Seeing Duan Hongqing's insistence, Xiao Ming fell into thought for a moment and said, "Without any flattery, you've educated both your sons extremely well, they could definitely rank among the top of the current generation in our country."
Zhengde, the older brother, is generous and conducts his business openly and honorably. He follows the righteous path, but his drawback is that he's too straightforward and not good at schemes and strategies, making him more suited to maintaining the status quo."
Mr. Zhengwei, the second son, is the exact opposite. He likes to employ unorthodox strategies, his moves are ruthless, and he acts decisively. Any opponent who doesn't understand him can easily be caught off guard and thrown into disarray."
As for his shortcomings, he's too decisive. Once he sets his sights on a goal, he strikes without considering the consequences, like a gambler, which makes him more suited to expanding territory."
Anyway, if you ask me to evaluate, neither of the two is better than the other, it all depends on how you envision Qingyuan Group's future direction."
After listening, Duan Hongqing sank into deep thought, his brow furrowing and smoothing periodically, his expression fluctuating, at times grinding his teeth, at others sighing, clearly experiencing a fierce inner struggle.
Xiao Ming didn't care about the trouble he had caused, content to savor his tea and rest. He had drunk quite a bit last night, got up early today, and hadn't had the chance to exercise, leaving him feeling totally listless.
Suddenly, someone tugged at the hem of his clothes, and as he turned around, Zhou Qingyuan's delicate face appeared right before his eyes. If he hadn't reacted quickly, he would have ended up kissing her.
This temptress is so bold even in front of her own father. He really wanted to drag her over and give her a good thrashing.
"Did you eat garlic for lunch?" Xiao Ming said irritably.
Zhou Qingyuan's face turned red all at once, she punched him, and annoyed, she said, "What nonsense are you talking about? I'm a girl, you know, doesn't that matter to you?"
If only you cared about your image.
Xiao Ming rolled his eyes: "Out with it!"
The girl bared her teeth at him and then said, "You're so good at trading stocks, recommend a few for me! But I don't have time to manage them, so it's best if they're long-term. I don't need to make a lot of money, just enough for some pocket money will do."
"Long-term and you're asking? Of course, it's liquor stocks! Especially the most famous, the most expensive, and the ones that are hard to buy."
Zhou Qingyuan frowned, "Why do I feel like you're brushing me off?
They've been cracking down on public drinking for the past two years, and I heard it won't be long before they issue documents prohibiting luxury indulgences, with all the stocks of famous liquors plummeting badly. And you're telling me to buy?"
"Have you lost your mind?"
Xiao Ming sneered, "With such strict inspections, why is it still so hard for the average person to get their hands on those liquors? Even if they manage to buy them at a premium, they're likely to be counterfeit. Where have all the products manufactured by the distilleries gone?
Do you really think that just the consumption by businessmen like Zhou and Sir Duan is enough to satisfy the entire market?"
Zhou Qingyuan was stunned but soon showed signs of understanding.
"As long as you know, don't let it slip."
Xiao Ming stopped her from speaking further and continued, "If you're playing the short game, then no stock is safe.
But for the long term, it's easier, just pick the companies that will never go bankrupt. You might not make a lot, but you definitely won't lose everything."
"Then why should I buy liquor stocks?"
Xiao Ming smiled without saying a word.
He clearly remembered a news story from his previous life about stuffing famous liquors into mineral water bottles—a bizarre situation, but a reality.
A certain well-known liquor stock plummeted after the strict prohibition orders were released; it was unrecognizable to its own parent company. Yet just a year later, it rebounded to its peak, with an almost hundredfold increase in value.
More bizarre, yet also a reality.
At this point, Fang Muye finally put down the printout and, coughing awkwardly, actually gave Xiao Ming a fist and palm salute.
"Xiao, I was presuming on my age and spoke out of turn earlier, which was truly shameful. I hope you don't take it to heart," he said.
The old man spoke in half-baked terms, which sounded awkward, but Xiao Ming knew this was definitely not the time to show a mocking expression.
