"Right? Now you see how tough we have it. Oh, and boss, I've scrolled past that place tons of times. Rumor says the broth's simmered with fresh lychees, sweet and fragrant, every ingredient's super fresh and supposedly low-fat..."
Jiang Cheng nodded. "Exactly. Because it's low-fat I figured I'd bring Shorty over to try it—better than starving in the canteen..."
Seeing Xu Yan wanted to tag along, Shen Shuang naturally wanted in too.
She cleared her throat, cheeks pink with rare embarrassment, and chimed in, "Yan Yan's right. I heard you even need a reservation. No wonder you're the big shot. You two wouldn't really leave us gnawing canteen food, would you?"
Jiang Churan laughed at their duet, turned to Jiang Cheng, eyes sparkling with mirth and silent inquiry.
Jiang Cheng arched a brow, gaze sweeping the two who stared at him like hungry kittens, and said half-smiling, "Oh? And who was it just now declaring, 'No way, we're not playing third wheels'?"
Shen Shuang's skin was thick; she instantly released Jiang Churan and bounced to Jiang Cheng's side, grinning cheekily.
"Hey, just being polite! All courtesy! President Jiang, you're magnanimous—don't hold us little folk to it."
Xu Yan nodded along, adding solemnly, "Exactly, two more make it livelier, and we absolutely—absolutely won't disturb you."
As she spoke she even made an 'I see nothing' gesture, sending Jiang Churan into breathless laughter.
Jiang Cheng shook his head, helpless but amused. "All right, let's go."
"Yay!" Shen Shuang and Xu Yan cheered in unison.
They flanked Jiang Churan, one on each side, and skipped toward the door.
Soon the car slid smoothly along the road, neon blurring outside while the three Girls jabbered about hotpot flavors inside.
Minutes later the car stopped at the restaurant door. The moment the private-room door opened, sweet lychee aroma mingled with rich broth flooded their noses.
The red-and-white broth bubbled; peeled lychee pulp floated in the clear soup, and bright-red slices cooked tender in seconds.
They ate with abandon. Shen Shuang hissed from the heat yet kept popping lychees to cut the grease; Xu Yan cupped her bowl, cheeks flushed.
Jiang Cheng ate while eyeing the data Chen Xueer and the small group sent.
The crimson numbers onscreen pulsed harshly; the smile at his lips deepened.
Zheng Zhigang: 183 USD held! The 15 billion guarantee Xu Zhi just topped up was mostly chewed away by our algo-scalping—his usable balance is scraping bottom!
Chen Xueer: [Attachment: Closing statement] Cheng, the 40 million shares long from the three offshore funds have been cashed out at the peak. The follow-up crowd took 92% and is still chasing higher like fools.
Qin Fen: Broker just messaged—Xu Zhi's margin call is 185 USD. Price's stuck at 183; he's got no breathing room left. Smash it now?
Jiang Cheng skimmed the closing numbers, a cold curve on his lips.
Jiang Cheng: Not yet. Let the herd charge five more minutes. Once they're all-in, we flip and dump. Remember, three waves: first 30% to drive it to 180 and force the followers to cut losses; the remaining 70% we bleed dry slowly.
The moment the message went out, Chen Xueer's call came through, voice crackling with excitement: "President Jiang, final settlement's in! This hunt for Xu Zhi, plus the follow-ups, netted 32.6 billion after all costs! And Xu Zhi's 120-billion short has been tagged for forced liquidation—at tomorrow's open he's totally wiped!"
"Got it. Well done—back home I'll treat you..." With the three Girls present he didn't chat long with Chen Xueer.
After a few words he hung up and slipped the phone back into his pocket.
Seeing his calm face, Jiang Churan leaned in. "What is it? Something wrong?"
"Nothing." Jiang Cheng ruffled her hair and dropped a glistening poached lychee into her bowl. "Just made a bit of pocket money—feeling good."
Across the table Shen Shuang, mouth full of tripe, mumbled, "How much? When the big boss moves, it's gotta be huge, right?"
Xu Yan also looked up, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Jiang Cheng smiled, didn't hide it, and said offhandedly, "Not much—only a little over ten billion."
"Pfft—"
Shen Shuang sprayed tripe across the table.
Xu Yan's chopsticks clattered down; both gasped in unison, staring at Jiang Cheng like he was the God of Wealth himself.