing continued, "Then, who do you think I should entrust Qingyuan to in the future?"
"Come on!" Xiao Ming almost choked on his cigarette, "Old sir, are you putting me on too high a pedestal?
My assets are barely over one billion at most, and you're asking me about the ownership of an almost three hundred billion asset? Surely you're not serious to scare me like this!"
Duan Hongqing shook his head, "The old man just wants to hear your opinion, just say whatever you have in mind, I'll make my own judgment."