"Mr. Fang, you're being too serious. You are an esteemed figure in the medical field, having saved countless lives in your career and followed a path of immeasurable merit. As for stock trading, to put it bluntly, it's not much different from gambling.
It's understandable that you don't know much about it given our divergent paths."
Moreover, no disrespect intended, but you are only qualified to 'sell your age' because you're old and unmatched in experience!
It's only a young person like me who would be so frivolous to keep betting back and forth."
"Damn!"
Fang Muye hadn't even had time to react when Duan Hongqing suddenly glared, "You brat can kiss Fang's ass all you want, but why the hell do you need to step on me in the process?
It's me who's betting with you. Am I not old enough?"
Knowing that Sir Duan liked to be melodramatic and wasn't truly angry, Xiao Ming just curled his lips: "I'm complimenting you on your youthfulness, what's wrong with that?"
Duan Hongqing was left speechless, but Zhou Jicang pointed at him and laughed heartily, "That's what you get for always playing the age card, serves you right!"
After laughing, he patted Xiao Ming on the shoulder and looked at the computer screen, "What Sir Duan said just now wasn't an exaggeration at all. After looking at your trading records, I too feel there are always people better than oneself, mountains beyond mountains.
I also compared the rise and fall of several stocks today, and kid, you actually nailed the timing of every transaction, hitting the lowest and highest points precisely. It's almost magical.
If it weren't for the three stocks where you missed the highs and lows, I'd almost suspect you're omniscient."
Xiao Ming was about to be modest when he heard Yun Shi Yu speak up, "He was eating at that time."
Yasha was once again filled with silence.
Duan Hongqing's neck creaked as he slowly turned to Yun Shi Yu, "Girl Yun, are you saying that he missed it because he was eating and not following the trends?"
Yun Shi Yu nodded, "Judging by the time interval, it was exactly at noon."
After a pause, she added, "I can be sure of it. Because the lunch he had was especially brought from home by me."
The three old men didn't have any particular reaction to this, but Zhou Qingyuan's eyebrows rose sharply, and she began grinding her teeth with puffed cheeks in anger.
The reason was simple; she couldn't cook and felt outdone by Yun Shi Yu.
Xiao Ming was utterly helpless.
He genuinely wanted to be low-key, but others wouldn't allow it. Where was the justice in that?
"Do you even know how to be a secretary?" He glared at Yun Shi Yu, annoyed, "I'm not bringing you out anymore."
"Kid, how... how did you do it?"
Zhou Jicang came back to his senses to ask, while Duan Hongqing, Fang Muye, and even the Tea Doctor, who was brewing the tea, all pricked up their ears.
Xiao Ming scratched his head, "If I say it's by luck and intuition, would you believe me?"
"I believe you my ass!" Duan Hongqing spat in his face.
Zhou Jicang smiled, "Well! That must be a trade secret, then. We're not Xiao's fathers, after all, so why should he tell us everything?"
Xiao Ming rolled his eyes.
Birds of a feather flock together; it wasn't unreasonable for Sir Zhou and Sir Duan to be friends, both being rascals.
At that moment, Fang Muye's phone rang. He answered a few words and then stood up to excuse himself, "Sir Duan, Sir Zhou. I have a patient in urgent need of a home visit. I must attend to it and cannot delay, so I'll take my leave first.
Xiao, would you mind giving me your contact information?"
Xiao Ming suddenly remembered something about Fang Muye, reckoning it was today.
So he gladly exchanged phone numbers with the old man and then said, "Sir Fang, I may not understand medicine, but I often hear that traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes individualized treatment, balancing yin and yang, varying by the four seasons, and even taking into account the time of the day.
Is that so?"
Fang Muye was taken aback but nodded, "That's indeed the case, and there's even more to it."
"That's good to know," Xiao Ming smiled. "Take care, Sir Fang. I wish you continued success in bringing patients back to health, may your medicine always alleviate their ailments."